Danny Manning got the ball on the right wing and made a fake shot. At this time, Barkley came up to cover the ball, and he ran over without warning.
"Ouch!"
Then, he fell to the floor holding his left knee and cried out in pain.
"Oops!"
Everyone on the Suns team was heartbroken.
"I didn't mean it!" Buckley quickly explained.
"Shh!"
But there were still loud boos in the audience.
"traitor!"
"Get out of Phoenix!"
Some radical fans even began to abuse Barkley.
John Hanks laughed: "Barkley ran away immediately after winning the championship here. He is actually not very popular here, and it can be seen from now on."
Bill Walton nodded and said: "Kevin Johnson was in really good shape last season, even better than the previous two seasons. If Barkley had stayed here last season, then the Suns would have definitely reached the Finals and maybe won consecutive championships.
It’s a pity indeed.”
"But some things are just unexpected. No one expected that Lightning would be in such good condition." John Hanks laughed.
Nodding, Bill Walton analyzed: "Danny Manning's left knee cruciate ligament was ruptured once. This time he injured his left knee again, which is really troublesome. I hope he can come back."
John Tanks shook his head and said: "If he is seriously injured again this time, then his career is very likely to be wiped out. No one's knee can come back after two serious injuries, never."
Danny Manning was carried to the sideline on a stretcher and his physical examination was completed.
Team doctor Andrew John concluded that there was another major problem with the ruptured cruciate ligament, which plunged Danny Manning directly into despair.
This ligament had some problems some time ago. He did not agree with Dr. Carter's surgical plan and took defensive treatment. Now he regrets it.
Colangelo consoled him: "It's okay, Danny. Our Suns have the best knee injury expert in the country, Dr. Thomas Carter. He will do the best knee surgery for you, and you will recover."
Danny Manning was then carried away and sent directly to Dr. Carter's clinic for a careful examination. If surgery is needed, the surgery should be performed within a few days.
Before the first quarter was finished, the Suns lost one of their generals. Although Danny Manning did not play the main role, he was the absolute sixth man, and the loss was huge.
Fortunately, Mosaic's substitute lineup is also average. Although they lost Manning, the Suns still played vigorously.
With Drexler pulling away, Lao Wang frequently singled out Dameng, leaving Dameng in a state of disgrace. Although Dameng's confrontational ability was strong, he couldn't stop him.
In the end, the game was won by the Suns.
Barkley performed completely amidst the boos from Suns fans. He made 4 of 18 shots from the field, with a field goal percentage of just over 20%. He only scored 12 points on free throws, and his face turned pale when he was booed. His low performance
Effective performance was the main reason why the Mosaic team lost the game.
After the game, he said to Lao Wang aggrievedly: "Brother, please find a chance to tell the fans that I really didn't mean it."
"Don't worry, it's okay." Lao Wang comforted him.
"Brother, do you think the Suns will retire my jersey if I retire?" Barkley suddenly asked in a low voice.
Lao Wang was startled and said angrily: "What are you thinking about? You have only played here for one season, can you retire your jersey?"
"well!"
Buckley sighed.
He would like to retire his Suns jersey in the future because he won the championship here, but unfortunately, this wish may not be realized.
After defeating the Mosaic team, the Suns' record surpassed the Mosaic team by only half a game.
Since the Spurs also won, the Suns and the Spurs are tied for first in the Western Conference, with the Mosaics third and the Jazz fourth.
The winning margins of the four teams are very small, and it is possible for any one to surpass the other in the following schedule.
On the 6th, the Suns left Phoenix and flew to Dallas. They will challenge the Mavericks away from home on the 7th, and then challenge the Jazz away from home on the 8th.
On the 7th, the Suns defeated the Mavericks three times and achieved a regular season record of 34 wins and 13 losses.
On the same day, the Spurs lost to Mosaic at home, so the Suns ranked first in the Western Conference. Mosaic overtook the Spurs and ranked second, and the Spurs were third. The difference was half a game.
On this day, Danny Manning underwent surgery. The recovery period lasted for eight months, and he was officially ruled out for the season.
He only has a one-year short-term contract with the Suns, which means that if he comes back, he will already be a free agent. Fortunately, he also joined the Suns as a free agent, so the Suns have nothing to lose.
