At eight o'clock, both sides announced the starting lineup.
Mosaic: Olajuwon, Barkley, Mario Eli, Drexler, Rekasner
SuperSonics: Matt Geiger, Rodman, Schrempf, Jose Hawkins, Zhou Quan
The Western Conference Finals series will be broadcast live nationwide on ESPN TV, with the commentators Isiah Thomas and Bill Laimbeer.
The Smiling Assassin said: "George Karl chose to start Matt Geiger because of his tough defense and hope he can keep Big Dream on the outside."
Ranbir said unceremoniously: "It is inevitable that he will be beaten up by Dameng."
The assassin laughed and said: "Barkley will also beat Rodman. Rodman can't be guarded."
"Mosaic has the absolute advantage inside," Laimbeer said.
The assassin nodded and said: "The Sonics have some advantages at the third position. Schrempf is still good. He has three-pointers, mid-range shots, and rebounds."
Laimbeer said: "At the second position, the Glider shot only 36.8% in the first round and 45.9% in the second round, averaging 17 points per game. And Hawkins shot 48.2% and 50.5%, respectively, and 14.5 points.
From a scoring perspective, the glider is better, but in terms of efficiency, Hawkins is better. Based on the comprehensive analysis, I am actually more optimistic about Hawkins. "
The assassin smiled: "Hawkins can get more open space next to Iron Fist."
Ranbir shook his head and said: "No, the glider can get a lot of vacancies next to Feizhu and Dameng. This is a matter of efficiency.
He is four years older than Hawkins, and his condition has declined and is not as good as before. His career shooting percentage is now 47.5%, while Hawkins is 46.4%, which is one percentage point higher. "
The assassin nodded and said: "Bill, according to what you said, the Sonics have some advantages at the second and third positions. So coupled with the advantage of Iron Fist, can the overall advantage of the Sonics make up for the disadvantages at the fourth and fifth positions?"
Laimbeer said with a smile: "This requires analyzing the performance of the two gangsters, Dameng and Feizhu, in the first two rounds of the series."
"OK."
The assassin rummaged through the table, found a piece of paper, and then read: "Dameng shot 53.5% and 48% in the first two rounds, averaging 23 points and 9 rebounds per game. In fact, Dameng's state It should also be declining.
His rebounds dropped by 1.2 rebounds from last season's playoffs. The statistics of steals, blocks, and assists have also declined.
In addition, the average points per game has dropped sharply, down nearly 10 points from last season's playoffs. Moreover, the overall shooting rate in the two rounds was only 51%, which was not as good as last season, falling by two percentage points. "
"He is no longer at his peak, so he recruited Drexler and Barkley." Laimbeer chuckled.
The assassin added with a smile: "Barkley's shooting percentage in the first two rounds was 52% and 43%, with 18 points and 13 rebounds. The two of them combined for 41 points and 22 rebounds."
Laimbeer said disdainfully: "If they continue to perform like this, I think the winner of this Western Conference Finals will be that kid from Iron Fist."
The Assassin immediately pulled out Zhou Quan's data sheet and smiled: "In the first two rounds, Tekken scored 57.5% and 62.5% respectively, averaging 37 points, 15.5 assists, 6.3 steals and 2.5 blocks per game.
The opponent was too weak, and Iron Fist only started to enter the state in the second round, which was better than the first round. The overall performance of the first two rounds was almost the same as that of the regular season. With his super stable state, the Western Conference Finals will only be better. "
Laimbeer said: "Actually, they are the Big Three, but Glider is no longer a giant. His shooting percentage is generally lower than the team's level. He is holding the team back.
As for Dameng and Barkley, they must perform well enough throughout the series and perform well enough to attract double-teams in order to have a chance to defeat the Sonics.
Although I hate Iron Fist, his stability is really surprising. This puts higher demands on Dameng and Barkley. They need the same stability as Iron Fist. "
The assassin interrupted Ranbir's words and said with a smile: "I am sure that this is an impossible request for them. It is a hell-level difficulty."
"Shet!"
Dameng cursed angrily, went up and turned off the TV, turned around and yelled at Barkley and Glider: "Guys, if the three of us can't beat that bastard Iron Fist, what face will we have in the alliance in the future?"
"Fuck that kid." Buckley shouted.
Only the glider, Ranbir said that he was holding back the whole team, which hurt him. He was very silent at this time and his face was very ugly.
Buckley patted the glider on the shoulder and encouraged: "Don't be like this, Clyde, don't listen to that idiot Ranbir. Your existence is a threat. You can open up space for us outside so that we can avoid it." Being double-teamed, who among them dares to leave your space?"
