Jordan: I thought he was there to help me!

Chapter 912 Only you are the one I absolutely cannot lose to.

"Tang is one of the coaches I respect the most. I have vivid memories of the four years I worked with him. I learned a lot from him. His tactical reserves are amazing. He is like a sponge that never dries up. No matter how much you squeeze, he can always squeeze out more water."

"What I admire most is that Tang is a coach who never holds back and has no selfish motives. When he teaches and imparts knowledge, he doesn't keep any so-called 'secret weapons' for himself."

"That's one of the biggest reasons we were able to win tonight!"

"He left nothing for himself; he taught me everything he knew, and I obviously learned it well, and then we won."

At the post-match press conference, Lin Tian spoke eloquently, still appearing relaxed.

However, the words and content he said were still in his usual style. At first glance, it sounded like he was praising someone, and if you only heard half of it, it did sound like he was praising someone. But after hearing the whole thing, you would feel an urge and thought to smash his head with a bottle.

The core idea behind his words is to highlight the idea that teaching a disciple can lead to the master's starvation, that the student can surpass the master, that you are great but I am even better, that you are outdated old man, and that I know exactly how many body hairs you have, so why are you pretending with me?

Anyway, when old Nelson saw this interview, he was holding an empty wine bottle, swaying it around. Judging from his squinted, intoxicated look, the old man was most likely imagining the wonderful sensation that the bottle would bring after it made intimate contact with Lin Tian's head.

The second game of the series was almost a carbon copy of the first game, and Lin Tian once again demonstrated how he is completely different from some famous coaches.

Some top coaches don't like to use only one tactic or one move repeatedly, because it's as if that doesn't show their ability and skill.

For example, a certain shooter from the Chicago dynasty, after becoming a coach, clearly had a signature move: the Curry-Durant pick-and-roll, where Klay would create space and wait for an opportunity to shoot. Once he used this move, basically anyone who came near would be doomed, and he could absolutely sweep the league.

The Bobcats ultimately secured their second home game with a 6-point advantage, taking a commanding 2-0 lead in the series!

But this time, the Bobcats players didn't go out and have fun like they did in the first game.

After the team took a 2-0 lead, Lin Tian issued a curfew order, and the entire team set off overnight. The Knicks even had to spend the night in Charlotte before returning to New York.

However, the Charlotte team arrived the very night the game ended and checked into a hotel overnight.

In fact, from a time perspective, it was completely unnecessary. There were two full days of rest between the second and third games, and the Bobcats could have easily slept for one night before heading to New York.

There was only one reason why Lin Tian was in such a hurry.

He anticipated the changes that would happen to the Knicks; there would definitely be changes.

He needs to make adjustments in advance!

The third battle ahead will undoubtedly be incredibly difficult.

Arriving in New York a night early means the team has an extra day to adapt to some new tactics.

Lin Tian knew Nelson all too well!

This old guy definitely didn't just think about giving Landry a chance, but he's been playing a normal 2-big-3-small lineup on the court for the past two games, consistently playing a conventional half-court game against the Bobcats, testing their patience and tactics. The reason is actually just one thing.

Don Nelson wanted to prove that he could play a variety of tactics and systems, that he could handle any tactic and defeat his opponents.

He didn't want to use the pure run-and-gun lineup that Lin Tian used to play. He didn't want to act like he could only use the tactics and strategies that Lin Tian was good at in front of him.

If I had to put it in perspective, it would be that when facing an ex, no matter how bad things are going for you, you have to put on a brave face.

Anyway, Lin Tian knew exactly what the old man was thinking, and he was absolutely certain.

In the last five minutes of the second game, when Don Nelson picked up Landry, it meant he had figured things out.

What face, what bullshit face, what lousy, weird dignity?

If he can win, then it's fine for him to put on a show and appear more capable.

But now the team is on the brink of elimination, and Don Nelson has no other choice.

He wants to win!

To win, you have to bring out the team's best and most suitable playing style.

Stoudemire and Crawford couldn't defend?

Then we won't take any precautions!

Is a team's personnel configuration more efficient when they are running than when they are standing still?

Then start running!

This determination also means that Don Nelson publicly admitted that his efforts to transform the team over the past few years had been a complete failure.

It's better to lose to your ex than to be humiliated in front of them.

Winning is the most important thing.

What was that saying again?

Only you, only you, I absolutely do not want to lose!

That's pretty much it.

Of course, all of the above are reasonable guesses made by Lin Tian based on his understanding of Old Nelson.

But he felt that his guess was pretty accurate.

As for the Bobcats' training in New York these past two days, the intensity wasn't too high. After all, the playoffs are still ongoing, and no coach would put their players under such intense pressure at this time, leaving them exhausted and lying on the floor unable to move.

They've all trained to exhaustion, are they even going to compete?

