At five o'clock in the afternoon, the team training ended. Lao Wang rushed home and had dinner. After spending a long time in the movie room, he installed three TVs to play the Knicks, Celtics, and Trail Blazers games respectively.
He didn't turn on the sound and just watched the game screen.
As a result, after watching the first quarter, he turned off two TV sets and switched the remaining one to the game between the Sonics and Mosaic.
There is no suspense. Whether it is the Knicks, the Green Team, or the Trail Blazers, they all defeated their opponents in a very embarrassing manner, and their advantages were too obvious.
However, he only watched the second quarter of the game between the Sonics and Mosaic and turned off the TV.
Although the SuperSonics no longer have Rain Man Kemp, they are still strong and cannot be resisted by the aging Barkley and Glider.
The two old guys Barkley will retire after this season. They both have two rings on their hands and have no motivation at all.
He feels that there may be a wave of sweeps in the first round, and only in the second round can there be quite fierce competition.
He opened the system and took a look. He broke the historical record in the regular season and was awarded 500 points.
On the 24th, the Lakers' first round started.
At six o'clock in the afternoon, when Lao Wang's car arrived at the Great Western Forum Arena, he saw that the area was completely flooded by Lakers fans.
After entering the stadium, he first went to the visiting team's locker room and took a look at Da Zhi.
"Da Zhi, the game needs to be tougher. Your confrontation ability is much stronger now than before. Don't be afraid of confrontation. You can pull out, but you must have some low-post attacks, otherwise your efficiency will not be improved, and rebounds will not be guaranteed.
As a 213-centimeter center, there is no competitiveness without rebounding and efficiency. When you are training to shoot, you need to take some high-confrontation shots to improve the stability of your shots.
Also, in the game later, take action when you have the opportunity after playing. If you lose, you will definitely lose, but don’t miss your personal opportunity."
After talking for a long time, he left the visiting team's locker room.
More than two hours later, he led the Lakers to defeat the Kings.
There is a huge difference in strength. He only played 29 minutes and scored 25 points, 11 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 steals, 4 blocks, 1 turnover and 1 foul.
Kobe and Richmond got a lot of shooting opportunities. The former scored 21 points and the latter scored 23 points.
DaZhi also had 14 minutes, 2 of 5 shots, 1 of 3 three-pointers, 3 of 4 free throws, and scored 8 points and 2 rebounds.
Lao Wang was a little disappointed with DaZhi. When DaZhi came on the court, it was garbage time and he had already come down. The Lakers' interior substitutes were average and they were just two fringe players, but DaZhi still shot three-pointers from the outside. How could this work?
Is it difficult to rush in and beat up your two fringe inside teammates? If you can beat yourself up to play again, you will be very popular.
But he didn't plan to say anything more. The master led him in. Cultivation depends on the individual. If this is the style, he can't change it.
I went back to the locker room and asked about the other three games.
In the West, the Jazz defeated the Timberwolves, the Pacers in the East defeated the Cavaliers, and the Heat defeated the Hawks.
He called Lao Hu and asked about the situation.
Lao Hu was very excited. He also got a lot of opportunities in the playoffs. He played for 30 minutes and played from the first position to the third forward. Obviously Larry Bird trusted him very much. He scored a total of 18 points and shot 44.5% from the field.
It's lower than the regular season, which is pretty good.
"Lao Hu, you have a good three-pointer. If you have the chance, throw it away and try to make a big hit." Lao Wang encouraged.
Lao Hu was speechless. Is the Tiejun trying to trick the Pacers?
He feels that it is better to be more stable. If he can average 18 points per game in the playoffs and he breaks out of his contract, he will definitely be able to sign a very good contract.
"It's okay here, but not over there. That kid is a little softer and always floats outside. If he were in the Lakers, I wouldn't have given him a minute of playing time. All the effort to get him here would have been in vain.
Now that he has strength, he may develop better if he stays in China, but it may really delay him here." Lao Wang said unhappily.
Lao Hu said: "I am playing well in China, and I have a lot of offense at the basket and in the low post. I don't know why I won't go in here."
"Afraid of confrontation!" Lao Wang said.
In the following period, the first round continued, and the frenzy of sweeping the first round that Lao Wang expected occurred.
First, after the Knicks swept the Nets 3-0, the Celtics lost the G3 game due to too many outside shots and lost the opportunity to sweep the Hornets.
