Barkley's contribution to winning the championship in 1993 was indeed great, but in that finals series, without Old K's extraordinary performance, he would never have been able to beat the Bulls. And this time, Old K led the Suns to the
the finals.
The current Suns team is said to have both internal and external cores, but in fact as his condition declines and Old K's strength improves, the team completely relies on low-post tactics. Some of his organizational functions have been shared by Old K, and the outer core has weakened.
The team has de facto formed a single core.
Especially in the upcoming finals, under the deterrent of the Bulls' strong perimeter defense, his role as the outer core will be further weakened, and the core of the old K will be more prominent.
Thinking of this, he decided to do something, so he walked towards Lao K.
"Kevin?"
Lao Wang was a little surprised when he heard that Lightning asked him to go to the finale.
"Whether it's on the court or in the locker room, Old K, you are already the true leader of this team, go there." Kevin Johnson said seriously.
Lao Wang thought for a second, then nodded, shook hands with Kevin Johnson, hugged, and then high-fived Dan Marley and the others behind him, and walked to the back.
He is not pretentious. This is how the old and new people change. In the past, he only respected Lightning. Now that Lightning has taken the initiative to give up his position, he will not pretend to be humble.
Dan Marley and others also agree with this change. Just like Kevin Johnson said, Old K has become the true leader of this team both off the court and in the locker room this season.
The five starters of the Bulls watched the Suns undergo this change before the game. Some lamented whether the Suns' locker room was too stable? It was so monolithic!
As for the Bulls' locker room, there are actually some hidden dangers. When Grant was there, he had the best relationship with Pippen, and he always had a bad relationship with Jordan, otherwise he wouldn't have left the Bulls. What happened in the locker room after Grant left?
The atmosphere was better, but not as good as the Suns. The relationship between Jordan and Phil Jackson and general manager Krause was very bad.
Jordan looked at Old K standing opposite and suddenly said: "Old K, I heard that you will go to the Lakers next season?"
"Nonsense!"
Lao Wang immediately denied it. Did this old man want to mess up the Suns team's mentality before the war started?
But he doesn't care, because he has already discussed this matter with Kevin Johnson and others. Everyone in the Suns team understands that the finals are the most important now, and future matters will be dealt with later.
Moreover, the Suns also know that he is most likely to stay. As long as Mr. Colangelo can give him a big contract, he will stay 100%, and Mr. Colangelo is not a stingy person.
, and he is not a person without courage.
He walked up, approached Jordan, looked down at the old stewed egg in front of him with ferocious eyes, and said disdainfully: "Old guy, if you want a dynasty, why not come to the Suns. I heard you only have one year.
You have signed a contract, come to the Suns, I guarantee you a dynasty."
Jordan laughed angrily, "I'm going to hug your thighs because they're not thick enough."
At this time, DJ music started playing outside, the lights dimmed, and two bright spotlights shone on the exit, indicating that the visiting team was about to play.
"Dear viewers in front of the TV, fans at the scene, NBA 94/95 season finals..."
The host's passionate voice sounded outside.
The first one to appear was Kevin Johnson, followed by Dan Marley, Drexler, AC Green, and finally Wang Tiejun.
The United Center was not polite. From the moment the Lightning came out, huge boos began to sweep through the arena, reaching the climax when Lao Wang finally came out.
"Wang Tiejun helped the team win the championship in the first finals of his rookie season. This is the first time that he has led the team to the finals as a core player. We hereby wish him to win the championship again."
In the CCTV commentary box, Zhang Lili shouted excitedly.
Far away on the other side of the Pacific Ocean, Fengshen Street in the capital, this high-end commercial street that has everything in place and only needs its owner, is already overcrowded today.
Because this year more and more fans often appear on this street. Fengshen Street has not yet opened, but its popularity is very high. It has become the basketball base of the capital. If there is anything, I will hang out here.
Play basketball on the court, or watch a Suns game together.
For their own publicity, store owners have placed TVs outside their stores since the playoffs.
Since the morning, countless basketball fans have poured into this more than 330-meter-long commercial pedestrian street.
