At this time, McCloskey stared at Zhou Quan and asked: "Iron Fist, are you confident to be like Isiah?"
Zhou Quan took a deep breath and nodded firmly: "I will not copy him, but I absolutely believe that I can do my best."
"Copy? Best?"
McCloskey murmured and nodded.
Chuck Daly and Joe Dumars are a little skeptical. They believe Zhou Quan has potential, but to be the best, that is, to be stronger than Isiah, how is that possible?
A trace of disdain flashed in Thomas's eyes. He could reconcile with Zhou Quan, give up his core identity, and give up his main position, but this was all out of helplessness. It was absolutely impossible for him to admit that Zhou Quan was stronger than him now.
This is his pride. Whether it is Larry Bird, Magic Johnson, or Air Jordan, they have all wailed and retreated under his hands. With this qualification, he will never easily admit that anyone is better than him. Strong, let alone a rookie who is nothing now.
McCloskey then said: "Zhou, starting from today, your playing time will be adjusted to 35 minutes. You are a rookie and you are likely to hit the rookie wall. We must prepare for this early."
"OK."
Zhou Quan nodded.
Physical fitness is one reason, and the second reason is that Thomas is back. His playing time can be kept at 35 minutes, which is already very good. In addition to him, Joe Dumars and others must also play part of the time.
McCloskey added: "In addition, I hope you will maintain your average of 15 shots per game."
"15 times?"
Zhou Quan perked up.
Joe Dumars has been the Pistons' number one scorer since last season, averaging 16.2 shots per game. Thomas's is 13.9. This season, Joe Dumars is still 16.2. Thomas enters the bench, and his shots should not increase. It may have been reduced. Now he has 15 shots and will become the second-most shot player in the Pistons.
This is also a kind of pressure. If his offensive efficiency is too low, so many shots will seriously affect the team's overall offensive efficiency.
Seeing Zhou Quan's expression become solemn, McCloskey smiled and said: "Zhou, don't put pressure on yourself. I just said that I will spend at least two seasons to train you. You can rest assured to take action."
"good."
Zhou Quan nodded firmly.
The attitude of the Pistons management makes it worthwhile for him to stay and for him to fight hard for the Pistons.
Chuck Daly added at this time: "In terms of record, it is best to make it to the playoffs. Without the training of the playoffs, it is not a real training. No one will fully deal with you in the regular season."
Everyone nodded, including Zhou Quan.
His debut was against Jordan, and he performed well against Jordan, but did Jordan really try his best to defend him? not necessarily.
McCloskey finally said: "In the latest rookie rankings, you are third, second only to Larry Johnson and Mutombo. They both averaged double-doubles per game. I hope you can maintain it in your rookie season. Stay in the third position and strive to enter the rookie first team."
"I know." He nodded.
At 7:30, both sides announced the starting lineup.
Pistons: John Salley, Dennis Rodman, Orlando Ulrich, Joe Dumars, Zhou Quan.
Knicks: Ewing, Charles Oakley, McDaniel, Gerald Wilkins, Mark Jackson
The game was broadcast live across the United States by ABC television.
Commentator Landis Opp said with a regretful expression: "The Smiling Assassin returned to the substitute lineup, and it was not temporary. This is really a regrettable and shocking thing. This is the end of a generation of superstars.
In fact, he has not aged. He still has a lot of strength. He can become the main point guard in any team. "
Partner Lewis Williams nodded and said: "The Pistons rebuilt early. Now I can't tell whether it's good or bad. Although Tekken's performance is good, he is not the kind of young man with huge talents. In my opinion, his future is uncertain. Not sure, I think the Pistons management is too optimistic about him and rebuilding early is not the right decision."
Opp said: "But the return of the Smiling Assassin has greatly enriched the bench lineup and will allow the Pistons to regain the strength to enter the playoffs."
Williams said: "The Knicks had a good record of 8 wins and 5 losses before, with a winning rate of 61.5%, ranking fifth in the Eastern Conference. The Bulls ranked first in the league, with a record of 12 wins and 2 losses. The Pistons are currently 6 wins and 9 losses, with a winning rate Only 40%, the Pistons want to break into the top eight, even if the Smiling Assassin returns, it will still be very difficult."
Opp analyzed: "The Heat are currently ranked eighth in the Eastern Conference, with a winning rate of 47%. Now that the East is strong and the West is weak, it is indeed difficult for the Pistons to reach the playoffs.
Especially if Thomas withdraws from the main lineup, although it can increase the strength of the substitute lineup, the strength of the main lineup has not been restored, and Thomas cannot use his full strength in the substitute lineup. "
At eight o'clock, the game officially begins.
Zhou Quan once again faced off against big-ass point guard Mark Jackson.
From the beginning, he frequently switched to the low post on the left wing and singled out Jackson.
After he tasted the benefits of low singles, he reduced the number of bursts.
His breakthrough speed is average, and he can easily be double-teamed when he breaks in. Although he can pass some good balls inside, most of the time, the effect is not very good, and it is better to play singles at both ends of the low post.
But today Pat Riley was not polite. From the beginning, he asked nearby players to double-team Zhou Quan in the low singles.
With four minutes left in the first quarter, 22:26, the Pistons trailed by four points, and then the Pistons took the lead in making substitutions.
Zhou Quan was replaced by the Smiling Assassin.
In the first eight minutes, he made 1 of 3 shots, 2 of 2 free throws, and scored 4 points, 1 rebound, 2 assists, 2 turnovers, 1 block, and 1 foul.
In the ABC commentary box, Williams analyzed: "Iron Fist played in isolations with the ball eight times in total, three times outside, five times in the low post, half of them played by themselves, personal offensive efficiency was not good, half of them passed the ball, and the assist rate was okay, eight times Successfully held the ball four times, and overall the team's offensive efficiency was barely okay. The Knicks played very well today, and the Pistons were also good."
Opp analyzed: "Tekken was double-teamed 5 times out of 8 times he held the ball, and one of the 5 double-teams resulted in a foul. The other 4 times were all passes, and none of the shots were taken during the double-team.
This data shows that he does not have the courage to take action when double-teamed. It also shows that his current offensive ability with the ball is not good enough and he does not have the confidence to take action when double-teamed.
Once again, I don't support the decision to put Smiling Assassin on the bench, Iron Fist actually can't support the Pistons right now.
The Pistons were able to reach the Eastern Conference Finals last season. If they maintain this lineup, I think it will be difficult to reach the playoffs this season. "
