Magic Johnson smiled and suddenly asked: "As a digression, Charles, some media in Phoenix said that the management has lost confidence in this lineup and is preparing to undergo major surgery on the lineup. How true do you think this news is? "
Barkley is worried about this now. If he is traded again, he doesn't know where he will be thrown.
Hearing this, he suddenly became angry and said: "I believe our lineup is still very competitive. If they don't trust us, that's their problem."
Larry Bird smiled, changed the subject, and said, "Okay, back to the topic, Charles, please objectively analyze the situation between the Bulls and SuperSonics."
Barkley glared at Magic, then nodded and said, "We'll analyze it position by position, starting from the fifth position.
The Sonics' fifth position is mainly rotated by Almon Gilliam and Matt Geiger, and the Bulls are Wilperdo and Luke Longley. The Sonics should be slightly stronger, but their strength is limited. "
Ewing finally spoke for the first time and said: "Gilliam has a good mid-range shot, can also rebound, and is a qualified main center.
Luke Longley and Wilperdo are actually only capable as substitutes, and the Bulls are indeed not as good as the Sonics at this position. "
Barkley glanced at Ewing, nodded and said: "At the fourth position, the SuperSonics' main force is Rodman, and the substitutes are Schrempf, Matt Geiger, Gilliam and others. The Bulls The main player is Toni Kukoc, and the substitutes are Bill Wennington and Luke Longley.
Generally speaking, this location has its own advantages. In terms of rebounding, the Sonics have the advantage, but in terms of offense, the Bulls have the advantage.
Moreover, Toni Kukoc can shoot three-pointers, has a stronger pulling ability than the Sonics, and has a wider range of tactical uses. The SuperSonics should arrange for Gilliam to guard him. "
Dameng said: "Rodman has to control the rebounds in the backcourt. He will definitely be under the basket on the defensive end. This is where Michael can take advantage. Rodman's ability to protect the basket is average and his height is too low."
Ewing nodded and said: "If you rush in and hit, it's best to cause Rodman a foul."
"These guys are all giving advice to the Bulls!"
In front of the TV, Zhou Quan said with a smile: "But they are all a bunch of losers. Are the ideas we have come up with useful?"
Barkley added: "At the third position, Schrempf is facing Pippen. With Pippen's defensive ability, Schrempf's performance will definitely be affected. The Bulls have the advantage in this position.
As for the substitute players at the third position, both teams have few capable players. They are almost the same. It mainly depends on the performance of the main players. "
Larry Bird nodded in agreement and said: "It mainly depends on Pippen's performance, but his performance is not as stable as Michael and Iron Fist, and he does not have the ability to attract double teams on the offensive end, so the third position, on paper, is the Bulls We have an advantage, but we can’t say who will win and who will lose in actual combat.”
Barkley finally said: "The first three positions each have their own advantages, but when combined, the advantages are not big, and there is no decisive advantage. The back line is the most critical position. Whoever wins will win the championship."
When Barkley said this, everyone else nodded, and he continued: "The main guard combination, Jordan + BJ, Iron Fist + Kendall Gill, the combined offense and defense are almost the same.
The Bulls' guard substitutes include Ron Harper and Steve Kerr, and the SuperSonics' guard substitutes include McMillan and Vincent Esqiu.
However, Ron Harper's injury recurred in the second round of the series. He did not play in the last two games and did not play in the Eastern Conference Finals. There is currently no official news on whether he can return to the finals. Therefore, relatively speaking, on the back line, Super Sonic's lineup is healthier.
In terms of lineup, if Ron Harper cannot come back, I think the SuperSonics may even have a slight advantage, but winning or losing depends on the main lineup, mainly on the performance of Michael and Iron Fist.
However, Michael has not lost in the finals, and Iron Fist has lost once, and it was to Michael, so I am still more optimistic about the Bulls winning. "
O'Neal chuckled and said: "Based on the SuperSonics' rebounding advantage and the Iron Fist's stealing ability, I think the SuperSonics have an even greater advantage."
Dameng immediately retorted: "The Bulls' rebounding is also good. Once everyone fights for it, the Sonics may not be able to beat it.
As for Iron Fist’s steal, it’s really troublesome…”
Having said this, he also scratched his head a little.
Michael Jordan also wanted to scratch his head. He did the math. In the five games of the Western Conference Finals, Zhou Quan had a total of 33 steals, averaging 6.6 steals per game. If he had such a steal performance in the finals, one in and one out would average 6.6 steals per game. That's the last ten possessions, which is a huge number. Calculated based on an average of 75 shots per game, there is a 13% gap.
He also knew very well how to make up for this gap. One was to reduce his own mistakes and prevent Iron Fist from stealing, and the other was to make up for it in other aspects.
