Pope of Basketball.

Summary

In this chapter, Van Gundy credits Yang Rui's strategy of utilizing bench players during a press conference after a decisive Knicks victory. Yang Rui reflects on Van Gundy's admirable qualities, such as being hardworking, selfless, and courageous. Players like Atkins praise Yang Rui for his guidance, while Van Gundy feels awkward about the attention Yang Rui is receiving. The chapter shifts to a coaching meeting before a game against the Bucks, where Yang Rui suggests resting star player Patrick Ewing due to back-to-back games and potential fatigue. Van Gundy initially disagrees, believing Ewing wouldn’t want to rest. Yang Rui persists, recalling a past injury Ewing suffered during a game on the same date, which nearly ended his career. After convincing the management to prioritize Ewing's stats and rest him, Yang Rui persuades Ewing, who agrees, recognizing the importance of maintaining good performance metrics. Thibodeau, another assistant coach, aligns with Yang Rui, adopting his strategy as a learning experience for future coaching. The chapter highlights Yang Rui’s growing influence on the team and his ability to make crucial decisions to protect key players.

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