Chapter 302 Breaking Jordan's halftime scoring record in the finals
"What is that guy shouting?" Barkley, who was sitting in the front row, looked back and saw a bunch of confused Bulls fans.
Dameng, who was sitting next to him, sighed: "Damn it, old K, this championship seems to be guaranteed."
Buckley opened his mouth and asked deliberately, Dameng, did you want to hug Lao K's thigh, but you were afraid of being beaten, so you kept your mouth shut.
After thinking about it, he said: "Michael and Pippen can suppress the offense of the Lightning and Glider, but they cannot limit them from passing the ball to Old K. After all, they are not gods, so they cannot limit Old K's offense.
Old K is now more lethal in the low post than O'Neal. If we continue like this and get to the fourth game, will the Bulls still have anyone inside?"
Dameng nodded and said: "So even if the Suns lose this game, they will also lose in the end. As long as Old K continues to kill the Bulls' vitality, the Bulls will collapse until the end."
At this point, he suddenly said irritably: "According to this analysis, if we get a glider next season, won't we have nothing to do with him?"
Barkley glanced at Dream in surprise. Is this old guy confused? He said angrily: "Hakeem, do you put us on the same level as those Bulls insiders? You idiot, do you want me to
I still don’t want to.”
Dameng was stunned, nodded repeatedly, and quickly apologized: "I was wrong, Charles, no matter how strong Old K is, with the two of us on the inside, our inside offense will never be weaker than that of the Suns, and they don't have the outside line.
Glider, we have a glider, we will definitely win."
Barkley nodded and said: "This is right. If the Bulls lose the finals this time, the reason will be the same as in 1993: the fifth position is too weak.
It’s not that Clifford Robinson is too weak, but that the old K now is much scarier than the old K in 1993. He is really unstoppable and he has entered his peak period.”
Wennington was replaced, and the team doctor checked and replaced him with Corey Blount, who partnered with Perdo, with the latter facing off against Wang Tiejun.
Albert shook his head and said: "Kukoc was reimbursed last game, and Luke Longley and Wennington were injured this time. Now the Bulls are left with Clifford Robinson, Perdo, and Blount in rotation.
If Luke Longley and Wennington can come back, the Bulls can still persevere. If they don't come back, not to mention the morale problem, just the internal rotation problem will also cause the Bulls to collapse directly."
Kevin Harlan said: "I am now certain that no one dares to directly confront Old K. Through continuous killings, his deterrence has reached a perverted level. He will do whatever he wants in the Bulls' penalty area and completely dominate the paint area.
Both ends.”
Albert thought for a while and said: "But there is someone who will not give up. His persistence in winning will not let him give up. I hope he can stand up."
"Yes, this person is Jordan, Michael Jordan." Kevin Harlan said.
"Moreover, Old K's physical fitness is limited. It is absolutely impossible for him to perform such a crazy performance in the whole game. I think the second half will be Michael's opportunity. At this time, the only thing he and Pippen have to do is to bite the score.
Don't let the score difference get too big," Albert said.
The Bulls originally wanted to take the lead in the second quarter and establish a score advantage, but they did not expect to play a very bad game.
One of the reasons is that Phil Jackson believes that Wang Tiejun will not be as crazy in the second quarter as he was in the first quarter.
He guessed correctly. Lao Wang did not attack the basket due to physical problems, but Phil Jackson only guessed half of it. The other half was that he overestimated his substitute insider and underestimated the opponent's strength. Lao Wang faced Pell
Even if you don't use a lot of energy to defeat opponents as inferior as Wennington, you can still defeat them in various ways.
The second reason was that Wennington's injury once again shattered the Bulls' morale, and the Bulls ushered in a quarter-quarter defeat.
If Jordan hadn't persisted and kept scoring, the Bulls would not have been simply defeated, but collapsed thousands of miles away.
By the 9th minute of the second quarter, the Suns had led by 16 points.
However, at this time Wang Tiejun received his fourth personal foul of the game. This time it was a defensive foul. The referee determined that he had made unnecessary elbow movements.
Westphal directly replaced Wang Tiejun and also replaced Lightning Kevin Johnson.
