Chapter 370: Change of Dynasty
After slaughtering the Rockets, the Knicks returned to the top of the Eastern Conference, and they were the best in the league. This caught everyone by surprise. After all, the Knicks' opponents were not easy to deal with, but they managed to create a miracle. If the Knicks were a dark horse, they were definitely a strong dark horse.
Before the season started, Knicks fans thought that it was God's blessing for the team to make the playoffs. But now, they have the confidence and reason to ask for more. In their view, the Knicks, who have defeated the Lakers and Spurs in a row, will definitely have no problem making the playoffs. If they can trade for one or two All-Star players before the trading window opens, they may be able to go further in the playoffs.
Yang Mo was previously criticized by fans who believed that he was not capable of supporting the Knicks, but now most Knicks fans have begun to believe that he is the best leader of the team so far. Of course, if LeBron James is willing to come to Madison Garden, it would naturally be a better choice.
Subconsciously, New York City fans are still crazy about LeBron James.
Yang Mo was just a temporary replacement when they couldn't catch up with the "goddess".
Yang Mo is not a person who likes to be a spare tire. In his mindset, as long as he is there, LeBron James will never get involved in the Knicks. After all, he is a shareholder of MSG who has a certain say.
After achieving a record of two wins and one loss in Texas, the Knicks team returned to New York. They will have two consecutive home games, and then start an away trip in the Eastern Conference. After traveling around the Southeast and Denver, they will return to New York for a decisive battle with the Cleveland Cavaliers.
At this time, head coach D'Antoni, who cut off his finger while peeling an apple, finally returned to the team. When he showed up at the training hall, he immediately received unexpected enthusiasm and unexpected indifference. Some players completely ignored him, while others were .
At this time, Yang Mo appeared at the signing ceremony with MGM. This former Hollywood giant had seen its market value plummet due to the financial crisis in 2008. Just when it was about to go bankrupt, the angel-like Baofeng Agency and Super Yang appeared. Then Lu Xueman successfully used the method of making something for nothing to acquire 75% of MGM's shares. This dying behemoth was rejuvenated by the capital injection from China, and its market value also rose all the way, like an old tree sprouting new buds.
After Yang Mo signed his name on the contract, it officially meant that he had become a Hollywood tycoon, a giant monopolizing production, distribution and cinemas. People in Hollywood even believed that the emergence of Baofeng Agency had destroyed the ecological environment of Hollywood, and that this company with an oriental background had overstepped its bounds. According to the Hollywood model, actor brokerage, production and cinemas are separated. But now Baofeng Agency has taken over everything directly. They are in charge of the actors, the production companies and the cinemas. In other words, they can play by themselves from beginning to end without anyone interfering.
This all-inclusive business model is undoubtedly a huge challenge for other production companies. In fact, Baofeng Film Studio is now only short of a screenwriter department. If their screenwriter department can be established, they can produce and sell their own films. The cost reduction will definitely be several times that of other production companies. In addition, with the support of theaters, the investment risk is almost zero, and there is no need to worry about losing money.
Big studios like Paramount, Disney, and Universal were crying wolf, but in fact, Lu Xueman had already purchased the copyrights of dozens of online novels on the Chinese Internet at extremely low prices, so she had no shortage of stories. In other words, when Baofeng Company really made its move, it would definitely build an entertainment empire that had never been seen before in Hollywood.
Yang Mo had no idea about Lu Xueman's strategic layout. He didn't even know the relationship between the three. At most, he would look at the box office and the investment. He was too lazy to even count the numbers in his bank card because he knew that he would never be able to spend all the money he earned in his lifetime.
It can be said that his only pursuit now is winning or losing on the basketball court.
Now, he encountered D'Antoni's conspiracy again within the team. In the absence of Yang Mo, D'Antoni privately called Harrington, David Lee, Wilt Chandler, Chris Duhon and Jordan Hill into his office.
They probably chatted for about an hour before coming out.
When Yang Mo hurried to the training hall in the afternoon, Nate Robinson came to Yang Mo, called him aside, and whispered: "Yang, D'Antoni called many players in for a talk this morning. I think they want to isolate you."
"Hmm?" Yang Mo frowned and asked, "Who are they?"
"David Lee, Harrington, Wilt, Chris Duhon, and Jordan Hill." Nate Robinson said very truthfully.
"Chandler and Jordan Hill are in too?" Yang Mo said very puzzled. He thought to himself, he was very kind to these two people. It was understandable that he didn't give much playing time to the first three people, but the last two were almost trained as his own troops.
