"99%? Why don't you just let the Bulls enter the finals?" Zhou Quan was very dissatisfied.
The Trail Blazers have seven wins and two losses in the two rounds, and the glider Drexler is in stable form. He has a 55% chance of reaching the finals and a 20% chance of winning the championship.
The Jazz had seven wins and three losses in the two rounds. The Malone brothers played steadily and the black and white evil spirits worked together. The probability of defeating the Trail Blazers and reaching the finals was 45%, and the probability of winning the championship was 16%.
The Pistons have seven wins and two losses in two rounds. The lineup is seriously aging and lacks vitality. On the offensive end, it lacks offensive energy. On the defensive end, due to Rodman's injury, the interior defense has been greatly weakened. The overall defense will also be weakened. At the same time, rebounding is likely to be Out of control, the chance of defeating the Bulls in the Eastern Conference Finals is 1%, and the chance of winning the championship is 1%.
"I X!"
A gentle person like Zhou Quan was so angry that he cursed when he saw the Pistons' data.
The chance of defeating the Bulls is only 1%, and the chance of winning the championship is only 1%. This is a consolation. Do the Pistons need consolation?
"Ding ding ding..."
The phone rang and he went over and picked up the receiver.
"Iron Fist, we have to fight hard this time. We must not be swept away by the bull." Before he could speak, the assassin said angrily.
"Swiss Sweep?"
Zhou Quan couldn't help but shook his head.
From this sentence, he knew that the assassin was really dead, and only the air of decay remained.
If he was an assassin during the two consecutive championships, he would definitely clamor to punish Jordan, break Jordan's legs, and kill the Bulls, but now he just doesn't want to be swept away.
The reason why he is so excited is not his enthusiasm, but his unwillingness.
If he still has the energy, all he wants to do is beat Jordan and the Bulls, not just try to avoid being swept.
He also knows that it will be difficult to beat the Bulls this time. He is not good enough, and neither is the Assassin. The key is that Rodman is not good either.
However, the Pistons are still not weak, really not weak. Not to mention offense, even if they rely on defense, they can make the Bulls drink a pot. Why are the requirements so low, just don't want to be swept?
No matter who he faced, even if it was Jordan and his Bulls, he just wanted to win.
"Isiah, I want to win." He said into the microphone in a deep voice.
"What?"
The assassin over there was stunned.
"Isiah..."
He asked loudly in a tone close to questioning: "Why can't we even have the thought of winning? Are he and the Bulls really that strong?
Then I tell you, it's impossible. Not only do I not accept the fate of being swept, I also want to make Michael Jordan look good at the Palace of Auburn Hills.
I want to stand in front of him, just like you did back then, pointing to his nose and saying to him: Michael Jordan, you are nothing special. The Pistons will always be your sky and a mountain in front of you. You will climb higher and higher in your life. Don't go there. "
His voice was very loud, and it was already roaring after he spoke.
Isiah Thomas became excited. That was his peak. When he was at his strongest, he stood on the top of the mountain and looked down at Michael Jordan, Big Bird and Magic.
Zhou Quan said in a deep voice: "So, Isiah Thomas, what you need to consider now is not that you cannot be swept, but how to defeat the Bulls and Michael Jordan."
"Yes yes yes..."
In excitement, Isiah Thomas said repeatedly.
"We may really not be able to do it this year, but we cannot let go of our determination to win. You are the former leader of this team. I hope you will join me and lead this team to attack Jordan's Bulls."
At this point, Zhou Quan promised a sweetener and said: "Isiah, if you can help me, I will recognize your leadership position in the Pistons locker room, just like Joe Dumars."
"real?"
Isiah Thomas's heart suddenly exploded, and he was so excited!
Being swept by Jordan in the Eastern Conference Finals was his Waterloo. His career evaluation and historical status plummeted, directly cut in half.
The violence in the locker room was a turning point in his life. He was kicked into hell by an iron fist, and his fame, money, and status all left him.
Two consecutive fatal blows directly plunged his life and career into a trough at the same time. The reason why he bowed to the iron fist and chose to return to the team to survive was just to hope for a chance to make a comeback. Even if he could not climb back to his original position, Better than retiring directly.
