"Tekken, what makes you so hot today?" an ABC reporter asked during the post-game interview.
"Pressure." Zhou Quan replied briefly.
"pressure?"
The reporter was shocked.
"Yes, turn pressure into motivation." Zhou Quan added.
"What pressure are you referring to?" the reporter asked.
"The ridicule from the media, the ridicule from the opponents, the ridicule from the home fans, these are both pressure and motivation for me," he said.
"Do you agree with Detroit's Iron Fist era?" the reporter asked again.
"Of course not, I haven't achieved anything yet." He denied decisively.
"In June 1991, after Michael Jordan won his first championship, he once said to the media that this was no accident, this was the beginning of an era. If you had won the championship this time, would you have said such a thing? "The reporter asked again.
Zhou Quan thought for a moment and then smiled and said, "Did he do it?"
"At present, there is not. But this era has just begun, and I think he still has a chance." The reporter said with a smile.
Zhou Quan nodded and said: "With Jordan's strength, he does still have a chance to create his own era."
"What about you?" the reporter asked.
Zhou Quan smiled and said, "Ask me your question again after I win the championship." After that, he ended the interview.
The reporter shook his head with regret and helplessness. If he could, he would even take a gun and force Iron Fist to answer his question.
An hour later, a press conference was held.
"Iron Fist, we have three home games next. Are you sure we can win this series at home?" The first person to ask the question was a reporter from the Detroit Daily Worker. He asked with great anticipation.
Zhou Quan is now a little annoyed with these Detroit media. What kind of iron fist era is being created? My fucking face is not that big. Jordan’s two championships are not qualified to call the era. Do I have that qualification? I don’t have the four, five, six, or seven crowns in my hand, and I have no shame in claiming the times.
He couldn't help complaining in his heart, but he still responded with a smile: "I very much hope to win the championship at home, and I am very confident about it."
"Where does your confidence come from? Your arrogance, or your so-called Iron Fist era?" a Phoenix Suns reporter couldn't help but asked loudly.
"Sir, please abide by the order of the press conference." the host immediately warned.
The reporter shrugged his shoulders nonchalantly and just looked at Zhou Quan.
Zhou Quan said with a smile: "My confidence comes not only from my confidence in the team, but also from the poor performance of the Phoenix Suns. Please remember, it is you who give us confidence."
"Ha ha……"
The people on the Pistons team laughed, and many neutral media reporters also couldn't help but laugh.
The Suns reporter's face turned dark, and the white man turned black.
"Coach Daley, you didn't call a timeout today. Why?"
The next person to ask the question was a New York Times reporter, and his question was quite gossipy.
Chuck Daly smiled and said, "Because I think Tekken's performance tonight was great. Even if I call a timeout, I feel it is a humiliation to them."
"oh!"
"Ha ha……"
"damn it!"
Reporters exclaimed, the Detroit media laughed, and the Phoenix media cursed.
On the other side, the Suns press conference.
"Sir Charles, Bill Walton said you may be swept away. Do you think there is a good chance of this?" the New York Times asked in a teasing tone.
Buckley's gloomy expression suddenly became excited and angry, and he angrily said: "Bill Walton is a big mouth. He only praises his alumni Iron Fist. As a professional commentator, he is not qualified.
How could we possibly be swept away? This is absolutely impossible, I won't let it happen, absolutely not! "
"But now it's 0-2, and the next three games are the Pistons' three home games." The reporter said.
"So what? We will win at home and return to the home court with match point. Yes, we have a chance to do it." Barkley said in excitement, somewhat eloquently.
"You said we won three games in a row at the Palace of Auburn Hills? Did I hear you correctly?" The reporter's eyes lit up and he immediately asked.
Barkley said angrily: "You heard me right, don't we have that strength? We do. As long as we adjust our state, we can turn defeat into victory."
…
The Pistons have lost two consecutive away games. The first thing to change is ESPN's championship prediction probability.
Only fifteen minutes after the game ended, ESPN's data was adjusted. The Suns' original 51% was adjusted to 40%, and the Pistons were adjusted from 49% to 60%.
ESPN's attitude is also the attitude of other media across the United States. The media that were originally optimistic about the Suns have changed their tune.
"In the two finals, Barkley made 23 of 54 shots, a field goal percentage of 42.6%, and averaged 28 points and 11 rebounds per game. The Iron Fist made 30 of 46 shots, a field goal percentage of 65.2%, and averaged 40.5 points, 9.5 assists, and 6 steals per game. Both players The performance of the team's core determines their victory or defeat, and will also determine the championship." Los Angeles Daily.
