On the afternoon of the 8th, the SuperSonics came to Philadelphia.
Kobe didn't have much chance to play in the Lakers and had a ducky debut, but Iverson became the main force of the numbers team from the beginning. He scored 30 points in his debut and has averaged 23 points per game so far. He has amazed the entire league from the beginning. Now, The media calls him the next super defender who will reach his peak when he debuts.
Just after five o'clock, Zhou Quan settled down in the hotel and received a call from Iverson, saying that he wanted to invite him to dinner and ask him some questions, and he readily agreed.
"Iron Fist, I want to ask you some questions about tackling. Can you tell me?" Iverson asked after sitting down in the restaurant.
"Of course, I'm happy to help the rookie, you tell me." Zhou Quan said with a smile.
Iverson said: "Iron Fist, what I want most is your stealing ability. I can now average 2.4 steals per game, but I often lose my position due to failed steals. How can I reduce this situation?"
"Allen, it's good that you're aware of this problem. Being out of position due to a failed steal is a serious defensive failure."
Zhou Quan nodded and said, "You must first realize what is the ultimate purpose of your defense?"
"Isn't it a steal?" Iverson asked in surprise.
"of course not."
Zhou Quan immediately denied Iverson's words and said: "The purpose of defense is of course not to steal the ball, but to destroy the opponent's offense and reduce the success rate of the opponent's offense. Stealing the ball is just one of the results.
The purpose of stealing also has other results, such as disrupting the opponent's rhythm and creating opportunities for teammates to double-team.
For example, delaying the opponent's attack forces the opponent to speed up the attack rhythm, thus affecting the implementation of offensive tactics and ultimately causing their attack to fail.
When you realize that the ultimate goal of a steal is not to steal the ball, then you must leave room for your steals and do not take risks, as this will reduce your loss of position.
If you don't recognize these, then you will only become a defensive hole, and it will be useless no matter how many steals you have. Stealing for the sake of stealing is not a good defensive option. "
Iverson nodded thoughtfully, and Zhou Quan taught him some defensive issues, such as defensive positions, etc., and gave his own suggestions, saying:
"Allen, you are small, not tall enough, light in weight, and weak in confrontation. I think you should try my defensive method.
Although I have tonnage and confrontation, usually I don't rely on these for defense. Instead, I use a very proactive and aggressive approach. This way the defense is not passive and I can control the opponent's rhythm and lead the opponent's lead. "
After chatting about defense for a while, Iverson suddenly asked: "Iron Fist, why are there so many media targeting you this season? They even want you to quit the NBA."
Zhou Quan laughed and said: "There are various reasons, such as racial discrimination, such as media hype. There is another reason that is also very important. If I quit the NBA, the sales of my sneaker brand will definitely collapse. When the time comes, you can claim this share." who?"
"other brands."
Iverson blurted out, and as soon as the words came out, he understood, "So it's like this, because of the interests."
Zhou Quan nodded and said: "I have dozens of brand endorsements, and they all have their own competitors. This is competition.
At my level, there are many stakeholders involved, and competition is no longer just in the arena, but also in other aspects. In a situation like mine, there are a lot of things to do to make people famous. "
"There are so many popular things?"
Iverson muttered something and suddenly became a little envious. It would be great if one day he could reach the level of being popular and having many affairs, which would mean that he has become famous.
On the night of the 9th, Wachovia Center Arena.
This is a new arena that was just put into operation this year. It is in brand new condition and can accommodate 20,000 people.
At 7:30, both sides announced the starting lineup.
SuperSonics: Laettner, Rodman, Schrempf, Jose Hawkins, Zhou Quan
Philadelphia: Derek Coleman, Scott Williams, Clarence Witherspoon, Jerry Stackhouse, Allen Iverson
Zhang Lili said: "This season the Digital Team has 7 wins and 11 losses, second to last in the Eastern Conference, and has not made the playoffs in the past five seasons.
In the season when Zhou Quan entered the league, Barkley led the team and failed to make the playoffs. Then he was traded by Philadelphia to the Suns. After that, Philadelphia never made the playoffs again. "
Xu Jicheng said: "It seems that there is no hope for this season. However, the No. 1 pick Iverson they selected is quite strong. The American media said that the peak is at his debut, and he is the next super guard after Jordan and Zhou Quan."
Zhang Liji said cheerfully: "Iverson's template is the Smiling Assassin, and his steal ability is very strong. Now he averages two per game.
