Chapter 514 The change in the second round, the old K resumes the brutal play
The next day, the media widely praised the two teams that lost the game. The Green Team's troika, SuperSonics' Gary Payton, Vin Baker, Schremf and other stars were all praised.
On this day, Thunderbolt Dan Marley also arrived in Los Angeles and stayed at Lao Wang's house.
On May 4th, the Lakers faced the Jazz and the Pacers faced the Heat.
Starting from noon, a large number of Lakers fans began to gather in the Great Western Forum Arena, and by the evening, it was already a sea of people.
Far away on the other side of the Pacific, it was already the morning of the 5th, a Tuesday, and students had not yet gone on summer vacation, but Fengshen Street was still overcrowded, including countless college students who had skipped classes.
In Los Angeles, Lao Wang's family members were all dispatched, as well as Barkley and the four of them. Because there were too many people, the family members sat in a private room. The Lakers gave him three front row seats every game, just behind the Lakers' bench. Barkley and the others
There were four people. After the Lakers management found out, they gave away another position, which was exactly four.
He gave the other tickets to some of his closest brothers in Los Angeles, including the three Liu brothers and Wang Tielong.
This series is broadcast live nationwide by ESPN, with commentators Winston Rollin and Carter Oldman.
In addition, there are more than a hundred TV stations, large and small, around the world that have purchased ESPN's satellite broadcast signals, and more than a dozen TV stations including CCTV are broadcasting live.
The game between the Pacers and the Heat is at 8:00, and the game between the Lakers and Jazz is at 8:30.
In the visiting team's locker room at the Great Western Forum Arena, Jerry Sloan was arranging tactics with a serious face.
In fact, I have told you this countless times, and now I just remind you again before the game to strengthen the players' memory.
The Jazz have been suppressed in the Western Conference these years and have been unable to get ahead. Old K is the culprit, and Old K's strongest strength is offense, so there is only one thing he repeatedly told him, how to defend Old K.
He said: "Old K has added a lot of face-to-basket offense this season. His movement speed is much faster than Sabonis. He will definitely increase the basket offense in the playoffs, so he will definitely break through the defender and get to the basket, so Karl
, you must return to the basket in time.
Their three-pointers are very strong, and you don't have many opportunities to help defend the weak side. I just ask you to return to the basket. Once K gets to the basket, you and Sabonis must form a double-team on the basket."
In fact, this is what he improved the most. The postman cannot help defend the weak side in time.
Sabonis will never be able to guard against Old K on his own, he will be blown to pieces, and the postman must help defend him.
However, the early Postman did not like to defend due to the influence of his boss Dantley. Although the current Postman is excellent in single defense, his participation in assist defense is still not enough. This is not a problem of ability, or even attitude.
It was a problem of consciousness, so he had to remind the postman.
"I will do it." The postman nodded calmly.
This season he is the most confident. His team now has no weaknesses. In other words, facing old K, the Jazz's strengths are enough to make up for its weaknesses, so they are very confident.
Jerry Sloan added: "Old K has changed his style of play this season to reduce physical energy and physical exertion, but this also reduces his lethality, which is a good thing for us."
Stockton smiled and nodded: "Law K has greatly limited his lethality, and changing his playing style is another step towards self-limiting his lethality."
The postman also nodded and said: "Old K's change of playing style is very beneficial in the regular season. It can indeed save physical energy and reduce physical consumption.
The media has been criticizing his playing style, which may prevent his peak period from being too long and his career will be seriously affected. This may be the reason why he decided to change his playing style.
But the regular season is the regular season, and the playoffs are the playoffs. The most terrifying thing about Old K in the playoffs is his lethality. After the K Law, he has now self-sealed his remaining lethality.
It’s really a good thing for us.”
When he said this, he remembered that three ribs were broken by Old K in the playoffs that year, and he couldn't help but feel lucky in his heart.
Jerry Sloan further analyzed: "So I think that although Old K will increase the offense at the basket, he will not attack hard, but will focus on breakthroughs.
