The Lakers' loss to the Trail Blazers at home became the focus of media speculation the next day. The Lakers and Wang became the targets of ridicule by many media.
It's the media's habit to praise others and criticize others. Lao Wang has been here for six years and is used to it.
Game 3 of the Western Conference Finals is on the 22nd. The Lakers will go to Portland on the 21st and can rest in Los Angeles for two days.
On the 20th, the G2 game of the Eastern Conference Finals.
The Knicks still defeated the Pacers with their absolute strength and won two consecutive home games.
On this day, the Pacers, Reggie Miller and Ewing replaced the Lakers and Wang and became the targets of media ridicule.
Lao Wang and Barkley watched the game and were about to go to bed. When they arrived at the door of the room, they suddenly received a call from O'Neal.
"shark……"
"Old K, I'll be waiting for you in the finals. See you there."
As soon as he opened his mouth, O'Neal yelled across from him.
"Don't worry, I will take care of those two guys, Dameng and Duncan. See you in the finals," he said.
"I think you will break the promise, old K. You will be embarrassed this time, haha!" O'Neal said with a proud smile.
"Haha! Shark, you hugged Jordan's lap, do you think you can beat me?" Lao Wang sneered twice.
"Nonsense, who hugged his thigh? Yes, yes..."
O'Neal was furious over there and wanted to say that it was Jordan who came to hug his thigh, but Jordan was right next to him and didn't dare to say it, so he hesitated.
"Anyway, you and him will always have someone to hug each other. If it's not him, it's you." Lao Wang continued to stimulate.
"Then you and Richmond are also in a team? He is still in his prime and younger than Michael." O'Neal countered.
"You idiot, Shaq, stop talking nonsense."
Lao Wang is not anxious yet, but Jordan next to O'Neal is.
"Ha ha!"
Lao Wang heard Jordan's voice, laughed twice and hung up the phone.
Entering the bedroom, it was already past ten o'clock. Yu Feihong hadn't slept yet and was still dealing with the affairs of the trading company. This was the norm after opening a trading company, so he asked: "Brother Fei, there is so much business that I have to take it home to deal with it."
,Why don’t you invite a few more people?”
"No matter how many people you invite, you still have to keep an eye on some things. This is not like my film and television company, which only invests in a few movies a year. The amount of trade between the two trading companies is too large. What should I do if something goes wrong? Now there are two
All the company’s affairs have to be dealt with,” Yu Feihong said.
"Where's the second sister?"
"How can she have time to take care of these specific things? I do them all."
"oh."
"Husband, don't you understand what I mean?"
"Understood, you can give yourself a salary increase. One day you give me another daughter, and I will give you 5% of the shares of the domestic trading company and the daughter 5%."
"Pfft! You can't give birth to a son?"
"Dabao only needs one son. If he has another son, he will be fined 5%."
"For domestic trading companies, you can give me a total of 5%. If you want to take it back, just ask, no need to make excuses. I will have another son next time."
"Haha, let's have sex."
"By the way, can we make it to the finals this year?"
"I can't say, the Trail Blazers are very strong. But last night, the little flying squirrel broke out from start to finish. I guess he won't be in better shape in the next game. He is injured. As long as he plays normally in the next game, our chances of winning should be better."
Big. If we can win two away games, the Western Conference Finals will be secure."
…
"Brother Tiejun, we are here."
The next day, on the morning of May 21, Liu Wei, Liu Jihua and Du Feng came to Los Angeles. They were also on vacation.
"Okay, you can train at my house for the time being, and we will return to China together after I finish playing the finals," Lao Wang said.
All three of them participated in the NCAA Division II Basketball League. Their performance in the first season was decent. They have established themselves in their respective school teams and have guaranteed playing time. They are about the same age as Yao Yao and still need to practice for two more years.
Three years.
"Liu Wei, you are here."
Dayao, who was training in the training room, heard Liu Wei and the others coming, and immediately ran out and started shouting.
"Dayao, you are famous in the United States."
"Where, after two years, we can't even make it to the finals."
"Then you're not the only one with the problem."
Both came from the Tiejun summer camp, and Liu Wei and Dayao were old teammates. As soon as the three of them arrived, they immediately got together with Dayao.
Lao Wang observed Liu Wei and the three of them. They were all stronger than half a year ago. They should have completed the first phase of the weight gain plan.
Taking the time to check on their situation, he gave each of the three a training plan, which included strength training and technical training.
The two point guards Liu Wei and Liu Jihua added the most basic ball-handling training to them, and then there was also man-ball training, which is extremely important for a point guard.
In addition, there are some steps training content. He gave the training video of the basketball version of plum blossom footwork to the two of them. Kobe also practiced according to the video. The two of them had to work hard and master the basic skills of plum blossom footwork.
