Coach: Coaching the Grizzlies at the beginning, playing the bantam

A peculiar restlessness permeated the air in New York.

The Brooklyn Nets and the New York Knicks, both teams based in the Big Apple, are never just playing games when they meet; they are a “civil war” for the city’s honor – the New York Derby.

Tonight, this highly anticipated game will take place at Madison Square Garden, the holy land of basketball. ESPN, of course, will not miss it, sending their ace commentary duo: Tom Horvath, and the legendary coach who has just sparked a commentary craze – Lu Yong.

Lu Yong sat in the commentary booth, looking down at the familiar field that now belonged to the opponent, and felt a mix of emotions.

He wore a well-tailored dark blue suit and a tie that was perfectly tied, but the sharpness and insight in his eyes, befitting a coach, remained undiminished.

On the tactics board in front of him were key data and recent performance analysis of the two teams that he had prepared in advance.

"Lu, are you ready? Madison Square Garden won't be quiet tonight." Tom chuckled as he adjusted the microphone, his voice brimming with anticipation for the derby.

Lu Yong adjusted his headset, a confident smile playing on his lips: "Tom, I'm all too familiar with the atmosphere of a derby. The adrenaline surges, and the fans' shouts are the best catalyst. Look at this attendance; the tension is already palpable even before the game starts."

He pointed to the nearly full stands, where the Knicks' orange sea was dotted with the Nets' deep blue.

“That’s right,” Tom chimed in. “Both teams have been in good form this season. The Nets are among the top teams in the East, and the Knicks have been transformed under Coach Thibodeau’s iron fist, boasting top-tier defensive efficiency in the league. More importantly, both teams’ core players are eager to prove themselves. Durant wants to show that Brooklyn is the king of New York, while Randle, the newly minted All-Star, dreams of stepping over Durant in the derby to rise to the top. Lue, what do you think will be the deciding factor tonight?”

Lu Yong picked up his pen and lightly tapped Durant's name on the tactical board: "KD, without a doubt, is the ultimate weapon. But the Knicks' defensive system, especially their pressure on ball handlers and their delays on pick-and-rolls, is extremely fierce. If the Nets want to win, Mitchell and Brunson, the two engines of their backcourt, must be able to effectively break down the Knicks' defensive chain. At the same time,"

He then changed the subject, saying, "The Knicks' offense relies heavily on Randle's inside drives and Barrett and Fournier's outside shooting. The Nets' rim protection and rotation defense, especially Zhou Qi and Claxton's ability to limit Randle in limited minutes, will be key. If Ding Yanyuhang can provide consistent outside firepower and create space, it will be a huge boost to the Nets' offense."

At this moment, the stadium lights suddenly dimmed, and spotlights shone on the players' tunnel entrance.

A deafening chorus of boos and cheers filled the air, signaling the imminent start of the match.

"Welcome to ESPN, folks! This is the NBA's hottest game, the New York Derby! The Brooklyn Nets are visiting the New York Knicks! I'm Tom Horvath!"

"I am Lu Yong. Let us hold our breath and await this fierce battle!" Lu Yong's voice was calm and powerful, instantly capturing the hearts of the audience.

jump ball!

Knicks center Obi Toppin used his leaping ability to tip the ball to guard Quickley.

Quickley quickly advanced the ball, and facing Brunson's defense, he didn't hesitate to pull up and shoot after Randle's screen!
"Shh!"

Three-pointer into the net!

3: 0!

The garden instantly erupted in excitement!

"Great shot! Quekley's hot hand right from the start! The Knicks' first possession is a winner, they're on fire!" Tom shouted.

Lu Yong quickly analyzed: "The Knicks executed their strategy decisively from the start, utilizing Randle's screen quality to create opportunities for outside shooters. The Nets' perimeter defense needs faster rotations and more disruption."

The Nets were on offense. Durant called for the ball in the low post, and Randle immediately stepped up to defend him with a tough move.

KD turned and leaned back, and the ball bounced off the rim under the interference of Randle's long arms!

