On the 24th, Zhang Lili and his team hurried back to Seattle to prepare for the live broadcast of the Western Conference Finals.
This is the last free season. The station has arranged a lot of broadcast time, not only to broadcast Zhou Quan's game, but also to broadcast Jordan's game. After the first two rounds of the series, the work intensity is several times that of the regular season. All five of them are Lost a lot of weight.
Zhou Quan finished the team training at five o'clock, and invited Zhang Liji and the five of them to dinner. The food was rich, so he gave them a good meal.
At 7 p.m., the Seattle Center Arena was already full.
Some media reporters were interviewing some stars and celebrities at the scene, as well as some fans.
"Hey Rambo, what do you most want to see tonight?"
"Oh, of course it's Tekken's boxing scene, haha! Well, I want to see Tekken's shot blocking the most. As a point guard, he actually scored 5*5. Although I'm not a basketball player, I know this. The difficulty of data.”
At eight o'clock, the two teams announced their starting lineups.
Mosaic: Olajuwon, Ostie Thorpe, Robert Horry, Vernon Maxwell, Kenny Smith
SuperSonics: Sam Perkins, Rodman, Schrempf, Kendall Gill, Zhou Quan
The Western Conference Finals series was broadcast live nationwide on NBC, with the commentators being Elgin Baylor and Oscar Robertson.
NBC also saw that several TV stations such as ESPN and TNT hired some retired superstars as commentators, and the results and responses were good, so before the playoffs started, they specially invited these two superstars.
Elgin Baylor is just a temporary guest. He has been the executive vice president of rebounding for the Clippers since 1986 and has now reached the position of chairman.
The same goes for Big O. He has his own manufacturing company and doesn't have that much time.
After getting the starting list, Elgin Baylor immediately said: "The starting lineups of both sides have not changed. Big O, in this Western Conference Finals, the media is not more optimistic about who is more optimistic. The SuperSonics' chance of reaching the finals is only a little higher. what you think?"
Big O smiled and said: "Mr. Baylor, I don't think either of these two teams has a better chance, just like most of the media.
After two consecutive losses at home, but finally completing the comeback in the second round series, Mosaic's resilience has been fully demonstrated, so in this Western Conference Finals, even if Mosaic loses two consecutive games on the road, I don't think anyone dares to say that they will lose. Yeah? "
Elgin Baylor laughed and nodded repeatedly: "Yes, that's it. So Mosaic's chances of winning the championship and reaching the finals are not much behind the SuperSonics. They are almost the same."
Big O added: "Both teams have their own advantages, one is inside and the other is outside. The attributes of the lineup are very restraints on each other. It is not a unilateral restraint, but a mutual restraint.
I think this series depends on their on-the-spot performance and tactical command. Whoever can play to their own advantages will have a greater chance. "
"So as a point guard, can you evaluate Iron Fist? You are absolutely qualified to evaluate him." Elgin Baylor asked with a smile.
Big O shook his head and said: "The first 5*5 in the playoffs, he played such data as a point guard, which amazed me.
And he was also very lucky. He won the championship in his second season. Now he has come to the SuperSonics and reached the Western Conference Finals again. It is amazing. I am very optimistic about his future. "
Speaking of the championship, this made Elgin Baylor very upset. As the king of bad luck, he regretted asking the Big O this question, but it was a pity that he regretted it too late.
At this time, in the player tunnel, Zhou Quan and Olajuwon stood opposite each other.
Zhou Quan suddenly said: "Dameng, you are very smart."
Olajuwon was startled. What do you mean? Are you trying to numb me? It's useless for you to praise me, I'm still going to beat you up, you bastard.
Zhou Quan didn't stop talking and continued: "The postman, Oakley, Larry Johnson, the three of them have all boxed with me, and you are the only one who dare not fight with me because you are a smart coward. You are afraid that I will beat you." You?"
"Pfft, haha..."
Dennis Rodman burst into laughter, then couldn't control it, turned into a fit of laughter, and fell to the floor laughing.
