"This bastard, if it weren't for Iron Fist, he would be a rat being swept by Michael. He can't get up at all. What qualifications do you have to criticize me?"
At noon, Buckley accepted a phone interview from the reporter who was interviewing the assassin. He learned what the assassin said from the reporter's mouth and screamed with anger.
The interview between the two appeared on the New York TV sports news in the afternoon.
After the news came out, when some stars were interviewed by media reporters, many people talked about the news.
Zhou Quan accepted a TV interview with NBCA TV station and said: "Sir Charles does have some problems when it comes to his ability at critical moments. We can see it by looking at his performance in G3G4 of this series. Those two home games As long as he wins one, the Suns will not play tiebreaker now, and his performance in those two games was very poor, far inferior to the Lightning.
As for the Assassins, the feat of scoring 25 points in a single quarter over Magic in the finals is still a great performance that inspires me.
I bet that Barkley is likely to stretch his hips in the tiebreaker, and the possibility of the Suns reaching the Western Conference Finals will not exceed 30%."
"Iron Fist, you really piss me off!"
After Barkley saw Zhou Quan's interview on NBC TV News, he was so angry that he gritted his teeth, was so depressed that he wanted to commit suicide, and was so angry that he wanted to roar.
Zhang Lili and Sun Zhenping ran to Zhou Quan's villa and asked, "Xiao Zhou, aren't you afraid of angering Barkley and causing him to explode into a small universe?"
Zhou Quan smiled and said: "I just hope he can reach the Western Conference Finals. He is easier to deal with than Dameng, but I'm afraid he doesn't have the ability."
"Ha ha……"
Zhang and Sun burst into laughter immediately.
On May 21, the tiebreaker broke out.
As a result, Zhou Quan and the Assassins were right. Barkley did not break out and only played a mediocre performance. He made 9 of 19 shots, a shooting percentage of 47.4%, and only scored 24 points, 15 rebounds, 4 assists and 3 steals.
Dameng actually had an explosion, making 18 of 33 shots, a shooting percentage of 54.5%, and scored 37 points, 17 rebounds and 3 blocks.
And at the critical moment, when the main point guard Jet Smith did not perform well and only scored 4 points, 3 rebounds and 3 assists on 2 of 8 shots, a monster stood on the Mosaic bench, the No. 24 pick in the first round of 1993. Sam Cassel.
Substitute point guard Cassell came off the bench for 29 minutes and made 8 of 12 shots, with a shooting percentage of 66.7%. He contributed 22 points, 4 rebounds, 7 assists and 2 steals. He was the Mosaic team's second scoring point in the tiebreaker and helped Dameng won the tiebreaker.
After losing the tiebreaker and ending up in the second round, Barkley was completely devastated. Looking at the mosaic of players celebrating wildly, two lines of tears hung on his face. He couldn't wipe them clean, and his eyes turned into faucets.
"Charles, Iron Fist evaluated your key abilities yesterday. Do you agree with his evaluation of you?" A reporter came up for an interview and asked a question that made Buckley instantly furious.
"Get away!"
He pushed away reporters and rushed to the tunnel.
"Jazz, you were able to make it to the Finals last year, but you couldn't even make it to the Western Conference Finals this year. Why did you regress so fast? Are you past your prime?" the reporter caught up and asked again.
While walking quickly, almost trotting, Barkley said to the reporter angrily: "Ask Michael Jordan. He won the championship the year before last, two consecutive championships. Why couldn't he even make it to the Eastern Conference Finals last year? Ask him Why did he?"
The reporter was sprayed with saliva and stopped to wipe his face, but he was not angry, but had a smile on his face.
"Mr. Colangelo, Iron Fist said that the management may choose to trade Barkley. Are you interested in making a trade?"
At this time, a reporter was interviewing Jerry Colangelo, the owner and chairman of the Suns and the team's general manager, who was standing on the sidelines.
The team failed to advance to the Western Conference Finals. Colangelo was very disappointed, but he suppressed his disappointment and smiled: "Sorry, I have no idea of trading Charles. He is still our signature star. I believe in him."
The reporter asked again: "If the SuperSonics are willing to package Barkley and Kevin Johnson with an iron fist, will you agree?"
Colangelo was stunned. Is there such a good thing? I'll join the team immediately!
After laughing, he immediately shook his head and said: "NO, lightning is not for sale to us."
The reporter laughed. Lightning is not for sale, but what about flying pigs?
Dameng accepted an on-site interview after the game. The reporter asked: "Hakeem, how confident are you in playing the Western Conference Finals with the SuperSonics?"
Dameng was startled. He was still immersed in the joy of advancing to the tiebreaker, but this question made his mind a little confused.
After thinking for a moment, he said: "The size of the Atlantic Ocean is the size of my confidence."