In the past two days, in addition to some routine basic training such as shooting and physical conditioning to keep everyone in shape, we have mainly been practicing some details and small things.

All of this was Lin Tian's guess about Old Nelson's strategy in the third game. Based on his understanding of Old Nelson, he made a lot of targeted preparations in advance.

Of course, if he guessed wrong, all these preparations might be completely useless, but if he guessed right, he believed he could definitely give Old Nelson another big surprise!

The two-day break flew by, and the third game of the series will begin soon!

In the two days between these events, the league also announced several regular season awards.

Lin Tian indeed won the league's Best General Manager award. During the offseason, he magically performed a massive overhaul and roster change for the Bobcats, with 12 of the team's 15 players being newcomers.

Under Lin Tian's management and trades, the Bobcats not only made the playoffs for the first time in their history despite a major roster overhaul and achieved 50+ wins for the first time in their history, but more importantly, the team spent very little money!

They don't need to pay even a single cent of luxury tax now.

Lin Tian's skillful handling of the situation earned him the title of Best General Manager, which is absolutely well-deserved!

More importantly, his competitors for this year's Best General Manager award are all incredibly strong.

The Cavaliers acquired Anthony, Dallas traded for James, the Suns showed steady improvement, and the Celtics maintained their stability.

The general managers of these top teams in the league all have reasons to receive this award, and they all have the qualifications and achievements to receive it.

But among these top general managers, Lin Tian ultimately stood out and won the biggest award that management could receive in his first year of management.

It's incredibly valuable!

Even Lin Tian ranked third in the league for best head coach.

He is second only to "Little General" Jason from Dallas and Mike Brown from the Cavaliers.

The reason why Lin Tian ultimately failed to win the award and lost to Mike Brown was not because of Lin Tian's lack of ability, but because of Rose's injury.

Rose's injury resulted in the team only achieving a 10-12 record in the month or so without him, preventing the Bobcats from reaching the peak of 60 wins.

The Mavericks and Cavaliers are both solid 60-win teams!

In addition, he has already won the Best General Manager award, and to win two awards at the same time, 50+ wins is indeed not enough.

Given the absolute difference in their records, it was entirely reasonable for Lin Tian to lose the Best Coach award.

Even so, Lin Tian's first year in management was absolutely successful, enough to be admired by countless people.

His achievements are something that most coaches and general managers can never attain in their entire lives.

In addition to the two management awards, a player award, which is relatively less important, was also announced at this time.

Best Sixth Man.

The winner is Jamal Crawford of the Knicks!

This guy played 77 regular season games, all as a substitute, averaging 15 points, 2 rebounds and 2 assists per game. He was the team's leading scorer off the bench, and he scored 40+ points six times and 50+ points once this season.

This number is more than all the other bench players in the league combined!

Crawford's Sixth Man of the Year award is equally well-deserved.

However, for Crawford, receiving an award now is not something to be particularly happy about.

Who told him to play so terribly in the first two playoff games, it was like he was an undercover agent?

How shameless do you have to be to still have a smile on your face at a time like this!

But no matter what, he's already received the award, what can Crawford do but accept it?

"Tonight, I will prove my strength! I will give it my all and surprise everyone. I will prove that my poor performance in the first two matches was just due to a slump in form, and now, I'm back! Tonight, I will crush every opponent I face!"

After receiving the trophy, Crawford didn't say any polite words of thanks or support, but instead made a statement directly to the fans at Madison Square Garden.

Dude, I'm going to transform tonight!

Unfortunately, the New York fans who used to be incredibly enthusiastic about Crawford, always cheering and shouting wildly for him, were quite indifferent tonight.

Their cheers for Crawford weren't as enthusiastic, nor as exhilarating or frenzied as they used to be.

As for the reason?

Generally, during the playoffs, players who haven't been eliminated will receive their awards at home, not in away games.

For example, in Lin Tian's case tonight, he would usually receive the award two days later, after returning to his home stadium. After all, the atmosphere is much better when receiving the award at home, and the fans will be more accommodating, right?

But the day Lin Tian learned he had won the award, when league officials called to inform and congratulate him, he immediately asked, "Is my trophy in New York?"

"Yes. We're preparing to send it to Charlotte in the next couple of days."

"Why bother with all that? Just collect it in New York! Save the league some money."

"But award ceremonies are usually held at home, and this is New York!"

In response to the league staff's surprise, Lin Tian replied matter-of-factly, "Isn't New York my home court? Coming to Madison is like coming home."

So, the news that Lin Tian would be receiving the award at home had already spread throughout New York a day earlier.

New York fans all know: Our Lin is back! Our Lin chose to receive his award at Madison Square Garden!

What does this tell us?

This shows he considers us one of his own! This shows Lin still considers this place his home!

He considers this place his home. If we disappoint him, are we even human?

We must hold the event together!

Lin must know that our passion for our heroes, for our King, will never fade! (End of Chapter)