16th night, Seattle Center Arena.
The average ticket price for this game was 260% of the Sonics' previous home game, but it was still full.
During the offseason, some management did not want to trade Zhou Quan. There are two main reasons. One is that they do not want to rebuild, and the other is that they are afraid of affecting the basketball market that has improved due to Rainman. But now this part of the management is not worried about this at all. It's two o'clock.
Although the current record has only played five games, there are also playoff teams like the Jazz, and the SuperSonics still easily defeated their opponents. This fully illustrates Zhou Quan's personal strength and team leadership ability.
The first and most intuitive manifestation of Zhou Quan's role in the SuperSonics market is the league's second-largest number of national live broadcasts. For this reason, the deal is worth it.
Then the average ticket price, season ticket sales, and attendance are all better than last season, further proving that the deal is correct.
This part of the management admitted from the bottom of their hearts that they underestimated Zhou Quan's influence and popularity, and underestimated the role of a FMVP superstar on the team.
At eight o'clock, the two teams announced their starting lineups.
Bulls: Cart White, Horace Grant, Scottie Pippen, Michael Jordan, B.J. Armstrong
SuperSonics: Sam Perkins, Rodman, Schrempf, Kendall Gill, Zhou Quan
CCTV broadcast the game live, and hundreds of TV stations, large and small, around the world also purchased satellite broadcast signals for the game.
ESPN broadcast the game live across the United States, and the commentators were Isiah Thomas and Bill Laimbeer, the two players newly recruited by the station.
After getting the starting list, the assassin said: "The Bulls' starting lineup this season is still the same as last season. The lineup is aging and has lost its competitiveness among the first-tier teams. It will be very difficult for the Bulls to win the championship again.
On the other hand, other first-tier teams, including the Sonics and Pistons, are very young and full of energy. This is completely opposite to the Bulls. I am more optimistic about these teams. "
Bill Laimbeer immediately echoed: "Yes, the Bulls were stepped into hell by the Pistons again, and it will be difficult to get up again.
But the Sonics are just like that. There is not even a single person over 210 centimeters tall on the team. What kind of basketball are they playing with a bunch of dwarfs? "
The assassin hurriedly responded: "That's not true. The No. 23 pick in the first round this year, Earvin Johnson, is 211 centimeters, which is more than the 210 centimeters you mentioned. By the way, why is he called this name? It's so weird. !”
Ranbir nodded and said, "I also think this name is weird."
"I'm afraid these two guys' jobs won't last long." Zhou Quan said with a smile in the home team's locker room.
Rodman said with a smile: "Fans of Jordan and Magic will scold them to death."
In the CCTV commentary box, Sun Zhenping analyzed: "The Bulls' main lineup has not changed this season, and the bench lineup has been changed, including Steve Kerr, a guard who shoots accurately.
In addition, Toni Kukoc, a 208-centimeter forward player from Yugoslavia whom the Bulls selected with the second overall pick in the second round of 1990, was three years late and finally came to the NBA this time.
This player is known as the Europa Magic. He was the World Championship champion in 1990 and the Olympic silver medal last year. He is very good and can shoot without any blind spots. He is very famous in Europe. "
Zhang Li said with a smile: "The Bulls' bench has been strengthened a lot and is definitely stronger than last season. In the first five games, Toni Kukoc and Steve Kerr were the Bulls' fourth and fifth scoring points respectively. The time has reached 25 minutes, and he is a very important rotation member of the Bulls.
In addition, the Bulls also brought in a backup center, Bill Wennington, to further strengthen the bench lineup. "
At this time, in the player tunnel, the two teams started to meet.
When Jordan saw Zhou Quan, he was not eager to pounce on him and take a bite like before. He even nodded as a greeting.
Zhou Quan smiled and said: "Flying Master, is it fun to travel around the world?"
"Not bad." Jordan said.
"Can I train on the ship?" Zhou Quan asked.
Jordan nodded and said: "The most luxurious cruise ship has everything on it and is very well-equipped. It is like a city floating on the sea, and basketball games can be held on it."
"Then I'm going to try it too." Zhou Quan smiled.
Jordan suddenly said: "Iron Fist, you'd better reach the championship this season."
