Seeing Lao Wang calling a timeout, Westphal nodded. This is right. Issues should be resolved off the court and should not be disputed with teammates on the court.
Lao Wang sat down and drank a glass of water, but didn't say anything immediately.
He actually has no problem with the number of shots taken by Glider, but Glider's shot selection today was not very good, with at least two strong shots. This is not the shot selection a superstar should have.
But this was nothing, not worth his anger. What annoyed him was that Drexler ignored his requests for the ball from important positions several times, which annoyed him very much.
I tried my best to get the position in the low post. You ignored me and made wild shots from the outside. You let me waste my energy down there for nothing. Is this teasing me?
However, he certainly cannot fall out with Drexler over this trivial matter, which would make people laugh to death. He can only choose a way to solve the problem that is acceptable to both parties.
Drexler was also silent and drinking water.
When he came down, he understood why Old K called the timeout. He was a little uncool because of Hardaway and was addicted to working alone. This was indeed his problem.
He ignored one issue. This team belongs to Old K, not him. This team is no longer his Trail Blazers.
At this time Lao Wang spoke, turned to Drexler and said: "Clyde, you seem to hate that guy?"
Glider was startled and realized who Old K was talking about. He shrugged his shoulders and said with a smile: "He is called Jordan's successor, and Jordan... haha!"
He did not continue, but Lao Wang understood somewhat. Although he did not fully understand the grudge between Drexler and Jordan, there must be a problem.
"Okay, then this game is yours. Just take as many shots as you want. I'll rebound the ball for you." He looked at the glider and said.
"What?" Drexler was surprised and didn't react.
Others were also stunned, not knowing whether what Lao Wang said was true or false.
"Knock him out, this is your only mission tonight." Lao Wang said again.
Drexler understood this time, but he didn't quite understand why Old K did this. He had every reason and qualification to stop himself from doing it alone. This was his team.
And the rest of the Suns also understood that Old K really gave the dominance of this game to the glider.
"Don't understand?" Lao Wang asked with a smile.
"Yes." Drexler nodded.
"You are my teammate and he is our opponent. If you want to defeat him, then I will support you in defeating him. It's that simple."
Lao Wang explained. At this point, he changed the topic and said very seriously: "But just this time, Clyde, you are a superstar. In the position of point guard, working alone is not what you should do."
"Okay, there's no next time." Drexler nodded.
Colangelo and Westphal, who were watching from the side, nodded, very satisfied with Wang Tiejun's handling of the matter.
Although there is a high probability that Drexler will leave after this season, trading him also comes at a cost, and it is also to compete for the championship, so these issues must be dealt with.
It doesn't matter whether you win or lose in a regular season, as long as the problem can be solved, there must be no chaos in the locker room.
Westphal said to Drexler at this time: "Clyde, you can take control of your own shots. I give you unlimited fire rights."
Drexler was excited. From this moment on, this Suns team gave him a sense of belonging.
In the next game, he completely took over the Suns' ball and had unlimited firing rights.
In contrast, Penny Hardaway does not have unlimited firing rights.
As a sophomore, facing an offensive superstar with unlimited firepower is a nightmare.
The Glider made 18 of 38 shots from the field, with a shooting percentage of 47.3%, including 4 of 9 three-pointers, with a shooting percentage of 44.4%, and 11 of 11 free throws, scoring just 51 points.
Hardaway's opponent also performed well, scoring 21 points, but his performance was not comparable to that of the glider. To put it simply, he was blown away.
Wang Tiejun, on the other hand, tried his best to defend and rebound. He scored a triple-double of 18 points, 25 rebounds, 11 assists, 2 steals, 8 blocks, 3 turnovers and 5 fouls.
He set a new record for rebounds in a regular season game, which was previously 20. He also set a new record for blocks in a regular season game.
In this game, there were as many as 4 big blocks given to O'Neal. At the same time, he sent 4 big blocks in assist defense. The Magic did not dare to attack in the end because of the block.
In this game, he showed his rebounding ability, individual defense ability, and pretty good assist defense ability.
