In addition to record-breaking ticket prices, the ratings were also very high.
The finals were broadcast live nationwide on TNT, and the commentators were the duo of Bill Walton and Kenny Smith.
"It's great. The ratings have already reached 45 million before the game even started. I think it will break through the 50 million mark soon." Bill Walton said excitedly.
Kenny Smith said: "Last year's finals set a new ratings record, 54 million. It should be broken this time, right?"
"Of course, last year it was the Suns and the Bulls, this time it's the Knicks and the Lakers, a super showdown between the first and second cities in the league. It will definitely break the 54 million ratings record," Bill Walton said excitedly.
In New York, David Stern, who was having a headache during labor negotiations, was very happy after receiving the news that the tickets for the Finals and the viewership of the G1 game had reached 45 million before the game even started.
He supported the Knicks and other six teams in the offseason last year to build championship-level strength, creating a situation where the top six teams from the East and West compete for hegemony, Jordan competes with Old K, and the giants from the East and West compete for hegemony. Now he has received huge rewards.
.
With ratings like the Finals, the NBA's status among the four major sports leagues has actually reached the level of second place. However, it has not yet caught up in terms of income. As long as this broadcast contract expires and a new one is signed,
A contract can achieve a transcendence.
What he has to do now is to resolve this labor negotiation, and then take advantage of this stage of the top six competition to promote the NBA to the world.
The signature stars of these six teams will be the focus of publicity, especially Jordan and Old K. They will be the top priority. He will concentrate all resources to promote them to the world and build the NBA into a truly world-class super sport.
Superstar.
…
At 7:30, the two teams announced their starting lineups.
Knicks: O'Neal, Oakley, Dale Ellis, Jordan, Charlie Ward
Lakers: Wang Tiejun, Danny Fortson, Rick Fox, Richmond, Kobe Bryant
In the visiting team's locker room, Phil Jackson frowned immediately after receiving the Lakers' starting lineup.
"Phil, what's wrong?"
The finals were about to start, and Jordan's attention had entered a state of high concentration. He keenly observed the change in Phil Jackson's expression and asked immediately.
"Their starting lineup has changed."
Phil Jackson handed the list to Jordan, who took it and looked at it, and immediately understood that the Lakers had strengthened their perimeter defense.
With three outsiders and no authentic point guard, they have an advantage in height.
Moreover, the defense of these three outsiders, Richmond and Fox, is very good, and Kobe Bryant's defense is getting better and better now.
In comparison, the Knicks' perimeter defense and height are a bit lacking, so they will suffer.
"You guys go out first."
Phil Jackson first asked the substitutes to warm up. There were only five starters left in the locker room, and then said to Jordan:
"Michael, our main lineup cannot be changed. After you attract double teams, Ellis can make good use of the openings you create, and Charlie can also reduce your physical consumption. At the same time, his offense and defense are not too bad.
What I want to emphasize to you now is that once you encounter a double team, you must see the opening of your teammates in time, especially Ellis, and then release the ball in time. Their perimeter defense is stronger, so you must seize the opportunity to release the ball.
Let the space disappear.”
"Understood." Jordan nodded.
Phil Jackson added: "In addition, you and Shaq must cooperate. You and him are on the same wing and are responsible for the offense. Charlie is responsible for passing the ball and spreading the defense. You must play the triangle offense on the strong side. Ellis is on
Weak side, as I said just now, your ball must be fast and your pass must be penetrating."
"I know." Jordan nodded.
"Dale..."
Phil Jackson looked at Ellis again.
"..."
Ellis nodded quickly to indicate that he was listening.
As a veteran who came for the championship and now has reached the finals, he can contribute everything he can to the championship.
Phil Jackson said: "You must move in time, not only to get rid of defender Rick Fox, but also to keep yourself exposed to Michael's vision and not let him not see you."
"Understood." Ellis said in a deep voice.
"Charles..."
Phil Jackson looked at Oakley again and said in a deep voice: "You also have a heavy task. Fordson is a rebounding monster. Whether we can maintain the balance in rebounding depends on you. At least we can't rebound
Lost to the Lakers.
In addition, Fordson doesn't have many offenses, so you have to pay attention to your defense. Whether it's Kobe or Richmond, they have the ability to break through with the ball."
"OK." Oakley nodded.
"Okay, now start meditating and make the best adjustments. Come, follow me, take a deep breath..." After Phil Jackson emphasized the tactics, he led Jordan and others to enter a meditative state.
…
Soon after, the starters from the two teams met in the tunnel.
"Buzz buzz..."
Outside the players' tunnel, there was a huge noise, making the arena feel like a monster entrenched there was breathing its breath.
"Flying Man, I heard that you are retiring after four losses? This is a very correct decision." Lao Wang saw Jordan from a distance and yelled.
"Shut up!"