The smile on Zhou Quan's face became brighter and he said: "So, you want me to kill your friends Barkley and Olajuwon? As friends, don't you want to see them reach the finals?"
Jordan's face twitched and he cursed: "Iron Fist, you are such a hypocrite. Don't sow discord between me and them. My relationship with them is very stable."
"The iron triangle is indeed very stable. The three of you can be said to be in love as strong as gold." Zhou Quan said with a look of approval.
"..."
Jordan was confused, what kind of bullshit is this?
"Ha ha……"
Rodman laughed heartily.
Cobra Grant also laughed, and he felt very happy when he saw Zhou Quan teasing Jordan.
…
At half past eight, the game starts.
The Sonics lost another jump ball and the Bulls attacked.
Rodman sat at the basket against Carter White, while Perkins followed Grant and ran around outside.
Schrempf played against Pippen, Zhou Quan followed Jordan, and Kendall Gill played against BJ.
On the first goal, Michael Jordan used Grant's pick-and-roll on the right wing to get rid of Zhou Quan, and immediately made a jump shot after receiving the ball.
"brush!"
The water splashed and hit two points from far away.
"The pace is so fast. There is no adjustment after catching the ball. It doesn't give Zhou Quan any chance to defend." Sun Zhenping said.
"He adjusts his posture in the air. There is no way you can guard against this kind of ball. His failure to make the shot is a matter of his touch and has nothing to do with the opponent's defense."
After saying this, Zhang Lili sighed: "His skills are so comprehensive, and as he gets more experience, his skills are getting better and better.
And his physical fitness still looks as good as before. At the age of 30, there is no sign of decline. "
"A character who appears every few decades." Sun Zhenping also sighed.
Zhang Lijia said with admiration: "A person like this has been practicing extra hard throughout the offseason and traveling around the world with his family. If he doesn't succeed, there will be no justice."
Sun Zhenping suddenly said excitedly: "Fortunately, we also have people like this, and Zhou Quan also works very hard."
"Yep."
Zhang Lili immediately echoed excitedly.
At this time, Zhou Quan began to use Kendall Gill's pick-and-roll on the right wing to break through with the ball and break through from the outside.
The quality of the pick and roll this time was good, and he got the opportunity to play BJ in isolation.
Although everyone is a point guard, if he plays BJ, it is an absolute mismatch.
BJ quickly changed defense, trying to keep up with Zhou Quan who was about to break through.
But Zhou Quan used his strength to speed up,
When he took a step forward, his left shoulder came into contact with BJ's chest.
In an instant, the 79-kg BJ was directly bounced away by the 92-kg Zhou Quan and almost fell to the ground.
"brush!"
The next moment, when Jordan and Grant were about to pounce, Zhou Quan made an emergency jump shot and hit one.
"Open? Hit!"
On-site commentator Henem Chrisman shouted excitedly.
Partner Mike Jim smiled and said: "If there were no other people, Iron Fist could have dragged BJ into the penalty area just now."
"Haha..." The two laughed.
In the ESPN commentary box, the assassin said: "When I came on to commentate on the SuperSonics game, I felt that Iron Fist's speed seemed to be a little faster than last season. I don't know if it was an illusion."
"Of course it's your misunderstanding. He is 21 years old, and his physical fitness has reached his ceiling now." Laimbeer said angrily.
Jordan and Grant once again ran a pick-and-roll on the right wing, but this time Kendall Gill defended BJ very well. He almost succeeded in stealing the ball based on prediction. BJ finally regained the ball, and the open space Jordan got was long gone.
Kendall Gill's height is 196 centimeters, weight is 88 kilograms, and BJ is 188 centimeters. He has an advantage in movement. Jordan has no chance for the time being. He started to break through with the ball, pretending to make a breakthrough, and breaking through from the right side.
Kendall Gill was not slow, turned around to follow, stuck to BJ's left side, and pushed him to the right.
Zhou Quan quickly moved two steps and formed a pincer attack on BJ with Kendall Gill at the right elbow area.
BJ could only distribute the ball, and after an emergency stop, he combined the ball and prepared to distribute the ball to Jordan.
"here."