Of course, he also wanted to go all out, widen the point difference to twenty points, and defeat the Bulls in one wave, but he could see that as long as Jordan didn't collapse, the Bulls would not really lose their combat effectiveness, so he had to fight for it.
Leave some energy in the second half, and don't let K and the Lightning run out of energy in the first half.
And once the referee is too powerful and gives Old K another foul, it will be really difficult to fight, and the Bulls may overturn the game.
As soon as he made a substitution, Phil Jackson seemed to understand and immediately replaced Pippen.
Although Pippen is two and a half years younger than Jordan, his physical fitness is not as abnormal as Jordan's. He did not rest in the first quarter, and his condition in the second quarter was not very good.
Phil Jackson also needs to make some preparations for the second half. Jordan can chase points on the court, and Pippen comes off the court to make some preparations for the second half.
At the end of the second quarter, at 60:50, the Suns led away by 10 points. In the next three minutes, Jordan showed his strength and regained 6 points.
Wang Tiejun made 7 of 9 shots and 2 of 2 free throws in the 9 minutes of the second quarter, scoring 16 points.
In the half, he made 16 of 18 shots and 5 of 8 free throws. He scored 37 points, 11 rebounds, 2 assists, 3 blocks, 6 turnovers and 4 fouls.
He broke a historical record in the Finals, scoring 37 points in the half, breaking Jordan's half-time scoring record of 35 points in the 1992 Finals.
The opponent, Jordan, didn't rest at halftime and played 24 minutes. He made 8 of 18 shots and 12 of 12 free throws. He also scored 28 points, 5 rebounds, 6 assists, 4 steals, 1 block, 1 turnover and 1 foul.
"These two guys are fighting like crazy!"
After watching the players from the two teams enter the tunnel, Magic Johnson said to Kareem Abdul-Jabbar: "I can't believe that Old K actually broke Jordan's half-time scoring record in the Finals. This is the Finals, but their scoring is like cutting
It’s as easy as cutting a vegetable into a melon.”
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar smiled and said: "There is no way. Who makes the strengths of both sides become the weaknesses of the opponent? If you ask Old K to face Dameng and O'Neal, can he perform like this? It is absolutely impossible. His performance today is only
Can be shot on a bull.
The same goes for Michael. None of the perimeter players on the Suns are strong defenders. They can't guard him at all. They are invincible offensively and defensively. They scored 28 points and 4 steals in the half. If it hadn't been for the god-level performance of Old K, Michael would never have lost this game.
.”
Magic Johnson smiled and said: "No matter who the Bulls touch, as long as they don't touch the Suns, they should have a high chance of defending the championship, but they can't touch the Suns.
Its inside line is actually not very bad. Krikukoc can be regarded as a quasi-first-class inside line combination. You can see it from playing the Magic. Although O'Neal is good on the offensive end, he is not good on the defensive end. He cannot follow up.
There was no way back, and the outside line completely destroyed the Magic's outside line, almost sweeping the Magic away.
But against the Suns, the inside line was completely destroyed. Although the outside advantage was great, it was not enough to make up for the huge disadvantage inside."
"Michael met Mr. K twice, which is really bad luck!" Dameng sat next to Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and said after hearing what the two said.
"Aren't you the same?" Magic Johnson joked.
Dameng was stunned, and his dark face suddenly became darker. Damn it, guy, can you tell me? If you don't, just shut up.
He said angrily: "I'm not as unlucky as Michael. I didn't make it to the 1993 playoffs and twice in the Western Conference Finals. Anyway, I beat him once in the tiebreaker."
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar said with a smile: "The home whistle was very obvious today. Unfortunately, although Old K committed three fouls in the first quarter, the role of the home whistle was not fulfilled. Instead, it angered him and made him play even crazier. The referee team also had scruples.
I dare to continue to brag about him and let him persist until now and perform his best. It can be said that today's home whistle is not worth the gain."
Magic Johnson said with some disdain on his face: "With Old K's status and influence in the league today, who dares to let him commit six fouls in one quarter? What's more, in the finals, send him off and leave Michael alone.