Dameng's face turned blood red, his eyes were red, and his fists were clenched so tightly that they almost bled, but his feet still didn't move at all.
"Hakim?"
Maxwell looked at Dameng angrily. Compared to Dameng, he was the one who hated Zhou Quan in the Mosaic team the most.
"And you, madman, aren't you clamoring to practice boxing and have a fight with me? Do you want me to give you some boxing experience?" Zhou Quan looked at Maxwell and said with a smile.
"It will happen sooner or later, I'm not a softie!" Maxwell said angrily.
"Ha ha……"
Rodman, who was on the floor, was about to get up, but fell down again. This time he couldn't get up, and he was convulsed with laughter.
"Shut up!"
Dameng shouted angrily at Maxwell.
"Hakim, I didn't talk about you."
"Shut up!"
Maxwell, who was sprayed with saliva, reacted and closed his mouth angrily.
At this time, the visiting team came on the scene. After they left, Rodman finally stopped laughing and got up.
"Dennis, guard our rebounds." Zhou Quan warned.
Rodman patted his chest and assured: "I'm in good shape now, Iron Fist, it's up to me."
"You also have to be careful with Thorpe. In the second round series with the Suns, he averaged 14 points and 8 rebounds per game, Mosaic's second scoring point. Also, when it comes to assisting defense, be sure to pay attention to assisting Da Meng. Be careful." Zhou Quan warned again worriedly.
"I will." Rodman nodded heavily.
Zhou Quan said those words deliberately just now, just to anger Dameng and the others, thereby affecting their next state.
In the Mosaic team's just-concluded series, six players actually scored in double figures. This team must not be underestimated.
Of course, the low post is the domain of the Mosaic team. Even the SuperSonics has no one who can guard against Big Dream. The team is already ready to be beaten by Big Dream at the fifth position.
Correspondingly, this requires him to destroy Mosaic's outside line at the first position to make up for the disadvantage in the low post. Then he also needs to suppress the opponent's offense on the defensive end and destroy its organizational function in order to get a chance to win.
In short, in this series, he must perform at the top level on both offense and defense. With only one shot shining, it is impossible to win, unless Dameng's condition is not good.
"Iron Fist! Iron Fist! Iron Fist..."
When Zhou Quan came on the court, 13,000 SuperSonics fans cheered.
Barkley sat in the second row of the east stand. The first row in front was the best seat in the game, behind the home team's bench.
His mood is very complicated. Last year he was still able to compete in the finals with Iron Fist, but this year he did not reach the Western Conference Finals, and his performance got worse year by year.
At this time, he suddenly thought of what Tekken once said to him. Tekken said that he would never make it to the finals again. Is he really not going to make it to the finals in the future?
Thinking of this, he felt extremely sad, but there were also bursts of anger rising in his heart.
Then I thought that the Sonics didn't even arrange for him in the front row, and threw him behind the Sonics bench, which made me even more angry.
He is Iron Fist's mortal enemy, is this asking him to cheer for Iron Fist? Shouldn't he be placed behind the Mosaic bench? These Sonics front offices are assholes.
Surrounded by Sonics fans wearing Tekken's No. 1 jersey, he felt even worse.
…
At half past eight, the game officially started.
Jump ball, mosaic offense.
As soon as Zhou Quan blocked Kenny Smith, the Jets immediately moved the ball to the crazy Maxwell on the right wing.
In Mosaic, although Kenny Smith is the main point guard, the main shooting guard Maxwell's assist ability is also not weak. This season's assist data in the regular season and playoffs is better than Smith.
Because head coach Tomjanovich was worried about Zhou Quan's defense, when arranging the offense, he asked Kenny Smith to transfer the ball in time and not hold the ball in front of Zhou Quan for a long time.
At this time, Maxwell received the ball and Kendall Gill stepped in front.
The next moment, the madman faked a real shot and made a three-pointer.
"boom!"
Unfortunately, it was a little off, and the basketball hit the basket and was caught by Rodman.
The Mosaic team immediately returned to defense at full speed, including Dameng. Only power forward Osty Thorpe stood in front of Rodman and stopped his quick serve.
