On June 6, 1999, after the Knicks lost Game 3, some New York newspapers began to question.
After losing two games in a row in the same way, the New York Post could not hold back:
"Compared to Larry Bird, Coach Van Gundy's on-the-spot response is simply a disaster."
"Sprewell should reduce his shots in the fourth quarter."
"Too many singles, we need more targeted tactics!"
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In Game 3, Clay Lee played 41 minutes, 10 of 21, 3 of 8 from beyond the three-point line, 7 of 7 free throws, 30 points, 5 rebounds, 7 assists, 1 steal, and 2 turnovers.
Taking away Ewing's ball rights, Lee still performed efficiently.
The three-pointer was strictly guarded, but the close-range finish gave a response.
However, after being double-teamed in the fourth quarter, the ball could not be returned in some rounds.
In the video class on the morning of the 6th, Jeff Van Gundy pulled a face and deliberately disassembled several rounds in the fourth quarter, and then said loudly:
"Patience! Be patient in offense, don't think that the referee will call a foul if you break through to the basket."
"We are only three rounds behind, and the key to the game is to respond to the ball!"
Sprewell nodded depressedly when he heard Jeff Van Gundy's words.
Many times, if there is an opportunity to send the ball into the basket, then it is a hero, and if you miss the opportunity and miss the shot, you will become a scapegoat.
As an All-Star guard and the second dominant point in the team, Sprewell was very confident when Lee was double-teamed.
It was just two games, and the last quarter was a single play, but all missed.
After holding back for a season, always playing as a substitute, it was rare to have more playing time.
Sprewell wanted to perform well, but he was questioned.
No one cares about the process, and no one cares whether his choice is reasonable.
Basketball games are all about results.
Lee looked at Jeff Van Gundy who was angry, but he was in a very good mood.
Sprewell didn't like to be a substitute.
The "madman" had a general relationship with everyone, and he didn't want to bow down to him.
The two sometimes disagreed on the court, and at this time they had to rely on the bald young coach to coordinate.
Near the end of the video class, Lee clapped his hands with a smile and encouraged:
"We will win the game, the defense has begun to work!"
"Continue the previous game strategy, don't look at those reports, just win the series, and there will be only praises in the end!"
Larry Johnson was the first to respond.
He had been unhappy with Sprewell for a long time:
"Lee is right, I guarantee it, the opponent is almost at the limit, no one can continue the high-intensity defense, the Bulls can't, and the Pacers are the same!"
"Stay patient, we can win in the fourth quarter. "
Soon, Alan Houston and the atmosphere group also echoed loudly.
Sprewell noticed that everyone was looking at him, and depressedly put away some of his little thoughts, and finally made a promise:
"It's my problem, don't worry, Bro, I swear, I want to win more than anyone! I will deal with that big mouth! "
When Oakley saw this scene, he knew that Lee had already controlled most of the locker room.
Thinking of Ewing's situation, he could only sigh secretly.
The old guys really don't want to lose their privileges.
On the evening of June 6, 94:80, the Spurs won the game cleanly, swept the Trail Blazers 4:0, and successfully entered the finals.
Popovich continued to fight the twin towers, this trick has been tried and tested, and it is very unsolvable!
In 44 minutes, Tim Duncan made 7 of 15 shots, scored 18 points, 8 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 blocks, and no turnovers;
In 42 minutes, David Robinson made 6 of 12 shots, scored 20 points, 10 rebounds, 3 assists, 3 steals, 2 blocks, and 5 turnovers.
Dragging the game into a positional offense, the Spurs' twin towers once again demonstrated their strength.
The Spurs' advancement also made many media follow suit and become fence-sitters:
"The Spurs have shown the same dominance as a championship team! "
Popovich also benefited from it.
The idle and stubborn fight against the twin towers became a well-managed plan.
On the evening of June 7, before the start of Game 4, the Knicks were full of confidence.
Although the outside world was questioning Jeff Van Gundy again, the team believed in the bald young coach.
Slow on-the-spot reaction was not a problem.
The defense of the opponent's core players was very successful in these two games.
In more than a day, the internal relations were completely straightened out.
