In these two games, Rivers, having always supported Pierce, had a rather strained relationship with He Xi Meng.
He Xi Meng did not follow Rivers' tactics in the games. Instead, he led his teammates, especially the young players, with his own rhythm, independent of Rivers!
Crucially, the results were quite good! How could Rivers argue with that?
In the third game of the season, the Celtics flew to New York to challenge the Knicks!
This time, Rivers obediently handed over the tactical arrangements to Yao Ming and He Xi Meng. He Xi Meng then asked Rivers to include Josh Smith and Ariza in the starting lineup as well.
"If not now, when will we develop the new players?"
"What if we lose?" Rivers finally voiced his true concern. As a newly appointed head coach, Rivers wasn't against developing new talent. He was just worried that the new players wouldn't be reliable and would affect the team's winning streak.
"What's there to fear? I'll lead them on the court!" He Xi Meng smiled. "As long as you play according to my requirements, all losses will be on me!"
Rivers also smiled. "That's a bold statement! Just because you've won a few more championship rings? Can you handle the responsibility of the team losing?"
"Don't jump to conclusions about whether I can or not! How about this, go ask Michael! See if I can handle the responsibility of losing?"
Seeing that He Xi Meng didn't seem to be joking, Rivers picked up the phone, half-believingly.
"You're really going to call?"
"Call! You must call! Immediately, right now!"
Rivers dialed Jordan's number and relayed He Xi Meng's boast.
On the other end of the phone, Jordan took a deep breath and started to scold, "You f—ing finally woke up! I told you how many times before the season started to center it around Xi Meng! You all treated my words as empty air..."
"From now on, don't always emphasize that you are professionals, I am also a professional!"
"Just remember one thing from now on: Xi Meng's word is my word!"
"If you can do it, do it. If not, get lost! I've been enduring you all for days..."
After receiving Jordan's barrage of words, Rivers hung up the phone, wiped the sweat from his temples, and said solemnly, "Confirmed! You can indeed bear the responsibility of losing... We'll do it your way!"
"Excellent!"
It seemed the boss's authority was indeed effective...
Without Rivers and Pierce causing trouble, He Xi Meng could finally reform and train the Celtics according to his own ideas.
The current core of the Knicks team was Marbury and Crawford!
Assisting them were players like Mohammed, Tim Thomas, and Kurt Thomas.
On the bench was veteran coach Vin Baker. However, Baker's condition was far from his prime, significantly worse than Malone and Payton. His help to Marbury and Crawford was minimal.
Mohammed was a relatively standard blue-collar center, balanced in all aspects.
It wasn't easy for Yao Ming to overpower him, so at the start of the game, He Xi Meng didn't rush Yao Ming into strong attacks. Instead, he had him pull out to the free-throw line area high post, drawing Mohammed out and emptying the Knicks' paint, creating opportunities for Josh Smith, Ariza, and Tony Allen's cuts!
Marbury, over the years from the Timberwolves to the Nets, from the Suns to the Knicks, had consistently pursued the dream of being the "big brother."
He seemed to have secured the position of "big brother," but the team's record kept declining.
After years of tempering, Marbury began to reflect: "Is being the leader of a struggling team really my pursued goal?"
Once, Marbury also set winning championship glory as the highest goal of his career. Now, in the Big Apple, he was tanking with a big contract?
Especially seeing He Xi Meng, whose hand was already full of championship rings, Marbury fell into contemplation.
In this game, Marbury uncharacteristically restrained his combative nature and, like He Xi Meng, focused on organizing and facilitating, wanting to lead the team to a beautiful game of team basketball.
As a result, without Marbury's scoring ability, the Knicks teammates didn't know how to play...
73:107, the Knicks suffered a crushing defeat at home to the visiting Celtics!
After the game, as He Xi Meng shook hands with Marbury, he proactively inquired,
"Stephon, are there any hidden issues with your body?"
Marbury was stunned, then replied, "What do you mean? My body is very healthy! Don't curse me..."
"Is there any need for me to curse you? Do you think your team can pose any threat to us?"
Marbury immediately felt a pang of frustration.
"I'm just surprised, this isn't the Stephon I know!"
"Then what should the Stephon you know be like?" For once, Marbury spoke to He Xi Meng calmly.
He Xi Meng thought for a moment and replied, "The Stephon I know is like a matador from Spain. Although he has a bad temper, he never lacks fighting spirit! He gives his all every time he steps on the court... Look at your stats today, 12 points and 6 assists. You played better than this back in college..."
He Xi Meng's implication was that Marbury played terribly in this game!
Despite being thoroughly berated by He Xi Meng, Marbury felt a sense of understanding, as if he had found a kindred spirit.
"It must be an illusion!" Marbury chuckled to himself. "From college to now, I've competed with you for nearly ten years! Ten years. Many players from our batch of '96 have retired, and I still can't beat you..."
In fact, as part of the same golden generation of 1996, not only could Marbury not surpass He Xi Meng, but the gap between them was also widening...
He Xi Meng could tell that Marbury was feeling lost, disheartened, and discouraged.
"I'm not qualified to teach you how to play, but when it comes to being a person... I have one piece of advice for you, with no offense intended. Whether you listen is up to you. A talented player like you shouldn't only be fixated on big contracts and your position on the team. Money is important, but you have enough. Team status is also important, but we've passed the age where we need to prove our strength through team status! Ask yourself about your original aspirations. Ten years ago, besides making a lot of money, did you have any other desires for basketball..."
"I f—ing still have..."
"Don't rush to reply to me! I don't need your answer! I know clearly what I want and I'm on the path to achieve it! What about you?"
After speaking, He Xi Meng patted Marbury's shoulder and turned to leave.
Marbury was an extremely conflicted individual. In the first half of his career, he was solitary and arrogant, believing he was the protagonist of the world and deserved everyone's respect.
In the latter half, after experiencing confusion and darkness, he rediscovered the true meaning of basketball in a foreign land, returned to his original aspirations, and walked the path a talented player should take.
In the NBA, Marbury never received the recognition and affirmation he truly desired throughout his career.
He Xi Meng didn't know if his reminder would help Marbury avoid a few years of detours, as the path of life is ultimately chosen by oneself! He Xi Meng could only wish him good luck...