In the next game, Zhou Quan did not attack Mutombo again. After all, he is an honest man and he did not want to make the opponent look too ugly.
But facing Lauf, he didn't hold back. He overwhelmed the opponent on both offense and defense. In 36 minutes, he made 11 of 18 shots, a shooting percentage of 61.1%, 2 of 4 three-pointers, 4 of 4 free throws, and scored 28 goals. Points, 5 rebounds, 12 assists, 4 steals, 3 turnovers and 2 fouls.
In three games, he had a total of 39 assists and 12 turnovers, averaging 13 assists and 4 turnovers per game. His assist-to-turnover ratio was 3.25. His passing stability is still at an excellent level.
90:111, the rebuilt SuperSonics won three consecutive victories.
His style of play is no less enjoyable than last season. Although Rain Man's brutal dunks are missing, Zhou Quan often delivers explosive and gorgeous dunks, plus a series of wonderful goals and exciting fast breaks. Much to the satisfaction of Seattle fans.
Excluding the national live broadcast of the first game, the local viewership average reached 1.2 million people per game. One-third of the people in the metropolitan area watched these three games, far exceeding last season.
This ratings is only lower than the NFL's Seahawks among the ratings of professional teams in Seattle's four major sports leagues, ranking second.
This makes the management very happy and full of confidence in the operation of this season.
High ratings and the league's second-highest number of live broadcasts across the country mean high exposure, and this has already begun to bring benefits to the Sonics. Several major sponsors have come to the door, and Seattle has no shortage of major sponsors.
Zhou Quan is also very satisfied with the team's performance. In the three games, he averaged 121 points per game and conceded 97.7 points per game. He currently ranks first in the league in points scored and tied for 10th in points conceded with the Jazz.
On the morning of the 10th, he analyzed the defense this season.
Obviously, only 3 teams conceded less than 100 points per game last season, but there are 10 this season, and the league's defensive intensity is stronger than last season.
The Sonics' defense is already very good, but it only ranks 10th in the league and only tied for 4th in the Western Conference with the Jazz.
But with the current lineup, he believes there is still potential to be tapped on the defensive end. As long as they continue to work together, they will lose fewer points.
On the 11th and 13th, the SuperSonics defeated the visiting Cavaliers and Hawks at home, winning five consecutive games.
After five consecutive wins at the start of the season, no media said that the SuperSonics deal failed, and the Pistons also achieved a record of 4 wins and 1 loss. The media only said that Zhou Quan's trade was a win-win for both the Pistons and the SuperSonics.
In these five games, Zhou Quan averaged 37.4 minutes per game, 10 of 18 field goals, a field goal percentage of 55.5%, 1.33 of 3 three-pointers, a field goal percentage of 44.4%, 4.67 of 5 free throws, a field goal percentage of 93.3%, and an average of 26 per game. Points, 4.6 rebounds, 13.6 assists, 4.2 steals, 1.4 blocks, 3.6 turnovers, 2.6 fouls, assist-to-turnover ratio of 3.78, and true shooting percentage of 64%.
At 10 a.m. on the 14th, the league announced the Player of the Week for the first week, which was given to Olajuwon.
Dameng averaged 30.3 points, 14 rebounds, 4.3 assists, 1 steal, 3.8 blocks, 4 turnovers and 3.8 fouls per game, with a shooting percentage of 61.7% and a true shooting percentage of 64%.
Then the MVP rankings for the first week were announced, with Zhou Quan ranked first, Jordan second, Olajuwon third, Ewing fourth, Barkley fifth, and Dominique Wilkins sixth.
Of course he is very happy to see his ranking. This is the first time in three seasons that he has topped the MVP rankings.
Then he received many congratulatory calls. The first caller was his agent Philip, who encouraged: "Come on, Zhou, you have the championship and FMVP, but you are missing an MVP. These three hard honors belong to superstars." Supporting honors, if you don’t collect these three honors, you can’t be called a true superstar.”
The Bulls he was more concerned about also had five consecutive wins at the beginning. Jordan averaged 31.4 points, 6.5 rebounds, 5.4 assists, 2.2 steals, 0.6 blocks, 2.4 turnovers and 2.4 fouls per game. His field goal percentage was 49% and his true shooting percentage was 55%. He was still playing well at the age of 30. Top offensive and defensive performance.
On this day, because the opponent in the next game was the Bulls, the media was very concerned about this game and made various predictions and analyses.
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar accepted an interview with the media, and his remarks immediately broke the news.
"Judging from their individual performances in the first week, both Jordan and Iron Fist were outstanding. This is undeniable."
"Judging from the team's record, they all have five wins from five games, and their leadership abilities are equally outstanding."