But what is even more eye-catching, especially what satisfies head coach Westphal, is his ability to organize and control the offense.
For a center, this ability is very rare, especially now that the Lightning have been injured for several months and the team has lost its strong organizational function. This ability of Old K can help the team very well.
Simply put, this is the ability to organize the center.
Of course, to demonstrate this ability, he needs to sacrifice his scoring and focus more on how to organize the team's offense.
Of course, Westphal also saw something. Old K's ability is very immature and immature. Old K's stronger ability in this regard is his ability to support distribution and assists. The organization aspect is still very weak. If it is really
If you let him play as a playmaking center, the end result may be that he has four different characteristics. His organizational skills have not been developed, but his offensive ability has been lost.
Therefore, he does not intend to train Lao K into a serious organizational center. The team still needs to wait for the Lightning's comeback.
The Suns also relied on the explosion of the glider and Wang's all-around performance to defeat the Magic and win their 28th regular season victory.
The day after playing the Magic, Phoenix welcomed the Bulls. The two teams will play their last regular season game of the season on the 24th.
The Bulls have regained their No. 1 spot in the league. They have been in great momentum recently and have the same invincible momentum as last season. The Bulls' calls to defend their title are getting louder and louder.
In fact, although the Bulls this season do not have Grant, Toni Kukoc's strength and ability are not bad, and they are better in some places, so their strength is not weaker than last season.
Although Jordan is one year older, his condition is still at its peak, his physical fitness has not declined, he is still at his peak, and he has more experience in playing and has a stronger control over the game. In fact, his strength
Even a little stronger than last season.
The Bulls are now 28 wins and 10 losses, and the Bulls are 32 wins and 6 losses, ranking first in the league.
Wang Tiejun won the MVP ranking in the first month, which gave Jordan a sense of urgency, because he also wanted to win the MVP this season, so he worked harder last month and successfully won the first place.
Location.
Last season he won the mvp championship and scoring title and fmvp double team. He will do it again this season, and then repeat it again next season.
As long as he completes his goals in these three seasons, three consecutive MVPs and three consecutive championship dynasties, he can directly become a god and sit on the throne of the first man in the history of the league, completely surpassing Larry Bird and Russell
, Magic Johnson, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and other superstars have become the super giants among the super giants.
He has money, the MJ brand and other commercial sponsorships and endorsements, which can bring him tens of millions of dollars in benefits every year.
He also has a name. He is a superstar who has truly completed his career in the history of the NBA. He is a world-class physical superstar, not just a superstar in the NBA or basketball world.
Now, what he wants is a historical status, a historical status that can be remembered by everyone.
Anyone and any team that stands in his way must fall at his feet.
Now that the record is 4 games ahead, he will continue to work hard and strive to keep the Suns and Old K under his feet.
Tomorrow will be the second regular season game between the two teams, and he will also win.
At three o'clock in the afternoon, the Bulls arrived at the hotel, and at four o'clock, a media conference was held.
"Michael, the glider blew up your successor last night. Is there anything you want to say to him?" a reporter asked.
Jordan said with disdain: "What's the pride in beating a sophomore? He should prove that he and I are players of the same level by beating me. It's a pity that after so many years, he has only proved that he is the same level as me."
I’m not a level player.”
"Michael, the Spurs' record has been very good recently. They have caught up to third place in the Western Conference. Do you think it is possible for them to reach the finals?" a reporter asked.
"I support David Robinson in killing Big Dream and Lao K. That's something I like to see." Jordan laughed.
"Don't you want to beat the Suns and win the championship?" the reporter asked.
"Their injuries are severe and their strength is no longer good. They are no longer the Suns team that ruined my three consecutive championships. I have no expectations for them." Jordan sneered.
"Coach Jackson, after the Suns introduced gliders, they often played triangle tactics. Do you think their triangle tactics are any different from yours?" the next reporter asked.
Phil Jackson pushed up his glasses and smiled: "Anyone can play the triangle tactic. I didn't invent it, but it's not easy to understand the essence of the triangle tactic."
