After talking about tactics, Van Gundy's impression of Yang Rui has completely changed.

This kid didn't come to learn, but wanted to get the job. He was capable and dared to perform, so he rushed to speak and suppress his competitors.

Van Gundy asked: "Can you refine Ewing's tactics after covering the air cut?"

Yang Rui drew a new picture, marked the running position with an arrow, and explained: "Ewing cuts to the side and receives the ball in the low position. If Langley changes defense, he will face the swingman or the defender and have the physical advantage to hit. Under the basket. Langley is slow and it is difficult to return to defense in time when he goes out. If Rodman and Pippen make up the defense, Ewing points the ball to the weaker side and the corner player can take the shot. So I recommend the small forward coach. Shooting from the bottom corner, Ewing focuses on high positions and mid-range shots on both sides."

Van Gundy doesn't like to listen to this, he is very traditional in thinking."How can the inside line not enter the penalty area? Hit the basket and hit a higher percentage."

"Langli is 218cm tall and weighs 120 kg. He is one size bigger than Ewing. It is difficult to guarantee efficiency when attacking directly in the low post. I think we should try to create space. Therefore, I suggest reducing Ewing's low attack times, and it is best to reduce him. Playing time." Yang Rui didn't follow Van Gundy, insisting on his own ideas.

In his previous life, Ewing had a dislocated right wrist in the 1997-1998 season, accompanied by a torn ligament, and only played 26 games in the regular season, which was the consequence of the 36-year-old veteran.Ewing only played 4 games in the playoffs and performed poorly. The Knicks were eliminated by the Pacers 4-1 in the second round.

The NBA is not stronger than anyone else, creating empty shots, and there are many people who will shoot more than 40% of the three-pointers in the future. What's more, there is Alan Houston in the team, so don't waste it.

"Ewing's exit will reduce the Knicks' defensive strength. How to solve this problem? You two can also answer." Van Gundy looked at Thibodeau and Boyd.

The faces of the two senior teaching assistants were not very good-looking. Van Gundy's question seemed to be taking into account their emotions and giving them a chance to show them. In fact, it was to make them be responsible for "selling bricks and attracting jade."

Since Yang Rui dared to say that Ewing should reduce his playing time, there must be a solution. From entering the door to the present, Yang Rui has been confident.

Van Gundy has already begun to underestimate the other two. Before Yang Rui came, they introduced their past work results and made no mention of how to work with the Knicks in the new season.If they can't say anything suppressed by young people, what about seniors?

The two of them have similar thoughts, and they have to be cautious in their words. Now it doesn't work. It's not difficult to produce some dry goods, so there is no need to say.

Thibodeau reacted faster and spoke first.

"After Ewing came off the field, the defender put pressure on the ball player, while the big man pressed the ball tightly. Part of it was a short period of time, double-teaming the opponent with the ball. At the same time, several other players collectively cut off the long pass. , On the weak side, leave a forward who is fast and about two meters tall, and control the two at the same time to make a good rotation."

Van Gundy pondered for a moment, which made sense.

Thibodeau has a deep research on defense.This kind of routine requires a strong single defense against the ball, plus a flexible big man who can push to the three-point line, and a perfect team rotation. As long as the opponent is not five people can shoot, it is effective.

Van Gundy asked: "It's not very good to protect the backcourt. Oakley often has to guard against going out, right?"

"Yes, defense cannot be comprehensive." Thibodeau replied.

"Ewing leaves the field. If the opponent has the ability to attack inside, relying on strength to play low, he can complete a hard one-on-one, attracting double-teams and shooting outside. What if Oakley and Buck Williams can't help it?"

If it is O'Neal's tonnage star, the low post is fierce, not to mention Ewing resting, he can't defend himself.Fortunately, there are not many such people.

Boyd finally spoke, but the method was a little irresponsible."I think, let Ewing play more. He is a tough guy and will do his best to win. The Knicks tradition is iron and blood."

Van Gundy's face remained silent, and he directly marked this with an X in his heart.

If Lao Nima is available, will Ewing play 37 minutes last season?Had it not been for the Knicks players to be too iron and blood, they could fight the Heat last season and the suspension was reversed?

Now to say the word "iron and blood" to him is like a kind of irony.

Yang Rui raised his hand and smiled and said: "I agree with Tom, speed up the rotation, the inside defense can be adjusted according to the opponent's lineup. For example, against the Lakers O'Neal, use the shark slashing tactics and send him a free throw. If it is Mourning, then Sending people who are not very tall, have the strength to fight with him, resist outside the penalty area, and reduce their efficiency. For big men with weight and poor shooting, we can still solve the problem with a small lineup, as long as we shrink to block the penalty area. That's it."