Now, there's a little chance.
If he can become one of the leaders in the locker room again, and if the Pistons can regain their glory under Iron Fist, then he will have a chance to stand up again.
Zhou Quan said seriously: "Of course it is true, you are very influential to John Salley and Mark Aguirre, as well as Joe Dumars and Rodman.
They are all veterans. They have won two championships with the Pistons. They have become famous, but they have no spirit.
Isiah, I want you to help me motivate them. I want to see a Pistons full of fighting spirit in the Eastern Conference Finals series. "
"Leave it to me, Iron Fist."
The assassin put down the phone excitedly and immediately started contacting those guys.
"Hey, Joe, come to my house for dinner tonight."
"Hey John, come over to my house tonight and have a drink."
"Hey Mark, let's get together tonight."
"Hey Dennis, there's a party tonight, a house party."
He only contacted these four people, which was what Iron Fist told him to do, and he did still have considerable influence on the four of them.
After Zhou Quan hung up the phone, he also made an appointment with Darnell Walker and Ulrich to have dinner with them.
The reason why he agreed to the Assassin's condition was because he really needed the veteran's influence on the Pistons.
He is too young and still too inexperienced. To lead a team, it is not enough to just rely on fists to intimidate him, nor to rely on the support of the management. He must unite all the forces that can be united to rejuvenate this aging team. machine.
The next day, at ten o'clock in the morning on May 17, Zhou Quan drove to the headquarters and met the team.
At this time, one car after another drove out of Detroit. They were fans going to watch the away game. They formed an extremely long convoy and headed for Chicago.
At half past eleven, the Pistons boarded a special plane and began their journey to the Eastern Conference Finals.
Piston's plane entered the stratosphere, and Zhou Quan began to eat. There were ten lunch boxes, including two boxes of rice and eight boxes of vegetables. The appetite was still very large.
Before eating, he joked: "I think we should take a bus to Chicago. We can enjoy the scenery of Lake Michigan."
"No, Iron Fist, it's better to fly faster. We can go to the hotel to rest earlier." Joe Dumas said.
"Iron Fist, you always eat rice, is it delicious?"
Rodman next to him asked curiously, with the spoon in his hand eager to reach out.
"The taste of hometown." Zhou Quan smiled.
After lunch, everyone chatted for a while and drank a cup of coffee. The plane had arrived in Chicago.
At two o'clock in the afternoon, the Pistons checked into the hotel and then held a press conference at the request of the media.
The first person to ask a question was a reporter from TNT TV station. This Eastern Conference Finals was also broadcast live across the United States by TNT.
The reporter asked: "Coach Daly, according to the championship probability given by ESPN TV, the Bulls have a 63% chance of winning, while the Pistons have only 1%. At the same time, ESPN believes that the Bulls have a 99% chance of reaching the finals, so the Pistons also have a 1% chance." What do you think about the chances of reaching the finals?"
Chuck Daly said with a straight face: "What the media says is their business, the game is our business, and we decide whether to win or lose."
The old fox was difficult to deal with. Before the microphone was taken away, the reporter immediately turned his gun, pointed it at Zhou Quan, and asked: "Iron Fist, do you think ESPN's prediction data on the probability of winning the championship is reasonable?"
Zhou Quan smiled and said: "I don't know what ESPN's algorithm is, nor their calculation formula, but I think the most sensible and intelligent prediction data of winning probability should not have such a big difference.
The Bulls are first in the Eastern Conference and we are third. If we beat the Bulls, I think it is not an upset. If we can beat them twice in the regular season, we have a chance to beat them in the Eastern Conference Finals.
The Bulls have a 99% chance of reaching the Finals. Does ESPN really think so? Do they dare to make a bet with me?
Everyone knows that Michael Jordan wanted to sweep the Pistons again and even made a $500,000 donation, so I might make a $500,000 pledge now and donate half a million dollars if we get swept.
However, if we are not swept, please ask ESPN to donate five million US dollars. They are a big company, they have money, and they should be ten times as rich as me. Would ESPN dare to accept this bet? "
"oh!"
The reporters below exclaimed and looked at the ESPN reporter who was at the scene.
