13:10, SuperSonics lead by 3 points, Bulls attack.
"brush!"
Jordan hit a fadeaway jumper from mid-range on the right wing.
"Jordan made 3 of 6 shots. But he didn't make a breakthrough today. He only made jump shots from outside and no free throws." Zhang Liang said.
Zhou Quan advanced to the top of the arc, passed to Hawkins first, then received it back, and then assumed a triple threat posture.
"Let's see how Michael defends." Magic Johnson said.
The next moment, Zhou Quan first held the ball with his right hand and swung it upward, then broke through from the right, pushed his left elbow against Jordan, and broke through.
Jordan passively defended, and his rhythm was half a beat slower. He was shaken again, and his reaction was a beat slower. When he turned around to pursue defense, he was already one step behind Zhou Quan.
Phil Jackson arranged the original Bulls defensive tactics today, which is to shrink when the ball holder starts to break through. When the ball holder approaches the penalty area, he double-teams, not leaving the opponent with a big open space on the outside, and using quick rotations to cover the defense. Fill defensive holes.
When Zhou Quan reached the right end of the free throw line, Ron Harper on the right wing rushed to his side.
If he plays in a game and his teammates feel good and have a high shooting percentage in open shots, he will definitely pass the ball.
Because there are flaws in the Bulls' rotation, the outside is indeed good enough, but the inside defense is not fast enough. Luke Longley can't make up for it at all, and neither can Kevin Willis, which is Tony Kukoku's movement speed. Still barely, but the Bulls put him on the bench.
He sent out 21 assists in the last game. He also took advantage of this. After being double-teamed, he frequently distributed the ball to teammates who had open spaces. The Bulls simply could not make up for it.
It's just that today his teammates missed several open shots, so he didn't plan to pass the ball this time. He first hit a few by himself to widen the point difference.
He actually slept well these two nights, was in good spirits, and his physical fitness was actually pretty good, not reaching his level 96 limit.
But the shooting feel is so weird sometimes. A ball that is obviously very accurate will come out crooked, and it will pop out after it goes in.
"Bang!"
Before dribbling, he changed direction to his left and got away from Ron Harper.
However, Jordan caught up behind him and his hand had already touched his back. Luke Longley in front also took a step forward, and the three-and-one was about to take shape. At this time, he immediately stopped and jumped to take action.
"Toss!"
Zhang Lili shouted loudly.
"brush!"
"Beep!"
Luke Longley's block did not touch the ball, but it touched Zhou Quan's hand. The referee's whistle immediately sounded, and then the basketball went hollow into the basket.
"Two plus one, beautiful! Zhou Quan caused consecutive fouls on the Bulls' inside line." Xu Jicheng said excitedly.
"2 of 4 shots, 50% hit rate." Zhang Li said with a smile.
Phil Jackson made a substitution at this time, replacing Kevin Willis with Toni Kukoc.
"Pa bang..."
After Zhou Quan high-fived Hawkins, Rodman and others, he went to the free throw line and made the extra free throw.
"16:12, Zhou Quan scored 7 points, now the Bulls attack." Zhang Li said.
On the sidelines, the Smiling Assassin shouted to Barkley, who had passed a few positions: "Flying Pig, which team are you going to next season? Why not go to the SuperSonics? If you are embarrassed, I will tell Iron Fist for you."
Barkley glared at the assassin and said angrily: "Michael is my brother. Even if I go to the Bulls to play brother basketball, I will never go to the SuperSonics to hug the Iron Fist's thigh."
"Bro basketball?"
The Smiling Assassin and Reggie Miller had a flash of disdain in their eyes and laughed with mockery.
Dream, who was sitting next to Barkley, didn't say anything. He was swept in the Western Conference Finals, and now he has lost confidence in the so-called Big Three lineup.
Before, he wanted to keep Barkley and Glider, but now he has decided to leave. If Barkley hadn't said it before, he would have wanted to be the Bulls' second choice.
Under the cover of Kukoc, Jordan cut outside to the right three-point line to receive the ball, but Zhou Quan's pursuit was too fast and he was already one step away from him. He immediately swung the ball upward with one hand and caught it again. Breakthrough on the left.
Zhou Quan's nerves reacted so quickly that he was shaken with his feet swaying upwards, but at the moment he was about to jump up, his full level of willpower made him suppress his body's instincts.
The next moment, Jordan held the ball with his left hand and broke through from his right side. When he turned to chase, he was already one step behind Jordan.
As soon as he turned around, he saw the basketball bouncing off the floor. The basketball was only 1.65 meters away from him. This was the data given to him by his full-level spatial imagination.