"Well, they all went in. Also, I think you should also pay attention to the Italian. Although he was not called in, he was personally selected by D'Antoni." Nate Robinson continued.
Yang Mo frowned when he heard this. If all these people really stood on D'Antoni's side, then at least before the offseason, the team's record would not be much better. The direct reaction of a team in internal turmoil on the court is that it is not united.
Now, we must do something to root out the problem completely, and these players must know who is the owner of this team.
Yang Mo gritted his teeth and made up his mind.
Originally, he wanted to maintain the previous order and let the team carry out the transition in an orderly manner. But now, since D'Antoni is so unreasonable, he can only say sorry to him and ask him to get out.
Since D'Antoni is the root of all chaos, the only way is to eradicate him.
So, about an hour later, when all the players gathered together, Yang Mo clapped his hands, called everyone together, and then called the three assistant coaches and D'Antoni over.
When the coaching staff and players were all in place, Yang Mo walked to the front, first smiled helplessly, and then said with great sadness: "Guys, today we are bidding farewell to a comrade who once fought side by side with us. I am very sad, and I am proud of his contribution to the Knicks."
Yang Mo said goodbye, and the whole team immediately started to get in a commotion. Everyone was wondering who was leaving the Knicks. Chris Duhon was the most nervous among all the players, because so far, only Yang Mo had a conflict with him.
In a tense and cramped situation, he kept looking at D'Antoni, trying to get help from him. D'Antoni also gave him a reassuring look. After receiving D'Antoni's look, Chris Duhon finally felt relieved. He felt that with D'Antoni's support and more than half of the players on his side, no matter how powerful Yang Mo was, the team would not favor him.
It was naive of Chris Duhon
Their thinking was always limited to the level of players, while Yang Mo was a member of the management. Yang Mo was fundamentally different from them. They were employees, while Yang Mo was the boss. They could not see through this, so all their conspiracies and tricks were destined to bring shame upon themselves.
While the crowd was in turmoil , Yang Mo did not continue speaking, but tried to capture the emotions of the players below. Sure enough, the names mentioned by Nate Robinson were subconsciously asking for help from D'Antoni. Obviously, they were members of D'Antoni's gang.
After figuring out who was the enemy, Yang Mo changed the subject and his tone became stern: "However, this person made an extremely serious mistake in the construction of the team's internal work. This mistake is enough to completely ruin the team's good start and even ruin the team's future. Therefore, we must resolutely and decisively clear him out of the team. The black sheep must not be allowed to stay!"
Yang Mo's words became colder and sharper as he spoke, and his eyes were directed at D'Antoni.
When Yang Mo turned around and walked towards D'Antoni step by step, everyone in the audience was shocked: Is Super Yang going to use D'Antoni as a target?
No one, including D'Antoni, thought that the person Yang Mo wanted to kill was actually himself. He was still thinking about how to support Chris Duhon, but he didn't expect that Yang Mo wanted to uproot him.
There are many players in the NBA who force the head coach to resign, but no one has ever been so blatant in trying to get rid of the head coach.
Yang Mo's behavior undoubtedly gave the players a huge surprise.
At this time, Yang Mo continued, "This man once created some achievements in Phoenix, but these achievements are not enough for him to rest on his laurels. Moreover, his tactics have been proven to be futile in the playoffs. Moreover, he has repeatedly tried to create divisions within the team, tried to build his own faction, and tried to squeeze the playing time of other players. This kind of conspiracy is despised by any team, and this kind of professionalism is despised. So, D'Antoni, you can get out!"
Yang Mo glanced at D'Antoni coldly and announced the decision mercilessly. Then he turned to Stanley Keen, the defensive coach who was least valued by D'Antoni, and said, "From today on, you are the head coach of the Knicks. In a moment, the general manager and the president will send you the appointment, and we will hold a press conference at this time tomorrow. Congratulations, Coach Stein!"
As he said this, he extended his hand to Stan.
Stein hesitated for less than three seconds. After looking at D'Antoni, he finally chose to hold Yang Mo's hand tightly. Although this player is unruly and arrogant to the extreme, as long as he can be given the position of head coach, who cares about anything else? As long as I can use my defensive thinking to the extreme, I am not afraid of offending D'Antoni.
Just as Stein and Yang Mo were shaking hands warmly, D'Antoni beside them said almost madly: "What right do you have to fire me? I am still the official head coach bound by the contract."