"If Lao K is given to you, how will you use him?" The reporter asked again.
Hearing this, Phil Jackson's eyes flashed with gleams. After licking his lips, he smiled and said, "I won't answer such hypothetical questions."
In fact, ever since the two behemoths O'Neal and Old K appeared in the league, he has always been eager to coach them. Their powerful destructive power in the low post and terrifying low post singles ability made him drool.
The triangle tactic, to put it bluntly, is a tactic that serves superstars with strong singles ability, and O'Neal and Old K are naturally the most suitable for the triangle tactic.
Regardless of technology, in terms of physical fitness alone, there are only three types of excellent centers. The first is speed and sensitivity, like David Robinson and Ewing. The second is confrontational, like Old K., and the third is speed and sensitivity.
He is a type that is quick, agile and good at confrontation, like Dameng and O'Neal.
In the third category, as long as you match certain skills, you will definitely be a super center and the center most suitable for triangle tactics.
In his opinion, although Old K's athletic quality has improved a bit in the past two years, O'Neal's athletic talent is still much better than that of Old K. He has a better chance of becoming a super center and is more suitable for triangle tactics than Old K.
Of course, he also knows that Old K has some abilities that are better than O'Neal, such as the terrifying ability to play, organize and control offense, and rebound.
But in comparison, he would rather coach O'Neal, who has better athletic talent.
January 24, 1995, match day.
At eight o'clock, both sides announced the starting lineup.
Bulls: Clifford Robinson, Toni Kukoc, Pippen, Jordan, BJ Armstrong
Suns: Wang Tiejun, AC Green, Drexler, Dan Malley, Elliott Perry
This game was broadcast live across the United States by TNT, and the commentators were Letem and Dortmund.
At this time, Leitem said: "This is the last regular season game between the two teams. The Suns lineup was seriously incomplete and suffered a big defeat on the road. Now the Lightning is not here. I am not optimistic that the Suns can come back at home."
Dort laughed: "As for the Bulls, Toni Kukoc performed well, but he is still in the stage of adapting to the NBA. In fact, I think the Bulls this season are still a little weaker than last season."
Leitem smiled and said: "It feels right, just to be weaker. It can also be seen from the record. The schedule is not even halfway through and has already lost six games. After the All-Star Game, the rotation will be strengthened, and the record will decline to a certain extent. This year's Bulls
The record should not be as good as last year, and the probability of winning will not exceed 70."
Dort nodded and said: "But the Bulls are lucky. They haven't had any injuries this season, but the Suns have been suffering from constant injuries. Maybe God wants Michael to defend his title?"
Letem laughed and said: "It's possible, haha!"
At half past eight, the game officially started.
Lao Wang won the jump ball and the Suns attacked.
Perry took the ball and advanced upfield.
Before he could cross the center line, Jordan blocked him in front, startling him.
He couldn't help but curse in his heart, I'm such a fringe person. You, the super giant among the super giants, do you need to guard me? Do you not want me to live?
"here."
On the three-point line on the left wing of the frontcourt, Drexler quickly retreated to meet Perry.
The task given to him by the coaching staff was to meet a team with strong perimeter defense before Kevin Johnson came back. He would be the core of the perimeter and control the ball.
This is no problem for him. Although he mainly focuses on offense, he still has some organizational skills, and his ability to protect the ball is not comparable to Perry's.
Perry quickly pulled to the left, passed the ball over, and then ran to the right to take Jordan away to prevent Jordan and Pippen from forming a double attack on Drexler, the ball carrier.
After receiving the ball, Drexler advanced toward the three-point line while observing the situation on the court, mainly the position of Old K and the Bulls' defensive formation.
He saw Old K running towards the basket, and at the same time noticed that the Bulls' defenders in other positions were somewhat retracted, as they were preparing to double-team Old K.
In front of him, Pippen was concentrating, leaning forward, blocking his face with his right hand, and leaping with his left hand like a poisonous snake, ready to attack at any time.
