The impact of the NBA lockout is far-reaching. Fans who were originally sad because of Jordan's retirement have dropped sharply in interest in the NBA. Not only do fans disagree, but the media also denounced the labor dispute. In the 1998-99 season, the average NBA attendance

The number of players was 23,048, a decrease of 2.2% from the average number of players last season. You can imagine how sluggish the NBA was this year.

Since Jordan retired, the Bulls dynasty has also fallen apart. The team's second-in-command Scottie Pippen went to the Houston Rockets to replace the retired Clyde Drexler, but the Rockets lost in the first round of the playoffs.

They were eliminated 1-3 by the Los Angeles Lakers, who had another strongman from the Bulls, Dennis Rodman. After head coach Phil Jackson left the field, only Toni Kukoc's Bulls were retained, and they only scored 13 points this season.

With 37 wins and 37 losses, they are at the bottom of the Eastern Conference. It is obvious to any fool that Bulls general manager Jerry Krause has completely let himself go since Jordan left. In the past, he was suppressed by Jordan and could not say much. Now,

Well, Jordan has retired, so he alone has the final say for the Bulls. After sending away all these players with big contracts and some strength this year, the Bulls can be completely ruined and replace them with some fresh blood for a few years.

Still having fun.

The regular season was shortened to 50 games, and the regular season record completely lost its reference value. The Miami Heat achieved 33 wins and 11 losses in the regular season, ranking first in the Eastern Conference, while the New York Knicks only had 27 wins and 23 losses, barely squeezing into eighth place in the Eastern Conference.

playoffs, but in fact, the Knicks' combat effectiveness is far beyond what the record can reflect.

In the first game, the Knicks unexpectedly won 95-75 on the road. The Heat, who knew their shame and showed courage, took back a game with a 10-point advantage in the second game. But back at Madison Garden, the Knicks once again defeated 97-73.

They humiliated the Heat, but they also failed to save the fourth game and were humiliated by the Heat by 15 points. As a result, the fifth decisive game started at the Heat's home court. Unlike the previous four games where both sides defeated their opponents, the situation this time was very tragic.

, both sides will defend to the extreme.

4.5 seconds before the end, the Heat led 97-96. Alan Houston, nicknamed the "Central Shooting King", took the ball and attacked. After deceiving the defender with a fake move, he rushed straight to the basket, but there was not much time left, and Houston was

Forced to adopt a throw shot that is rarely attempted. The ball hit the edge of the basket, bounced, hit the backboard and bounced back. Finally, amid the exclamations of the Heat fans, the ball fell into the net, and at the same time, the final

When the buzzer sounded, the Knicks defeated the Heat 98-97, thus creating the second "Black Eight Miracle" in NBA history with a total score of 3-2. Houston ran excitedly across the court.

Under the coaching of Jeff Van Gundy, although Ewing is still the team's scoring leader, the team's focus has shifted to the "double backcourt" Houston and Latrell Sprewell. In addition, the Knicks continue to

Adopting a defense-first style, the Knicks averaged 90.8 points per game that season, ranking fourth in the NBA. The morale-boosted Knicks burst out with super fighting power and swept the Atlanta Hawks, fourth in the Eastern Conference with 31 wins and 19 losses, 4-0 in the Eastern Conference semifinals.

, in the Eastern Conference finals, they defeated the New York Hans, who were also second in the Eastern Conference with 33 wins and 11 losses, 4-3.

That's right, under the leadership of head coach Chuck Daly, the New York Hans, with their twin-tower combination led by Alonzo Mourning + Nowitzki + outside scoring leader Kobe Bryant, successfully reached the Eastern Conference finals with second place in the Eastern Conference in the regular season.

It's a pity that in the past two years, the New York Han Chinese have replaced many high-quality substitutes, and they have not been able to shake the strong Knicks. This is also a helpless move. With just one breath, the New York Han Chinese can reach the finals.

However, the team still made history. This was also the first time the Han people reached the Eastern Conference finals.

At this point, the Knicks have become the only team in NBA history to enter the finals as a black eight, and it is also the 8th trip to the finals in team history.

The opponent of the Knicks is the San Antonio Spurs. Originally, after Jordan retired, people thought that the Utah Jazz would be the replacement for the championship. Because in recent years, with the decline of the Seattle SuperSonics, the Jazz have suddenly emerged and have reached the Western Conference Finals several times.

, and the Jazz also achieved 37 wins and 13 losses this season, tied for first place in the Western Conference with the Spurs, and Karl Malone also won the second regular season MVP in his career. But without Jordan as an opponent, the Jazz obviously lost their morale.

, after a thrilling 3-2 elimination of the Sacramento Kings in the first round, they fell to the Seattle SuperSonics 2-4 in the Western Conference semifinals. The Spurs had a smooth journey, successively eliminating the Minnesota Timberwolves, Lakers and SuperSonics, reaching the NBA Finals for the first time in team history.

finals.

Before the finals started, people were generally optimistic about the Spurs, because the Spurs have the twin tower combination of Tim Duncan and David Robinson. In addition, Ewing injured his knee and was unable to play in the finals. Larry Johnson also sprained his knee.

This means that the Knicks have no chance of winning. Also, how can you pass the game against the rival New York Han Chinese so easily? There is no way to go well without injuring several main players. Don't forget that there are still other players in the Han Chinese.

Mourning, Bruce Bowen, Jermaine O'Neal, Stephen Jackson and other ruthless guys.

As everyone expected, the Knicks soon fell behind 1-3. The struggling Knicks in Game 5 still led 77-75 with 47 seconds left. The Spurs attacked, Tim Duncan was double-teamed, and Sean Elie

Ott feinted a shot, and the ball was handed over to "Little General" Avery Johnson. Without thinking, he quickly shot from outside the three-point line and scored! The Spurs went ahead 78-77. Then, Sprewell's desperate three-pointer

Without scoring, the Spurs won the first championship in team history with a total score of 4-1, which was later mocked by Phil Jackson as the NBA's "shrunk championship."

Tim Duncan showed his prowess in the series, averaging 27.4 points, 14 rebounds and 2.2 blocks per game, and was elected the Finals MVP. After the Finals, after creating the miracle of black eight, he boasted that "the Knicks and the world are together."

"Enemy" Van Gundy also admitted when asked about the reason for the failure: "They have Duncan, but we don't..."

Listen to what Van Gundy said. He had the nerve to say such things. Look at the Knicks' starting lineup. It definitely blinded the eyes of the entire league. The point guard is veteran Mark Jackson, and the shooting guard is the "Central Shooting King".

"Alan Houston, the small forward is "Madman" Latrell Sprewell, the power forward is "Big Mom" ​​Larry Johnson, and the center is the All-Star lineup of "Gorilla" Patrick Ewing, plus

Even though we had a good substitute lineup and couldn't win the championship, can you blame others?!

Of course, if Ewing and Johnson were not injured and missed the finals, it might be a different situation, but it is a pity that some teams just don't have that life. Obviously the Knicks are such a team, and they spent a lot of money.
Chapter completed!