Perform shooting on it?"
Barkley said at this time: "But this game is still hard to say. Old K committed four fouls. He really may not be able to persist to the end.
The point difference is not that big now, we are all preparing for the second half, and Old K’s foul is a time bomb for the Suns.”
When everyone heard this, they couldn't help but nodded.
What he said was indeed accurate. In the 5th minute of the third quarter, when Wang Tiejun led his team to a 14-point lead, he got another defensive foul. After five fouls, Westphal could only replace him and keep him.
Go up there at the critical moment.
Wang Tiejun was not as stubborn as he was in the first quarter. The whistle was pointed at him today. If he stayed on the court, he might end up with six fouls before the third quarter was played.
The three referees did not dare to let him commit six fouls in the first quarter, but he had no worries about six fouls in the third quarter, and he knew this very well.
After the third quarter, under the leadership of Jordan, the score difference was reduced to 5 points, 83:80, and the Bulls were only three points behind.
"Old K scored 40 points in the third quarter and Jordan scored 32 points in the third quarter. The two will have a final battle in the final quarter of the game." Albert smiled.
In the CCTV live broadcast booth, Su Qun asked nervously: "Coach Zhang, we are so far ahead and are now almost tied. Do you think the Suns can win the game today?"
"I really can't tell. Let's see when Tiejun gets the sixth offender." Zhang Lili said helplessly.
On the Bulls bench, Phil Jackson stood in front, leaning slightly, and said to Perdo who was sitting: "Vail, you must hold on at the last moment.
Your contract is over, and as long as you endure it, the management will definitely give you a new contract, a new and substantial contract."
"contract?"
Perdo gritted his teeth and nodded.
At this time, Wilson, the defensive coach of the Bulls, came over and warned: "Will, remember, you must stick to him, use your strength to push against him, and don't give him the opportunity and space to use your strength, so that you will be hurt less.
I've been studying his back-on attacks, and there's often room for more force in the back-on attacks, which are particularly powerful. If he's close to the body, the damage will be minimal."
"Yes, sir, I understand." Perdo was startled and nodded quickly.
This is when the last quarter begins.
The Suns have all the starting lineup.
On the Bulls' side, Perdo and Clifford Robinson are on the inside, and Pippen, Jordan and BJ are on the outside. Except for the fifth position, everyone else is the main starting force today.
"Old K, don't make too big a move, they will definitely keep an eye on you in the final quarter." Assistant coach Lewis warned when he was getting ready to play.
Lao Wang nodded. He knew very well that he might graduate with six fouls at any time in the final quarter, but it didn't matter. At most, he wouldn't get a sweep.
Because he has knocked down half of the Bulls' inside lineup, the Suns have completely taken the initiative in the next series. In the next three home games, he will brutally torture the Bulls and do whatever he wants.
.
The Bulls are also on the field over there.
Although Jordan scored 32 points in this game, his performance was quite frustrating.
It would be okay if he won the game in the end, but if he lost, then he could imagine that tomorrow, except for Chicago, the media across the United States would ridicule him for losing the game even with the home whistle.
Why do you feel aggrieved? Because that monster, Old K, not only was not affected by the home whistle, but directly provoked the referee and performed the most ferocious and crazy performance. He felt that today's home whistle had a counterproductive effect. This is why he felt
Reasons for frustration.
So in the final quarter, he must win.
The Suns attack, in the middle, Kevin Johnson advances in the backcourt, and Glider and Thundercracker support on both wings.
Jordan retreated and defended. His physical energy had been consumed in the first three quarters, and now he could no longer play the highest-intensity defense for a long time. It was possible to break out once in a while, but it was impossible to maintain it throughout the quarter.
Wang Tiejun came to the frontcourt and first stopped at the left elbow area to observe the situation behind him.
Pell stood underneath him to prevent him from getting to the basket.
At this time, Kevin Johnson had not passed the midline and saw Old K's position. At that moment, the ball was pulled up from the floor. He suddenly pushed with one hand and the ball flew over Jordan's head.
Jordan turned around quickly, just in time to see Old K grab the basketball with his big hand, and hit him backwards. Perdo was knocked back half a step, then turned left, rushed into the paint area, and flew into the air after one step.