Then the Trail Blazers swept the Suns, but the Sonics were forced to a 2-1 deficit by Mosaic and were unable to complete the sweep.
Next, the Lakers completed the sweep of the Kings, and the Jazz also swept the Timberwolves.
Half of the teams completed the sweep, which can indeed be called a sweep. The one-sided series affected the ratings. This is also a consequence of too many super teams.
Fortunately, the next second round will be very fierce, so the league and team owners are not too worried.
The first round will end on the 30th, and the second round will start on the 3rd and 4th.
In the East, the Knicks face the Celtics, and the Pacers face the Heat.
Western Conference, Lakers vs. Jazz, Trail Blazers vs. SuperSonics.
On the 28th, after the Suns were swept, the team and Lightning Kevin Johnson held a press conference to announce his official retirement.
Lao Wang called Lightning and asked: "Kevin, when will you come to Los Angeles?"
"Soon, before the second round, I'll call you then." Kevin Johnson smiled.
"Okay, you can stay at my house when you come. In addition, I'll have someone find a house for you in San Francisco. Then you and your family can move in directly," Lao Wang said.
After Lightning retires, he will go to the University of California, Berkeley, for further studies, which is his alma mater in San Francisco.
"Thank you, old K!" Lightning smiled.
"Kevin, when you become mayor, governor, or president in the future, don't forget to take care of me! And our K-era trading company, provide some protective policies. Let me tell you first, when I become mayor, 10% of my company shares will be given to
You have three points. If you become governor, you will get six points. If you become president, you will get ten points." Lao Wang joked.
"Haha, old K, you have money, just donate some money to me during the election campaign." Lightning also joked.
"That's no problem." Lao Wang smiled.
That night, Lao Wang finished a medicated oil massage, and his ability to resist injuries and illnesses increased to level 99.
On May 1, ESPN released its latest championship probability prediction data.
The four teams in the second round are the Lakers 23% and the Jazz 22%, the Knicks 23% and the Celtics 5%, the Trail Blazers 23% and the SuperSonics 1%, the Pacers 2% and the Heat 1%.
Different from the prediction before the first round, last time the Lakers were the highest. This time the Lakers, Knicks, and Trail Blazers each had 23%, and the Jazz were also as high as 22%. This means that ESPN is quite optimistic about the strength of the four teams, and there is no distinction between them.
.
However, the difference in probability between the Lakers and Jazz is only 1%, which means that ESPN believes that the two teams have almost even chances of reaching the Western Conference Finals.
As for the Knicks and Celtics, as well as the Trail Blazers and SuperSonics, ESPN's prediction data clearly shows everyone that they are extremely optimistic about the Knicks and Trail Blazers reaching the Eastern Conference Finals and the Western Conference Finals, and are extremely unfavorable about the Celtics.
Celtics and Sonics.
In addition, in the eyes of ESPN, the two teams, the Pacers and the Heat, have become rookies pecking each other. No matter who reaches the Eastern Conference Finals, they will be killed.
This prediction data made the Celtics angry, and even more so the Sonics, the Pacers and the Heat.
The Celtics have a super center like David Robinson, and he has no injuries. Last time there was 7%, but this time there is only a 5% chance of winning. Even David Robinson couldn't help complaining in front of the media.
ESPN's forecast numbers are ridiculous.
This time, Danny Ainge stood up again and ridiculed ESPN in the face of the media, saying: "Even if I find a random fan on the street, their predictions will be much more accurate than ESPN's prediction data in recent seasons.
.
They never thought highly of K and the Suns, but K led the Suns three times to defeat the Bulls, whom they were extremely optimistic about, and win the championship. This is the unprofessionalism of ESPN."
After the Green Team, the other three teams whose chances of winning the championship were either 1% or 2% all had people standing up to express their attitude.
The Sonics had only a 1% chance of winning the championship. When facing the media, Gary Payton criticized ESPN and also questioned its professionalism. He said: "I think ESPN can ask my 80-year-old grandma to work for them because of my grandma's predictions."
The results were much more accurate than their professional counterparts.”
For the Heat, who had the same data of only 1%, Alonzo Mourning said in an interview with the media: "I think ESPN is a little crazy. Fortunately, the league never handed over the broadcast rights of the Finals to them. This is right. We need a better one."
Professional media will broadcast our finals."
