Capítulo 115: Confirmed Lineup for The New Season
"My vacation is over, so I will train in advance to adapt to the rhythm of the NBA," Lian Dao said with a smile as he greeted his future teammates.
Millsap, not one to act like a veteran just because Lian Dao was a rookie, was familiar with hard training, which was key to his rise from a second-round pick.
He fully approved of Lian Dao's dedication.
After exchanging pleasantries, the two quickly became acquainted and began training together.
With Millsap joining the session, Lian Dao no longer had to only focus on his individual drills.
Millsap noticed Lian Dao's intense training regimen and was impressed. He realized that it's not just about being strong; it's about working harder than others.
Seeing Lian Dao's dedication, Millsap increased his own training intensity.
Previously, the Madison Square Garden training facility had one dedicated gym rat; now there are two.
As they started 1-on-1 drills, Millsap initially underestimated Lian Dao. Although Lian Dao was a rookie, Millsap was taken aback when he found that Lian Dao's defense could withstand his strength.
It seemed this rookie had more skills than Millsap had anticipated.
Millsap went all out, but despite his efforts, Lian Dao matched him strength for strength.
After gauging Millsap's strength, Lian Dao suddenly executed a "change of direction" move, causing Millsap to lose his balance and mishandle the dribble.
Lian Dao seized the opportunity to steal the ball.
During the transition, Lian Dao displayed his full arsenal: a fake, a step-back, and then a shot.
Millsap struggled to keep up, especially when Lian Dao's stepback made him lose ground.
"Brush!" The first shot was a three-pointer.
Millsap hadn't expected Lian Dao, taller than him, to move with such agility.
For the second ball, Millsap decided to focus on physical confrontation.
Lian Dao suddenly exploded off the dribble, taking a lightning-quick first step before stopping abruptly. He pulled back and then darted forward again with another burst of speed.
Millsap found himself completely outpaced as Lian Dao breezed by him for a layup.
At this moment, Millsap's jaw dropped at Lian Dao's performance. He couldn't believe how a player of such height could move with the agility of a guard.
He questioned himself, wondering if there was such a vast difference between players. "I'm shorter than him! Why can't I pull off moves like that? This isn't fair!"
For the third ball, Millsap was more cautious and didn't press too closely.
Lian Dao took advantage by pulling up for a quick shot from beyond the three-point line.
"Brush!"
A deep three-pointer swished through the net.
Millsap could no longer underestimate Lian Dao. The rookie's skills were undeniable.
Determined to improve his defense, Millsap guarded the fourth ball intensely. Lian Dao drove to the basket but didn't manage to shake Millsap. Instead, he used a smooth turnaround move, followed by a cross step, creating space for a clean shot.
"Brush!"
Lian Dao executed a footwork maneuver he had recently practiced, and the shot found its mark.
Millsap was left with no answers for Lian Dao's performance.
Still, he encouraged Lian Dao with a challenge: "Come again!"
Lian Dao was thrilled to have found a worthy training partner.
On the fifth ball, Lian Dao showcased his inside footwork with a move reminiscent of Hakeem Olajuwon's signature "Dream Shake." Millsap was left spinning by Lian Dao's deft footwork, allowing Lian Dao to finish with a smooth layup.
Lian Dao's use of the Dream Shake was proving to be a potent weapon in his arsenal.
After this intense 1V1 session, Millsap was thoroughly impressed and convinced of Lian Dao's skill.
In the following days, their routine consisted of intense training and spirited 1V1 confrontations, and both players relished the challenge. Millsap's admiration for Lian Dao grew from mere respect to genuine idolization. It was almost as if Millsap was shadowing Lian Dao's every move, forgetting that he himself was the seasoned player.
Two weeks later, the Knicks players began to report for training camp, with Al Harrington being the last to arrive.
Al Harrington showed up noticeably heavier than when Lian Dao last saw him, indicating a rather indulgent off-season.
D'Antoni frowned upon seeing Harrington's condition but chose not to comment initially. However, this did not mean D'Antoni was in a forgiving mood. As training camp commenced, his grumpy demeanor was on full display, and the team felt the sting of his displeasure.
The effect was palpable—everyone's enthusiasm during training improved, albeit begrudgingly.
For Lian Dao, this meant he avoided any scolding. After all, smart players avoid mistakes on the court, and avoiding mistakes means avoiding D'Antoni's ire.
After the first training session, Lian Dao quickly understood D'Antoni's role within the team, and it aligned with his initial expectations.
D'Antoni's excitement about Lian Dao was palpable—he saw Lian Dao as his new Nash. The strategy remained consistent: one big man, four small players—an offensive approach centered around high-speed, perimeter-oriented play.
Lian Dao was to be the primary organizer of the offense, filling the role of an organizational small forward. While David Lee might not be known for setting high-quality screens, he was effective at relieving some pressure on the offensive end, particularly in the post.
David Lee was currently the most reliable option in that role for the Knicks. Paul Millsap, with his defensive prowess, would also help alleviate some of the pressure, and Al Harrington, weighing in at 104 kg, could be a formidable presence in the power forward position.
As for three-point shooters and off-ball runners, the Knicks had plenty. Despite the team's shortcomings, they were well-equipped for D'Antoni's favorite "run and bomb" tactic. This strategy was advantageous for Lian Dao.
As the team's primary player, he had the freedom to manage ball possession without concern. D'Antoni's system provided ample opportunities for players who could both score and facilitate, a key reason why Harden's stats flourished under D'Antoni with the Rockets.
Defense, however, was not a priority for D'Antoni. The Knicks' roster, aside from Lian Dao, lacked strong defensive players. The only other notable defender was Paul Millsap. Zach Randolph, previously on the team, had been a problematic presence, and his departure had left a void.
The Knicks' starting lineup featured Chris Duhon as point guard, Wilson Chandler as shooting guard, Lian Dao as small forward, Paul Millsap as power forward, and David Lee as the center.
The substitutes included Tony Douglas at point guard, Larry Hughes at shooting guard, Danilo Gallinari at small forward, Al Harrington at power forward, and Darko Milicic at center.
Paul Millsap earned his spot in the starting lineup due to his compatibility with Lian Dao during training. Al Harrington had clashed with Lian Dao, and his reluctance to cooperate off the court made Millsap a more reliable choice for the starting role.
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