In addition to the street, the same goes for the basketball courts behind. Bai Changsheng also installed many TV sets for fans to watch.
He and the shop owners all understand that the more attention Fengshen Street attracts, the better it will develop. Regardless of whether these fans have the ability to spend money here, as long as they can attract attention, it is the best.
The game is about to start at the United Center in Chicago.
After Wang Tiejun came on the court, he greeted his teammates and then greeted all the celebrities on the sidelines.
Now is not the time in 1993, when he was still a standard rookie with few stars supporting him. Now he is a superstar, even a superstar. Not only are some sports superstars on the scene willing to support him, but also caa
With the influence of K-Martial Arts, many Hollywood stars at the scene were also willing to support him.
However, Jordan's influence is indeed huge, it can be said that it far exceeds him. He has the support of some stars from all walks of life, but Jordan has the support of almost all stars, including those stars who support him.
"Hello, old K."
"Hello, Mr. Chenglong..."
Under the introduction of Yu Feihong, he got to know Chenglong and others.
"Old K, I'm Mike Robert. I'm your biggest fan. Nice to meet you." Mike Robert said excitedly.
"Nice to meet you too." Lao Wang said with a smile.
"Old K, can you sign your name?"
"certainly."
McRobert took out the pen he had prepared, picked up the No. 33 Suns away jersey he was wearing, and asked Wang Tiejun to sign it. He seemed overjoyed, no different from an ordinary fan.
…
At 8:28, the players stood up from the bench and prepared to play.
In front of the Suns bench, everyone gathered around Wang Tiejun and put their hands together.
He looked around at everyone and shouted loudly: "Brothers, we have worked hard for a season, and now it's the last moment. It's time to reap victory and honor..."
At this point, he suddenly raised his voice and shouted with all his strength: "Fight for the championship!"
"For the championship! For the championship..."
Everyone shouted loudly, and the few Suns fans in the United Center also roared at the top of their lungs.
"Shh!"
In order to suppress the visiting team's momentum and morale, the Bulls fans did not hesitate at all and booed wildly, completely drowning out the Suns' voice in an instant.
"Grand champion! Grand champion..."
But the voice of the Sun Team is like the cry of petrels in a storm. Although it is weak, it always exists and has not been extinguished.
From this moment on, the battle between the Bulls and the Suns has officially begun.
Wang Tiejun led his team onto the court, turned around and shouted to O'Neal who was sitting on the court: "Fat man, I'll teach you how to win with the Bulls."
"You won because of the lineup." O'Neal said unconvinced.
Lao Wang laughed and did not object to this statement. The Suns' lineup is indeed stronger than the Magic.
Ten seconds later, Su Qun shouted: "It's a jump ball! OK, the Suns attack."
Everyone else pulled away, and Wang Tiejun forced his way past Clifford Rosenbin, who was blocking him, and ran under the high basket at the top of the key.
On the outside, when Kevin Johnson approached the midline, Jordan defended him in front.
On the left wing, Drexler moved in the area near the left sideline, and Pippen faced him.
On the right wing, Dan Marley's range of activities is also close to the right sideline.
AC Green's active position is in the right short corner, near the right bottom corner. Toni Kukoc, who is opposite him, places him two meters away and guards a position not far outside the paint area.
Jordan leaned down, his feet following the advancement of lightning, retreating and defending, his fierce and determined eyes clearly exposed his defensive attitude.
In the TNT commentary box, Marv Albert said: "The Suns are very open. It is very difficult for the Bulls to double-team on the outside. This will test the Bulls' single defense ability."
At this time, Wang Tiejun had quickly entered the basket. Kerry chose to go forward, and he had no choice but to go forward.
He has the height and tonnage of a power forward, as well as the mobility of a power forward. His playing style is also a space-based inside line. He is 208 centimeters tall and his tonnage remains at 110 kilograms.
With such a tonnage, Wang Tiejun could only be defended by going around.
In terms of mobility, he is no faster than Wang Tiejun now, and his bounce is the same, even worse than Wang Tiejun. He couldn't jump as high as Wang Tiejun when he jumped the ball just now.
