Buckley said: "That was Clyde's own choice, but I believe it is actually the best choice for him to stay."
"I believe we will win the championship first. When that day comes, I hope to see Clyde come back. This is his hometown. I hope we can all win the championship." Dameng said.
"Do you think he is a traitor?" the reporter asked.
The two looked at each other and shook their heads.
…
In San Antonio, David Robinson was so depressed that he almost shut down.
The Spurs have become the most ordinary playoff team in the Western Conference. They are not competitive in the playoffs at all. Over the years, they have not even touched the floor of the Western Conference Finals.
But this time it's even worse. He didn't get enough rest for the Olympics and suffered a back injury. He will miss the regular season in November, which makes him unable to see the future.
…
That afternoon, Zhou Quan picked him up at the airport.
"husband."
The temperature was very low, only six degrees. Zeng Li walked out wearing a black fur, followed by three company subordinates and a female assistant. When she saw him, she smiled and quickened her pace.
From a shy little girl who just walked out of school, she showed the temperament of a strong woman in just one year. Zhou Quan was also surprised how Zeng Li, who was not very ambitious, completed this transformation.
Now Zeng Li is very concerned about the development of coffee shops. In the next few days, he will open two more directly-operated stores in Seattle, and then he will return to China. The coffee shop in the capital is about to open.
Her change is of course due to the tremendous pressure Zhou Quan's excellence brought to her, forcing her to work hard. Otherwise, she would actually prefer drinking coffee, tea, singing, playing on yachts, and studying every day. She likes to do beauty treatments, practice the sleeping elixir technique, and then practice double cultivation with Zhou Quan. This kind of leisurely life of cultivating immortals is her favorite.
…
On November 1st, the new season of the NBA began, and the opening game of the 1996/97 season kicked off.
On the 30th, the SuperSonics flew to Salt Lake City and challenged their old rival Jazz away in the opening game.
That night, at almost ten o'clock, before going to bed, the system issued a season mission.
"Ask the host to complete three consecutive championships and win the Finals FMVP; as a reward, the host's physical aging rate will be slowed down by 30%."
"marvelous!"
With Zhou Quan's willpower, he also cheered for this reward.
Then a second prompt appeared: "If the host completes three consecutive championships, it means that the host has become the strongest basketball player on the planet. The system will no longer issue tasks and will only update the host's information."
"That's it, that's okay." Zhou Quan thought to himself.
On the night of the 1st, Delta State Center Arena.
CCTV will broadcast the opening game live, NBC will broadcast it live across the United States, and more than 100 TV stations, large and small, around the world have purchased satellite signals.
In addition, nearly 200 media reporters applied to enter the scene for interviews.
At eight o'clock, the two teams announced their starting lineups.
SuperSonics: Laettner, Rodman, Schrempf, Jose Hawkins, Zhou Quan
Jazz: Ostertag, Karl Malone, Brian Russell, Jeff Hornacek, John Stockton
Zhang Lili said: "The Jazz's starting lineup has changed somewhat, but there are no reinforcements. Instead, the original substitutes have been put into the starting lineup."
Xu Jicheng nodded and said: "Starting center Ostertag was last season's substitute. He was the No. 28 pick in last year's first round. He is tall, 218 centimeters tall, and weighs up to 130 kilograms. His rebounding and shot-blocking abilities are okay, but his offense is not good. He’s about the same strength as Matt Geiger of the Sonics, but his mobility is not as good as Geiger’s, and he’s more like a human shield like Luke Longley.”
Zhang Lili continued: "Small forward Russell was also a substitute last year, the No. 18 pick in the second round of 1993, and he didn't have much strength.
On the whole, the Jazz still rely on the three musketeers of Black and White and Jeff Hornacek. This lineup has been around for several years, and the tactical system should be more mature. But this lineup can beat other teams, but it can't beat the SuperSonics. "
Xu Jicheng smiled and said: "Basically, as long as the opponent team has a point guard who controls the ball and is responsible for organizing the offense, it will have to be restrained by the SuperSonics. Only those who play small forwards like the Bulls can avoid being restrained by Zhou Quan. .”
Zhang Liyi laughed and said: "Stockton's physical fitness is not good. He can't run fast and can't get rid of Zhou Quan. He also has no strength and can't stand up to Zhou Quan. So he can beat other point guards, but he can't beat Zhou Quan." .
This is Tianke. He was born to be restrained by Zhou Quan, and he was restrained more powerfully than other point guards. In front of Zhou Quan, he was completely unable to show the style of a top point guard, and he was very embarrassed every time. "
Xu Jicheng said: "In today's opening game, Leitner will be the starter, and Glider will be the substitute. Coach Zhang, what does this mean?"