The reporter shrugged. This bet had nothing to do with him. Iron Fist was going to the company.
Zhou Quan's teammates were also very surprised. Joe Dumas, who was sitting next to him, quickly whispered: "Iron Fist, don't play with your own money."
Zhou Quan also whispered: "I definitely don't believe that the Bulls can sweep us, and I hope everyone thinks so too."
The reason why he proposed the bet was because he hoped to use it to boost the team's morale.
It doesn't matter if they lose to the Bulls, but if they are really swept again, these original players are likely to lose all their energy and the team will probably collapse as a result.
At the same time, his personal losses will also be very great. No sponsors will come to him anymore, and his sneakers will gather dust on the shelves, with no one interested.
Joe Dumas was startled and nodded quickly, as did everyone else.
"Iron Fist, are you serious?"
The reporter who asked the question from TNT immediately asked.
"Do you want me to write a check now?" Zhou Quan said with a smile.
"Of course not."
The reporter said excitedly: "But I can ask my colleagues to go to ESPN headquarters immediately and interview their general manager. We are happy to facilitate this bet."
At this time, the host of the press conference, Ms. Wales, the director of the Pistons Public Relations Department, asked the staff to take away the topic and handed it to the next reporter who asked the question, which was the reporter from ESPN.
The reporter immediately asked: "Iron Fist, you and Michael Jordan have a lot of grievances..."
"No, sir, you used the wrong word. There is no grudge between me and him." Zhou Quan reminded.
"Ha ha……"
Many people laughed at the scene.
"snort!"
One-third of the group was local reporters, and they were all groaning angrily at this time.
The reporter also smiled awkwardly, and then asked: "Well, there are many disputes between you and Jordan, which are almost irresolvable, right?"
Zhou Quan smiled and said: "I am very willing to resolve it. After all, we don't know each other without fighting. In fact, there is not only no grudge but also no grudge between me and him.
I do have some conflicts with him, but I think that's nothing. As a man, I'm very generous and don't care about those conflicts. "
A group of local reporters were so angry that they were all taking advantage of you. You hit Michael. Of course you didn't care. Of course you were generous. Of course you wanted to resolve it, but there was no way. Michael would kill you.
The ESPN reporter finally asked him the question: "Iron Fist, I think the person Michael Jordan hates the most right now is you. He hopes most to sweep you in the Eastern Conference Finals, and even promised half a million dollars, so now you If you want to bet against ESPN, why not bet against Jordan?"
"How to bet with him?" Zhou Quan asked with interest.
The reporter immediately said excitedly: "Although ESPN is very optimistic about the Pistons advancing to the finals and winning the championship, it does not think that the Bulls can sweep the Pistons. I think you should bet against Jordan.
I mean, if the Bulls sweep the Pistons, you pay the money that Michael Jordan pledged to donate, and if the Bulls don't sweep the Pistons, he pays for you. "
Zhou Quan smiled, this is a guy who just enjoys the excitement and is not afraid of big troubles!
If Jordan knew about it, he would definitely agree. That guy is not short of money, but if he agrees to this bet again, once he is swept, he will have to spend one million US dollars, which will be very difficult for him.
"Iron Fist, don't agree to him, you don't need to use your own money to create stunts for these media." Joe Dumas advised in a low voice next to him.
Zhou Quan looked at the reporter with a smile and asked, "Sir, do you think I will agree?"
The ESPN reporter smiled and said: "Iron Fist, I have calculated your income, team salary, sneaker contract and other business income. The total income will not exceed five million US dollars at most. After excluding expenses and personal taxes, I will definitely not have more than 1.5 million US dollars on hand, and if I lose two bets, I will have to spend more than half of my savings, so I don’t think you will agree."
Zhou Quan nodded and said: "I will insist on the bet with ESPN, but I will not agree to your bet..."
"Haha, you are a coward." The reporter cheered.
Zhou Quan laughed and said: "Mr. Reporter, I'm afraid you haven't understood what Michael Jordan and I just said.
His donation of US$500,000 was after he swept us, but he never said that he would donate US$500,000 even if he could not defeat us.