Hearing the damn four losses again, Jordan yelled angrily.
"Haha, am I right?" Lao Wang said happily.
"You're wrong, idiot!" Jordan stared at Lao Wang and cursed.
"You idiot, you've already lost four times, and you still want to fight against me?" Lao Wang scolded back.
"Where did the four lose? I will definitely win this time."
Jordan was so angry that he turned and walked towards the exit.
"Ha ha!"
Lao Wang looked at Jordan's back and laughed, and said to the four people in Richmond: "Look, he ran away. This birdman is afraid of me."
Richmond and the others smiled helplessly. In the entire league, only Old K could do this to Michael Jordan. If anyone else offended the Flyers, even a look that made him feel unhappy, Michael Jordan could be killed on the court.
he.
There is a saying in the NBA that you can mess with anyone, but never mess with Black Jesus.
Later, Oakley nodded to Lao Wang, said hello and followed him out.
Jordan went out first, and the Knicks were out of order, so O'Neal quickly followed him out. Before leaving, he wanted to explain something about the scene and shouted to Lao Wang: "Old K..."
"Shut up and follow your thighs and get out!" Lao Wang scolded.
O'Neill held a breath in his throat until his face turned red.
"Ha ha……"
Lao Wang and a group of people were laughing behind him.
"Old K, you bastard, there is no end between us." O'Neill said a harsh word, turned around and ran out.
"Shark, don't talk nonsense. The relationship between you and me is pure and innocent. If you want to have a good relationship, don't come to me." Lao Wang shouted loudly from behind.
O'Neal stumbled and almost fell to the floor.
"Ha ha……"
Later, Lao Wang and others burst into laughter.
The Knicks' disorderly appearance disrupted the rhythm of the on-site host Mones John. There was chaos. It was the home team's turn to come on the stage before order was restored. He shouted loudly: "Now let us welcome the six-time All-Star and the second active player.
Shooting Guard, Rock Mitch Richmond."
"Pa bang bang..."
As Richmond came on the stage, the Great Western Forum Arena burst into warm applause and cheers.
"Peter Pan Kobe Bryant."
"Rebounding monster Danny Fortson."
"Hollywood's best newcomer and future Oscar winner Rick Fox."
All the Lakers substitutes who came out first to warm up, as well as the main players who had just appeared, were lined up on both sides of the player tunnel, waiting for Lao Wang, who was the last to appear.
Lakers owner Jerry Buss and his children, managers such as Jerry West and Magic Johnson, Barkley, Pippen, Yao, Chenglong and other friends, as well as a large number of Hollywood stars, all came to the exit.
Waiting for Lao Wang to appear.
Zhang Lili said with emotion at the live broadcast: "This is strength, strength wins respect."
Su Qun was very excited and said: "Old K just came to the Lakers and led the team to 74 wins and led the team to the finals. His personal statistics are also very good. This is the only reason why he has won respect from the Lakers."
At the TNT live broadcast, Kenny Smith laughed and said: "It seems that Pippen's relationship with Jordan has indeed deteriorated. He did not support his former teammate who won two championships together, but stood with Old K."
Bill Walton smiled and said: "It has been like that a long time ago. Old K helped Pippen solve his bankruptcy crisis. He has embraced Old K's golden thigh."
"Now, let us welcome the great no-go sweeper, the bloody conqueror Caesar, the King of the Lakers, the old KKKKKK!"
Live host Mones John shouted heartily.
"King! king! King..."
All Lakers fans stood up, raised their arms and chanted, and the roar of the mountain and tsunami echoed in the Great Western Forum Arena with a momentum that moved the sky.
Lao Wang came out, high-fived his teammates, friends, and management, and led his teammates onto the court. Then Jordan and others also shook hands and hugged.
"Grand champion! Grand champion! Grand champion..."
During this period, the shouts at the scene have turned into a unified "championship", and the atmosphere at the Lakers' home court has been very strong.
At this time, the host John handed the microphone to Lao Wang. The scene quickly became quiet. Lao Wang raised the microphone with his left hand to form a "1", then raised his right index and middle fingers and turned in place.
One circle.
"12!12!12..."
The unified shouts of nearly 20,000 people rang out again.
At the CCTV live broadcast, Zhang Lili said excitedly: "The Lakers have won 11 championships. Now, under the leadership of Tiejun, we are united and aiming for the 12th championship."
"Look at Fengshen Street." Su Qun suddenly shouted.
"4!4!4..."
At this time, the CCTV camera had switched to Fengshen Street. Countless fans raised their hands, raised four fingers, and were shouting in unison.
"Haha, the domestic fans are wishing Old K his fourth personal crown." Su Qun laughed.
During the TNT live broadcast, Bill Walton said: "If the Knicks win the championship, it will be the team's third championship and Michael Jordan's fourth championship.