"Hakim, your four regular season games were 2-2 and you have no advantage in the record. Why are you so confident?" the reporter asked.
Dameng said disdainfully: "It's just the regular season. I believe our lineup can restrain the Sonics."
"Do you want to say something to Barkley?" the reporter asked again.
"Charles, please show your face and come to watch me play in the Western Conference Finals. I will help you kill Iron Fist, I promise." Dameng said seriously while looking at the camera.
"snort!"
In the visiting team's locker room, Barkley was so angry that he would not watch the Western Conference Finals unless Dameng knelt in front of him, otherwise he would be a bastard.
The second rounds of all four groups are over, and the matchups in the Eastern and Western Finals are also out.
In the Eastern Conference Finals, the Bulls will face the Knicks. The former team has home court advantage and will start on May 23.
The Western Conference Finals, between the SuperSonics and Mosaic, will begin on May 24.
…
That night, half an hour after the tiebreaker ended, the press conference between Mosaic and the Suns had not yet begun. TNT, ESPN, NBC, ABC and other media announced the latest prediction data on winning chances, as well as data on the finals.
According to TNT's finals data, the Bulls' probability of reaching the finals is 60%, the Knicks' 40%, the SuperSonics' probability of reaching the finals is 51%, and the Mosaic's probability is 49%.
TNT's predicted winning probability data is: Bulls 35%, Knicks 18%, SuperSonics 25%, Mosaic 22%, Eastern Conference probability of winning 53%, Western Conference probability of winning 47%.
After the data was released, TNT also gave its own explanation.
"We are more optimistic about the Bulls winning the championship. There is only one reason. The Bulls have the most stable lineup, have the experience of two finals, and also have the current number one player Michael Jordan."
"As for the Sonics, although Iron Fist led the Pistons to defeat the Bulls last season, this Sonics team has not been trained in the finals. At the critical moment, we are more optimistic about the Bulls."
"The Knicks have the lowest chance of winning the championship among the four teams. It's not that we think they are the worst, but because they are playing the Eastern Conference Finals with the Bulls. In fact, we think the Knicks are by no means weaker than the SuperSonics. and mosaic.”
"Mosaic is very good, but the Sonics already have an advantage in terms of physical fitness, so we are more optimistic about the Sonics, but Mosaic has the dream of a super center, so we also think this team has great hope to create miracles."
ESPN is also more optimistic about the Bulls, and the data is more biased towards the Bulls.
…
The next day, Mosaic was praised by the media.
"A very resilient team, we are more optimistic about them reaching the finals." New York Times.
"A championship-level team born in desperate circumstances, even if they fail to win the championship this year, we believe they will definitely win the championship in the future." Washington Post.
“We have risen from the ashes.” Houston Chronicle.
In addition, the Los Angeles Daily broke a news that the Suns owner intends to package Barkley and Kevin Johnson to trade Weekly Rights.
As soon as the news came out, the Suns, who were still in the Houston hotel, suddenly became a little confused.
Barkley, who was eliminated, felt sad and didn't sleep much all night. After hearing the news in the morning, he was very angry. With two dark circles under his eyes, he dragged Kevin Johnson to the management and boss Colangelo to question them. It’s not about trading him and the Chargers.
Colangelo denied and reassured the two, and then immediately told the media through the media that the Suns had no plans to rebuild.
The Lightning is not too worried. Although he is not a rookie with the Suns, he was traded to the Suns during his rookie season. This is his home team and they will not trade him easily.
As for Barkley, despite Colangelo's assurance, he still felt a little uneasy.
At this time, Dameng suddenly called and invited him to watch the Western Conference Finals.
"Not going."
"Charles, do you really want to go fishing?"
"asshole!"
"Brother, you have to see with your own eyes how I kill Iron Fist, don't you want to?"
"Then, okay, I'll think about it."
"Brother, give me a call when you think about it."
"OK."
Just after hanging up the phone, Jordan called.
"Hey, Michael, don't invite me to watch the Eastern Conference Finals, I'm not in the mood." He said in a low voice.
"Eastern Conference Finals? Do you think I'm inviting you to watch the Eastern Conference Finals? You idiot!" Jordan's angry curse sounded on the other end of the phone.
Barkley was a little confused. What did he do to make him eliminated? It was enough not to comfort him, but he also called him to scold him?
"Fat pig, what are you talking about to reporters?" Jordan roared.
"What did I say?" Buckley was confused and said aggrievedly.
"You idiot!"
Jordan didn't bother to say more and hung up the phone after another curse.
"asshole!"
Confused, Barkley cursed. After being stunned for a moment, he muttered: "I want to watch the Western Conference Finals and see how that bastard Hasm defeated that bastard Iron Fist."
Then he called Dameng and asked him to prepare his own tickets.
