Bill Walton said: “The Mosaics made as many as 3 turnovers in 4 minutes, which was an important reason why they fell behind.
Among them, Xiaochong made two mistakes, was intercepted twice by Iron Fist, and was prevented by Iron Fist without a chance to make a move. This shows that Mosaic has not changed much compared to the first three seasons at the first position. "
Williams said: "This may disappoint Mosaic. Xiaochong's strength is no longer at its peak. His previous speed had some advantages over the Iron Fist King, but it is gone now."
Indeed, just four minutes of the game left Mosaic up and down. General manager Dawson, head coach Tomjanovich, Olajuwon and Barkley, etc., were very disappointed.
"Rudy, what should we do now?" Dameng asked solemnly.
Tomjanovich frowned and did not answer the question immediately.
The two goals just scored were personal attacks by Dameng and Barkley. The team did not organize an attack at all, and Xiaochong was basically locked up. This situation was something he did not expect before the game. He did not expect Xiaochong. Now his performance is so poor in front of Iron Fist.
Maybe time is short, Xiaochong will perform next, he can only look forward to it now.
"Tim, when you get to the frontcourt, you should call more pick-and-rolls and use screens to get rid of Iron Fist. Jordan often uses this method when facing Iron Fist's defense. Your current speed is not slower than Jordan, and you should also use more pick-and-roll screens." he warned.
"I know." Xiaochong said in a deep voice.
Next, the timeout ends and the game continues.
After Xiaochong no longer focused on using his best change of direction to break through, but switched to pick-and-roll screens, the situation did improve, which made Mosaic breathe a sigh of relief.
But soon, Zhou Quan successfully intercepted Barkley in the defensive double-team, and Mosaic lifted his breath into the air.
On the defensive end, Xiaochong was unable to form an effective defense against Zhou Quan. Zhou Quan had poor hand feel due to weight gain and strength training, which reduced his shooting and increased his breakthroughs. However, he did not blindly use his tonnage to bully him, but used various methods to bully him. The top breakthrough technology turned him into a sieve.
At the 10th minute of the first quarter, at 16:24, Mosaic fell behind by 8 points and called a timeout.
Zhou Quan made 5 of 6 shots in 10 minutes, and all 4 of his fast break counterattacks were successful. He made 1 of 2 shots in positional battles. Three of the 4 fast break counterattacks were counterattacks after steals, and one was after getting a backcourt rebound. Fast break.
In addition to making 3 of 4 free throws, he scored 13 points, 2 rebounds, 4 assists, 3 steals, 1 block and 1 turnover in a single quarter.
Bill Walton said: "If Iron Fist is still being criticized for this kind of performance, then I think some media are being too harsh."
Williams nodded and said: "Just judging from the performance in the first quarter, no one in the league can perform as well as Iron Fist in this quarter, including Michael Jordan."
Bill Walton added: "The problem of Mosaic's new Big Three is still an old problem, and it is still the organizational function of the team that has been destroyed by the iron fist.
Xiao Chong can get rid of Tie Fist to a certain extent with the help of pick and roll, but Tie Fist does not switch defenses. His pursuit is very fast, and he will catch up with Xiao Chong in a second at most, so Xiao Chong has no performance and there is nothing he can do. Organize the team's offense in such a short period of time. "
Williams said: "The little bug has a short period of time, not even a second, to either pass the ball or take a shot.
The result of his own shots was 1 of 4. The result of his passing was not bad because he had two superstars beside him.
After receiving the ball, Dameng and Barkley can score even if they play alone. This is why the Mosaic team can still score 16 points in ten minutes after its organizational function was destroyed. Their singles ability is too strong. "
On the field, the substitute lineups of both teams came on.
The SuperSonics are full of substitutes, and Mosaic's little bug remains on the court. Dameng and Barkley are one year older, both are about to turn 34, and they no longer have the physical fitness to play the entire quarter.
Bill Walton laughed and said: "Mosaic's substitute lineup is really hard to watch. It's too bad. There isn't even a single high-quality role player. They're all marginal.
Let’s look at the SuperSonics’ substitute lineup. Glider, McMillan, Matt Geiger, Terry Cummings, and Sam Perkins. What kind of substitute lineup is this?
