ESPN's explanation was immediately ridiculed by many media people.
"If ESPN is so optimistic about the Suns, why are the Suns only two percentage points better than the Pistons?" TNT TV station.
"Although ESPN claims to be very optimistic about the Suns, their faces have been swollen by the Pistons, so their data is the best way to show their inner feelings. With a gap of two percentage points, they are afraid of being beaten again by the Pistons. Face." ABC TV.
"These colleagues of ours are so shameful!" Urnes said angrily after seeing the two TV stations' comments on their own data.
…
"Charles, do you think ESPN's data is consistent with the facts? As a reminder, Jazz is currently being broadcast live across the United States, and at least 20 million people can hear your voice."
A reporter from TNT interviewed Buckley by phone, and the interview was conducted during the live broadcast of the midday news.
"Oh, wait a minute, I'll turn on the TV."
Barkley turned on the TV and tuned it to the TNT channel, and then said with a smile: "Of course, I love ESPN, their data are all correct."
"Do you think you're going to win your first career championship?"
"no doubt."
"Do you regret that the league rejected that deal?"
"No, only fools would regret it. I am now on the best team in the league, and we will definitely succeed."
"Iron Fist, do you think ESPN's prediction data is accurate? As a reminder, this is a live news program across the United States, and Barkley just accepted our phone interview."
The program then interviewed Zhou Quan over the phone.
Zhou Quan also turned on the TV, tuned to the TNT channel, and said: "Facts have proven that ESPN's predictions for the NBA playoffs have been on the wrong track. The only thing they have shown is their unprofessionalism. Especially when it comes to predictions about the Pistons, they're not even as good as the 90-year-old grandma next door to me."
"Haha, Iron Fist, do you think you will win the first championship in your career?"
"I am very excited."
"What do you think about Barkley?"
"I wish him a successful career and although it is difficult to achieve, it is my good intention and I hope he can accept it."
"I'll take that shit!"
Barkley swore directly.
"Charles, please don't say bad words, okay?"
his wife, Maureen, said emphatically.
"Sorry, honey."
Buckley shrugged and said, "But this kid cursed me, and I want to teach him a lesson."
"Don't get into the ring with him. You can't hit him even if you throw a hundred punches. Don't be like those two fools Oakley and Larry Johnson." Maureen reminded.
Buckley said angrily: "I will only get into the wrestling ring with him, and I will beat him to death."
Maureen said with a headache: "I don't know why your relationship with him is so tense. He is now a superstar NBA star. If he achieves a certain degree of success in boxing and golf during the offseason, he can truly break out of the circle. , the influence will completely surpass you, even Michael Jordan.
You have played basketball for so many years, but outside the NBA circle, what influence do you still have? Shouldn't you be friends with someone with as much potential as him? You have to have your own social circle and don't revolve around Michael Jordan. "
Buckley muttered: "Can you blame me? He and Michael are mortal enemies. I support Michael, but this kid is upset with me."
Maureen shook her head helplessly. Her husband was a man with good emotional intelligence, but it was a pity that his relationship with Iron Fist was messed up.
…
That night, ABC TV station produced a program about the Finals. The host was Bill Walton, and Magic Johnson, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Pippen, and Karl Malone were invited as guests. Bill Laimbeer was also invited.
The show started at half past eight, and at seven o'clock, the magician and others came to the dressing room.
Pippen was a little restrained and took the initiative to sit in the corner of the dressing room, very quiet.
Including host Bill Walton, the rest of the guests are superstars, not to mention Magic, a real superstar, but he is just an ordinary All-Star, not up to the level of a superstar.
As for Laimbeer, he doesn't make comparisons at all. He is a second-generation white rich man who regards all the superstars in the league as nothing. His family wealth can buy the entire league's team. He, a poor black boy from the south, has a deep sense of inferiority. , didn’t dare to go over and answer.
"Bill, I'm curious, you haven't shown up much in two years, why are you willing to take this job today?" Karl Malone asked curiously.
Bill Laimbeer looked at the postman with disdain and said, "Do you think I am just like you, just for a few notice fees?"
"Pfft!"
The magicians and the others laughed. Sorry, postman, I really couldn't hold it back.
Pippin didn't dare to laugh for fear of being beaten by the postman, but he couldn't help it. He bent down and buried his head between his legs, his body shaking non-stop.