Thibodeau hurriedly added: "Guarantee the rotation, the opponent can't shoot from outside, just rely on a low attack, the score can easily be controlled within 100 points, we can also fight back."

Thibodeau and Yang Rui smiled at each other. Yang Rui did not completely refute his tactics, which was enough to overwhelm Boyd.The Knicks don't just need an assistant now.

Boyd scolded his mother, did you two agree to form a group?What can I say after you have said everything?

Ernie and Van Gundy also suspected that Tom and Yang Rui knew each other, because Yang Rui just called "Tom", just like an old friend.When entering the door, Van Gundy did not introduce him to two competitors.Thibodeau is not well-known. Who cares about the 76ers' inexperienced teaching assistant?

Yang Rui once again confuses his eyes and listens to success, and also pulls in an ally.

Van Gundy asked: "If you join the Knicks, what is your goal?"

The general manager was right here, saying that the goal is equal to the order of the army, and the two calm people began to think about it. Yang Rui immediately answered, decisively.

"My goal is to help the Knicks win the championship in the new season, and I have the confidence to do so. Our advantages include three-pointers, defense, depth of lineup, core age, no worse than the Bulls, just discussed tactics, we are not To kill Jordan, should the bull be made into a black pepper steak?"

"Hahaha, well said, ambitious." Ernie clapped aside.

Van Gundy also laughed. This is what he thinks. The iron and blood of the Knicks is the confidence to dare to pursue their dreams and the passion to move forward toward the goal.

Looking at the other two, I didn't even dare to say a word, for fear that the team would be eliminated and I would be responsible.

Even if the Knicks were eliminated, the fans would curse the coach. They didn't even have any role as assistants, and they were instantly compared by Yang Rui, like the light of a firefly is better than the bright light of the moon.

Van Gundy asked: "Do you really think we can win this season?"

"Yes! Because I have confidence in you, I have confidence in Knicks players, and I have more confidence in myself. My specialty lies in offense. As long as the team is willing to use me, I will help you arrange suitable offensive tactics and do my best. Help the team win."

"The new season assistant coach, I want to choose him." Van Gundy turned to look at Ernie, and said solemnly: "He's good."

Manager Ernie Grunfeld is not a procrastinator. After the discussion, he immediately called his assistant to draw up a contract through the process and prepare to sign a contract with the two.

The Knicks can't wait. The summer league will start in early July. If the team's head coach personally leads the team to investigate marginalized people and find reserve talent for the team, it will become a laughing stock.

There is an unwritten rule that the team leader is always the team assistant, who inspects both players and assistant coaches.

The summer league is a place full of “slings”. Each team can sign a contract with anyone in the free market and invite foreign players to play. They only need to take care of board and lodging without any other obligations. In the end, they do not sign a contract to play in the NBA. Quan questioned, and he could only admit bad luck if he was injured.

Some players will participate in the summer leagues in Las Vegas, Orlando, and Long Beach at the same time, just to play more games, show their strength, and pursue a basic salary.

Thibodeau also signed, and his defensive philosophy fits Van Gundy's appetite.

As for Boyd, he can only be passed ruthlessly. People who discuss tactics slowly can't work together.A good assistant is the one who dares to help the head coach share the responsibilities. What else can he do if he dare not say anything?

Three days later, Yang Rui and Xibodu reported to the general manager's office and got the contract.

The content is not complicated. They need to participate in the team's daily training, tactical discussions, and go with the team to play away games. The contract period is one year.

Unless it is a big-name assistant, they will get a high-paying long-term contract as soon as they start. Such people are usually the team actively poaching.

No matter how good Yang Rui performed during the interview, the salary must start from a newcomer in the industry. The annual salary is only 150,000 before the tax, and Thibodeau is even less than him, 120,000.

The offer was fair. Thibodeau couldn't even mix with the 76ers and was waived, and Yang Rui had no experience.If they prove themselves, the management will consider renewing the contract, otherwise it is just a transitional coach.

Thibodeau was very depressed that Yang Rui became the team's first assistant coach through the performance of the interview. Seeing that he signed the contract calmly when he got the contract, he began to wonder what family he came from.

An annual salary of $100,000 is an absolute high salary in the United States, so why doesn't he seem to care?

This is of course because Yang Rui comes from the era after the NBA's great development. Since 2015, many assistants have an annual salary of one million, and the player contracts are even more outrageous.Now he is not for money, only for a platform.

Yang Rui's mood is just one word-cool!

In his previous life, his parents were gone, he had almost no contact with distant relatives, and he was alone.Back in this day and age, he didn't have any entanglements, he just wanted to let go of his courage and go for it.

After signing the contract, Yang Rui got a check, and the team paid a salary of 10,000 US dollars in advance, which is the hard cost of summer league work.He immediately quit his job at the snack bar and officially got out of poverty.

