Chapter 270 The first sweep + the age of giant beasts?
"Old K, you said you wanted to sweep the Nuggets, are you serious?" After the game, a reporter asked during an on-site interview.
"Of course, we have the strength to sweep them away, why not?" Lao Wang said with a smile.
"So what are your expectations for your opponents in the second round?" the reporter asked again.
"Neither the Jazz nor the Lakers can form a real obstacle to us. We can solve them and we will definitely reach the Western Conference Finals." Lao Wang said firmly.
Back in the locker room, a row of medicine buckets were already prepared in the bathroom.
Medicinal bath is most suitable to be used immediately after exercise. At this time, the medicinal power is easier to enter the muscles and bones. The customer prepared the same medicine bucket as Lao Wang. No matter whether at home or away, you can take a bath after the game.
"Come in quickly."
Liu Changfeng wasted no time in pouring the liquid medicine in. When he saw them coming in, he quickly greeted them.
Kevin Johnson immediately took off his clothes and slipped into the bucket. Liu Changfeng covered the lid for him, leaving only his head outside. Drexler, AC Green and other people also entered the bucket.
“It’s so comfortable!”
After soaking for more than two months, they have gradually become accustomed to the smell of medicine. Now they don't have oxygen masks, and they are used to taking medicinal baths. They still feel uncomfortable if they don't take a soak after the game.
And after dozens of days of medicated baths and medicated oil massage, they all experienced the benefits. One thing is obvious, the fatigue after the game recovers faster than before.
However, among the Suns players, only five of their main players, plus Danny Ainge, have been awarded V. After all, the fee is too expensive, and the other players' salaries are low and there is no commercial income, so they cannot afford it.
It’s impossible for Lao Wang to provide it for free, so there is no meaning of existence. How can he make money?
"Kevin, how are you doing?"
Lao Wang also soaked in the bucket and asked.
"It's not bad, just a few more games and it'll be almost done." Kevin Johnson said with a smile.
Lao Wang said with a smile: "We worked in vain last season. The lineup should change next season. This season is the best opportunity. Let's work hard and try our best to reach the finals. We have a chance against the Bulls."
Everyone nodded. Even Drexler and AC Green wanted to work hard this year and strive to win a championship, so that their careers would be complete.
Drexler really hopes to return to his hometown of Houston, although it would be better if he could go back after winning a championship.
AC Green also knows that his contract with the Suns occupies a lot of space. His salary alone is as much as three K's and four gliders. The glider is only US$1.58 million this year. K's contract is about to be renewed. In order to free up space,
Space, the Suns may choose to trade him.
Therefore, he also hopes to win a championship before leaving. Otherwise, if he goes to another team, his contract is so large, which will definitely affect the team's lineup and thus the team's record. The possibility of winning the championship is very small.
.
At this time, assistant coach Lewis shouted outside: "The results of the other three games are out. The Magic beat the Hawks, the Knicks beat the Cavaliers, and the Jazz beat the Lakers. There are no upsets."
Lao Wang asked loudly: "Coach, how are the performances of O'Neal and Ewing?"
Lewis outside looked at the data recorded in his hand and said: "Ewing made 10 of 16 shots, with a shooting percentage of 62.5%. He scored 21 points, 9 rebounds, 4 assists, 1 steal and 3 blocks."
"The efficiency is very high. He attacks the basket a lot?" Lao Wang said in surprise.
Lewis laughed and said: "That's not true, he felt very good tonight, most of them were jump shots. In addition, he only made two free throws, 1 of 2."
"Two free throws? The lethality is zero. I don't think he will win the finals in his life. When Jordan gets old, O'Neal will get up. He can't get past Jordan now, and he won't be able to get past the Sharks in the future."
Wang chuckled.
At this time, Lewis said again: "The Knicks' touch is really strong today, with an overall shooting rate of 63%. Ewing's shooting rate also drags down the team's efficiency."
"Ha ha……"
Lao Wang and others were startled and laughed.
Lewis added: "O'Neal made 6 of 14 shots, a shooting percentage of 42.9%, and 11 of 14 free throws, a shooting percentage of 78.6%..."