"Randall's defense was excellent! The intensity of the match has increased, this is what a derby is all about!" Lu Yong commented. "KD needs to find a more comfortable shooting spot, or draw double teams and then pass the ball."

The Knicks seized the opportunity, with Randle forcefully attacking the paint, scoring despite Zhou Qi's help defense, and drawing a foul in the process!

2+1!

"Randall! Beast-like impact! Zhou Qi's help defense was in place, but Randle's shot was incredibly powerful, and he maintained his balance even after the contact!" Lu Yong's tone carried a hint of admiration for his opponent's toughness.

The free throw is made, 6-0!

The Knicks got off to a perfect start.

The Nets requested a timeout.

Lu Yong said into the microphone, "The Nets started a bit tight, relying too much on KD's isolation plays on offense, which wasn't very efficient. On defense, they weren't prepared enough for the Knicks' pick-and-rolls and outside shooting. Coach Atkinson needs to make some adjustments."

After the timeout, the Nets indeed changed.

Brunson and Mitchell increased their drives and passes, while Durant received the ball more often in the elbow area to facilitate the offense.

Finally, after Mitchell broke through and drew the defense, he passed the ball to Zhou Qi, who was open in the corner!

"Zhou Qi! An opportunity!" Lu Yong raised his voice.

Zhou Qi receives the ball, takes a step to adjust, and decisively shoots!

"Shh!"

Three point hit!

6: 3!

The Nets stopped the bleeding!

"Great shot! Zhou Qi! You didn't falter in the crucial moment! That's the value of a role player, seizing open opportunities!" Lu Yong praised.

The live stream chat was instantly flooded with comments like, "Zhou Qi is awesome! Cold-blooded shooter!"

"The first point for Chinese players in the derby! Impressive!"

"The soldiers trained by Coach Lu are truly steady!"

However, the Knicks' defensive intensity did not decrease.

Barrett repeatedly attacked the basket and scored, while Fournier also hit a three-pointer.

For the Nets, Durant gradually found his rhythm, hitting consecutive mid-range shots, but the Knicks maintained a lead of around 5 points thanks to Randle's second-chance points and Quekley's drives.

At the end of the first quarter, the Knicks led the Nets 28-23.

"In the first quarter, the Knicks showcased their game plan: high-intensity play, quick transition defense, rebounding, and utilizing Randle's gravity to create opportunities on the perimeter. They executed it very successfully," Lu Yong summarized. "The Nets improved their offense after the timeout, but they still struggled to find solutions to the Knicks' multi-pronged attack on defense. KD scored 8 points, but his efficiency wasn't high. Zhou Qi's three-pointers were crucial. We'll see how the Nets adjust in the second quarter."

At the beginning of the second period, both sides began to rotate substitutions.

The Nets' bench players played well under Rose's orchestration, with Claxton scoring repeatedly to narrow the gap to 2 points.

The Knicks then brought in Burks and Toppin to maintain their offensive firepower.

At this moment, Lu Yong noticed a detail: "Tom, look, Coach Thibodeau rested Randle. This period is a good opportunity for the Nets to catch up, and they need to seize it."

Sure enough, Durant is back on the court!

He came out right at the top of the arc facing the defense, executed a signature crossover, and pulled up for a three-pointer!
"KD! Three-pointer! It's in!" Lu Yong's voice was filled with excitement. "The Grim Reaper has arrived! Ignoring the defense!"

The ball went through the net cleanly!
The Nets have taken a one-point lead!
31: 30!

This is the Nets' first lead of the game!
The Brooklyn bench erupted in jubilation.

The screen exploded with comments: "Death God! No solution!"

"That's what a superstar is like! He turns the tide the moment he steps on the court!"

"Coach Lu: Don't be careless with basic operations!"

The Knicks immediately called a timeout.

Lu Yong analyzed: "KD's play was very inspiring, but the Knicks will not be easily defeated. Thibodeau will definitely rearrange his defense against KD, and may double-team him in advance."

After the timeout, the Knicks intensified their double-teaming of Durant.

But KD's ability to read the defense is superb. He accurately found his teammates who were left open twice, once assisting Mitchell to hit a three-pointer, and once making a brilliant pass to Zhou Qi who was cutting to the basket for a dunk!