"Analyzing their efficiency on both offense and defense, in addition to slightly lower scoring, which is due to fewer shots, Iron Fist is even better than Jordan."
"Field shooting percentage, true shooting percentage, steals, blocks, defensive efficiency, offensive efficiency, except for rebounds which are not as good as Jordan's, Iron Fist has an overall advantage. As for organization and assists, Jordan and Iron Fist are not on the same level, and there is no need to discuss it."
"So I think the position of the current No. 1 player in the NBA should be re-discussed?"
These words are earth-shattering.
Jordan is no better than last season. Last season, because he had the opportunity to defend three consecutive championships and create a dynasty, the popularity was very high. If you want to wear the crown, you must bear its weight. In order to suck blood from him, the media targeted him crazily, but failed to defend the title. After that, Zhou Quan's popularity and influence rose rapidly, which helped him share a lot of media pressure. Therefore, this season's Jordan in the eyes of the media has become almost the same as before, and he has not been targeted much.
In addition, Zhou Quan is not an American, and it doesn’t matter if you argue with others. When competing with Jordan to be the number one active player, the attitude of both the media and the fans is naturally biased towards Jordan. When Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s words were reported by the media, not only did he speak Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, and even Zhou Quan, were immediately widely criticized and ridiculed.
Many media began to dig up dirt on Zhou Quan. From UCLA to the NBA, he also had a lot of dirt.
The most important thing is the issue of violence. There are many violent incidents on and off the field. In the past two seasons, he has made friends with two beautiful celebrities who have become his scandal. He also hooked up with Big Mouth and ruined his marriage. He said that he Looking for beauty in Hollywood, there is a problem with character.
During this day, from day to night, countless media outlets were reporting negative news about Zhou Quan.
Many stars in the league have stood up to refute Kareem Abdul-Jabbar's words.
Chamberlain accepted an interview with the media and said angrily: "Kareem went too far. He compared a 21-year-old player with the 30-year-old Jordan. This is wrong and unfair.
I even bet that when Iron Fist is 30 years old, he may only be able to stay on the bench. Such a person is not even a superstar, just a shooting star.
When we evaluate the number one active player, should we only look at one week's performance? No, we need to discuss whether their performance in recent seasons has been absolutely dominant.
In recent seasons, who can have Michael Jordan's absolute dominance over the entire league? No. Therefore, the issue of the first player in active service does not need to be discussed at all.
I think Kareem Abdul-Jabbar is just spreading fallacies for the sake of his alumni, I even think this is a conspiracy and they are secretly pushing something. "
Magic Johnson, who just took over the position of coach of the Lakers, also accepted an interview with the media and said: "It is still too early to discuss this issue. The most dominant person in the league is still Michael. Iron Fist still needs more seasons of performance. He is currently Not even a ruling alliance.
I think in three or five seasons, after Michael has aged and Iron Fist has become more mature and dominant, maybe it's time to discuss this issue.
But at the same time, there are others who are qualified to join the discussion of the first active player, such as Hakeem Olajuwon, and Iron Fist is not the only candidate. "
Gary Payton stood up and accepted the interview and directly mocked: "It's a ridiculous statement. There is not even a scoring champion, but there are people who want to be the number one active player. What does he think the number one active player is? He will never have the chance to become the active player in this life." The first person, I said so.”
Barkley said unhappily in an interview with the media: "It's too much. Michael is still the best person in this league. Iron Fist is a little complacent. Don't think that just one championship can make him the number one active player. He is still far away." Not nearly enough.”
Olajuwon said in an interview: "What does Iron Fist think is the No. 1 player in active service? Winning a championship and winning an FMVP is the No. 1 player in active service?
Ridiculous, he has to destroy the entire league. Just like Michael, he has dominated the league for a long time and even forced the league to change the rules. Otherwise, what qualifications does he have to be called the number one active player? "
"Senior Karim, are you trying to trick me on purpose?"
Zhou Quan only has one feeling, he has become Jordan last season.
He was also very helpless and asked his housekeeper, Ms. Merlin Wellington, to temporarily cancel her subscription to other newspapers except the local newspaper.
I don’t even watch TV. When I turn it on, it’s his news.
All landlines at home were unplugged, and external mobile phones were turned off.
…
On the 15th, the Chicago Bulls arrived in Seattle.
Jordan had not accepted an interview before. When he came out of the airport, a large number of reporters surrounded him and refused to let him leave, so he had to accept an interview.
"Michael, do you think Iron Fist is qualified to compete with you for the number one spot on active duty?" a reporter from the New York Times asked.
Jordan felt very comfortable, look, what I said was right, Iron Fist, now the pressure is on you.
