On the 23rd, NBC, ABC, ESPN, TNT and other TV stations also analyzed and predicted the playoff situation.
This time, these media did not directly predict the chances of winning, but only predicted the situation in the first round. This is a change.
Taking NBC as an example, in the Eastern Conference, the Bulls have a 100% chance of advancing in the first round, the Magic 95%, followed by the Knicks and Heat.
The Knicks are sixth in the Eastern Conference and face the Pacers, who are third in the Eastern Conference, in the first round. From the NBA's perspective, the Knicks' probability of advancing in the first round is third in the Eastern Conference. This means that NBC is still optimistic about this iron-blooded team created by Pat Riley. , optimistic about super center Ewing.
If the Knicks really eliminate the Pacers, who are third in the Eastern Conference, and complete the Black Six, it will be an upset.
In the West, the SuperSonics and Mosaic have a 100% chance of advancing, which is even more absolute than in the East. This shows that NBC is extremely optimistic about Mosaic's Big Three lineup.
The remaining two teams are the Jazz and the Spurs. The top four teams with the highest probability of advancement are the top four teams in the Western Conference regular season. NBC does not believe that there will be an upset.
"Shit analysis prediction! This is NBC's disrespect for the Pacers' efforts all season. We will fight back and we will beat the Knicks in the first round."
After Reggie Miller saw NBC's analysis of the playoff situation, he was very angry and angry. When interviewed by the media, he publicly expressed his dissatisfaction with NBC.
On this day, the league also announced that it will announce the MVP winner after the first round, and the best team and best defensive team after the second round.
However, the media has already predicted this, and Zhou Quan will win the regular season MVP for the second time.
As for the best team and the best defensive team, the major media also ranked them. Zhou Quan and Jordan were also selected for the first defensive team of all media.
…
On the 24th, the league held a press conference at its New York headquarters. David Stern personally announced the SuperSonics' ratings for this season's regular season at the press conference.
The SuperSonics' highest ratings in the regular season were 23.2 million. The first regular season game against the Bulls. This data has exceeded the ratings of any single game in history, including the Finals. The previous one was the G5 game of the 1991 Finals, which was 1,650. Ten thousand.
The average viewership reached 7.12 million, which also broke the historical record. The previous highest was 3.05 million in the 1990/91 season by the Bulls, which was more than double.
These two statistics completely shocked the United States.
David Stern said very happily at the press conference: "We are very happy that Tekken has chosen the NBA league. He will promote our development around the world and we will enter a fast lane."
"This is the change brought about by Iron Fist. He has attracted countless new fans to the Sonics. Even if these new fans are just new fans and will no longer watch NBA games in the future, he has also created an unprecedented record for the NBA." De said in the interview.
"I hope that the surge in the SuperSonics ball market will spread to other teams, and then Iron Fist will become a superstar like the Magic Bird and Michael Jordan who play a key role in the development of the NBA league." Kareem Abdul-Jabbar said during the interview.
Zhou Quan also accepted the interview and said: "I am very happy that the ratings of the SuperSonics game broke the record. This is great, but I hope it can continue. Our games are exciting and I hope more fans will join us."
On April 25, 1996, the first round of the 1995/96 season playoffs began.
In the East, there are two groups: Bulls and Hawks, and Cavaliers and Heat. In the West, there are two groups: Mosaic and Kings, and Spurs and Trail Blazers. The remaining four groups will start on the 26th.
This afternoon, the Suns also arrived in Seattle.
After dinner, Zhou Quan lay on the game room and S-shaped lounge chair on the pier. The curtains on the shore were closed. The weather was good tonight, with stars in the sky and a crescent moon hanging in the sky. He felt that his whole body They are all integrated into this world, and their spirits have been relaxed to a certain extent.
This feeling reminded him of his childhood home.
On hot summer evenings, his grandparents would move the bamboo bed outside to enjoy the cool air. He and his younger siblings would sleep, while the two elders would sit on one side and use a cattail leaf fan to drive away mosquitoes for them. They would go back to the house to sleep when the night cooled down.
Later, the two elders made an agreement and died within a year of each other. When he grew up, it was his mother's turn to drive away mosquitoes for his younger siblings.
"Husband, look at the bull, right?"
"Yes, TNT."
Zeng Li poured two glasses of water over and looked at the time. It was almost eight o'clock. She went over and turned on the TV and tuned to the TNT channel.
"victory!"
The roar of bulls rang out at the United Center in Chicago.
"This guy still has so much fighting spirit." Zhou Quan couldn't help but smile when he saw Jordan.
"Husband, can you beat him this year?" Zeng Li asked.
Zhou Quan smiled and said: “In the regular season, we had one win and one loss. In the second game, our lineup was incomplete and had no reference value, but in the first game, we defeated the Bulls with a complete lineup.
