The next day, May 15, at 9:30 in the morning, the league announced the schedule for the Eastern Conference Finals and Western Conference Finals.
In the East, the Bulls face the Pistons. The former has the advantage of home court. The format is a best-of-seven game system. The schedule is 22111. The G1 game will start on the 18th. The following game dates in the series are on the 20th, 22nd, 25th, and 25th. No. 27, 29, 31.
In the West, the Trail Blazers vs. Jazz, the G1 game will start on the 17th, followed by the 19th, 21st, 24th, 26th, 28th, and 30th.
After the league announced the Eastern and Western Conference finals schedule, it also announced that it will announce the best defensive list through ABC TV at 9 o'clock tomorrow morning.
In the morning, the Pistons management took the initiative to contact the Bulls to discuss tickets for the visiting team, and finally settled on 2,000 tickets.
Both the Bulls and Pistons hope to have some of their own fans on the road, and the negotiations went smoothly.
Detroit is not far from Chicago, less than 500 kilometers away. Not many Pistons fans have money, but they can drive to watch the game. They don’t have to live in Chicago and only need ticket money. Although the Bulls’ Eastern Conference Finals tickets are very expensive, Detroit can still Enough to gather 2,000 fans who can afford tickets.
At noon, Roger Philippe called.
"Iron Fist, Jordan's performance this season has been amazing. Especially after entering the playoffs, his condition has exploded. This has made his sneaker sales explode. You should know the impact, right?"
"You know, my balls are out of stock."
"It's not too serious. Yesterday's sales only dropped 35 percentage points from the day before yesterday."
"Uh, Roger, the company won't go bankrupt, right?"
"That's what Jordan hopes to see, but it's impossible. Skechers also has other shoes, and has invited many Hollywood stars to endorse them. It is currently developing well. Iron Fist, so you don't have to worry about this."
“Eight million dollars, how much have I accomplished?”
"Oh, it has only been on the market for 24 days. As of yesterday, it has already completed US$1.71 million. Iron Fist, don't worry, there is no problem with US$8 million."
"How many pairs were sold yesterday?"
"Well, a total of 321 pairs were sold."
Zhou Quan's mind was numb. He didn't even have sales of 10,000 US dollars, and it was still the hottest playoff period. His performance was not bad, and could even be said to be excellent. How could it be so bad? Are you all going to buy Jordan shoes?
If this continues, after the playoffs, there will be several months of offseason, and his sneakers may be taken off the shelves, and his current stores may also be closed.
By the way, there are also the Olympics. He has no chance to participate, but superstars like Jordan can participate. At the Olympics, they attract a wave of attention from all over the world and can sell a few more warehouse sneakers. A few months later, his sneakers Who else would care? Eight million, I'm afraid half of it won't be sold by then.
Philip comforted: "Iron Fist, don't be discouraged. Jordan's momentum is indeed too strong now. It's not just you, the sales of other people's sneakers have also been affected. You have too few fan bases, so the impact is a little bigger. "
"What should I do?" Zhou Quan asked calmly.
Philip immediately said: "Seize the opportunity in the Eastern Conference Finals. He is very likely to face you. You have to perform well against him, have shining points, and keep the media's cameras on you." You have to make the fans’ eyes fall on you, you can do it, Zhou, I believe in you.”
"I see."
What Philip said is actually very difficult. With his current athleticism, it is difficult to play like Jordan. There are no difficult jump shots, no gorgeous dunks, and even no fast breakthroughs. There are very few things that attract fans.
Or, only some wonderful passes can get the attention of fans, but these are far less eye-catching than Jordan.
It is very obvious that the league is desperately trying to promote Jordan, so there is only one person in the external publicity, and that is Jordan.
The media's overwhelming focus on the NBA is also on Jordan.
In their live broadcast, there was only Jordan, and there was no room for a second person. Even if there were players standing next to Jordan, they would be thrown out by the camera.
This kind of intensive publicity, coupled with Jordan's hot performance, is making Jordan's popularity and influence rise like a rocket.
So he understands very well that it is very difficult to win attention against Jordan.
"Zhou, do you have a chance to join the Chinese men's basketball team? It would be great if you could participate in the Olympics this time." Philip asked.
Zhou Quan said helplessly: "No, our domestic basketball has not yet been professionalized. I am not from a sports school. I have never played in the city team or the provincial team. The chance is very small."
