At one o'clock at noon, the Pistons had lunch at the hotel. When the bus arrived at the United Center, Rodman also arrived. It was actually Madonna who drove the bus.
"Hurrah!"
Darnell Walker A couple of guys whistled.
Zhou Quan is very helpless. Rodman has never been able to control his crotch. He can't control this kind of thing. If he wants to stop Rodman from being with Madonna, this guy will definitely fall out with him. The temptation of a famous woman to a man. The force is too great, even a beating will be useless.
Chuck Daly felt a headache. The fact that this guy hooked up with Madonna would definitely affect his family. He only hoped that this matter would break out after the playoffs.
Moreover, Rodman still has two years of contract with the Pistons, and he is indeed worried about trading Rodman after Troy Weaver takes office.
In the evening, the United Center was already brightly lit, the game time was eight o'clock, and at seven o'clock, the stadium was already packed.
There are a lot of media reporters, whether they are NBA stars or Hollywood stars, they are very happy to cooperate with them. This is a good opportunity for them to be exposed.
In the visiting team's locker room, people were changing clothes and chatting, and the atmosphere was pretty good.
"Zhou, how is your physical condition?" Chuck Daly asked.
"It's okay." Zhou Quan replied.
Daly nodded, it was okay, just average, and the recovery situation was not very good. After thinking about it, he said: "The speed you mentioned last night, I think it can be done at certain times, such as defensive counterattacks, but if the overall offensive speed increases, I It doesn’t seem to be suitable for your current physical condition, Zhou, what do you think?”
Zhou Quan nodded and said, "That's what I think, coach."
Daly smiled and said: "Then you seize the opportunity yourself and pay attention to physical distribution. In addition, if your breakthrough with the ball cannot get rid of Jordan cleanly, you can play a pick-and-roll with Joe and replace John Paxson."
Zhou Quan nodded repeatedly. This is a way. Jordan's defense is indeed too strong and his strength is sufficient. His three-in-one breakthrough is not very effective on Jordan. When he breaks through, he always sticks to him, like a weight. Can't get rid of shit.
"Tekken, why doesn't your British star girlfriend come to watch your game?" Rodman asked with a smile after Daly went out.
Zhou Quan glanced at Da Chong sideways and said with a smile: "Why, do you want to show off your queen in front of me? Then when are you going to clean yourself up and let your queen enjoy you?"
"Ha ha……"
The locker room burst into laughter.
Rodman sneered a few times and then said: "No, I'm just asking. Those celebrities come to the United Center to watch the Eastern Conference Finals. This is a good opportunity for exposure."
Zhou Quan shook his head and said, "I invited her, but she happens to have some work."
Rodman said with a smile: "You are not going to break up, are you?"
"Oh, did we really break up?"
"Why did you split up?"
"Iron Fist, you were dumped?"
"Iron Fist, did you dump her, or did she dump you?"
"Iron Fist, are you not energetic enough?"
For a moment, before Zhou Quan could answer, several guys started shouting at the same time.
"Ahhhh..."
At this moment, a violent scream suddenly sounded from the TV. The scream became louder and louder, attracting everyone's attention.
"MJ! MJ! MJ..."
Among the screams, there were bursts of shouts, getting louder and louder, shaking the earth and the earth. It was like this on the TV, which showed how crazy the scene outside was at this time.
"Is Jordan out?"
Zhou Quan and others were surprised, it was not time.
And even Michael Jordan doesn't have such momentum at the United Center, right? These fucking fans are going crazy.
"Look, it's MJ, it's MJ, MJ!"
At this moment, the assassin, who usually didn't talk much, suddenly pointed at the TV screen and shouted excitedly and excitedly.
"Oh my God, MJ, it's really MJ!"
"Let's go out, I want to see MJ!"
In the locker room, everyone was excited.
Zhou Quan also saw it, it was indeed MJ, Michael Jackson, the greatest Lotte King, an amazing person.
He was equally excited because he was also one of MJ's countless fans.
"I want to go out."
In the home team's locker room, Michael Jordan threw away his cigar, turned around, and quickly left the locker room.
The scene was truly crazy. Twenty-two thousand fans, both home fans and away fans, all looked the same, screaming crazily at MJ who was slowly entering the stadium in the crowd.
Countless fans stretched out their hands to Michael Jackson, as if they could touch him from a distance of tens of meters.
Michael Jackson moved forward at a speed of ten centimeters per minute, with a team of stadium security surrounding him to ensure his safety.
He kept waving and smiling at the fans without any impatience.
…
At 7:30, both sides announced their starting lineup.
