"Bill, did the Pacers win?" Lao Wang asked assistant coach Botka.
"Won by 8 points, Ewing scored 21 points. Reggie Miller played average, shooting 1 of 5 three-pointers and only scored 15 points. Mourning also played well, scoring 23 points, 10 rebounds and 4 blocks, but
Two fists are no match for four hands," said Potka.
Lao Wang asked: "With Reggie Miller's performance, the Pacers still win. Is Ewing very efficient, or is there someone else who steps up?"
Botka shook his head and said: "Ewing's efficiency is average, 44.4%."
Nodding, Lao Wang felt that Ewing would defect to him sooner or later. With such efficiency, it would be useless to reach the Eastern Conference Finals, and he would just give up his life.
"How is my fellow countryman doing?" he asked.
Potka gave a thumbs up and said with a smile: "Old K, I think we can recruit Hu, and it was he who stepped up tonight.
Hu made 4 of 7 three-pointers tonight, scored 21 points, and shot 52% from the field, helping the Pacers defeat the Heat."
"good."
Lao Wang praised him and said: "Whether the Lakers recruit him or not, it's up to the management to decide. But I guess it's not possible. There is a high probability that he will jump out of the last year of the contract and enter the free market, but he won't come if the contract is small.
, we don’t have that much space.”
After saying that, he took out his mobile phone and called Hu Weidong.
"Tiejun, haha..."
As soon as the call came through, Hu Weidong laughed and seemed to be in a very good mood.
"Lao Hu, you did a good job. You heard me right. Just throw it when you seize the opportunity. That's what shooting guards do." Lao Wang said with a smile.
Wang Tiejun spoke in English, and Kobe was stunned when he heard it, "Old K, that's not what you said to me."
Kobe, get out of here if you dare to throw wildly! Kobe, if you take any more random shots, I'll trade you! Kobe, your shots must be reasonable and efficient! Kobe, don't throw random shots! Kobe, pass the ball...
The atmosphere in the visiting team's locker room was like iron.
Everyone in the Jazz, from the management, coaches to players, no one thought that the game would turn out like this. They thought it would be as inextricable as the regular season with the Lakers.
Jerry Sloan thought that Old K would play a tough style of play, but he did not expect that Old K would mainly play in that style. He originally thought that Old K would still mainly play in the regular season, occasionally playing hard, and be mentally prepared.
not enough.
But even if he had expected it, there wasn't much preparation he could do. Sabonis, who was old and seriously injured, simply couldn't withstand Old K's strong confrontation.
He can't let the Postman guard Old K, otherwise Sabonis will be pulled out by Hill or Fordson and break his leg, and the Lakers will get a completely wide space outside.
There is no way to change anything. This helplessness is a kind of pain, and now everyone in the Jazz team is suffering from this pain.
Jerry Sloan washed his face, sobered up and began to think about the next series.
Obviously, Old K is targeting Sabonis. Even if Sabonis can play, the Jazz's defensive tactics will be extremely passive. For the current plan, he feels that the only choice is to abandon Sabonis and use Postman and Big Worm as the inside combination.
Thinking of this, I couldn't help but smile bitterly. I took great pains to trade Sabonis, but now I can't use it.
However, the defensive effect of Postman + Bug seems to be better. Perhaps he should have let Sabonis come on the bench long ago, and the effect may be better.
"How is Arvidas' injury?"
Glancing at Sabonis who was soaking in an ice bucket, he asked team doctor Moricas, who shook his head and said: "There is a little swelling. If the swelling cannot be reduced in time, you will not be able to play in the next game. If the swelling is reduced, there will be no problem in the end of the game."
.”
Jerry Sloan nodded, and Jerry Sloan made up his mind to put Sabonis on the bench, and then he announced his decision coldly.
Sabonis was helpless and couldn't help but beat his left knee holding the ice pack. If he had a pair of healthy knees and if he could be a few years younger, even the old K might not be his opponent.
