Chapter 533: Alliance-wide Brawl
The most shocking thing about this game wasn't the Knicks' 31-point victory, but the fact that Yang Mo only scored 13 points. If he'd only scored 13 points in a game last season, the Knicks would have been crushed, but now they won so easily.
Of course, while Yang Mo's scoring numbers were a bit thin, his assist numbers were incredibly impressive, breaking the Knicks' single-game assist record of 30. He also grabbed 14 rebounds, and he and Chandler teamed up to grab 19 offensive rebounds, meaning the Knicks outscored the Magic by 19 more offensive rebounds alone.
Yang Mo wasn't the least bit surprised by this massive triple-double. In an interview, he calmly replied, "We just did what we were supposed to do. You have to understand, our goal is the championship. If we can't even easily defeat the Magic, how can we prove we have what it takes to win the championship?"
Yang Mo's calm tone revealed an endless arrogance, and his arrogance also inspired his teammates. After scoring 51 points in the first game, Stoudemire couldn't help but brag in an interview: "I never thought scoring would be so easy. Really, Super Yang is the best point guard I've ever seen. Even Steve Nash isn't as great as him. He's better at tearing through defenses than Steve. He can use the most subtle passes to get me airborne without any hesitation. Then I just stretch my arms and the basketball automatically falls into my palm. It's a very strange feeling. It feels like the basket is my home, and I can touch it back and forth with ease."
When asked about contract offers, he replied easily, "I've already received three contracts from China, and a fried chicken chain in New York has asked me to be their spokesperson. This has largely made up for my losses on the contract. Besides, basketball is more than just money. I can win more games with the Knicks, I can win the scoring title, and I can even be a member of a championship team. Look, I've already got so much, why would I need that little bit of money?"
Stoudemire was undoubtedly elated. In fact, every Knicks player was elated. Tyson Chandler, in an interview, said cheerfully, "I feel the same way as Amare. My scoring has become easier. I've played with Chris Paul, a very good point guard, but Super Yang makes me feel more comfortable passing. And, most importantly, Super Yang makes my defense easier. He creates pressure on all the perimeter defenders, and all I have to do is stand in the paint and wait for the chance to block my shot. Didn't you see I got seven blocks in my first game?"
After praising Yang Mo, Chandler also praised the entire team: "Jeffries, Brewer, Tony Allen, James Posey, they are all exceptionally good defensive players, and our coaching staff, they have done such meticulous work on defense. I am proud to play with such a team, and I swear there will never be another team that suits me better than the Knicks."
"The Knicks gave me more freedom. I thought I was here to sit on the bench. But they completely handed the second lineup over to me, letting me lead Beasley, Chandler, Gallinani and others to a stellar season. I like this free style, and I think I can have a second spring." Iverson also praised it highly.
The same goes for Beasley and others.
It can be said that the Knicks' internal chemistry has reached its best at this time. Everyone is happy with their position and no one feels uncomfortable playing.
This feeling was entirely based on Yang Mo giving up his shooting. He had become a complete point guard, and in fact, he was the only point guard on the Knicks. He focused most of his attention on assists and defense. Of course, he would occasionally try a few mid-range shots, which was his only weakness, and he kept practicing, hoping to succeed.
"Isaiah, I think your suggestion is correct. We have too many players who can play now, which has caused internal energy consumption. It would be better to trade for Carmelo Anthony to create a strong point at the small forward position. Of course, it would be even better if we could get Billups as well. We need a point guard. After all, I also want to score some points occasionally." Yang Mo gave Isaiah Thomas feedback very promptly after the game.
After Isaiah Thomas got the news, he immediately reconnected with the Nuggets and, by the way, also brought his good friend the Timberwolves in. The Timberwolves did him a huge favor with the Beasley issue, and now it's time to return the favor.
