At eight o'clock, the game officially begins.
Jump ball, Spurs offense.
Johnson, a left-handed young general, holds the ball with his left hand. Zhou Quan is known as the best steal leader in history. He holds the ball very carefully. His right elbow is always in front and his right hand controls the ball far back to avoid being stolen.
Zhou Quan's body was in a relaxed and unremitting state, his attention was highly concentrated, and he tried his best to catch the opponent's rhythm.
He is very clear about the advantages and disadvantages of this opponent. He is fast and good at breakthroughs, but he does not have three-pointers and almost never shoots three-pointers. Therefore, his defensive strategy is to prevent breakthroughs but not shots, and take one step to defend.
Young general Johnson moved continuously with the ball at the top of the arc, trying to break in, but was blocked by Zhou Quan. He could only take a step back with the ball, distanced himself and then waved for a pick-and-roll.
But just as he was waving, and his attention was distracted, Zhou Quan, who was following him as he retreated, started to attack, and quickly rushed to the front with a long stride. He stretched out his right hand and stabbed him forward. Basketball on the floor.
"Oops!"
He quickly leaned over to pull the ball, but it was too late. The ball was poked away by Zhou Quan.
Zhou Quan was well prepared. When he poked the ball, he was very precise and deliberately hit the ball to the front left side. Therefore, when the young general Johnson turned around to grab the ball, he did not see the ball at the first time and took this opportunity. , Zhou Quan bypassed the young general and rushed from the left side, grabbing the ball.
"pretty!"
"Quick attack!"
Zhang Lili and Xu Jicheng shouted loudly one after another.
Zhou Quan launched a counterattack from the top of the arc. With his speed, the 30-year-old general Johnson could not catch up with him. He took one step past the free throw line and took off directly, holding the ball in his left hand.
"boom!"
With one hand, the basket shook violently.
The Spurs attack again.
When facing Zhou Quan again, the young general Johnson's nerves became tense.
In the backcourt, Zhou Quan defended and retreated. After taking three steps back, his body suddenly stopped and he made an upward movement.
"Again!"
The young general Johnson's brain exploded, he immediately turned around to protect the ball and pulled the ball up to join the ball.
"Ah!"
In fact, Zhou Quan just wanted to scare the young general, interrupt his rhythm, and interfere with his state. He didn't expect Johnson to react so strongly.
He reacted immediately, quickly completed the close-up, and blocked the passing angle of the young general to shooting guard Vined Nagro.
Jose Hawkins is very experienced. Upon seeing this, he immediately dropped Denagro and rushed over to double-team.
When Rodman, who was serving as a small forward on the other side, saw this, he immediately moved forward and cut off Sean Elliott's receiving angle.
In this way, the little general who was in a back-up position did not get the ball out in the first time, and was then double-teamed.
"Beep!"
Zhou Quan grabbed the ball from the young general and when there was a stalemate, the referee called a challenge.
"Isn't General Johnson's reaction a bit excessive? He just joined the ball. I think Zhou Quan's opportunity to steal just now was not very good." Xu Jicheng said.
Zhang Liji smiled and said: "It's a bit excessive, but averaging six steals per game is a god-level steal, just like Zhou Quan's dodge in the boxing ring. When he makes a steal, who dares to be careless? "
"Snapped!"
Zhou Quan took the lead to move the ball away, and the SuperSonics attacked.
Zhou Quan took the ball to the top of the arc and faced a 178-centimeter young general who weighed only 79 kilograms. Adding in his wingspan, he had a height advantage of at least 16 centimeters and a tonnage advantage of up to 13 kilograms. For him, beating the young general was Complete misalignment.
So there was no hesitation. Facing this kind of opponent, he had only one way, which was to start singles.
"Bang!"
A 95-level crushing breakthrough, easily knocking away his opponent, then taking a step back and shooting a jumper from outside the three-point line.
"brush!"
The water splashed and the three-pointer hit.
After the ball went in, he looked at the index and middle fingers of his right hand that were tied together and smiled. He felt a little more comfortable than in the previous game.
The Spurs attacked, and while still in the backcourt, the young general decisively started a pick-and-roll with shooting guard Vined Nagro.
But Denagro only weighed 84 kilograms, so Zhou Quan squeezed him away and blocked the young general in the middle line.
The young general had no choice but to move the ball and pass it to Denagro.
Denagro did not stop the ball and passed the ball directly to David Robinson in the low post on the left wing.
"boom!"
Robinson immediately went to the basket after receiving the ball, and directly beat Earvin Johnson with one step, and hit the basket for a dunk.