"No, your contract has been torn up unilaterally by us. Isn't it just a one million penalty? The team will pay you every penny, and you can go to General Manager Isaiah or President Walsh now." Yang shrugged and said calmly: "Before firing you, I have already talked about this with President Walsh and Boss Dolan. Their attitude on this matter has reached an amazing tacit understanding with me. They don't want the team to continue on the wrong path under the leadership of the wrong person."
"What? Impossible!" D'Antoni went crazy immediately. He was unwilling to accept this fact, so he yelled sharply: "I am the head coach of this team. I am the only head coach who can lead the team out of the swamp. When I was on the American team, I had a very harmonious cooperation with LeBron James. I can use my personal relationship to get LeBron to join, I..."
"Shut up!" Yang Mo roared at him, the force of his voice and his aura all suppressed the nearly crazy Yang. He froze on the spot, and Yang Mo's cold eyes swept over him: "Remember, this is my team, this team doesn't need LeBron. Not now, and not in the future. From the day I joined, LeBron has been removed from the team's Plan A. This is a team that is branded with the Super Yang mark from beginning to end."
At this time, Isaiah Thomas and Donnie Walsh came over. As soon as they came, D'Antoni rushed over and kept telling Donnie Walsh about his own strengths and how capable he was. Unfortunately, Walsh was unmoved and said to him, "Come on, let's go to the office to discuss your salary buyout."
A business-like attitude.
As soon as this gesture came out, D'Antoni became selfish, and the entire team was shocked again. At the moment when Yang Mo announced the dismissal of D'Antoni, they were still skeptical. Now that the general manager and the president appeared and chose to support Yang Mo, they had to accept this fact with horror.
At the same time, I finally understood how much control Yang Mo had over the team. The head coach could fire anyone he wanted, so what did the players mean? Who would dare not to leave if he told them to?
The players who originally wanted to rebel finally lowered their heads and dared not have any rebellious thoughts. After all, if they still wanted to make a living in New York, they had to follow Yang Mo's mood, because he was the master here.
Yang Mo did not massacre the players, but said to Stan Keen: "Coach Stan, please give a speech to everyone. Now the direction of the entire team is in your hands. I hope you can lead us to victory."
Stan Keen couldn't help but get excited when he heard what Yang Mo said. He didn't expect that his path to becoming a head coach would be so fast. Although he is fifty years old this year, he has been an assistant coach at Wake Forest for seven years, an assistant coach at Kansas for three years, an assistant coach at Georgetown for eight years and a head coach for two years, but his resume in the NBA is brand new. He joined the Knicks coaching staff this year through an acquaintance and became a head coach in charge of defense. However, the head coach here doesn't pay attention to defense at all. Just when he was about to resign and return to Georgetown to continue his college head coaching, the pie in the sky fell and hit him hard on the head, making him feel the happiness that was slowly overflowing.
"First of all, thank you Super Yang for your trust. Secondly, let me tell you that I am very strict with the defensive requirements in my coaching. I hope that every two people on my team can form a defensive response with each other on the court. If every two people can form a defensive combination, then a team of five people will have more than a hundred defensive sequences. Once the big defensive net is woven, I believe no team can escape from our palms." As soon as Stein Keane's words came out, many players broke out in cold sweat.
This team was built according to D'Antoni's coaching philosophy, so almost all the players pay more attention to offense and have a natural weakness in defense.
When many players were depressed, Stein continued, "Don't sigh, defense is not a difficult thing. Sixty percent depends on enthusiasm and your fighting spirit. As long as you are motivated, defense is not difficult at all. Isn't it just to prevent the opponent from throwing the basketball into a small basket? It's not complicated at all. And I pay attention to offense as well as defense. Defensive counterattack will be our most frequent offensive method in the early stage. If everyone can mobilize all their enthusiasm, your data will not drop much."
Stan's words gave everyone a little hope. Yang Mo was impressed by Stan. He was very good at psychology. No wonder people said that those who could be good NCAA head coaches could also be good NBA head coaches. If this guy was really good, then there would be no need for Isaiah Thomas to take the field. After all, Isaiah Thomas's coaching skills were not that high. Otherwise, he would not have left Toronto in such a mess.
Stein did not give a long speech, but quickly announced the disbanding of the team and each team trained separately. He also had to sort out his own tactics, but before that, he specifically found Yang Mo and asked him which direction his playing style should go. After all, this was his ace core, and the team had to revolve around him. Determining his playing style was the most important thing now.