If you put it into practical use, you may even have the opportunity to join the NBA in the future.
In addition to these trainings, they were also asked to receive some training from Lightning. He had already asked Lightning to help.
These three little guys have made great progress in terms of physical fitness and technical skills. He believes that after two or three more years of training, even if they can't play in the NBA, there is still hope to play basketball in Europe.
He feels that instead of being a marginal player in the NBA, it is better to play in other professional leagues.
If he can't make it in the NBA in the future, he will also suggest playing in other leagues, where his development may be better.
At 11 o'clock in the morning, Lao Wang went to the team headquarters, and then the Lakers rushed to Portland. The two places were only 800 kilometers away, and they arrived at their destination at around two o'clock in the afternoon.
On this day, many media speculated that the Trail Blazers would rely on their home court advantage to win their second game, while the Lakers' chances of winning would be even smaller.
The 22nd is the day of the G3 game of the Western Conference Finals.
In the afternoon, the Lakers came to the Rose Garden Arena.
This arena can accommodate up to 19,980 seats and has 650 televisions. Even if fans go to pee, they can always follow the progress of the game through the ubiquitous televisions.
In the middle of the arena, there is a circle of luxurious private rooms. There are 70 luxury private rooms in total, each of which can accommodate 22 people. Now that these private rooms are full, the attraction of the showdown between the Western Conference heroes is still great.
"Old K, how does your basketball gym compare to this one?" Kobe asked.
Lao Wang looked at the rose garden and said, "It's not worse than here. I have pictures at home. You can see it yourself."
"Will the league arrange for us to play preseason games in your arena?" Kobe suddenly asked excitedly.
Lao Wang was startled. This seems to be really possible. The league's preseason games are not necessarily held in the United States. Sometimes they also go to Europe. They can play wherever tickets are sold.
But I'm afraid it won't work next season. The sports center hasn't been built yet, so we have to wait until later.
"Old K." Dameng's voice sounded from behind.
Lao Wang and others turned around and saw the pioneers arriving.
"Dameng, are you here to train too?" Lao Wang asked.
"Yes, there was a problem at the training base today. There was a power outage." Dameng said helplessly.
"Haha, this is a sign that you will lose." Lao Wang said with a happy smile.
"You have a beautiful idea!" Dameng said angrily.
After everyone chatted for a few words, the Blazers went to another basketball court.
The Rose Garden Center is a multi-functional gymnasium. It can be used not only for basketball games, but also for many activities. There are three courts in total, one is used for competitions, and the other two are training grounds. It can be used not only for basketball training, but also for many activities.
use.
At 7:30, both sides announced the starting lineup, which was the same as the G2 game, unchanged.
Lakers: Wang Tiejun, Danny Fortson, Richmond, Kobe Bryant, Mark Price
Trail Blazers: Olajuwon, Duncan, Walter Williams, Yinsey Leder, Damon Stoudemire
At eight o'clock, the game officially started. After the jump ball, the Blazers attacked.
Duncan ran forward and Wang followed. The former landed directly on the free throw line and stopped moving. It was clear that he still wanted to play the high pick-and-roll tactic that had made great achievements in the previous game.
According to the requirements of defensive tactics, Lao Wang stood half a step away from Duncan.
At this time, the little flying squirrel was holding the ball close to the top of the arc. Kobe was highly focused and defended and retreated.
Wang Tiejun stared at the two men a few steps away from Duncan's head. Suddenly, a thought flashed in his mind. He felt that Kobe's defense was too passive, so he immediately shouted loudly: "Kobe, take the initiative to force him."
Kobe was startled, but reacted immediately and immediately went up to press.
He used his big force to force the small one, and then took the initiative. His sudden pressing behavior made the little flying squirrel a little confused.
The little flying squirrel quickly took a step back, but Kobe immediately took a step forward, forcing the former to turn back (left) to protect the ball, and then turned around to break through. Kobe immediately pursued the defense.
The little flying squirrel reached the top of the arc with the ball, and Kobe was chasing him on the right side, squeezing outwards with his body.
Duncan quickly took a small step to the left, made a pick-and-roll, and blocked Kobe.
But almost at the same time, Lao Wang, who had been well prepared, reacted defensively. He took a big step to the left behind Duncan and blocked the little flying squirrel half a step ahead.
"Peng!"
The little flying squirrel was caught off guard and bumped into him, falling to the ground after the rebound and losing control of the ball.
Kobe reacted quickly, jumped over Little Flying Squirrel, threw himself on the floor to grab the ball, then turned over and threw it to Lao Wang.
"Beautiful! Kobe took the initiative to press, forcing the flying squirrel to break through, breaking the Blazers' high pick-and-roll tactics, and Old K also completed a beautiful interception." Su Qun shouted excitedly.