The postman, on the contrary, was a little happy.
He believes that Sabonis' role in today's game is not as big as imagined. Although pulling out can indeed form a high fort, on the defensive end, Sabonis can only defend the low post and be targeted by Old K. This is too passive.
If he joins forces with Big Chong, the effect should be better. He can hold the old K and Big Chong helps defend, and the restrictions on defensive tactics will be smaller.
He was afraid that Old K would hit him sideways, but he was not afraid of the arch of his back, which would hit his bones. Old K's style of play today could not target him.
Soon after, the post-match press conference was held.
"Coach Sloan, why did the Jazz have such a big disadvantage in the G1 game?" a reporter asked in the Jazz press conference hall.
Jerry Sloan said: "NO, I don't think it's as big a disadvantage as you think. I think everyone, including you, has seen that our players just have some problems with their touch, and our shooting percentage is low.
The Lakers are close to 7 percentage points. This is an away game. This situation is something we can foresee and is not surprising."
"Coach Sloan, do you think there is a problem with the Jazz's morale? Is it because of old K?" a reporter asked.
"No, everything is normal with Jazz, and our morale is still high. The postman is the strongest warrior in this alliance. As long as he is here, no one can destroy Jazz's will, not even Old K." Jerry Sloan said.
"Postman, do you think Old K has dealt a psychological blow to the Jazz today?" a reporter asked.
"I said he is indeed very, very strong, but winning and losing is normal and we will adjust. As for the problem you mentioned, it does not exist. We are not rookies and will not suffer psychological consequences due to a loss.
Affected," the postman said.
The next day, the media and some stars commented on the performance of the two teams last night.
Lightning Kevin Johnson and a group of others were shopping on the Avenue of Stars, met the media, and accepted interviews with them.
"Lightning, do you think the Lakers' 17-point victory over the Jazz last night was a true reflection of the strength of both sides?" a reporter asked.
"Yes, what you saw was not an illusion, haha!" Buckley laughed jokingly.
Lightning continued: "The Jazz were obviously not mentally prepared last night. They didn't expect that Old K would play the strongest confrontation, but even if they did, they couldn't do anything, because in the previous seasons, they couldn't do anything against Old K.
So in fact, that is the true manifestation of the strength of both parties."
"So do you think the Lakers can still maintain their advantage over the Jazz in the next series?" the reporter asked.
Glider said: "That's not necessarily true. Everyone knows that the existence of Sabonis is both beneficial and detrimental to the Jazz. He is not the person who can carry the Jazz best, but he has to carry Old K on the defensive end. This
It is very passive, so if this is changed, it is likely to trigger some new changes, which is an important point that affects both parties."
On the night of the 5th, the Knicks battled against the Celtics, and the Trail Blazers battled against the SuperSonics.
Lao Wang's house was very lively. In addition to Barkley and the others, the big brother arrived, and Kobe Bryant, Magic Johnson, Rick Fox, Chris Mullin, Richmond, Danny Fortson, and Mark Price also made appointments.
Come over together to join in the fun, have dinner, and watch the game together.
Da Zhi originally planned to stay here for two days and then return to China, but Lao Wang did not let him go and asked him to stay and train more during the offseason just like last year.
Last year, he asked Dameng and Glider to teach Yao and Lao Hu. This time, he planned to let Barkley accompany Da Zhi to practice the offensive and defensive skills in the low post. After he eliminated the Blazers, he would let Dameng join in and give Da Zhi a good practice.
.
If you don’t practice anything else, in fact, as long as other skills are okay, you should learn low-level offensive and defensive skills. Low-level offensive and defensive skills include strong confrontation.
In addition, let Da Zhi come into contact with these stars to change his personality.
Da Zhi, who had not returned to China last year, really wanted to go back, but after Lao Wang spoke, he had no choice but to stay and practice more.
However, he wanted to bring his parents, whom he had not seen for a year, to the United States. This was no problem. Lao Wang immediately asked someone to help him with the procedures in China.