But from a defensive perspective, more positions are lost, resulting in more points lost. And he also made 4.4 turnovers, which is a bit too much.
Yesterday the media photographed him having dinner with Zhou Quan in a restaurant. He can learn defense from Zhou Quan, which will be better. "
At this time, the starting team comes on, and the visiting team goes first.
When Zhou Quan played, he still received a lot of cheers and applause in the away game, with many people chanting the nickname "Iron Fist King".
At eight o'clock, the game officially begins.
Jump ball, Philadelphia offense.
Zhou Quan defended Iverson, and Iverson changed direction and used teammate Witherspoon's body to get rid of Zhou Quan and cross the midline.
Zhou Quan bypassed Witherspoon and tried to intercept Iverson in advance, but Iverson was too fast. He thrust diagonally toward the right wing from the center circle and accelerated his advance. When he reached the right wing, he failed to get the defense in front of him. Position, can only follow on the left side.
"What a fast speed!" Zhang Lili said in surprise.
Iverson didn't stop, changing direction downwards, trying to force his way in.
But his breakthrough was predicted by Zhou Quan, who completed an early interception and blocked it two steps inside the three-point line.
"Emergency jump shot!" Xu Jicheng shouted.
"Snapped!"
Zhou Quan also predicted Iverson's shot. When Iverson took the ball, he waved his hand and knocked the ball away.
"Cut the ball!" Zhang Lili shouted.
"What?"
Iverson jumped up, but the ball was gone.
Zhou Quan grabbed the ball and immediately took the ball down.
Iverson chased from behind, and when he caught up with the three-point line in the frontcourt, he caught up with him, but he had no chance to surpass him.
"boom!"
Zhou Quan ended the counterattack with a tomahawk chop.
"Pa bang bang..."
There was considerable applause in the stadium.
There was considerable applause in the stadium.
"The only person in the league who can get applause in away games, even Jordan, can get some applause in away games, but not as much as Zhou Quan." Zhang Li said with a smile.
"Even in the United States, in terms of status in the entire sports circle, Zhou Quan is now far higher than Jordan. No matter how negative the media is, as long as the fans like it, it cannot continue to be negative." Xu Jicheng said.
"Yes. Boxing fans are also fans, and they are more fanatical than basketball fans. Now American boxing fans are looking forward to Zhou Quan's second title defense against Tyson. The American media's hype is that they are lively and can't incite it. A supporter of Zhou Quan." Zhang Lili nodded.
"Rookie, welcome to the NBA."
On the court, Zhou Quan said a welcome message to Iverson.
"But I don't want to say thank you to you." Iverson said helplessly.
Zhou Quan's early interception just now surprised him. His breakthrough was to send it to the goal, forcing himself to force a shot, and then the ball was intercepted.
"Iron Fist, did you predict my breakthrough just now?" he asked.
"Of course, breaking through and scoring is your first option. Especially when facing my defense, your success rate will not be very high if you shoot from the three-point line, so the chance of breaking through is higher. Rather than predicting, it is better to say It’s experience.” Zhou Quan said.
At this time, Iverson served from the baseline, ran quickly, got rid of Zhou Quan, received the ball, and then advanced.
Zhou Quan did not bother too much in the backcourt, but retreated to the frontcourt and waited for Iverson's arrival on the right three-point line.
When Iverson came two meters in front of Zhou Quan, he suddenly crossed his body and changed direction. After shaking Zhou Quan, he broke through from the left.
Zhou Quan was surprised and immediately turned around to pursue him, sticking to Iverson's right side.
He did not use his confrontation ability to squeeze the opponent, but followed Iverson into the penalty area from the right elbow.
With Laettner under the basket, Rodman also returned to the penalty area from the left wing. Iverson did not force a shot, but passed the ball to Derrick Coleman who was vacated on the left wing.
When Rodman saw it, he immediately turned back to guard Coleman.
Although Coleman is a forward and a talented dunker, and was the first person to dunk O'Neal from the front, his offensive method is mainly shooting, and his efficiency is not high, not as good as Laettner.
Laettner shot 48.7% last season and 50.2% so far this season. His shooting rate is even higher with Zhou Quan next to him.
Coleman was traded to Philadelphia last season. Due to serious injuries, he only played 11 games and shot only 40.7% from the field. This season it is only 43.5%.
"boom!"
Facing Rodman's return defense, Coleman hurriedly took a mid-range shot and failed to make it.
