Zhou Quan made 12 of 17 shots from the field. Facing the weak Lakers, his shooting rate was as high as 70.6%. He made 0 of 1 three-pointers, 6 of 7 fast breaks, and 3 of 6 outside jumpers. He scored 4 points with the ball. He made 3 shots, plus 5 of 5 free throws, scoring 29 points, 4 rebounds, 12 assists, 6 steals, 2 blocks, 5 turnovers and 2 fouls.
Bill Walton praised: "Super high efficiency, Tie Fist's performance in the new season is very exciting. What is particularly eye-catching is that tonight he made a total of eight no-look passes and made two mistakes. This is OK." Forgive me, after all we just played together."
"It's safe to say that the no-look pass will become a regular part of the Iron Fist's passing game," Williams said.
"Yes."
Bill Walton nodded and added: "Although Iron Fist made 5 turnovers tonight, he sent out 12 assists in 31 minutes. His passing allowed a total of seven players on the team to score in double figures, and all five starters scored. In double figures, even Rodman scored 13 points, showing strong organizational and assisting abilities, and he activated the offense of all his teammates."
Williams said: "Last season, the SuperSonics ranked fourth in the Western Conference and fifth in the league in scoring per game in the regular season, with 108.3 points. They had very strong firepower. It seems that the Iron Fist SuperSonics' offensive firepower is also very fierce. "
Bill Walton said: "Last season, the SuperSonics averaged 101.3 points per game, ranking second in the Western Conference and fifth in the league. It can be said that they are both good at offense and defense. It is no wonder that they can reach the Western Conference Finals.
But I believe the Sonics will be better this season. Among the five new starters, Iron Fist and Rodman are on the defensive team. Kendall Gill, Perkins, and Schrempf are also good defensively. The defense should be only slightly better than last season's starting lineup.
On the offensive end, with Iron Fist, a superstar who can stand up at critical moments, I think this Sonics will definitely go further in the crucial playoffs. "
Williams added: "Tonight's SuperSonics are still a team with extremely sharp fast breaks and fierce defensive attacks. They are still a team full of blood and passion.
But at the same time, we also need to see the changes in this team. Tekken still plays with the ball as a core player. He controls the ball when he is on the court, and 80% of the offense is initiated by him. This is completely different from last season. , last season the gloves did not occupy the ball, and the ball moved a lot, but now the iron fist controls everything. "
Bill Walton said with a smile: "So Tekken's performance will determine the upper limit of this team. How high he can fly will determine how high the ball can fly. At the same time, his existence, I think, also determines the upper limit of this team." The team’s lower limit.”
Williams laughed: "It seems that George Karl made a compromise because of the arrival of Iron Fist. This tactic is not his style at all."
"Iron Fist is not a small role. Mr. George Carle must either make changes or leave. He only has the opportunity to choose one of the two." Bill Walton laughed.
"No head coach is willing to give up the opportunity to coach Iron Fist easily, unless he is a fool." Williams laughed.
He led the team to defeat the Lakers and got off to a good start, and it was a big victory. Zhou Quan performed very well, and he had 8 dunks in the game, which was very enjoyable to watch. At the end of the game, he won the praise of all the fans. Cheers.
After the game, he accepted a live interview with ABC TV.
"Iron Fist, congratulations to you. You still played a top offensive and defensive performance tonight, and your debut in SuperSonics was very successful." The reporter said with a smile.
"Thanks."
Zhou Quan asked curiously: "How are our ratings tonight? I hope it's good."
When the reporter heard this, he was very happy and said: "Great, more than 7.8 million people watched this game tonight, which is higher than in ordinary playoffs.
To know that there are 13 openers tonight, as well as other league and NCAA games, this is great, even higher than the average viewership of the Sonics in the playoffs last season. "
"Oh, how many were they last season?" Zhou Quan asked.
The reporter said: "Last season, the league-wide regular season viewership was 1.08 million, and the SuperSonics' rating was 950,000, which is lower than the league average. The average viewership of the three-round SuperSonics playoff series was 4.26 million."
Last season, the SuperSonics had only 17 live broadcasts across the United States, and the nationwide ratings were not high enough. Even in the Seattle metropolitan area, which has a population of several million people, because there are other professional teams here, it is not high enough. "
Zhou Quan nodded happily. Of course he knew that it was impossible for every game to have such high ratings. Tonight was the opening game and it was broadcast live across the United States. That’s why it was so high. If there was no live broadcast across the United States, one game would have 1.5 million viewers. Ratings, even if it is very successful, are far higher than last season.