Again, I mean if we got swept by the Bulls, I would donate half a million dollars, but if we didn't get swept, I wouldn't donate.
In other words, his promise and my bet with ESPN will only be established after we are swept by the Bulls. If we are not swept, there will be no bet and he will not donate a dime.
So sir, what you just said is fundamentally wrong. There is something wrong with your understanding and logical thinking. "
The reporter's face was twitching, and he was embarrassed for a while.
Zhou Quan smiled again and said: "Mr. ESPN reporter, it's not impossible for you to want me to bet against Jordan.
If we modify the agreement, if we are swept by the Bulls, I will pay him half a million dollars and donate another half million dollars at the same time, for a total of one million dollars.
If we don't get swept, then I won't give a dime, but Michael Jordan is giving a million dollars and ESPN is giving five million dollars. "
"Okay, I agree." The reporter said excitedly.
Zhou Quan smiled and said: "What's the use of your consent? I'm not asking for your consent."
"you?"
The reporter was so embarrassed.
"Ha ha……"
Many reporters laughed.
At this time, Zhou Quan said again: "But if this agreement is to be reached, there must be one condition, and that is that as the proposer, you also participate."
"What's the meaning?"
The reporter was stunned.
Zhou Quan smiled and said: "I ask you to join this bet you proposed. You can choose either side to join. The maximum chip is 500,000 U.S. dollars and the minimum is 100,000 U.S. dollars. Is this reasonable? If you nod, then I Just agree."
"NO, am I crazy?"
The reporter shook his head repeatedly. What does this have to do with me? I am just a theatergoer. I will not bet a dime with you.
"You see, that's why you are a coward." Zhou Quan smiled.
"snort!"
The reporter groaned, but there was nothing he could do.
Zhou Quan smiled and said to all the reporters: "I abide by the bet I just proposed with ESPN. The ESPN reporter just made a very correct calculation. I don't have much savings, half a million accounts for more than 30%, close to 40%, so this bet is very sincere to me, I can’t possibly spend all my money on it, I’m sorry, I don’t admit that I am a coward.”
"Pa bang bang..."
Many non-local journalists present applauded.
After the press conference, Joe Dumas mentioned gambling again and advised: "Iron Fist, don't do such things again in the future, just mock them verbally, don't play with them with real money.
ESPN will definitely agree to it, because they are not spending their own money, but the shareholders' money, and every penny you have is yours. "
Zhou Quan nodded, but he had his own plans.
He thinks that he has little chance of losing this bet. He definitely doesn't think that the Bulls have the strength to sweep the Pistons. At the same time, the bet can attract a wave of attention to him, so it is still cost-effective.
Before nightfall, Zhou Quan's bet to ESPN had already spread throughout the United States and attracted a lot of attention. Many media and league stars came forward to express their opinions.
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar was interviewed in Los Angeles and said: "Iron Fist is a little impulsive, but I think this is the unique impulsiveness of young people.
Judging from the bet he proposed, he will never allow himself to be swept by Michael Jordan in the Eastern Conference Finals.
At the same time, Michael Jordan's $500,000 sweep donation also showed his strong will to sweep the Iron Fist.
So I think this Eastern Conference Finals will be very exciting. I have called the management of the Bulls and Pistons and got tickets for the series from them. I will go to watch this series live. "
Magic Johnson also accepted an interview, but he was interviewed by reporters at a five-star hotel in Chicago and said:
"Tekken spent one-third of his savings betting against ESPN, which shows that he is very dissatisfied with ESPN's championship probability prediction data, and at the same time expresses his strong desire to win.
At the same time, his desperate behavior will definitely inspire the Pistons' morale. I look forward to the Pistons performing wonderfully in the Eastern Conference Finals. "
"Erwin, are you here for the Eastern Conference Finals?" the reporter asked.
"Yes."
"What do you think the chances are for the Bulls to sweep the Pistons again?" the reporter asked again.
Magic Johnson shrugged his shoulders and said: "With the Pistons' defense and current morale, it's difficult, very difficult."
"So how likely do you think the Bulls are to advance to the finals?" the reporter asked.
"Well, at least a 70-80% chance." Magic Johnson said.
(End of chapter)
