On June 1, 1998, the finals G1 will officially start at Madison Square Garden at 21:00 that night.
The Jazz flew to New York in advance at the end of May, but after most sports media conducted routine interviews, there were no more reports.
The media in Salt Lake City clamor for the Jazz championship every day, but their influence is really limited.
The New York media didn’t take the Jazz seriously at all:
"The Bulls had a gentleman sweep, Jazz? Who is that?"
At this time, everyone was busy mocking Michael Jordan, but they had no time to talk about Karl Malone, who was not topical.
For four days, while the sports media reported on the finals, they kept talking about the situation of the Bulls. Michael Jordan was still ridiculed by the crowd.
Ordinary fans don't care about the media. No matter whether fans of other teams like to see such a matchup, New York fans are already in high spirits.
Tickets were sold out early, and enthusiastic fans entered the venue before 21:00 that night.
Many people also held slogans saying "Real MVP" to express their support for Li You.
Limited by communication conditions, stars who can sell tickets at this time are very important to the team.
Only real money and silver ticket support can bring direct income to the team.
NBC's famous reporter Jim Gray also felt the New York fans' love for Li You. Less than two years after joining the team, he was already on the same level as Ewing.
Li You usually comes to the arena in advance to warm up. Media reporters are also aware of his habit. When the warm-up is over, they immediately get in front of him:
"Li, congratulations on reaching the finals!"
"At 20 years and 151 days old, he once again broke the record set by Magic Johnson and became the youngest player to start the Finals in NBA history."
Hearing Jim Gray talk about the record issue with a smile, Li You quickly smiled. There are not many young records set by Magic Johnson.
"This is your first career Finals, and you're about to face Stockton. Can you talk about your expectations for this game?"
Many fans are still sighing. Li You's flashy warm-up activities have become a must-see part for many fans before the game. However, when they saw the NBC reporter, the fans soon started to cheer loudly.
Having already changed into an "Equipment Dog" suit and wearing the Knicks' home jersey, Li You immediately answered the question with a relaxed expression:
"Of course we have to win at home. In terms of schedule, 232, we may lose three games in a row to our opponents. Therefore, protecting our home court is our goal in these two games."
"When I was in college, I watched most of Stockton's game highlights. Being able to play against him on such a stage is something I have always looked forward to."
"."
Ewing did not accept an interview before the game. Once again reaching the finals, the Gorillas cherished this opportunity.
This year, I suffered a wrist injury and my condition declined. Considering my age, if I get injured again, I will basically say goodbye to the level of a star player.
Michael Jordan was swept by the Gentlemen, and Ewing also realized that his remaining career time was running out.
Under such circumstances, Gorilla does not want to fail in this finals. He needs the championship so much. He has won rave reviews over McQueen. If he really wins the championship, he will most likely ascend to heaven on the spot.
In the Knicks locker room, when he saw that everyone was here and had changed into their uniforms, Ewing immediately said loudly:
"We have to win two home games and everyone will be nervous when the game starts."
Oakley also clapped his hands and reminded aloud:
"Don't worry about the other side's little moves, this is our home court!"
In the visiting team's locker room, no one on the Jazz team yelled, and Stockton and Karl Malone still looked calm.
Jerry Sloan looked serious and specifically told center Ostartegue, who was starting tonight:
"When encountering a pick-and-roll, remember to delay quickly. During the game, respond to each other and don't let your opponent find the rhythm easily!"
The away players were greeted with continuous boos. When the Knicks came on stage one by one, the atmosphere in Madison Square Garden became more and more heated.
In the live NBC commentary box, Bob Costas immediately introduced briefly after getting the starting lineups of both sides:
"Compared to the Western Conference Finals, the Jazz changed their center and Greg Ostertag started."
"On the back line we still have John Stockton and Jeff Hornacek, and on the forward line we have Brian Russell and Karl Malone."
As soon as he finished speaking, Doug Collins on the side immediately added:
"Getting a big man is not a good choice. The defensive end may provide the ability to protect the basket, but when facing the pick-and-roll, once Stockton fails to squeeze through the screen in time, Ostertag will be forced to Delay.”
"Lee will seize these opportunities. After Ewing returns, the quality of the Knicks' screens has increased. This is why the Bulls choose to switch defenses in many rounds."
Isiah Thomas in the commentary box has been in a particularly beautiful mood in recent days. Hearing his partner’s point of view, he immediately nodded in agreement:
"Yes, tonight is a great test of the Jazz's perimeter defense. Considering John's age, it will be difficult for him to limit Lee's performance."
Ever since McDuck lost the Eastern Conference Finals, Isiah Thomas has almost turned into Lee You Chui.