The Knicks then finalized an assistant, Billy Salman, and the original fitness trainer Chris Georg, to form a new coaching staff.

On July 1, the NBA free market opened, and the Knicks management held a uniform group meeting.

Uniform, as the name suggests, means suit. Uniform group means coaching staff and management meeting.Manager Ernie first welcomed the new members and then arranged work for July.

"Jerry Yang, Tom Thibodeau, you will go to the Long Beach Summer League together for a total of five games. Jerry, there is good news. We have agreed to the request of the Chinese Men's Basketball Team to play against them in the first game." Ernie looked at Yang. Rui smiled.

"Haha, that would be very interesting." Yang Rui realized that his joining had a butterfly effect.

Last year, the Chinese men's basketball team came to the United States to train, against the Lakers.In Yang Rui's previous life, the Chinese men's basketball team still played against the Lakers this year, and in 1998 they played against the temporarily formed "Magic Star Team".

The so-called star team is actually the legendary point guard "Magic" Johnson and a group of retired old men. Johnson is 39 years old and has been diagnosed with AIDS for 7 years. People who don't know their size think it is O'Neal.

Johnson is not the fattest yet. One of his teammates has a fat ball, and the whole is a black Michelin tire. The game was broadcast on Chinese TV at the time, and Yang Rui was particularly impressed.

In the face of such a group of old, weak, sick, and disabled comrades who are pregnant and holding children, the Chinese players have the advantage of athletic ability. There is no suspense... 88 to 112 lost.

The men’s basketball team has been so speechless in the past two years. This time they are warming up for the upcoming Asian Championships. If history does not show any deviation, they will lose to South Korea in the semi-finals and will only finish third and miss the World Championships. The team missed the World Championships for the first time since 1982, and the strength can be imagined.

Yang Rui is very happy. He has never been a coach in his previous life. He only uses the memory of this life as a reference. It needs some time to buffer.If he played a strong team in the first game, he was under a lot of pressure. Playing the Chinese team would just want to sleep and give him a pillow.

The atmosphere of the meeting was a bit weird. Except for Ernie and Van Gundy, everyone was curious about how Yang Rui became a teaching assistant, or the nominal first assistant.

Is it so easy to find a job in an NBA giant?

He is too young, he seems to be less than 23 years old, is it the illegitimate child of the boss and the Chinese?

Glenn Walsh, the white fat deputy manager, asked: "Jerry, you look optimistic, but you have never participated in a summer league. Do you know how to do it?"

"Know one thing, it is an invitation to free agents to form a temporary team?" Yang Rui smiled slightly and looked at Ernie."Manager, in terms of inviting players, can I propose a candidate?"

"Of course, you can discuss with the two Mr. Maguire. They will contact the player or the player's agent and send out an invitation, but there is no guarantee that they will come."

Dick Maguire is a well-known Knicks scout, 72 years old this year, still digging talent for the Knicks.His assistant is his son Scott Maguire, who inherited his father's business.

"Is there a detailed list of free men?" Yang Rui asked.

"There is a list, but it's not specific. There are only basic information such as the age, height, and weight of the players. Many people have unknown technical characteristics because most of them have no experience in playing in the NBA." Scott replied.

"That's enough, I need a list after the meeting." Yang Rui said lightly.

Glenn’s first impression of Yang Rui was not very good. He always felt that this young man was too arrogant and said in a cold tone: "Mr. Yang, what do you think the summer league team can achieve? Are you confident in selecting potential players for the team? "

"I don't know." Yang Rui said straightforwardly.

"What?" Glenn frowned.

"Of course I don't know. I haven't even seen a player's shadow. I don't know their quality, let alone tell them tactics. Therefore, I will not be able to answer until the players are selected."

Glenn wanted to catch Yang Rui's flaws, lead him to speak big words, and act as a handle in the future, but the other party was not fooled at all.

"Mr. Walsh, are there any questions?" Yang Rui paused for five seconds, and smiled when no one spoke."Leaders please continue, I will obey any arrangements."

Compared with Thibodeau's formality, Yang Rui's every move appears unrestrained and confident.The old people in the management saw it, and they were even more muttered in their hearts.

Are young people so good now?He is neither stage fright nor reckless.

This kid can become an assistant coach, maybe he is really capable.

Will there be surprises in this summer league?

Van Gundy saw Yang Rui more and more pleasing to his eyes. He participated in the team meeting for the first time that year, and he was a little bit stammer in excited speech. He was still 27 years old.

Yang Rui had the courage and dared to take responsibility. It seemed that Van Gundy had the knowledge and face.

The Knicks retained the core lineup, and the weakest link is precisely the coaching staff.Van Gundy hopes that Yang Rui will perform well and he has signed a contract. Even if it is only a year, he doesn't want to be an assistant. Things are all on him.