In an instant, he reacted as quickly as possible, leaned forward suddenly, and after taking a long step, he immediately reached for the ball with his left hand.
"Snapped!"
Just before the basketball was about to bounce into Jordan's hands, it fell into his hands.
"What?"
Jordan's left hand did not touch the ball, but he was startled. When he turned around to check, he only saw Zhou Quan turning around, and the ball was under Zhou Quan's control. He knew that he had been stolen again.
"Steal, haha, third steal!" Xu Jicheng laughed excitedly.
"The first time it was Harper's fault, and both times it was Jordan's." Zhang Lili said happily.
"boom!"
Jordan never caught up with Zhou Quan's fast break, and was two steps too late when returning to defense. Zhou Quan hit the penalty area with a flying dunk.
"Beautiful! Iron Fist made 3 of 5 shots. He stole three times, fought back twice, forced Kevin Willis to foul once, and made two free throws." Larry Bird said with a smile.
"Iron Fist's strongest talent is his stealing ability. It is really his strongest talent." The magician shook his head.
Larry Bird said: “It is not a single talent, but the combined effect of various talents and technical abilities.
Nervous reaction speed, arm length, hand speed, hand accuracy, prediction ability, defensive skills and experience, first step speed, confrontation ability, etc., without any one of them, it is impossible to achieve his stealing efficiency.
In fact, his shot-blocking ability is also the best among point guards. Even you can't beat Ervin, but he doesn't put too much energy into blocking shots. "
"Height limits his shot-blocking," Magic said.
Larry Bird said: "That's one of them, it's not a critical moment, he just doesn't want to expend too much physical energy to block shots.
In fact, at the first position, his height is on the high side, not short, and is taller than most point guards. The shoe height is 191 centimeters, which is the height of a combo guard. "
The first quarter was full, Zhou Quan sent a total of four steals, and later stole Jordan once again. He made many defensive counterattacks. In the quarter, he made 4 of 7 shots, 0 of 1 three-pointers, and 6 of 6 free throws. He scored 14 points and 1 rebound. Data of 3 assists, 4 steals, 1 turnover and 1 foul.
But he was also intercepted by Jordan once. After breaking into the penalty area, he was double-teamed by three people. Jordan intercepted his ball from behind.
Jordan also played the entire first quarter, making 6 of 12 shots and a 50% shooting percentage. He made 1 of 3 three-pointers and 2 of 2 free throws. He scored 15 points, 2 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal, 3 turnovers and 1 foul.
After the first quarter, 28:20, the SuperSonics led by 8 points.
"Jordan made too many mistakes and was intercepted by Iron Fist three times. The rest of the SuperSonics were not in good condition. They led the Bulls by 8 points because of Iron Fist's steals and counterattacks. In other aspects, the two teams are similar." Larry Bird said.
Magic Johnson said: "Michael faced Iron Fist with the ball too many times in the first quarter. He should stick to his catch-and-shoot style of play, not attack with the ball in front of Iron Fist, and not give Iron Fist a chance to steal the ball."
"Michael, Iron Fist's defense was very good tonight. Don't go after him with the ball, or you will suffer a loss."
On the bench, Phil Jackson was also talking to Jordan about this issue. He asked Jordan to stop breaking through with the ball.
Jordan lowered his head and gasped. He was unwilling to give in. His offensive ability with the ball was the best in the league and at a historical level, but why was he always intercepted by Iron Fist?
Phil Jackson's words made him a little embarrassed, and he said angrily: "I played without the ball in the first quarter, but there was no opportunity to catch and shoot. How did you ask me to play?"
"If there is no chance, then pass it out. If you go to move again, you must be patient when attacking." Phil Jackson did not give in and said very seriously.
He also figured out that if you fall out, just fall out. He is a championship coach with three championships. He can still live happily without Jordan. Jerry West contacted him last night and asked him to coach the Lakers.
Jordan heard Phil Jackson's words and snorted coldly: "In the second quarter, the substitute lineup, do you think it is suitable for me to play without the ball? Who will control the ball? Who will pass the ball to me?"
Once Phil Jackson stayed, Pippen's physique was far inferior to Jordan's and he needed rest time. Without Pippen's organization, Jordan would have to control the ball unless it was handed over to Steve Kerr.
But Cole is a defender who can shoot open shots and has average organizational skills. Facing McMillan's defense, how could he hand the ball over to Cole?
But if Jordan holds the ball, he will have to face Iron Fist's terrifying steals again. In the first quarter, Jordan was intercepted three times without the ball, actually four times. Holding the ball in the second quarter? He could only pray to God to prevent Tekken from being so good defensively in the second quarter.