"Maniac is kind of like Reggie Miller," Elgin Baylor said.
Big O immediately retorted: "No, no, Reggie Miller's career field goal percentage has reached 47%, which is very efficient, while the madman is less than 40%. This season, he only has 38.9% in the regular season and only 37.5% in the playoffs. , he is not the same level of player as Reggie Miller."
"I'm talking about style," Elgin Baylor laughed.
"That's true. They all like three-pointers and are good at defense." Big O nodded and smiled.
Unable to play a fast break, Zhou Quan advanced to the frontcourt unhurriedly and came to the top of the key. The person guarding him was the madman Maxwell.
Horry is on the left wing and averaged two steals per game in the second round series. He will not go to the left wing. It is safer to single out the madman at the top of the arc.
Madman is 193 centimeters tall and 82 kilograms. He has a huge advantage in confrontation.
"brush!"
The madman couldn't bear the blow while leaning sideways. When he reached the free throw line, he turned around and made a step-back jumper, making a hit.
Zhang Lili laughed and said: "Why has Tekken's shooting percentage increased to 51.2% this season? Just because he has such a confrontation advantage on the outside, let alone point guards, ordinary shooting guards cannot hold him.
Jordan's best shooting season was the 1990/91 season, 53.9%. In the year when he won his first championship, in ten seasons, his shooting percentage exceeded 50% in six seasons. It dropped by 50% since last season. He is thirty years old. "
Sun Zhenping said: "It should be said that since last season, Jordan has reached his true peak, but his athletic quality may have declined to a certain extent."
"brush!"
Dameng had to go deep, only 1.5 meters away from the basket, then catch the ball, and then pressed Perkins to hit a nearly two-point hook.
Zhou Quan's eyes twitched. Dameng's attack was a complete crushing, too easy.
Perkins was crushed in all aspects, including height, tonnage, wingspan, strength, confrontation, athleticism, and technique.
But he alone cannot lock Mosaic's passing. Kenny Smith, Maxwell, and Rob Horry can all pass the ball. It is useless to lock one of them.
Sonics offense.
Zhou Quan retaliated, crushing the lunatic at the top of the arc and ending the attack with a mid-range shot.
"Two hits from two shots, Zhou Quan's touch should be the same today." Zhang Lili said.
Mosaic attack.
Da Meng still had to go deep. Perkins defended with all his strength and stood two meters away from the basket. However, the ball was not passed in time and he could only withdraw outwards.
The ball was in the hands of Kenny Smith at the top of the arc, and Zhou Quan blocked the downward passing angle. He immediately passed it to Horry on the left wing.
Horry caught the ball, and Dameng retreated to the low left wing, and he immediately passed it up.
Dameng continued to shake left and right after catching the ball. After four times, Perkins was stunned by the shaking, and then Dameng turned around and slipped to the bottom.
At this time, Rodman defended the basket in time, Dameng made a throw, and the ball hit the basket and bounced up.
Thorpe rushed to the basket and grabbed the offensive rebound. After landing, he immediately took off a second time for a layup.
"Snapped!"
Zhou Quan had already rushed in, waved his hand and slapped the ball onto the backboard.
"Oh ho!"
A burst of warm cheers immediately erupted in the Seattle Center Arena. After Zhou Quan hit 5*5, SuperSonics fans now especially like to see Zhou Quan's block.
Rodman was in the right position to steal the basketball and the Sonics attacked.
Arriving at the top of the arc, Zhou Quan observed the scene and was not in a hurry to attack.
Zhang Lili said quickly: "Perkins still pulled out, and it was not Dameng who followed him, but Thorpe. Mosaic switched defenses on the defensive end, allowing Dameng to sit under the basket.
Although Thorpe's defense is good and can support Mosaic's inside sky, Dameng's defense is better. Secondly, he can save energy at the basket and does not run so much. Rodman will not persist anyway. There is no confrontation when attacking with the ball. You only need to guard against breakthrough attacks from the outside. "
"boom!"
There were no good opportunities for his teammates, so Zhou Quan still took the shot by himself, but he failed to hit the ball and missed the first goal of the game.