While Isaiah Thomas was actively planning a trade, LeBron James unexpectedly made his championship declaration in front of the media: "No matter who the opponent is, no matter how difficult the future is, there is only one thing we have to do: win the championship. I don't think there is any force that can stop us from moving forward."
LeBron James announced his championship victory, instantly igniting the flames of war.
Before Yang Mo responded, Kobe Bryant, the Lakers' leader in the West, had already given his answer: "Hey, guys from the East, it's not your turn to talk yet. No matter which of you makes it to the finals this year, I will teach that guy how to win the championship."
Kobe Bryant spoke with the status of a veteran, but before Yang Mo and LeBron James could say anything, the Mavericks owner stood up and slapped him in the face: "Kobe, there is more than one strong team in the West. Dallas just beat you in the opening game."
With the Mavericks emerging, how could their arch-rival, the San Antonio Spurs, sit back? Popovich shrugged, "Mavericks, what qualifications do you have to represent the West? We had a 3-1 record against you last season."
The Spurs jumped out, and another veteran team, the Celtics, was not to be outdone. Kevin Garnett said with a mature air: "Boys, you are all too green. This will be the year of the Celtics, and we will be the ultimate champions."
With these new players joining the fray, the NBA's atmosphere reached a fever pitch. This completely surprised David Stern; he hadn't anticipated the emergence of so many strong teams this year, each so fiercely competitive. With this in mind, there was no need to worry about ratings this year; viewers loved this kind of brawl.
David Stern hoped that competition would generate more buzz and attention. Indeed, the atmosphere in the NBA heated up from the start of the regular season. The six championship teams fought openly and secretly, while the remaining second-tier teams pursued them relentlessly. The bottom-tier teams also showed a sense of shame and courage, instantly bringing the atmosphere in the NBA to a fever pitch. Where was the relaxed atmosphere of the past?
Yang Mo was like an electric eel thrown into a pile of sardines. As soon as he generated electricity, the sardines began to move around like crazy.
Amidst the competition, the Knicks won their second opponent, the Denver Nuggets.
Before the game started, Isaiah Thomas whispered to Yang Mo, "Don't win too much in this game. The key is to show off your horse to the buyers and let them know how powerful Chandler, Gallinani, and Anthony Randolph are."
Yang Mo understood Isaiah Thomas's plan. When the game started, he started Wilt Chandler, Gallinari, and Anthony Randolph, then continuously assisted them in scoring.
When they were on the court, the Knicks' style of play was a little choppy. But whenever the Nuggets were about to gain momentum, Yang Mo would suppress them with strong scoring, and then continue to feed the ball, allowing these guys to show their energy.
Essentially, this was a rigged game to inflate the points of the three traders, and Yang Mo played it thoroughly. All three played for nearly 40 minutes, and their stats all reached over 25 points, for a total of 87 points, more than double Carmelo Anthony's.
The game ended with a score of 128:112. Six Knicks players scored in double figures, and Yang Mo once again scored a triple-double.
The Nuggets were also very satisfied with the result, as the point difference proved they were stronger than the Magic. Meanwhile, the Knicks' three trade chips all played well, and they believed these three players could carry the team in the post-Anthony era, perhaps even achieving even better results than before. After all, Carmelo Anthony had spent seven years proving he was a star player who couldn't lead a small-budget team to the Finals.
After the game, Isaiah Thomas called Yang Mo and said that the arrangements for tonight were very good, the Nuggets had relented, and he could get bigger bargaining chips.
In addition to the call from Isaiah Thomas, Carmelo Anthony also went to the home team's locker room to find Yang Mo. After finding Yang Mo, he said very straightforwardly: "I want to play for the Knicks. My team has also reached an agreement with the Knicks."
"We welcome you," Yang Mo replied calmly. "However, you won't have unlimited shooting here. Of course, scoring will be easier for you. After all, our team now has three or even four players who are enough to attract double-teams."
"As long as I can win the championship before LeBron, I don't have to have unlimited shooting rights."
"Well, we look forward to your joining us."