With such athletic ability and physical condition, facing Wang Tiejun at the basket, the effect of going forward will not be very good.
So Kevin Johnson, who was not close to the top of the arc, did not hesitate. When he saw Old K just approaching the basket, when Jordan was slowly retreating, he suddenly dribbled to the right and attracted Jordan's center of gravity. With a back dribble, he left
Pulling the ball up from behind his back, he pushed it forward with one hand and the ball flew towards the basket.
"Passed!"
Zhang Lili shouted loudly.
"Crack!"
Wang Tiejun stuck his right elbow, pushing Kerry hard outside, then jumped up, grabbed the ball with one hand with his left hand, and smashed it with his backhand.
"Bang!"
As the basket trembled violently, the basketball fell through the basket.
"yeah!"
On the Suns bench, all the bench players, staff, and coaching staff cheered, and hundreds of Suns fans also cheered.
"Pa bang..."
Many celebrities from all walks of life also applauded.
"We can't beat the Bulls. I played like this in every game in the Eastern Conference Finals, and I still lost in the end." O'Neal muttered.
"Beautiful! Old K played an alley-oop with Lightning on the first ball." Su Qun shouted excitedly.
"The Bulls can't guard against the Tiejun. As long as the ball can go in, they really can't guard against it!" Zhang Lili said excitedly.
“yeeeeees!”
The moment the ball scored, in the TNT commentary box, stableman Albert shouted out his signature commentary excitedly. He could express various meanings and emotions through this simplest word.
Kevin Harlan said: "As we said last night, the Bulls can suppress the Bulls' outside offense and even destroy the Suns' outside organizational capabilities, but it is impossible to cut off the Suns' internal and external connections. No team can do that.
This point was proved by the attack just now."
Albert said excitedly: "Yes, if the Bulls lose the game, it can only be because they cannot stop Old K's attack in the low post."
The Bulls were on offense, BJ advanced with the ball, and Kevin Johnson defended. As soon as he passed the center line, he handed the ball to Pippen on the left three-point line.
Triangle tactics, three people on the strong side, two on the weak side, two on the low post, and three on the high post and on the wings.
The three people on the strong side form a triangle, one in the low post, one near the top of the arc, and one on the three-point line.
Then, whether it is the one at the top of the arc or the one in the low post, it can form a triangle formation with the two on the weak side, and through constant movement, new triangles are constantly formed.
Through these triangles, the Bulls can not only quickly move the ball and distribute offense, but also stretch the opponent's defensive strength, preventing it from forming an effective double-team force.
The two players on the weak side must have high mobility and use frequent moves and pick-and-rolls to obtain open spaces or singles opportunities.
Before there was the Jordan Rule, Jordan was usually on the strong side, and everyone else was on the weak side, letting him play in isolation.
After that, he usually stayed on the weak side, relying on his high mobility to get into open spaces or singles opportunities, and it was the same this time.
On the strong side is Clifford Robinson, who is pulled to the left blocking area, which is close to the bottom corner of the baseline, and is defended by Lao Wang.
Pippen is at the 45-degree position of the left three-point line, guarded by Dan Marley.
BJ is at the top of the arc, and Kevin Johnson doesn't dare to let him go. His three-pointers are the Bulls' most accurate.
These three people form a triangle on the strong side. All three can pass the ball and shoot three-pointers, but none of them can miss.
Phil Jackson's only dissatisfaction with this strong-side triangle is that Clifford Robinson does not have a strong low-post offensive ability. The three points of the triangle are all on the outside. Although the stretching ability is stronger, it is further away from the basket.
, this is not in line with his principle of advocating CIC.
In fact, he is a head coach who doesn't like three-pointers, but the emergence of these two giants, Old K and O'Neal, forced him to make changes.
Moreover, the Bulls could not find a strong low-post player. They could only find Clifford Robinson, and he could only make the best use of him.
On the weak side at this time are Jordan and Toni Kukoc, who are constantly running and trying to get open opportunities through pick-and-rolls.
