At this time, in New York, the Knicks headquarters, Pat Riley and other coaching staff summoned Ewing and other players and were holding a meeting.
The content is to summarize the regular season situation and then talk about the playoff situation.
In the game against the Pistons on November 30 last year, due to on-court conflicts and off-court duels, Oakley and Anthony Mason were injured by Zhou Quan, which affected the Knicks' record, resulting in only sixth place in the Eastern Conference this season. , with the Knicks' lineup, the sixth position is not in line with their strength.
The coach was talking loudly from above, while Oakley was talking quietly below, saying bitterly: "This first round meeting with the Pistons is exactly what I want. I want to teach that rookie a lesson."
Mason turned his body and whispered: "Boss, my neck is thicker than before, but yours seems to be still the same thin. I think you should not mess with him. Let me do it. You don't have to hit me. If you get hit by him again, If you KO with one punch, how can you still be my boss in the future?"
"Bang"
Oakley's backhand elbow hit Mason in the chest.
But Mason smiled nonchalantly, saying nothing happened.
"What are you two doing?" Pat Riley said with a stern look on his face.
Oakley swallowed. He was a little afraid of Coach Riley and said hurriedly: "No, Coach, I didn't do anything. It was just a joke."
The gentleman-like Pat Riley stared at Oakley coldly for a few seconds, with a very powerful aura. He didn't let him go until the big villain lowered his head and said:
“We faced the Pistons in the first round, and their defense was stronger than ours. I hope you will pay attention to this, otherwise our offense will be greatly affected.
They averaged 96.6 points per game this season, and we averaged 97.7. They are first in the Eastern Conference and first in the league, and we are second in the Eastern Conference and second in the league. In terms of points per game, we are two points higher than them.
From the analysis of points scored and points lost, our strength is about the same. Although we have two wins and three losses in the five regular season games, I don’t think this is a comparison of the real strength of the two sides. The real competition is the playoffs. I think you are too. Do you think so? "
"Yes, coach." Oakley took the lead and shouted.
Patrick Ewing was the core of the team, but he kept mumbling for a long time before joining in with the others.
"This is good. I hope you will treat the first round series carefully. If we are eliminated in the first round, some of you will be traded, and even some of you will completely lose your job opportunities."
Pat Riley's somewhat cold voice sounded. As soon as his voice came out, the conference room immediately fell silent, leaving only his voice.
"I would also like to remind you, be careful with Iron Fist. He is a very cunning person. You also know his other identity, the Hockey Executioner. He is good at triggering conflicts in unfavorable situations, thereby attacking our core and main force... …”
"In terms of defensive tactics, I ask you to use the highest defensive intensity from the first round of the series. Facing the Pistons, we have no qualifications to hold back.
Focus on defense. First, when Tekken breaks through, you must be careful about his distribution, but I also want to remind him that he is good at passing the ball to teammates in front, but his observation ability in the open space behind him is very weak. This is something you can pay attention to.
Second, Joe Dumars' personal offense, as the Pistons' scoring leader, suppresses his offense, and we can win.
Third, the inside line must be careful about Ulrich's cutting inside. This role player cooperates very well with Iron Fist. His cutting and dunking can damage our morale. The inside line must severely crack down on his dunk behavior.
But the above is not the real focus. The real focus of defense is that we must take advantage of their lack of attack inside. Patrick and Charles must block the penalty area so that their outside perimeter cannot enter. Do you understand? "
"clear."
Knicks players perked up.
"Offensively, our inside line is undoubtedly stronger, so Patrick, you have to stand up and use your offense to defeat their inside line. I believe you have the strength."
"In terms of the substitute lineup, be careful of the assassin. After the Battle of Auburn Hills, although his condition plummeted, we don't know if he has retained it. Maybe he has been saving for the playoffs."
…
At one o'clock at noon, the special plane arrived in Detroit. After returning to the headquarters, Chuck Daly announced that they would gather tomorrow and the Pistons' first round would start on the 23rd.
"Iron Fist, the league has announced the start of the rookie selection this morning. There are three candidates, you, Larry Johnson, and Mutombo.