"7.8 million? Oh, Iron Fist is great!"
At this time, Ballmer also got the ratings data and was very happy. This was the first regular season rating in SuperSonics history.
He invested in the Sonics. Unlike his former boss Ackerley, he had the same interests as Paul Allen and hoped to win a championship. Making money was not among his considerations.
But if you can make money while competing for the championship, then why not?
“How many bulls?”
he asked his personal assistant, Chelsea Locke.
"990, Michael Jordan is indeed the most popular, which is higher than the average ratings of the Western Conference Finals last season. But our ratings tonight are the second highest in the league," Locke said.
Ballmer shrugged his shoulders and smiled with satisfaction: "With the influence of basketball, boxing and golf, Iron Fist's popularity is already very good. After all, he is not an American, and this is only his third season."
At this time, Cheslok suddenly pointed up and whispered: "Sir, I just heard the news. Iron Fist complained that this arena is too dilapidated and should be renovated."
Ballmer couldn't help but look above his head, smacked his lips, nodded and said: "Not only does he think it's broken, I also think it's broken. This arena is not worthy of the 7.8 million ratings."
Locke smiled and said: "If this place can accommodate 20,000 people, as long as the attendance is guaranteed, the team's operating income should increase significantly."
…
The SuperSonics' post-game press conference was packed with people.
Zhou Quan, Rodman, and Schrempf, these three All-Stars attended the press conference.
"Crack, click, click..."
Zhou Quan put on a stylish casual suit without a tie and accepted the baptism of media cameras with a smile.
"Iron Fist, have you developed the ability to pass the ball without looking at people?" The first reporter who was flipped by the host was a reporter from the New York Times.
Zhou Quan smiled and said: "Yes, I am developing this technology. But there are a lot of mistakes, and we need more tacit cooperation."
"Will you compete for the scoring title and MVP this season?" the reporter asked again.
Zhou Quan smiled and said: "Who doesn't want MVP? But the honor of scoring champion is not very attractive to me. I hope to defend the assist champion and steal champion."
The second questioner was a reporter from the Washington Post. The host gave the first two questions to these influential world-class media.
The reporter was asking George Karl: "Coach Karl, I saw that in this game, Iron Fist played with the ball and the core. This is completely opposite to your style. Did you make a compromise?"
George Karl said calmly: "This is not a compromise. It has nothing to do with compromise. This is to make tactical adjustments based on the technical characteristics of the players and the team's lineup. This is the job of the head coach. If I don't even have this ability, How to be a head coach?”
Next it was the turn of the local media. The third one was a reporter from the Seattle Post. He asked: "Iron Fist, we got the news that the ratings of this game were as high as 7.8 million, far exceeding the Sonics' single record in the regular season last season." The highest audience rating of the show was 2.9 million.
At the same time, the number of live broadcasts across the United States this season has increased from 17 to 36, which is also the highest number in the history of the SuperSonics.
Then we will analyze based on these data. With your arrival, because of your influence, we believe that the SuperSonics' market will see a sharp rise this season. Do you agree with our prediction? "
Zhou Quan pondered for a moment and then said: "I hope your prediction is right. The SuperSonics' market last season was considered fourth-tier, right?"
"Yes, when the record was bad in the past, we were in the fifth tier, which was the worst. Last season, we were in the fourth tier. Fortunately, we made it to the Western Conference Finals and the team made a small profit." The reporter laughed.
Zhou Quan smiled and said: "Then I hope we can reach the Western Conference Finals this season so that the team can make more money. Make more money and then invest in renovating this arena."
"Ha ha……"
Hearing Zhou Quan's teasing, the local reporters below laughed.
The reporter reminded: "Tekken, this arena belongs to the city government, and the team has no right to decorate it."
Zhou Quan smiled and said: "Then we will use our performance to make the city government change its mind and make them support us even more."
…
Late at night, Zhou Quan drove his Ferrari sports car along the canal toward Lake Washington.
This canal passing through the city center connects Lake Washington to the east of Seattle and Puget Sound to the west. Along the way, you can see many sailboats and yachts parked along the river, as well as many camping tents.
His villa is on the west bank of the lake. There is no need to cross the bridge. It takes more than 40 minutes to go from the central stadium to the villa at a speed of 50 kilometers per hour.
There are three floating bridges in Lake Washington. When you drive along the lake, you will see one of them. On the opposite side of the bridge is Mercer Island.
That's where the top rich live. Bill Gates and Ballmer have villas there. He doesn't have the financial strength to live there yet. Any villa on the island costs tens of millions of dollars, and the annual property tax is A lot of money.
