Everyone has their own sensitive topics, and Ewing has two that he dislikes the most.

One is O’Neal, and the other is David Robinson.

There’s no way around O’Neal; Ewing admits that O’Neal might be the most talented center in NBA history.

But David Robinson is different. Ewing has lost to David Robinson multiple times in the battle for the best lineup, usually with David Robinson making the second team and him making the third. Since O’Neal entered the NBA and made the second team in his second year, Ewing hasn’t made the best lineup for the past two years.

A superstar averaging 24.5 points, 11 rebounds, 2.6 assists, and 2.7 blocks, leading the team to a 56-win season and entering the finals, didn’t make the best lineup...

Similarly, this year’s Moning also encountered the same situation, averaging 24 points, 10 rebounds, 2 assists, and 2.7 blocks, yet somehow wasn’t considered part of the best lineup.

The rising generation of O’Neal is still on the rise, while Ewing is at the tail end of his peak at 33 years old; that he can’t help.

But for David Robinson, who entered the NBA in the same era and was also a number one pick two years apart, and only three years younger, Ewing refuses to concede!

One important thing is that Zhang Hao is a rookie.

Although theoretically, one person can’t represent a group, people always assume that the best among them can represent the group.

In Ewing’s view, Zhang Hao represents this year’s rookies.

This year’s rookies think David Robinson is better than him, Ewing!

This is intolerable!

Originally, after a disastrous first quarter ending at 21 to 42, with their 21 points nowhere near even the highest scoring player on the opposing team, Ewing felt he might indeed be old, just like he thought Pat Riley considered him old and chose the younger Moning. He knows that Old Nelson’s system being studied is impressive, but he doesn’t have the time to wait for it to be perfected.

Tonight, their Knicks team intended to humiliate rookie Zhang Hao, and ended up getting dominated by him.

Moreover, Zhang Hao’s score exceeded their entire team’s...

In such circumstances, Ewing indeed lost his fighting spirit tonight.

However, Zhang Hao brought up David Robinson!

Losing to anyone else is fine, but not to David Robinson!

The intense reluctance surfaced on Ewing’s face filled with bitter resentment as he returned to the bench, his teammates, who were utterly dejected, saw Ewing’s unwillingness...

He is one of the NBA’s most famous warriors! In college, he was soaring and unstoppable, yet after suffering major injuries to both legs sequentially, he transitioned into relying on technical play and mid-range shots, remaining tough enough to still become one of the best centers in the NBA, even surpassing the other two super centers Olajuwon and David Robinson in 1990 to make the first team.

Ewing hasn’t given up! He still wants to win!

Without Ewing saying much, his teammates already understood his intention, erupting with strong unwillingness in this instant after years of battling together!

What defines a leader? What defines the soul of a team?

Old Nelson felt it from Ewing; a mere look, an expression, was enough to ignite his teammates’ fighting spirit!

On the other side, Del Harris, who was originally just about ready to settle in a laid-back posture, suddenly noticed the opposing players getting active.

He recalled Zhang Hao standing beside the defeated Ewing for a moment... "What’s this rookie trying to do now?"

"Could he possibly be attempting to provoke his opponents after defeating them? This damn kid!"

Del Harris almost wanted to tie Zhang Hao up, whip him hard, and then drip wax on the wounds before continuing to whip...

Clearing his throat, he realized he seemed to have misunderstood, somehow confusing what his wife likes doing to him at home with punishment, feeling quite guilty toward his wife...

Quickly reeling his thoughts back in, Del Harris found this player he despised had an even pettier mind than expected, but he also hated the Knicks. Given that his own rookie had already angered the opponents, it was perfect, giving him a reason to put the main force back in, beat them hard!

...

The live audience had already lost hope for this game, feeling deeply disappointed in Ewing.

The ruthlessness of New York fans was on full display.

The Lakers scored 42 points in the first quarter, more than double the Knicks, with Zhang Hao’s 22 points surpassing their entire team; how would they continue this game?

The fans could only scold their own team as trash!

However, an unexpected turn of events occurred.

The Knicks sent out a full starting lineup with Derek Harper, John Starks, Little Anthony Mason, Charles Oakley, and Ewing.

The Knicks didn’t give up, and the live fans weren’t surprised; the tough image of New York had imprinted deeply over the past few years.

It’s just that New York fans only value performance.

But the Lakers kept Zhang Hao on! Van Exel, Anthony Peeler, George Lynch, and Jason Williams were also subbed in!

Even the heartless have soft spots, seeing the Knicks players’ faces filled with determination and desire to win, contrasted by the Lakers’ major lead pushing for three starters... bullying!

Initially blaming Del Harris for the bullying, since substitution is the coach’s decision.

Then, the New York fans temporarily shelved their earlier fondness for Zhang Hao from the first quarter, postponing any recruitment despite failing to attract any superstars all these years.

In the end, they cheered for their own team temporarily!

The cheers from the crowd greatly boosted the Knicks players’ morale! What professional athlete wouldn’t enjoy being supported?