"Reggie, we were actually swept. Is the green team really that strong? Or are you too weak?"
Zhou Quan came out of the shower and called Reggie Miller to comfort the senior.
"Boy, when you are swept by Jordan, you will know whether he is too strong or you are too weak." Reggie Miller said angrily.
"Ha ha……"
Zhou Quan couldn't help laughing.
Miller said with full confidence: "Boy, our Pacers' strength is steadily improving, and sooner or later we will become a strong force in the Eastern Conference. If we encounter the Pistons in the future, I will not show mercy. You kid, laugh at me now, but I will beat you up in tears later."
Soon after, the post-match press conference began.
On the Knicks' side, the atmosphere was quite dull.
Ewing and Oakley attended the press conference. The former is currently the darling of New York. Even if he performs poorly, he has not been criticized too much, while the latter has become the scapegoat.
Even Pat Riley didn't get a good reception from reporters.
"Charles, Joe Dumars repeatedly broke in from your side, causing a lot of damage. Do you think you are the loophole in the defense today?" a reporter asked.
Oakley said with a dark face: "I tried my best to make up for it. I knocked him down three times, but he still rushed in. I can't make up for it every time. I think I did my best."
"Do you think you are not responsible for tonight's loss?" the reporter asked.
"I said, I've tried my best." Oakley's face turned darker.
He is in a terrible mood. He is not the core. He is not even a star. He is just a coolie power forward. If the team loses, why are you looking for the star? Why are you looking for me?
The next question was from a reporter from the New York Times. He asked: "Coach Riley, we have a super center and the best defense in the league, but why did we let the opponent get the match point at home? Do you think it was caused by your tactical mistakes? Is there something wrong with your command?"
Pat Riley forced a smile on his face, straightened his tie, coughed twice, and then said unhurriedly:
"Gentlemen, there are many reasons why the team loses, but there is no problem with one thing, and that is the tactics. The two games we lost to the Pistons were not due to tactical problems.
In fact, there is no tactical problem between us and the Pistons at all. We are too familiar with each other. Both sides understand some tactics and will make timely adjustments. Believe me, I am no worse than Coach Chuck Daly. I still have this confidence. of. "
"So what do you think went wrong?" the reporter asked.
"line-up."
Pat Riley said without hesitation: "It's just a lineup problem. Facing this Pistons team, we have flaws in the lineup."
"What are the details?" the reporter asked again.
Pat Riley smiled and said: "At the No. 1 position, the most critical position, none of us can deal with Iron Fist. I mean all the guards on our bench, none of us can deal with him.
You can compare the data of Mark Jackson and Iron Fist in these three series games, and you will know that I am right. Mark Jackson is weaker than Iron Fist on both offense and defense, and in terms of organization.
The performance of the No. 1 position is very important to us. We are not the Bulls. The Bulls' organization is Pippen, so when the Pistons beat the Bulls, Iron Fist cannot destroy the Bulls' organization by suppressing the opponent, but he can destroy ours by suppressing Mark Jackson. organizational functions. "
"Coach Riley, if we are eliminated, will you seek to trade Mark Jackson? Have you ever thought about trading Iron Fist? As far as I know, Iron Fist has also come to the Knicks for a trial."
The next questioner was a reporter from New York Sports. He asked a question related to the previous question.
"I'm not considering trading Mark Jackson at this time."
Pat Riley first told a lie. He had already decided to trade Mark Jackson during the actual season, and then said:
"As for Iron Fist, I knew him when he was in the NCAA. As you know, I was with the Los Angeles Lakers at the time. The Bruins often went to the Great Western Forum, the home of the Lakers, to play. I watched his games, including ice hockey.
You know, he actually surprised me because he didn't show such strong strength during the NCAA. I mean basketball, not ice hockey. At that time, he didn't show much potential as a point guard.
But now, he blows my mind and yes, I now think he even has the potential to be a top point guard.
However, it is too difficult to trade him.
He is the future core of the Pistons, and even now he plays a big core style in the Pistons. Coach Chuck Daly has given him the greatest freedom.