"Iron Fist continuously played top offensive and defensive performances in the finals. Before the game, he said that he would prevent Barkley from winning the championship in his life. Although he was very arrogant and irrational, his performance made Barkley in the game. It’s ironic that the former mockery of him has turned into a mockery of Fliggy itself.” San Francisco Business Journal.
"Bill Walton said the Suns could get swept, and if that turns out to be the case, it would be a tragedy for Barkley." Philadelphia Daily News.
"Barkley promised to win three consecutive games on the road, and then complete the counterattack against the Pistons. If he can really do it, then his first career championship will be extremely valuable, and he will become Phoenix. hero, then his historical status in the NBA will be greatly enhanced." New York Times.
"The winner is not blamed. No matter what Iron Fist said before the game, as a winner, he said it made sense." Miami Daily.
In the restaurant of the hotel, Zhou Quan saw the content of the Miami Daily report and felt that he had seen the attitude of the American media towards him in the future. Once he failed to do what he said, once he lost, these media would definitely ridicule him crazily.
At this time, his thoughts were surprisingly similar to Jordan's, that is, only by winning continuously and winning a championship can the media be silenced.
At four or five o'clock in the afternoon, the Suns and Pistons arrived in Detroit one after another.
The Pistons won two consecutive away games and greatly increased their chances of winning the championship. They received a very warm welcome from the fans. The long motorcade blocked all roads from the airport to the city.
"Hey, Sir Charles, do you want to come down and join us in our celebration?"
"Phoenix Suns, thank you for giving us confidence."
"Barkley, thank the league for vetoing the trade. You must not come to Detroit."
The Suns' bus was also blocked and forced to participate in the celebrations of Pistons fans, and the Pistons fans kept irritating them with words, which made Barkley and the others very angry.
"We must kill them tomorrow night, otherwise I will lose twenty pounds." Barkley swore as the fans made his face tremble with anger.
Lightning nodded. He was a little irritated when he was stuck on the road. The key player was celebrating two consecutive victories. As losers, should they celebrate two consecutive losses?
On the 21st, the G3 game day of the finals.
At six o'clock in the afternoon, after training, Zhou Quan invited Zhang Li and the five of them to dinner in a restaurant at the Palace of Auburn Hills.
"Iron Fist, I'm a reporter from the Los Angeles Daily News. Can I be interviewed?"
At almost seven o'clock, when I came out of the restaurant, a reporter waiting outside immediately came up and asked.
"Two questions, I have to go back to the locker room."
"Thank you! So Iron Fist, what do you think are the chances of sweeping the Suns?"
"I saw the media reports. Bill just said it was possible. So of course I also hope to sweep my opponents. Who doesn't? But hope is just hope. I didn't actually consider the sweep. We still go step by step. Play games and win one game at a time until you beat your opponent. If we can sweep, that’s our luck, if not, that’s okay, we don’t feel sorry.”
"At the end of the season, will you choose to leave Detroit?"
"Sorry, that's not what I need to think about right now."
After the interview, Zhou Quan, Zhang Lili and others separated and went back to the locker room.
Back in the locker room, it was ten past seven, and the game started at half past eight. There was no rush, so I sat down to chat and eat.
The staff came over and started to tie a bandage on his foot. This thing can enhance the protection of the foot, especially the ankle joint.
Chuck Daly said: "Gentlemen, although we have completed two consecutive away games, we cannot be careless. The strength of the Suns is there. Their lineup is thicker than ours. We must be mentally prepared. "
Zhou Quan deeply believed that he was careless and lost Jingzhou, not to mention that the Suns team was so strong.
But three hours later, 91:105, the Pistons still lost the G3 game, and the score was 1 to 2 with the Suns.
Zhou Quan, who was in full form in the G2 game, performed abnormally. He made 6 of 16 shots, a field goal percentage of only 37.5%, 0 of 2 three-pointers, and 9 of 11 free throws. He scored 21 points, 4 rebounds, 11 assists, 2 steals, 4 turnovers, and 3 fouls. , only played 40 minutes.
Not only him, but his teammates also performed mediocrely. Only three people in the team scored in double figures.
The Suns' bench exploded, with seven players in double figures, and they defeated the Pistons with their strong lineup.
Barkley was in average form, shooting 8 of 19, 42.1% from the field, 1 of 4 three-pointers, 3 of 6 free throws, and scored 20 points and 15 rebounds.