The postman's face is three points darker than coal. Damn Ranbir, you deserve to be beaten with an iron fist. But when he thinks of this, he is actually worse than Ranbir. Several ribs are broken. His black face can't help but turn over. Three points black.
He asked very dissatisfiedly: "Ranbir, did I provoke you?"
Ranbir snorted and said, "No."
"Pfft."
The magicians laughed again.
The postman was so depressed that he almost vomited blood. You are so crazy. I didn't provoke you, but you are attacking me? We are in the same trench, with the same enemy.
As the host who invited them, of course he had to control the situation and not make everyone really fall out. Bill Walton finally stopped laughing and said, "Okay, Carl, this is Bill's character. You should say less."
At half past eight, the show starts.
Zhou Quan also turned on the TV at this time, tuned to the ABC channel, and prepared to watch this program.
When I saw Ranbir, I was startled. This guy is said to have been drunk every day for the past two years. Why did he participate in this show?
"Ladies and gentlemen, now our program begins. The core of tonight's program is the upcoming NBA Finals. We have many topics, such as..."
Having said this, he looked at Laimbeer and asked with a smile: "Bill, the Pistons have reached the finals again. Will you return to the Palace of Auburn Hills to watch the finals?"
Bill Laimbeer was willing to participate in this show, so he was mentally prepared and immediately said: "No."
"Why?" Bill Walton asked.
"There is no reason. If you don't go, you won't go." Ranbir said stiffly.
In his mind, he was cursing the Pistons management. Those damn guys had never invited him to watch the game since he was forced to retire. Should he still buy his own tickets?
"Then why did you come to this show?" Bill Walton asked curiously.
He invited Ranbir, but he just tried it and it succeeded, so in fact he didn't know why Ranbir was willing to come.
Laimbeer hesitated for a moment, as if he was a little embarrassed to speak, but still said: "I want to make a change. I don't want to drink anymore. I hope to return to basketball."
"..."
The magician and others looked at each other.
"Damn it, don't let him come back."
"Are the Pistons going to reorganize the Bad Boys? That's absolutely not possible."
"This is troublesome."
"If he dares to come back, Iron Fist will not let him go."
At this time, a large number of league players who watched this program complained. At this moment, in their hearts, Zhou Quan became the patron saint preventing Laimbeer from returning to the NBA.
"Bill, how do you plan to return to basketball?" Bill Walton asked tentatively.
"I...I plan to be a coach," Laimbeer said.
"call!"
Almost all NBA players breathed a sigh of relief.
Bill Walton also breathed a sigh of relief and asked with a smile: "This is a good idea, Bill. I hope you can succeed."
"I think so."
Laimbeer's mouth was tough, but he was not sure in his heart. What he just said was a test for him. He hoped that a team would give him this opportunity.
"So, talking about the Finals, who do you think has a better chance, the Suns or the Pistons?" Bill Walton asked, sweeping through several people.
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar spoke first: "Without a doubt, of course the Pistons."
"I knew he would choose this way. Sky Gou has always supported that guy Iron Fist." Phoenix, Barkley said to Maureen.
"People are alumni, this is called a network of connections." Maureen said.
"Why?" Bill Walton asked.
"The first is the physical advantage, which is very critical. I doubt whether the Suns can recover from the first two home games after the tiebreaker. If they lose one home court, then this series will be in trouble."
"Physical fitness? ESPN doesn't think that's important. Do you agree with them?"
"Of course not, physical fitness is very important. This is an advantage that cannot be ignored by the Pistons. If the Suns don't pay attention to it, they will end badly." Kareem Abdul-Jabbar said.
"The league is too partial to the Pistons. We should be given two more days to rest." Barkley said unhappily.
"Erwin, what about you?"
Bill Walton knew that Magic usually did not support the Pistons. Of course, it was when the Pistons and Bulls were playing against each other, but he wanted to find something topical.
But Magic's answer disappointed him. Magic immediately said: "I also think the Pistons have a better chance."
"Why?" he asked in surprise.
Magic Johnson smiled: "Kareem talked about the first advantage of the Pistons, and I talked about the second one, which is the advantage of the No. 1 position."
"You think Lightning is not as good as Iron Fist?" Bill Walton said with a surprised look on his face.