"OK, great! Charles, the home tickets are guaranteed to me, and they will definitely be in the front row, but you have to ask the SuperSonics management for the away tickets. You have the face." Dameng fully agreed, but only half of it.
"..."
Buckley was stunned for a moment and cursed angrily: "Hakeem, you are as bastard as Michael."
Da Meng on the other end was startled and said in confusion: "Charles, what did I do, you scolded me?"
Barkley was too lazy to talk and was not in the mood. He hung up the phone and started contacting the SuperSonics management.
"Mr. Buckley? Oh, hello, what can I do for you?"
"That's right. I hope to watch the Western Conference Finals live. I hope the SuperSonics can prepare tickets for me. I wonder if they can accommodate my request?"
"Of course, SuperSonics welcomes superstars."
…
On this day, the media began to conduct various analyzes of the upcoming Eastern Conference and Western Conference finals, and major TV stations arranged several programs.
Based on the opinions of many media, among the four teams participating in the finals, the Bulls became the first favorite to win the championship.
Jordan and his team, the Bulls, can be said to be the winner, which makes Jordan very happy and excited. His fighting spirit is high and extremely high.
After winning two consecutive championships, he seemed to have become a public enemy of the league and the media, but now, he seems to have become the darling of the media again.
His agent David Falk analyzed this change for him. It was all because of three points. One is that the league needs him, the other is that the media needs him, and the third is that Iron Fist is not an American. Now someone needs to stand up and stop Iron Fist. To continue to win the championship, he is the best choice for these three needs and the only choice so far.
On May 23, at 1:30 noon, Mosaic arrived in Seattle and held a press conference at the hotel.
"Dameng, do you think your team's lineup can restrain the Sonics?" a reporter from the New York Times asked.
"Of course, there is no doubt about it." Dameng said extremely firmly.
"Are you sure that the advantage of the inside can make up for the disadvantage of the outside? Are you sure that your offense will not be strangled at the source by the iron fist?" The reporter asked again.
Dameng took a deep breath and still insisted: "We have Jet Kenny Smith, Maxwell, and Sam Cassel on the bench, and there are many people. Our perimeter is full of energy. He can't choke our offense."
"So do you think you can restrain Iron Fist?" the next reporter asked.
"It may be a little difficult, but we can beat them in the low post, and we can establish a greater advantage in the low post." Dameng said firmly.
This afternoon, the Sonics held a media conference at their headquarters at the request of the media after training.
"Iron Fist, Dameng believes that their low post advantage will be greater than your outside advantage. Do you agree with him?" a reporter from the New York Times asked.
"It's so difficult to win against the Suns. How did he have the confidence to say this?" Zhou Quan asked.
"Haha..." Rodman took the lead and laughed.
"Do you underestimate your opponents too much?" the reporter said.
Zhou Quan laughed and then said: "No, we never underestimate our opponents, we have only one attitude towards the game, play every game as the last game.
Our attitude towards Mosaic is to despise them strategically and value them tactically. No matter what opponent we encounter, we should have the strongest confidence in victory. "
"Iron Fist, Olajuwon said that he is very confident in reaching the finals, as big as the Atlantic Ocean. What do you think?" a reporter asked.
"Atlantic? No, doesn't he know that the Pacific is the biggest? If it were me, I would say how big the Pacific is, how confident I am."
…
That night, the Eastern Conference Finals began.
CCTV also broadcast the game live, and Zhang Liji and others had already arrived in Chicago.
With endless fighting spirit, Jordan scored 48 points, 8 rebounds, 10 assists, 4 steals, 2 blocks, 2 turnovers and 3 fouls. His shooting rate was as high as 62.5%. With the advantage of his home court, Jordan defeated the extremely powerful Knicks in one fell swoop and won the championship. Victory in the G1 battle.
"Time is also destiny!"
After the game, Zhang Liyi sighed: "The Knicks are really strong, but it's a pity that they met the Bulls. Jordan was stopped in the second round last year. He has accumulated too much desire to win. If he meets the gods, he will kill the gods. unbeatable."
Of course Zhou Quan watched this game, and the strength of Jordan and the Bulls set off a warning bell in his heart.
Obviously, this Bulls are stronger than last season, and the same is true for Jordan.
Jordan's athleticism this season is not necessarily better than last season, but his skills seem to be at his fingertips.
This technical level allows Jordan to take action calmly no matter what kind of double-team he is in, such as multiple double-teams, or what state his body is in, such as being unbalanced.
He is still a long way from this state. Not only does he still have many skills that are too low, but he also has not reached that comfortable state in terms of the connection of various technologies.
Jordan's offense was truly unstoppable, but he was far from that state. For example, after being trapped in a double-team, it is impossible for him to take action like Jordan did.
Fortunately, he can also pass the ball, which can greatly increase his threat.
…
(End of chapter)