The selection results will be announced on the 23rd. I wish you the best of luck. You should be the best rookie last year. "
"Thank you! Do you have any data on him? Give me a copy."
"OK."
Zhou Quan got Larry Johnson's data at the headquarters and compared it with his own.
Played in 82 games, started 77 games, averaged 37.2 minutes per game, 7.5 of 15.3 shots, 49% shooting, 19.2 points, 11 rebounds, 3.6 assists, 1 steal, 0.6 blocks, 2 turnovers and 2.7 fouls.
The statistics are similar to his. The only thing Larry Johnson is better than him is rebounding. He has a double-double and looks better.
But he is not bragging. His data is no worse than his opponent's. On the defensive end, which can be used for comparison, his performance is better.
Next, he plans to continue training on pull-up jump shots. As the playoffs approach, the strength training has been stopped.
In this last round, he calculated that it should probably be completed on the 26th or 27th, but it would depend on the physical consumption in the playoffs.
When he had nothing to do, he flipped through the phone book and saw Buckley's name. He picked up the phone and dialed. After dialing, he said: "Hey, Charles, are you okay?"
"Iron Fist, do you mean what you said?" Buckley's tone was very frustrated.
"Haha, Charles, are Philadelphia willing to trade you? As long as you come to us, we can beat the Bulls." He laughed.
Hearing these words, Barkley was really moved.
Philadelphia did not even make the playoffs this season, and his ability to lead the team has been greatly questioned. Both the management and Philadelphia fans have criticized him, and the Philadelphia media has even more opinions on him. .
Before the All-Star break, the team had already decided to give up on him. Unfortunately, the deal with the Lakers was not completed, otherwise he would be in Los Angeles now.
"never mind."
But thinking about the Pistons' lineup, he shook his head.
"Why?" Zhou Quan was confused.
Barkley said angrily: "Do you have any leverage? Even if the transaction succeeds, what will be left in your lineup?"
Zhou Quan was startled. This is true. In order to draft him last year, the team used this year's first-round pick to trade with the Warriors for the No. 17 pick. If Barkley is traded, either Joe Dumars will become a bargaining chip, or he will even be the one to package the talent. In exchange for Barkley, the management will no longer use future draft picks as bargaining chips.
After thinking clearly, he quickly said: "Forget it, in fact, we have a big bug, and there is no shortage of power forwards at all. It's useless for you to come. What we really lack is the center."
"Okay, Iron Fist, are you too fickle? You said you wanted me to be the boss before." Buckley was so angry that his nose was crooked. He was so affectionate just now.
"Haha, Charles, I asked you to be the boss, is that boss the real boss?"
Zhou Quan smiled and said: "Why don't you go to the Trail Blazers? They are first in the Western Conference this year and third in the league. If you go, you might win the championship next year."
"Pioneer? Alas, where can I decide this?"
Barkley lamented that he would rather join the Bulls, but is that possible? Maybe Stern can't get through.
The two chatted for a while and then ended the call.
"Hey, senior..."
Zhou Quan hung up another phone call to Reggie Miller and congratulated him on making it to the playoffs.
Reggie Miller said excitedly: "Iron Fist, if you hadn't injured Oakley and Mason, which greatly affected the Knicks, it would have been difficult for us to climb to fifth place.
This time we will play the Green Team in the first round. If we can make it through, we will meet the Bulls in the second round. Jordan and I have not played against each other in the playoffs, so this is an opportunity. "
Zhou Quan smiled and said: "Reggie, if we play for the green team, even if Larry Bird doesn't play, I'm afraid you won't have much hope."
"That's not necessarily the case." Reggie Miller said unwillingly.
"Come on, senior, I hope you can eliminate the green team, advance to the second round, and help us kill Jordan." Zhou Quan immediately changed his tune.
"You kid, your stance is not firm at all." Miller scolded with a smile.
…
"Zhou, I'm very tired."
In the evening, Catherine called, feeling a little uncomfortable.
"Catherine, there is no chance now?" Zhou Quan asked.
