the rest, only noise

Chapter 804 It's Like Fighting With Himself
Pat Riley's office at Memorial Stadium (Madison Square Garden), like his office at the Blazers' suburban practice facility, was dark.The overhead lights were usually off, except for a single light that shone over his shoulder, almost like the kind used for interrogation in a back room.Otherwise, the room was empty—no plaques or paintings on the walls, and little furniture except two hard chairs, a table, and a lamp.There was a pack of cigarettes on the table, along with some index cards that Riley used to draw pictures for the game.

So far this season, the Blazers have won 25 consecutive victories.

Every time he wins, there are only two things Riley wants to emphasize: "You can't be complacent, and you can't be egotistical."

He has waited a year to play against Louie's team again.

The Knicks' four-peat should end in the hands of the Blazers.

They have the best stars.

No matter what other people think, Riley doesn't change his mind.

"Pat, is there anything else that needs attention in tonight's game?" Jordan came to ask for instructions.

Riley didn't answer directly, but asked, "How is Chuck?"

"The fat guy in Alabama feels good about himself every day." Jordan sneered disdainfully.

He and Barkley are good friends, but it's true that he doesn't like Barkley's professionalism and spiritual attributes as a basketball player.

"That's enough." Riley said affirmatively, "We have made enough preparations, and the rest depends on what the Knicks plan to do."

On Christmas Eve, the Knicks were forced to play an away game.

In the past, the league would arrange for them to play the Christmas game at home.

Because MSG is one of the best arenas, playing the Christmas game here can increase the good impression of passers-by fans.

But let the Knicks play the Christmas game at home every year, and other teams also have opinions, so this year they are arranged to play the game at the Memorial Stadium.

Again, all the arenas called XX Stadium were built in the first half of this century.

This kind of old-fashioned gymnasium that doesn't look fancy at all is a specialty of that era.

"I really feel like playing here is not good for promoting the NBA."

Ewing spoke candidly to NBC's field reporter Ahmad Rashad.

Louis couldn't help giving him a thumbs up after hearing Ewing's evaluation of the Memorial Gymnasium.

Another day of being amazed by Ewing's fluctuating EQ.

After Barkley heard that Ewing disliked their home court, he said with disdain: "Do you know what is not conducive to NBC's promotion of the NBA? It is to let fans find out that a person who is not the best player in the league has the highest salary in the league. If I am a fan, I must think this league is unprofessional."

Before the game even started, the main generals of the two sides laughed at each other, and the conflict was full.

During pre-match training, players from both sides dunked on the field to warm up.

Louie noticed that the Blazers of the Riley era had many players that Rick Pitino had discarded.

Like the bandit Anthony Mason, under Pitino, he hardly got a chance to play. When he played for Riley, he was an important rotation for the Blazers.

There is also Blue Edwards (Blue Edwards SF), a first-round pick in 1989, a swingman with a barefoot of only 1.9 meters.He is a bit like Vernon Maxwell of the Knicks, with outstanding shooting ability, a big heart, a higher than usual shooting percentage at critical moments, and good physical fitness. He also participated in the slam dunk contest a year ago.

Pitino is not good at seeing the strengths in these guys.

Under Riley, he values ​​those who are willing to risk themselves.Therefore, those who are willing to obey him and complete training according to his standards are more likely to be favored.

Both Mason and Edwards got top chances as a result.

After the two sides have warmed up before the game, the game is ready to start.

The lights of the Memorial Stadium were dimmed, and the DJ introduced the first rounds of both sides.

Louis intends to test the Blazers, so the starting fourth position is neither Rodman nor Kemp, but veteran Kevin McHale.

For the Blazers, their starters are Jordan, Jerome Cosey, Xavier McDaniel, Barkley, and Larry Nance.

This is the secret to the Blazers' invincibility so far this season.

Their athleticism is second to none.

On the opening jump ball, Nance used his speed to slap the ball away from Ewing.

On the first goal, Barkley met his old teammate and unceremoniously entered the low post.

Even if he just watched from a distance, Louis could see the muscle lines on Barkley's body.This is his body shape in college. Although he is not particularly thin, it is already a great improvement compared to the appearance of the Bulls.

Riley did what 99.9 percent of coaches couldn't do, making Barkley lose weight.

Barkley got the ball in the low post, and the Knicks shrank decisively as planned.

However, Barkley's back attack did not stop because of the close double-teaming.

McHale has tried his best to stand behind him, but Barkley's offensive momentum is simply unstoppable.

Barkley overturned McHale, and Wilson's help defense came. He ignored the latter's defense and made a rebound and shot.

2 is better than 0
"Kevin, you're old, retire now, I can't bear to hit you!"

Barkley smugly ran back.

"That bastard, I really want to kick him!" Sean Kemp looked anxiously.

"Don't!" Rodman said earnestly, "You can't beat him!"

Kemp said incredulously, "Try to know!"

"What are you trying? If you don't play well, you want to fight?" Louis glared back.

Everyone shut up immediately.

The Blazers started with five wings and possessed the league's first athletic ability. This is Riley's defensive system specially created for the Knicks.

From the moment they hit the ground, Knicks players have experienced countless confrontations.

This confrontation is usually what they give to others.

Suddenly, the confrontation from the opponent was so powerful.

Stockton met Cauchy's one-on defense, stumbled through Ewing's pick-and-roll, broke through, and suffered a switch.

It was Barkley who switched him.

Barkley is the only defensive loophole in the Blazers' starting lineup, but Stockton's offensive ability is not good, so he missed a great opportunity and passed the ball to Wilson.

Wilson couldn't see other opportunities, so he made a strong shot against the defense and missed.

Jordan runs fast.

The ball is passed from the backcourt to the frontcourt.

Outside the three-point line at the top of the arc, Jordan received the ball, made an emergency stop, and chased for a three-pointer.

"Shh!"

"!#%@%"

"The Knicks must be familiar with this style of play."

It's like fighting with yourself.

This is the feeling the Blazers gave the Knicks. The opponent is very similar to the Knicks in all aspects from defense to offense.Moreover, they are like the Knicks of the dark side, more fierce, more aggressive, more rough.

At the same time, their defense also made Louis see a bit of deja vu.

They would rather miss the outside line, and they will definitely set up a defense at the basket, relying on rotation speed to make up for it.Moreover, the perimeter missed by them is usually the point with the lowest shooting percentage of Wilson, Miller and Stockton.Riley, like Louie, loves to study the data, and he won't let this detail pass.

Try not to give Ewing the chance to take Nance or others one-on-one. As long as Ewing gets the ball in the low post, they will use the physical fitness of the wing players to carry out brutal double-teaming.

At the same time, we must firmly lock the Knicks' high-position dynamic offense.The Knicks love pick-and-rolls, and the Blazers play a lot of delays and switches and double-shifts on defense.

These don't look new, but are very disciplined in their execution.

The Knicks have never met such a team with similar attributes to their own, but better than themselves in some aspects.

After 4 minutes of fighting, the Blazers led the Knicks 13 to 7.

With 6 points behind, Louis is not in a hurry.

However, when Stockton called the pick-and-roll and tried to break through but was intercepted by Jordan to counter a dragon, he called a timeout.

(End of this chapter)