Soon, the second quarter began, and both sides came on the bench.
Having lost to this level, Jordan didn't rest for a minute and came on the court from the beginning, so Zhou Quan followed suit.
Sonics offense.
"boom!"
Vincesson missed a jump shot, Kevin Willis grabbed the rebound, and the Bulls attacked.
In the backcourt, in the middle, Jordan advances with the ball, while Zhou Quan defends and retreats.
"Flying Man, I'm going to steal ten times from you today, do you think it's possible?" Zhou Quan spat out trash talk.
"Just dream." Jordan gritted his teeth.
The next moment, he started to accelerate, changed hands to control the ball, and broke through from the left wing.
Zhou Quan turned around and followed up, stuck to Jordan's right side, and pushed him towards the left sideline.
In the quick follow-up, his vision was not focused, but his full panoramic vision clearly saw the ball controlled by Jordan's left hand.
Dribble down, bounce up, dribble down again, bounce up again...
He intentionally stretched his right hand in front of Jordan and made a stabbing motion.
Terrifying steal deterrence, his action immediately forced Jordan to control the ball in a deeper position.
"It's now."
The next moment, when he saw the basketball being pushed to the floor again, Zhou Quan paused, and his body immediately fell behind Jordan. He stepped behind Jordan and leaned over to reach for everything, and it would bounce off the floor. The basketball was caught.
"Oh, Shet! Another steal? He has a pair of ghost hands!" The commentator on the scene was full of disbelief and swore directly.
"asshole!"
After being intercepted for the fourth time, Jordan went crazy and turned around to chase after him.
After a round of chasing each other, Zhou Quan went to the basket for a layup. Jordan slapped him hard from behind and knocked him down with the ball.
"Beep!
The referee's whistle sounded.
"Zhou Quan almost fell down, Jordan's move was a bit big!" Xu Jicheng said.
"It's exciting. It's just the beginning of the second quarter, and four goals have already been intercepted. No one can stand it." Zhang Lili said with a smile.
"Just make sure Zhou Quan doesn't get hurt, the Olympics will start soon." Xu Jicheng said.
"Of course. Zhou Quan's physique is still good. He has not had any injuries for five seasons." Zhang Li said with a smile.
Xu Jicheng said excitedly again: "This is just the beginning of the second quarter, and Zhou Quan has made the fifth steal. He has not had a triple-double this year. He has a chance tonight!"
Zhang Lili was also excited after hearing this: "No matter who the opponent is, as long as Zhou Quan plays a triple-double of steals, he will never lose, I hope."
Zhou Quan made the next free throw, but he missed the first one.
"Jordan made a profit, that goal just now was a must-goal." Zhang Li said.
"brush!"
Zhou Quan made his second free throw.
29:20, Bulls attack.
After Jordan received the ball, he quickly advanced on the left wing. Zhou Quan ran on the front left side and failed to block Jordan's right hand, making the defense somewhat passive.
When Jordan reached the three-point line, he suddenly stopped and combined the ball.
Zhou Quan also stopped suddenly before taking a step, then turned around and prepared to block the shot.
"Worship the Buddha!"
But at this moment, his full-level panoramic vision saw that Jordan's left hand did not really connect the ball.
The next moment, Jordan put his left hand together and jumped up.
"What the hell!"
Zhou Quan's reaction was completely slow and he could only defend with his eyes.
"brush!"
The water splashed and he hit a three-pointer.
"Oh ho!"
Huge cheers erupted from the United Center.
"At 29:23, the Bulls were only 6 points behind. This was Jordan's 18th point. He almost took all the team's points." Magic Johnson said with an excited tone.
Larry Bird watched the replay and said: "There was a pause in Jordan's kick just now. Iron Fist was fooled. He thought his opponent would break through, and his defensive reaction was a beat slower."
Magic Johnson laughed and said: "This is the true meaning of fake action. When you think it is fake, it is real."
"Have you learned, kid?" On the court, Jordan, who had succeeded, spat trash talk at Zhou Quan with a cold face.
"Old guy, I've blocked you four goals, but it seems I still can't make you lose that pitiful arrogance. Then I'll block you a few more balls to make you sober." Zhou Quan spat back.
"Giggle..."
Jordan seemed to hear the sound of his teeth gnashing.
Sonics offense.
Zhou Quan held the ball at the top of the arc and intentionally broke through from the left. After attracting the defense, he created an opportunity for Vincent Aisiu.
Ai Siqiu also moved two meters toward the left sideline, turning the small gap into a big gap, and then received Zhou Quan's pass.
He exhaled and shot the basketball.
(End of chapter)