After beating the Mavericks, the Suns rushed to Salt Lake City overnight.
The 8th, match day.
The Jazz are fourth in the Western Conference and dominate the Northwest Division. They are having their best year in the past few seasons.
Moreover, Mosaic and the Spurs are competing with each other in the Southwest Division. Even if the Jazz cannot break into the top three in the Western Conference in the regular season, it doesn't matter. They will eventually enter the top three in the Western Conference in the playoffs.
Although they can enter the top three as long as they keep it up, the Jazz also really want to win this game.
First, the second team are mortal enemies.
Secondly, the Suns' record is not much better than that of the Jazz. If they can defeat the Suns in a direct duel and pull the Suns down, the Jazz will have a chance to hit the first place in the Western Conference and at the same time compete with the Suns in the playoffs.
Occupy the home field advantage in the matchup.
As for the Suns, this is a back-to-back game. Although Wang doesn't want to lose, the coaching staff and management don't insist on winning.
This game was broadcast live across the United States by TNT. Commentator Dort said at this time: "This is the second regular season game between the Suns and the Jazz. In the first game, the Suns beat the Jazz by 23 points on the road. In the second game, the Suns beat the Jazz by 23 points.
The team's away game, the next two teams have two regular season games, which will be played at the Suns' home court.
In this game, if the Jazz wants to come back, Old K must limit this point. However, in the last game, Old K really beat the postman. The 127-kilogram tonnage postman couldn't withstand Old K's beating.
It’s really shocking!”
Leitem smiled and said: "It's not surprising, because 140 kilograms of O'Neal can't stop Old K from hitting him. His thick layer of fat has a certain defensive effect, but it doesn't allow him to really defend against Old K.
k."
Dodd nodded and said: "O'Neal and Old K can be considered as rivals. Their efficiency in the low post is about the same, and their defensive efficiency is also about the same.
Old K's current athleticism is also far behind that of the Sharks, but it's really surprising that he can play like this with O'Neal."
Letem smiled and said: "I have analyzed Old K and he has three strong points, two of which are invincible in the league."
Dot said excitedly: "Oh, I would like to hear the details."
At this time, fans watching this game on countless TV sets across the United States also focused their attention, wanting to hear what Dortmund had to say.
"First……"
Letem raised his right index finger and said: "Confrontation ability." After he finished speaking, he added: "Strong confrontation ability.
"Well, not bad."
Dot and countless people in front of the TV nodded at the same time.
Letem explained: "Strong confrontation ability gives him a great advantage in the low post. Even though his athleticism is far inferior to that of the Sharks, it allows him to get closer to the basket, allows him to get more stable shots, and can
Let him get a more stable hitting rate.
Through strong confrontation, he can effectively and extremely harshly attack the players facing him.
Even tough opponents like O'Neal and the Postman suffered greatly from his overmatch. Even the three super centers had to seek double-teams and had to avoid strong confrontations under his overmatch.
Then the second strong point is the low-post play that is integrated with confrontation."
Dot nodded and said: "Actually, his strong confrontation is achieved through fighting. His fighting skills are unique in the world and the only one in the world.
That kind of weird force-generating technique allows him to explode with strong enough force in a narrow space and in a completely close-fitting state. This force-generating technique largely makes up for his lack of explosive power.
Weaknesses."
Letem laughed: "Among all the low-post players in this league, it's hard to find a low-post player who didn't fall at his feet.
The first two strong points are both invincible, so the third strong point is his hook. Although it is good, it is not as unique as the first two strong points."
Dot nodded and said: "His hook shot is also unique. Coupled with his extremely high shooting height, he is rarely blocked."
Letem laughed: "So far, his hook shots have never been blocked more than ten times, and all of them were frontal hook shots, and sideways hook shots have never been blocked.
In the past three seasons, the average shooting rate of nearly two points per game has reached 42%, and this season it has reached 44%. This is a pretty good shooting rate, and it is very stable.
I once said that his hook will never reach the level of the sky hook, but of course I still think so..."
"Haha..." Dot laughed.
Letem also smiled and said: "But what I mean is that in terms of hooks, he is only under the sky hook."