"Zhou Qi! A powerful two-handed dunk! Great shot! KD's pass was spot on! This is the price of double-teaming KD!" Lu Yong commented. "Zhou Qi is very efficient in protecting the rim and finishing plays in his limited playing time."

"That was a beautiful dunk by the Great Demon King!"

"Coach Lu's training in scoring lobs back then wasn't for nothing!"

"This biscuit feels so good!"

However, the Knicks' resilience exceeded expectations.

After Randle returned, he repeatedly attacked the Nets' interior, using his physical advantages to score and frequently getting to the free-throw line.

Barrett also made a difficult mid-range shot.

Just before halftime, Quickley stole the ball from Brunson and scored on a fast break layup!

The Knicks regained the lead.

The halftime score was 55-52, with the Knicks leading by 3 points.

"Half time! A great first half!" Tom summarized. "The Knicks maintained their lead thanks to their tough defense and Randle's consistent output, while the Nets kept the score close thanks to Durant's second-quarter outburst. KD has 18 points by halftime, but his efficiency rating isn't particularly high. Lue, what's the key to the second half?"

Looking at the stat sheet, Lu Yong said, "The Nets need other players to step up, especially Brunson and Mitchell. They were severely limited by the Knicks' defense in the first half, scoring only 15 points combined."

"KD's burden is too heavy. On the Knicks' side, Randle has 17 points and 8 rebounds in the first half and is the cornerstone of the team. In the second half, the battle of physical strength and willpower will become even more brutal."

"In addition, Ding Yanyuhang and Zhou Qi both contributed in the first half, and their playing time may increase in the second half. It will be important whether they can continue to provide energy."

"It's a derby match, let's see who can hold out until the end!"

The second half has begun, and the intensity of the game has increased again!
Physical confrontation was everywhere, and whistles rang out frequently.

Both sides played with extremely high defensive intensity, making scoring exceptionally difficult.

The Nets intensified their off-ball movement and screens in an attempt to create opportunities for Durant and shooters.

The Knicks continued their tough defense, rotating very quickly and not giving anyone an easy shot.

During a drive, Durant was fouled hard by Randle and fell heavily to the ground.

The scene was filled with exclamations of surprise.

Lu Yong immediately tensed up: "That was a really hard foul! Is KD alright? I hope he's not injured!"

Fortunately, Durant warmed up a bit, stepped to the free-throw line, and made both shots.

The score went back and forth.

Ding Yanyuhang got another chance, receiving a pass from Mitchell in the corner, but the defender in front of him was very aggressive!
"Xiao Ding! Fake! Missed! Take a step, mid-range! Beautiful!" Lu Yong shouted, and Ding Yanyuhang calmly faked out the shot and made the mid-range jumper!
"Great shot! Ding Yanyuhang handled that ball very cleverly! He read the defense, his fakes were realistic, and his mid-range shot was consistent!" Lu Yong praised without reservation.

"Ding has a big heart!" "That shot was like a star play!"

Coach Lu: This student was definitely worth teaching!

The Knicks relied on Rose's experience and Burks' unpredictable nature to keep the score close.

Rose hit consecutive crucial mid-range shots, while Burks made a difficult drifting three-pointer!

At the end of the third quarter, the score was tied at 78!
Entering the fourth quarter of the final battle!
"78-78! After three quarters, both teams are back to square one!" Tom's voice was filled with excitement. "This game was so exciting! Fast-paced offense and defense, intense competition, star players going head-to-head, and even role players had their moments! Lue, what do you think of that suffocating fourth quarter?"

Lu Yong took a deep breath: "The real derby is just beginning! The fourth quarter will be a test of willpower, to see who is more resilient and who makes fewer mistakes."

"KD's stamina is a test; he's played for too long. On the Knicks' side, Randle is also exhausted. His clutch performance will be the only criterion to determine the outcome."

"In addition, the in-game adjustments made by coaches Thibodeau and Atkinson, every timeout and every substitution, could change the course of the game."

