At this time, in the player tunnel, the starting lineups of the two teams met.
"Crack, click, click..."
Several reporters following them kept pressing the shutter.
A TNT camera was also pointed at them.
Zhou Quan and Jordan nodded to each other. Although their relationship was not as close as they had been when they met before, neither of them were interested in talking.
"Shh!"
When the away team came on the field, the 13,000 home fans began to boo wildly. Even Jordan received the same treatment.
The Bulls were not rookies in the Finals. Jordan and others showed up calmly, bumped fists with the bench players and management waiting outside, and hugged Barkley, Damn, Ewing and others. Some Hollywood stars also came over. High five Jordan.
"Are sports stars so influential in the United States?"
Gong Li saw some Hollywood stars interacting with Jordan in the past, including several first-tier Hollywood superstars. They actually took the initiative to hug and talk to the black player No. 23. She didn't have much time in the United States, so she couldn't understand it.
With a bang, when the home team came out, huge shouts rose into the sky, reaching the peak when Zhou Quan finally came out.
"Iron Fist! Iron Fist! Iron Fist..."
The great shouts finally formed into a unified voice.
Zhou Quan trotted out, high-fiving fans on both sides, fist bumping with teammates and management, and then chatting with Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Smiling Assassin, Joe Dumars, O'Neal, Reggie Miller, Bill Walton, Mutombo, etc. A high-five, then Arnold, Rambo and Big Mouth Roberts, a group of stars.
Gong Li opened her mouth wide in shock when she saw more celebrities going to greet Zhou Quan. Even Big Mouth Roberts hugged Zhou Quan intimately.
When so many celebrities interacted with the No. 23 star, Julia Roberts didn't go. Now that Zhou Quan has come out, she has gone and was very enthusiastic. Is Zhou Quan's influence in the United States so great?
At this time, the host handed the microphone to Zhou Quan. Before the finals started, he, as the player representative, would say a few words.
Zhou Quan stood in the center circle, holding a microphone in his right hand, pointing to the SuperSonics logo on the floor with his left hand, and said loudly: "Friends, whose home stadium is this?"
"our!"
Everyone shouted, very neatly.
Zhou Quan's voice turned high and he said sternly: "Since this is our home court, we will determine the fate of the Bulls tonight."
"dream!"
Jordan clenched his fists instantly.
"Oh ho!"
Huge shouts swept across like a tsunami.
The business celebrities and celebrities sitting in the front row on the sidelines also stood up, applauding and cheering.
At this moment, Gong Li, who had never seen such a situation before, was frightened.
At this moment, Chen Long couldn't help but envy Zhou Quan's influence here.
…
"Victory! Victory! Victory..."
At 8:30, the home fans roared loudly in the Seattle Center Arena, and the game officially started.
After the jump ball, the Bulls attack.
Cobra Grant pulled to the right wing, followed by Perkins, and Rodman sat under the basket against center Carter White.
"The big bug moves around and defends," Larry Bird shouted.
Pippen, who was holding the ball on the left wing, glanced at Cartwright under the basket. Although he was almost a head taller, he still didn't dare to pass the ball because Rodman bounced very fast and was afraid of passing it directly to Rodman's hands. .
At this time, Jordan moved without the ball, ran down, and started a pick-and-roll with Grant on the right wing. However, after the separation, he did not cut inward, but reversed and cut outward. Grant also reversed and cut toward the outside. Richie.
An unexpected counter-run cut made Zhou Quan's reaction half a beat or a step slower, and Jordan got a small opening.
At the same time, Perkins' reaction was even slower, a whole beat slower. After seeing Zhou Quan catch up with Jordan, he turned around and chased Grant again. He was already two steps behind, and Grant got a big gap.
"Whoosh!"
Pippen, who was playing singles with the ball on the strong side, reacted quickly and seized the passing opportunity. He immediately passed the ball across the ball to Grant, who was cutting inside.
"brush!"
Grant caught the ball and stepped up to layup, making an easy shot.
