the rest, only noise

Chapter 985 Let Me Try Again

At the end of the first quarter, 27 to 22, the Blazers led by 5 points.

If there's one flaw in the Knicks' performance, it's that Wilson's shot load is a little too high.

7 shots in a single quarter, if Wilson feels hot, there is actually no problem, but he only scored 3 goals, and his shooting percentage was less than 50%.

"Benj, don't rush to shoot." Louie reminded him, "Maybe one more pass may give you a better chance."

Wilson's bland "My fault" is considered a mistake.

Louis took a deep look at him and didn't say much, "In the second quarter, we will try a more unrestrained style of play."

However, Riley did not give Louis a chance.

The defense of Verdun, which did not appear in the first scene, appeared in the second scene.

At the beginning of the second quarter, Riley expected Louis to replace Wilson and Ewing to rest.

Even if the two of them were there, Riley would not be afraid.

On the Trail Blazers side, Jordan, Cosey, Clifford Robinson, Xavier McDaniel, and Mason lined up.

Just like when the Knicks replaced Rodman, Stevens and Wilson at the same time, it meant that they were going to use the murder press.

The same is true for the Blazers. As long as you see Jordan, Robinson and McDaniel on the field, don't think about it, it must be the Verdun defense line.

In the first game, Riley did not use this trick because Jordan was not in the right state at the time.

Tonight, Jordan's state is bursting, and it's time to hit his opponent hard.

The lineup used by the Knicks to deal with the second quarter is Stockton, Miller, Reggie Williams, Rodman, and Yu Tiancan.

Louie did not resort to murder and pressed for fire.

Because he is not sure whether Wilson in this state can still take the lead as in the past, whether his teammates are used to his changes, and are they still willing to fight with Wilson as before?

Louie wouldn't make a murder press until he had a definite answer.

Moreover, the pioneers' Verdun defense line was so strong that it was difficult to match, even if they resorted to murder and pressing, it would not have a positive effect.

Instead of head-to-head, it is better to trust the players' resilience.

They also grew up in the baptism of blood and fire, not the group in the west who were randomly manipulated by the pioneers.

When the Blazers' defense unfolded, Louie realized first-hand the advanced nature of the opponent's defensive system.

Riley was a good student, and if he wanted to copy, he copied it thoroughly.

The Blazers imitated the set-up of the murder press.

However, there are differences between the two sides in terms of concept.

The Knicks pay attention to "murder", that is, through the oppression of the ball holder, the Blazers pay attention to the "defense line". What they are looking for is not the immediate pressing effect of the Knicks, but the nightmare-like torture.

Since the five players on the Blazers field can switch defenses infinitely except for Mason, they naturally put Mason in the backcourt to respond, and the positions of the other four are exactly the same as the murder press, adopting a 2-1-1 defensive formation.

Stockton called for a pick-and-roll, narrowly got rid of Jordan in front of him, and then Cosey stepped in front of him and forced him to stop with a tough defense.

Stockton passed the ball to Miller, but it wasn't a good choice.

Miller's dribbling doesn't look good enough against this defense.

The Knicks didn't adapt to the Blazers' defense. The Verdun defense of the Blazers has improved qualitatively compared to last year's finals.

Tacit understanding, this is the most important point of the press.

Jordan's killing intent is endless, putting pressure on the Knicks' players in the frontcourt like a bandit.

Miller can't dribble on this defense.

He just tried to do that, and Jordan savagely stole the ball.

"Beep!"

Fortunately, the Knicks also have referees to help.

The home game didn't come in vain, as sideline referee Jack O'Connor called Jordan a defensive foul.

Jordan stared at him dissatisfied: "Do you think tens of millions of viewers turned on the TV to watch the live broadcast of this game just to watch you call my foul?"

"Don't be so self-righteous, Michael, who the hell cares about you!" Louie certainly couldn't let him interfere with the referee.

But Riley was furious as if he was going to kill the referee.

Louis understood his feelings, after all, it was his top card that was blown off his body whistle.What does this mean?Maybe it means nothing.But if Riley's nerves were really that big, he wouldn't be where he is today.

Blowing Jordan's defensive foul is likely to be the standard weathervane of this game.

If the scale is tightened tonight, it will not be good for the Blazers.

Because of the Blazers-Knicks matchup, they are obviously the more brutal side.

Why did the Knicks overthrow the Celtics?Just rely on the barbaric style of play.

But without the acquiescence of the referee, this style of play cannot be effective.

So Riley was pissed. He was so angry that he couldn't control it, as if the referee had been blowing the black whistle all night.

"Ruce (Reggie Williams), you and Reggie switched positions." Louie didn't interfere with Riley to put pressure on the referee.

That is his freedom.

Rather than caring about his opponents, what Louis needs to do more is to adjust his personnel positions.

Since Miller can't dribble at this intensity, let Williams do it.

