When the owner said he was willing to pay the full salary and said it didn't matter if he paid the luxury tax, all Donnie Walsh could do as a team manager was nod.

He then dialed Stephen Marbury, who said the team wanted to withdraw the buyout request.

Stephen Marbury on the other end of the phone didn't show cheers, he made a request: "I need to average 20 minutes per game!" ”

For Marbury, what he wants now is a chance to play.

He didn't want to be banished from the activation list anymore.

Donnie Walsh said: "It needs to be discussed with the two managers. ”

Afterwards, Dugg sat next to him and calmly watched the quartet engage in a tug-of-war of bargaining. In the end, Isaiah Thomas agreed to give Marbury no less than eight minutes per game, and D'Antoni only agreed to six.

And Stephen Marbury agreed.

Coming out of Donnie Walsh's office, Isaiah Thomas told Duge, "The reason I agreed to give Marbury time was out of affection and respect for you." I don't actually want to see that bastard for a second.

Dugg expressed his gratitude.

D'Antoni then said almost the same thing, stressing: "You'd better let that guy learn how to pass the ball quickly, his muddy style of play doesn't suit the rhythm of running and shooting." ”

Dugg nodded.

"Thank you!" After the two left, Stephen Marbury found Dugg and thanked him very solemnly, he walked into the office and saw Dugg and James Dolan sitting there, and he already understood everything: "You gave me the opportunity to be reborn in the Knicks." Do you know? This is the first time in the last three years that I have seen a fair assessment of me in the New York media. ”

Marbury was talking about last night's game.

Last night, he had 9 points, 4 assists and 3 rebounds, although the statistics were not obvious, and there was a big gap from his peak. But the chemistry with Dugg was unanimously positive.

This affirmation was undoubtedly a shot in the arm for Marbury, who is now almost completely lost, and it gave him the courage to make a comeback. At the same time, it also strengthened the determination to follow Snoopy.

Therefore, he agreed to the 14 minutes of playing time proposed by the two managers...... Although it was already a huge concession for the two managers who didn't like him. But isn't that a huge concession to a former All-Star with an annual salary of $20 million?

Dugg patted him on the shoulder and said with a smile, "If you have to thank him, please treat me to a meal!" ”

Duge's tone was relaxed, but quickly narrowed the distance between the two.

"Of course! And it has to be the best hotel in New York. ”

Marbury laughed.

He identified with Duge even more in his heart, and at the same time had to admit in his heart that this kid did have the charisma of a leader who won people's hearts.

……

Before the New York Knicks started their road trip, a reporter photographed the Duke having dinner with the New York lone wolf, which made basketball fans very worried for a while, they were afraid that Snoopy would be infected by Marbury's cancer.

However, when the Knicks won in Philadelphia, Toronto, Atlanta, Charlotte, and Washington one after another, the Knicks' fan forum became a sea of joy.

In these five games, the Knicks averaged 106 points per game, conceded 97 points per game, and ranked seventh in the league in plus/minus.

And, most amazingly, during the six-game winning streak, the Knicks averaged double-doubles per game. They are Zach Randolph with 21.6 points per game, David Lee with 15.2 points, Quentin Richardson with 11.5 points, Dacomiliic with 11.2 points, Stephen Marbury with 10.6 points and Gallinari with 10 points.

In fact, with Snoopy, who averages 9.2 points per game, the Knicks' scoring distribution is already amazing. At this time, they are in 10th place in the East, and there are only two and a half wins left from the Chicago Bulls who are 8th in the East!

According to the current trend, the probability of making it to the playoffs is getting higher and higher!

Correspondingly, the Knicks' morale is getting stronger and stronger.

Although they will next travel to Texas for the Texas Final Three, they are still full of confidence, especially the Thomas team.

"Hey, Snoopy. Have you seen a feature in Sports Illustrated? They call us the Avengers! Ha ha! I love the combination name. Randolph shouted excitedly on the plane.

He had a thick newspaper in his hand.

Lately, Knicks players have fallen in love with the habit of reading newspaper articles. Because in the past, there was absolutely no word complimenting them on these paper products, but now, almost everyone can find compliments on them. Even Eddie Curry, who recently returned, can be rated 'offensive positive'.

"Come, everybody, listen to this. …… Snoopy's arrival was like an axe slamming open the rotten and gloomy door, and the sun finally poured into Madison Garden. The dead or decayed branches were brought back to life, and the lost finally had the posture of holding their heads high......"

Jeffries stood up in front of him as he read aloud the beautiful sentences of the ESPN columnist.

In fact, such praise is endless.

At this time, a newspaper in Duger's hand is speculating on the best rookie of the year. "With the Knicks improving by leaps and bounds, the race for the best rookie is finally in suspense. Originally, I thought that Snoopy's presence would only threaten whether Derrick Rose could be elected unanimous, but now, Derrick Rose must be vigilant, once the Knicks replace the Chicago Bulls as the last team to advance to the Eastern Conference playoffs, then... Snoopy has a good chance of taking home the Rookie of the Year trophy......"

Attached to the article are detailed stats for the two players, Dugg averaged 8.8 points, 7.6 assists, 7.0 rebounds and 2.1 blocks per game this season, and Derrick Rose averaged 18.3 points, 7.1 assists, 3.9 rebounds and 1.5 steals per game. In terms of data, each has its own emphasis, and the gap is not large.

Therefore, the focus will be on the records of the two teams, as they are the only two teams in the class of '08, so their team's record will be the biggest factor in determining the ownership of the Rookie of the Year trophy.

"Can you stop arguing?"

D'Antoni finally couldn't stand the constant noise of Thomas's team members.

He stood up and gave off the majesty of his head coach.

His starting team has become a foil during the team's recent six-game winning streak, even though David Lee and Gallinari both scored in double digits...... But more often than not, it is obtained in garbage time.

Some media even bluntly claimed that the Knicks' rotation lineup is the best in the league!

Such praise is a great honor for Thomas. But for D'Antoni, it's a great shame!

So, his emotions exploded under extreme depression.

……