"Oh, this move is very good. Rodman's defensive attention is on the left side of the strong side. He encountered glasses.
Snake's dorsal cut. "Larry Bird laughed.
Magic Johnson said: "Tekken's defense is too strong, and his mobility is better than Jordan's, especially in the penalty area. At the same time, in the Western Conference Finals, Tekken did a very good job of helping to defend Dream, so the Bulls should Choosing not to bring Iron Fist into the paint and lure him away with Jordan.”
Larry Bird was startled and said: "Ervin, you mean Jordan will not enter the penalty area?"
"He faced Iron Fist, and when he was running without the ball, he didn't really get into the paint. He suffered a lot in the 1991 Eastern Conference Finals." Magic Johnson said.
Larry Bird nodded and said: "His mid-range shooting skills are getting better and better. He can try his hand outside first."
At this time, Zhou Quan reached the frontcourt with the ball.
The Bulls switched defense and Jordan moved to the right, creating a large distance from Pippen on the left to avoid being double-teamed by the two top outside defenders.
Kendall Gill went to the top of the key and gave up the right wing.
At this time, Perkins came out of the low post and made a pick-and-roll at the three-point line. Zhou Quan took the opportunity to break through. When Grant blocked him, Jordan caught up and was double-teamed.
But at this time, his ball had been passed to Perkins. Perkins stepped on the three-point line and took a shot. With a bang, he missed the hit.
Cartwright grabbed the rebound and the Bulls attacked.
"Look, I'm right, he didn't dare to take action in a double-team." Chamberlain said to Barkley sitting next to him on the sidelines.
"You're right, Wilt, that guy Iron Fist really rarely takes any forced shots when double-teamed." Barkley echoed.
"That means there is no responsibility." Chamberlain said disdainfully.
Dameng and Ewing nodded one after another, with very unanimous opinions.
On the right wing, Jordan once again used Grant's pick-and-roll to get space to catch the ball. This time he cut outside and cut to the right elbow area, where he has the highest shooting rate. He reached out to BJ who was holding the ball at the top of the arc to ask for the ball.
However, Kendall Gill is good at predicting the direction of the pass. BJ's ball was not passed immediately. Taking this opportunity, Zhou Quan, who was one step behind, immediately caught up. At this time, BJ's ball was passed down. Jordan was very cautious. , saw Zhou Quan coming to his side, so he took a step forward to catch the ball with both hands.
However, Zhou Quan's nerve reaction speed was faster than Jordan's, and his movement speed was a little faster than Jordan's. He continued to take a step forward, and at the same time, he hit the ball with his left hand, knocking the basketball that was about to fall into Jordan's hands and flew out. Just picked up by Kendall Gill.
"Yeah! Tekken sent out the first steal..." The roar of the on-site commentator Henem Chrisman immediately sounded.
"Oh ho!"
The home fans also cheered immediately.
"Beautiful! Iron Fist's reaction speed is too fast!" Larry Bird said with envy.
If he had this kind of talent, wouldn't he steal Magic ten times in a game? Then the damn Magic Bird Era no longer exists, there is only the Big Bird Era.
The SuperSonics counterattacked quickly, but Jordan and BJ returned to defense very quickly, and the fast break failed. It turned into a positional battle. Zhou Quan took over the ball, came to the right wing, and began to organize the attack.
He still called Perkins' pick-and-roll.
"I bet that as long as he is double-teamed, he will not dare to take action." Chamberlain said.
This time, Jordan and Grant really double-teamed again, and then Perkins once again got the ball at the three-point line.
"Look." Chamberlain said excitedly.
Jordan reacted faster than Grant and pounced immediately, leaving only a small gap for Perkins. He just missed a shot and did not take action immediately after catching the ball.
"Hesitated." Zhang Lili sighed.
At this time, Zhou Quan quickly cut inside and reached out to Perkins for the ball.
Grant first prepared to return to defend Perkins, but after a beat, he was completely shaken off by Zhou Quan.
"Whoosh!"
Perkins quickly threw his hands and the ball flew towards Zhou Quan.