Got up.
"It's over!"
Seeing this, he stopped and was about to start.
"brush!"
Wang Tiejun made a layup, but there was no dunk.
"It's too easy for Old K to play against a center like Perdo!" Kareem Abdul-Jabbar said.
"It would be easier for me to beat someone like this. His turnaround is not as good as mine." O'Neal said unconvinced.
"But your back-up play is not as good as his. Taken together, his ability to get rid of the defense is no worse than yours." Kareem Abdul-Jabbar said.
O'Neal argued: "But his back hit cost him more, and I could kill Perdo just by turning around."
Magic Johnson said at this time: "Shaq is right. In terms of low-post dominance, he is as good as Old K."
"Did you hear that?" O'Neal smiled proudly at Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar shrugged his shoulders without retorting.
As soon as O'Neal was happy, he felt a little hungry, and then picked up a big paper bag at his feet, which contained a big burger.
"Shaq, how many kilograms do you plan to gain?" Kareem Abdul-Jabbar asked with great concern.
He is indeed very concerned, because the Lakers also want to get O'Neal. If they can't get Old K this time, they will have to find a way to get O'Neal next year.
"I want to gain enough weight that I can knock over Old K in one go."
After O'Neal said this, he took a hard bite on the burger. In his eyes, this burger was Lao K.
The faces of Magic Johnson and several others next to him twitched. If he wanted to knock over Old K, even with O'Neal's explosive power, I'm afraid it would have to weigh 150 kilograms, right? Can O'Neal's knees bear such a heavy tonnage?
"Shaq, I suggest you join the K-Martial Arts Gym. We have already joined and tried it. The medicated oil massage and medicated bath are both good." Magic Johnson said seriously.
O'Neal was startled, then nodded and said: "If it is really of some use, I will let Lao K make a small fortune later."
Buckley suddenly sighed: "Old K, that guy really made the right investment. He spent 20 million U.S. dollars on his two prescriptions. The customer's membership fee is almost 89 million U.S. dollars a year. In three years, he has made the right investment."
I can get my money back, the rate of return is too high!”
"I heard that he is going to open a branch in Los Angeles soon, and he will make more money by then." Magic Johnson said with envy.
In the fifth minute of the final quarter, Jordan hit a mid-range shot to take the lead at 90:92.
The Suns were in foul trouble from the beginning and were whistled for 5 fouls in 5 minutes. The Bulls scored 5 points with free throws.
After Wang Tiejun scored the first goal, he was called for two walking violations in succession. Until now, he has made 5 mistakes, including 4 walking violations, which makes him no longer know how to play.
There is still the Sword of Damocles, the sixth offender, on his head, which may fall at any time. Although he no longer cares about winning or losing a game, he is really angry and wants to win the game more and more.
When the Suns attacked, he received the ball in the low post on the left wing, with Perdo on top.
As soon as the ball came into his hands, everyone's eyes were fixed on him.
Behind the baseline, the bottom referee's eyes were staring at him, there were linesmen outside, and the referee's eyes nearby were also staring at him.
He did not attack immediately. Taking this opportunity, the Bulls began to double-team, and Clifford Robinson on the weak side pounced from behind.
He faced up and observed Kerry's assisting defense behavior with the corner of his left eye. When Kerry rushed to the basket, he suddenly threw a right hand and passed the ball to AC Green in the right block.
The passing movement was very sudden and fast, and the ball speed was also very fast. When Jordan saw his pass and went to cover Green, he was already a step slower.
When Green received the ball, he was in an open position. He did not hesitate and took off directly. When Jordan came, the ball had already flown to the basket.
At this time, Wang Tiejun bypassed Perdo and entered the basket, ready to grab the offensive rebound.
"brush!"
The water splashed and the two-pointer hit.
92 draws, the Bulls attack.
"brush!"
bj held the ball to the top of the arc and passed it to Jordan on the right three-point line. Jordan broke through with the ball and Lightning went in to cover. The former passed the ball back to b***j and made an open jumper at the top of the arc, hitting a three-pointer.