Zhang Lili analyzed: "The postman should have followed Leitner when he was pulled out. Ostertag was too tall and heavy to follow.
Without the postman under the basket, the Jazz's defense in the penalty area will be greatly weakened. This should be the reason why Laettner is arranged to start.
As for the Glider, his offensive efficiency was not good in the first two seasons. I think he is more suitable as a substitute. When he plays on the bench, he faces less defensive pressure and his offensive efficiency should be improved. "
Xu Jicheng said: "The SuperSonics have a very strong substitute lineup in the new season. They have Glider and McMillan on the outside, and Sam Perkins and Matt Geiger on the inside. By the way, veteran Cummings can also be there. beat."
"It's good. This season, the SuperSonics have as many as ten important rotation players, which is stronger than last season's substitute lineup. Last season, there were generally only nine rotations, with three marginal players. With one more important rotation, the main players' playing time and pressure will increase. It will be smaller and the burden will be smaller." Zhang Li said with a smile.
In the player tunnel, the starting lineups of the two teams met.
"Postman, why didn't I see you, Jordan, Barkley and the others in my last title defense?" Zhou Quan asked curiously.
The postman said angrily: "What are you going to do?"
"Watch me win!" Zhou Quan said with a smile.
"Ha ha……"
Rodman laughed so hard.
The postman glared at Zhou Quan and asked: "The media in Seattle said that you bought a farm of tens of thousands of acres in Brazil?"
When he said this, he looked envious, because his farm was only two hundred and thirty acres, which was completely incomparable.
Zhou Quan shook his head and smiled: "I didn't buy it. That place is prone to flooding, and I don't have the energy to take care of it."
"The King of Iron Fists..."
At this time, the visiting team came out, and when Zhou Quan finally went out, there was quite warm applause and cheers from the Delta State Center.
"Tell me, are you my basketball fans or my boxing fans?"
"I'm a basketball fan."
"I'm your boxing fan."
"Iron Fist, I am both."
"King of Iron Fist, let's fight Iron Michael next year. I'm really looking forward to it!"
There were many fans on both sides of the exit passage holding his jersey and sneakers for him to autograph, and he signed his autograph for two of the young fans.
At half past eight, the game officially started.
Laettner and Ostertag jumped the ball, and the Sonics attacked.
Laettner looked at the postman who was following him. Without even looking at the penalty area, he ran directly to the left three-point line, and the postman followed.
Schrempf also went to the left wing, also stopping at the three-point line. With him on top, Laettner ran to the left corner.
Rodman got to the basket and faced off against Ostertag.
On the right, only Jose Hawkins.
Zhou Quan passed the midline with the ball, and Stockton tried to press him closely. He moved his left elbow in front of him and pushed forward directly against Stockton. It was quite easy.
After half a month of weight-gaining training, his weight has increased from 92.5 kilograms to 93 kilograms. The data on the system shows that his strength has increased from 87 to 88. Everything else has remained unchanged. His ability to resist injuries is what he is most concerned about. There is no change either.
Stockton suddenly stepped forward to grab the ball, but Zhou Quan reacted quickly, turned around and broke through.
"It's that simple to beat Stockton." Zhang Lili praised.
Zhou Quan reached the free throw line, forcing Ostertag to take a step out from the basket. He combined the ball and took a shot. Ostertag jumped to block the shot. The next moment, he turned the shot into a throw.
"Rodman..."
Xu Jicheng shouted loudly, and the next moment, he shouted excitedly: "It's in, Rodman caught the ball and layup, and hit a goal."
Zhang Liji smiled and said: "Zhou Quan broke through Stockton too quickly and easily, giving the Jazz no chance to shrink their defense.
But if they shrink their defense too early, Zhou Quan's passing will also cause them a lot of trouble. This is also the reason why the Jazz cannot defend Zhou Quan. "
Xu Jicheng smiled and said: "This ball allows us to boldly guess that the Jazz still cannot beat the SuperSonics this season."
Zhang Liji smiled and said: "It should be said that with Stockton here, his team cannot beat Zhou Quan, unless there are superstars in the other four positions."
"Ha ha……"
The two of them laughed when they said this.
The game was indeed as the two expected. The Jazz really couldn't beat the SuperSonics, and the SuperSonics secured the victory in just three quarters.
Zhou Quan clocked in the third quarter, defeated Stockton on the offensive end, and locked him up on the defensive end. The Jazz couldn't defend him, lost their offensive engine, and lost in a bad mood.
In 30 minutes, he made 11 of 15 shots, 1 of 2 three-pointers, and 3 of 3 free throws. He scored 26 points, 4 rebounds, 10 assists, 5 steals, 3 blocks, 2 turnovers, and 2 fouls. His shooting percentage was 73.3%.
