Chapter 106: First round against the arch-enemy Knicks

Author: Dong Wangyi

Chapter 106: First round against the arch-enemy Knicks

At noon, Zhou Quan came to the headquarters and conducted the final training with his teammates before the G1 game.

"Iron Fist, the league will officially award you the Best Rookie Trophy before the G1 game." After he arrived, General Manager McCloskey's assistant Troy came over to inform him.

"That's great!"

He was in a very good mood after receiving the first formal personal honor in his career.

But not long after, his mood became worse again.

"Ouch!"

At around three o'clock, during a training game, while fighting for rebounds, Rodman and John Salley collided and fell to the ground unable to get up.

"Dennis?"

Everyone in the training hall was stunned. At this critical moment, if Rodman, who already had injury problems, worsened his injuries, the team would be in danger.

Team doctor Neville ran over to check on Rodman, but it was still the same problem. He had an old knee injury and sprained it again.

"Take care of it immediately."

Chuck Daly looked extremely ugly.

If Rodman can't play, it will be really bad. The Pistons rely on him for rebounding and interior defense. Without the big bug, there will be big problems in rebounding and interior defense.

Zhou Quan is also very angry. If the team fails to pass the first round, he will be in trouble.

At 6:30 in the afternoon, he drove his pickup truck to the Palace of Auburn Hills. As soon as he got out of the car, a group of reporters ran over.

"Iron Fist, you and Larry Johnson share the Rookie of the Year award. This is the second time in the history of the league, but the mainstream media recognizes Larry Johnson more. So do you think there is an inside story in the selection of the Rookie of the Year?" a Miami Daily reporter asked

road.

"I'm just a player. I don't know what the inside story is. I'm sure you don't know either. And I don't support conspiracy theories," Zhou Quan said.

The first reporter retreated, and the second reporter came back and asked: "Iron Fist, do you think you deserve to be named Rookie of the Year?"

Zhou Quan said very bluntly: "My data is there, and our record is also there. If you think that I am not worthy of being a rookie, then I will not agree with you.

If you choose Larry Johnson, I respect your choice and it is your freedom, but I think I am also the best one."

"Iron Fist, congratulations."

"Thanks!"

Several local reporters pushed several foreign reporters outside, and the interview atmosphere immediately improved.

After spending more than ten minutes dealing with the reporters, I came to the locker room, where most of my teammates were already there.

He observed it and found that the atmosphere was good, not relaxed, but slightly nervous and prepared for war, without panic.

After all, this is the Pistons. Starting from the 1983/84 season, they have reached the playoffs for nine consecutive years and the Eastern Conference Finals five times, including two consecutive championships. They have been one of the most popular teams in the Eastern Conference in the past ten years.

The Eastern Conference, that is, the Green Team is comparable, and the Bulls are also below them.

This is a team with extremely rich playoff experience. Even though a lot of players have changed, the Assassins and veterans such as Joe Dumars, Rodman, and John Salley are all here, so there will be no lack of experience.

The atmosphere is relatively good.

"Hey, Iron Fist." Thomas greeted while massaging his lower limbs.

"Isiah, how is your physical condition?" Zhou Quan walked to the massage table.

"It's not bad. If you give it your best for twenty minutes, it shouldn't be a problem." The assassin hesitated for a moment and then said.

"That's good."

Zhou Quan's heart skipped a beat. For someone as strong as the assassin, but his tone was so hesitant, that meant he was not sure at all.

Coupled with Rodman's problem, is there really going to be a problem in this first-round series?

At this time, Chuck Daly walked in. After hearing what the two said, he also heard some meaning beyond the words. He reluctantly smiled and said: "Isiah, this is good news."

He actually has some idea of ​​the state of the Assassins. In the playoffs last season, although the team was swept out by the Bulls in the Eastern Conference Finals, everything was traceable.

Because the Assassins' form dropped a bit last season, they could only play 33.5 minutes per game in the playoffs, averaging only 13.5 points, 4.2 rebounds, 8.5 assists and 1 steal per game, and their shooting percentage was only 40.3%.

This data is much worse than the playoff performance in the 1990 championship. In the 1990 playoffs, he averaged 38 minutes per game, 20.5 points, 5.5 rebounds, 8.2 assists and 2 steals, with a shooting percentage of 46.3%.

The injury problem has become more serious this season. In the last battle at Auburn Hills, injuries have been added to the injury, and his condition has dropped to another level, so he actually has no confidence in the performance of the Assassins.

This can be proven by the performance of the Assassins in the regular season.