"This free throw shooting percentage is amazing!" Lao Wang's eyes almost popped out.
"Shark scored 23 points, 11 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal, 2 blocks and 2 fouls. In addition, he only played 27 minutes before leaving the game. The Magic led too much. The final score was 77:124, and the Magic won by 47 points."
Lewis said.
"You did it on purpose, one point more than us?" Lao Wang said with a smile.
Kevin Johnson said: "With such data in 27 minutes, O'Neal is really strong. Old K, he is really your lifelong opponent."
At this time, a cell phone rang in the closet outside, and I didn't know who it was.
"Old K, your cell phone is ringing, do you want to bring it in?" Robert Horry shouted outside.
"Bring it in." Lao Wang said.
Soon, Horry came in holding his cell phone while holding his nose. He was not used to the smell of medicine.
In the past, it was okay, there was only one medicine bucket for Lao Wang, but now there are six medicine buckets spread out in a row. Even if the lids are closed, there is a strong smell of medicine.
Other players can only stay outside at this time and wait for them to take a bath before coming in to take a bath.
Lao Wang took the phone and looked at it, O'Neal? Are you calling him now to show off? As soon as he answered the phone, it was true.
O'Neal's voice was very excited. He hadn't spoken yet. As soon as the call came through, he immediately shouted over there: "Haha, old K, we won, by 47 points, one point more than you."
"Congratulations, Big Sewer, you don't have to be swept away." Lao Wang said with a smile.
"Oh, I don't use this nickname anymore, old K, you have to remember, my current nickname is Big Diesel, it's Big Diesel, not Diesel." O'Neal shouted.
"The big sewer."
"Big Diesel, damn it! Or you can call me Big Shark."
"Big Felon."
"Okay, this is fine too, don't call me a big sewer again."
"Okay, big felon."
"Listen, Old K, we will definitely reach the finals this season..." O'Neal then began to brag, describing his thoughts on the playoffs.
Lao Wang treated it like a talk show, turned on his cell phone hands-free, and put it aside. Everyone listened together and occasionally responded. An hour passed quickly.
"Oh, damn it, I forgot the time, my phone bill is about to run out, damn old K, why don't you remind me?"
O'Neal's lament sounded over there.
"Ha ha……"
Here Kevin Johnson and the others burst into laughter.
After the medicinal bath, Lao Wang and others hurriedly took a shower and then went to attend the post-match media press conference, while the others were interviewed by the media in the locker room.
A group of reporters rushed in and smelled the smell of medicine filling the room. Most of them were not surprised at all because they had long been accustomed to it. Since the All-Star break, the Suns' locker room has looked like this from home to away.
Moreover, thanks to the spread of these media, the name of the medicinal bath in the K-Martial Arts Hall has become famous all over the world.
One reporter muttered: "I bet there are some players who don't want to join the Suns. The smell is so unpleasant that I don't even want to come in."
"But you are always the fastest one to come in." Someone nearby complained.
"It's all because of the pressure of life!" the reporter in front sighed.
An hour later, the press conference ended. Lao Wang, Kevin Johnson and a group of six people rushed to the K martial arts gym with Liu Changfeng, where they received a one-hour medicated oil massage.
However, this kind of treatment is only available at home games, not away games. Wang Tielong and the others will not go to away games. Liu Changfeng is the only one in away games, and everyone has to take turns.
Kevin Johnson has already realized the benefits. While enjoying the massage, he said: "Old K, does K martial arts gym have any extra masseurs now? I want to hire a private masseur."
"The cost is very high. He will follow you to away games, including round-trip air tickets, accommodation expenses, and the massage therapist's salary. Don't make a hasty decision." Lao Wang reminded.
"We can jointly hire two more massage therapists, and together with Liu, we'll have three massage therapists," Drexler suddenly said.
Lao Wang was startled. It seemed like oh, there are six of them, and at most three massage therapists are enough.
He thought for a while and said: "Let me talk to the management. During the playoffs, I will send two massage therapists to the away games. We will discuss future issues later."
"Okay." The other five people nodded in agreement.