For example, on their own defensive end, he and Pippen have to work harder to win back more ball rights to make up for the loss of ball rights caused by Iron Fist's steals.
In addition, this series, according to Phil Jackson's design, still uses pick-and-roll tactics to get rid of Iron Fist's defense. As long as the ball carrier gets rid of Iron Fist and only relies on assist defense, Iron Fist's steals will not be so scary.
…
On the night of the 2nd, the stars were shining brightly at the United Center.
The finals attracted many Hollywood stars and supermodels, and the United Center has become a huge show venue.
Gary Payton, Shawn Kemp, Olajuwon, Barkley and many other stars who wanted to see Zhou Quan lose were all present, but there were not many in the front row and there were not that many seats.
O'Neal, Reggie Miller, Bill Walton, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Joe Dumars, Isiah Thomas, and a group of stars who support Zhou Quan are also present.
In addition to those who have a clear stance, there are more neutral stars such as David Robinson and Grant Hill.
This arena can accommodate nearly 22,000 people, which is similar to the Palace of Auburn Hills. The Bulls gave the SuperSonics 2,000 away tickets, which is not a small amount, but with nearly 20,000 home team fans, 2,000 visiting team fans cannot afford it. What waves.
Jordan's family was also on the sidelines, including his father, Jordan Sr., his wife, Juanita, and their two sons.
The eldest son Jeffrey Jordan is 7 years old and is sitting with Juanita. The 5-year-old second son Marcus Jordan is being held in the arms of Pippen's new girlfriend Larsa who has just started dating.
"Look, Iron Fist, Pippen's new girlfriend is a model. I forgot her name. She is very beautiful!" Rodman pointed at the TV in the visiting team's locker room and shouted.
Zhou Quan looked up and found that he was not attracted to him at all, so he asked casually: "Dennis, what did she make you think of first?"
"Party stunner," Rodman blurted out.
"Fortunately it's not a bed, Dennis, you have a bottom line." Zhou Quan praised.
"Ha ha……"
The locker room burst into laughter, and Rodman himself couldn't stop laughing.
In the home team's locker room, Pippen suggested: "Michael, in order to suppress their momentum, let's go to the visiting team's locker room."
Hearing these words, Jordan's neck dropped stiffly, looking at Pippen, and cursed in his heart: "You idiot, are you a traitor sent by Iron Fist?"
He didn't say a word, just stared at Pippen as if he were a traitor, which made Pippin feel a little scared. He lowered his head and never dared to speak again.
"Stop doing that shit, focus all your attention on the game, and don't pull your hips when you get on the court." Jordan scolded.
"OK."
Pippen said a little embarrassed.
…
At eight o'clock, the two teams announced their starting lineups.
Bulls: Wilperdo, Toni Kukoc, Scottie Pippen, Michael Jordan, B.J. Armstrong
SuperSonics: Almon Gilliam, Rodman, Schrempf, Kendall Gill, Zhou Quan
At 8:10, the starting lineup begins.
"Shh!"
In the finals, the home fans booed as loudly as they could, their lungs almost vomited out, and they were still holding back their energy to boo.
Not to mention Zhou Quan and Rodman, the Sonics players all experienced one finals last year, and their performance this time was better than last year. Although they are still a little frightened, at least they are no longer trembling.
"victory!"
Before taking the field, Zhou Quan shouted loudly, causing all his teammates and the 2,000 visiting team fans to start shouting loudly. The momentum was not small.
"MJ! MJ! MJ..."
But soon the home team fans began to chant the name of Bulls savior Jordan, and the visiting team's voice was immediately drowned out.
At 8:30, the G1 game officially started.
In the jump ball session, although Gilliam did not have a height advantage, he had a good wingspan and better bounce than Wilperdo. The ball was taken away by him first, and the Sonics attacked.
Zhou Quan holds the ball and Jordan plays against him.
The other four entered the frontcourt, Rodman went straight to the basket, Gilliam pulled to the left wing, Schrempf pulled to the left three-point line, and Kendall Gill pulled to the right wing.
"Pull apart and fight one on one."
In the CCTV commentary box, Zhang Lili was in high spirits.
"Will a pick-and-roll be called?"
In the TNT commentary box, Larry Bird asked almost simultaneously.
"Bang bang!"
After approaching the top of the arc, he dribbled the ball twice very quickly and broke through with a one-handed feint. Zhou Quan broke through from the left, crossed the three-point line in two steps, and reached the left end of the free throw line in two steps.
Jordan quickly turned around and stuck to Zhou Quan's right side, engaging in physical confrontation and trying to push Zhou Quan to the left.
"Didn't call the pick-and-roll!" Larry Bird shouted.
"squeak!"