As long as Reggie Miller continued to be restricted, everyone firmly believed that the Knicks would win.
In the visiting team's locker room, Lee, who had finished warming up in advance, returned to the locker room and was soon surrounded by media reporters.
The ESPN reporter became a megaphone at this time:
"Lee, did you notice Miller's remarks after the Game 3 game?"
Lee returned to his seat and shook his head with a smile.
He did not answer the question, but turned his head to Ben Wallace on the side and asked:
"Ben, how many points did that guy get in the last game?"
Ben Wallace, wearing a headband, grinned and said disdainfully:
"It seems to be 12 points, most of which were fake fouls! "
"Little Ben", who started G3, was troubled by some fouls.
Reggie Miller fouled him twice.
Lee shrugged his shoulders, shook his head and smiled, and said nonchalantly:
"I respect Miller very much. He is an excellent shooter, but if I play inefficiently like him, I will shut up."
"Maybe this is why he can't be MVP. We have different requirements for ourselves. I hope he can still laugh in the next game."
In the locker room, the Knicks atmosphere group laughed along, and the New York reporters who followed the team cheered.
Reggie Miller was their mortal enemy.
In the home team's locker room, Larry Bird, who was praised by the outside world, was not as confident as he was in the press conference.
The Pacers' three-pronged strategy was almost figured out.
"Mark, control the tempo of the game and don't let your opponent run again."
"We are only one step away from the finals. Protect the home court tonight! "
Larry Bird did not mention the tactical adjustment, but walked around the locker room, repeatedly emphasizing the issue of game rhythm.
With Ewing's injury, the Knicks' number of possessions returned to 82.
Although it was a sure thing, the coaching staff thought it was a very bad signal.
Reggie Miller, who was known for his big mouth, was very calm in the locker room, while Mark Jackson on the side was still embarrassed.
At the City Square Arena, more than 19,000 spectators burst into huge cheers the moment the game started.
After the jump ball was successful, the first round lasted almost 24 seconds.
On the right wing, Chris Mullin received a cross pass from Mark Jackson and missed the shot from the right wing outside the three-point line.
The rebound was protected by Ben Wallace, and the audience immediately booed.
After Lee received the ball, Mark Jackson immediately stepped forward to defend, trying to delay the advancement speed.
Rushing across half court and coming to the top of the arc, Lee, who held the ball in his left hand, just paused slightly, pretended to protect the ball sideways, and then immediately lowered his center of gravity and leaned forward to accelerate the breakthrough.
Dale Davis and Rik Smits in the interior hurriedly moved, and the two almost simultaneously let go of Oakley and Ben Wallace near the left and right baselines, and moved to help defend first.
Lee, who rushed across the free throw line, noticed the defensive positions of the two people, followed the physical confrontation given by Mark Jackson, suddenly stepped forward to receive the ball, jumped with his left foot, and completed the shot with his left hand in the paint area while leaning his body!
The basketball was thrown high, passed the two defenders under the basket, and fell into the basket accurately!
In the eyes of the Pacers fans at the scene, Lee just drove straight in, almost without stopping, and scored too easily, and there was another round of booing.
Mark Jackson had noticed since the last game that Lee often sneaked steps and completed the lob with the same hand and foot.
This kind of physical coordination made Mark Jackson's eyes go straight.
After only one round, Larry Bird kept signaling on the sidelines to slow down the game.
Soon, the Pacers started to attack from the low post on the left side of Rik Smits.
When he turned his back to the ball, Ben Wallace was behind him.
After Mark Jackson passed the ball to the left wing, all the Pacers players pulled away one by one.
He wanted to get close to the paint area by hitting, but under Ben Wallace's top defense, Rik Smits was forced to go up the line.
He hit hard twice, but failed to squeeze into the basket, so he simply turned quickly towards the baseline.
Coming to the lower left side of the basket, Rik Smits switched to his left hand and used his height advantage to complete the shot.
"Bang!"
The basketball hit the rim and Oakley grabbed the rebound.
No one came forward to fight for it, and all the Pacers players quickly retreated.
Lee received the ball and pushed through half court.