The fourth quarter was a nail-biting battle.

Every point scored was accompanied by thunderous cheers or deafening boos.

Brunson finally found his touch, hitting two consecutive mid-range shots!

But the Knicks' Barrett immediately responded with a powerful layup.

Fournier hits a crucial three-pointer!
The Nets' Mitchell responded with a three-pointer of his own!

With three minutes remaining in the game, the Nets led 94-93 by one point.

Knicks have possession, Randle posts up Zhou Qi!
He used his strength to create space, then turned and hooked his hand!
"Randall! Is it going in? No! Zhou Qi! Long arm interference! The ball bounces off the rim! Good defense!" Lu Yong shouted. Zhou Qi's defense at the crucial moment made a difference!

Durant secures crucial rebound!

"Zhou Qi! Crucial defense!"

"That Demon King's wingspan! Help!"

"Coach Lu was right when he trained his defense!"

The Nets are on offense. Durant dribbles the ball up the court and faces Barrett's defense, signaling to create space for a one-on-one opportunity!

All eyes were on them!

KD dribbled between his legs for a while, then suddenly pulled up for a jump shot!
Barrett jumps with all his might to block the shot!
"KD! A fadeaway jump shot! Extremely difficult! ...Got it!!"

Death has arrived!

"96:93!" Lu Yong was so excited he almost stood up!
Durant hits a crucial mid-range jumper under intense defense!
"That's what a superstar is! Ignoring defense! Killing the game!" Tom exclaimed excitedly.

But the Knicks didn't give up!

Rose quickly advanced the ball, broke through a screen and passed it to Burks in the corner, who immediately shot!

Three point hit!

96 square meters!
There are 1 minute and 15 seconds left in the game!
Madison is boiling over again!
The Nets called a timeout.

Lu Yong analyzed: "Burks! Big heart! The Knicks are back on the line! Now the pressure is back on the Nets. What tactics will Atkinson devise? He'll definitely put them on KD! But the Knicks will definitely double or even triple-team them! Can the other players seize the opportunity?"

After the timeout, the Nets inbound the ball from the frontcourt.

Brunson received the ball and, as expected, was double-teamed!

He managed to pass the ball to Mitchell at the top of the arc!
Mitchell had space in front of him, but instead of shooting, he lobbed the ball to Durant in the low post!

The moment Durant received the ball, Randle and Barrett immediately surrounded him!
KD couldn't get a shot off and could only pass the ball back to the outside!
The ball has reached Ding Yanyuhang at a 45-degree angle on the left!
Fournier, the defender, rushed in!
"Ding! An opportunity! Three-pointer!" Lu Yong shouted! Ding Yanyuhang adjusted his position and took the shot despite the defender's effort!

The ball traced an arc.
"Bang!"

It hit the back frame and popped out!

Randle got the rebound!

"What a pity! The opportunity came! Ding shot this ball over the defense, it was too difficult, and it was a little short!" Lu Yong said with regret.

The live chat was filled with sighs of regret: "Oh no! So close!"

"What a pity! If that ball had gone in, he would have been a legend!"

"The pressure is too much..."

Knicks fight back!
Rose controlled the pace and pressed the time limit.

With 30 seconds left, the ball was given to Randle for a one-on-one play!

Randle vs. Durant!

He used his strength to push the ball up, then turned and jumped back for a jump shot!

"Randall! Fadeback! KD blocks it in the face! ...Goal! Goal! 98-96!" Lu Yong's voice was filled with shock!

Despite Durant's near-perfect defense, Randle hit an incredible game-winning shot!

There are only 24.7 seconds left in the game!
Knicks fans went wild!
"Randall! Hero ball! He hit the game-winning shot over KD! This is the derby! This is the Madison Miracle!" Tom was also extremely excited.

The Nets call a timeout immediately!

Atkinson's expression was grave.

Lu Yong spoke at lightning speed: "24.7 seconds! The Nets are down by 2 points! They still have one full offensive opportunity! After the timeout, they'll definitely set up the final shot! Without a doubt, the ball will go to KD! But how will the Knicks defend? Thibodeau will definitely use his strongest defensive resources to lock down KD! The Nets need to devise a brilliant tactic to create even the slightest space for KD! Or, the other players need to be prepared to take the blame!"