Although he is an alumnus of Zhou Quan, this is just a personal relationship. Now he is doing a show, so he has to put aside his personal relationship and try to create as much attention as possible.
Magic Johnson nodded: "The Lightning is my old rival, I know him very well, we have been competing for various honors for many seasons, he is very strong.
However, I think Tekken is stronger, and their playoff numbers prove my point right. "
"Damn it, Erwin actually changed his mind?" Buckley said in surprise and dissatisfaction.
"People are smarter than you and won't go all the way." Maureen complained.
At this time, ABC TV listed the data of Lightning and Zhou Quan in the first three rounds of the series.
In the first round, the Lightning had 17.8 points, 2.3 rebounds, 10 assists, 1.5 steals, 0.3 blocks, 4.3 turnovers, 2.8 fouls, a shooting percentage of 47.7%, and an assist-to-turnover ratio of 2.3.
Zhou Quan had 32 points, 7.3 rebounds, 9.3 assists, 4.3 steals, 1 block, 2.3 turnovers and 3.3 fouls in the first round. He shot 55% from the field and had an assist-to-turnover ratio of 4.
In the second round, the Lightning had 20.8 points, 3.5 rebounds, 9 assists, 1.5 steals, 0.8 blocks, 2.7 turnovers, and 1.5 fouls. The shooting percentage was 53.2%, and the assist-to-turnover ratio was 3.3.
In the second round, Zhou Quan had 27.1 points, 5 rebounds, 10 assists, 4.57 steals, 0.57 blocks, 3.29 turnovers, 4.71 fouls, a shooting percentage of 50.3%, and an assist-to-turnover ratio of 3.
In the Lightning Western Conference Finals, he had 15.9 points, 2 rebounds, 7 assists, 1.7 steals, 0.7 blocks, 3.6 turnovers, 2.6 fouls, a shooting percentage of 46.6%, and an assist-to-turnover ratio of 1.9.
Zhou Quandong had 31 points, 5.6 rebounds, 12 assists, 4.4 steals, 1.4 blocks, 2.8 turnovers and 4 fouls in the finals, with a shooting percentage of 58.2% and an assist-to-turnover ratio of 4.2.
After the data appeared on the TV screen, Magic pointed at the data and analyzed: "In the three-round series, Tekken's scoring ability was better than that of the Lightning, and not just a little bit. The same is true for rebounds. In assists, the difference was not big in the first two rounds. , but in the third round of the series, Tekken was obviously a level better, averaging five more assists per game.
On the defensive end, the Lightning's defense is good, averaging close to two steals per game, but compared to Tekken, it is obviously not at the same level.
As for the passing stability, you can also see that Iron Fist's passing is more stable. Only when facing Jordan in the second round, it was slightly lower than the Lightning, but the assist-to-turnover ratio of 3 also reached the level of an excellent point guard.
Based on these data, I think that if Lightning cannot use his speed advantage when facing Iron Fist, he is likely to be suppressed in all directions by Iron Fist's full strength. "
"Shit, Ervin, are you kneeling and licking Iron Fist to get him to go to the Lakers?" Barkley said with extreme dissatisfaction.
"Suppress me in all aspects?"
Kevin Johnson, who was also watching this show, snorted coldly. He was absolutely not convinced by Magic's statement. No one in this league could suppress him in all aspects. Even if Magic himself played, he couldn't do it.
"You mean all-round suppression?" Bill Walton was really shocked at this time.
He didn't understand that Magic had repeatedly belittled the Pistons and Iron Fist, but now he praised the Iron Fist so much. Was he taking the wrong medicine? Or did he think that after praising the Iron Fist a few times, the Iron Fist would go to the Lakers?
Magic Johnson said with a smile: "Actually, we don't have any say. Why don't we let the person with the most say here answer and let him compare Iron Fist and Lightning."
"The person with the most say?"
Bill Walton was startled at first, then reacted immediately and looked at Pippen. This guy was eliminated by Iron Fist himself, and he was indeed the one with the most say.
Pippen said awkwardly: "In fact, Michael should be the one to evaluate. After all, I am not the one who defends Iron Fist."
"Pfft!"
Skyhook and Magic both burst into laughter, Pippen, are you seeking death?
Bill Walton held back his laughter and asked the postman: "Carl, do you want to comment?"