He noticed that the opponent had completed the defense.
He looked up at the top of the arc and saw Chris Mullin on the left wing coming to help.
Lee stepped back, pulled the defense, and sent a ground pass with his left hand.
On the left wing, Larry Johnson received the ball and there was no one in front of him.
Seeing that Reggie Miller seemed to want to complete the defensive rotation, he immediately made a fake pass to the left corner.
Reggie Miller just stopped and prepared to help defend Alan Houston.
Larry Johnson didn't make too many adjustments at this time and quickly jumped and shot!
"Swish!" The three-pointer went into the net!
5:0 started, the Knicks' offense was fast, there was no pick-and-roll, and all the points came from transition offense.
Doug Collins, on the NBC commentary booth, noticed that the Knicks had picked up speed at the start of the game, and immediately smiled and said:
"When the Knicks can hit these open shots, they will become unstoppable."
"Lee has performed very well in the first three games. Facing these double teams, he only made five turnovers in total."
After scoring, Larry Johnson patted his chest and quickly retreated, looking very proud.
When the Pacers attacked and started to score and pass the ball quickly, Bob Collins couldn't help but complain:
"The Knicks' defense against pick-and-roll is to switch defense. Mark Jackson may need to pass the ball to the low post again."
After nearly 24 seconds, Dale Davis, who was near the free throw line, finally received the ball and helped the Pacers break the deadlock.
In the City Square Arena, the Pacers fans finally cheered.
Oakley didn't care about the opponent's jump shot, and quickly ran to the frontcourt.
The Knicks quickly sent the ball to the baseline.
Lee's advancement speed was very fast, and Mark Jackson's small moves didn't have much effect.
Arriving at the top of the arc, Mark Jackson saw Oakley behind him stop and move toward the three-point line, and subconsciously tightened his defense.
Lee, holding the ball in his right hand, just swayed to the right and dribbled behind his back quickly, instantly shaking out of position.
Oakley had already stopped and watched Lee switch to his left hand and break through with his shoulder, going straight to the basket.
Breaking into the paint area, Lee first looked at Ben Wallace near the left baseline after receiving the ball, pretending to pass the ball, and stopped Rik Smits who was moving to assist in defense under the basket.
Taking this opportunity, Lee leaned against Mark Jack and shot the ball to the basket with his left hand!
"Squeak! Swish!"
The whistle sounded and the ball went in.
Mark Jackson, who was out of position on defense, pulled too obviously and was immediately called for a foul by the referee.
After Lee made the free throw steadily, most of the boos in the City Square Arena disappeared.
The fans of the Pacers team only then realized that Mark Jackson's defense was mostly for nothing.
Once the ball could not be scored, it would be a failure in a few rounds.
8:2, fortunately in the next attack, Reggie Miller made a strong three-pointer, which made Larry Bird on the sidelines secretly relieved.
The Knicks' offense was simple and rough, without pick-and-roll, mostly one-on-one.
Lee broke through and shot in the paint area, and Larry Johnson played a single-handed single in the low post on the right.
If the shot was missed, grab it. If it was not grabbed, delay it on the spot, and then quickly retreat.
The Pacers' offense was to slow down the rhythm as much as possible, trying to find an open position, or to take the blame at the last moment to complete the offense.
Although Mark Jackson tried to control the rhythm of the game, facing the Knicks' single-point explosion and the increasingly fast offense, he was still a little overwhelmed after running half a quarter.
It was a rare pick-and-roll.
Oakley missed a mid-range shot in the right elbow area of the free throw line, but Ben Wallace grabbed the rebound.
He passed the ball to Alan Houston at the top of the arc, who received the ball, faked it, and then broke through with his right hand.
Reggie Miller's defense was a little slow, he lost his defensive position, and hurriedly stepped to the left and back.
Mark Jackson kept his back to the basket, focusing all his attention on Clay Lee.
When Lee moved from the right wing to the right corner, Mark Jackson, who was defending closely, bumped into Larry Johnson who was covering him.
A simple breakthrough pass, Alan Houston's pass was average quality, Lee received the ball in the right corner and made a slight adjustment.
