In the past few days, the media has also made their own speculations about the Western Conference and Eastern Conference finals.
For example, NBA TV predicted that the number one team in the Eastern Conference in the regular season has a 53% chance of advancing to the finals, while the Bucks, who are second in the Eastern Conference in the regular season, have a 47% probability. There is not much difference.
The league's record is first, and they have continuously swept the SuperSonics who advanced to the Western Conference Finals with a record of 7 wins and 0 losses. The probability of advancing to the finals is as high as 70%, and the Lakers, who have the second best record in the Western Conference during the regular season, are 30%.
The prediction data of other media are also similar, with the majority of media being optimistic about the Digital Team and SuperSonics.
Although the media is generally more optimistic about the Sonics, everyone in the Sonics dare not underestimate the Lakers, including Zhou Quan.
The reason for this is, firstly, because of O'Neal, and secondly, because of Kobe.
One year has passed, and Kobe is undoubtedly stronger than last season. There is no doubt that O'Neal has become more terrifying than last season.
In the second round of the Western Conference playoffs in 1999, the Spurs swept the Lakers. However, two years later, the Lakers swept the Spurs without any major changes in the lineup. This can only be said that the OK combination is stronger. There is no other reason. .
In addition to Kobe's reasons, the main reason why O'Neal has become more terrifying is that his strength and tonnage have become more terrifying.
In last year's Western Conference Finals, when the Sonics swept O'Neal, his tonnage at that time should have been 150 kilograms, or even a little more. No one knew his exact tonnage at the time, but O'Neal himself revealed it afterwards.
But now, O'Neill's tonnage has further increased, his size has become larger, and he has transformed from a big shark to a giant shark.
This giant shark has been swimming in the regular season. In the past second round series, he was limited to the defense of Duncan and David Robinson, and he did not perform at a jaw-dropping level, but the SuperSonics did not have Duncan and David Robinson. , once the Western Conference Finals begins, O'Neal will erupt with huge tonnage of terror on top of Ben.
"He is at least 160 kilograms now. Yes, we got the news from within the Lakers." Assistant coach McMillan said with certainty during the tactical meeting.
"Even 170 kilograms," added Paul Westphal.
Zhou Quan was a little shocked. After playing four games with the Lakers in the regular season, he felt that O'Neal was getting fatter every time. How many burgers had he eaten?
He was not facing off against O'Neal, and could not specifically feel the horror of 160 kilograms or even 170 kilograms, so he looked at Ben and asked: "Ben?"
Ben Wallace showed a palpitating expression on his cold black face and said: "In the last regular season game against the Lakers in early March, that guy was not a human being at all. I couldn't bear it at all. I couldn't bear it at all."
Hearing Da Ben use three "fundamentals" in a row, Zhou Quan felt a little bit of the terror of O'Neill's tonnage. If he were tonnage like him, he would probably fly away if he touched it.
Ben added: "But in the regular season he didn't use all his strength at all, he just played casually, I'm sure."
Ben's words created a great pressure in the entire conference room, pressure from a giant shark.
On the 20th, many celebrities and models from across the United States arrived in Seattle.
This morning, the league announced the best defensive team and best team.
Zhou Quan was once again selected to the double first team. This is also his seventh season to be selected to the double first team.
In addition to him, the defensive team also includes Ben Wallace, Duncan, Garnett, and Kidd.
In addition to him, the best team also includes O'Neal, Duncan, Webber, and Iverson.
He called Ben Wallace to congratulate him on being selected to the All-Defensive Team.
Big Ben was very excited. After talking to Zhou Quan for a while, he called Rodman to express his excitement.
Rodman taught him defense and rebounding, which helped him a lot. Without Rodman, he would not have grown so fast.
Rodman has left Seattle since retiring. Unlike Zhou Quan, he has a general feeling about Seattle. The atmosphere of this city is not suitable for him, and now he has settled in New York.
Kobe was very depressed. Last year, he was selected to the defensive first team. This year, he wanted to be selected to the double first team. However, he was not selected to the first team and was selected to the double second team.