He smiled and said: "This question is actually meaningless, because this is not what Iron Fist said, but what Kareem Abdul-Jabbar said."
“Whether it’s what Iron Fist said or not, Michael, you can discuss this issue,” the reporter said.
Jordan shook his head and smiled: "Sorry, I am the person involved and not suitable to discuss this issue."
"Michael, do you think it is Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Iron Fist who are secretly promoting this topic?" the reporter asked again.
Jordan smiled and said: "This conjecture is very interesting, but I don't know."
He didn't want to get burned, so he just let the media focus on Iron Fist and suck hard.
"Michael, are you confident in defeating this Sonics in tomorrow night's game?" a reporter from the Los Angeles Daily asked.
"I never lack confidence."
When talking about this, Jordan's eyes lit up and his fighting spirit emerged.
"Michael, are you more hostile to the Sonics than you are to the Pistons because of the Iron Fist?" a Seattle Times reporter asked.
Jordan sneered and said: "I have no hostility towards the SuperSonics. Iron Fist is just an opponent of mine. To me, he has no special meaning."
"Michael, in the first week's MVP rankings, Iron Fist is above you. Do you have any thoughts?" a reporter from the Seattle Post asked.
"No, I already have three MVP trophies. If he wants, I can give him one." Jordan said.
After being interviewed at the airport, the Bulls held a press conference in the hotel at the request of the media.
Jordan saw two acquaintances, Isiah Thomas and Bill Laimbeer. These two damn guys actually appeared at the press conference as ESPN reporters and were still in the front row.
He stared at the two of them fiercely and sat down.
"Isiah, ask him an embarrassing question." A fierce look flashed on Lambir's face, and he lowered his head and said.
"Of course." The assassin nodded quickly.
After taking pictures, enter the question and answer session.
Isiah Thomas and Laimbeer raised their hands repeatedly, but the host refused to turn over their cards. This made them so angry that they wanted to go up and fight Jordan.
Seeing that the press conference was almost over, Ranbir was so angry that he started to roll up his sleeves. The host knew not to completely anger this rich second generation, otherwise Ranbir would do anything, so he quickly turned over his cards.
Laimbir, who had a fierce look on his face, hummed twice, took the microphone handed over by the staff, and asked in a rough voice: "Mr. Michael Jordan, do you still have the confidence to overcome the Pistons?"
Jordan grunted angrily and said angrily: "I already blasted you in the 1991 Eastern Conference Finals. You are already in the past. Does this Pistons have anything to do with you now?"
Bill Laimbeer was so angry that a fierce look flashed on his face. He handed the microphone to Thomas and said, "Isiah, ask."
Thomas took the microphone and said coldly: "Michael, this Pistons really has nothing to do with us now, we have all retired.
But at least we made it to the Eastern Conference Finals in 1991. Did you make it to the Eastern Conference Finals this year? As the main player of the Pistons who eliminated you six months ago and interrupted your three consecutive championships, I think I am qualified to say this. Before I retire, I will be the sky above your head. "
Jordan's face was livid with anger, and he gritted his teeth and said: "That's just Tekken pitying you. Do you think you can decide anything? You averaged no ten points per game in that second round series."
"Oh, that means that the Iron Fist is the sky above your head?" Thomas was not moved by Jordan's sarcasm at all and immediately made sarcasm.
"snort!"
Jordan was so angry that he snorted: "He? I will kill him this season, starting from tomorrow night's game."
"You can't guard against his attack, let alone his pass. I don't know how you can kill him." The assassin said sarcastically.
At this time, the host of the Bulls press conference finally couldn't bear it anymore and signaled the staff to go up and take away the microphone from the assassin's hand.
After the press conference, a cruel smile flashed across Ranbir's face, but he said: "Isiah, we won't give him the camera for tomorrow night's live broadcast."
Isiah Thomas said hurriedly: "That won't work, the cameraman won't listen to us, ESPN will also find us in trouble, and maybe they will fire us."
"What are you afraid of? You're just so afraid of this and that. At worst, we won't be in this business anymore." Ranbir said dissatisfied.
Thomas said helplessly: "Bill, I am different from you. I have to make money to live a good life. How about you give me half of the family property?"
"Go away! Hey, Isiah, you actually want to share my property. Are you my father's illegitimate son?"
"Bill, do you believe I will kill you?"
"You can't beat me."
"Let's go, I'll take you to interview Iron Fist."
"Then I'd rather resign now."
"Bill, don't be like this. Iron Fist is a nice person and very loyal."
"The teeth he knocked out will never grow back, and the face he knocked out will never come back to my face."
"Who told you to say he is Japanese?"
"I'm so angry! Damn it, didn't I do it for you?"
…
(End of chapter)