The Pacers and Ewing still did not stand up. Reggie Miller accepted the media interview as the leader of the team and directly used swear words and trash talk:
"Everyone knows whose ass the media is licking. This time is different from the past few years. In the past few years, they only licked Jordan's ass. But after a few years of licking, they found that they were licking the wrong one and licked a mouthful of shit.
So now they decided to lick a few more butts at once. The only regret is that they didn’t take notice of my and Patrick’s butts. What a pity, I even specially applied honey on my butts.”
"Ha ha……"
When Lao Wang saw the interview with Reggie Miller from the Indiana Daily, he burst out laughing.
ESPN was quite embarrassed by the words of Danny Ainge and Reggie Miller, forcing their NBA editor-in-chief Kyrel Rodger to come forward and give an interview to the media.
Roger is the person in charge of predicting the probability of winning. He defended: "I am sorry that the Celtics only have a 5% probability of winning, but I think Mr. Ainge and Mr. Robinson should analyze our predicted probability and find out why we
Reasons to think they only have 5%.
Yes, let me tell them now, the Green Team’s main lineup has a serious habit of wasting shots, and it’s not just one person. To be honest, giving them a 5% chance is because of David Robinson and the Green Team’s good defense.
.
Moreover, the Green Team has a more serious problem. There is no real leader in the locker room, and there is no real core on the field. David Robinson, Antoine Walker, and Jason Kidd fight on their own, forming a three-driver.
The carriage, they don't form a whole."
After talking about the Celtics, he talked about the Pacers again and said: "Mr. Reggie Miller is very angry, but I don't think our prediction is wrong. 2% is suitable for them. The reason is very simple. Patrick Ewing
After coming back, his form has declined a bit. Everyone knows that, even if King Kong eliminates the Heat and reaches the Eastern Conference Finals, how will he face Shaquille O'Neal?"
Finally, he talked about the Heat and SuperSonics in a mocking tone, saying: "The Heat are having a hard time even with the Pacers. It is very likely that they will not be able to touch the floor of the Eastern Conference Finals. Even if they make it to the Eastern Conference Finals, is it possible for Mourning?"
Can we still beat O'Neal and Michael? I don't know what's wrong with giving them a 1% chance?
As for the SuperSonics, you are facing the Trail Blazers. You are the team with the biggest disparity between the strength and the opponents among the four teams in the second round. You should know this. Isn’t 1% suitable? I bet you are probably
Will be swept in the second round."
Roger's words are very irritating.
The Sonics were furious. When Gary Payton saw the news at home, he immediately yelled: "Damn guy, he actually thinks we will be swept by the Trail Blazers? This son of a bitch!"
The Pacers, as the team's head coach and general manager, Larry Bird was also very angry, but did not stand up and say anything.
He knows very well that Ewing's strength has indeed declined. There should be no problem for the Pacers to eliminate the Heat. However, after reaching the Eastern Conference Finals, Reggie Miller is no match for Jordan, and Ewing is no match for O'Neal. They may have to lose again.
Under Jordan's hands.
Danny Ainge, on the other hand, took Roger's words to heart. He certainly knew the team's situation very well. He knew that Antoine Walker and Kidd liked to shoot wildly, which was indeed one of the weaknesses of the Green Team.
But David Robinson is not the old K. The old K can suppress Kidd in the Suns and not dare to take any shots at will. On the Green Team, the Admiral has no authority at all. He can't even handle Rodman in the Spurs. In the Green Team,
I can't handle Kidd and Fat Tou Tuo either.
In fact, Danny Ainge knows very well that something is wrong with this team now. The team's troika is each headed by its own leader, and there is no one strong force, and it is possible to fall into division.
The original star Antoine Walker wanted to continue to be the boss of the team, but he was not convinced by the new players David Robinson and Kidd. He was not convinced off the court and on the court, so his habit of wasteful shooting became more serious than last season and he only wanted to seize the ball.
.
Kidd, the brains of the team, was severely suppressed by Old K in the Suns. He was the only one among the three to win a championship, so he wanted to be the boss. When he came to the green team, he let himself go, and his shooting was also serious.
, his desire to control the ball is ten times stronger than when he was with the Suns, and his conflicts with Walker are increasing.
As for David Robinson, he is the core of the Spurs and the core of the Green Team set by the management and coaching staff. However, Walker and Kidd are not convinced by him. Whether on the court or in the locker room, his core status is in name only.
Danny Ainge has a headache, and now ESPN has given him a warning. If the relationship between the three is not properly handled, the Green Team may follow in the footsteps of the Mavericks.