The current national average property tax is as high as 1.3%, which is 1.3% of the property value, not the transaction price. Seattle is not bad, only 0.65%, which varies from state to state.
His current villa has to pay more than 20,000 US dollars in real estate taxes every year. Plus insurance and ordinary maintenance fees, the annual hidden cost is about 100,000 to 150,000 US dollars, reaching 3 to 3% of the property value. Between five.
The next morning, Zhou Quan went for a run along the lake, something he couldn't do in Detroit, where he could only stay at home or do some activities in the community.
There is only one villa far away from the lake, which is scattered widely. Most of the villas have private docks where yachts and sailboats are parked.
But there are no fish in this lake because the water is too clear.
"Thanks!"
When I came back from running, I took in the delivered newspaper. After taking a shower, the chef had already prepared breakfast.
"In 38 minutes, 28 points, 7 rebounds, 9 assists, 2 steals and 2 turnovers, shooting 51%..."
I found the news about the Bulls and took a look. The Bulls defeated the Hornets in an away game. Jordan's personal data was good, but he certainly did not perform at his full capacity.
He flipped through the news about the Detroit Pistons again. They beat the Timberwolves at home, 101:135. It was a wild victory.
Kemp broke out and scored 34 points with a shooting percentage of 60%. Ricky Pierce scored 26 points, Joe Dumars scored 21 points, Gary Payton scored 20 points, and Sekali scored 15 points. Five Pistons scored in double figures, and four others scored. 20+.
"The Timberwolves are so unlucky!" he sighed.
After flipping through a stack of newspapers, the media's evaluation of the new Sonics and new Pistons was pretty good.
For example, the NBA editor-in-chief of the Miami Daily and the famous NBA commentator Max Logger said in a commentary article:
"Judging from the first game, the deal regarding Iron Fist should be a win-win situation. The Pistons avoided Iron Fist's super contract and effectively reduced operating costs, which is in line with Detroit's declining market.
The SuperSonics have Tekken, the FMVP, and equipped with a good lineup. With Tekken's leadership ability, they should be able to make a difference in the new season.
But both teams are almost rebuilt, and they need a lot of running-in time, so I don’t think they should be given more pressure, they should be given time to grow. If they can reach the second round of the playoffs, I think It's successful. "
New commentators Isaiah Thomas and Bill Laimbeer, who were just signed by ESPN, commented on the Pistons' opening game. They both accepted interviews with the media and gave their own evaluations of the new Pistons and the new SuperSonics.
Isiah Thomas said: "This Pistons is very good, full of energy, whether it is analyzed in terms of offense, defense, organization, etc., I think it is not even worse than when Iron Fist was there.
The new Sonics are also very good, and Iron Fist is still so good. I heard that he has also developed the technology of passing the ball without looking at people, which shows that he is still improving.
I think these two teams are both in the first tier. I think they both have a chance to reach the finals and hit the championship. "
Bill Laimbeer said: "The Pistons' transaction is undoubtedly a success, and they have the strength to defend the championship this season. As for the SuperSonics, that bastard Iron Fist will definitely fail. I bet a dollar."
"That guy Ranbir, he probably won't get into the boxing ring with me. It seems like he won't be able to apply for a boxing license. What a pity! I can't beat him openly."
Zhou Quan put down the newspaper and muttered.
…
At noon on the 7th, Zhou Quan rushed to the headquarters with his luggage and rushed to the away game with the team.
This time there is only one away game, against the Jazz, and then five home games.
The Jazz this season are listed as a third-tier team by most media, but some media also list them as a second-tier team.
The second-tier teams, that is, the ones that make it to the second round, have a lot of offense and even have a chance to reach the Eastern and Western Conference finals.
The third-tier teams, ordinary playoff teams, basically only have the strength to make it out of the first round of the playoffs.
Some media also list the SuperSonics as a second-tier team, such as ESPN, so in this game, some media believe that the Jazz have a high chance of winning.
The NBA channel of ESPN TV predicted this game in its program: "The SuperSonics do not have a big advantage over the Jazz. Although the Iron Fist has an advantage on the outside, the Postman can beat it inside, so the winner or loser of this game Fifty-fifty.”
Zhou Quan sneered at this statement. As long as he locked up Stockton, it would be difficult for the postman to connect the ball. Would the win be 50-50? There are four regular season games with the Jazz this season. If the Jazz win one, they will be considered good.
That night, the Lakers lost their second consecutive game, and then the management announced a change of head coach. Magic Johnson took over and became the new head coach.
(End of chapter)