As the commentator of the finals, he also did not forget to praise Li You's performance in the Eastern Conference finals.
When the two sides warmed up at the end, the Utah duo didn't have many expressions. It seemed that reaching the finals didn't make them excited.
In contrast, Ewing seemed more excited. The gorilla even completed a few dunks during the warm-up to show his physical condition to the fans.
As the referee signaled the players from both sides to come to the center of the field, the scene immediately erupted into huge cheers:
"Let's go Knicks! Let's go Knicks! Let's go Knicks!"
The New York fans who attended the scene shouted very enthusiastically, and when the Gorilla successfully moved the ball to half court, the cheers started again.
Unlike Harper's leading defense, Stockton only chose to step forward to defend after Li Youyun passed halftime.
Quickly making tactical gestures, Li You, holding the ball in his left hand, quickly came to the left wing to protect the ball. The Knicks pulled away in turn.
It's still Larry Johnson who stands on the right wing to take over, and Alan Houston is observing the defense in the right corner, ready to start at any time.
Oakley got stuck with Malone near the baseline on the right, ready to rush for rebounds.
Ewing quickly moved to the three-point line and launched a high pick-and-roll.
Resuming the previous partial 2-on-2 offensive routine after the opening, Li You was not polite. When Ewing stood still, he immediately held the ball with his left hand, lowered his center of gravity, and broke through on the left side.
The quality of the Gorilla's cover was very good. Although Stockton struggled to squeeze through, he still failed to successfully complete the pursuit.
After hearing the coach's instructions before the game, Ostertag quickly slipped and delayed Li You.
It's just that it was difficult for the 2.18-meter big man to bend down to defend. Li You just slightly raised his center of gravity. Facing a big delay, he suddenly pushed the ball quickly and changed direction.
Before Ostertag could slide again, Li You, who lowered his center of gravity, grabbed the ball with his right hand, quickly led the ball forward, and easily passed between the two.
"oh!!"
The beautiful pass immediately caused a burst of cheers from the scene. In the blink of an eye, Li You had already rushed to the three-point line, grabbed the ball with his right hand and went straight into the paint area.
Malone, who was still stuck with Oakley, quickly moved to prepare for defense, but Li You suddenly stopped in the paint area directly in front of the basket and took a quick jump shot!
"Whoa!" A solid hit from mid-range!
Seeing Li You scoring so easily, head coach Sloan frowned on the sidelines.
With a smile on his face, Li You high-fived Ewing in celebration, then turned around and started guarding Stockton.
He has no interest in rushing to the basket head-on. Malone's muscles and big elbows are not for show.
Perhaps in order to save energy, Stockton did not choose to dribble through the half court himself, but quickly gave the ball to Hornacek who was receiving the ball.
After dribbling through the center line, Stockton again ran without the ball and caught the ball again.
"Defense! Defense! Defense!"
Amid the defensive cheers, Li You remained close to Stockton's side. He noticed that Malone had begun to move, and immediately prepared to squeeze through the screen.
Instead of starting a pick-and-roll as usual, Stockton was heavily guarded by Li You at the top of the arc. He first pretended to break through on the right side, and then quickly dribbled the ball behind his back.
Malone immediately moved quickly after covering the screen and came to the right elbow of the free throw line. Stockton, who switched to his left hand, took advantage of the situation and sent a ground pass.
After catching the ball, Malone feinted and took a quick test step with his right foot. When Oakley moved slightly backward, he immediately exerted force with his foot and succeeded in a pull-up jumper!
"Shhh!!"
He has beautiful muscles, but Malone can also be a handsome CIC player sometimes.
This powerful power forward usually completes the offense from the outside after the opening. After finding his touch, he combines shooting and sudden shooting, attacks the basket, and stands at the free throw line.
Stockton always allows the opponent to catch the ball comfortably. The two cooperate tacitly and have many pick-and-roll tricks.
Quickly sending a baseline ball, Li You simply made a tactical gesture to indicate a change in defensive strategy.
The customized game strategy before the game is to chase Stockton. Oakley and Ewing also need to participate in delay defense. After all, Stockton's mid-range is very accurate.
After one round, Li You decided to defend alone and one-on-one to see Stockton's offensive status.
In this attack, Ewing provided a screen for Alan Houston near the baseline on the right side.
There was no complicated tactic. Alan Houston immediately flicked out, came to the right elbow of the free throw line, received Li You's pass, faced Hornacek's block, drifted slightly to the left, and shot a mid-range jumper!
"Whoa!" Another two-point goal.
Since defeating the Bulls, Alan Houston has become more confident in his shooting. After scoring, he quickly retreats from defense with a smile on his face.