…
At this time, eight o'clock arrived, and both sides announced the starting lineup.
Suns: Wang Tiejun, AC Green, Drexler, Dan Malley, Elliott Perry
Jazz: James Donaldson, Karl Malone, David Benoit, Jeff Hornacek, John Stockton
In the TNT commentary box, Letem said at this time: "The last time we played against the Suns, Jazz center Felton Spencer was injured by Old K and was directly reimbursed for the season. Now it is substitute center Donaldson who takes the step.
Donaldson was the 7th pick in the fourth round of 1979. He is 38 years old this year and is a true veteran. The Jazz have no choice. Is it really good to use Donaldson against the old K? I bet he is very good.
You will soon fall at the feet of old K."
Dort smiled and said: "His height is 218 centimeters and 135 kilograms. He is bigger and taller, but his wingspan is not as good as that of old K, and his mobility is far inferior to that of old K. He is definitely unpreventable. Jazz should still let the postman
Come and compete with Lao K."
Letem smiled strangely and said: "Dot, do you think Sir is protecting the postman by doing this?"
"Protect the postman?"
Dot was startled and suddenly burst into laughter.
At this time the game started, Wang Tiejun won the jump ball and the Suns attacked.
Wang Tiejun quickly bypassed Donaldson and ran towards the top of the arc, trying to go straight from the free throw line into the paint area. The postman came over and blocked it first, buying time for the slow-moving center Donaldson.
However, AC Green immediately took the opportunity to rush to the basket and got a gap under the basket.
However, Perry failed to pass the ball in. Under the tight defense of John Stockton, who made many small moves, it was difficult for him to protect the ball.
Stockton is almost 33 years old. Not only is he the 7th assist champion, he is also very good defensively. He has won two steals champions. He has been selected to the All-Defensive Second Team three times before. He averaged 2.4 steals per game this season. This statistic is
Already surpassed Jordan this season.
Green didn't get the ball under the basket and had to leave. At this time, Donaldson entered the paint area and blocked Lao Wang. The postman also returned to Green.
At the beginning of the game, the Jazz completed a successful defense and defense change, showing their strong defensive system.
At this time, Perry's ball finally went in. Wang, with his back to Donaldson, received the ball two meters in front of the basket.
The next moment, he couldn't help but be startled.
Because Donaldson, who was pressing against him from behind, actually moved back a little instead of pressing against him, and there was a little space between the two of them.
"Retreat?"
This thought flashed through his mind, and at the same time he turned left, dribbled the ball once, and wanted to rush in and dunk.
But at this time, Donaldson, who had taken a small step back, swung his elbow and pushed him. He was in the process of turning, and his center of gravity was pushed. The technical movement of turning to attack the basket stopped for a while, and the ball moving to the floor was also a little out of control.
.
At this time, the postman on the right wing had already rushed to his side, taking the opportunity to snatch the ball away.
"Haha, a beautiful defense! Donaldson is experienced and he made Old K suffer." Letem laughed.
Dort smiled and said: "Now I understand why the Jazz played Donaldson. They used Donaldson's size and height to delay K's attack speed and gain time for the Postman's defense."
"Yes, that's right. Donaldson's tonnage, height and volume are huge. He can block a large space by standing still. It would take more time and slower speed for Old K to bypass him and get to the basket.
.But what if Old K chooses to play hard? I think the Jazz will still have a headache." Letem laughed.
At this time, the Jazz advanced to the frontcourt, and the Postman pulled up to the high post to set up a pick-and-roll for John Stockton. After separation, the latter held the ball and entered the paint area, while the former stayed in the high post and did not follow down.
The Jazz's pick-and-roll tactics were too skilled. Perry was blocked by the mailman. The Suns had no choice but to switch defenses and Green chased Stockton.
Wang Tiejun ignored Donaldson and stood directly one step in front of the basket. This position can prevent dunks. If the opponent implements a wing cut-in tactic, he can turn around and block the shot. This is his favorite defensive position under the basket.
Stockton has little offensive ability with the ball, which is his and the Jazz's biggest weakness. When the Postman is restricted, he has no ability to finish the offense.
Old K was sitting under the basket. He had no intention of attacking. He pulled to the left and then made a sudden pass. The ball flew to the postman in the high post.