Whether it's a breakthrough with your back to the basket or a breakthrough with your face to the basket, Avidas, you have to pay attention to retreat and try not to let him break through with one step."
"I understand." Sabonis nodded.
However, Jerry Sloan finally added: "But everyone must be mentally prepared. If Old K launches a strong attack, be careful not to get injured."
The postman, Sabonis and several insiders were shocked and couldn't help but nodded.
At eight o'clock, the game between the Pacers and the Heat began, the Lakers and Jazz also announced their starting lineups, and ESPN's national live broadcast officially began.
Jazz: Sabonis, Karl Malone, Dennis Rodman, Jeff Hornacek, John Stockton
Lakers: Wang Tiejun, Danny Fortson, Richmond, Kobe Bryant, Mark Price
Winston Rollin took the list and analyzed it: "The Jazz's starting lineup has not changed. Since Da Chong joined, he has been the Jazz's starting small forward.
He can defend five positions, which is all his value. Especially when the opponent is on a fast break, he is the best defender because he can defend anyone around him, no matter who the opponent is.
Point guard or center.
When the Bulls won two consecutive championships, they also relied on their defense. Both Jordan and Pippen could guard five positions and were very capable of switching defenses. Without defense, they would not have won the championship."
Carter Oldman nodded and said: "If Da Chong's character wasn't so weird, he wouldn't have joined the Jazz, and a team would have given him a better contract long ago.
But I wonder why Michael didn’t go to New York when he recruited him instead of the Knicks and the contract was better than the Jazz’s?”
Rollin laughed and said: "Because it was the offseason, he hoped to get a better contract. In fact, the contract the Knicks gave him was not big and not worthy of his worth. Last season he earned 900
Wan’s contract.”
Oldman complained: "So with this delay, he can only get an annual salary of one million. If it weren't for the Jazz, he might really retire."
"Haha..." The two laughed.
After Luo Lin stopped laughing, he continued his analysis: "As for the Lakers, the Silver Fox sent Danny Fortson, a rookie, as the main power forward, probably because of his confrontation ability. Te Yin Yin Hill is indeed a bit softer when facing the postman.
.”
Oldman nodded and said: "Fortson played very passionately, he has strong confrontation ability, like a beast, he is not afraid of injuries, and his rebounding ability is very good.
In the regular season, he averaged 27 minutes per game. He was not only Hill's first substitute, but also Old K's first substitute. He averaged 8 points and 8.5 rebounds per game, and his performance was good.
His weakness is that he is inexperienced and prone to fouling. If it weren't for the fact that the Lakers' other substitutes were not very strong inside, he would not have gotten so much playing time."
"Carter, who do you think has a better chance of winning, the Lakers or the Jazz?" Rollin asked.
Oldman smiled bitterly and said: "I agree with our company's forecast data. Although many people are complaining, I think it is like that. The Lakers and Jazz are evenly matched, and both of them are likely to reach the Western Conference Finals."
"Yes, I think so too. The Jazz got the big bug and after making up for their weakness in rebounding, they are fully capable of competing with the Lakers."
Luo Lin nodded. As an ESPN commentator, they certainly couldn't compete with ESPN, and he did think so.
At this time, the starting players of the two teams came to the player tunnel and waited to play.
As a landowner and the leader of the Lakers, Lao Wang stepped forward and bumped fists with the Jazz and others, without saying anything to each other.
"Shh!"
When the Jazz came on stage, the sky was filled with boos, like the waves crashing on the shore.
The opponents in the second round were too strong, and the Lakers fans showed no mercy. In order to help the team suppress the opponent's momentum and morale, they tried their best and booed until they almost vomited out of their lungs.
"boom!"
It was the home team's turn to take the field, and a tsunami of cheers sounded. Especially when Lao Wang came out for the finale, the entire Great Western Forum Arena was boiling.
"MVP! MVP! MVP..." the audience kept chanting, and finally formed a unified shout.