Pistons: John Salley, Dennis Rodman, Orlando Ulrich, Joe Dumars, Zhou Quan
Bulls: Bill Cartwright, Horace Grant, Scottie Pippen, Michael Jordan, John Paxson
When he came off the bench, Ringo Wilson said excitedly in the TNT commentary box: "The biggest surprise today is MJ. I never dreamed that he would appear here. He is touring around the world! Michael came out just now. They were very Good friend."
"Yes, so now let's get our attention back to the game."
Robert Guida said: "In today's game, most media and NBA stars have made predictions that the Bulls will win their second consecutive home game. Ringer, what do you think?"
Ringo Wilson said: "The Pistons are still very strong, but the Bulls have a great home court advantage. The Bulls have a high chance of winning a second consecutive game."
Robert Guida analyzed: "In the G1 game, Joe Dumars faced John Paxson and BJ. His shooting percentage was 48%. It can't be said to be bad, but it can't be said to be good. After all, it was a mismatch.
If he can hit a higher shooting percentage tonight, and he can fill the big hole where Michael Jordan knocked him out, the Pistons still have a chance. "
Ringo Wilson said seriously: “Joe Dumars’ performance, Rodman’s performance, are uncertain.
Then, it is also uncertain what kind of performance Tekken will be able to perform under Michael's full defense.
But Robert, Michael Jordan's performance, his offense is unsolvable, we can be sure of this. "
Robert Guida looked shocked and said: "Linge, are you praising Michael Jordan too much?"
Ringo Wilson shrugged his shoulders and said: "You can look at his performance in this playoffs and his performance against the Pistons, and you will know that what I said is right. He is worthy of belief in the future. The performance is certain.”
"Hey gentlemen, it's time."
At 7:40, a staff member pushed open the door of the visiting team's locker room and shouted loudly inside.
With a whoop, Zhou Quan and the other five people stood up and filed out.
The lights in the corridor outside were a little dim, and there were several Pistons security and staff members, as well as two Pistons team reporters, filming with cameras.
"good luck!"
"good luck!"
When Zhou Quan was waiting to go out, he high-fived them and they also sent their blessings.
Coming to the player tunnel, the Bulls were already one step ahead.
Zhou Quan walked into the somewhat narrow player tunnel from Jordan at the back and glanced at him with a smile.
The moment the two people's eyes met, their eyes were very sharp and cold, and neither of them had the appetite to speak, and they passed each other.
"Shh!"
A minute later, when Zhou Quan walked out of the tunnel, the United Center was booed like the end of the world was coming.
Stars such as Barkley, Magic and five or six Hollywood A-listers were sitting in the front row. When they saw Zhou Quan coming out, only Kareem Abdul-Jabbar stood up to greet him, and the two hugged.
After saying a few words to Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Zhou Quan glanced at MJ, the King of Stars, and then prepared to interact with the Pistons fans. Unexpectedly, MJ stood up and walked towards him. , while shouting: "Hey, Iron Fist, hello, can I meet you?"
"..."
Zhou Quan was startled, but he immediately realized what he was doing. He quickly stepped forward to hold MJ's hand and said excitedly: "MJ, I'm your fan. I saw your concert in Los Angeles."
MJ looked at Zhou Quan and smiled softly: "Tie Fist, you know my home is also in Los Angeles, and I have known you for a long time.
I went to mainland China in 1987 and stayed there for eight hours. It was a very pleasant eight hours. The people there were very warm to me. I want to thank them.
I really hope I can go there again and hold a concert in the capital. That should be the last concert in my life. "
"If I have the ability, I hope to provide all help." Zhou Quan said sincerely.
…
Seven fifty-eight.
"Victory! Victory! Victory..."
The earth-shattering roar of the bulls sounded again at the United Center.
"We are tenacious, tough, iron-blooded, and we are fearless..."
The Pistons were struggling desperately, trying to break out of the cage like trapped animals. They were still overwhelmed by the roar of 20,000 people, but the Pistons players and fans did not stop their shouts.
"Snapped!"
Cartwright took the lead in getting the ball away and the Bulls attacked.
On the left wing, Pippen attacked with the ball, shook Ulrich and then headed towards the paint. At this time, Jordan entered the low post from the right wing, and then cut along the baseline towards the basket.
Zhou Quan retreated to the free throw line, facing the left wing, and glanced left and right very quickly. From the corner of his right eye, he saw Jordan cutting from the baseline to the paint area. He immediately increased his vigilance and immediately shrank his defense towards the paint area.
The next moment, John Salley defended Pippen in the left waist position.
Pippen also had a very good vision. Of course he saw Jordan cutting inside, and he also saw that Zhou Quan had begun to shrink. Paxson had an open space at the top of the key and was asking him for the ball.