The timeout ends, and the Nets inbound the ball from the frontcourt.

The noise at Madison Square Garden was deafening, as if it were about to engulf the Nets players.

Brunson received the ball with difficulty, and Durant immediately circled out from the baseline to receive it!

Brunson handoffs the ball to KD while simultaneously using his body to block Barrett's pursuit!

Durant receives the ball at the top of the key!

But Randle switched onto the defense immediately!

At the same time, Fournier on the weak side also moved in, forming a pincer attack!
Time flew by, 10 seconds... 9 seconds...

"They're closing in! KD's in trouble!" Tom shouted anxiously.

Durant didn't force a shot!
He keenly caught the moment the double team was formed, and an open space appeared in the Knicks' weak-side corner!
He then delivered an extremely subtle behind-the-back bounce pass!

The ball slew through the gap between two defenders like a scalpel! A direct pass to the basket!
"Who gets the ball?... It's Zhou Qi! Cutting to the basket!" Lu Yong's voice rose in surprise!
Zhou Qi made a sharp cut to the basket the moment Durant drew a double team!
He received a brilliant pass from Durant, and Obi Toppin came over to help defend him!

Zhou Qi didn't hesitate and jumped to attack the basket!
"Zhou Qi! Should you dunk?...Toping committed a foul! The whistle blows!" The referee's whistle pierced the noise sharply!
Zhou Qi was pulled down in mid-air!

He crashed to the ground! The timer stopped at 1.7 seconds!
"Foul! Toppin commits a foul on Zhou Qi's hand! Zhou Qi gets two free throws!" Lu Yong shouted. "My God! At the crucial moment, KD drew all the defense and delivered a killer pass! Zhou Qi made the key cut and drew a foul! He has a chance to tie or even take the lead!"

There was silence.

All eyes were on Zhou Qi as he got up from the ground.

He rubbed his sore arm and walked toward the free-throw line with a serious expression.

The pressure is overwhelming!

Making both free throws would tie the game and at least force overtime.

If the penalty is missed
"Great Demon King! Hold on!"

"My heart is pounding! Zhou Qi, free throw!"

"Coach Lue, help! Teach him how to shoot free throws!"

"Even TV dramas wouldn't dare to write a plot like this!"

Zhou Qi took a deep breath, adjusted his breathing, and took the ball from the referee.

First penalty...

"Shh!"

Hollow into the network!

97: 98!

We've pulled one back!
"Good shot! The first free throw went in!" Lu Yong breathed a sigh of relief.

Second penalty!
The crowd erupted in deafening noise.

Zhou Qi adjusted again and took a shot...

"Bang!"

It hit the front frame and bounced out!

rebound!
"Rebound!" Lu Yong and Tom shouted at the same time!

Chaos erupted instantly under the basket!
Randle and Durant jumped at the same time!
The ball was flicked into the air!

In the chaos, the ball was tipped near the free-throw line!

"Durant! KD got the ball!" Lu Yong's voice trembled with excitement!
Durant retrieved the ball near the free-throw line!

Only one second left!
He had no time to adjust, not even enough time to fully turn around and face the basket!
In the instant that Randle and Barrett rushed at him, he used his incredible body coordination and shooting touch to throw the ball toward the basket in an almost contorted posture, twisting his body to meet the double block!

"KD! He's taken the shot! The light's on!... The ball... It's in!!!!!!!!!" Lu Yong jumped up from his seat and roared into the microphone the most thunderous sound of the night!
"A game-winning shot! Durant! A buzzer-beating game-winner! 99-98! The Nets win! Death has delivered its final judgment at Madison Square Garden!"

Madison Square Garden fell into a deathly silence, which was then replaced by the Nets' bench celebrating wildly and a few Nets fans cheering!

Durant was embraced tightly by his teammates who rushed over, and he was swallowed up by the crowd!

He pointed to the sky, his face a wild, relieved expression! (End of Chapter)