Kevin Johnson warned: "Anyway, I want one during the offseason, so you plan it first."
"I want one too."
Drexler and AC Green also said one after another.
Danny Ainge and Dan Marley didn't talk. Their incomes are not as good as theirs. It would cost more to hire one person. It would be better to stay at home in Phoenix during the offseason and go to the K-Martial Arts Gym for massage every day.
"No problem." Lao Wang nodded.
On the 28th, the other eight playoff teams compete against each other.
In the West, the Spurs defeated the SuperSonics and the Mosaics defeated the Trail Blazers.
In the East, the Bulls easily defeated the Celtics and the Pacers easily defeated the Hornets.
Next, the first round series continues.
Now the first round series is still a best-of-five series, with a two-two-one home and away system.
On the 29th, the Suns defeated the Nuggets for the second time, winning consecutive games and gaining match point.
On the same day, the Magic also won their second consecutive victory, the Jazz were equalized by the Lakers, and the Knicks were also equalized by the Cavaliers.
The Jazz are not a super strong team. They were fourth in the Western Conference in the regular season, and being tied by the sixth-place Lakers is not an upset.
But the Knicks are third in the Eastern Conference and the Cavaliers are sixth. Being tied by the Cavaliers is considered a slight upset.
However, the series has only reached the G2 game, so it’s hard to say whether it can truly lead to an upset.
On the 30th, the Bulls and Pacers, and the Spurs and Mosaic defeated their opponents one after another.
Time has entered May.
On the night of the 1st, the Suns defeated the Nuggets in an away game, completing the sweep slogan shouted by Wang Tiejun before the first round, and took the lead in advancing to the second round.
On the same day, the Jazz worked hard to defeat the Lakers and got the match point with a big score of 2 to 1.
In the Eastern Conference, the Magic were overturned by the Hawks and lost the first match point.
The Knicks defeated the Cavaliers and got the match point with a big score of 2-1.
After the game, Lao Wang made a phone call and teased O'Neal, saying: "Big sewer..."
"Big Diesel, Big Felon, Big Shark, Old K, don't call me Big Sewer, okay?" O'Neal shouted angrily after losing the game.
"Haha, okay, big felon, play hard in the next game and don't lose again. If you are killed by the Hawks again in the first round, maybe the Magic will sell you." Lao Wang said with a smile.
"It's impossible. After next season, the Magic will definitely give me a big contract. I'm the next super center, a future top 50 star. I'm worth a 100 million yuan contract, and they will give it to me." O'Neal
said angrily.
"A billion-yuan contract?"
Lao Wang muttered something in his mouth.
Mr. Colangelo and Lance Hoxman have spoken twice on the phone, and because Hoxman refused to renew his contract early, there was no talk of how big the extension would be.
He knows that there is only one player with a 100-million-dollar contract, and that is Larry Johnson of the Hornets. He is a pretty good power forward, but nothing more, a little man with a bad temper who is very good at playing, and who has troubles with Mourning every day.
Temper, often reported in the media.
Now O'Neal also wants to get a 100 million yuan contract, which gives him some ideas, because if O'Neal can do it, he is also qualified.
Colangelo treated him well. He rejected the Bulls' big contract and was even prepared to sign a minimum-salary contract with the Suns just to repay this gentleman for taking him out of Chinatown. But now
He wants to fight for his second contract.
Even though he really wants to get personal honors now, his view of personal honors is completely different from before, but making money is still his primary purpose.
At the same time, Hawksman told him that the NBA is the same as Hollywood. You can get a contract based on the position of the player. If you get a lower contract, you will lose your own value. That is an absolutely stupid choice.
On the 2nd, the Suns returned to Phoenix. While resting, they waited for other teams to decide the winner of the first round.
That night, the Bulls stumbled and unexpectedly lost the G3 game, failing to complete the sweep.
In addition, the Pacers also lost to the Hornets, scoring 2-1.
Similarly, Mosaic and Spurs also lost to the Trail Blazers and SuperSonics respectively, both with a score of 2-1.
"Charles, don't let the Trail Blazers kill you. We are waiting to play you in the Western Conference Finals." Lao Wang called Barkley.