In the evening, a group of people turned on two TV sets in the movie room.
Lao Wang took out a box of fine Cuban cigars, handed one to each person, turned on the exhaust device above his head, and everyone started puffing away.
"Who wants to bet against me?" Buckley said with great interest.
"Where's the bet?"
Lei Gong's interest also came, and this guy often made small bets.
"A thousand dollars each." Buckley said with a smile.
"OK." Lei Gong smiled.
"I'll join one." Kobe said eagerly.
"Me too."
Lightning and others joined in one after another, and even Lao Hu also participated. Da Zhi was the only one watching the fun and not talking much.
"Da Zhi, don't you join in the group activities?" Lao Wang asked.
"I, then, well, count me in."
This is gambling, what kind of group activity is it? Well, group gambling can be considered a group activity. Under Lao Wang’s coercion, most of them could only nod and join in.
Barkley said with a smile: "I bet that the Trail Blazers and Knicks will win two consecutive games. You bet against me. You will win only if both teams lose."
"That's not okay, Charles, this is too much. As long as one of their two teams loses, we will win." Lei Gong immediately refused.
"If that's a bet, I'll quit," Kobe threatened.
"That's right, Flying Pig, your bet is unfair." Glider also said, and others nodded in support.
"Okay, okay." Everyone objected, and Barkley could only agree.
The game between the Trail Blazers and SuperSonics begins first.
Lao Wang asked people to prepare some food and drinks. While everyone was eating and drinking, they discussed the performance of the players on both sides.
"Duncan's performance is really stable. His offense is so concise that Vin Baker can't guard him." Barkley praised.
"Dameng felt average today and made zero of three shots. I think he is getting further and further away from the basket now," Glider said.
Lao Wang looked at Dameng on the TV screen and said: "The touch is one thing. Dameng didn't have any desire to attack today. Schrempf's defense was not very good. He didn't go to the basket to get a position. He was injured.
?”
"Ask him later." Buckley asked.
Chris Mullin said: "If Big Dream is weak today, the Blazers may really lose. The SuperSonics are actually very strong.
There are Vin Baker and Schrempf on the inside, and Gary Payton and Jose Hawkins on the outside. Vin Baker and Payton are both stars who average 20+ per game, and the other two also average 15+ per game. Together, the four of them average 20+ per game.
It can contribute at least 65+, and its strength is extraordinary."
Lao Wang analyzed: "Although the critical scoring ability of the Trail Blazers from the outside is good, their offense is inefficient. The shooting percentage of both guards is only just over 40%, and they are suspected of wasteful shooting. Moreover, their defense is not good. They score a lot, but they may lose points.
More.
The SuperSonics back line is Gary Payton and Jose Hawkins. Not to mention the defense of the gloves. Hawkins is the strongest defensive point guard in the league today and his defense is also very good. He averages 1.8 steals per game. The two of them work together to
If the Blazers' perimeter is locked up, the Blazers will be in trouble.
Moreover, Payton and Hawkins' offensive abilities are very good, no worse than the Flying Squirrels and Lydel, or even better.
In addition, the SuperSonics' substitute lineup is stronger than that of the Trail Blazers. If the Trail Blazers' main lineup cannot withstand it, they will lose even more."
"Then I'm not doomed?"
Barkley stared at the screen fiercely and cursed: "Dameng, this old guy, I'll call him during halftime and scold him. Maybe I can wake him up."
"That's not okay, you are cheating." Lightning said immediately.
"That's right, Charles, you can't make a phone call, otherwise you will lose." Glider said with a smile.
"If you don't fight, don't fight. Duncan's performance is stable, and the Blazers may not lose." Barkley said helplessly.
Not long after, the game between the Knicks and the Green Team started.
At the beginning of the game, David Robinson broke out, holding the ball and attacking the basket. While scoring, he caused O'Neal's pulling foul.