Even during the Pistons' two consecutive championships, the Assassin was only a core playstyle for the Pistons, not the big core playstyle of Iron Fist now.
When the Assassins were at their peak, they had Joe Dumars by their side. Joe Dumars was also very strong and could attack with the ball, so the Pistons did not set up a big core play style for him.
Although Tekken still has Joe Dumars by his side, it is obvious that the Pistons have taken into account Joe Dumars' age. Joe Dumars' current importance on the Pistons' court is no longer as important as before. He has become a pure The shooting guard, rather than the ball-holding core, has the ball more concentrated on Iron Fist.
Let me put it this way, let alone the Pistons, even Iron Fist himself may not be willing to come to the Knicks in terms of his team status. "
At this point, he added: "Perhaps, the only attraction the Knicks have for him is the market and commercial value."
When local reporters heard these words, they couldn't help but agree with Pat Riley's statement.
The Knicks have Ewing. If Iron Fist comes here, it is absolutely impossible for him to play a big core style. Even because of the average offense, it is difficult to become an outside core. He can only become a pure point guard. The real core of the Knicks must It's Patrick Ewing.
The NBA has always been dominated by centers and the inside is king. Although Jordan has won a championship as a shooting guard and the Bulls also built a team with shooting guards as the core, the current achievements of Jordan and the Bulls are far from enough. A habit of thinking that influencing insiders is king.
The next question was from a local reporter, who asked hopefully: "Coach Riley, what do you think the chances are for the Knicks to come back?
We can't deal with Iron Fist at the No. 1 position. Do you think the Knicks will be eliminated because of this and it will be a foregone conclusion? "
Riley's face remained unchanged and he said: "It's hard to say about the probability, but we still have a home court, which I hope to win, and we will make all preparations. Now I also have other ideas, and I hope to deal with Iron Fist in the next game.
As for the foregone conclusion you mentioned, we were behind 2-1 in the first round and there were many examples of comebacks. We will not give up. That is impossible. There is no foregone conclusion in this world. We still have a lot to do. As long as we advance to the first round, we will reach the Eastern Conference Finals. The chances are great. "
Next, several local reporters asked Ewing a few questions. Ewing was not good at dealing with reporters, but these questions were not specifically targeted, and he managed to cope with them.
The next reporter to ask a question was a reporter from the Los Angeles Daily News. He still asked Ewing: "Patrick, in three games, your average field goal percentage can barely reach 40%. This is not the efficiency of a super center at all. Even an average center is more efficient than you, and your shooting percentage is even lower than the role player you are playing against, John Salley. What do you think makes your efficiency so low?"
“Damn Los Angeles Daily News!”
Hearing this very pointed question, Ewing cursed secretly and his face turned even darker. He began to ponder and think about how to answer this question.
Many reporters who were familiar with Ewing also started to make some small moves, such as moving their stiff bodies, exchanging some news with colleagues around them, etc. They knew that it would take some time for Ewing to answer.
Sure enough, a minute later, when the reporters were impatient, Ewing opened his mouth and said: "I am always double-teamed in the low post. This is the reason why my shooting rate is not high enough. If my teammates can help me share some of the pressure, I think it will be easier for me to score.”
"Are you accusing your teammates of not being good enough?" The reporter reacted quickly and immediately seized on Ewing's loophole and asked.
"No, of course not."
Ewing immediately denied it, his mind racing, and then added: "It's just tactical reasons. My teammates are all great."
"So you think Coach Pat Riley's tactics are wrong?" the reporter asked again.
Pat Riley twitched his face, turned to look at Ewing, and smiled.
Ewing's face turned darker and he added again: "No, I don't mean that, I mean, well, I mean..."
"Okay, Mr. Reporter, you know that Patrick is clumsy. He is not good at words."
Pat Riley interrupted Ewing's Q&A and took over the topic and said: "Patrick is important to us, he is the most important one.
His defense is our last gate. With him at the basket, we can always trust him with our back. With his presence, the Knicks will never be defeated by their opponents. He is our pressure. ship stone. "
"Yes."