This is the tactic Zhou Quan was going to play just now. If Perkins gets a big open space, let him take the shot. If not, pass it back to Zhou Quan.
Zhou Quan caught the ball and rushed into the paint from the right waist position in one step, flying towards Cartwright under the basket.
Cartwright instantly recalled the scene at the beginning of last year's second-round G1 game. At that time, the game had just started. The first ball was also in the same situation. He was directly injured by Zhou Quan's flying dunk.
Distracted, his reaction was slow.
"boom!"
Facing Bitwhite's outstretched defense, Zhou Quan unceremoniously dunked, knocking over the Bulls' basket.
"Beep!"
The referee's whistle sounded, but it was immediately drowned out by cheers.
"Oh ho!"
In the entire Central Gymnasium, tens of thousands of people raised their arms and shouted wildly. It boiled instantly, like a volcano erupting.
Zhou Quan raised his hands to the fans, and the cheers instantly reached a higher level.
"Dunk... dunk! Iron fist dunks Bulls center Bill Cartwright in the front..." the on-site commentator Hernem Chrisman roared loudly.
"Cartwhite isn't tough enough, and that's bad for the Bulls," Larry Bird said.
Magic Johnson said: "Cartwright's style is still very tough. He probably just reacted slowly."
Chamberlain on the sidelines stopped talking. The point guard dunked on the center. What else could he say?
But he didn't speak. Someone spoke. Reggie Miller, sitting third to his left, stuck out his head and shouted to him: "Hey, Mr. Chamberlain, was Iron Fist's performance wonderful?"
Chamberlain snorted angrily, pretending that he didn't hear it. Such a small role was not worthy of him at all.
At this time, Zhou Quan hit an extra free throw, 2:3, and the Bulls attacked.
Jordan and Grant exchanged positions, backing Zhou Quan in the low right post to demand the ball.
"Low-post singles, this was Michael Jordan's best offensive method back then. The league was forced to introduce anti-isolation singles rules. Zhou Quan should be careful." Zhang Lili said.
Jordan received the ball from BJ, just hit it, and immediately turned around and shot a fadeaway jumper. The rhythm was so fast that the Sonics had no chance to flank him.
Zhou Quan took a step forward to block the shot, but did not touch Jordan's wrist, only reaching his forearm.
"brush!"
The water splashed and hit two points.
"Jordan took the first shot and hit." Sun Zhenping shouted.
4:3, SuperSonics offense.
Larry Bird said: "Today the Bulls have double-teamed Iron Fist twice on the outside right wing, just one step inside the three-point line. I wonder if the Bulls' defensive tactics are too bold?"
"Be careful with Iron Fist passes," Magic Johnson said.
Zhou Quan held the ball to the right wing. Perkins suddenly ran up from the low post outside the three-point line. Zhou Quan quickly used the wall to break through. Jordan bypassed Perkins but failed to follow. Grant quickly changed defense. Zhou Quan changed direction and followed Grant jumped from the baseline and headed towards the basket.
Cartwright moved to the right side of the basket. At this time, Zhou Quan saw that Pippen had jumped behind Rodman. He did not pass the ball to Rodman or take the shot himself. Instead, after rushing through the basket, he single-handedly With a wave of his hand, the ball flew from Pippen's side to Schrempf on the left wing.
"not good!"
Pippin was shocked, but even if he had wings, he couldn't go back.
"brush!"
Schrempf caught the ball and with no defender within two steps, he calmly made a jump shot and hit one.
Zhou Quan ran from the sideline and shouted to Chamberlain: "Hey, Mr. Chamberlain, we always have open shots and singles opportunities. Can you understand our tactics?"
"Ha ha……"
Reggie Miller and O'Neal immediately burst out laughing.
"Bastard boy!"
Chamberlain's face turned red with anger.
"boom!"
Jordan once again hit Zhou Quan in the low post, but this time he missed.
Rodman grabbed the rebound and the Sonics started to attack.