"No, I have very few opportunities for interviews. Zhou, what do you think I should do now?" Catherine said in despair.
He comforted: "Take your time."
He asked again: "Since you don't have work, do you want to come to the game? You can relax yourself by the way. There is no need to let yourself get into an anxious mood."
"No, now I have some jobs as a singer and dancer, and I still have to support myself." Catherine said.
"Catherine, if you have trouble with your head and hands, you can tell me."
"Zhou, I can rely on myself."
"All right."
…
On the 21st, the Pistons regrouped.
In the morning, a tactical meeting was held to discuss how to deal with the Knicks.
"Dead enemies! We are also sworn enemies with the Knicks!"
At the beginning of the meeting, Chuck Daly said seriously: "After Iron Fist beat Oakley, we are mortal enemies, so everyone must be mentally prepared for this first-round series.
Pat Riley is a man who will do whatever it takes to win. Once we have an advantage in the series and he is forced into a desperate situation, he is likely to do something wrong. "
The so-called crooked move is nothing more than deliberately causing conflicts on the court, and then using role players to defeat the opponent's main force or even core players.
Zhou Quan smiled and said: "On the ice hockey rink, I am the one who implements this kind of tactics. I am professional in this matter."
"Ha ha……"
The conference room burst into laughter.
Chuck Daly also laughed and said: "But we still have to be careful. Once they cause trouble on the court, we must control the situation as soon as possible. They cannot let their plan succeed or expand. Substitute players must not play..."
He continued: "Tactically, Pat Riley completely changed his coaching style in the Knicks and the Lakers. He created a defense-first team in New York, and I think this was influenced by us.
In fact, due to the influence of the Bad Boys, the defensive style of the league has slowly risen since the mid-to-late 1980s. I think this trend should continue. "
"Chuck is getting old too."
McCloskey, who was sitting next to him, secretly shook his head.
Always immersed in the success of the past is a hallmark phenomenon of the elderly.
At this time, Chuck Daly said: "We also have to be careful about injuries. Isiah's current condition is not bad, but Dennis' recent injuries are a bit troublesome, which may affect his playing time. Everyone must be mentally prepared. .”
Zhou Quan is a little helpless. Rodman is also 31 years old and has many injuries. I hope the impact will not be too great.
Dailey looked serious at this time and said: "We played five games against them in the regular season and won three games, but this does not mean that they are weak.
In fact, we can't pull out the inside line. As long as Ewing and Oakley stick to the penalty area, it will cause us a lot of trouble. "
Everyone nodded after hearing this. The two losses in the regular season were lost in this way. There was no offense inside and no penetration from the outside. The offensive efficiency was low, and then the rebounds were out of control.
As for the three games they won, in the first game the Knicks were away from home, they didn’t have full strength, so they lost. In the second game, the Knicks were at home, but Zhou Quan injured Oakley, so they lost. Later, Oakley was injured. During this period, the Knicks lost another game, so although the Pistons won three games, the gold content was not high.
Daly said: "We must focus on fighting, fighting with them on defense, rebounding, and offense to have a chance to win."
He had no good ideas on how to solve the breakout problem.
Because this is a flaw in the lineup. John Salley and Rodman just don't attack and can't be pulled out. Ewing and Oakley can stay in the paint area, which cannot be solved tactically.
This problem is also the Pistons' biggest weakness when facing the Knicks.
He said to Zhou Quan: "Zhou, you have to break through more. You have the ability to get through people's gaps. You will be our most powerful weapon against the Knicks' intensive defense in the penalty area."
"clear."
Zhou Quan nodded.
He is under a lot of pressure. Ewing and Oakley are both strong defensive players. It is dangerous for him to rush in and will face the strongest defense.
Daly said again at this time: "John, Dennis, you two should pay attention when breaking through from the outside. Immediately pull out to set up a pick-and-roll for the outside. Firstly, it can provide offensive cover. Secondly, it can release some space in the penalty area, which is beneficial to teammates." breakthrough."
"yes."
Rodman and Selley nodded simultaneously.