He thought of Zhang Lili, but since there was no news for so long, there must be no chance, otherwise Zhang Lili would not not contact him.
"Pity."
Philip suddenly suggested: "Zhou, why don't you immigrate? With your ability, you should have the opportunity to join the US men's basketball team in the next Olympics."
"That won't work. I have no intention of immigrating at the moment." Changing nationality in order to participate in the Olympics is definitely not something that can be done, Zhou Quan said decisively.
"Pity."
Philip didn't try to persuade him anymore, he knew Zhou Quan's character.
…
At this time, in a large conference room in Madison Square Garden, New York, the lottery ceremony for the NBA's 1992 draft was underway.
There are a total of 27 teams, and 16 playoff teams are not eligible for the lottery. The remaining 11 teams draw the top three picks in the first round, and the subsequent picks are arranged according to the regular season record.
David Stern had been considering throwing Zhou Quan to the Western Conference to separate him from Jordan, and even had the idea of Deng Meng, but now Da Meng has reached an agreement with Mosaic management to renew his contract in advance, and There was no conflict between Jordan and Zhou Quan again, so the idea faded away.
He wanted to get O'Neal to the Lakers, but the Lakers are a playoff team and it is impossible to get the No. 1 pick.
So after repeated consideration, he decided not to participate in this draft.
In the end, the Magic got the No. 1 pick, the Hornets got the No. 2 pick, and the Timberwolves got the No. 3 pick.
…
That night, ABC TV broadcast an NBA program, the theme of which was to discuss which of the four teams had a better chance of winning the championship.
The program arranged a telephone voting session. There were a total of twenty-seven operators. After the numbers were announced, each one was so busy that they didn't even have time to go to the bathroom.
In the end, during the thirty-two minutes of voting time, a total of 5,496 people participated in the telephone voting. The voting results were that the Bulls received 3,820 votes, the Trail Blazers 560 votes, the Jazz 565 votes, and the Pistons 551 votes.
There is only one outcome to this vote, which will increase the momentum of the Bulls to win the championship, and at the same time put greater pressure on the other three teams.
In Portland, Glider Drexler stared at the TV in a daze. The voting results made him a little sad and his eyes were red.
As a flyer, Glider is too low-key, and his reputation is not well-known outside of Houston and Portland, which is completely unmatched by his ability.
As flying men, Jordan and Drexler have the same relationship as North Qiao Feng Nan Murong, but Jordan is a glider with three tubes of adrenaline, one is extremely high-profile, and the other is extremely low-key.
"well!"
Drexler couldn't help but sigh to himself that he was ranked No. 1 in the Western Conference this season and was so unpopular.
There was no dispute between him and Jordan, but there was a dispute, which led to a fierce competition between the two, even greater than the three super centers. Jordan even openly criticized him.
In the 1984 draft, the head coach of the U.S. men's basketball team suggested to his friend the general manager of the Trail Blazers to select Michael Jordan with the second pick, but the Trail Blazers chose a parallel insider. In order to be selected, the parallel import concealed his injury and cheated him. Dead pioneer.
Forget it, but after Jordan's surprising performance in his rookie season, the Blazers were forced to explain, saying that they already had a glider and no longer needed another flying man, they needed an inside man.
This statement angered Jordan, and from then on he focused on Drexler. The two became deadly rivals. Jordan was very enthusiastic every time he beat Drexler.
"Clyde, this year's championship is not booked by anyone, you can do it too."
Drexler had no grand words and could only cheer himself silently in his heart.
…
On the 16th, at 9 a.m., the 9 o'clock news program on the ABC Sports Channel started.
Host Hank Walker held up several envelopes and waved them toward the camera, saying excitedly: "Ladies and gentlemen, look, I've got them. The fate of all the stars is in my hands, ha." Ha ha……"
"Okay, let's take a look, here's the roster for the All-Defensive Second Team..."
As he spoke, he opened one of the envelopes and took out a piece of white letter paper. After opening it, he looked at it and then said:
"Oh, congratulations to New York Knicks super center Patrick Ewing, Mr. King Kong, you were selected to the second team again.
Well, this is also the third time you have been selected to the defensive second team. I think you may not be happy, but for others, this is the top hard honor, and you should be happy for it. "
"snort!"
In New York, at his home, Ewing was sorting out his golf clubs and was very frustrated.