At 11 o'clock in the morning, Reuben Patterson's trial ended. With the help of the barrister, Patterson was not found guilty of raping a woman, but he admitted to the crime of having sex with a woman, which was regarded as winning the case. The female nanny had no money to hire a good lawyer and lost the lawsuit.
Patterson was sentenced to one year in prison, but the 15 days of jail time were suspended, meaning he did not have to go to jail. The other year would be followed by two years of supervision and he would have to perform certain community service.
At noon, Zhou Quan held a big party at home to entertain friends who came to watch the Western Conference Finals. Including friends from Seattle, there were more than 200 people attending the party, all of whom were rich or wealthy.
With the development of fine coffee, the market value has reached more than 30 billion U.S. dollars, and Amazon has developed even better, with a market value of nearly 100 billion U.S. dollars. Their combined wealth is close to 20 billion U.S. dollars. He and Zeng Li’s personal network It’s also getting bigger.
In the afternoon, the Lakers arrived in Seattle.
Zhou Quan called O'Neal, but did not invite them over.
At around 4 o'clock, Dayao and Dazhi, as well as Dayao's management team, arrived in Seattle.
Zhou Quan took several cars to pick him up at the airport, and the group was surrounded by the media at the airport.
"Iron Fist, is this Yao preparing to participate in this year's draft?" a reporter asked.
"Yes, if you have anything to ask, just ask." Zhou Quan said.
"Yao, now you are the favorite to be the No. 1 pick. Are you ready to become the No. 1 pick?"
"Yao, the No. 1 pick is in the hands of the Wizards. Has Michael Jordan contacted you? Is he optimistic about you?"
"Yao, what is your current tonnage?"
"Yao, which team do you most want to play?"
"Yao, do you have a girlfriend?"
"Yao, who do you think has a better chance of becoming the No. 1 pick between you and Tyson Chandler?"
This season, Dayao averaged 27 points and 19 rebounds per game in the CBA and won the CBA MVP. He led the team to defeat Bayi in the finals and won the CBA championship and the FMVP of the finals.
"I was hoping to be drafted by Michael Jordan, but he didn't contact me or my team, so I wasn't sure about being the No. 1 pick."
"I know Chandler, he's a great athlete."
"My current weight is 135 kilograms."
Olympic champion, CBA championship, MVP, FMVP, these honors gave Yao Min the confidence to appear confident even when facing interviews with the American media.
Zhou Quan listened to Dayao's answer and felt that it was okay, not very fluent, but he could listen and speak, which was already better than Dayao, at least he didn't need translation.
After leaving the airport, Zhou Quan said to Dayao: "You are now 130 kilograms. When O'Neal was drafted, it was 129 kilograms and 285 pounds."
Dayao smiled and said: "In the past two years, I have gained weight with the strength trainers you sent back to the country. My strength now is much stronger than two years ago."
"Lower limb strength is critical, especially the small muscle groups in the joints. They can form stronger supporting forces and protect your knee and ankle joints." Zhou Quan reminded.
"I have been practicing the strength of my lower limbs and my joints and muscles." Dayao nodded.
Zhou Quan reminded again: "You still look a little thin now, but you are different from O'Neal, your frame is not as big as his, and you are prone to injuries if you have too much flesh.
After entering the league, the team will definitely ask you to gain weight, but you have to know that you cannot gain too much weight, 140 kilograms, 145 kilograms at most. You have to pay attention and don't just listen to the team.
You don't need to rely on tonnage to increase your dominance like O'Neal. You have a mid-range shot. With your height, as long as you pull it out, it will be a super high turret. No one can guard you. "
…
The 21st is the day of the G1 game of the Western Conference Finals.
At 7:30, both sides announced the starting lineup.
Lakers: O'Neal, Horace Grant, Rick Fox, Kobe Bryant, Derek Fisher
SuperSonics: Ben Wallace, Lewis, Bowen, Corey Maggette, Zhou Quan
The series was broadcast live nationwide on NBC, with commentators James Worthy and John Moore.
John Moore said: "The SuperSonics still use Rashard Lewis as the starting power forward, which is a bit risky. O'Neal will beat Ben Wallace in the paint.
