On the 8th, the Pistons returned to Detroit.
The schedule is a bit unreasonable. Except for a few days between the two away games, they can only return to Detroit first, which increases the team's flying distance.
On the 10th, the Pistons flew to Chicago.
The Bulls got off to a good start on the road, but lost the second game at home to the Hawks led by Wilkins by one point. Although Jordan scored 35 points, his shooting percentage was only 44.8%. They defeated the Hawks at home the day before yesterday. The Pacers have avoided a losing streak, and the Bulls now have two wins and one loss.
"We're going to win this one."
That night, the Pistons held a tactical meeting in the hotel. As soon as it started, Chuck Daly stopped talking.
He continued: "The so-called Iron Triangle of the Bulls, only Michael Jordan is difficult to defend. We cannot predict his performance, but with our current main lineup, it is possible to withstand it.
They might let Pippen focus on Ulrich, but Pippen doesn't have explosive scoring ability. Even if he beat Ulrich, he still can't beat us.
So the Bulls must still be Jordan's main attacker, Iron Fist, you and Joe deal with him together, I don't care if he scores 30+ or 40+, I just need you to reduce his offensive efficiency.
In short, if I want to win this game, I need to combine the internal and external lines to fight. The iron fist is responsible for connecting the internal lines and blossoming across the board. "
He is good at defense, and it was he who led the league's current iron-blooded defensive style. But he also knows that the Pistons' defense is not as good as last season, so he can only strengthen the offense to solve the deficiencies on the defensive end and make up for it with more points. The points lost on the defensive end are also helpless.
The 11th, match day.
Pistons: Ronny Seikaly, Terry Mills, Orlando Ulrich, Joe Dumars, Zhou Quan
Bulls: Bill Cartwright, Horace Grant, Scottie Pippen, Michael Jordan, B.J. Armstrong
At eight o'clock, both sides announced the starting lineup.
This game is a national live broadcast of the Bulls, broadcast live by ESPN TV, and the commentators are Rock Howard and Larry Winston.
Howard said: "The Pistons are so pitiful. This game is their first national live broadcast, and they are still playing against the Bulls."
Winston laughed: "So they have Michael to thank for the exposure."
"Fuck you."
In the visiting team's locker room, the assassin scolded and stepped forward to turn off the TV.
He turned back and stared at Zhou Quan and said loudly: "Iron Fist, we are going to defeat them today. They are nothing special."
"certainly."
Zhou Quan nodded solemnly.
Then the assassin led the substitute players out to warm up, leaving only five starters in the locker room.
Joe Dumars said: "The Bulls played three games. Michael Jordan averaged 29.3 points per game and did not exert his strength, but he will definitely exert his strength this time. We must be careful."
Zhou Quan nodded. He blushed a little when he thought about having Jordan average 40+ per game on his head in the Eastern Conference Finals series.
Of course, it wasn't all on his head. He only faced Jordan on the defensive end in the back. Joe Dumars defended him in the first few games.
But he is the boss, and helping to defend Jordan is also one of his tasks, so he has to take the blame.
"Qiao, I'm guarding him today," he said.
"good."
Joe Dumars wanted it all. He had guarded Jordan for so many years, and finally someone was willing to take over.
A few minutes later, Zhou Quan led the players to the player tunnel and met Jordan.
This time both of them are in the same position, both at the finale.
"Fei Ren, why didn't you believe me when you asked me to play baseball? It won't be in ten years, right?" Zhou Quan asked.
Jordan was very unhappy, very unhappy, but unable to fight back, and chewed gum in his mouth immediately faster.
Zhou Quan smiled and continued to provoke: "Don't you dare? Are you afraid of losing? Do you only dare to challenge others in the areas you are good at? In other words, basketball is the only thing you are good at, and you are an imbecile in other sports.
Remember, don’t ask me to play baseball, golf, or boxing again. You are not qualified to stand in front of me in these sports. "
Jordan groaned in anger, but who told him that he was really only good at basketball?
"Why don't you say anything? Did I tell you right?" Zhou Quan continued.
Jordan was so angry that he shouted: "Boy, I just need to beat you on the basketball court. You will never make it out of the Eastern Conference in your life."
"What a pity, it doesn't matter what you say." Zhou Quan smiled and shook his head.
"Shh!"
When the away team came on the field and faced their most deadly enemy, Bulls fans gave the Pistons earth-shattering boos.
"MJ! MJ! MJ..."
When Jordan came on the stage, everyone cheered.
In a conference room at a community college, a group of basketball team members were huddled together to watch the game.
"What a big scene."
Ma Jian was also among them. Seeing this scene, he felt shocked.
Whether it was the scene of countless Bulls fans booing Zhou Quan or the scene of chanting MJ, he was deeply shocked.
