NBA: The Basketball Miracle

On November 30, 1996, Madison Square Garden was bustling again.

After the game, New York fans did not leave the stadium and continued to shout loudly to celebrate the team ending its two-game losing streak.

After losing to the Hornets and SuperSonics, Jeff Van Gundy has been increasingly questioned.

Charlie Ward's technical characteristics have been thoroughly understood by all teams, and his statistics are also showing a downward trend.

Under such circumstances, Lee's playing time finally exceeded 20 minutes.

In the last home game, the Knicks were beaten by the SuperSonics without any chance to fight back. In the third quarter, they were outscored 36:23 and lost the game in one fell swoop.

Patrick Ewing was limited by the Sonics' highly mobile forward line to 2 of 15 shots, scoring only 8 points and contributing 4 turnovers.

Lee was considered the best player on the team. Although all his inside breakthroughs missed, he scored a team-high 15 points with 4 of 6 three-pointers and 3 of 5 free throws.

Tonight, facing the Kings, who had a record of 5 wins and 10 losses since the start of the season, the Knicks once again launched a hearty attack, winning 99:115 at home and ending their two-game losing streak.

MSG TV Network interviewed Lee immediately after the game. Commentator Marv Albert was in a good mood and was currently in a state of winning and smiling:

"18 years and 334 days old, Lee, tonight is another record night for you. Congratulations on becoming the youngest player in NBA history to get 20 points and 10 assists!"

"That's a really great record, how would you rate your performance?"

6 of 13, 3 of 7 from beyond the three-point line, 6 of 6 free throws, 21 points, 4 rebounds, 10 assists, 2 steals, 2 turnovers, these are the stats Lee handed in tonight.

Wiping the sweat off his head with his arm guard, Lee seriously doubted that the New York media was calculating his age every day. Recently, several print media have been praising him to bits.

"Records and statistics are not important. I will give myself 70 points for my performance tonight. I missed some opportunities under the basket."

"Compared to the veteran players in the league, my confrontation is still a little lacking, but I have stepped up my strength training, and I hope I can become more comprehensive."

Basketball commentator John Andaris looked at the modest and confident Lee, and cursed Jeff Van Gundy in his heart for being conservative in his use of players:

"Lee, unfortunately, you have a high probability of missing out on the Rookie of the Month award this month. Do you feel sorry about this? We all know that you are more efficient!"

Hearing that the commentator brought up the issue of awards again, Lee replied nonchalantly:

"With 10 wins and 4 losses, the team is off to a good start, which is the most important thing. There are still five months left in the regular season, and I still have a chance to win this award."

"."

The Knicks rested for 5 days in late November, and Patrick Ewing recovered from the disastrous loss in the last game. He made 12 of 20 shots tonight, scored 29 points, 14 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals, and no turnovers.

At the post-game press conference, Jeff Van Gundy and Ewing were questioned again.

The Knicks accelerated their play tonight, with the team taking 86 shots. Charlie Ward only played for 20 minutes, and was replaced by Lee who played for 27 minutes.

"We have the ability to play faster and our offense can be even better, Jeff, why don't we stick with this style of play?"

The New York Times reporter had always supported Jeff Van Gundy, but after the home defeat to the SuperSonics, he also changed sides.

Only a month later, the hair on Jeff Van Gundy's head became visibly thinner. Faced with such a question, he could only give a formulaic answer:

"Facing different opponents, the coaching staff will formulate different game strategies."

"All players have bad days. The regular season is long and what is tested in the end is the team's discipline!"

"I just want to emphasize that defense wins championships. Our goal is clear, and the regular season serves the playoffs."

When the playoffs were brought up, the media in the audience complained in their hearts, but they no longer made things difficult for the two.

Patrick Ewing looked at everyone's changed expressions with a happy face, feeling quite relaxed. He was still the team's pillar!

On December 1, 1996, the NBA announced the first Player of the Month of the season:

the Chicago Bulls had a record of 15 wins and 1 loss in November, and Michael Jordan was unsurprisingly elected Player of the Month;

Jordan averaged 35.9 minutes per game, averaging 31.9 points, 4.9 rebounds, 3.4 assists, 1.5 steals, 0.6 blocks, and 1.5 turnovers.

He averaged 24.4 shots per game with a shooting percentage of 50.3%, 3.3 shots from beyond the three-point line with a three-point shooting percentage of 37.7%, and 7.3 free throws per game with a free throw shooting percentage of 84.6%.

Michael Jordan's data is unique among perimeter players. A 50% shooting percentage is amazing!

Hakeem Olajuwon, Charles Barkley, and Karl Malone, who have won the Player of the Week award before, are speechless after seeing this data. The Player of the Week award may just be a consolation prize given to them by the league.

The Rookie of the Month for November was awarded to Allen Iverson of the 76ers:

The 76ers had a record of 7 wins and 8 losses in November. Iverson averaged 37.2 minutes per game, averaging 21.8 points, 5.3 rebounds, 6.4 assists, 2.7 steals, and 5.3 turnovers.

After the award was announced, Philadelphia fans were all smiles. Even though the team's record was average, everyone believed in the process and the future was bright!

Taking advantage of the popularity, the New York media also followed suit and announced Clay Lee's November statistics:

He averaged 18.5 minutes per game, 13.1 points, 2.4 rebounds, 6.1 assists, 0.8 steals and 1.4 turnovers;

He averaged 8.8 shots per game, with a shooting percentage of 47.4%, 4.8 shots from beyond the three-point line, with a three-point shooting percentage of 43.3%, and 2.8 free throws per game, with a free throw shooting percentage of 85.8%.

Compared with Allen Iverson's 42% shooting percentage and 36% three-point shooting percentage, Lee was more efficient. Finally, the New York media concluded:

"Jeff Van Gundy made Lee lose the Rookie of the Month."

The 1997 Cleveland All-Star Game began voting on this day, and the Knicks took the opportunity to launch a fan event.

Knicks Day is a daily event held by the team every year, with fans, players, coaches and team legends all present.

The NBA will hold its 50th anniversary celebration for the All-Star Game, and the legendary Knicks head coach Reid Holzman will definitely be included in the list of 15 great coaches.

The old man is in poor health, so the fan event held at Madison Square Garden can also be regarded as a prayer event.

A few months after joining the team, Lee met general manager Ernie Grunfeld for the first time.

Willis Reed and Walter Frazier, the stars who led the Knicks to the championship, were also present.

The two were chatting and laughing with Ewing about the upcoming All-Star Game. All three of them were selected as the NBA's 50 greatest stars.

"Good job, Lee! Trust me, you'll get more playing time."

Grunfeld, a burly man dressed in formal attire, smiled and handed a pancake to Lee.

Lee has a clear understanding of his situation. Playing time is only part of the reason, but more importantly, he has to assist the old man.

Facing the delicious pancake, Lee did not show much emotion:

"I don't care whether I'm a starter or a substitute, winning is the most important thing!"

"Coach Van Gundy is a good man and I support whatever decision he makes."

"."

Jeff Van Gundy, who was chatting with the coaching staff, saw Lee and Grunfeld chatting happily and frowned subconsciously:

"It's not a good job to be a head coach"

...

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