On the other side, players from several leagues are also being interviewed by the media.
"Irvin, where do you think the Bulls lost tonight?" a reporter asked.
Magic didn't think about it and immediately said: "First, rebounding, this is a fatal shortcoming. This problem cannot be solved. No matter how many points Jordan scores, he can't make up for it.
Two, inside line.
The inside severely hindered low-post offense and rebounding. As mentioned earlier in rebounding, the Bulls' lack of low-post offense can only be made up for by the outside. If the Suns' low-post offense is only average, Jordan and Pippen's outside offense can indeed
It can be made up for, but the Suns' low-post offensive ability can be said to be the best in the league. How can the Bulls' perimeter make up for it?
There are very few low-post offenses, which reduces the Bulls' overall offensive efficiency. Adding rebounds, this is the reason why the Bulls lose. The weakness inside is the original sin."
"Ervin, don't you think there is a problem with Phil Jackson's tactics?" the reporter asked.
"What point are you referring to?" Magic Johnson asked.
"Abandoning confrontation and using slashing tactics, and Lao K's free throw percentage reached 60%, this is obviously not cost-effective." The reporter said.
Magic Johnson said: "It is definitely wrong to give up confrontation. This allows Old K to consume very little physical energy in the offense, thus allowing him to increase a lot of offensive opportunities in disguise.
But the tactics of killing people cannot be unilaterally used to say whether it is right or wrong.
What I mean is, if the Bulls continued to use cutting tactics while maintaining confrontation, the results would be different.
It is undoubtedly very cost-effective to kill Old K under the basket, because his offensive shooting percentage there is much higher than 60%, but it is not very cost-effective to kill him on the wings in the low post, because his nearly two-point shooting percentage is only
Just over 40 percent, which is lower than his free throw percentage tonight."
Next to him, Larry Bird was also being interviewed. The interviewers were Zhang Lili and Sun Zhenping who had just arrived.
Zhang Lili asked: "Larry, can you evaluate Lao K's performance tonight?"
Larry Bird immediately taunted and said: "What about that kid? If the Bulls had a center with slightly better offensive capabilities, or a center who could carry the ball, it would be difficult to lose the game.
The reason why the rookie seems to be playing well today is because the Bulls are too poor inside. They can't attack well, defend well, and can't be used as a human shield. They have highlighted the strength of the rookie. In fact, he is not as powerful as he looks.
.
Do you think he can perform like this when facing Dameng and General, or even O'Neal and Mourning?
These opponents can score more points on him than he does, and he has a negative efficiency.
Why he looked so good tonight is because his opponent was so rubbish and his data had no gold content."
Zhang Lili asked awkwardly: "Can you talk about Jordan's performance?"
Larry Bird had a look of disgust on his face and said without mercy: "Jordan is probably very angry now that he lost. I really don't know how he won two championships and lost to the Suns?
"
"Do you think there was a problem with the Bulls' tactics tonight?" Zhang Lili asked again.
Larry Bird said: "Giving up the confrontation in the second half is the most wrong thing. The only way is to strengthen the confrontation and increase the physical consumption of the rookie, so that he needs to rest for three minutes every time he plays an offense. He cannot play several offenses in one quarter. The Bulls
Only then can we win.”
"So you think the Bulls' defeat tonight is a coach's problem, not a player's problem." Zhang Lili asked.
"Of course the players also have problems. They took the initiative to withdraw from the confrontation with Old K on the court. After Cartwright was injured, the Bulls only had a few soft guys left inside, so I suggested that Michael go on his own. You can fight against Old K.
, I support you."
Larry Bird scoffed.
"Pfft!"
Zhang Lili laughed, how much do you hate Jordan?
At this time, the atmosphere in the visiting team's locker room was like an iron plate just taken out of the freezer, cold, hard, and stinging.
No one dared to speak until Jordan spoke.
Jordan was leaning against the closet, his head covered with a white towel, his chest heaving heavily. It was ten minutes after the game ended, and he seemed to be still breathing.
Phil Jackson stood behind the door of the locker room, very silent, glancing at a few inside players from time to time.
It was these guys who didn't dare to have a strong confrontation with Old K, so he had to use the tactics of killing people, and the result was a loss.
If Jerry Krause wanted to trade these guys now, he would definitely support it with both feet and hands.
Giving up the confrontation would have many consequences. During the game, he had not thought clearly about it, but now that the game was over, he had realized it.
For example, the biggest problem is to greatly reduce the physical energy consumption of Lao K during the offense.
This problem leads to two results.
First, Lao K, whose physical fitness was preserved, increased his offense and was forced to use slashing tactics. As a result, Lao K's free throw shooting rate reached 60%, and the slashing tactic became a suicide tactic.
Second, Lao K, whose physical fitness was preserved, exploded in rebounding and actually grabbed 15 rebounds, far exceeding his level in the first three rounds of the playoffs.
Rebounding was the key reason why the Bulls lost the game.
Therefore, removing the confrontation is the real reason for losing.
