This morning, in an interview with the media, Spurs general manager Popovich publicly expressed his views on certain NBA rules.
He said: "We are likely to usher in an era of behemoths, so it is time to change some rules, such as canceling the illegal defense rule.
Double-teaming people without the ball should be allowed, otherwise we will usher in an era of unfair competition in the most important penalty area, where the behemoths will gain too much benefit and compete unfairly.
So, I mean, it's time to think about a zone defense."
At noon, the Bulls arrived in Phoenix, where they will play three away games next, if they are not swept.
After arriving at the hotel, the team arranged a media conference.
First, the management announced the injured list and team roster. Luke Longley has been placed on the injured list due to five rib fractures and large areas of blood bruising on his chest. The other inside players are barely functioning.
For the Bulls, this is barely good news. Wennington can continue to play, and there is an extra person in the rotation. However, this news cannot change the Bulls' huge disadvantage in the low post, and the prospects for the finals are still bleak.
"Coach Jackson, the general manager of the Spurs just expressed to the media in Miami that the league should abolish extraordinary defense. What do you think of this?" The first reporter asked Phil Jackson.
As soon as he got off the plane, Phil Jackson didn't know the news. As soon as he heard it, his eyes lit up. This Popovich is good. This is the best rule to restrict K and O'Neal.
But when he came back to his senses, he immediately realized that this meant that the zone defense rules would become legal defense, which was also very detrimental to the Bulls.
The biggest function of the zone defense rules is to compress the offensive space, defend the ball but not the man, and allow double-teaming without the ball, so that the ball holder can face double-teaming by two or three people at any time.
For outside players, the biggest disadvantage of zone defense is that it limits their ability to break through with the ball.
This is also very restrictive for Jordan and Pippen, and their one-on-one opportunities will be greatly reduced.
Of course, he didn't think that zone defense could really limit Jordan, because Jordan was always under double teams, and he was the one playing in double teams.
After a brief consideration, he said seriously: "When the league formulated the anti-isolated singles rules, which we call the Jordan Rules, what was the original intention of formulating them? Although the league does not admit that this is the Jordan Rules, it is.
I don’t think we need zone defense now, what we need is another rule that limits some kind of balance-breaking force, like another Jordan Law, rather than eliminating illegal defense.”
Although he does not believe that the league can restrict Jordan, he must fight for what should be fought for. If it can really prompt the league to introduce a restrictive rule for Jordan, that would be the best result.
Jordan next to him also nodded slightly. He knew very well that after the illegal defense was cancelled, zone defense became one of the defensive rules. Once this rule is implemented, he will also be a victim.
He believes that the league should introduce a rule that specifically restricts Old K, instead of this broken rule of playing 50 rebounds each, just like it did with him back then.
I don’t know if he has realized this thought, but he has subconsciously placed the current Lao K on a higher level than the original him.
At this time, a reporter asked him, "Michael, do you think illegal defense should be cancelled?"
Of course he and Phil Jackson have different ideas. If the league really wants to abolish illegal defense, he doesn't think it will be a big deal. He has enough ability to solve the problem. In fact, although zone defense is not allowed, he is often double-teamed.
, one against five is also a common thing.
Facing a reporter's question, he said briefly: "Sorry, since I entered the league, the defensive rules I have faced are no different from zone defense, so I have no opinion on this."
Well, unconsciously, he pretended to be 13 again.
At this time, the Suns management also learned about Popovich's words from the media.
Colangelo himself is a member of the league's management, and he reacted very sensitively and immediately. This should mean that the league is about to take action, and it is likely that some rules will be introduced against Old K.
He couldn't help but feel a little emotional, thinking that when Jordan entered the league in 1984, it took him four seasons to force the league to issue the Jordan Rules. Now, it only takes three seasons for Old K to force the league to issue rules. It is indeed a great thing.
things.
So now he has to make some counterattacks and try his best to seek some benefits for Lao K.
In the afternoon, he took the initiative to meet with several major media outlets in Phoenix and said: "I don't find it strange that there is such an idea to change the rules. It is normal to seek help from the rules if you can't beat Mr. K."
, but I think we can make more changes, such as introducing rules for reasonable collision zones."
What is a reasonable collision zone is to mark an area under the basket that is conducive to offense. Within this area, the rules are conducive to offensive players and allow offensive players holding the ball to reasonably collide with defensive personnel.