"Although Michael is very capable in the low post, his shooting rate is only over 40%, which is less than his average shooting rate per game. And Iron Fist's individual defense ability is very strong. I think he should try his best to find open shots." Magician Johnson said.
Larry Bird laughed: "The triangle tactic can create openings and singles opportunities for him, but the Sonics' defense is not bad. How can there be so many openings? If he can't get an advantage through singles on Iron Fist, Then the Bulls lose."
Magic Johnson couldn't help but nodded and said: "In addition to offense, he must rely on the defensive end to reduce Iron Fist's hit rate."
"Iron Fist seemed to pay special attention to passing the ball today and did not easily take action on Michael's head." Larry Bird chuckled.
Magic Johnson was stunned, as if this was the case.
Zhou Quan shot over Jordan's head, turned around and made a step-back jumper. Jordan followed up and blocked the shot, which affected his shot and missed. Grant grabbed the rebound and the Bulls attacked.
"brush!"
Seeing Jordan being followed by Zhou Quan, Pippen took action this time. After breaking through to the left waist, he made an emergency stop throw and hit the first ball.
6:5, SuperSonics offense.
Zhou Quan held the ball to the top of the arc. After standing still, he gave the ball to Kendall Gill, made a transition, then took it back, and then made a tactical gesture.
The others immediately pulled away to the wings, and Perkins also pulled Grant out. Only Cartwright and Rodman were left under the basket.
"Playing against Jordan alone will definitely be a breakthrough." Zhang Lili shouted excitedly.
At this time, Zhou Quan leaned forward slightly, holding the ball in front of his chest with both hands, making a triple threat action.
But at this moment, Jordan suddenly reached out and poked the ball. Zhou Quan reacted faster and got out of the way, but he immediately got on it.
It was definitely impossible to poke him. He just wanted to disrupt Zhou Quan's rhythm by poking the ball and achieve the purpose of active defense.
Zhou Quan's breakthrough is very powerful. He knows very well that it is difficult for him to really defend, so he hopes to change the defensive strategy this time and use more active defense to make the defensive effect better.
"Jordan presses Zhou Quan, be careful!" Zhang Lili said anxiously.
After being pressed by Jordan, Zhou Quan immediately put his left elbow in front to prevent Jordan from getting close to him, and then immediately turned around and broke through.
Jordan quickly moved laterally to follow up, stuck to Zhou Quan's right side, stepped into the confrontation, and squeezed with his body.
But Zhou Quan still forced a breakthrough. When he reached the left end of the free throw line, he was unable to break through under the confrontation. He immediately stopped and turned around, took a step back, and after Jordan caught up, he turned and broke down again.
This time Jordan didn't follow up. He was half a beat or one step too late. Zhou Quan got up from the inside of his left waist and made a throw.
"I still can't guard against it. Iron Fist's ability to break through with the ball is really strong. It has been very strong since his rookie season." Larry Bird praised.
Magic Johnson said: "The Bulls double-teamed Iron Fist on the outside twice before. This time they reached the penalty area but did not double-team. It seems that they were worried about his passing."
Larry Bird smiled and said: "There is only Cartwright under the basket. If he dares to double-team, Iron Fist will definitely pass to Rodman. Iron Fist's breakthrough position just now is on the left wing. If Pippen dares to double-team, Schrempf will definitely get it." Iron Fist pass.
This is the deterrent power of a point guard with top offensive ability and top passing ability. If double-teamed, he has fatal direct assist ability. Without double-teaming, he can beat Jordan alone and his efficiency will not be low. "
Magic Johnson nodded and said: "To deal with Michael Jordan, you can double-team. That's what the Pistons did back then, but now no team dares to do that to Iron Fist."
"brush!"
Outside the three-point line on the right wing, Jordan held the ball and singled out Zhou Quan. After forcing a breakthrough, he stopped one step inside the three-point line and made a jump shot.
"Jordan made 2 of 3 shots, and Zhou Quan did the same. Both of them should have good shots today." Zhang Lili said.
(End of chapter)