Lao Wang is all smiles. The MVP will be announced before the Western Conference Finals, and the best lineup will be announced before the Finals. Of course, he is looking forward to winning the third MVP and a double team.
Especially the MVP. If he gets it this year, it will be three consecutive MVPs. In the history of the league, only Russell, Chamberlain, and Larry Bird have done it. Michael Jordan has not had that luck. If he does it, he will be the fourth person in history.
.
Lao Wang ran around the sidelines and greeted acquaintances and friends.
The most important thing that the Lakers' home court lacks is starlight. For such an important game in the second round, the stars are even brighter. Most of the big stars who can spare time will appear at the scene.
After the warm-up, after returning to the bench and sitting down, assistant coach Bill Potka said: "Old K, the fight started over there. The Pacers had a slight advantage, but the Heat fought hard. Within eight minutes, Mourning sent two
Big hat on Ewing once."
"We are all stimulated. We have to be mentally prepared today to fight a tough battle, not a series."
When Lao Wang said this, there was a cold light in his eyes, and he said: "If you don't crush them completely, they won't know how to write the word 'submit'."
"Old K, be careful, don't get hurt," head coach Del Harris immediately warned.
"I will pay attention." Lao Wang nodded.
He has already said in the internal tactical meeting that in this series, whether he is facing off against Sabonis or the Postman, he needs to strengthen his confrontation on the offensive end.
If it's the former, use the strongest confrontation to destroy him directly. Sabonis has too many injuries and the confrontation is too strong. He may not be able to withstand it. If he is injured, the Lakers' chances of winning will greatly increase.
If the Postman is guarding him, he will strengthen his attack at the basket. The Postman has no height, so he can gain a height advantage under the basket.
The only thing to pay attention to is the rebound.
One of the important reasons why Danny Fordson is allowed to play the main four position is that he rebounds better than Hill.
Hill is also very good at rebounding, averaging 6.1 rebounds in 30 minutes per game this season.
But Da Chong's rebounding ability is too strong. He averaged 15 per game this season, second only to Wang Tiejun. Therefore, the Lakers' main lineup must maintain the strongest rebounding ability.
But it should also be noted that Danny Fortson's fouls must be controlled well, otherwise his playing time will be seriously affected.
The countdown is at half past eight, the game is about to begin, and the starting players from both sides are getting ready to take the field.
"Victory! Victory! Victory..."
Under the leadership of Wang Tiejun, all the Lakers players gathered together and chanted, and then the entire Great Western Forum Arena kept shouting. Countless Lakers fans formed a unified will at this time.
Then the players came on the court, Lao Wang and Sabonis jumped the ball, and the Lakers attacked.
He ran to the low post, Sabonis came to guard him, and the postman was close to Danny Fortson, so he immediately followed the planned play and dropped low to the left wing.
Fordson did not enter the paint area, and according to the predetermined tactics, if the Postman guarded him, he would move to the mid-range area to try to increase the difficulty of the Postman's defense.
The other three players all had three-pointers, and they all opened up, giving Wang the opportunity to single out Sabonis in the low post on the left wing.
Mark Price gave the ball to Richmond outside the three-point line on the left wing, who passed it to Old K below.
Old K's offense started immediately without any delay, obviously not wanting to give the postman and other Jazz players a chance to double-team him.
On the right wing, the Postman focuses at least 70-80% of its defensive attention on the strong side.
An old rival for many years, he was too familiar with Old K. With Old K's usual style of play, he would definitely not pass the ball and would only attack it by himself. So when he saw Mark Price passing the ball, he immediately turned around and scored with one kick.
He jumped into the paint and shot straight to the basket with his second shot.
As long as Old K breaks through Sabonis, he can just cover up the defense at the basket, and then complete the double-team with his teammates.
"good."
Seeing the postman's timely help in defense, Jerry Sloan on the sidelines couldn't help but nodded.
But just when the postman jumped to the basket, he saw Old K receiving the ball. But what surprised him was that Old K's expected breakthrough did not happen. Not only did Old K not make a breakthrough with the ball, but
After receiving the ball, he immediately started to post up Sabonis.