Old Donaldson was down there, but he didn't dare to give. With the veteran's shooting speed, it was enough for Old K to return to defense.
But he was wrong. At this time, Lao Wang did not return to defend Donaldson, and he missed an opportunity.
When Lao Wang saw Perry changing into a postman, wasn't this a joke?
So when Stockton changed direction to the left wing, he immediately moved up. When the postman received the ball, he arrived just in time and blocked it in front.
Green also switched defense and ran to Donaldson's side, taking over Lao Wang's defensive position. Perry ran to Stockton on the left.
"The pick-and-roll tactic failed." Seeing this, Dort shouted.
"Bang!"
The postman held the ball with both hands, turned around, and gave Lao Wang an elbow.
However, Lao Wang still pressed forward forcefully, not giving him a chance to get up or space to take action. In desperation, he could only pass the ball back to Stockton, who had withdrawn from the three-point line, and the Jazz began to reorganize the offense.
The Suns also changed defense again, and Green ran up and faced the postman again.
"Bang!"
There was a lot of coming and going, and before leaving, Lao Wang took advantage of turning around and quietly gave the postman a slap in the face.
"asshole!"
the postman cursed angrily.
"Bang!"
Outside the three-point line on the right wing, Jeff Hornacek got the ball. Drexler faced him and forced a three-point jumper, but missed.
Lao Wang got a backcourt rebound over Donaldson, and the Suns attacked.
He ran forward quickly and left behind Donaldson. After entering the frontcourt, the postman could only make up for it, and AC Green was empty again.
Green cut to the basket from the right wing and found a gap.
"Quick pass!"
From the Suns bench, head coach Westphal shouted loudly.
"Whoosh!"
But at this moment, the point guard's weakness broke out. Stockton made a fierce steal and forced Perry to make a passing error. The ball flew out of the baseline and Green failed to catch it.
Shaking his head helplessly, Westphal felt that the team could only look forward to Lightning's return.
With Perry as a substitute, a team with a poor back line can barely play a dozen games, but against a team with such a strong back line, the weakness of insufficient ability will be infinitely magnified.
In the Western Conference, the strongest competitors are the Mosaic, Spurs, and Jazz. If the Lightning returns, the Suns will not be worse than them on the perimeter, but if they cannot return, there will be some trouble.
And once they reach the finals, without the Lightning, he can't imagine what the current back line will look like when they face Jordan Pippen.
Even if the Lightning is there, with the cooperation of Jordan and Pippen, he and the glider are struggling and at a clear disadvantage, let alone the absence of the Lightning.
Jazz offense.
Drexler still switched to guard Jeff Hornacek, the Jazz's strongest offensive point on the outside, and Dan Marley faced small forward David Bentno.
Through continuous pick-and-rolls, Postman received the ball one step outside the paint area on the left wing. AC Green was blocked by small forward David Bunteno, and Dan Marley switched to guard Postman.
Huhu, after the postman caught the ball, he smashed the ball to his chest with both hands, used the momentum of turning around, swept his elbows, forcing Dan Malli back, and then took off to take action.
"Crack!"
But he was too close to the paint area. Lao Wang rushed over in two steps and slapped him in the face. Under the bloody hat, the ball flew upside down like a meteor and went straight into the audience.
"Hey, you'll be safer if you stay away from the paint area." After slapping the postman, Lao Wang's trash talk attack began.
"Are you provoking me?" The postman's face flashed with anger, and he pushed forward with his chest puffed out.
With a bang, their chests collided.
"Am I not qualified to provoke you?"
Lao Wang was 10 centimeters taller than the postman, and his head hit the postman with a headbutt.
"Boom!"
Both of them were so painful that their canthus and teeth were cracked at the same time.
"What the hell!"
"Shet!"
The two of them reached out and pushed each other away at the same time.
"Hey, everyone, calm down."
Peacemaker Jeff Hornacek quickly intervened between the two, and also called Dan Marley over to help him turn off the engine.
On the bench, Tom Chambers also stood up and looked at the court with a worried look. If there was a fight, would he go up or sit down and watch the fun?
No one suffered any loss, the little verbal conflict quickly passed, and the Jazz began to attack again.