"That's not good!"
After touching his pocket, Buckley murmured.
Five minutes later, Kidd's breakthrough layup caused O'Neal's second foul, and O'Neal was replaced.
"Charles, are you ready with cash? I don't accept checks for a small amount of money." Magic Johnson said with a smile.
"Don't worry, I don't have it. Old K must have cash here." Buckley smiled bitterly.
"I have cash, just don't forget to write me a check." Lao Wang said with a smile.
"Oh, what a dream that doesn't live up to expectations!"
An hour and a half later, the Trail Blazers lost by 5 points and were tied 1-1 by the Sonics. Barkley lamented and began to take out a check from his pocket.
Dameng scored 20 points, but his shooting percentage was only 33.3%. Although he defended Schrempf and only scored 11 points, his own efficiency was too low to help the team win.
Duncan scored 23 points and 9 rebounds, shooting 52.6% from the field. Although he only scored 15 points while guarding Devin Baker, he could not help the team.
On the outside, the little flying squirrel lost his mind due to the trash talk from Glove Payton. He took a lot of unreasonable shots and was defended, making 4 of 15 shots. He missed several layups and only scored 10 points.
Ryder also made 4 of 13 shots and scored only 11 points under the defense of Jose Hawkins.
For the SuperSonics, Payton scored 22 points on the Flying Squirrels, and Hawkins scored 19 points on Lydell. The two took advantage of the perimeter and led the team to defeat the powerful Trail Blazers.
"Look, I was right, the Trail Blazers were blown away from the outside." Lao Wang said with a smile.
Magic Johnson exclaimed: "Now I think there are actually seven championship-level teams, and the SuperSonics are fully capable of being included among them."
Lao Wang said: "The SuperSonics and the Trail Blazers are completely opposite. The SuperSonics are very strong in offense and defense on the outside. Although the offense on the inside is also very strong, the defense is not very good. The Trail Blazers are very strong on offense and defense on the inside and have offense on the outside.
But there was no defense.
Between the two of them, either the Blazers' inside line beat the SuperSonics' inside line, or the SuperSonics outside line beat the Blazers' inside line.
Generally speaking, the inside line is more stable, and the Trail Blazers have a greater advantage, but today Dameng's performance was average and ineffective, so it is not surprising that the Trail Blazers lost."
"I completely agree with what Old K said." Magic Johnson said.
Barkley commented: "Tim Duncan is indeed very strong. He is really the top offensive and defensive player at the peak of his debut. He is even stronger than the old K when he debuted.
But he is still a rookie, and although his performance is more stable than that of Da Meng, he will not be able to truly carry the Blazers when he encounters a strong team like the SuperSonics in the playoffs."
Glider said: "But I'm still more optimistic about the Blazers reaching the Western Conference Finals. Payton and Hawkins can't lock down the Flying Squirrel and Ryder.
Just like Jordan, Pippen and Ron Harper, they couldn't lock down the Lightning and me. As long as they can't lock down the perimeter and have Duncan's stable performance, it's impossible for the Dream to be out of shape every game. The Blazers won
The series has a better chance.”
Everyone nodded in approval. After all, the team with the greater inside advantage will have the advantage in the series. The Suns and Bulls have proven this three times.
Half an hour after the SuperSonics defeated the Trail Blazers, the results of another pair came out, and the Knicks lost to the Celtics.
O'Neal committed too many fouls too early, and his playing time became intermittent. He was restrained on the defensive end, and his offensive and defensive status was not good. He only played 29 minutes in total, scored 18 points and 6 rebounds, and his shooting percentage was only barely 40%.
He was in poor condition inside and could not share the defensive pressure. Jordan was frequently double-teamed outside, with Kidd defending him, which also affected his efficiency. He only scored 25 points and shot only 44.2% from the field.
The Celtics had a big explosion. David Robinson, Kidd, and Antoine Walker worked together to contribute 75 points, beating the Knicks by 21 points.