Finally, against the block of Chris Mullin who came up for defense, Lee made a quick three-point jump shot in the corner!
"Swish!" The three-pointer went into the net!
15:9, with 6 minutes and 3 seconds left in the first quarter, the Pacers took the lead in requesting a timeout.
The score was widened again, and the Knicks bench was full of jubilation.
Everyone stood up and high-fived Lee who was walking to the bench.
On the NBC commentary booth, Doug Collins was speechless, but on the surface he praised loudly:
"Basketball games are ultimately about getting the ball into the basket. Although the Knicks' style of play is simple, it is very effective."
A single shot is a good shot, and the tactics are also fine.
Bob Costas couldn't say much:
"Maybe the Pacers' offense needs to be more resolute!"
Rik Smits, who was too slow in assisting defense, was replaced by Antonio Davis.
Kurt Thomas replaced Oakley, and Jeff Van Gundy wanted to continue to strengthen the offense.
In the second half of the first quarter, the Knicks had completely controlled the rhythm of the game.
Reggie Miller made consecutive mistakes, and Alan Houston completed a steal.
After an easy dunk, the noise at the scene was almost gone.
In the pick-and-roll at the right elbow of the free throw line, Lee was double-teamed and assisted Kurt Thomas who came on the court to make a jump shot.
Antonio Davis of the Pacers failed to continue his brilliant performance in the previous game after he came on the court.
After hitting a mid-range shot, he missed shots at the basket and from mid-range.
At the end of the first quarter, while the Pacers were in the free throw state, Lee also got fouled and stood on the free throw line.
After Ben Wallace successfully ate the ball at the basket, Jeff Van Gundy on the sidelines stopped shouting and smiled again.
At 27:17, the first quarter ended and the Knicks led by 10 points.
Taking the rotation lineup in advance did not change the offensive state of the Pacers.
Head coach Larry Bird was a little helpless and could only give the players a psychological massage with a serious expression.
In the commentary booth, after the two looked at the technical statistics, Bob Costas couldn't help but take a breath:
"In the first quarter, the Knicks took 25 shots, while the Pacers only took 18."
"The rebounds of the two teams were similar, but their offense was too fast, and coach Larry Bird's game plan didn't seem to work too well."
Doug Collins secretly complained about the singles after halftime, but kept 4praising:
"Lee is in excellent condition, and coach Van Gundy's adjustment has worked!"
Playing the entire first quarter, Lee made 4 of 6 shots, 1 of 2 from beyond the three-point line, 2 of 3 free throws, 11 points, 1 rebound, and 3 assists.
Alan Houston and Larry Johnson both made 2 of 6 shots, and the two basically just took the ball and did it, and the Knicks' offense became an orderly blind fight.
Without rotating in advance, Sprewell knew that this was Jeff Van Gundy's knock on him again.
The "madman" was in a bad mood, but after entering the court, he still played hard.
The Pacers continued with their opening game strategy, defending and slowing down the game, and frequently passing the ball to Rik Smits.
The "The Dunking Dutchman" lived up to expectations, with mid-range jump shots from the free throw line and back-to-the-basket singles from the right low post, helping the Pacers score points.
Derrick McKey and Sam Perkins continued to rush for offensive rebounds, while Travis Best and Jalen Rose were responsible for receiving the rebounds.
Although the Pacers' rotation lineup played slowly, the success rate was extremely high in each round, and the score began to rise slowly.
Chris Childs and Sprewell had no intention of slowing down the pace of the game.
They basically attacked with the ball after passing half court, playing very resolutely.
Seeing that the score difference was still not narrowed, the Pacers fans at the scene became a little anxious, and the boos became louder and louder.
The score was fixed at 25 for more than a minute.
While Ollie was standing on the free throw line, the Pacers immediately replaced Reggie Miller and Mark Jackson.
Clay Lee, Alan Houston, and Kurt Thomas also came on the court.
There were 6 minutes and 11 seconds left in the first half.
After coming on the court, Lee stood outside the three-point line, leaning on his knees, and teased Reggie Miller who was looking sullen:
"If you want to win the MVP, you guy really have no chance!"
"I never play for data!"
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