"Russ, the Blazers' full-court press shouldn't make you feel unfamiliar, right?" Louis asked with a smile.

Williams proudly said: "We have been imitated all the time, they are just one of them."

"So you know how to deal with them?"

"Coach Lu, it's not because of Patrick that I have gained your trust in New York these years." Williams is a player Louis likes very much, and at the same time, he is also a person full of resentment.

When he came to New York to join Ewing, he was as fragile as crystal glass.

Because of the attributes of the glass man, he was given up by his parent team, the Warriors, and came to New York, where he signed a long-term contract after winning the championship.

He never expected that his body would suddenly become tough. He had few injuries and a stable attendance rate over the years. As an unshakable member of the Knicks' murderous press, he also had a stable rotation time. He could be regarded as one of the Knicks' top eight players.

With his strength, there is no pressure to go to other teams to start and get a contract with an annual salary of 300 million.

However, he couldn't go.

Because he signed a damn six-year, $1989 million extension in 6.

Today, this contract is inferior to the standard rookie contract, not to mention his senior is holding a horrifying three-year 3 million.

The Knicks' cap space made it impossible for Louis to re-sign a contract with Williams, so he could only lead an elite contract with a cheap contract until 1995.

It is normal for him to have resentment when he sees his teammates get big contracts one by one.

In order to vent this grievance, Williams also turned into a hedgehog, ready to sting at every turn.

"I know that you rely on yourself. The Knicks' brilliance is inseparable from your contribution." Louis patted his ass, and added, "Since this is the case, I should be able to rest assured that you will cooperate with the general. It shouldn't be a problem for you to crack Portland's defense line?"

Williams is not stupid. The Blazers' full-court press can be used to prevent someone from getting pregnant in the West. How capable is he, how dare he boast?

"Don't say that, coach, I only get 50 a year. Such an important task should be done by those who earn a few million a year."

"Stop fucking nonsense!" Louie was furious. "If you think you deserve more money, play your value in the finals. As long as you play it, I promise to give you a good contract next season!"

Williams' eyes lit up: "Really?"

Louis said angrily, "It's absolutely true!"

Stockton faced Jordan's ferocious defense, and it was difficult to parry.

Jordan's defensive action was more excessive than before, but this time O'Connor did not dare to call him a foul.

Stars have privileges no matter where they are, especially those at Jordan's level.

Just blowing his body hair just now is already outrageous.

Stockton couldn't wait for the referee's whistle, so he had to pass the ball.

Williams received the ball, facing Cauchy, he swayed left and right, and successfully penetrated the opponent's defense.

Clifford Robinson came in from behind, ready to take over the defensive duties.

The Blazers' defense switching routine is based on the 2-1-1 formation. Williams has trained this formation for many years. He knows that as long as he passes Cauchy, someone will come to defend him, so he has already prepared to pass the ball or accelerate the second breakthrough.

Robinson's defense is difficult to break through, so he passes the ball.

Rodman is responding at the LOGO.

"Dennis!" Williams yelled.

Rodman received the ball, took a step forward, passed the midfield, and initially broke the Verdun defense.

Miller quickly followed, holding out his hands for the ball.

Rodman sideways to the ball.

They all know that to deal with the full-court press, once they break through the defense line, they must quickly end the attack while the opponent's foothold is not stable.

This happens to be Miller's favorite offensive rhythm.

Before the defense is in front of him, the teammate has the ball in his hands.

Without hesitation, he directly shot a three-pointer.

"Shh!"

"Trying to use the full-court press to widen the gap is a naive idea," Hubie Brown said. "No team understands the full-court press better than the Knicks."

Riley scoffed at Brown's analysis.

If the referee allowed them to play hard, the Knicks would have been turned on their backs. How could they have a chance to shoot three-pointers in the frontcourt?
But he won't make excuses either. If he didn't defend well this round, he just needs to work hard in the next round.

Jordan ran to the frontcourt, and Riley said to him:

"Michael, I hope you haven't forgotten how you lost last year. If you don't want to repeat the same mistakes, let New Yorkers know our determination here!"

Riley's words pierced Jordan's head.

Like thunder across the sky.

The flying man seemed to be stunned, he was standing in the bottom corner.

I saw Cauchy dribble to break the Knicks' perimeter defense, that was just the first hurdle.

Rodman's defense is the second level.

Cosey couldn't go any further, and that's when he found Jordan in the corner unmarked.

Because Jordan's corner threes aren't worth defending?
No one knew why Miller didn't guard Jordan, everyone just saw Cosey pass the ball.

Jordan catches the ball, jumps up, his body rises and falls in a straight line, uniform, and the arc of his shot is as beautiful as Zhou Shen singing "Big Fish".

"Shh!"

Jordan glanced grimly at Miller, "Let me try again?"

(End of this chapter)