After watching the two games, Lao Wang said: "It seems that our Lakers must be ready to face the SuperSonics in the Western Conference Finals."
At this point, he laughed and said: "I hope the SuperSonics will advance to the Western Conference Finals and beat them. We will have an advantage."
"What advantages do you have?" Buckley asked blankly.
"Haha, what advantage? I am the advantage. I can get into the basket and beat them directly. Do you think Vinbeck or Schrempf can guard me?" Lao Wang sneered.
When he said this, everyone else nodded.
Barkley also nodded and said: "Yes, forget about Schrempf, he can't guard even one of your arms. The SuperSonics traded Rain Man for Vin Baker just to increase their offensive capabilities at the basket, but facing your defense, he can't guard you."
I'm afraid he won't be very efficient at the basket. And his defense is average, you can definitely crush him, there's a huge difference between his size and strength."
Glider said: "Old K's advantage in the low post against Wen Baker is much greater than Duncan's advantage against Wen Baker. The Lakers do have an advantage when playing against the SuperSonics than against the Trail Blazers."
Barkley said seriously at this time: "Old K, even though the Lakers and Trail Blazers tied 2-2 in the regular season, if you meet them in the Western Conference Finals, you may not have an advantage."
Lao Wang nodded and said: "I know that. It all depends on how big the dream is. If he can perform as well as he did when he won the championship in 1996, we will be in trouble. But if he can't, I believe we, the Lakers, have a greater chance of winning."
Magic Johnson smiled and said: "Duncan is a rookie after all. If the Blazers advance to the Western Conference Finals and face Old K, I believe you will beat him."
"Of course. If I can't even deal with a rookie, what face do I have? So what if I'm at the peak of my debut? His peak is at my feet." Lao Wang said proudly.
At this point, he laughed again and said: "I'm worried about the Flying Man now. I'm afraid that he won't even be able to make it to the Eastern Conference Finals and will be killed by the Green Team in the second round. That would be tragic."
"Haha..." Everyone couldn't help laughing.
People here, except Kobe and other young people, such as Barkley and Glider, have all suffered from Jordan. It feels very happy to see Jordan suffer.
"Michael also had bad luck."
Barkley sighed, and then said: "In the early and middle stages of his career, he was suppressed by you, Ervin, Big Bird, and the Bad Boys, and it took you all to get old before he got a chance to stand out.
Now the situation is reversed. He can't survive the old K and wants to take a step forward, so he can only choose to go to the Knicks. Without the honor of one man, one city, his historical evaluation will be lower."
"Come on, I'm different? It's all about pursuing more honors." Lao Wang said.
Glider said: "Young people are always trying to get through old people. How can there be old people who are trying to get through young people? Could it be that he can still get through old K? Since he wants to go further, he can only leave the Bulls. There is nothing else."
choose."
Next to him, Kobe nodded repeatedly. He is currently struggling with old K. When old K is old, it will be his turn.
"Old K, you deliberately defeated Sabonis. Do you think you would be more confident if the Jazz used the Postman and the Bug to partner inside?" Magic Johnson asked at this time.
Everyone also looked over, and Lao Wang said: "We have no way to guard against the high point formed after Sabonis pulls out. He restrained me on the offensive end. I think it is a great threat to the Lakers. Defense and backcourt rebounds will be affected."
Great impact.
As for the partnership between the Postman and the Bug, neither of them have height. Even though I can use the Bug's help to weaken my offense, I can still break their double-teaming tactics by passing the ball.
Anyway, I would rather play the Postman and the Bug than have Sabonis stay on the court, so I would have to be by his side all the time."
Magic Johnson nodded and didn't ask any more questions.
In fact, he himself believes that although Sabonis will contain Old K's defense, Old K can completely defeat the Jazz on the offensive end with fast attack and stronger low-post attack.
But what Old K did was right. Playing off Sabonis and strengthening his defense and rebounding control are also good solutions.