Chapter 696: Chen Yan Did His Best, His Teammates Were CBA
At the post game press conference, Chen Yan made no attempt to hide his joy.
"I am proud of my teammates and the entire New York Knicks. After many years, we have once again advanced to the Eastern Conference Finals. I believe this is the best gift for Knicks fans and for the city of New York."
A reporter smiled and said, "Of course, I can hear the cheers from here, and I believe that sound will last all night. Eliminating a city rival and advancing to the Eastern Conference Finals has driven the fans crazy. What is your next goal?"
Chen Yan smiled.
"Keep winning."
The next reporter asked, "Miami Heat or Orlando Magic? Which team do you think will advance to the Eastern Conference Finals?"
Chen Yan replied, "Statistically speaking, it should be the Miami Heat, because they currently lead 3 to 2. But the Orlando Magic are also very strong, and they have the ability to create miracles. No matter which team advances, we will be fully prepared to meet the challenge."
Chen Yan's answer was watertight, which was his usual style.
Nelson, on the other hand, spoke with dominance.
"The Knicks have the potential to defeat any team. I believe in my players. Nothing can stop these young men."
The next day, Chen Yan received high praise from various media outlets.
The outside world generally believed that only Chen Yan could lead such a flawed team to the Eastern Conference Finals.
When Chen Yan transferred to the Knicks in the middle of the season, the outside world expressed regret. Many believed that with New York's current lineup, even Chen Yan would not be able to carry them, and that it would take at least 3 to 5 years to rebuild.
Chen Yan's prime years might largely be spent waiting with the Knicks.
Who would have thought that Chen Yan would quickly prove everyone wrong, directly leading this Knicks team into the Eastern Conference Finals?
After the Knicks advanced, many veterans and free agents proactively contacted New York, hoping to join the team in the next transfer window.
Money was not important.
The main goal was to chase a championship and avoid leaving regrets behind.
Everyone could see that following Chen Yan meant good things.
Chen Yan not only had terrifying individual ability and outstanding leadership, he was also a player favored by the league.
It could be said that he was the greatest guarantee of a championship.
The media even stated that no matter whether the Knicks could win the championship this season, they had already achieved tremendous success.
There was also a team in the Western Conference that had advanced early.
The San Antonio Spurs.
The Spurs were fierce this season, not only in the regular season, but also in the Playoffs. They were unstoppable, completing 2 consecutive sweeps and proudly advancing to the Western Conference Finals.
In another series, the Los Angeles Lakers and the Dallas Mavericks were locked at 3 to 2, with both sides fighting a brutal battle. Every game had been decided by fewer than 5 points.
Kobe wanted to win another championship at the tail end of his career peak.
Dirk Nowitzki's desire to win was no less than Kobe's. He also wanted to seize this opportunity at the end of his prime to challenge for a championship and win the 1st title of his career.
1 day later, the Miami Heat defeated the Orlando Magic 101 to 93, becoming the 2nd team to advance to the Eastern Conference Finals.
Fans loved this outcome.
James versus Chen Yan was much more exciting than Howard versus Chen Yan.
A fan poll was conducted across the United States for this round of games, and 68.7 percent of voters believed the Heat would defeat the Knicks.
The gap in roster strength between the 2 sides was simply too great.
Unless Chen Yan exploded every game, there seemed to be no hope of beating Miami.
With 2 days of rest before the Eastern Conference Finals, Chen Yan spent the time at home.
Taylor Swift stayed with him throughout.
In fact, Taylor had accompanied Chen Yan throughout this year's Playoffs, turning down many work opportunities for his sake.
This was Chen Yan's 1st year since transferring to the Knicks, and the pressure on him was immense.
New York fans were the most demanding fans in the world.
Fortunately, Chen Yan withstood that pressure, and he once again conquered them with his performance.
Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals was held on the Heat home court.
Miami's opening ceremony was extravagant.
James and Wade took turns showing off. Both had performative personalities and loved putting on a show.
Before the game, Chen Yan briefly greeted Wade and James.
They appeared harmonious, but beneath the smiles, there was hidden hostility.
On Miami's 1st possession, James used a screen and drove hard to the basket, then dished the ball out to Wade.
Wade faked, drove in, and scored with a floater.
Both James and Wade possessed elite level slashing ability.
If they attacked in turns, New York's interior defense would certainly struggle to withstand it.
On the Knicks possession, Curry and Kenyon Martin ran a pick and roll.
Pau Gasol was a step slow on the switch, and Curry immediately shot.
Missed.
The Heat immediately counterattacked.
James had somehow already slipped into the backcourt, and Wade found him with a long pass.
James slammed it down with 2 hands.
2 points.
The James Wade connection instantly ignited the Miami home court.
James and Wade were in explosive form tonight.
Led by the 2 of them, the Heat continuously pressured the Knicks.
At halftime, Nelson adjusted the tactical deployment.
He wanted Chen Yan to become the primary attacker, with everyone else helping him screen or create offensive space.
Miami, on the other hand, played at its own rhythm.
They defended against drives but not against shots.
They did not care if Chen Yan scored 60 or 70 points, as long as they defended everyone else and prevented him from disrupting Miami's defensive formation.
In the 3rd quarter, Chen Yan exploded for 20 points, but the difference remained around 10 points.
Miami's scoring rhythm never broke.
For New York, relying solely on Chen Yan to catch up was far from enough.
In the final 5 minutes of the 4th quarter, Miami suddenly increased its defensive pressure on Chen Yan.
Facing double teams, Chen Yan continuously delivered brilliant passes.
Unfortunately, his teammates could not capitalize.
Throughout the entire 2nd half, his teammates did not get many shooting opportunities, and their hands had gone cold. At this point, a low shooting percentage was understandable.
The Heat seized the opportunity to launch another counterattack.
With 1 and a half minutes left in the 4th quarter, the difference was 13 points.
The game had already lost its suspense, and Nelson pulled the starters.
The Heat defeated the Knicks 109 to 98, taking Game 1.
Chen Yan scored 59 points, successfully becoming tonight's empty stats leader.
Miami's Big 3 combined for 71 points.
Pau Gasol had an average performance, scoring only 14 points.
Tonight's win was mainly due to the efforts of James and Wade.
Barkley said regretfully, "Chen Yan did everything he could tonight, but his teammates did not give him enough support."
Kenny Smith agreed.
"If New York's perimeter shooting does not open up, it will be very difficult for them to win this series."
Everyone believed that the huge gap in roster strength was the main reason behind New York's loss.
Game 2 was still held on Miami's home court.
James and Wade once again played their style of basketball.
Wade and James constantly ran fast breaks and attacked the rim.
Miami liked New York's style.
The Knicks did not have a true big man, and they focused on fast paced offense. Once New York's shooting went cold, Miami could quickly widen the gap.
Tonight, the Knicks form improved somewhat, but Miami's Big 3 played exceptionally well, and the referees were also on their side, awarding a large number of free throws.
Chen Yan scored 19 points in the 3rd quarter through drives and outside shots.
In the 4th quarter, Miami began guarding him tightly, with 2 to 3 man double teams becoming commonplace.
113 to 102.
Miami won its 2nd home game.
Chen Yan had 60 points, 7 rebounds, and 4 assists in this game.
In both games, Chen Yan's numbers were extremely impressive.
The losses were entirely due to the huge difference in overall roster strength between the 2 teams.
After the game, fans back home once again chanted that classic slogan.
Chen Yan did his best.
His teammates were CBA level.
.....
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