80: 059: Another huge trouble after Michael 80: 059: Another huge trouble after Michael After Michael Jordan retired, the New York Knicks became the most popular team in the league.

Because the whole world knew their chance had arrived.

During the Bulls’ most dominant three years, the New York Knicks were the team closest to defeating them.

Now with Jordan gone, the Knicks naturally became the hottest favorites to win the championship.

Pat Riley himself thought so too.

Last summer, he had the whole team officially assemble at the training camp on the opening day at precisely 00:01 am.

Riley explained his actions by stating, “The Knicks will be the first team on the court this season and the last one to leave.”

This season, as the most likely championship team, the Knicks’ ticket prices soared.

Even John F.

Kennedy’s son could only get seats in a relatively obscure location when he wanted two season tickets for the Knicks.

Even then, he had no choice, as there were plenty of others waiting to swipe their cards to buy a seat.

The Knicks could become one of the highest-revenue teams in the league even when they were tanking.

So when they were competing for a championship, you’d know what a real big basketball market looked like.

Now, another high-traffic team stood opposite the New York Knicks.

Knicks VS Bulls, even without Michael Jordan, this was still the most anticipated series of the season.

Riley admitted he hadn’t expected to encounter the Bulls this season.

The Bulls were not just without Jordan, but only two of the starters from last season were still with the team.

Yet they had still made it into the Eastern Conference finals, stepping into New York once again.

No one could deny the role Scottie Pippen played in this, but everyone knew the key to the Bulls reaching this point was number 14.

Last summer, when Roger became famous across America with the statement, “I will bring talent into the NBA,” Pat Riley absolutely did not expect that the kid would become a troublemaker for him.

When he arrived at Madison Square Garden today, Riley’s brow was furrowed.

He was in a bad mood.

While the players were warming up, NBC sideline reporter Hannah found Riley, “Coach, would you like to talk about what Roger said to you?”

“No, I don’t want to!” Riley answered, containing his rage.

That was why Riley was in a bad mood; he hadn’t expected an 18-year-old punk to be so disrespectful to him.

Before coming to New York, Riley had already pocketed four championship rings.

His accomplishments were not inferior to contemporaries like Chuck Daly and Phil Jackson.

As one of the league’s most successful coaches, everyone respected him, even the “gang members” under him had to be respectful.

That punk Roger, how dare he!

The fans, however, were not surprised; if you think Roger was disrespectful to Riley, you should see his attitude towards Jordan.

Riley should be glad he doesn’t have to be alone with Roger on the training court.

It wasn’t just Riley who disliked Roger, but also the New York fans.

They couldn’t stand a rookie spouting off about a championship-seeking Knicks.

So when that rebellious, untamed 18-year-old appeared inside Madison Square Garden, the jeers from the crowd seemed to spread across all of New York.

Toni Kukoc, who had been in professional basketball for many years before joining the NBA, competing in the EuroLeague and the Olympics, and seeing the big stages, couldn’t keep his composure in the current atmosphere either.

Moreover, Kukoc got very nervous every time he saw the muscular men on the other half of the court.

Horace Grant, once unilaterally criticized by Jordan as a mole in the locker room, had said, “Whenever I enter Madison Square Garden to compete against the Knicks, I don’t know if we will win, but I know for sure we will shed a lot of blood.

Playing against them is like undergoing a lobotomy.

By the end of the match, your head is buzzing.”

The New York Knicks’ spirit was no different than the Detroit Bad Boys, and every game against the Knicks made Kukoc feel like he had lost half his life.

“Hardest training, toughest attitude, most desperate defense,” were the most distinct labels attached to the Knicks.

If the regular season’s Knicks were so fierce, what would they be like in the playoffs?

Kukoc dared not think, and he dreaded even more what might happen to the enraged Roger.

Before the game started, Kukoc, trembling, went to Roger’s side: “The referee won’t let those bastards go too far, will they?”

Roger smiled, “Don’t worry Toni, if you get knocked down by an elbow, the referee will kindly drag you out while you’re unconscious, and then let the game continue.”

“That’s not funny, man.”

“I’m not joking, I’m just stating the facts.

Here’s another fact, the Knicks team is eager to intimidate their opponents with their rough play, to bring psychological pressure.

So the more you’re afraid, the more they’ll go over the edge.

Your only option, Toni, is to lift your elbows too and hit back hard!”

Kukoc swallowed, but he still patted Roger on the shoulder, “No matter what, if they do something to you, I’ll fight them.”

The game was about to start, and the images of failed buzzer-beaters replayed over and over in slow motion in Roger’s mind.

Without Michael Jordan, could this Bulls team defeat the Knicks?

Everyone would find out soon!

Elsewhere, Riley, who was very displeased with Roger, pulled Derek Harper aside, who was assigned to defend Roger today: “I want you to let that kid know right from the start who he’s battling against!

If he gets knocked down, great, that means you completed an excellent defensive round!”