After Zhou Quan flanked BJ, Jordan immediately ran outside the three-point line, preparing to respond. At this time, he was open.
"Snapped!"
BJ pushed the ball toward Jordan with both hands. Zhou Quan, who reacted quickly, quickly took a step upwards, stretched out his left arm, and used his big hand to intercept the ball in an instant, and then launched a counterattack.
When Jordan saw it, he quickly turned around and started to defend before Zhou Quan.
"Steal the ball, Iron Fist intercepted BJ's pass to Jordan." The assassin shouted excitedly.
"Didn't this guy gain two kilograms in weight? How come he's so fast?"
While running in front, Jordan looked back to observe Zhou Quan's position, only to find that Zhou Quan was holding the ball faster than he was running on empty and was catching up to him.
This discovery was a shock to him.
Zhou Quan ran after Jordan, not giving his opponent a chance to turn around. When he reached the left three-point line, he broke through a change of direction, entered the penalty area from the right end of the free throw line, and then took off.
Jordan jumped from the left side and crossed Zhou Quan's body to block the shot, but was blocked by Zhou Quan's left elbow. This was exactly what he wanted. Since he couldn't block the shot, he used aerial confrontation to affect Zhou Quan's dunk.
The mid-air confrontation happened instantly, and Zhou Quan's body couldn't help being knocked slightly outward.
But at this moment, the powerful resistance ability was reflected. At the moment when he was knocked sideways, the powerful core strength exploded, and the balance was restored in an instant.
The next moment, his precise striking ability was reflected. The moment he held the ball and slashed down, he slightly adjusted the angle and continued to smash the ball towards the Bulls' basket.
All this happened in an instant.
"boom!"
The next moment, the basket shook violently.
"Oh ho!"
The Central Sports Arena was filled with excitement, and tens of thousands of people raised their arms and cheered wildly.
"Beautiful! Very beautiful!"
The assassin continuously praised and said excitedly: "Iron Fist is obviously faster than Jordan. His speed prevents Jordan from guarding his right side with the ball."
Laimbeer wanted to say that dog bites dog, but forget it, he thought to himself, I am the commentator now, don't ruin Isiah's job because of me, so he said: "Obviously, Michael Jordan is old, and The guy from Iron Fist just made extra moves in the air, so you can call him an offensive foul..."
"Ahem..."
The assassin quickly interrupted Ranbir's words with a cough, earning a dissatisfied look from Ranbir.
Looking back, Jordan and BJ started a pick-and-roll. After receiving the ball, he immediately pulled away and singled out Kendall Gill. He shook his opponent with a tentative step, then rushed in and made a pull-up jump shot, hitting a goal.
Zhang Lili smiled and said: "Thousands of defenses are not as good as a pick-and-roll."
Sun Zhenping said: "Coach Zhang, the Jazz's pick-and-roll tactics are the best, why can't they beat the Sonics?"
Zhang Lili explained: "This is related to Zhou Quan's defensive tactics of not changing defense and guarding John Stockton.
Even if Stockton can temporarily get rid of Zhou Quan through the pick-and-roll, it is impossible for him to get a big open space, and his finishing ability is limited. Unless one day his touch breaks out, it will be difficult for him to take advantage of Zhou Quan. "
Sun Zhenping nodded and said: "The Bulls are different. After the pick-and-roll, Jordan catches the ball. His finishing ability ranks first in the league, even in history, so the pick-and-roll effect is very good."
Zhang Lianda said: "Zhou Quan can give John Stockton a small space, but he cannot give Jordan a small space. That is to give Jordan points. Jordan gets a small space and can even make nine out of ten shots.
So once the Bulls' pick-and-roll quality is good, Zhou Quan will have to switch defenses, otherwise it will leave a small gap for Jordan.
And once the defense is switched, who will Jordan not take advantage of? This is also the reason why Zhou Quan can't guard Jordan, because Jordan is not alone.
Of course, the opposite is also true. Jordan can't guard Zhou Quan. The same reason is true. When the two of them actually face-to-face, there are only a few. They all use pick-and-rolls to get rid of each other, which saves energy and is more efficient. "
In this game, the two sides fought until the final quarter to decide the victory, 107:101. In the end, the Bulls defeated the SuperSonics away from home.