Laettner grabbed the rebound, and Zhou Quan quickly advanced after receiving it.
Zhou Quan rushed to the frontcourt, broke through to the basket, attracted double-teams from two big insiders, Coleman and Williams, and passed the ball to Laettner in the low post on the left wing. Laettner made a jump shot from a small open space and hit a goal.
Iverson chased Zhou Quan, but it did not play any defensive role. He thought about pressing closely, but his confrontation ability was too far apart. When he was touched by Zhou Quan, he bounced away, and then he completely lost his defensive position and was beaten by Zhou Quan. The right suddenly passed by.
"Iverson is completely unable to defend Zhou Quan." Zhang Li said with a smile.
"You can't guard Jordan, let alone him who is not very good at defense?" Xu Jicheng said with a smile.
As the game progressed, Iverson was a little bit shocked because he couldn't guard Zhou Quan at all, but Zhou Quan could play whatever he wanted under his defense.
"Rookie, your defense is really not that good. But don't be discouraged, because Jordan can't guard me. Your defense is about the same. You can't guard me."
"Rookie, your pursuit of defense is a bit inactive."
"Rookie, why are your predictions always wrong?"
At the end of the game, Iverson was so disturbed by Zhou Quan's trash talk.
Zhou Quan only played three quarters and 30 minutes before going down. After three quarters, the Sonics were already leading by 24 points. He personally scored 21 points, 4 rebounds, 12 assists, 5 steals, 3 blocks, 2 turnovers and 1 foul.
The shooting percentage is as high as 75%. It is either a fast break dunk after a defensive counterattack or a dunk after a breakthrough. 60% of the offense is at the basket.
When he came off the court, he stole Iverson 4 times, blocked Iverson twice, and prevented Iverson from making only 2 of 14 shots. He also made 1 of 2 free throws. He only scored 5 points and 4 assists, but made 8 turnovers. .
In the end, Philadelphia lost by 18 points. Iverson did not leave the game in the final quarter and scored 6 points. He finished the game with 11 points and 5 assists.
"Allen, who do you think is the most difficult defender in the NBA?" When he was off the court, a reporter came over to interview Iverson.
"Of course Iron Fist King." Iverson gasped.
"You have also faced off against Michael Jordan. Who do you think is more difficult to deal with between the Iron Fist King and Jordan?" the reporter asked.
"The King of Iron Fist, he is capable of everything, offensive and defensive organization, breakthrough passing and shooting, all at the top level. This is the first time I played with him. To be honest, today's game made me a little discouraged." Iverson said.
"You had dinner with the Iron Fist King last night, and we obviously have a good relationship. During the match just now, the Iron Fist King kept talking to you. Was he encouraging you?" the reporter asked again.
Iverson smiled bitterly and said: "He is indeed encouraging me..."
At this point, he couldn't help but complain: "He said that Jordan's defense was not very good, and he was at the same level as me that he couldn't guard him, so he told me not to be discouraged because of poor defense."
"Pfft!" the reporter laughed.
"Iron Fist, what do you think of Iverson?" On the other side, Zhou Quan was being interviewed on the spot.
Zhou Quan said: “There is no doubt about his talent, he is faster than me, and his breakthrough is as sharp as lightning.
But he still needs to hone, if he hopes to become 'the answer', is this the nickname he gave himself, right? He just needs to become stronger.
At the same time, we must strengthen defensive training and not allow ourselves to become defensive loopholes.
In addition, shooting training must be strengthened on the offensive end. His shooting is not stable enough, which will affect his offensive efficiency.
Especially for the training of pull-up jump shots, I suggested that he learn from Michael Jordan's pull-up jump shots, um, or mine. "
The next day, on the 10th, Spurs general manager Popovich suddenly announced the dismissal of head coach Bob Hill and appointed himself as head coach. At the same time, he announced the return of David Robinson, who had been injured.
That night, the Spurs played the Suns on the court, and David Robinson returned as the main force. He made 3 of 13 shots and only scored 9 points.
On the same day, the Magic challenged the Trail Blazers on the road.
Penny Hardaway has been injured for 25 days. The Magic has 9 wins and 7 losses during this period. The record is not ideal, and the management requires Hardaway to return.
Hardaway accepted this game and scored 16 points, 4 rebounds and 8 assists, but his left knee, which did not fully recover, was injured again.
This injury caused the media to open fire on the Magic's management, who had to sideline Pence for another three weeks to recover from the left knee injury.
(End of chapter)