Let’s not talk about Glider. The other four only talk about their current strength, not their previous strength. Which one of them is not a high-quality role player now? You can even play the main role in a garbage team. "
Williams nodded and said: "Besides the Iron Fist King, the SuperSonics don't have a second superstar, but their lineup is the thickest in the league."
"No, Rodman is the second giant of the Sonics. This is what Dameng and Barkley said last year. Lewis, you can't erase the giant's status as a giant." Bill Walton said with a smile.
"Ha ha……"
The two of them burst out laughing.
After the remaining two minutes were played, at 18:30, Mosaic's substitute lineup lost another 4 points, falling behind by 12 points in the first quarter.
Not only Mosaic was confused, but many media were also a little confused. They didn't expect that with the lineup of the new Big Three, they would be beaten like this by the Sonics.
"The media blindly belittled Iron Fist and his team, and blindly praised the Big Three. They even believed that Mosaic was the team most likely to reach the finals in the Western Conference, but SuperSonics showed them in just one game. Ridiculous," Bill Walton said.
"Actually, just based on the thickness of the lineup, the Sonics can give Mosaic a good drink." Williams laughed.
"Yes, there is only one way to beat the Sonics. Dameng, Barkley, and Xiaochong don't get off the field, but can they? Even if they can barely do it in the regular season, it is absolutely impossible in the series, and they will be dragged to death. "Bill Walton nodded.
"what to do?"
On Mosaic's bench, Dameng and Barkley were asking this question again. They often asked this question last season, but Tomjanovich still couldn't give his answer.
After the start of the second quarter, Mosaic's three giants came into battle, but the SuperSonics still had a substitute lineup.
"The SuperSonics are preparing to drag down Dream and Flying Pig to death." Bill Walton said with a smile.
"Haha, so bad!"
Williams laughed, then said, "I have to admit I was wrong. From now on, I'm more bullish on the Sonics than the Mosaics."
Bill Walton said: "During the offseason, the SuperSonics did not introduce Mutombo, because if they wanted to introduce him, they would have to have nearly 10 million in salary space. The Bulls used the championship to attract Mutombo, and also gave him A big contract with an annual salary of 9 million US dollars was issued.
In that case, at least one main player with an annual salary of five million US dollars and two important substitute players will be traded away. The thickness of the SuperSonics lineup will be seriously weakened, from the current ten important rotation lineups to an eight-person rotation, with the main players playing time. If there is a big increase, there will be problems with injuries and physical fitness.
In fact, I supported the introduction of Mutombo at the time, but now it seems that the advantage of lineup thickness is also obvious, especially when facing the Mosaic Big Three lineup in the West, the advantage of lineup thickness makes it easier for the SuperSonics to advance to the finals. . "
The Big Three played for half a quarter, regaining 7 points and losing only 5 points. At this time, the SuperSonics sent in their main force, and then played hard, widening the point difference to 10 points within 4 minutes.
At this time, Dameng and Barkley couldn't hold on and took a break. Only one Xiaochong was left on the court, barely holding on. The SuperSonics main force took the opportunity to continue to widen the point difference. Zhou Quan stole Xiaochong for the fourth time, two minutes later. An 8-0 attack wave was played within the game, which detonated Mosaic's substitute lineup and widened the point difference to 18 points.
With the game like this at halftime, Mosaic was at a loss from top to bottom, morale was low, fighting spirit collapsed, and self-confidence was lost.
"Carroll, my Carol, tell me, why is our substitute lineup so bad?" Dameng asked in the visiting team's locker room, staring at Dawson with some despair.
Dawson was a little ashamed. In order to keep Big Dream, he deliberately broke up the deal with the Bulls, but he only introduced Xiaochong and did not strengthen the construction of the substitute lineup.
Mosaic's total salary this season is 24.4 million, which is still 2 million short of the salary cap. The team still has a useless mid-level exception of 2 million.
Among them, Big Dream accounted for 9.66 million, Barkley 4.7 million, then Xiaochong's 250, Mario Elie 1.4 million, Brent Price, who only played 15 games and was reimbursed for the season, 1.5 million, and the remaining eight Individuals are all fringe players and rookies with $250,000 and $220,000.
The team actually still has more than 4 million yuan to strengthen the substitute lineup, enough to sign two high-quality role players, but it is not that he does not use it, but that the boss does not agree.
He is also very sad about this lineup. Which team in the NBA has eight marginal and rookie players?