The glider sighed secretly. He could no longer jump or fly. He could only shoot from outside, but the efficiency was not enough.
Especially when encountering a team like the SuperSonics that rotates defense very quickly, he can't get a big open space, so when playing against the SuperSonics, his efficiency is generally not good.
Dameng said to Glider at this time: "Brother, if you weren't injured in the regular season, we would definitely be number one in the league, so don't take Ranbir's words to heart. He was with Iron Fist. He was beaten by that kid from Iron Fist." Scared.
I tell you, Clyde, our strength is here, we are going to win the championship this year, win the championship! We want to defeat the Sonics, kill the Iron Fist, reach the finals and win the championship. "
Looking at the big hand extended by Dameng, the somewhat excited Glider quickly put his hand over, followed by Barkley, and the other two starters, and the five people put their hands together.
"victory!"
Dameng roared.
"victory!"
In the visiting team's locker room, the roars of the five players revealed great fighting spirit.
"Time is up."
At this time, the staff opened the door and shouted.
"Guys, let's go."
After shouting, Dameng took the lead and went out with extraordinary momentum.
The Sonics' starting lineup arrived first, and when they saw Dameng and the others approaching, they all looked over.
The tip of the needle is facing the awning, and there seems to be an invisible spark where the eyes meet.
"Iron Fist, you will not be the winner this time." Buckley yelled first.
"You will never be a winner, history has proven this." Zhou Quan countered.
"Pfft!" Rodman laughed.
"Tekken, don't be crazy, we will definitely win this time." Dameng roared loudly in order to show his determination in front of his teammates and boost morale.
"Dameng, what I said is valid, come here and hug my thigh, I will teach you how to win the championship." Zhou Quan glanced at Dameng and uttered a sentence that almost made him angry to death.
"Ha ha……"
Rodman laughed and said: "And I, I can also teach you. I have twice as many rings as Iron Fist."
"asshole!"
Dameng was so angry that he almost vomited blood.
"We'll get it ourselves," Buckley said angrily.
Zhou Quan glanced at Barkley again and said with a smile: "You are just a person responsible for selling tickets for the boss. What does the championship have to do with you?"
"Ha ha……"
This made Rodman and others burst into laughter.
"Iron Fist, let's have a fight first."
Buckley was furious and rushed forward with fists clenched.
"No! Charles, brother, calm down..."
Dameng hugged Barkley and hurriedly advised him: "Don't be fooled by him. If he breaks him off the court, you will still play. What should we do?"
"Iron Fist, let's have a fight." Buckley said angrily.
Rodman shouted: "Tekken's fight now costs at least tens of millions, or even hundreds of millions, Fingzhu, how much appearance fee do you pay him?"
"What a fart!" Buckley said angrily.
"Ha ha……"
Seeing Buckley's furious look, Zhou Quan and others laughed again.
"Brother, let's go."
Dameng dragged Barkley out. He felt that if he stayed here any longer, Barkley's mood would be completely ruined by Iron Fist and the others.
"Oh oh oh oh……"
With the appearance of the home team, the atmosphere in the Central Stadium reached a climax.
"King of Iron Fist! King of Iron Fist! King of Iron Fist..."
Zhou Quan appeared last, and the cheers quickly formed into a unified, earth-shattering shout.
"Iron Fist, do you want to say a few words?"
The excited host came up to him and handed him the microphone.
Zhou Quan took the microphone, and when the scene became quiet for a while, he shouted loudly: "Hey, guys, Seattle fans and friends, do you know what I want to do now?"
"..."
The more than 10,000 fans fell silent and looked at Zhou Quan.
Zhou Quan handed the microphone to his left hand, hit a backhand straight punch with his right hand, and then shouted loudly: "I hope to use my strength to blow up the rocket now."
"Blow up the rocket!"
Suddenly, shouts of "blast the rockets" soared into the sky, swept through the entire Seattle Center Arena, and then spread to the entire downtown Seattle and the entire metropolitan area.
The momentum of the SuperSonics' home court also reached its peak. It seemed that just a match could ignite this old stadium.
"Delusion!"
Dameng and Buckley said angrily.
"60%, 70%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, oh oh oh, our regional ratings are off the charts! Tonight, people in Seattle only want to do one thing. They want to watch what King of Iron Fist does. Blow up the rocket.”
At this time, the on-site commentator Henem Chrisman roared excitedly.
Zhou Quan greeted Zeng Li and his friends, and then started to warm up.
