Chapter 291： Can you progress by being beaten?

The Pacers are worthy of the Knicks' good brother this season. They made three appearances when the Knicks needed a victory the most, before when Zuo Li was questioned, and this time before the Knicks encountered the Devil's away game. , it can be said that it perfectly plays the role of the Knicks power bank.

You must know that although the Pacers are average in strength this season and ranked low, he has the title of giant killer.

In Zuo Li's memory, although the Pacers are not strong, they are indeed the most classic team in the 2008-09 season. Let's say they are weak. Among the Eastern playoff teams, except for the Knicks, they have all won, and the Western Conference has won. Also won against the Rockets, Spurs and other strong teams.

However, they really failed to make it into the playoffs because they often lost to underdogs who should not have lost.

In addition, the reason why Zuo Li has a deep memory of this Pacers is because the Pacers are the most unlucky team, and their own baskets seem to be specially used for opponents to lore. Throughout the season, there were 7 lore shots. , 8 times, most of them are in their own home, in addition to the Nets, there are Wizards, Clippers, Suns, Hornets, Celtics and Lakers!

Yes, they can drag the Celtics into overtime and finally lose the game, they can also be dragged into overtime and lose by the last Western Clippers, and they can play back and forth with the Lakers on the road and finally be defeated by Kobe Bryant. It was a pity that the second-to-last Wizards scored consecutive equalization and lore goals at home...

"Schrödinger's Pacers", you really don't know if the Pacers will make a miracle or be a miracle before the game starts...

Except for the Knicks... From this point of view, the Pacers are really good brothers!

Unfortunately, for the Pacers themselves, each loss to the Knicks makes it more difficult for them to enter the playoffs this year, and they are now 2 and a half games behind the eighth-place Bulls in the East.

It is said that at this time of year, the teams in the 9th to 10th place in the east and west are the most uncomfortable. They belong to the real high and low. Next season will be tougher, but it does give people a glimmer of hope if they don't rush to this position.

And this position is too late, and no matter how bad it is, it can't surpass the few great gods behind him, which leads to the lack of draft picks. There is no hope for the naked eye next year...

This story tells us to be human, or to be the best, or to lie down, and the middle is the hardest.

It's just a pity that most of the people are in the middle and belong to the leeks that have been cut.

Oh, the Pacers are okay, and while he's temporarily playing the role of the leek, his days are almost here.

Now the black and tough Hibbert in the lineup can become the cornerstone after two years of practice, and next year's draft will allow them to pick a very good No. 3. With the warmth from the Spurs next door, the Pacers are 1 , 2, 3... I don't know how many times it has risen, it's getting close!

…

After the victory over the Pacers, the Knicks officially entered the rhythm of the devil's schedule. In the early morning of the 2nd, two buses set off from Madison on time and rushed all the way to the airport.

The reason why there were two buses was because the other one was full of luggage. There were only 20 staff members on this trip, and they even brought a chef, which is completely the standard of the playoffs.

Dolan is also bleeding profusely, trying to make the Knicks try their best to get the best conditions in this consecutive devil's schedule. After all, everyone knows the difference between NBA home and away games.

However, despite the preparations, everyone on the plane is still a little distressed. Usually, they get on the plane at 7:00 in the morning, and it takes less than 15 minutes to get on the plane. It is guaranteed to be snoring. Everyone knows how intense the nightlife of NBA players is. Take advantage of the road to catch up on sleep.

Today, however, everyone is sober. Except for Coach D'Antoni, who is thinking about tactics and lineups, everyone else is either in a daze or on the way.

Oh, apart from Zuo Li, he was reading the newspaper, and by the way, he sighed that when technology will allow you to play with a mobile phone on the plane, and turning off the mobile phone on the plane may be the only habit that is similar to the later generations.

"I'm afraid now that we won't win a game, it's too embarrassing." David Lee rubbed his hair in distress, and the rubbing hairline was about to move back.

As soon as he broke the silence, everyone also complained, from the Alliance to Stern, no one was spared.

Indeed, this schedule is really amazing. It is normal and normal for everyone to be unhappy and worried.

However, it is really unnecessary. The Lakers and Spurs next door have played 8 consecutive away games. Compared with them, the Knicks are not bad.

So Zuo Li put down the newspaper and looked around and said:

"Let's calm down, if you lose, you will lose. Isn't it a four-game losing streak. We played very well in front of us, and we are not afraid of losing." Zuo Li calmly spread his hands: "Just do your best to fight, and there is nothing wrong with it. I'll bear it, don't be afraid, just do it!"

Zuo Li's mentality is really good. No matter how well he played this season, Zuo Li's goal has never changed, that is, to enter the playoffs and fight for every game, even if the Knicks have the most momentum and win streak. When he was with the Cavaliers and Lakers, Zuo Li was never too ambitious, in stark contrast to those players who won a few games and put the championship on their lips.

People who hack him always say that Zuo Li has no big ambitions and is too cowardly.

But only Zuo Li himself knows how intense the playoffs and how terrifying the competition has been in the past few years. It can be said that he is a villain. Except for a few teams, none of them are soft persimmons. Dare to look down on others, others It will make you roll over.

After all, the Knicks have a weak lineup, and they are most afraid of a sudden collapse just after returning to the right track. The Green Army and the Lakers can still pull back after overturning. Now the Knicks have collapsed and they have really collapsed.

Zuo Li doesn't want to be hacked, so mentality is very important, and the Knicks first need to let go of unnecessary burdens.

Facts have proved that Zuo Li's words are quite effective.

No. 3 was a guest at Staples. The Knicks fought hard in the audience. They were still struggling to win the Knicks’ Lakers 118-100 victory over the Knicks. The audience did not give any chance.

Bryant made 16 of 28 shots and 6 of 11 three-pointers made 10 of 14 free throws and scored 48 points, 5 assists, 6 rebounds and 3 steals, turning the Knicks backcourt upside down.

Duhon, Dragic, and Larry Hughes combined to score 20 points, which was thoroughly beaten.

Although Zuo Li also scored a large double-double with 28 points and 21 rebounds, he was generally suppressed by Kobe.

But Zuo Li did one thing, and that was to let the 'Sky Hook' reproduce Staples. He played Bynum with hooks many times in the game, and let the latter score only 8 points in the game, completing the match. Complete explosion.

This has also become the focus of media comments after the game. After using the skyhook, Staples lost his voice for a while.

However, the Lakers are the Lakers. The Lakers successfully restrained the Knicks’ offense and opened their own offense. As long as they don’t die, they are the strongest team in the league this season, and they can even take one of them away.

So Zuoli is not uncomfortable after losing. After all, he is still far from Kobe. Although he is already trying to catch up, it will take time, and the Knicks will need more time to become the same as the Lakers. level team.

"You can only improve by being hanged and beaten." Zuo Li said.