Once the league introduces this rule, it will be a huge boon to Old K and O'Neal, as they can run rampant under the basket without restraint.
His statement triggered another person's statement. New Knicks coach Nelson accepted an interview with a New York TV station.
As a head coach who advocates offense, he said: "I suggest adding a defensive three-second rule. There is no reason to have an offensive three-second rule, but there is no defensive three-second rule. Those big men cannot always stay under the basket.
This is very detrimental to offense.
In this G2 game of the finals, it was precisely because Kukoc was injured that Old K was able to return to the basket, which greatly increased the difficulty for Jordan and other outside players to break through.
We can see that even if Old K just stands under the basket and does nothing, his body can form a huge defensive barrier, and he can stay there for a whole year. This is a very unreasonable rule."
Subsequently, Magic coach Brian Hill stood up for an interview and said: "We should establish a rule to limit cutting tactics. For example, in the last two minutes of the final quarter, there should be two free throws and one throw for people without the ball. This will be more effective."
fair."
Because of Wang Tiejun, a series of rules were proposed, which immediately triggered a big discussion in the media, and a huge public opinion about him is forming.
In New York, in the office of the president of the NBA headquarters, Stern frowned.
He released a little information through some channels, which immediately triggered a large-scale discussion. Now he has obtained all kinds of relevant information, but he is not satisfied with much. He does not like the legalization of zone defense proposed by Popovich.
proposal.
Because of the zone defense, it means that the offense will be compressed, and the outside offense will be affected the most, while the inside will be relatively better.
The NBA's most popular stars have always been outsiders. If zone defense rules are introduced to suppress these stars, wouldn't it be self-inflicted? This is inconsistent with his usual development path of encouraging offense, so he doesn't like it.
What he wanted was rules that restricted the low-post play of Old K, but no one proposed it.
After thinking about it, he decided to take some time to talk to Pat Riley, hoping to communicate with the experienced head coach and maybe find some ideas.
Pat Riley is not just a head coach and general manager, he is also a social speaker with cutting-edge ideas and lively thinking.
At three o'clock in the afternoon, Jordan, accompanied by his agent David Frank, came to the K-Martial Arts Gym.
Also traveling with him is Pippen. His physique is far less durable than Jordan's, so although he is younger, he has far more injuries than Jordan and his physical fitness is not as good as Jordan's, so he also has the intention to join K-Martial Arts.
Hotel, service.
As soon as they got out of the car, the three of them met Larry Bird who was getting out of another car.
"Hey, Michael, you're actually here? This is Lao K's territory."
"Larry, what are you doing here?" Jordan asked in surprise.
"I've been feeling a little uncomfortable recently due to my old injury. Painkillers don't work very well. I'm in so much pain that I can't sleep at night. I want to try the medicated oil massage at K Martial Arts School. Buckley said it's good. He recommended it to me. I must try it. Then
Just give it a try," Larry Bird said.
"I was also recommended by Barkley, let's go in together." Jordan nodded.
"Old K will allow you to join the K martial arts gym?" Larry Bird said in surprise.
"It seems he is not as stingy as you think." Jordan smiled.
Larry Bird shrugged and said: "But what rules are you trying to target him now?"
Jordan jumped up directly and said angrily: "What do you mean we are tinkering? I didn't participate. I am the biggest victim of those damn rules. If it weren't for Jordan's rules, I would definitely have more than three championships. Those guys can't beat them."
I just play by the rules, how could I do something like this?"
"okokok, I made a mistake." Larry Bird said with a smile.
At this time, some more cars came to the parking lot, and several league stars got out of the cars one after another, including O'Neal, Anfernee Hardaway, Reggie Miller, Joe Dumars, Larry Johnson, Ewing and others.
Everyone was a little surprised when they met. After greeting each other, they realized that they were all here for the K martial arts gym.
At this time, another car came, and Barkley and Dameng got off.
When the two got out of the car and saw everyone, they were not surprised at all. After greeting Jordan and others, Barkley proudly shouted: "It's not just you, there are many guys who came today, and I was the one who helped Old K."
For business, he promised to give me a discount.
Let me tell you, not only the stars in our NBA and Hollywood, but also the three NFL leagues are now spreading rumors about the magic of K-Martial Arts. It won’t be long before some of their stars will join K-Martial Arts.”