The main reason is too many turnovers. Under the Bulls' strong perimeter defense, the Sonics committed as many as 21 turnovers while the Bulls only made 13.
The performance of Bulls substitute Toni Kukoc was also impressive. He made 9 of 12 shots and 2 of 2 three-pointers. He scored 20 points in 23 minutes.
Jordan made 12 of 25 shots, 48% from the field, 1 of 3 three-pointers, 6 of 8 free throws, 31 points, 8 rebounds, 8 assists, 2 steals, 1 block, 2 turnovers and 3 fouls in 42 minutes.
Zhou Quan was in average form. In 41 minutes, he made 9 of 20 shots, 45% from the field, 0 of 3 3-pointers, 5 of 6 free throws, 23 points, 4 rebounds, 12 assists, 3 steals, 4 turnovers, and 3 fouls.
Rodman only played 26 minutes because of a back injury. He only grabbed 7 rebounds when he came off the court. Rebounds were also one of the key reasons for the Sonics' loss.
In addition, the Bulls' perimeter defense also prevented the Sonics from playing well on the fast break.
Jordan was very happy to win the game and accepted a live interview with ESPN on the sidelines after the game.
"Michael, does it mean anything special to you when you beat Iron Fist for the first time after the second round of the series?" the reporter asked.
"NO, it's just an ordinary regular season game." Jordan immediately denied it.
"So do you think this Sonics can pose a threat to the Bulls?" the reporter asked again.
Jordan knew in his heart that one regular season game could not explain the problem at all. His condition tonight remained at a normal level, but Iron Fist's condition was a little worse, and Rodman's condition was even worse. The Sonics were rebuilding again. Once they enter the playoffs Game, this Sonics will definitely be stronger.
So he said: "There are definitely threats, but we are very strong. We have many strong points against this SuperSonics, and we are confident that we can solve them."
At this time, the Sonics had returned to the locker room, and George Karl was summarizing the game, mainly emphasizing the problem of too many turnovers.
For example, Schrempf, the main small forward who performed well in the previous games, made 5 turnovers against Pippen this time, made only 3 of 12 shots, and was defended and only scored 6 points.
Pippen performed very well in this game, especially on the defensive end. He sent 5 steals, 3 of which were stolen by Schrempf, two were steals in assist defense, and he also intercepted Zhou Quan once.
Zhou Quan's performance in this game was also justified. George Karl did not criticize him, but he made a self-summary and believed that organization and passing should be strengthened to activate the energy of his teammates as much as possible.
Especially when faced with the Bulls' level of defense, and I don't feel very good, if I don't activate my teammates, I will lose more than I win.
The next schedule continues. After 5 wins and 1 loss, the SuperSonics went on another winning streak. They first defeated the Mavericks at home, and then defeated three bad teams in the Warriors, Kings, and Timberwolves in six away games. They lost to the Cavaliers again, ending their winning streak.
On November 30, they defeated the Digital Team again in an away game, completing the first month of the schedule with 10 wins and 2 losses, with a winning rate of 83.3%, ranking second in the Western Conference, and tied for third in the league with the Pistons.
The Bulls have 11 wins and 1 loss, losing only one game to the Knicks, ranking second in the league.
The first place turned out to be Dameng’s Mosaic, which won 15 games in the first month.
In terms of MVP ranking, Zhou Quan was surpassed by Jordan in the second week. On December 1, the league announced the MVP ranking for the third week. Zhou Quan dropped to third, Jordan second, and Olajuwon third. one.
In the next 6 games, Zhou Quan intentionally increased his passing. With his now stronger passing ability, his average assists per game reached 14.5, ranking first in the league.
But his scoring dropped to 24 points per game, down two points from the first week.
The Sonics' scoring average dropped to 108.1 points per game, second in the league behind the Suns.
The points lost is 96.5, first in the Western Conference, and a little less than Mosaic's points lost.
The points allowed ranked fourth in the league. The Knicks in the Eastern Conference only allowed 91.5 points per game, the Bulls only 94.9 points, and the Hawks only 96.2 points.
(End of chapter)
