Chapter 1195: Chapter 379: Remember, No Japanese
This offense and defense highlight the strength of the Knicks and explain why they stand at the top of the pyramid.
After the Knicks went on the offense, Wade broke through and passed the ball, Garnett made a mid-range shot and scored, 4 to 0.
Mike Breen exclaimed, "The days of Madison Square Garden being dominated by Roger are over, Dwyane, KG, and Yao might accomplish what Michael and Patrick never could."
After the goal, Kevin Garnett shouted at Roger, "Hibachi!"
This is a transliteration from Japanese, meaning a small grill.
On the basketball court, the word means "I’m on fire."
Seeing Kevin Garnett shouting loudly at Roger, the New York fans became even more restless.
Roger ignored KG, just pressed down with both hands, "Don’t rush, let’s take it slow!"
In the Warriors’ second offense, Roger also set up a pick-and-roll with Stoudemire.
But Garnett quickly switched defensive positions, almost changing positions just as Roger broke through the pick-and-roll, extending his arms.
Roger halted suddenly, jumped and leaned back, with Kevin Garnett reacting swiftly, blocking up to Roger’s fingertips, but the space Roger created with his lean back still allowed him to steadily hit the mid-range shot.
After the ball went in, Roger showed no politeness towards his little brother, "Kevin, didn’t Yao ever tell you? No Japanese, I don’t like it."
"I play not to please you."
"No, you must do something I like, otherwise you’re gonna get punished."
The tension between Roger and KG was escalating rapidly, Yao Ming and Wade couldn’t believe they would confront each other to this extent on the court someday.
In subsequent defense, Garnett scored again.
This time, Yao Ming and Wade set up a pick-and-roll, Wade broke through, Yao Ming received the ball and prepared to attack the rim. When this Shanghai fortress appeared under the basket, Marcus Camby and Amar’e Stoudemire quickly contracted for a double team.
But Yao Ming very smoothly passed the ball to KG; he knew where KG was without looking. The tacit understanding developed over this period made up somewhat for Yao Ming’s insufficient passing ability.
Stoudemire tried hard to interfere with Garnett’s shot.
Yet, the ball went in, Kevin Garnett scored two successive goals, 6 to 2.
"Hibachi!"
Roger doesn’t like Japanese words? I’ll just shout it!
Punishment? Just you go ahead and try to punish one!
The tension rose again between the two sides, Kevin Garnett wanted to create this feeling, he wanted the whole team to have the courage to challenge this supreme king. As the true locker room leader, he set an example.
After KG scored, the whole of Madison Square Garden fans were almost crazily chanting "Fuck Roger."
On the sidelines, Lenny Wilkens felt his eardrums were almost bursting.
It’s estimated that no player will ever have such an influence in New York like Roger.
Roger wasn’t affected by the cursing, honestly, if he didn’t hear these voices in New York, he’d think something was wrong.
This time on offense, Roger passed the ball to Stoudemire after the pick-and-roll.
KG immediately shifted focus, but Stoudemire, who usually only knows how to finish after receiving the ball, passed it back to Roger this time.
And Roger had already used Marcus Camby’s off-ball screen to shed Wade, getting a big open shot opportunity from the right side outside the three-point line.
Seeing Wade was too late to defend, Garnett, this omnipresent defensive Filler, dashed out to the three-point line and jumped up fiercely, attempting to block Roger’s shot.
But as Garnett flew mid-air, Roger pulled back the ball, then stepped sideways to evade this flying Wolf King.
Garnett, having lunged too hard, fell directly into the audience seats. Roger glanced at KG among the crowd but didn’t shoot immediately, instead quickly mimicking taking out a cigarette from his mouth, tossing it over and stomping it out, then shooting the three, the ball swishing through the net.
to 6!
Mike Breen couldn’t help but clap, "That’s why we love watching Roger play, he doesn’t let any single play become boring, not even an open jump shot! Trust me, such mocking acts will be popular globally overnight!"
Al Michaels beside him laughed, "Remember back then when Wang Zhizhi fooled KG with a crossover outside the three-point line, causing KG to get stitches? Chinese players seem mysteriously attractive to KG outside the three-point line, making him leap desperately every time."
After the basket, Roger spread his hands to Kevin Garnett in the crowd, "Kevin, what are you doing there?"
The King delivered his punishment, humiliating Kevin Garnett in that very play.
Garnett felt annoyed as he climbed back up, having just embarrassed himself, but he didn’t regret, he was doing the right thing.
He still clapped with passion and shouted to his teammates, "No matter what, guys, don’t give those Bay Area bastards any easy shots!"
This game might help people understand why the media says Kevin Garnett is like "super glue."
You know, the New York Knicks lost their tough fighting team culture of the ’90s a long time ago, as they went through a chaotic time post-Ewing. Someone like Marcus Camby, who sacrifices everything for the team, doesn’t get any respect, all because of the lack in team culture.
Even if they reached the division semi-finals last season relying on Wade and Yao Ming’s talents, this New York Knicks team didn’t have any locker room culture to speak of.