Not to mention that there are not such big basketball stadiums in China, nor is there such a warm basketball atmosphere. Not only is there no professional basketball, there is no professional football, and sports have not yet begun to become professional.
United Center, the game begins.
Sekali and Carter White jumped the ball and the Bulls attacked.
In the backcourt, BJ advanced with the ball, and Joe Dumars followed him.
Zhou Quan followed Jordan, and Jordan's trash talk immediately started: "Boy, how many points do you want me to score on your head today?"
"You catch the ball first and then talk about it." Zhou Quan said with a smile.
When Jordan paused, he immediately thought of the Eastern Conference Finals series. Iron Fist officially faced him on the defensive end for the first time. He was indeed prevented from catching the ball. The Bulls also lost that game. The final solution was to advance early After receiving the ball, he attacked with the ball and defeated Zhou Quan with his personal ability.
"ball!"
Thinking of this, he immediately reached out to BJ for the ball.
"Michael?"
On the sidelines, on the bench, Phil Jackson was stunned.
On the court, BJ didn't hesitate and immediately passed the ball.
"squeak!"
The next moment BJ passed the ball, the ball had just been released. Zhou Quan, who was ready, rushed forward with his feet, stretched his left arm forward, and his big hand instantly cut into the passing and receiving line.
"not good!"
Jordan was heartbroken.
"Snapped!"
The next moment, Zhou Quan successfully intercepted the ball and rushed past Jordan.
"asshole!"
By the time Jordan started to pursue, he had already lost two steps, and during this pursuit, he found that he could not shorten the distance between him and Zhou Quan.
"His speed is indeed faster than last season. I can't catch up with him while running with the ball. His absolute speed should be a little faster than mine." He thought to himself.
"Oops, the ball was stolen!"
In the ESPN commentary box, Winston exclaimed.
Zhou Quan reached the three-point line from the left wing and stretched his head to glance at Jordan's position, which was at least two meters away.
In the next moment, he entered the penalty area from the left elbow area, took one step in, combined the ball, took off, switched the ball from his left hand to his right, and then connected with a powerful tomahawk chop.
"boom!"
Amid the violent sound of bombing, the United Center fell silent for an instant.
"Oh ho!"
The Pistons' bench, led by Assassin and Rodman, stood up from their seats, pumping their fists in excitement and cheering.
"Oh, he changed hands in the air and made a powerful tomahawk chop. Tekken's athletic talent has improved compared to last season." ESPN commentator Howard exclaimed.
"Shh!"
The boos at the United Center were late, but came nonetheless.
"This bastard is getting stronger!"
Jordan stared at Zhou Quan, who was roaring excitedly, and became more vigilant.
"Old guy, did you catch the ball?"
Zhou Quan pointed his finger at Jordan and shouted.
"asshole!"
Jordan was so angry that his eyes turned even colder, and his whole body was filled with murderous aura.
In the ESPN commentary box, Howard exclaimed: "My God, this is the first time I saw Iron Fist dunk like this. Has he got wings?"
Winston was also full of shock and said: "Michael didn't catch up just now, which means that he is faster. Being able to dunk like this means that he can jump higher and stay in the air better.
The media said that he trained in Los Angeles throughout the offseason. I think it is true. He did not waste a day. After entering the league, he continued to get stronger. "
Howard said: "He scored 20+10 on Michael in the Eastern Conference Finals. Now he is getting stronger and stronger. I don't know what his performance will be tonight. I am looking forward to it."
Winston smiled and said: "Anyway, he and Michael will give their best tonight. They are mortal enemies and there is no possibility of holding back."
Bulls offense.
"Hurrah!"
Phil Jackson stood up from the bench, blew the hooligan whistle, and then shouted: "Be careful of pressing in the backcourt, pay attention to the reception. Michael, play according to tactics."
This time, Jordan and Pippen connected in the backcourt and did not allow the Pistons to find a chance to steal the ball.
After passing the center line, BJ pulled to the left wing, gave the ball to Pippen, and ran to the left corner, taking Joe Dumars away.
Jordan ran down the right wing, then followed the baseline through the paint to the low post on the left wing.
This is his low-post singles tactic. The inside teammates help him block the pursuer and create an opening for him. If there is no block, the inside teammates go to other positions and let him play singles in the low post.
When he passed the basket, Cartwright and Grant did not block Zhou Quan because Zhou Quan was running behind him.
As soon as he reached the low post on the left wing, Zhou Quan caught up behind him, but he asked Pippen for the ball without hesitation. After receiving the ball, he immediately started playing singles.
"Bang!"
He only arched his back slightly, then turned around and took off, shooting a fadeaway jumper.