Before the confrontation was called off, even if Cartwright and Mark West were injured by Old K, the team still had the upper hand.
At this time, Jordan suddenly raised his hand and grabbed the towel covering his head, revealing a gloomy face.
This action immediately focused all the eyes and attention on him in the locker room.
"Michael?" Phil Jackson said.
“Who else here wants to win?”
Jordan's roar suddenly sounded, the voice was cold and sharp, full of anger, making everyone's hearts tremble.
"Phil?"
He suddenly turned around, stared at Phil Jackson, gritted his teeth and said: "In the next game, I will help defend K. I want to see if he can kill me."
"Michael?"
Not only Phil Jackson, not only Jerry Krause, but everyone was stunned.
Pippen lowered his head. After being knocked down several times by Old K, he didn't dare to double-team him again. Jordan's dissatisfaction was also directed at him.
An hour later, the post-match press conference was held.
Even though the Bulls lost the game and it was an away game, there were more reporters than the Suns. This shows how much influence Jordan has.
"Michael, where do you think the Bulls lost?" a Chicago Sports reporter asked.
An hour later, Jordan's face was still ugly. After a moment of silence, he said: "We lost the confrontation, which saved K's physical strength, allowing him to grab more rebounds and play more offenses.
That's why we lost."
"Do you think there needs to be surgery on the interior line in the offseason? Will you allow management to make trades?" the reporter asked.
Everyone knows that when Jerry Krause wanted to sign Wang Tiejun, he was publicly ridiculed by Jordan and Pippen, so when this reporter asked this question, he had some emotions, or some complaints against Jordan, because if the old man is now
If K is with the Bulls, it is possible for the Bulls to sweep the Suns.
Jordan was silent again for a while. He felt his teammates on both sides were looking at him, but ignored him, and finally said:
"I have never blocked management transactions, I can guarantee that. Maybe I don't like some transactions because I hope that all my old teammates who won championships with me can continue to play together. I should have the opportunity to express my personal opinions.
that power.
As for what the management does, that is their business, and they have never stopped certain transactions because of my attitude, right?"
"call!"
Jerry Kraus, who was standing on the side of the hall, took a long breath and felt relieved.
From this sentence, he received some information from Jordan, which allowed him to free up his hands and feet to build a new inside lineup without being constrained by Jordan.
There were not as many media outlets on the Suns side as there were on the Bulls side, but the atmosphere was very good and the Suns players who won the game were very cooperative.
"Charles, do you think the Suns can win the G2 game?" a reporter asked.
"We try our best..." Buckley said with a smile.
This answer was too official. Before Barkley could speak, the reporter immediately changed the target and aimed at Wang Tiejun, asking: "Old K, can the Suns win the G2 game?"
Everyone was stunned.
Buckley's face darkened, and he asked Old K the exact same question, "What do you mean? Isn't what I just said human?"
"Pfft!"
Lao Wang laughed, lowered his head and wiped his mouth. After adjusting his expression, he said seriously: "Judging from this game, it was actually very difficult for us to win. We were even behind at one point. So if we want to win the entire series
, we still need to make more efforts.
As for the victory in the G2 game, we deserve a victory when we have the home court advantage, otherwise once we go to the away game, the victory will be more difficult."
"Are you satisfied with your own performance?" the reporter asked.
"Of course I'm satisfied. The Bulls didn't even assign a defender to me. This is incredible!"
After sighing, he asked with a look of surprise and confusion: "Are there any media from Chicago here? If so, please ask Mr. Phil Jackson a question for me, why don't you assign a defender to me?
Doesn’t this look down on me too much?”
"Ha ha……"
The hall burst into laughter, except for two Chicago reporters whose faces were dark.
Winning the G1 game is a good start for the Suns, but no one dares to be careless about the following series.
Before the next day, the coaching staff stayed up that night and began to summarize the G1 game and then discuss how to fight the G2 game.
The next day, when the media reported on the finals, they were almost overwhelmingly supportive of the Bulls. Now, it's basically the same as before.
ESPN, for example, did not adjust their championship odds.
The reason given is that the Bulls can come back to win after losing two games in the Eastern Conference finals series, and they can also do it in the finals. The Bulls' rich experience in the finals and Jordan's super dominance of the game will be the key to the Bulls' success.
Guaranteed to win three consecutive championships.
The Suns, like the Knicks, are likely to be able to win with a tailwind at home, but once they encounter a headwind on the road, they will soon collapse. When confidence is dismantled and pressure increases, failures will ensue.
Come on, there is a possibility of an avalanche in the series.
Most other media have a similar attitude and have the same fascination and confidence in Jordan and the Bulls.
The media also interviewed many fans, not just in Chicago, but across the United States. The fans responded with full confidence in the Bulls and Jordan. They believed that Jordan could lead the Bulls to win a third championship and create a great dynasty.
"The Suns are just a spoiler, but I believe MJ can handle everything."
"I look forward to the birth of a new dynasty, and MJ deserves the highest honor."
"Even if the Bulls lose another away game and fall behind 0-2, I believe MJ can come back. He is a god!"