"I agree."
This statement made many media reporters nod their heads.
They know very well that among the three super centers, Ewing is the silent one, the one with the least presence, but the hardest one. He sticks to the Knicks' basket every night. It is the last barrier for the Knicks.
Pat Riley continued: "As for his offensive efficiency in these three games, you can't just rely on data, because our defense is very strong, but the Pistons' defense is definitely not weaker than ours.
Patrick is usually flanked in the low post, sometimes by several people. The Pistons' interior defense is very fierce. He is often knocked down. He withstands at least 50% of the opponent's defensive energy.
But as long as he is on the court, he will always be the one we trust most.
When you face a strong defense and can't handle the ball, Patrick will always be your first choice.
So, we need to know that he should not be blamed for his performance, I think he should be praised, and I hope you think so too. "
"Pa bang bang..."
There was warm applause, and Pat Riley's speech successfully impressed the reporters.
Even Ewing was moved. He secretly decided to play well in the next game and work harder. He wanted to carry the Knicks into the second round.
On the other side, the Pistons, who won the game, were praised by the media.
On the 28th, I went to bed at three o'clock last night. Zhou Quan didn't get up until almost noon. The others did the same thing. It happened to be lunch time.
"Tell me, what's the news today?"
At the breakfast table, Zhou Quan asked while cutting into a half-cooked and bloody steak.
Darnell Walker exclaimed somewhat dejectedly: “We won the match point, but there was little coverage in the New York media today.
The media in other places did not report much. They were reporting on Jordan all day long, but he did not play yesterday. "
Zhou Quan smiled and said: "How could the New York media report our victory? It would be nice to mention it.
And Jordan is the superstar that the league is currently promoting. The Magic Bird era is over. He is the signature star that attracts the most attention. The media is only willing to report on him. This is obvious. "
The assassin nodded and said: "No one wants to see our Pistons stand up again, and the same goes for the media. They will only report negative news about us."
Joe Dumars smiled and said: "That's right. We used to be public enemies of the league. The bad boy concept was given to us by the media. They have always promoted this concept."
Zhou Quan laughed and said: “So we have to rely on ourselves to get through each level one by one, to advance to the second round, to the Eastern Conference finals, to the finals.
When we win the championship trophy, the media's attention must stay on us because everyone else has been eliminated and we are the only one left. "
"Ha ha……"
Everyone laughed.
This evening, the G3 game of the four first-round series begins.
The Cavaliers lost on the road and still led the Blue Nets by a big score of 2-1.
The Trail Blazers lost to the Lakers on the road, 119:121, losing only two points and still leading the Lakers 2-1.
The Jazz also lost on the road, leading the Clippers 2-1.
The Bulls swept the Heat with a score of 3-0, becoming the third team in the league to advance to the first round.
Michael Jordan showed off his power, making 20 of 30 shots in 43 minutes, with a shooting percentage of 66.7%, and 16 of 18 free throws. He scored 56 points, 5 rebounds, 5 assists, 4 steals, 2 blocks, 2 turnovers and 3 fouls.
Throughout the first round series, he averaged 45 points per game, a jaw-dropping statistic.
Pippen was not to be outdone, shooting 52.2% from the field and scoring 31 points, 8 rebounds, 5 assists, 2 blocks, 2 turnovers and 5 fouls.
The two took 53 shots, accounting for 61.6% of the team's total shots, but their scores accounted for 73.1% of the team's total points.
The shots were mainly focused on the two of them, so the performance of the rest of the Bulls was not very good. Except for Jordan and Pippen, only BJ scored in double figures.
Zhou Quan and the others mainly watched Bulls games. Almost everyone was shocked by the performances of Jordan and Pippen.
Even Zhou Quan had to admire the strength of the two, especially Jordan's explosive scoring power.
He's not good at attacking now, he's only level 80, barely in the second tier, and his explosive scoring ability is completely out of the question, so he's particularly envious of Jordan's powerful and explosive scoring ability.