Pass to Jordan, there is Rodman under the basket, there is a risk of making a mistake, and Jordan is followed closely by Joe Dumars.
At this moment, Pippen made a judgment, flicked his hand, and passed the ball to the top of the key.
The next moment, Zhou Quan quickly turned around and rushed towards the top of the arc.
Paxson caught the ball and saw the Iron Fist rushing back. He quickly stood up and shot a three-pointer.
His three-point shooting is not very good, especially after entering the playoffs, his shooting rate is only 25%. Moreover, facing the defense of Iron Fist, his performance in the five regular season games and the Eastern Conference Finals G1 game was very poor, and he was completely blocked by the opponent. Death, a serious lack of confidence. When Zhou Quan pounced, he took action in a hurry, and his technical movements were a little out of shape.
There was no shot, but Zhou Quan knew in his heart that the ball was not going to hit, and it was obviously short. He turned around and pounced on it immediately after landing.
"boom!"
Sure enough, it was short. The basketball bounced off the basket and bounced a little far, just in time for Zhou Quan to get it.
After getting the ball, he immediately turned around and went down quickly. Pippen chased him from the left midfielder. Jordan and Joe Dumars started from the basket and were still some distance away from him.
"Bang!"
At the top of the arc, when Paxson tried to block him, he changed direction and accelerated to break through, directly knocking over the opponent. After a pause, he moved forward again.
Taking this opportunity, Pippen took a step behind him, and his big hand could already touch his jersey.
But no matter how fast he is, he is still a small forward. There is no defender in front of him. Zhou Quan is advancing faster and faster, and he can no longer close the distance.
As for Jordan behind him, he is faster than Pippen, but his starting position is under the basket, five or six meters behind, and he cannot catch up.
Zhou Quan crossed the top of the arc, crossed the free throw line, and soared with all his strength. While gliding forward in the air, he held the ball in one hand like an ax and raised it high.
Pippen jumped up from behind almost at the same time, stretched his right arm forward as much as possible, and swept the basketball in front of him.
The next moment, with all his strength, Zhou Quan slashed violently with his axe.
"Damn it!"
Pippen swept away, just a little bit short.
"boom!"
"Oh ho!"
The explosive sound of the basket exploded, instantly making the Pistons bench and fans cheer.
"Shh!"
The United Center could not accommodate other voices, and boos suddenly erupted, drowning out all the cheers.
Bulls offense.
Jordan caught the ball on the right wing and singled out Joe Dumars.
How to defend Jordan is familiar to the Pistons, but it is rarely successful. No matter how you defend, you can't prevent him from scoring.
Excluding this game, Jordan and the Pistons played 56 games, averaging 30 points per game and shooting 47.7% from the field.
Before the implementation of the flagrant foul rule in 1990, Jordan averaged 27 points per game against the Pistons. The lowest score in a single game was 16 points, and there were two 18 points. Except for these three games, even when facing the Jordan Rules, he still scored 27 points per game. He was in great form and even scored 59 points in a single game. His shooting percentage in that game was as high as 77.8%.
After the flagrant foul was issued, Jordan only scored 18 points in a single game against the Pistons once, and his scoring average increased to 33 points per game.
In other words, regardless of whether there is a flagrant foul rule or not, he has only failed to score 20+ in four games against any Pistons defense.
But no matter what, Jordan's field goal percentage of more than 60% the day before yesterday was too high. It was a complete failure on defense. So for the Pistons, even if they still can't stop Jordan from scoring tonight, they can reduce his shooting percentage. Hit rate, this is doable.
At the free throw line, Zhou Quan moved a step to the left end, creating a wider distance from John Paxson.
The next moment, Jordan faked a shot and hit Joe Dumars from the right.
Of course he noticed Zhou Quan's defensive actions, so he chose to break through from the right side to distance himself from Zhou Quan.
The next moment Jordan broke through, Zhou Quan reacted extremely quickly, stepped forward to the right wing, and pounced.
His defensive angle is also particular. He is prepared to stick to Jordan's left side, forming up and down double-teams with Rodman in the low post. At the same time, he cuts off Jordan's passing angle from the top of the arc.
The next moment, before Zhou Quan could get close, he passed Joe Dumars. Jordan was two steps inside the three-point line and made an emergency jump shot.
"boom!"
It missed a little, and the rim hit the basket and bounced forward, but Rodman rushed in and grabbed it.
"well!"
This ball caused a sigh to be heard in the United Center.
"I've got the space, but it's a pity that the feel is a little bit worse."
In the TNT commentary box, Ringo Wilson shook his head and sighed.
(End of chapter)