Although the Bulls hadn't had much experience at that time, and they had just acquired an All-Star level center, it still explained a certain problem. We were no worse than them.
But whether we can win in the end depends on the on-the-spot performance of both sides. But I believe we have a better chance, he can't stop me. "
In the end, that night, the Bulls defeated the Hawks by 35 points. Jordan scored 33 points, 7 rebounds, 7 assists and 2 steals.
In the Western Conference, the Mosaics defeated the Kings and the Spurs defeated the Trail Blazers without any upsets.
Only in the other group of games in the Eastern Conference, the Heat, ranked fifth in the regular season, defeated the Cavaliers, ranked fourth, which was barely an upset, but not strictly speaking.
The next day, the Sonics started the first round and successfully defeated the Suns. Zhou Quan scored 32 points, 15 assists, 6 steals and 3 blocks, winning the first victory of the series.
In the other three groups of games, the Jazz beat the Lakers, the Magic beat the Pistons, and the Pacers beat the Knicks.
"I said we were going to win, and this is our answer to you."
After the game, Reggie Miller, who scored 28 points, 6 assists and 3 steals, excitedly spoke to the media and even slapped the media.
This action was interpreted by the media as Reggie Miller slapping NBC.
After Zhou Quan received the news of the Pacers' victory after the game, he called Reggie Miller to congratulate him on his first victory.
Reggie Miller was really excited, clamoring on the phone to advance to the second round.
However, in the subsequent series, the Pacers gradually became unfavorable. First they were tied by the Knicks at home, and then they lost two consecutive games on the road and were eliminated by a score of 1 to 3.
His previous words were ridiculed by the media and the Knicks, who said he was a big mouth.
The Knicks eliminated the third-place Pacers as the sixth seed in the Eastern Conference. This was called the Black Six, which was an upset.
Previously, the Bulls, SuperSonics, Magic, and Mosaic teams had completed a first-round sweep. The Jazz eliminated the Lakers 3-1, the Spurs eliminated the Trail Blazers 3-1, and only the Cavaliers and Heat were tied at 2-2.
On May 5, the Heat defeated the Cavaliers and were the last to advance to the second round.
At this point, the second round has come out.
East, Bulls: Heat, Magic: Knicks
West: SuperSonics: Jazz, Mosaic: Spurs
The second round will start on the 7th. On the first day there will be two games between the Sonics and the Jazz, as well as the Magic and the Knicks. The remaining two groups will be on the 8th.
On the 6th, major media analyzed and predicted the second round series.
Taking NBC as an example, the media believes that the Bulls in the Eastern Conference have an 85% chance of advancing to the Eastern Conference Finals, the Magic have a 70% probability of advancing to the Eastern Conference Finals, the SuperSonics in the Western Conference have a 90% probability of advancing to the Western Conference Finals, and the Mosaics have a 90% chance of advancing to the Western Conference Finals. The chance of winning the Western Conference Finals is as high as 75%.
Larry Bird accepted an interview with the New York Times in New York and said: "It is indeed difficult to get an upset in the series, but the strength comparison between the Magic and the Knicks is not that big, and the strength gap between O'Neal and Ewing is not that big. I I think the Magic's probability of reaching the Eastern Conference Finals should be 55%, and the Knicks' 45%.
As for the Bulls and Heat, I think it should be 70% and 30%. The Heat coached by Pat Riley are not bad. After a season of running in, I think it is time to show results.
As for the West, in view of the iron fist against John Stockton, I believe in the 90% probability prediction, and the Jazz have no chance.
As for the Mosaic Big Three, it shouldn't be a problem to defeat the Spurs. David Robinson can't do it alone, and the probability of about 70% is reasonable.
Among the four groups of games, I think the Sonics have the easiest time. In fact, in the first round of the series, Tekken averaged only 32 points and 15 assists per game, with more assists than in the regular season and lower scores than in the regular season. It is obvious that he has not really exerted his strength on the offensive end. "
The difference between Larry Bird's and NBC's opinions is actually not very big. They mainly have some differences in their judgment of the Eastern Conference.
At noon that day, Philip came to Zhou Quan's villa. After the three of them had lunch, they turned on the TV and tuned to the NBC channel.
"There should be no suspense." Philip said confidently.
"If I am not awarded the MVP this year, I will leave the NBA after this season." Zhou Quan said in a joking tone.
Philip laughed: "In that case, David Stern is a fool."
At this time, the family's cook, security guard, gardener and other workers also ran over, waiting to send congratulations.
Zeng Li was also ready, brought out two bottles of champagne and some wine glasses, and poured a glass for each person.
One point, sports news, the league officially announced the winner of the 95/96 regular season MVP, David Stern proved that he is not a fool.
"cheers."
Zhou Quan took the champagne from Zeng Li, and after clinking their glasses one by one, everyone drank it down.
Philip smiled and said: "Zhou, you are the second person to win MVP, scoring champion, and DPOY in the same season. The first one is Jordan.