Without this ability, when the team is behind by a big score, it will be difficult to chase points and can only rely on defense to slowly grind it out.
And if there is this kind of explosive scoring power, when the team is behind by a big score, there is also the possibility of a comeback and a direct wave of high attacks to defeat the opponent.
According to his knowledge, the system's level 90 should be top-notch, so the offense must reach at least the top level of level 95 before it can have explosive scoring power. Someone like Jordan who is proficient in various offensive skills may need to be at full level.
On the 29th, with the help of NBA officials and many of Jordan's sponsors, the media began to praise Jordan's performance last night.
MJ's eighth-generation sales exploded from this, and fans did not have unlimited purchasing power. His sneakers were so popular that they inevitably took away some of the sales of other brand shoes.
Zhou Quan is not even an All-Star. Except for Detroit and Los Angeles, his fan base in other cities is almost non-existent, and his influence is limited.
Under the impact of Jordan, except for Detroit, which can still maintain its performance, even in Los Angeles, the sales of his signature sneakers have also fallen.
That night, the G4 game between the Pistons and the Knicks went on as scheduled.
In the home team's locker room, Pat Riley is making final tactical arrangements.
He said to Mark Jackson: "Mark, try not to play Iron Fist alone today. Just give the ball to Patrick, and then use your running and long-range shooting abilities to contain Iron Fist, even if it gives him the opportunity to double-team."
"clear."
Mark Jackson has actually felt the danger, the danger of being traded.
He knows very well that the Knicks and Pistons are in the Eastern Conference and are too competitive. If he can't handle the Iron Fist, the Knicks will probably trade him.
Pat Riley said to Ewing again: "Patrick, I will try my best to arrange tactics to help you avoid being double-teamed.
At the same time, I will arrange for my teammates to provide offensive cover for you. If you are double-teamed, release the ball immediately. If the opportunity is not good, do not force it. "
"Okay." Ewing said dullly.
Pat Riley said to McDaniel again: "You have to pay attention to providing offensive screens for Patrick and cut inside when you have the opportunity.
If you get the ball up there, you should also pay attention to cooperating with Patrick. He comes out to cover you, and you go in or pass back. "
"clear."
McDaniel nodded.
Pat Riley then asked Wilkins Jr. and Oakley to run without the ball on the weak side and screen each other to create open opportunities.
He finally told Mark Jackson again, saying: "On the offensive end, don't duel with Iron Fist. Reduce your shots. Use your teammates' pick-and-roll to get rid of him, and then pass the ball or attack."
In the visiting team's locker room, Chuck Daly only asked about rebounding.
The Pistons' offensive, defensive and organizational capabilities are better than the Knicks', not much better, but still a little better. Only rebounding is a weakness.
He is very satisfied with Zhou Quan's growth and current strength. The offense is not yet mature, but the organization aspect has exceeded his expectations for Zhou Quan.
As for defensive ability, he believes that Zhou Quan even has a chance to be selected for the best defensive team, and there are some opportunities for the second team.
At eight o'clock, 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
At 8:15, the starting lineup begins.
"Shh!"
When Zhou Quan appeared, Madison Square Garden booed more violently than in the previous game. Knicks fans still showed their full support for the home team when the team was facing elimination.
New York is the largest sports market with a large number of Chinese people. He wanted to sell more sneakers here, so he waved politely to these fans, and the spring-like smile on his face made many fans nearby shut their mouths.
"Patrick, it's up to you, kill the piston!"
"Patrick..."
The home team came out, and when Ewing made his final appearance, fans on both sides of the aisle shouted.
Ewing didn't interact with the fans at all. He ran past with his head down, ignoring the hands of some fans that stretched out to give him a high-five.
"I prefer Iron Fist, he at least smiles at us, while Patrick just gives us a straight face."
"Yeah, he never pays attention to us."
"Those who don't know better think this is Iron Fist's home ground."
"If Tekken performs well tonight, I think I will applaud him. At least he respects us."
Some dissatisfied fans complained.
(End of chapter)