Amid the cheers of the fans, the Jazz also began to speed up their progress. Hornacek simply organized the attack after passing half the court.
It was also a pick-and-roll start. Malone's cover on the left wing was very good. Hornacek, who held the ball in his right hand, briefly got rid of the defense.
Quickly arriving at the left elbow of the free throw line, Hornacek immediately stopped and made a jump shot!
"state!"
As soon as the rebound popped up, it was grabbed by Ewing. Coach Sloan on the sidelines shouted to remind the players to retreat quickly. After receiving the ball, Li You accelerated across the half court.
There was no timely delay, Stockton was still directing his teammates to complete the defensive positioning.
On the right wing, Li You, holding the ball in his right hand, did not slow down. When he was approaching the three-point line, he quickly in and out while traveling.
Stockton was stunned and didn't give the opponent much time to react. Li You immediately hit the ball at the three-point line and stopped, and then quickly made a jump shot!
"Whoa!" Converted a three-pointer into the net!
At 2:7, the crisp three-pointer made everyone in the Jazz team a little confused.
Li You quickly retreated from the defense and no longer led the defense against Stockton. The Jazz's offense also began to play from the low post.
The two big men began to receive the ball with their backs in the blocking area, while other Jazz players cut in without the ball.
It was just a tactical run, but there was no flaw in the Knicks' defense. In the end, Malone succeeded in a face-to-face jumper in the left block.
The game soon entered the rhythm of the Knicks, and Sloan on the sidelines loudly reminded the players to defend.
Ostertag delayed Li You in the pick-and-roll, but missed Ewing who was passing down the line. For two consecutive rounds, the Gorilla succeeded in taking advantage of the basket.
Oakley's offensive end has always been focused on Malone. He was stuck near the baseline and the opponent. The old guy did nothing else and tried to use physical defense to affect Malone's shooting feel.
After a few rounds, he noticed that it was becoming more and more difficult for the Jazz to score. In the NBC commentary box, Doug Collins immediately said:
"This is not the Jazz's game rhythm. They play too slowly and are too afraid of the opponent's transition attack."
Seeing Stockton strike out angrily, Isiah Thomas said with a smile:
"Lee is not Van Exel. John has to strengthen his defense. It is best to lead the defense. This may consume too much physical energy, but it is definitely the best defensive strategy."
After collecting the long rebound, Li You advanced quickly, Stockton also chased to his side, and soon the two began to compete with each other.
Arriving at the top of the arc, Ewing faked a screen at the three-point line and immediately went down to the free throw line, where he once again provided a screen for Alan Houston, who quickly bounced out.
Without using a screen, Li You, who was holding the ball with his left hand, quickly dribbled behind his back. After switching to his right hand, he immediately lowered his shoulders and accelerated. He took aim at Alan Houston's outside shot, dribbled past the three-point line and immediately jumped to throw the ball.
The moment Alan Houston caught the ball, there was no one in front of him to defend him. He just raised the ball and threw it without making any adjustments!
"Whoa!" The three-pointer hit the net!
"Wow!!"
At 6:14, with 7 minutes and 02 seconds left in the first quarter, head coach Sloan immediately requested a timeout amid the happy shouts of the fans at the scene.
Jeff Van Gundy, who hung up, did not expect that the game would go so smoothly. Except for Malone, everyone on the Jazz team was in trouble.
Less than half a quarter of the game, Li You sent 4 assists, and the bald young coach quickly patted his shoulder to show encouragement:
"Good job!"
On the Knicks bench, the atmosphere team was also shouting happily. It seemed that after defeating the Bulls, their shooting touch became better.
With the metaphysical psychological bonus, Li You felt that everyone in his teammates was brave and brave enough to fight.
After the Jazz's timeout, they replaced center Greg Foster, but the substitution did not change their shooting feel.
Only Karl Malone was in excellent condition and was not affected by Oakley at all. He scored consecutive jump shots in his sweet spot.
The cheers in the arena grew louder and louder. One person could not defeat the Knicks. The home team's smooth offense also made the fans more confident.
Rotating personnel early in an attempt to score efficiently, head coach Sloan tried to improve the team's shooting feel, but until the end of the first quarter, the Jazz could not turn over.
At 14:27, in the first quarter, the Knicks led by 13 points.
Madison Square Garden has completely boiled over. New York fans only feel that the championship is within easy reach and the Jazz have no power to fight back.
After the start of the second quarter, Li You, who was sitting on the bench, saw that the bench lineup was also starting to hit hard, and he twitched his lips:
"You are all here to win the FMVP!"
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(End of chapter)