"This is a super center, with the size of the center, the athleticism of the small forward and the playing style of the small forward. David Robinson is also the one with the strongest offense facing the basket among the four super centers." Zhang Li praised.
Xu Jicheng smiled and said: "What if Zhou Quan or Jordan could join forces with such a super center?"
Zhang Lili suddenly laughed and said: "That's incredible. The core inside and outside are all superstars. Whoever sees them will be destroyed. The dynasty is guaranteed to win three consecutive championships."
Xu Jicheng smiled and said: "Last time, didn't the Knicks just want to get Jordan and join forces with Ewing? Fortunately, the Bulls spent a lot of money and fired Klaus."
Zhang Lijia sighed: "Klaus single-handedly built the current Bulls lineup. Pippen, Phil Jackson, and Grant were all brought in by him. He won three championships and took most of the credit. It should be said that the Bulls are sorry. his."
"Isn't Jordan chosen by him?" Xu Jicheng asked.
"No, Jordan was drafted by Rod Thorn, the Bulls general manager at the time."
Speaking of this, Zhang Li said with a smile: "There is an interesting anecdote about that draft. Track and field superstar and flying star Carl Lewis actually signed up for the NBA draft and was selected by Rod Thorn in the tenth round, but he did not report. That’s all.”
"Lewis? The Lewis who won four gold medals in the 100m, 200m, long jump, and 4*100 relay in the 1984 Olympics?" Xu Jicheng said in surprise.
"Yes, that's him. In 1991, he also broke the 100-meter record with 9.86 seconds." Zhang Li said with a smile.
Xu Jicheng thought about it for a moment and said with a smile: "Lewis can be regarded as crossing the two events of short circuit and long jump, but they are both minor events in track and field. Zhou Quan is crossing the two major events of basketball and boxing. If he really goes to the Bulls Checking in, maybe it will also be a cross-border legend.”
"Haha, unless the Bulls win the championship and he is the core, it won't be as legendary as Zhou Quan's crossover." Zhang Liji shook his head and smiled.
On the court, 11:4, three minutes into the first quarter, the SuperSonics already led by 7 points.
While Zhou Quan blocked the young general Johnson, he also stole David Robinson once in the low post defense. He used several successful defenses at the beginning to lead the team ahead of the home team and forced the Spurs to call a timeout.
George Karl adjusted the lineup, Matt Geiger came on, and Earvin Johnson came off.
He only asked Matt Geiger to hold up David Robinson and prevent him from easily hitting the basket. He mainly defended the basket attack and not the penetration, but let Robinson shoot jumpers outside the basket. There were no unnecessary requirements. .
In the subsequent games, Matt Geiger used a defensive strategy of preventing penetrations but not shots, and the effect was indeed good.
David Robinson has only shot 30% on two-point shots in his career. With Matt Geiger guarding the basket and preventing breakthroughs but not shots, he can only choose jump shots more often.
It's a pity that today's touch was average. Zhou Quan and Rodman's help defense were both top-notch. They frequently stepped in to help defend, causing him to lose all touch and make many mistakes.
In the end, while Zhou Quan guarded the young point guard Johnson, he also limited David Robinson's offense through internal and external attacks. The Spurs' offense could only rely on small forward Elliott, but in Luo's case, German's defense was not efficient enough, so the Spurs lost this home game, 110:85. The SuperSonics won by 25 points and won their 18th game without a losing streak.
Zhou Quan scored 28 points, 5 rebounds, 16 assists, 7 steals, 3 blocks, 3 turnovers and 4 fouls. His shooting percentage was 49.5%, which is lower than the average shooting percentage this season. It can be seen that the right index finger still has an impact on him.
A total of six SuperSonics players scored in double figures. The remaining five players were Gilliam with 14 points, Geiger with 11 points, Rodman with 10 points, Hawkins with 18 points, and Vincent Esqiu with 15 points.
18 wins and 3 losses, still first in the league.
On the afternoon of the 14th, the team returned to Seattle.
This morning, the Magic announced that O'Neal will return in the next game.
Zhou Quan called and said: "Shark, Hardaway performed well during your absence. I advise you to take back the leadership of the team as soon as possible."
"He is my little brother, how can he still compete with me?" O'Neal said nonchalantly.
"You idiot, the ball is in his hands, not in your hands. There is an old saying in China that goes from simplicity to luxury, and from luxury to simplicity. He has been the boss for almost two months, and now How can I be willing to continue to be your little brother?" Zhou Quan cursed.
"this?"
"Also, the past ten years have been the era of guards. Don't say I didn't remind you, don't take your status as a super center too seriously. Hardaway is Jordan's successor. By the way, I suggest you renew your contract with the team in advance. Well, only by getting a big contract can you ensure your position in the team." Zhou Quan said.