Although Ben Wallace has been promoted to the league's top defensive center, when facing the Sharks, his defensive height is too low, and it is difficult to deal with the Sharks without assisting defense. "
James Worthy said: “Paul Westphal should hope that Lewis’s scoring will offset some of the losses at the five position, and the Iron Fist King will get a big enough advantage on the outside.
I also think it's a bit risky. It's safer to put up a few human shields. This is an effective tactic that the Sonics have proven in last season's Western Conference Finals. "
In the CCTV commentary box, Zhang Lijia said: "Lewis started the game because he probably didn't want to lose his open three-pointers. Bowen had three-pointers, but they were not as accurate as Lewis's, and Corey Maggette's shooting was average and he only hit one point. cast.
If Elden Campbell goes up, it will waste the open opportunities created by Zhou Quan, and his outside pulling ability is not enough.
If Lewis is allowed to start, Grant will definitely be contained on the outside, with only the Sharks inside, which is conducive to Zhou Quan and Corey Maggette's breakthrough.
In this way, although the Sharks' offense can be played, the Sonics' offense at the basket will also be better. Anyway, there is no perfect tactic. Between gains and losses, you will know after playing. If it doesn't work, just change it. "
The Central Gymnasium belongs to Zhou Quan's box. Zeng Li, Lin Yufen, and Zhou Jianguo are all here. Little Zhou Yuan is also there, but he is too small to sit on the sidelines.
Just after eating, it was not time to go to bed. It was the first time for the little guy to come here. There were 22,000 people in the stadium. He was very excited. Grandpa stood at the window holding him, dancing and moving non-stop.
Zhou Ye and Zhou Ling were sitting on the sidelines, along with a large group of Zhou Quan's friends who had come with them.
Da Zhi Yao was also with them, but now he was surrounded by a group of reporters, including a large group of domestic reporters, but the interview target was mainly Da Yao.
There are also a lot of retired NBA stars coming to Seattle tonight to watch the Western Conference Finals. Magic Johnson, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Elgin Baylor, Jerry West, and George Mikan, four Lakers superstars are sitting together. There are twenty or thirty other stars.
The one who shines the brightest is undoubtedly Jordan. He is sitting with Magic and others, and from time to time he turns to look at Yao Min who is being interviewed.
"Michael, you want to pick Yao?" Magic Johnson asked with a smile.
Shrugging his shoulders, Jordan said: "I'm not sure yet. There is a little guy whose athletic talent is better than him, much better. His talent is visible to the naked eye. Compared with that little guy, he has no advantage except height. I am very Watch that little guy.”
"Tyson Chandler?" Kareem Abdul-Jabbar to Magic Johnson's right asked.
"Sorry, Karim, I can't tell you now."
With another shrug and a smile, Jordan didn't answer the question.
Magic Johnson said: "Kareem and I just met Yao at the King of Iron Fist party yesterday and chatted with him for a few words."
"Oh, Erwin, Karim, do you know more? What does the Iron Fist King say about him?" Jordan was obviously interested.
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar smiled and said: "Michael, don't you have a rookie you are more interested in?"
Jordan said: "Yao has no experience playing in the United States. I really have no confidence in him. The Olympic Games and China's CBA experience don't explain anything. You can understand this by watching the Mavericks' Wang. Maybe Yao is the same as Wang. It’s only worth a second-round pick, and if I drafted him with the No. 1 pick, I would be a big joke.”
"Then what else are you asking?" Kareem Abdul-Jabbar said.
"I'm just curious. Iron Fist didn't comment on Yao during the last Olympics," Jordan said.
Magic Johnson said: "The Iron Fist King didn't comment on Yao yesterday. He only said one thing about Yao..."
"oh?"
Jordan opened his ears. It seemed that he cared, not as much as he said just now.
Magic Johnson said with a smile: "He said that Yao will definitely not become the No. 1 pick because Michael Jordan does not have such a good vision."
"What?" Jordan was so angry that his eyes widened.
"Haha..." Everyone around heard it laughed.
(End of chapter)