Dameng controlled the backcourt rebounds and started a mosaic attack.
"Mosaic's perimeter defense is actually very strong. Kenny Smith, Maxwell, and Horry all have good defense. In the second round series, the three of them together averaged 3.8 steals per game." Zhang Liang said.
"boom!"
Thorpe attacked in the low post on the right wing and singled out Rodman, but failed to hit.
"boom!"
But Dameng grabbed the rebound over Perkins' head, then took off a second time and dunked Perkins directly.
"yeah!"
Two thousand visiting fans from Houston cheered.
"pretty!"
Behind the SuperSonics bench, Barkley cheered.
All the SuperSonics fans around him were glaring at him. If he wasn't Barkley and was just an ordinary fan, there would probably be a group fight.
"Oh, this ball is really powerful as a super center, a crushing dunk. Perkins can't compete at all." Sun Zhenping said in amazement.
"4:4."
Zhang Lili said: "Mosaic's offense mainly focuses on the low post, which is to use their advantages through low post offense.
The Sonics have an advantage on the outside, but their outside shooting percentage is not as good as inside. Therefore, the Sonics still need to take advantage of their outside defense on the defensive end to try to suppress the opponent's organized offense and create opportunities to win. "
Zhou Quan once again took the ball to the top of the arc, and Da Meng sat under the basket, staring at him eagerly.
"Fight in!"
This was the only thought in his mind.
Dameng has a huge advantage over Perkins. Most of them can play suppressive offense, explosive state and extremely high efficiency. This is Mosaic's restraint against the SuperSonics, and it is also the reason why he hopes to meet the Suns in the Western Conference Finals. It's a pity that Barkley didn't work.
The SuperSonics can defeat the Nuggets and the Jazz relatively easily, with a huge 7:1 advantage in the two-round series. The Nuggets have Mutombo, and the Jazz also have the Postman, both of whom are inside superstars, but Big Dream has nothing to do with these two. People are completely different.
Dameng should be a comprehensive upgraded version of these two people. Since he has strong low-post offensive ability, mid-range shooting ability, and strong rim protection ability, he has the best offensive and defensive integration.
Last year, when they played the Knicks in the Eastern Conference Finals and faced the same super center Ewing, it was not difficult for him and the Pistons to win.
But Dameng is not Ewing. Ewing simply cannot stand up at critical moments. But Dameng, the last series has proven his ability at critical moments.
At the same time, in addition to Dream, Thorpe is also a strong interior defender, and Horry, Maxwell, and Kenny Smith are also not bad defensively.
It can be said that the five main forces of Mosaic can form an extremely powerful overall defense.
Therefore, he must break through with the ball to improve his offensive efficiency, so as to equalize the huge disadvantage inside.
At the same time, he breaks through with the ball, compresses the Mosaic team's defense, and creates space and opportunities for outside teammates.
"squeak!"
After shaking the madman, he broke into the three-point line from the right and reached the free throw line in only two steps.
But Mosaic did not shrink the defense because Tomjanovich did not want to leave an open space for the SuperSonics outside, and he was very concerned about Zhou Quan's passing and assisting abilities.
Moreover, he has great faith in Dameng's ability to protect the basket and believes that Dameng can limit Zhou Quan's breakthrough.
He didn't expect Dameng to be able to guard against all Zhou Quan's breakthroughs, but as long as he guarded the next part, that would be enough.
Zhou Quan entered the penalty area from the front, took off before Dameng took a step, and held the ball in his right hand to dunk.
"court death!"
Dameng snorted coldly in his heart, and immediately took off, raising his arms high, and a pair of big hands had blocked all the space.
"Hate him!"
Buckley roared excitedly, which again attracted glares, but he turned a blind eye.
The next moment, Zhou Quan withdrew his right hand.
"not good!"
Dameng's left arm suddenly swung down.
But Zhou Quan's ball had already been passed, from under his left elbow to Rodman.
Rodman caught the ball, jumped for a layup, and easily hit the ball.
(End of chapter)