Karl Malone rolled his eyes and said: "Lightning is definitely no worse than Iron Fist. These data have limitations, such as the strength of the opponent."
Pippen opened his mouth, wanting to remind the postman that one of the people Iron Fist faced was Michael Jordan, but when he saw the sinister look on the postman's face, he closed his mouth again, not wanting to cause trouble.
"Ha ha……"
The magician had already collapsed on the sofa laughing, and so had Tian Gou.
Laimbeer said to the postman angrily: "Shut up, kid. Which of the Lightning's opponents is stronger than Michael Jordan?"
The postman choked, smiled awkwardly, and stopped talking.
Bill Walton smiled and said: "Okay, let's get back to the topic. Who of you can predict the chances of the Suns and Pistons winning?"
Laimbeer said first: "Of course it's the Pistons. The Suns had five tiebreakers in the first round, six games in the second round, and another tiebreaker in the Western Conference Finals, playing 18 games. The Pistons swept the first round, had a tiebreak in the second round, and played five games in the Eastern Conference Finals. , only played 15 games, and had a few more days of rest. The physical advantage was too great.
From the lineup analysis, the Pistons' defense is stronger. Three people were selected to the All-Defensive Team, two of them first team. Do the Suns have them? Not a single second team.
Offensively, who can stop that guy? Buckley? I don't think the Lightning can guard him. "
Magic Johnson nodded and said: "Of course the Pistons are better defensively. The Eastern Conference Finals made me realize that we all underestimated the Pistons' defense. Although they are not the best defensive team in the regular season, once they take it seriously, they can Guard any team.”
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar said: "This requires tactical coordination. Coach Chuck Daly is really an admirable head coach. His tactics in the Eastern Conference Finals were great."
Magic Johnson praised: "Use the strong personal defensive capabilities of Iron Fist, Joe Dumars, and Rodman to limit the opponent's offense. Turn around and immediately use fast to beat slow, use small to beat big, and use fast-paced offense to defeat the enemy." The Knicks were unable to establish a defensive system and took advantage on both offense and defense. Coach Daley's tactics were indeed too targeted!"
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar said at this time: "I am also optimistic about the Pistons, unless Barkley's performance is more stable, and if he can play the 40+20 performance in the Western Conference Finals tiebreaker every game, then I will choose the Suns."
"Ha ha……"
The magicians all laughed.
But Laimbeer scolded: "40+20 every game, that idiot Barkley wants to eat shit."
"Ranbir, you idiot, don't let me see you, or I'll beat you to death!" Buckley jumped up from the sofa in anger.
"Be quiet, Charles. Rest quietly. Excited emotions will waste physical energy. Only by being quiet can your physical energy recover faster." Maureen advised.
"Ha ha……"
Zhou Quan also became happy when he heard Ranbir scolding Barkley.
He knew that Barkley had beaten Ranbir before, and the two had a feud.
But judging from Laimbeer's attitude, this idiot still has feelings for the Pistons.
Magic said that he could suppress the Lightning in all aspects. He did not think too much about this possibility. The Lightning should be a little faster than him, and his defense is not bad. If he plays fast break, it will not be as easy as beating the Knicks. John Starks is so slow.
At this time, Magic Johnson said: "The Suns are not as good defensively as the Pistons, but they still have advantages. We won't talk about Barkley. Let's talk about the Pistons' strongest perimeter.
In fact, we need to know that at positions one, two and three, with their lineup, it is really difficult for the Pistons to get enough people to beat the Suns.
The Assassin started in the Eastern Conference Finals, but can he still start against the Suns? Can he protect against lightning or thunder? No, he couldn't run now. He couldn't guard against the speed of lightning or the height of Thunder God.
If the Assassin is not in the starting lineup and Joe Dumars returns to the second position, who will play the Pistons' third position? They have no one. "
Hearing this, Zhou Quan couldn't help but nod. His team's lineup did have flaws when facing the Suns.
As for the Suns' bench, they are indeed very strong. All-Star forward Tom Chambers, All-Star swingman Danny Ainge, and small forward Ceballos all averaged 10+ points per game in the regular season, ranking first in the rankings. In the top six.
Fortunately, the Pistons' substitute lineup is not much different. Terry Mills, Polynice, and Mark Aguirre are all still available.
…
(End of chapter)
