basketball pope

Chapter 76 [Intoxicated]

As soon as the suspension was issued, Michael Jordan was in a terrible mood. The Bulls had no home field advantage. Now that there are fewer generals, it is even more difficult to win the first game.

Jordan really wanted to gamble to relax, but after thinking about it, he reluctantly gave up and stayed at the hotel.

If the media broke his gambling scandal, the situation would be even more unfavorable for the Bulls, who had a PR crisis over gambling when he retired for the first time.

Coincidentally, the year Jordan retired for the first time, his opponent in the Eastern Conference finals was also the Knicks. The team fell behind 0-2 as soon as the team came up. Jordan, who shot 59 and 37 irons in the first two games, became the target of public criticism.

Then the media broke out that someone saw Jordan gamble overnight in the Atlantic Casino.During such an important game, Jordan also indulged in gambling, which chilled the hearts of many Bulls loyalists.

This time, Jordan hopes he can have a perfect curtain call, he must use all his strength on the court.

Scottie Pippen is also working hard and will definitely work hard to prepare for leaving the Bulls in the summer. He will use his victory to win a big contract.

Although Rodman was suspended, he also participated in team training, followed by rehearsing tactics and practicing defense.

Phil Jackson did not give up hope. Before the game, he encouraged the players to concentrate and go all out to play every game well, so as not to leave any regrets for the final season of the Bulls.

On May 5, a brief MVP awarding ceremony was held before the first match between the two sides. Ewing took over the trophy from Stern and thanked a group of people, including Yang Rui.

Live broadcast on more than 100 TV stations in many countries, this series has attracted far more attention than the Western Conference Finals Lakers VS Jazz.

China CCTV5 Zhang Lei said: "During the Asian Championships, Zhang Bin, the national team coach, said that Yang Rui was very good. Later, as the season went on, I think many people underestimated Yang Rui. After he joined the Knicks, he played a great The best record in team history, and the offensive power has become the first in the league."

Sun Zhengping smiled and said: "Van Gundy failed to win the best coach. The judges all think that the success of the Knicks this season has a lot to do with the signing of Yang Rui in the summer... We watched the camera and showed it to the sidelines. Yang Rui was very relaxed and was talking to the fans. group photo."

Many New York celebrities came to watch the game and cheered for the Knicks. Spike Lee, a famous director fan in the front row, asked Yang Rui and Thibodeau to take a photo together.

New York commentator Marv Albert couldn't help but complain: "The cat, the mouse and the big dog finally got together." (The American bulldog in the animation is named Spike)
Partner Marty Glickman smiled: "Rodman can't play today, which must have a great impact on the Bulls. This is the best chance for the Knicks to beat the Bulls. Ewing already has the MVP of the regular season. With a championship and Finals MVP, his career is complete."

Albert said: "O'Neal is under a lot of pressure now. He is the only one among the four big centers without an MVP, but he is the youngest and will definitely have a chance in the future."

After the warm-up, the players played, and the Knicks started: Ward, Houston, Bowen, Johnson, Ewing.

Bulls starting: Hubble, Jordan, Pippen, Kukoc, Langley.

Ewing won the jump ball, Bowen picked up the basketball pass Ward, and the game began.

Ewing screened for Houston on the left to help Houston catch the ball. Longley defended more from the outside. The Bulls were very familiar with Houston's catch-and-shoot routines, so "Zen Master" Jackson emphasized that the defensive focus must be quick to switch defenses.

Houston's three-pointer and one-step pull-up jumper have been called the league's biggest killers. If it weren't for the weaker breakthrough, his scoring data would definitely be higher.

Attracting Lang Li to defend, Houston broke through with the ball and flashed a bit of neutrality, and hoisted the ball into the basket in the middle.Ewing cut to the inside to catch the ball, dislocated in the middle to hit Jordan, leaned on the opponent with his back and turned to the right for a hook. 2 to 0.

Jordan is experienced and knows that it is useless to jump. The height difference is here, and Ewing's hook is not something that ordinary people can cover unless he helps defend from the side.Kukoc was pulled out by Johnson, and Pippen did not come back with Bowen in the bottom corner.

Only in the first round, the Bulls defensive end revealed flaws.

The Bulls attacked, the Knicks shrunk to near the penalty area, and Bowen defended Jordan alone.The defensive system has always been arranged by Van Gundy, who continues to be good at pseudo-zone defense, forcing the Bulls players to shoot farther from the basket.

Jordan broke through with the ball, met Ward's double-team on the right side, and Hubble was emptied.Jordan didn't pass the ball, turned to the middle and made a jumper, ignoring the two to interfere with the ball. 2 to 2.

Whether Jordan is holding the ball high or low, he can always handle the ball most effectively before or even after the double-team is formed. This is the most powerful point.He dared to make a strong shot when he saw that Ward was double-teamed. He knew that Ward's height was limited, and the effect of interfering with shots was poor. As long as he avoided steals, it was similar to facing Bowen alone.

The Knicks' routine remained the same. Houston received the ball from the outside, Ewing cut after covering, and Houston swung out a little space and hoisted the ball to a low position. The distance was very close, and Longley couldn't stop the pass.

Ewing leaned against Jordan at a 45-degree angle and "bunny jumped" to the center, turning around to face the frame.Jordan's defense is still outstanding, he was selected to the All-Defensive First Team, and he stayed in front of him.

But even when he was young, the defensive center could only dig the ball in three ways or assist in defense, and the one-on-one height disadvantage was obvious.

Ewing made a right-handed throw, and the arc was super high to avoid Jordan and blocked the ball. 4 to 2.

Zhang Lili sighed: "The Knicks mainly attacked the inside line, and as soon as Lang Li went out, the inside line was empty. In the contest between the two superstars, Ewing had the upper hand in the opening game."

Sun Zhengping said: "Ewing can be both inside and out, and is worthy of the MVP. Houston's role is not inferior to Reggie Miller. Compared with the stars, the Knicks do not lose to the Bulls."

When the Bulls attacked, Bowen began to defend against Jordan closely and entered the playoffs. With the general increase in confrontation intensity, it is more favorable for people of Bowen's style.The referee hates rookies in the regular season and likes to call rookie fouls, but now they call it less.

Van Gundy didn't expect Bowen to prevent Jordan, just to consume Jordan's physical strength.The Knicks have a lot of people playing. As long as they bite in the first half, they will have an advantage in physical fitness in the second half.Bowen took a break, and Starks and Mills came on.

Jordan went to the right low post to ask for the ball, leaned twice, and Ewing let go of Langley's double-team.

Now Jordan, Pippen and Kukoc form a triangle on the right side, and there will be a three-pointer if those two help defend.

Jordan scored the ball, Langley made an open jumper in the middle, the undisturbed ball also missed the basket, and the rebound was obtained by Ewing.

Longley, who was only 11.4 points at his peak, has a 218CM big man in his spare time. He has never hit 50% in a season, and his offense is hopeless.

The Knicks attacked, and Ward moved to the left bottom corner after passing the ball. After covering, it became Kukoc who switched to Houston. Houston transferred the ball laterally to Johnson, who was outside the 70-degree three-point line on the right, and the latter received the ball. The ball was pulled dry, and Lang Li stood too far inward, so he only stretched out his hand.

The arc of the ball is not high and hits the basket. 7 to 2.

The Knicks fans shouted, ecstatic, the Knicks offense was too strong.

(End of this chapter)