Mark Price and Richmond quickly came down, and Lydel, who was retreating, defended one and two. In a dilemma, and with weak defensive ability, he finally chose to defend with his eyes, and watched Richmond complete a dunk.
2:0, Trail Blazers attack.
"Kobe, good job, just guard him like this." Harris shouted from the sidelines.
Kobe himself was also very happy. He failed to guard the little flying squirrel in two consecutive games. Although the success this time was due to Old K's final interception, it was also an opportunity created by his proactive pressing.
Now he knows that through active defense, he exerts pressure on the opponent and allows the opponent to act according to his wishes. At least he must force the opponent not to do whatever he wants. Even if the defense is successful, it is much stronger than passive defense.
This time, he once again defended proactively, forcing the little flying squirrel to the left wing, and lost the opportunity to engage in a high pick-and-roll with Duncan.
The Flying Squirrel moved to the left wing and still used Williams' pick-and-roll to break through, but Richmond reacted very quickly.
He and Kobe are both shooting guards and are about the same height. In this situation, he had only one reaction: he immediately switched defenses, caught up with the little flying squirrel, and also used physical confrontation to squeeze his opponent outwards.
The little flying squirrel failed to break through, so he could only pull it to the left corner, then turned around and forced a shot over Richmond's head, using a small one to beat a big one. He was almost blocked, but fell short and made a three-pointer.
"Kobe!"
Lao Wang, who returned to defend the basket, received a pass from Little Flying Squirrel. Seeing that Kobe had turned around and was about to get off the ball, he quickly shouted and passed the ball.
"Next time, great job!" Su Qun said excitedly.
"The Rock's defense is very tough, and Kobe's defense was also very good today. It's like he's enlightened." Zhang Liji said.
"Bang!"
Kobe drove into the paint and blasted the Blazers' basket with a tomahawk dunk.
Zhang Lijia smiled and said: "Actually, the Lakers' perimeter defense is indeed stronger than that of the Trail Blazers. Rock is a strong point, so the Trail Blazers usually don't play from his side, but from Kobe and Price's side.
If Kobe continues to play this kind of defense today, the Trail Blazers' perimeter will definitely be suppressed. Especially through Kobe's defense, the high pick-and-roll tactics were broken, which is very important."
4:0, the Trail Blazers attacked and called a timeout.
Dunleavy used his brains, but he couldn't come up with any good solution for a while, because the consecutive offensive failures were all caused by the Lakers' active defense. The initiative was in the hands of others, and he was on the passive side.
Of course he knows very well how to win on the court. Now that the Lakers have made it clear that they will not let the little flying squirrel and Duncan run pick-and-rolls in the high post, how can he break the opponent's defensive tactics?
At the end of the timeout, the little flying squirrel received the ball from the frontcourt and pulled it to the top of the arc. Duncan once again went up to the high post. At this time, the former caught the ball before Kobe Bryant could press him, suddenly passed the ball to the latter, and then immediately bypassed the latter and ran to the high post.
The little flying squirrel plans to cut into the paint area from the right elbow. This cutting position can avoid being blocked by Old K. If Old K dares to make up for it, Duncan will directly rush to the basket.
At this time, Duncan passed the ball back to the little flying squirrel, and the little flying squirrel went straight to the basket with the ball.
Wang Tiejun, who was below the free throw line, immediately returned to defend the basket. Fordson still had a big dream and had no intention of returning to the basket.
The coaching staff has only one defensive requirement for Fordson today, which is to withstand Da Meng and try not to let him get close to the basket. If Old K is in the paint area, he does not need to cover the basket immediately.
At this time, the little flying squirrel broke through and passed the ball. When dribbling with his left hand, he pushed back and hit the ground to pass the ball.
But in the next moment, just as the ball hit the floor, Lao Wang, who was returning to defend the basket, quickly stopped and turned around, then stepped out with a fierce step, and the basketball bounced off the ground and fell into Duncan's hands.
When it was in his hand, he rushed forward.
He simply didn't believe that the little flying squirrel would dare to force a layup under his defense, so he left room for his defense. The current defense was well prepared and very fast.
As soon as Duncan received the ball, he saw that Old K had already rushed in front of him. Where there was still room, he could only push forward with his left elbow and hit a side hook with one hand with his right hand.
The ball flew over Lao Wang's big hand to block the shot, was rubbed by the tip of his middle finger, came up short, hit the basket with a bang, and bounced back.
The little flying squirrel quickly jumped up to grab the rebound. Unexpectedly, Kobe had already chased the basket and got on top of him to get the backcourt rebound.
"Beautiful! This should be regarded as a block. Old K's hand obviously touched the ball and the arc of the ball changed." Su Qun shouted excitedly.
"The defense worked too hard today. The Lakers blocked the Blazers' offense three times in a row. If they continue like this, they will have to call a timeout again." Zhang Li said with a smile.