Pippen took the ball, Clifford Robinson suddenly retreated to the left bottom corner, and the former immediately passed the ball to the left bottom corner.
When Kerry took the ball, Wang Tiejun could only keep up. Originally, he was only one meter away from the left line of the paint area, but now he is two meters away. It is even more difficult to return to the basket.
At this time, on the weak side, Jordan got rid of the glider through Toni Kukoc's pick-and-roll, and got the opportunity to cut inside. AC Green quickly changed defense, and a beat too late, he cut into the paint area.
"Whoosh!"
Clifford Robinson suddenly took a step up and quickly passed the ball in.
Wang Tiejun quickly took a step upwards, but did not touch the ball. He quickly turned around and returned to defend the basket, but it was already too late.
"Bang!"
Jordan caught the ball and hit a tomahawk dunk, hitting the Suns' basket.
"yeah!"
Huge cheers erupted from the United Center.
The celebrities from all walks of life on the sidelines also stood up and applauded.
"yeeeees!"
Groom Albert shouted again and said excitedly: "Beautiful! Under the triangle offense system, the opening tactics matched the weak side's inward tactics, which completely broke the Suns' defense."
Kevin Harlan said loudly in an passionate tone: "Yes, the Bulls' offensive tactics are too clear! Through the tactics, they fully mobilized the opponent's defensive strength and got an open layup opportunity."
In the CCTV live broadcast, Zhang Lili reminded: "The Tiejun must be careful not to let the ball holder pass the ball too smoothly. The defense must be oppressive, proactive and aggressive. Kerry's pass just now was too smooth."
Take it easy, this won't work.
The same goes for everyone else, trying their best to use defense to press the opponent's space and speed of the ball, as well as their movement."
On the court, the Suns are advancing.
Before Kevin Johnson reached the center line, he transferred the ball to Drexler on the left wing.
At this time, Wang Tiejun reached the low post on the left wing, but Clifford Robinson still moved forward. He made a gesture to the glider, who quickly passed the ball down.
The passing position is not low on the left wing, but a little further inside, closer to the basket.
At the moment when the glider passed the ball, Wang Tiejun turned around fiercely and quickly cut towards the basket.
While turning around to cut in, his right elbow stuck outside to prevent Kerry from pursuing the defense. When he turned around, he pressed Kerry with his right hand.
This is some experience he has accumulated over the past three seasons, and the effect is good. It is good for offense and offensive rebounding.
Sure enough, Kerry wanted to catch up, but he was pressed in the stomach. With Wang Tiejun's strength, he was directly pressed, and he could only watch his opponent enter the paint area.
Kukoc on the weak side returned to defense as quickly as possible and jumped to block the shot.
But his jumping ability is not as good as Wang Tiejun's, and coupled with the huge difference in height and wingspan, his defensive height is significantly different, only reaching Lao Wang's elbow.
"Bang!"
With a diving one-arm dunk, the 105-kg Kukoc was knocked directly in the air and fell to the basket like a bird with broken wings.
"Beep!"
The referee's whistle sounded.
"yeees!"
Marv Albert roared excitedly: "The Suns played a simple and clear tactic. The ball moved very quickly. They clearly didn't want to give the Bulls a chance to defend. As long as the ball could be passed in and the ball was in the hands of Old K, the Bulls would have nothing to lose.
Ability for.”
Kevin Harlan laughed: "Both Jordan and Pippen, although they are the top perimeter defenders, they can't stop the passes of the Lightning and Glider."
Albert nodded and smiled: "Lightning and Glider are not little people. The former was a top point guard in his peak period, and the latter is still a superstar now. They have too much experience in playing. They only want to pass the ball. No matter how good the defender is,
Even with a single defense, there is no way to stop them."
In the CCTV commentary booth, Zhang Lili said excitedly: "The Bulls' interior defense is too weak. With the current intensity of low-post defense, Tiejun's offense won't consume much physical energy at all. He can keep playing until the Bulls cry.
"
Su Qun smiled and said: "No matter how strong the other positions are, as long as one point is always beaten by the opponent and there is nothing you can do, it will be very uncomfortable."