At this time, Lao Wang entered the basket, and Clifford Robinson, a space-based inside line with a light weight of nearly 110 kilograms, was too far behind him to stop him at all, not even to pull or pull him.
When he got to the basket, Kerry wanted to go forward, but at this time Lao Wang blocked it with his left arm, pulled it a little, and after a confrontation, Kerry was stuck behind him, and the ball flew over.
When Drexler saw Wang reaching the basket, he immediately shook Pippen with a fake shot and then passed the ball in.
When the ball was flying in the air, the Bulls began to double-team quickly.
On the weak right wing, Toni Kukoc and Jordan double-teamed, leaving AC Green and Perry empty.
"Crack!"
Lao Wang grabbed the ball with his right hand.
The next moment, his right foot didn't move, and his left foot moved. At the same time, he turned suddenly to the right. Clifford Robinson, who was stuck behind him, was wrapped around him, and he staggered.
Fortunately, he didn't have enough weight and strength. If he hadn't been thrown away, Lao Wang would have hit him directly with his right elbow as he turned right.
"..."
Jordan, who had jumped one step away, reacted too quickly. When he saw Lao Wang's basket, he turned around and flew straight up with the force of his feet.
Lao Wang turned right and when his left foot landed, his body had already turned to the left side of the basket. At the same time, he threw away the defender Clifford Robinson.
The ball hit the basket with his right hand.
Jordan was flying in the air, stretching his right arm as much as he could, and pressing his big hand towards the ball in Lao Wang's right hand.
"Crack!"
He actually touched the ball.
But the next moment, what shocked him was that he failed to stop Old K's dunk. His hand was smashed open by a huge force, and then hit the bowl of Old K's hand.
"Bang!"
Old K smashed Jordan's hand away with a ball and smashed the ball into the basket.
"Beep!"
The referee's whistle sounded.
"yeah!"
American West Arena erupted into huge cheers.
"Oh ho ho, dunk in the opening, K., keep doing this, blast their basket."
"Well done! Old K, teach them a lesson like this and let them know that this is your territory."
The on-site commentators from the two regional broadcasters roared with excitement.
In the tnt commentary booth, Dortmund shook his head and sighed: "Old K's athletic quality has indeed improved a lot. He used to directly knock away the defender and then get up to dunk. He rarely did such a turning movement."
"That's why he's called the restricted area sweeper." Letem laughed.
Dodd nodded and said: "His turning movement just now was still not as flexible and fast as Shark O'Neal's. The Shark's turning movement is as agile as a defender, but his turning movement now is quite good among centers.
This is probably the reason why he didn't use the sweeper to clear Clifford Robinson, because he didn't need to do that and could use a simpler and less labor-intensive turn to deal with the defender."
Letem nodded and said: "After his athletic quality improves, of course he will choose this way, which can allow him to avoid being double-teamed to a certain extent.
You see, the Bulls' double-team just now was very fast. If he had adopted the same method as before, the Bulls' double-team would have been in place before he got up.
Of course, he may continue to sweep away Jordan and Kukoc, but such an attack will consume a lot of physical energy, and it is likely to violate the three-second violation, so now is the most correct way to attack the basket."
While the two were talking, Lao Wang started to add penalties. The referee just gave Jordan a thug foul.
The first offense resulted in Jordan's foul and the score was two plus one, which can be said to be a pretty good start.
"Bang!"
The extra free throw was missed, Kukoc grabbed the backcourt rebound, and the Bulls attacked.
BJ pushed the ball into the frontcourt and handed it to Jordan. Drexler switched defense and blocked Jordan.
It was a superstar showdown, and it was a pair of enemies who had been enemies since 1984. They were both members of the Dream Team. The matchup between the two immediately attracted everyone's attention.
"Kacha kacha..."
After the bottom line, dozens of reporters kept clicking their shutters at the two.
Throughout the league, there are only three people who can truly be called flying men: Jordan, Drexler, and Wilkins. These are superstars who fly and play in the sky.
The duel between the two immediately attracted the attention of countless viewers in front of the TV, and the ratings soared upwards.