He immediately called the three of them and wanted to talk to them alone. The purpose was to solve the problem between the three of them, at least temporarily.
He didn't know whether he could achieve his goal, but he had to try.
It was Kidd who met first. After the two exchanged greetings, he said: "Jason, you know the current situation of the team. Do you think Roger, the editor-in-chief of ESPN, is right?"
Kidd fell silent, and then Ainge said again: "Do you want the Green Team to be in the same state as the Mavericks before the disintegration of the Mavericks?"
Kidd was startled and sighed inwardly.
Anji added: "You also know now that we are not favored by others. If we play too poorly this time, all three of you will be ridiculed and criticized by the media.
If the three of you cannot work together and achieve each other, you will become a joke in the league. No team will trust you again, and your future teammates will no longer trust you. You will lose the possibility of becoming a superstar.
, because you will only fight among yourself.
Especially you, Jason Kidd, you are in internal strife in the Mavericks and you are in internal strife in the Green Team. If I am forced to trade you, what do you think will happen to you?
I'm telling you now, what will happen to you? There is only one result, you will become a cancer, a cancer that no one dares to rely on."
"cancer?"
Angie's tone was quite severe and he directly pointed out the most serious consequences, which shocked Kidd greatly.
"Yes, cancer." Danny Ainge nodded.
He had discussed this issue with the three of them a long time ago, but to no avail. The three of them turned a deaf ear. Now that the second round was about to begin, there was no time to waste time with them.
He has decided that if the three cannot join forces in the second round, then he will take action in the offseason to dismantle the troika's lineup.
Don't blame him for being cold, he can only do this.
Then he said seriously: "But now you still have a chance to join forces with the two of them to show the true strength of our green team. We have offense and defense is not bad. As long as you join forces and don't waste shots, then we will
Strong enough to beat any opponent, including the Knicks, you know that.
Jason, don’t you want to prove your abilities in the right way? In fact, Old K doesn’t like you, otherwise why would he rather take that rookie Kobe than take you to the Lakers?”
"Old K?"
Kidd clenched his fists and said unhappily: "I don't want to play with old K."
Although he won a championship with the Suns, he was too overwhelmed by Old K. He had no ball rights, no shots, only half of his organizational functions, and had a psychological shadow. How could he still be willing to be on the same team with Old K?
"Now it's not whether you are willing or not, it's because he doesn't like you. The first person in active service, or even the first person in history, he doesn't like you. His attitude will undoubtedly have a great impact on you.
." Danny Ainge said coldly.
At the critical moment, he had to use Wang Tiejun, an outside force, to resolve conflicts within the team.
Kidd snorted angrily. He knew that Danny Ainge was using Old K to stimulate him, but he just did this. Since Old K didn't like him, he had to become stronger and better lead his team.
The Lakers defeated Old K and let Old K see how powerful he is.
After sending Kidd away, Danny Ainge breathed a sigh of relief.
With one of the most critical people taken care of, Kidd controls the ball. As long as he is willing to cooperate with the other two, the conflicts between the three people should be resolved to a great extent.
In fact, David Robinson has the least conflict. His biggest expectation is to win the championship. With his strength and status, if he wins the championship, no one will think that he is not the core of the Green Team. He does not have to compete with the other two at all.
So Danny Ainge called Antoine Walker over and communicated with him. As long as Fat Toutuo is dealt with, the conflicts within the team should be settled.
"Antoine, Jason just said that he will cooperate with you and will pass the ball to you as long as you have the chance. As for the issues you are considering, I hope you will put it aside for now and wait until the playoffs are over. What do you think? Now
Your situation is also very dangerous. The media is not optimistic about you, does not believe you, and thinks that you have provoked internal strife in the team..."
Facing Fat Toutuo, Danny Ainge also gave him a blow and a date, threatened and encouraged him, applied pressure and then gave him some hope. This made Antoine Walker worried, fearing that Danny Ainge would trade him, so he just
I was able to agree.
He doesn't want to be traded or dumped, otherwise his value will plummet. If he wants to trade, it's best to apply for it himself.
After dealing with the two of them, Danny Ainge was completely relieved and called David Robinson to inform him of the result. The general was extremely happy.
The Green Team is trying to resolve the internal strife among the troika. The SuperSonics, Pacers, and Heat are also mobilizing their own efforts, hoping to dazzle ESPN with their explosive performance in the second round.