Losing a home court and not getting a match point was disappointing for the Pistons, but Zhou Quan was well mentally prepared, and Joe Dumars, Rodman, and the Assassins were all veterans of the Finals, so the team was not No psychological problems occurred.
The Suns won the first away game, and the important thing was that they didn't let the Pistons get the match point, so they were very excited.
After the game, Barkley accepted an on-site interview.
"Charles, how much expectation do you have for the championship now?" the reporter asked.
"I have never had such strong expectations. For the first time, I feel that the championship is there and within my reach." He said very excitedly.
"Are you confident of winning the G4 game?" the reporter asked again.
He laughed and said: "After winning this game, our self-confidence has been through the roof. We will launch the fiercest attack in the G4 game. We can't wait."
"Can you still maintain your physical fitness?" the reporter asked again.
"Of course, we have enough physical strength to play another round of the series, yes, haha!"
…
The G4 game is on the 24th, with one more day off than the previous three games. This is good news for both sides, especially the Suns.
"Our counterattack has begun! The Phoenix Suns will be the one with the last laugh, and our light will shine on this league." Phoenix Sun.
Winning an away game has a great motivating effect on the Suns. The team's morale has increased significantly, and the Phoenix media has also reached a fever pitch.
On the 24th, the G4 game day.
At 8 p.m., both sides announced their starting lineups.
Suns: Mark West, Charles Barkley, Richard, Dan Mulley, Kevin Johnson
Pistons: Seikaly, Dennis Rodman, Mark Aguirre, Joe Dumars, Zhou Quan
In the ABC commentary box, Lewis Williams said with a smile: "The Pistons lost their first home court, and they must strive to win this second home court. Winning is the match point, which means that the championship is basically won.
For the Suns, this is also a game that cannot be lost. If they lose, the Pistons will still get the match point. If they lose, they will lose the entire season. If they lose, it means Barkley will lose his. Championship dream. "
Bill Walton said: "Tekken performed well in the G2 game, but not in the G3 game. His shooting was a bit poor, but he increased his breakthroughs and caused a lot of damage to the Suns. I don't know how he will play in this game.
In addition, Charles Barkley's performance, to be honest, his performance in the last game was similar to that of Iron Fist, not much better. "
Williams said: "We have more rest in the G4 game. I hope both sides will have a wonderful performance."
At 8:15, the starting lineup begins.
"Shh!"
The Suns came out and received the loudest boos from the Palace of Auburn Hills.
"Grand champion! Grand champion..."
When it came time to play at home, Pistons fans shouted out their expectations.
Jump ball, Suns offense.
"brush!"
On the left wing, Barkley received the ball one step away from the paint, arched it twice before turning over and shooting a jumper, hitting a mid-range shot over Rodman's head.
"Defense defend!"
After he succeeded, he shouted loudly and immediately ran to the backcourt.
"Charles is very positive!" Bill Walton laughed.
"He can't lose this game, he has to work hard," Williams said.
"boom!"
Zhou Quan quickly advanced to the top of the arc and made a sudden jump shot, but missed.
Halfway through the first quarter, at 15:11, the Pistons were 4 points behind at home.
Zhou Quan missed three shots in the opening game, which was the main reason why the team fell behind.
"The feel is still not good. I hope Zhou Quan can adjust as soon as possible." Zhang Lili said regretfully in the CCTV commentary box.
After halftime, Zhou Quan only made 4 of 12 shots from the field, and then 4 of 9 from the field. He missed a dunk once, missed a layup, and made 0 of 2 three-pointers.
However, at home, he took more free throws, took fewer outside shots, and made more breakthroughs with the ball. He made 6 of 8 free throws in the half and scored 14 points, 3 rebounds, 6 assists, 2 steals, 1 block, 3 turnovers and 1 foul in the half.
After halftime, 45:55, the Suns had a 10-point lead.
"After the G3 game, Iron Fist still feels bad today. Let's see how he performs in the second half." Bill Walton shook his head.
"I can't shoot well, but my organization and defense are pretty good," Williams said.
Bill Walton said: "Barkley was in great form today, making 9 of 14 shots and a shooting percentage of 64.3%. Rodman failed to guard him, making 2 of 5 three-pointers and 3 of 4 free throws. He made a blast at halftime. Scored 23 points and grabbed 8 rebounds, I’m going to explode today.”
Williams said: "Everyone has a chance to explode. It's Iron Fist. This time it's Barkley's turn, haha!"
(End of chapter)