But it was not Barkley who answered, but Dameng, who shouted loudly: "Don't worry, kid, we will definitely advance to the Western Conference Finals and kill you again."
"Old guy, let's wait and see." Lao Wang said without any sign of weakness.
In the next two days, several teams including the Bulls defeated their opponents and advanced to the second round.
Dameng didn't make a mistake, he defeated his opponent in the G4 game and advanced to the second round with a big score of three to one.
The Jazz and the Lakers entered the G5 game, and finally managed to injure Divac with the postman's elbow. They managed to eliminate the Lakers with a big score of 3 to 2 and advance to the second round.
Among the eight teams that advanced to the second round, only the Suns were able to complete the sweep.
According to Lao Wang's understanding, this is a reflection of the Suns' strength and a precursor to winning the championship.
In the end, the second round games are: Eastern Conference, Bulls vs. Pacers, Magic vs. Knicks; Western Conference, Mosaic vs. Spurs, Suns vs. Jazz.
The second round starts on the 7th, with the Eastern Conference playing first and the Western Conference playing on the 8th, a best-of-seven game format. The home and away system is 22111. In the four groups of games, the former has the home court advantage.
On May 6, Lao Wang accepted a phone interview with ABC TV station. During the interview, the reporter asked questions about MVP and the second round.
"Old K, the winner of this season's regular season MVP will be announced after the second round. Jordan and you are the most popular candidates. Who do you think has a better chance of winning this honor between you and Jordan?"
"I think we all have a chance. This is not something we can control. Voting is highly subjective. I don't know if those 117 gentlemen or ladies will vote for me," he said.
"So in your opinion, is it possible for you to defeat Jordan and win this most important personal honor?" the reporter asked.
"Of course it is possible. I will not underestimate myself. My personal data is not bad, but the team's record is slightly worse. If I win the MVP, it will be a completely fair and just thing." He was not very modest.
said.
"So for the upcoming second round series against the Jazz, what do you think the Suns' chances are of reaching the Western Conference Finals?" the reporter asked.
"Well, I want to say one hundred percent, but it seems a bit arrogant. Well, ninety-nine percent." He said with a smile.
"Damn guy, so arrogant!"
The next day, Lao Wang's interview appeared in the media news. When the postman who was having breakfast saw it, he looked a little gloomy and irritable.
Meeting the Suns in the second round was not only expected by the Jazz, but also expected by him. No one in the Jazz thought that the Suns would be eliminated by the Nuggets.
As a bitter rival, it should be a good thing to meet them in a series, because as long as they kill the opponent, they can get angry. But for the Jazz and him, running into the Suns, their bitter rival, is the most annoying thing.
The reason is very simple, because the Jazz really can't beat the Suns. They lose more and win less. Whether it's off the court or on the court, his strength can't beat Old K.
Therefore, when facing the Suns, their mortal enemy, the Jazz and he personally would not only be unable to vent their anger, but would also have to be bullied again. This would be the most depressing thing.
"Hmph, boy, it's not that easy to beat our knight."
Bang, he punched the dining table, smashing the dishes, plates, and cups so that they all jumped up. Food and milk spilled all over the table, and the family members jumped. They didn't know why he was suddenly angry.
He made up his mind. Even if he really couldn't win in the end, he would use up the last bit of energy from the Suns and Old K in the second round series, just like what the Suns did in the Western Conference Finals last season.
He can make the Mosaics a soft-footed horse in the Finals, and he and the Jazz can also make the Suns a soft-footed horse in the Western Conference Finals.
On the 7th, the second round began, and the four teams in the Eastern Conference began to fight against each other.
At five o'clock in the afternoon that day, Lao Wang finished training at the headquarters and took a medicinal bath for an hour. Then he did not go home. Instead, he and Liu Changfeng drove to K Martial Arts Hall, where they planned to have dinner with Wang Tielong and others, and then
Tune in to watch the game.
Ever since Wang Tielong and the others arrived, as long as Yu Feihong was not here, he usually had dinner and trained here.