Knowing he was in trouble, he hurriedly started again, pounced from the basket to the low left wing, and double-teamed close to the baseline.
On the sidelines, Jerry Sloan was startled when he saw Old K starting to hit Sabonis with his back. Did Old K see the postman returning to defend the basket, so he planned to shoot a nearly two-pointer? Or did he want to cause damage to Sabonis? What if?
In the latter case, he knew there was some trouble.
"Strong beating?"
At this moment, Zhang Lili asked loudly in the CCTV live broadcast.
In the low post on the left wing, before the ball was in hand, Lao Wang did observe that the postman on the weak side was quickly entering the paint area. He didn't know whether he was returning to defend the basket or double-teaming the strong side.
But he didn't care about that. As soon as he got the ball, he immediately started to implement the determined play style, hitting Sabonis hard and trying to knock him down.
"Bang!"
While bending to dribble, he moved his left foot back and inserted it between Sabonis's feet. When his right heel was on the heel, he stepped down with both feet. The six forces of his body united into one, and his broad back suddenly moved backward.
As soon as it hit, the huge iron mountain exploded instantly with the force of the blow.
"Peng!"
Sabonis was also influenced by Jerry Sloan, thinking that Old K would break through with the ball, and he was ready to retreat. Unexpectedly, Old K actually arched his back. He didn't have enough defense for a moment, and was hit hard.
Amid the impact, he groaned, his upper body jerked back, his feet completely failed to keep up, and he fell to the floor.
"oh!"
All the fans in the stadium, whether they were home fans or hundreds of away fans, exclaimed in surprise.
"What?"
The postman, all the Jazz players, Jerry Sloan, and countless Jazz fans as far away as Salt Lake City couldn't help but feel their hearts skip a beat when they saw Sabonis' huge body falling to the floor.
In the next moment, Lao Wang, who relied on the reaction force to stabilize his center of gravity, immediately turned around, using his left foot as the axis, and stepped into the paint area from the upper side of Sabonis.
The reason why he stepped backward with his left foot first and used his left foot as the back foot just now was because he was ready to turn up and break through.
The postman rushed close to the bottom line, entering and exiting with him, with a Sabonis in between.
At this moment, the postman knew it was over and reluctantly made an emergency stop. When he turned around and wanted to defend the basket again, he saw old K flying on the opposite side.
"Peng!"
Sabonis' back hit the floor, and in the next moment, Wang soared over him and flew toward the basket.
"Bang!"
The next moment, the giant beast attacked the basket, smashed it with one arm, and a violent explosion of the basket was heard.
"yeah!"
The whole place was filled with excitement. Countless Lakers fans stood up from their seats, raised their arms and cheered wildly.
"Beautiful! Great! Old K hit Sabonis on his back. He knocked over the giant beast from the former Soviet Union and flew over him. The postman was like a fool and could only watch from the side.
Old K completed the dunk, haha..."
The on-site commentator kept shouting excitedly.
"Is it really a forced attack?"
Zhang Lili was surprised.
He also thought that Lao Wang would break through with the ball, because Sabonis moved very slowly, and now Wang Tiejun's speed is no different from that of an ordinary power forward. Breaking with the ball is the fastest and most energy-saving offensive method, and he has top-notch
With his face-to-the-basket skills, Tiejun can complete breakthroughs with the ball.
"Director Zhang, old K wants to cause harm?" Su Qun asked quickly.
Lao Zhang was startled and couldn't help but nodded: "I'm afraid you're right, Tie Jun probably wants to do this."
On the court, the mailman pulled the 127-kilogram Sabonis up from the floor.
Sabonis was gasping for breath, he was hit so hard that his bones were old, his whole chest ached, his back was hit so hard, and his lower back also felt uncomfortable.
"I told you, be careful." Jerry Sloan shouted loudly on the sidelines.
After glancing at Sloan, the postman and Sabonis nodded in agreement.