Look at the Bulls and SuperSonics, with a total salary of 40 to 50 million, that is the winning lineup. His boss has no intention of competing for the championship and just wants to make money.
Dameng saw that Dawson didn't say a word, and he closed his mouth in disappointment.
"Hakeem, after this season, your contract and mine are over." Barkley whispered.
Dameng nodded, said nothing, and no longer tried to retain Barkley as before.
Barkley didn't speak anymore. His condition this season was not as good as last season, and injuries were tormenting him. Although he really hoped to win the championship, the first half of the game told him that there was no hope in the Western Conference and Mosaic.
Da Meng himself wanted to leave, but he didn't want to stay anymore. After the contract was over, he left and went to join Michael to see if he could fulfill the biggest dream of his career.
As Barkley thought, Da Meng once again thought of leaving.
And this time the contract has ended. He wants to make the stingy Alexander lose a hair, and he wants to leave directly.
In the end, the game was a huge defeat, surrendering in the third quarter, 75:105, losing by a full 30 points.
Zhou Quan clocked in for three quarters, but only played 27 minutes, scoring 22 points, 3 rebounds, 11 assists, 7 steals, 2 blocks, 1 turnover and 1 foul.
The SuperSonics rotated a total of eleven players, seven of whom scored in double figures. Zhou Quan sent out 11 assists in less than 30 minutes of playing time, which can be said to be a model of team basketball.
The process and results of the game were far beyond the expectations of many media, which surprised them.
"Iron Fist King, why do you think the Sonics defeated Mosaic easily?" After the game, an ABC TV reporter asked Zhou Quan during a live interview.
Zhou Quan smiled and said: "First, my performance. I was still able to control their No. 1 position, which destroyed their organizational function and caused their main point guard Xiaochong to make 9 turnovers under my hands."
"hehe!"
The reporters around him laughed.
Zhou Quan added: "Second, Dameng and Barkley are both old. Third, their substitute lineup is scum, just making up for it.
To be honest, I doubt Mosaic's season goal. Judging from their lineup, they have no intention of winning the championship. They have not been aiming for the championship since they established the team.
Especially the third point, Olajuwon and Barkley are both very young, so the substitute lineup is particularly important, but Mosaic is just the opposite. Not only did they not build a good substitute lineup for them, but it was all garbage.
I even think that Mosaic's approach is suspected of draining their remaining value. This is an approach that I cannot agree with. "
"King of Iron Fist, do you really think so? Mosaic is using Dream and Flying Pig to sell tickets?"
"Iron Fist..."
Zhou Quan's words immediately triggered a group of reporters to ask questions, but he did not continue to be interviewed.
His words did not wait until the next day, but caused an uproar at Mosaic's post-match press conference shortly afterwards.
"Mr. Dawson, Iron Fist King believes that the team is draining the value of Dream and Flying Pigs, so it has created a substitute lineup that is as bad as garbage and has no intention of chasing the championship. Do you admit this?" just interviewed Zhou Quan’s ABC TV reporter asked.
Dawson paused in his heart and quickly denied: "This is impossible. Our goal has always been the championship. Iron Fist is slandering us."
"No, what he said is right. The boss doesn't want a championship at all. He just wants to take money from the team and put it in his pocket."
But at this time, Dameng's voice full of anger and disappointment sounded, causing the scene to become chaotic.
"Hakeem?" Dawson asked anxiously.
"Dameng, is what you said true?"
"Hakim, is there anything else you want to say?"
"Charles, is what the dream said true?"
"Mr. Dawson, does your boss really not want a championship?"
The reporters below spoke one after another, and the scene got a little out of control.
Mosaic's press conference was aborted, and Dawson immediately called Alexander to inform him of the current emergency.
Alexander was furious and cursed: "Is the King of Iron Fists crazy? What's wrong with him, do you want him to talk too much? We lost this game, which is half a game more than the SuperSonics. We are still first in the Western Conference."
Then he began to scold Dameng again: "Asshole Olajuwon, I gave him a contract worth tens of millions, but he always wants to run away. If he doesn't renew the contract this time, I will find the media to scold him to death."
"Boss, the situation is very troublesome now. If we don't reinforce it, it will be very detrimental to you."
"Okay, okay, damn it!"
But Dawson told him forcefully that he had to strengthen the lineup and let him take out the money, otherwise the team would be doomed, and he finally had to agree.
(End of chapter)