Zhou Quan's single defense has reached the top level of level 95, and his neurological reaction speed is also very fast. But even though his speed, agility, jumping and other athletic qualities have improved, and his reach is much higher, he still cannot prevent this. The ball took off in time, but his hand only reached halfway to Jordan's right forearm, not even his wrist, which was a big difference.
In fact, Jordan leaned back too much, widening the distance between him and him in the air.
"brush!"
The water splashed and hit two points.
Jordan glanced at Zhou Quan disdainfully and said to himself: "Boy, you have been practicing extra during the offseason, and I haven't had any rest either. I have been practicing fadeaway jumpers in the past few months. I am going to use this skill tonight." you."
Zhou Quan thought to himself: "My core strength has been strengthened now, and I can continue to strengthen it. I have no energy this season. I will start to strengthen the training of this kind of fadeaway jumper next offseason."
"Bang bang bang..."
Zhou Quan advanced with the ball, but Jordan blocked the front.
"Oh, just like Iron Fist, Jordan switched defenses and they really took it on." Winston laughed in the ESPN commentary box.
After taking two steps forward, Zhou Quan made a breakthrough with his feet and stepped past the opponent with a 92-level acceleration. Jordan quickly retreated, but the next moment, Zhou Quan followed up with a feint and turned around to pass Jordan from the left. Entered the left wing of the frontcourt.
The continuous improvement of his breakthrough skills has eliminated any shortcomings in his breakthrough. The worst cross-step forward change has reached level 86, which is close to first-rate, so his breakthrough ability is still very strong now.
"Iron fist hit Michael!" Howard shouted.
Jordan turned around and pursued the defense with all his strength, but Zhou Quan did not slow down and went straight to the left wing.
Pippen defended at the three-point line, and Jordan surrounded him from the inside, forming a pincer attack.
Zhou Quan showed no fear, feinted with one hand to break through, and in an instant, he broke through Pippen and drove into the left wing from the outside along the left sideline.
But as soon as he entered, Jordan had already taken a shortcut and blocked him in advance.
"Hit Pippen again, but Michael caught up with him." Howard continued to shout in the ESPN commentary box.
But at this moment, Zhou Quan did not hesitate to engage in confrontation. After changing direction downwards, he accelerated and stepped forward to break through. He used his current acceleration to create enough impact and actively sought confrontation.
Jordan could only move one step downward and use his body to block Zhou Quan, otherwise Zhou Quan would break through him with the ball again.
"Bang!"
Jordan was knocked staggering, but Zhou Quan slowed down slightly, and then rushed over.
"Oh, Michael was attacked again?!" Howard said in surprise.
As Zhou Quan broke through with the ball, the Bulls' two big insiders could only shrink to the basket, and Pippen, who had just been passed by, also ran towards the paint area.
Seikali did not enter the basket, but waited low on the left wing, in an open position, waiting for Zhou Quan's pass.
There are three people on both sides of the basket, plus Pippen and Ulrich who just rushed in from the left elbow area, five people, already full.
Zhou Quan entered the paint area from the left waist position and had already combined the ball. Suddenly he grabbed the ball with his left hand and sent it to Sekali's position, making a passing motion.
This attracted everyone's attention, including Grant and Bit Carter under the basket. Their eyes immediately glanced towards Sekali.
"not good!"
The next moment, they didn't see the ball pass, so they knew they were fooled. But when their eyes returned to Zhou Quan, Zhou Quan was already flying in the sky, and a shadow had already shrouded their heads.
"boom!"
Amidst the violent explosion of the basket, Zhou Quan bumped into Cartwright's body, causing the opponent to fall backward. His legs rode on the opponent's neck, completing a standard humiliating buckle.
"well!"
Lamentations sounded in the United Center, and countless fans turned their eyes away from Cartwright. They couldn't bear to watch their center being dunked by a point guard.
"Oh ho!"
On the Pistons bench, there were excited cheers and white towels waving.
"Iron Fist, do them like this!" the assassin roared excitedly.
"Oh, the point guard dunked on the center, it was so cool!"
"The point guard dunks on the center, it's incredible!"
"God, he broke down the Bulls' defense all by himself!"
"The crossover madman is really strong!"
At this moment, through ESPN's national live broadcast, tens of millions of American fans saw Zhou Quan's attack, which left a deep impression on them.
At the United Center, Zhou Quan fell to the ground at this time, and Cartwright was lying on his crotch. He didn't care about the opponent below him, and didn't even look at it. He naturally walked forward and started celebrating with his teammates.
Cartwright's face was always red with embarrassment, but he didn't have the courage to get up and fight Zhou Quan, and neither did anyone else, including Jordan, who acted as if they hadn't seen it.
Sometimes, when you have a deterrent effect, your opponent will automatically ignore some of your behaviors that make him unhappy.
"Shh!"
Only Bulls fans protested with boos.
(End of chapter)