At the end of the meeting, Chuck Daly announced the twelve-man roster for the playoffs. Bedford, the substitute center who was injured earlier, returned and entered the roster.
…
On the night of the 21st, ESPN TV hosted a program to predict the chances of winning for sixteen playoff teams.
The Bulls, who have the best record in the regular season and are the defending championship team, have the best perimeter defense in the league. They have Michael Jordan, the shooting guard with the most powerful offensive firepower in the active league, and the triangle tactics of champion coach Phil Jackson. In addition, Jordan and The iron triangle of Pippen and Grant has a 100% chance of reaching the Eastern Conference Finals, with a 35% chance of winning the championship.
The Trail Blazers, who are ranked first in the Western Conference regular season, have the highest probability of reaching the Western Conference Finals and a 15% chance of winning.
The Jazz have more than a 50% chance of reaching the Western Conference Finals, but the Black and White duo are not strong enough to finish at critical moments, with a 14% chance of winning.
The Suns are weak inside, but they have a chance to reach the Western Conference Finals, with a 13% chance of winning.
The Cavaliers are second in the Eastern Conference regular season, but are weaker than the Bulls in offense, defense and rebounding. The chance of eliminating the Bulls and reaching the finals is very small, with a 9% chance of winning.
The Celtics, with an aging lineup and serious injury problems, have a 7% chance of winning the championship.
The injury problems of the Pistons, Isiah Thomas and Rodman, the performance of the team's new core Iron Fist in the first playoffs, and the strength of the first-round opponent the Knicks will make this team's playoff success The road is very difficult, and the possibility of advancing to the first round is even less than 50%, and the chance of winning is 6%.
The remaining 9 teams add up to 1%.
As one of the few major sports media, ESPN's professionalism is unquestionable. As soon as this prediction of winning chances came out, it was recognized by many media and reprinted one by one.
But Zhou Quan doesn't think so. The Pistons only have 6%, which is too low. According to the regular season record, even the Bulls and Pistons have a chance to win.
He feels that his performance in the playoffs may not necessarily be bad. He has a mental attribute of level 99. Of course, it is not ruled out that due to the issue of defensive intensity, his performance may not be as good as in the regular season, but it should not be too different. .
However, ESPN is right about two things. The Knicks are very strong, not even weaker than the Pistons, and injuries are very troublesome. These two points are likely to affect the playoffs.
…
On the 22nd, there was no training scheduled in the morning. He specially invited the whole team to attend the launch ceremony of his brand sneakers.
The ceremony was not arranged in a hotel, but in the flagship store of brand shoes.
His brand of shoes is called Tekken basketball shoes, directly leveraging the influence of his nickname, and is now releasing the Tekken Generation.
In Detroit, a total of six stores have been opened, with one store in every major community.
The ceremony started at half past eight. At eight o'clock, he and his agent came outside the flagship store.
"Not bad, Detroit is very respectable."
Phillip said excitedly when he saw the long queue.
"Look, Iron Fist is coming."
Seeing him getting off the bus, the fans in line shouted.
"Hey there."
Zhou Quan quickly raised his hand and greeted.
"Hey, Isiah."
"Hey Iron Fist, congratulations."
"Thanks!"
After a while, the assassin arrived in his Ferrari. His fan base in Detroit far exceeded that of Zhou Quan, and the scene suddenly became lively.
"Crack, click, click..."
The specially invited media began to take photos.
Soon, Joe Dumas and the others arrived.
At half past eight, the ceremony was held. Buck Wilke, Skechers' general manager in Detroit, and Zhou Quan each said a few words, completed the ceremony, and then started selling shoes.
Zhou Quan's task was to sign, and he kept signing, and he continued to sign until noon, and he didn't even have time for lunch.
But he is very happy that Detroit people still support him. If he cannot sell for $8 million by this time next year, he will not get the $6 million contract for the next three years.
He didn't finish signing until one o'clock at noon. After bidding farewell to the fans, he left the scene. By this time, his hand was numb from signing.
At this time, the New York Knicks arrived in Detroit.
Two hours later, the Knicks held a press conference at the hotel.
(End of chapter)