"Swipe, swipe, swipe..."
Continuous three-pointers kept the home team fans cheering.
The two thousand visiting team fans who came all the way from Houston felt bad when they saw Zhou Quan's touch was so good. They just hoped that Zhou Quan would miss the shot.
Seeing Zhou Quan hit more than a dozen three-pointers in a row, Dameng and Barkley didn't look too good.
"Be careful. This guy will definitely shoot a lot of three-pointers tonight. We have to focus on guarding against his three-pointers. Come in and give it to me. Can't I slap him to death?"
Dameng said to his teammates.
In the CCTV commentary box, Xu Jicheng said excitedly: "Zhou Quan wants to beat his opponent, and he feels good now. He should be no different tonight. Let's beat him, Zhou Quan. In the first game, give them a show of strength and help them." Annealing.”
Zhang Liji smiled and said: "Don't look at the strength of the Mosaic Big Three, they have many weaknesses. The third position is not good, the first position is even worse, which is number one.
The second is the substitute lineup, which is not as good as the SuperSonics. The SuperSonics still have two or three capable and good role player rotations, but there is no Mosaic.
The third one is defense. Dameng's defense is strong. That's in the paint area. With Zhou Quan's breakthrough with the ball and Hawkins's cutting inside without the ball, he would never dare to guard against it.
The defensive system of quick double-attack rotation created by George Karl is very strong. The Sonics' overall defense is much stronger than Mosaic. This season's points per game average is second only to the Bulls, ranking second in the league. "
Xu Jicheng nodded and said: "It is true that Barkley and Glider are not defensive experts. They have never been selected for the best defensive team, neither the second team nor the third team. Moreover, their physical fitness is average and they are not young."
Zhang Li said with a smile: "As I get older, my physical fitness declines, and my offensive efficiency definitely declines. People like Barkley and Drexler who are strong in offense and weak in defense will definitely focus on the offensive end and reduce their time on the defensive end. Invest.
The defense of the entire Mosaic team is supported by Dameng alone. This is the opportunity for the SuperSonics. Use offense to defeat them, and use double-attack defense to prevent them from death. "
But Xu Jicheng said worriedly: "I'm afraid that once Dameng's defense is in good shape, it will be difficult for the SuperSonics to attack. If they jump outside and don't have good shooting feel, they will be in trouble."
Zhang Liyi nodded and said: "If that happens, the Sonics will probably lose more and win less. But Dameng can defend Zhou Quan's breakthrough with the ball, but he can't completely prevent Zhou Quan from breaking through.
Once Zhou Quan breaks in and compresses their defense, he can create open opportunities for his teammates on the outside. With his passing and direct assist abilities, he will not miss the open space. "
At this time, Jordan also sat in front of the TV.
It was exactly 8:30, and the game officially started.
"victory!"
Under the leadership of Dameng, the Mosaic team shouted slogans to boost morale.
"Blow up the rocket!"
At the other end, Zhou Quan's shouts rang out, and then the whole audience roared again, drowning out the shouts of the two thousand fans of the visiting team.
After coming on the court, Dameng and Matt Geiger jumped the ball and started a Mosaic attack.
Point guard Rekasna took the ball, and Zhou Quan stood in front of him. He felt that the person standing in front of him was not a person at all, but a tiger.
That oppressive and fierce momentum also made his heart speed up instantly, and his heart rate rushed from one hundred to two hundred in an instant.
"Bang bang bang..."
His brain was congested, and the pressure came up instantly. He had to immediately open his mouth and breathe harder.
"Snapped!"
Zhou Quan instantly completed the grab and stabbed the ball away, knocking off the basketball that Rekas had hidden under his right ribs with both hands. Then he rushed forward, started to drop quickly, and shot towards the basket like a sharp arrow.
"Oh oh oh..."
The Central Gymnasium immediately burst into passionate cheers.
"Stealing the ball, Iron Fist is counterattacking! He takes off!"
The on-site commentator Henem Chrisman shouted excitedly.
"boom!"
"Oh ho!"
The explosive sound of the basket exploded, and the cheers in the stadium instantly reached the peak.
On the sidelines, George Karl was pumping his fists excitedly and yelling non-stop, and no one could hear what he was yelling.
Not far away, Tomjanovich shook his head helplessly. The difference at the No. 1 position is really too big, as big as the Pacific Ocean. One thing must be done in the offseason: convince the management and boss to spend money to strengthen it. Position one.
"Move the ball faster, you hear me? Don't hold the ball in front of him, execute it immediately." Then he shouted towards the court.
(End of chapter)