Zhou Quan continued to exert force at his feet, carrying Jordan with his right elbow, dribbling with his left hand, and forced his way into the penalty area.
Toni Kukoc, who was facing Gilliam, resolutely implemented Phil Jackson's tactics, released Gilliam, returned to defend the penalty area, and was already double-teamed.
"brush!"
Zhou Quan distributed the ball, Gilliam received the ball, made an open mid-range shot, and hit the ball.
"Okay, break through and score the ball, break through resolutely, and score the ball resolutely. The tactics are very clear. It is to use the ability to break through with the ball to create open opportunities for teammates. This is the most reasonable tactic." Zhang Lili praised.
Xu Jicheng said: "Zhou Quan is not afraid of Jordan's defense at all. He just charges head-on and takes it hard! This is the number one player in active service."
Zhang Lijia laughed and said: "He has been like this since his rookie season. At that time, he was not so fast and his skills were not so good. But at that time, his breakthrough skills with the ball were very comprehensive, and it was difficult for Jordan to guard him."
In the TNT commentary box, Magic Johnson said: "Iron Fist did not call the pick-and-roll. This is a reflection of his confidence in his breakthrough ability."
Larry Bird nodded and said: "It is also a reflection of tactics. After pulling away, then forcefully attack Michael. If the Bulls dare to double-team, then they will distribute the ball. If they do not double-team, then they will go in."
Remember, the Bulls are not a mosaic, and there is no big dream in it. Whether it is Wilperdo or Luke Longley, their ability to protect the basket is far inferior to the big dream, so I think as long as the Bulls do not double-team today, the Iron Fist will firmly break out. Attack around the basket. "
At this time, BJ advanced to the frontcourt, facing Kendall Gill. After he passed the ball to Pippen on the left, it stopped at the top of the key.
Immediately after Pippen caught the ball, he made a fake shot and broke through from the right. Schrempf turned around and chased on the left, having lost his defensive position.
Kendall Gill, who was in the high post, immediately went to the left wing to cover the defense. Zhou Quan, who was on the right wing, immediately moved to the high post to cover the defense. Gilliam, who was following Toni Kukoc on the right wing, pounced on Jordan.
At this moment, BJ at the top of the arc, Jordan and Toni Kukoc on the right wing all had small openings.
At almost the same moment, Pippen immediately pulled up the ball and took off after finishing the ball.
"To whom?"
Zhang Lili shouted.
"squeak!"
Zhou Quan's field of vision was too clear. When Pippen connected with the ball, he came to a sudden stop. At this time, he was still two steps away from BJ, and his hand could touch BJ in one more step.
The next moment, Pippen jumped and passed the ball, and Zhou Quan took a step back.
He bet that when Jordan is open, Pippen will pass to Jordan. This choice is a single-choice question, not a multiple-choice question.
"Whoosh!"
Pippen threw with both hands, and the ball flew towards Jordan in an instant, passing just over Zhou Quan's head.
In order for Jordan to get this small opening, Pippen's pass was a straight ball.
The next moment, Zhou Quan, who had just taken a step back, reacted instantly. His body rose up and he stretched his right arm upwards with all his strength.
"Steal the ball!" Xu Jicheng shouted.
"predict!"
With a precise strike, the tip of Zhou Quan's right middle finger touched the bottom of the basketball. The ball's path was instantly changed and it was thrown upward.
"Damn it!"
Whether it was Pippen, Jordan preparing to catch the ball, or Phil Jackson on the sidelines, supporting Jordan's Dream, Barkley and others, as well as countless Bulls fans, they all cursed secretly at this time.
Without him, Zhou Quan's steal ability is the best in the world. If he plays an explosive state tonight and gets another triple-double in steals, it will be very difficult for the Bulls to win at home.
"Snapped!"
Zhou Quan took another step back, jumped up and grabbed the ball.
"Steal? Beautiful!" Zhang Lili shouted excitedly.
Zhou Quan turned around and advanced quickly. Jordan ran on the left side, with only BJ in front of him returning to defense from the top of the key.
Reaching a step to the left of the top of the arc, he suddenly slowed down slightly, paused, and Jordan also made an emergency stop.
But the next moment, he used his strength again and rushed in from Jordan's side. Jordan tried to start again, but was already one step behind.
Zhou Quan rushed into the paint area and took off.
"boom!"
As soon as he returned to the basket, BJ's expression changed and he dodged to the side. The next moment, the explosive sound of the basket exploded above his head.
"Oh ho!"
The SuperSonics side was immediately boiling.
"It's a one-stop game of steals and fast breaks, with 2 points, 1 assist and 1 steal in the beginning. It seems that Zhou Quan will be in good condition tonight." Xu Jicheng said excitedly.
(End of chapter)