"Okay, it's up to you." O'Neill said.
On the 15th, the main game was against the Warriors, and injuries struck again.
When Rodman was grabbing a rebound in the seventh minute of the second game, he made physical contact with someone in the air, fell to the ground and was injured, and ended up with an old back injury.
However, Zhou Quan struggled to score 45 points, 4 rebounds, 10 assists, 5 steals and 2 blocks. Although his shooting percentage dropped to 46%, he still defeated the Warriors.
In the matchup with him, Tim Hardaway was knocked down several times by him, and he injured his ankle in the fifth minute of the third quarter and left the field.
At 9 a.m. the next day, Zhou Quan went to the hospital to visit Rodman.
"Iron Fist, I'm going to take a two-month break this time."
Rodman didn't have the depression or negative emotions after the injury. He was still smiling.
Zhou Quan nodded, sat down and chatted for a while. Thinking that Rodman's contract was coming to an end this season, he asked: "Dennis, if you have any ideas in the future, how about staying in Seattle?"
Rodman shook his head and said with a smile: "Then you have to help me ask the management for a good contract. I want... what do you think of a five-year long contract?"
"What year are you from?" Zhou Quan asked.
"May 1961."
Zhou Quan did some calculations and found that he would be 35 years old after the regular season. He had a five-year contract and retired at the age of 40. With Da Chong's current injury situation, the next two years might be a pension contract. Da Chong made a good calculation.
Rodman tilted his head and looked at Zhou Quan expectantly. He wanted to stay and play next to Zhou Quan.
Zhou Quan pondered for a while and then said: "Let's do this, Dennis. I will help you negotiate with the management after the season. After this season, you will have played in the SuperSonics for three consecutive years, which meets the Big Bird terms. I will try to help you." Get a veteran contract, which can also reduce some salary space."
"Great! Then we've settled."
Rodman was about to get up from the hospital bed excitedly, but Zhou Quan quickly went up and held him down, advising: "Don't mess around during this period, abstain from sex, don't hold any parties, and play again after your body recovers.
If we cannot defend the title this time, you may not be able to get your next contract. The contracts of several of you will end, and the team will have to undergo a major overhaul. "
Rodman looked embarrassed and said: "This is too difficult, Iron Fist, you don't know how popular I am. Just now two nurses tried to climb into my bed."
"Ha ha……"
The two laughed.
Zhou Quan added: "From last year's ex-rights to now, Microsoft's stock has risen again, and the three million US dollars you invested has doubled.
But don’t sell it yet. Microsoft is developing very well. It has become the leader in this industry around the world. Its market share is growing, it has the right to speak in the industry, and its investment is very stable. I judge that the company will continue to expand its circulating shares. "
"I don't understand. Anyway, I will sell it if you ask me to." Rodman said with a smile.
After chatting for a while, Zhou Quan left.
The next game is on the 19th, and he will go to an away game on the 18th. He can still have two days of rest in Seattle. He practiced boxing for an hour in the morning, shooting for two hours, and then took Zeng Li to play golf in the afternoon.
On the 18th, the SuperSonics arrived in Vancouver.
There are many Chinese in Vancouver, with a regional population of just over 2 million and at least 300,000 Chinese. The proportion of the Chinese population continues to increase, and a large number of Chinese immigrants are pouring into the city.
Zhou Quan's arrival brought a large number of Chinese people into the arena. When he came on the court, he found that half of the people were Chinese, at least seven or eight thousand people.
"Am I going back to China to participate in the competition?"
It was the first time that so many Chinese people watched him play, and they were a little excited.
"Can you speak Mandarin?"
He shouted to a Chinese young man in his twenties.
"I graduated from Qinghua University and have been in Vancouver for three years." Seeing Zhou Quan talking to him, the young man said very excitedly.
"Have you immigrated?" Zhou Quan asked.
"It's still scheduled, it's coming soon." The young man said excitedly.
Zhou Quan nodded, waved to them and went to warm up.
Most intellectuals with high science majors can do well when they immigrate to the Western world. Only domestic liberal arts students and even liberal arts professors can only wash dishes when they come to the United States.
He himself has been living in the United States, so he doesn't think it's wrong for these international students to choose to stay in the United States. People are all selfish.
Although the Sonics were short of major generals and lost two major players, and Zhou Quan himself was injured, the Grizzlies were too weak. Zhou Quan scored 33 points, 4 rebounds, 14 assists, 6 steals and 3 blocks, and still led the team to win this away game. .
20 wins and 3 losses, still first in the league.
(End of chapter)