In many media interviews on the street, many fans made similar remarks.
On this day, the Suns' coaching staff continued to study tactical issues.
At the same time, the Bulls are doing the same thing.
After lunch, Phil Jackson gathered all the coaching staff and players and held a tactical meeting.
He first announced the good news. After more than ten hours of treatment and rest, Cartwright and Mark Weiss had basically recovered their health. There were no major problems and they were ready to fight in the G2 game.
Jordan stared at the two of them and asked seriously: "Bill, Mark, I need teammates with courage. Do you still have the courage to fight against Old K?"
Cartwright first said: "Michael, unless I fall down, I will not make that rookie comfortable. He has to give his best every attack."
Jordan nodded with satisfaction and relief, and then looked at Mark West, who said with a look of hatred: "I will give up everything I have, and I won't make Old K comfortable.
I gave him the opportunity to join the Suns, but he took my spot and I was traded by the Suns because of him, which is unacceptable to me."
Jordan nodded again with satisfaction, but this was not enough. The two old guys couldn't stop Old K for a long time. He also needed more helpers who dared to fight against Old K.
In addition to these two inside players, the Bulls also have four inside players including Cobra Grant, Scott Williams, Spencer King, and Wil Perkin. If they dare not fight against each other, the next game will still be very difficult.
When these four people saw Jordan's gloomy and sharp gaze, they immediately felt an overwhelming pressure.
They have a hunch that if they do not perform well in the next games and do not dare to confront Old K, they are likely to be traded away by the Bulls without hesitation. As abandoned players, their worth and evaluation
will plummet.
As the main power forward, Grant is under the greatest pressure under the iron triangle.
Ever since he joined the Bulls, he was not liked by Jordan and was called a country bumpkin by Jordan. He didn't like Jordan from the bottom of his heart, but Jordan was the dominant player in the Bulls. Now he had to bite the bullet and say:
"I will strengthen my defense, but his attack is too brutal. He can exert force in an extremely narrow double-teaming space, and he can even use force to knock away the defender even when he is completely stuck..."
"Horace..."
Jordan interrupted Grant coldly and said: "The biggest purpose of strong confrontation is to consume his physical energy. It doesn't matter even if he scores.
As long as he consumes a lot of physical energy every time he attacks, how many times can he fight?
He hit the sky 15 times. In the second half, he lost his physical fitness. He will definitely reduce the attack at the basket and the shooting rate of hook shots near the basket will be even lower.
So he can only average 20 points per game at most, and our scoring ability can completely bear this loss."
Phil Jackson added: "Old K had physical problems in the regular season, and through adjustments, he recovered before the playoffs.
But I am certain that his physical reserves are not sufficient. Now after three rounds of the series, I think his physical fitness has probably reached its limit, and this is something we can take advantage of.
After the old K's physical energy is consumed, he will get the ball less, our defensive pressure will be reduced a lot, your confrontation will also be reduced, and his rebounding quality will also weaken, so maintaining strong confrontation will be very helpful to us.
.”
"We must maintain a strong confrontation. If you don't go up, I will go up." Jordan said extremely firmly.
The remaining insiders looked at each other and finally nodded, which made Phil Jackson and Jordan breathe a sigh of relief.
Phil Jackson said: "Don't worry, everyone, I will strengthen the rotation. Each of you will not face him for a long time at a time. After a few rounds, I will let others take your place."
"Coach, this is a good idea. Let's take turns to kill him." Mark West said excitedly.
On the Suns' side, head coach Paul Westphal analyzed the situation for a long time and made some tactical arrangements.
He believes that the Bulls do not have a capable center, and Old K has a huge advantage in the low post. The 34 points he scored in the G1 game is evidence of this, and the fact that the Bulls were forced to choose a cutting tactic is evidence of this, so they must continue to play on this strength in the G2 game.
"Old K, are you okay?"
Barkley saw Wang Tiejun leaning lazily on the back of Danny Ainge's chair in front of him, looking like he was about to doze off. He felt something was not good, so he asked in a low voice below.
"You're a man, so you can't say no." Comrade Lao Wang quickly sat upright, cheered up, and patted his chest.
In fact, after several brutal series, the physical reserves he accumulated before the playoffs have been almost exhausted.
Now his physical recovery speed is not as fast as before the playoffs, so it takes longer to recover after playing a game, and it is easy to become fatigued, it is harder to concentrate, and his reaction speed slows down.
Now he just hopes that his physical fitness will not collapse or get injured before the finals are over.
June 11th is the day of the G2 game of the finals.
Rest continued in the morning, and the Suns conducted restorative training and tactical drills in the afternoon.
At half past six, the Bulls came to the locker room after dinner.
"Remember, if Old K breaks into our locker room again, stop them. He must not be allowed to attack our locker room again."
Jerry Kraus specially transferred a few security guards from Chicago, all of whom were tall and sturdy men, and asked them to guard the corridor.
"Don't worry, Mr. Claus, we are the most professional." Several security guards immediately responded.