"Michael, the effect of service may be real." Pippen whispered.
Jordan nodded, and the anticipation in his heart became even greater.
"It's just too expensive. If you use it every day, it costs hundreds of thousands of dollars a year. Plus the massage therapist's fees, it's even higher." Pippen muttered.
Jordan couldn't help but rolled his eyes, you idiot, who asked you to sign that contract?
"Michael, can we share a massage therapist?" Pippen asked, trying to discuss it.
"no."
Jordan decisively refused. He couldn't afford to lose face by sharing a masseur with others.
"Hey...hey...hey...hey..."
When a group of people came out of the elevator, they heard bursts of neat shouts. There were at least hundreds of people there, which was earth-shattering and very powerful.
When they entered the martial arts hall, what they saw was a dense crowd of people practicing martial arts. There were no less than 300 people, arranged in several square formations. Each square formation had several martial arts masters on one side to guide them.
"How much money does Lao K's martial arts school make in a year?" Everyone couldn't help but feel envious and jealous.
Lao Wang had just received a group of Hollywood stars and helped them go through the formalities for entering the V. He saw Jordan and other people coming in, and said hello again.
He now has a headache about masseurs. He has no one available and has to be transferred from China. He will not be able to catch up at the moment.
In addition to massage therapists, there is an even greater shortage of acupuncturists because they are more professional. There are only five acupuncturists in K Martial Arts Hall now. They are very busy every day, flying around in the sky from time to time, basically flying to Los Angeles to work for those Hollywood gangs.
star service.
"Old K, can you try it now?" After greeting, Jordan asked.
Lao Wang thought about it and said: "Medicated baths and medicated oil massages are, in principle, most effective after exercise, which is conducive to the absorption of drugs. It is best to use them after training and competition."
Jordan nodded. He had no right to say anything in this regard. Whatever Mr. K said would be whatever he said.
Lao Wang added: "You'd better be mentally prepared. Medicated baths and medicated oil massages have long-term cumulative effects and will not be effective in the short term."
Seeing everyone nodding, he added: "If you have injuries, in addition to medicated oil massage, I suggest you try acupuncture. It costs five hundred dollars a time. The effect will be better."
At this time, Larry Bird said with a bitter face: "Old K, I happen to have a back injury. Even taking painkillers doesn't work. You can let me try it first."
"Okay, I'll make arrangements for you right away." Lao Wang nodded.
He immediately arranged for a brother to come over and give Larry Bird a medicated oil massage, and the acupuncturist was arranged behind him.
"Ah! Ouch..."
After a while, Larry Bird kept wailing under the massage therapist's hands.
"Larry, are you okay?"
Seeing Big Bird's appearance, sweat broke out on Jordan's forehead. Is this a torment or a treatment? He was a little discouraged.
The same goes for everyone else. Looking at Big Bird's appearance, I'm afraid it will make him more injured, right?
"No, it's okay, I'm very comfortable..."
But Larry Bird's attitude was just the opposite. After the pain, he looked relieved. But just after the relieved look appeared on his face, he immediately screamed in pain: "Ah! Tap on tap..."
Buckley said with an unsurprised expression: "That's it. This is medicated oil massage. Just get used to it. It feels very comfortable after the massage. It is good for muscle strains and joint and ligament injuries."
Jordan and others nodded doubtfully.
An hour later, Larry Bird's massage was over, with a truly relieved look on his face, and he couldn't help but sigh: "Although it feels very comfortable now, the process was really painful."
"Larry, does your injury stop hurting?" Jordan asked seriously.
Larry touched his waist, nodded and said: "It doesn't hurt anymore. It used to be cold and hard inside, but now it's very hot inside, so hot that it's not so hard anymore. The muscles have regained their elasticity. This
It’s such a great feeling, I haven’t felt like this since I was thirty, it’s great!”
His words immediately gave Jordan and the others a lot of confidence, and they all asked for massage immediately.
"Don't make noises, you have to queue up. There aren't that many people to arrange for you now. Just wait, I will arrange for a group of people to come back this time." Lao Wang said quickly.
Jordan and others had nothing to do, so who let them fall behind?
Next, Larry Bird performed acupuncture. After a while, he praised it endlessly and gave Jordan and the others confidence.