After only playing 30 minutes, Zhou Quan felt that his condition was average and he mainly focused on breakthrough points, so his efficiency seemed very high. In fact, his shooting touch was average. He had only resumed training for half a month, and he still needed some time to recover.
In addition, the condition of his teammates is also average, that is, he restrained Stockton too much, otherwise he would not have won so easily.
After the game, Karl Malone returned to the locker room in a very bad mood, very silent, and didn't say a word.
The Jazz are a team that aspires to win the championship, but they performed like this when they met the Sonics. How could he be in a good mood?
Jerry Sloan wanted to force him to stay with the Jazz for three years, but how could he be willing to do so?
After taking a shower, on the way to the press conference with Stockton, he said: "John, I know you are not happy that I applied for a trade, but brother, we have no hope here at all. Can you understand my feelings? "
"I didn't stop you."
Stockton was silent for a moment and then said: "I know it's my problem. I can't do anything to him on both offense and defense."
"Alas! I don't understand, if the Bulls can bring in Mutombo, why can't we bring in stars?" After the postman said this, he stopped talking. There were only two footsteps in the corridor.
No, there were three men's footsteps, and Jerry Sloan's.
He knew very well that the postman's words were not meant for Stockton. If the postman wanted to say these words, he must have said them to Stockton a long time ago. They were meant for him.
But the Jazz are different from the Bulls. The Bulls have a first-level ball market, 40 national live broadcasts, substantial playoff revenue, a large number of sponsors, top three attendance in the league and expensive ticket revenue. What does the Jazz have?
Even if Jordan's salary of 24 million is excluded from the Bulls' salary this season, there is still 31 million. The team's salary is as high as 55 million, making it the team with the highest salary in the league.
Including Iron Fist's salary of 13.5 million U.S. dollars this season, the SuperSonics total team salary is just short of 40 million, ranking second in the league.
The Jazz's total salary this season is only 25.2 million U.S. dollars, and even the space is 1.3 million U.S. dollars short of filling it. They are not qualified to compete with teams like the Bulls and SuperSonics in the lineup.
The Bulls have formed a true Big Three lineup of Jordan, Pippen, and Mutombo. Although the SuperSonics does not have so many giants, it is also an All-Star lineup. There are several All-Stars in the team with an annual salary of five million US dollars. The salary of the Jazz Only half of them, how to compare?
The postman was unwilling to die in Jazz, and neither was he.
But he knew that the postman really wanted to leave, and if he forced him to stay, he would only become alienated.
But if he doesn't force him to stay, this team that he has worked hard on for many years and already has a championship level will disintegrate in an instant.
After the SuperSonics finished the game and attended the press conference, they rushed back to Seattle overnight because they will play back-to-back games against the Trail Blazers tomorrow night.
On the night of the 2nd, the team defeated the Trail Blazers with some difficulty and achieved their second consecutive victory.
On the 3rd, the league announced the Player of the Week for the first week, giving Zhou Quan.
Next, No. 5 defeated the Eagles at home and won three consecutive games.
But on the 7th, the SuperSonics lost to the Suns on the road, and then lost to the Spurs in back-to-back away games on the 8th.
On the 8th, the official announced the MVP rankings for the first time.
Jordan is first, Olajuwon is second, and Zhou Quan is third.
On the 11th, the team defeated the Kings away from home, completing a wave of three away games with two losses and one win, and returned to Seattle.
At this time, the Sonics were 4 wins and 2 losses, tied for third in the Western Conference with the Lakers, who were also 4 wins and 2 losses.
The first place in the Western Conference is Mosaic with six consecutive wins, and the second place is the Jazz with five wins and one loss.
The Bulls in the Eastern Conference also won six consecutive games, followed by the Heat and Knicks.
In the first six games, Zhou Quan averaged 31 minutes per game, and his playing time was somewhat controlled. He averaged 28.5 points, 4.2 rebounds, 10.5 assists, 4.4 steals, 2.5 blocks, 2.4 turnovers and 2.2 fouls per game. His shooting percentage was 50.5%. His condition was not as good as last season.
Of course, this data still ranks first in the league's personal data. Only Jordan's 29.6 points are slightly higher than his, and his rebounds are slightly higher. The other four data are a bit behind him.
On the 12th, the league announced the Player of the Week for the second week, which was given to the Nuggets' Dale Ellis.
This week, Ellis scored 27.6 points, 4.6 rebounds, 2.4 assists and 0.6 steals, with a shooting percentage of 52.4%.
The media evaluated the performance of each team in the first two weeks. Among the six first-tier teams, the SuperSonics had the lowest evaluation.
(End of chapter)