In the regular season this season, the Assassins only played a total of 42 games, averaging 18.1 minutes per game, scoring only 9.1 points and 4.2 assists. In particular, the shooting rate was only 41.5%, and the offensive efficiency was not as good as that of Iron Fist.

At this time, the remaining players also arrived. Chuck Daly closed the door to the locker room and began to conduct the final combat analysis before the game.

He thought of the assassin's state, so he said: "Everyone remember that the Knicks' bench is very strong. There are several players, and the thickness of the bench is among the best in the league. This is also a very strong part of the Knicks. We

You must be careful and never underestimate them."

Rick Mask, the assistant coach in charge of offense, continued: "John Starks is the Knicks' second scoring point, averaging 13.9 points in 26 minutes per game. He is the strongest offensive point among the bench lineup and has very strong offensive power.

In addition, Anthony Mason and veteran Vandeweghe can each average 7 points per game. With these three players, they can average 28 points per game on the bench.

This season, the Knicks averaged 101.6 points per game. The five main players averaged 67.6 points per game. The substitute lineup averaged 34 points per game, accounting for 33.5% of the team's total points. This ratio is only slightly lower than ours.

It shows that the Knicks’ bench lineup is no worse than ours.”

Ray Lowells, the assistant coach in charge of defense, continued: "But our substitute lineup is better, the Assassins and Mark Aguirre, one of you was the second pick in 1981, and the other was the No. 1 pick in 1981, I believe you can take advantage of it.

to the advantage.”

Chuck Daly shook his head secretly. Wells' ability was okay, but he was a bit slow, but this sentence did not hurt morale.

He nodded and said: "In the regular season, Isiah averaged 10 points per game and Mark Aguirre averaged 11 points per game. Together, you two can contribute 21 points. Together with other substitutes, our substitute lineup can average 11 points per game."

38 points, accounting for 36% of the team's score.

If Isiah's performance in the playoffs...can be like this, then we should be able to compete with the Knicks' bench."

At this point, he considered that there might be problems with the performance of the Assassins, so he couldn't help but warned again very seriously: "I remind you again, don't be fooled by the Knicks' regular season ranking of sixth in the Eastern Conference. They are very strong and not as good as us.

weak."

"yes."

The locker room shouted in unison.

Daley secretly sighed, the Assassins might have a problem here, but after all, they are just a substitute lineup, but Rodman's problem is really a big trouble.

"Neville, can Dennis play?" he asked the team doctor.

Neville was giving Rodman a massage when he heard this and said hesitantly: "You can fight when you knock him down, but the time cannot exceed 30 minutes, and the playing time must be divided and cannot be played continuously.

In addition, if you want him to recover faster, it is best to control the time to 25 minutes. Moreover, his condition..."

At this point, he stopped talking.

Daly and everyone understand that the team will face huge difficulties tonight.

…

The series was broadcast nationally on TNT, with commentators Robert Guida and Ringo Wilson.

The game officially starts at 8:30, and the TNT live broadcast starts at 8:00. This is also the time when both sides announce the starting lineup.

Knicks: Ewing, Oakley, McDaniel, Gerald Wilkins, Mark Jackson

Pistons: John Salley, Rodman, Orlando Ulrich, Joe Dumars, Zhou Quan

Robert Guida said: "There are four first-round games tonight, ours in the Eastern Conference, and the Celtics and Pacers. Their game just started, half an hour earlier than ours."

Ringo Wilson said: "The Western Conference is the Suns versus the Spurs, and the Warriors versus the SuperSonics. Robert, what do you think of tonight's game, or maybe this series, I mean our side?"

"The battle between the strong and the strong."

Robert Guida said seriously: "I think neither the Pistons nor the Knicks are sure. They have to do everything they can to have a chance to eliminate their opponents and advance to the first round. I even think that this series is likely to have to be played.

Five games complete.”

Ringo Wilson nodded and said: "For some reasons, the relationship between the two teams is very bad. They have become mortal enemies and they are the same type of defensive teams. This series should be very intense."

Robert Guida suddenly smiled and said: "Linge, do you think there will be a conflict on the field?"

Ringo Wilson shook his head and said: "It's hard to say, but the Knicks have Oakley, one of the four villains. Anthony Mason also seems to have a hot temper. In one season in the Knicks, the number of fights is no less than that of Iron Fist, and Iron Fist now also has

The title of Detroit Killer King.”

"Pfft!"

Robert Guida laughed and laughed for a long time before saying: "I heard that Iron Fist doesn't like this nickname. Let's talk less. This is his home court. What if he comes here if we talk too much?"

Ringo Wilson laughed and said: "Haha, okay, let's stop talking about the Detroit Killer King."

"Look, you said it again."

"Ha ha……"
To be continued...