This season is really depressing. He was eliminated by the Pistons in the first round. Now he is not selected for the defensive first team. I am afraid he has no hope of being selected for the best team. This season he will get nothing.
After playing for 5 seasons, he never had a defensive team, only one All-NBA team, and never played in the Eastern Conference Finals. He thought he had a chance this year, but he was eliminated in the first round.
At this time Hank Walker continued: "Next, the two forwards, they are Larry Nance and Buck Williams, congratulations."
Zhou Quan stood up and poured a glass of water. After sitting back on the sofa, his eyes were fixed on the TV again without touching the glass of water.
At this time, Walker said again: "Finally, let us announce the names of the two defenders. Congratulations, John Stockton."
Zhou Quan picked up the water glass but put it down again.
He was not thirsty, he just wanted to drink water to calm himself down, but his willpower made him give up the idea.
At this time, Walker said again: "Second guard, congratulations, the main point guard from the Detroit Pistons, Zhou Quan."
Zhou Quan picked up the water glass again, but put it down again, and then smiled.
He was still not thirsty and just wanted to drink water to calm himself down.
Being selected for the All-Defensive Second Team in his rookie season shows that his defense has been recognized by the media and the league, which is also a great affirmation for him.
Then his phone rang, and the first person to call was his agent Philip, and then his teammates also called to congratulate him.
"Joe, congratulations, you should be able to make it this time." He sent congratulations in advance when he received a call from Joe Dumas.
"Haha, I'm afraid it's difficult." Joe Dumas said modestly.
"If you can't enter the first formation, the second formation will definitely enter. Now that the second formation doesn't have you, the first formation will definitely have you." Zhou Quan reasoned.
“I hope so,” Joe Dumas laughed.
A few minutes later, Joe Dumars' name was read by Hank Walker, and sure enough, he was selected to the defensive first team.
In addition to him, there are David Robinson, Jordan, Pippen, and Rodman.
The Bulls and Pistons each have two people selected to the defensive first team, which is also very convincing, because the Pistons have the strongest defense this season, followed by the Bulls.
Next is the best lineup, and the first to be announced is the third lineup.
According to the data, Zhou Quan is also expected to be selected for the third team, but he has no idea because his shooting percentage is too poor.
Sure enough, the best three-team defenders are Mark Price, who was just eliminated by him, and Suns point guard Kevin Johnson.
The Lightning averaged 19.7 points, 3.7 rebounds, 10.7 assists, 1.5 steals and 3.5 turnovers per game, with a field goal percentage of 47.9%, a true shooting percentage of 56.2%, and an assist-to-turnover ratio of 3.06.
Mark Price averaged 17.3 points, 2.4 rebounds, 7.4 assists, 1.3 steals and 2.2 turnovers per game, with a field goal percentage of 48.8%, a true shooting percentage of 60.6%, and a turnover-to-assist ratio of 3.36.
The offensive efficiency of these two people far exceeds his, and they are indeed more qualified to be selected for the All-NBA Team than him.
"Dennis, congratulations, you must remember to treat me."
He called Rodman. This guy was selected to the All-NBA Third Team with his 10.2 points and 18.7 rebounds.
"No problem, I'll definitely treat you."
Rodman was also very happy. He had been to the defensive first team several times, and this was the first time for the best team. The third team was also the best team. He immediately agreed.
"Congratulations to Patrick Ewing, you were named to the All-Second Team."
"snort!"
He is the second child again, either being held down by Dameng or David Robinson. What is there to congratulate? Ewing groaned in frustration again.
In the next team, Jordan and David Robinson were selected again, and both of them were selected to the double team this season.
At noon, Zhou Quan arranged for a restaurant and treated his teammates to a big meal. As promised before, he was also selected for the second defensive team.
"Hey, Iron Fist, what would you like to eat for lunch tomorrow?"
At two o'clock, the staff from the headquarters called and asked for the recipe.
"Well, prepare me a portion of rice, a large portion of medium-rare veal steak, a portion of caviar, and..." He read a lot.
At three o'clock, ESPN announced the latest prediction of winning chances.
The Bulls swept their opponents in two rounds and entered the Eastern Conference Finals in an invincible manner. Their momentum was enough to crush the Pistons. At the same time, the lineup was complete, the players were in good health, the Iron Triangle was in good shape, and Michael Jordan was in explosive condition. The probability of reaching the Finals was 10%. 99%, 63% chance of winning.
(End of chapter)