There are so many people here that a canteen has been set up. Tian Xiaofen also works here and manages the canteen.
At 6:20, when they arrived at the martial arts hall, they were ready for dinner. Tian Xiaofen was bringing food out from the kitchen, and Wang Tielong and the others were serving rice.
There are more than fifty people staying here, and others are working as massage therapists in various parts of the United States.
After the All-Stars, through word-of-mouth communication and promotion, the business has developed well, and there are already more than 160 people. Most of the subsequent customers are Phoenix customers, either rich people or athletes.
It was quite lively for more than fifty people, and several tables were set up. The dishes were all served in large basins, the same kind of large iron basins used for washing people's faces. Everyone rushed up laughing and laughing.
But Lao Wang had only one portion, according to his standards.
While eating his portion of the unpalatable food, he occasionally glanced at the several fragrant large basins next to him, which made him salivate a lot. He felt that eating here had the advantage of exercising his will.
"Brother Tiejun, want one?" Liu Changjiang handed over a big meat bun.
"If you don't want to eat it, take it away."
Lao Wang twisted his head, swallowed a mouthful of saliva, and continued to eat his half-cooked steak and lettuce.
"Haha..." Everyone laughed.
After dinner, it was almost seven o'clock. Everyone was chatting and eating. When it was almost eight o'clock, Liu Changfeng started to give Lao Wang a medicated oil massage.
Wang Tieshu went over and turned on the big TV on the wall, turned around and asked, "Tiejun, which game do you want to watch?"
Tonight is the second-round G1 game between the Eastern Conference and the Bulls. Although O'Neal is strong, the Magic has little chance of reaching the finals.
He wanted to watch the game between the Bulls and the Pacers, but he also didn't want to miss the game between the Magic and the Knicks. After thinking about it, he decided to watch both games at the same time. Anyway, the martial arts gym had several TV sets.
He originally thought that the Bulls should definitely win the Pacers, but he didn't expect that in the third quarter, the Bulls and Pacers were tied.
At the beginning of the fourth quarter, Jordan had a conflict with the opponent because of Reggie Miller's excessive defense. In anger, he swung his old fist at the opponent and punched the opponent. In the end, the referee gave Miller a technical foul.
, he has nothing to do with himself.
In this game, the Bulls won in the end, winning by 5 points.
Lao Wang was also surprised by the performance of Reggie Miller. As an outside shooter, Miller had a very high shooting percentage tonight. Facing the defense of Jordan and Pippen, he made 10 of 21 shots, 4 of 8 three-pointers, and 7 free throws.
He scored 30 points on 6 field goals, and his precise jump shooting ability was fully demonstrated in this game.
The result of another game was that the Magic defeated the Knicks and won the G1 game.
O'Neal made 15 of 21 shots, a shooting percentage of 71.4%, 9 of 15 free throws, and a free throw percentage of 70%. He scored 39 points, 10 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals, 4 turnovers and 5 fouls.
The Magic also had small forward Denise Scott who scored 25 points, Penny Hardaway scored 19 points, 4 rebounds, 15 assists and 3 steals, and shooting guard Nick Anderson scored 17 points. Their performances were all extraordinary, and the team's shooting performance was extraordinary.
The rate reached 57.3%.
The performance of O'Neal's opponent, super center Ewing, made New York fans very wrong. Under O'Neal's defense, he only made 4 of 15 shots, a shooting percentage of only 26.7%, and 3 of 4 free throws. The lethality was not enough, and there were few shots in the audience.
He attacked the basket and only scored 11 points and 10 rebounds, ranking fourth on the team in scoring.
In the confrontation with O'Neal, his performance was at a comprehensive disadvantage, and he was almost destroyed by O'Neal on both offense and defense.
Gomez, the ABC commentator who broadcast the game live, had passed the time to directly address the three super centers. After the game, he said with disappointment on his face:
"I have always been a fan of the three super centers. They are above the center position, but they use the speed, sensitivity and skills of guards to interpret the playing style of a center. This is why I admire them, but Ewing's performance tonight made me
disappointment.
I really want to say now, will we usher in an era of monster centers?"