But with the addition of assists and steals, you are the first person in history to win these five honors at the same time. You have created a lot of history this season. "
The media was not surprised that Zhou Quan won the regular season MVP this season. As Philip said, there is no suspense.
Of course, there are still many people who are angry, such as Karl Malone.
In a hotel in Seattle, as soon as the Jazz team arrived, the postman couldn't wait to turn on the TV station in the room and adjust it to the NBC channel.
Then he saw Zhou Quan win the MVP for the second time. Although he had expected it, his mood was still affected.
"Karl, you will also have a chance in the future." John Stockton comforted.
"Of course." The postman forced a smile.
In fact, John Stockton was also in a bad mood, even worse than the postman, so he was really in no mood to comfort him.
The Jazz were eliminated by the Sonics in the second round of the 1994 playoffs, and were eliminated by Mosaic in the second round last year. This time they met the Sonics in the second round. The media was almost overwhelmingly optimistic about the Sonics, and they were optimistic about the Sonics' big win. With an advantage to advance, the Jazz could not make it past the second round, which seemed to form a curse.
And there seems to be a curse between him personally and Iron Fist. He has become the object of Iron Fist's restraint. In the eyes of the media, Iron Fist can't restrain him. This curse has been tormenting him for five years.
"Karl, how about we take it apart and you find a better one." He said suddenly.
"John, what did you say?"
The postman couldn't believe it. His best friend actually wanted to break up with him?
"I, I am naturally restrained by an iron fist. Together, we may never be able to defeat him." John Stockton said painfully.
"No, I believe we can defeat him. Nothing is impossible in this world. We lost once in 1994, and we have to come back this time."
The postman suddenly lost his mind and roared hysterically.
John Stockton knew the postman very well. He knew that the postman did not disagree with what he said. On the contrary, the postman actually agreed with what he said, but he could not accept the possibility of breaking up for the time being.
"Carl, John, it's time."
At this time, the Jazz held a press conference in the hotel at the request of the media, and head coach Jerry Sloan knocked on the door of their room.
"how?"
Seeing the expressions on the two of them, he asked with some trepidation.
"Nothing, coach."
The postman shook his head, and John Stockton also shook his head.
Jerry Sloan breathed a sigh of relief. He thought something had happened, such as an accidental injury or something.
Shortly after, the press conference was held.
The first person to ask a question was a reporter from the New York Times. He asked: "Postman, the Jazz have been eliminated in the second round for two consecutive years. This year they faced the SuperSonics again. The media is one-sidedly optimistic about the SuperSonics. What chance do you think the Jazz have of reaching the Western Conference Finals?" ?”
The postman asked with a straight face: "We reached the tiebreaker with Mosaic in the second round last year. This year we are stronger. We believe we can reach the Western Conference Finals."
The reporter immediately said: "The media believes that the Jazz have fallen into the curse of being stopped in the second round. Do you think this is true?"
"This is bullshit!" the postman cursed in great displeasure.
The second questioner was a reporter from the Los Angeles Times, asking: "Postman, do you think Iron Fist can really beat John Stockton?"
"This is bullshit! John is the best point guard, he is the best." The postman cursed angrily.
"If we are eliminated in the second round again this year, what changes do you want the team to make?" the reporter asked again.
"I won't break up with John," the postman blurted.
"What?" The reporter was surprised.
"Oh, does this mean they are considering breaking up?"
“God, are Utah’s twin evils about to disintegrate?”
Buzz buzz, the reporters below suddenly started talking.
The reporter was so excited that he immediately asked: "In other words, postman, are you already discussing the breakup issue?"
"NO!"
the postman shouted angrily.
Jerry Sloan felt a little panicked. He looked at the postman and then at John Stockton. He felt that something must have happened to these two lovers.
"Coach Sloan, does the management intend to dismantle the current lineup?" The reporter immediately turned around and asked while the microphone was not confiscated.
Jerrys lowered his strength and calmed down, shook his head and said: "No, there is no such plan. Yes, in fact, there has never been any. I just plan to strengthen, and I have been doing this work.
I think this lineup is very stable. It has been built over many years and has been on the rise. We are still getting stronger. There is no need to break it up. That is impossible. The management does not have that idea, and neither does the boss. "
He didn't lie. The Jazz really had no intention or intention of dismantling the lineup.
This lineup is about to produce results. As long as it passes the SuperSonics and Mosaic, there is great hope. Neither he nor the management have any thoughts of breaking it up.
What's more, the team owner will not invest large sums of money in order to win the championship, and the ball market in Salt Lake City will not allow it. Now that this lineup has performed well and can maintain the ball market, they will not mess with it.
Now he is only worried about problems within the team, such as Postman and Stockton. If they can't see the hope of winning the championship in Jazz, they will choose to leave the team. This is what he is worried about.
(End of chapter)