Now the Flyers and Old K both have three championships, but Michael has a consecutive championship, and with other hard honors, Old K is still lagging behind.
Moreover, the Flyers' victory over Old K to win the championship will also end the talk about losing one, two, and three, and end his history of losing to Old K in the finals. This will have a special meaning for Michael Jordan."
Kenny Smith said: "If the Lakers win the championship, it will be the team's 12th championship and K's fourth personal championship. His number of championships will also surpass Michael Jordan's and become the real active leader in hard honors.
people."
Bill Walton looked extremely serious and said: "We know that when Old K said one lose, two lose and three lose, Michael Jordan was unable to refute, because he did lose one, two lose and three.
Now many media are hyping up news about four losses, so if the Flyers lose again this time, the situation may become extremely bad for him."
Kenny Smith couldn't help but nod and said: "The media will ridicule him crazily. Old K will also completely surpass him in hard honors and become the real first person in active service, and even lay the foundation for the first person in history."
.”
Bill Walton nodded and suddenly asked: "Kenny, I have a question. If the Lakers win the championship this time, then Old K should be considered a consecutive champion, right?"
"certainly."
Kenny Smith nodded and said: "For him personally, it will definitely be a consecutive championship. He is not an ordinary main player. Whether he is in the Suns or the Lakers, he is the core leader of the team. If he wins the championship, it will be a big win for him personally."
Of course, it has to be a consecutive championship.
Moreover, it is more difficult to win consecutive championships with different teams as the leader and core of the team than to win consecutive championships with the same team, but at least the gold content will not be lower."
Bill Walton said with some regret: "I think Old K should complete a real consecutive title defense with the Lakers. That would be perfect."
"Do you think he doesn't want to?" Kenny Smith laughed.
"Haha, I'm afraid he's not only thinking about defending the title, but also a dynasty." Bill Walton laughed.
Kenny Smith shook his head and said with emotion: "With his strength and being in the Lakers, it would be weird if he didn't want a dynasty."
…
Eight o'clock is approaching, the game is about to officially start, and players from both sides take the field.
"victory!"
On the Knicks side, all the players gathered around Jordan and O'Neal and shouted today's slogan loudly.
"Victory! Victory! Victory..."
Three thousand away fans started shouting heartily, trying to create momentum for the team in the away game and boost the team's morale.
New York is richer than Los Angeles. This time it took away 3,000 away tickets from the Lakers. However, when the Lakers played away games, they also received the same 3,000 away tickets, as agreed by both parties.
"Shh!"
Seeing that the visiting team wanted to gain momentum at the Lakers' home court, the Lakers fans immediately gave up. Immediately, the deafening boos rang out.
"Grand champion! Grand champion! Grand champion..."
On Wang Tiejun's side, he directly led his teammates to shout out their goals without any cover-up. What they wanted was the championship.
"Grand champion! Grand champion..."
Soon, the Great Western Forum Arena echoed with a unified shout.
The two sides then took the field, Wang Tiejun and O'Neal stood in the center circle, and the scene began to quiet down.
At this time, the big shark was no longer the funny big shark. His eyes were very serious, even serious. He stared at Lao Wang and said: "Old K, Michael will lose one, two, and three against you in the finals. I won't. I won't."
I will always beat you, one win, two win and three win."
Lao Wang's eyes widened immediately, and he turned to look at Jordan. Jordan's eyes were spitting fire, and the target was O'Neal.
"Ha ha……"
Not caring about the jump ball, Lao Wang took the lead, and the Lakers burst into laughter.
"Pfft!"
Even the referee, who was holding the ball and preparing to throw it into the sky, couldn't help laughing and sprayed out the whistle he was holding in his mouth.
"What happened on the field?"
Countless people, including the commentator, are looking forward to the decryption.
"Michael..."
O'Neal reacted and knew he had said the wrong thing. He turned to look at Jordan awkwardly and wanted to explain something, but the referee didn't give him a chance.
"Okay, stop being funny and get ready to jump the ball."
The referee wiped away his smile, put a straight face on his face, and said seriously.
"I'm not being funny."
O'Neal couldn't help but muttered.
"drop!"
With a whistle, the basketball was thrown into the sky.
"Crack!"
The distracted O'Neal slowed down by half a beat. Wang jumped up and took the lead to move the ball away, and the Lakers attacked.
"here we go!"
Zhang Lili took a deep breath.
Behind the center line, Kobe moved forward with the ball, and Charlie Ward came up to meet him.
Su Qun immediately explained: "Jordan versus Richmond, the league's No. 1 and No. 2 shooting guard showdown begins. This is their first Finals showdown."
Zhang Lili said: "There are four major shooting guards in the league, Air Jordan, Rock Richmond, Glider Drexler, and Madman Sprewell.
But Iverson has emerged, and he has now replaced the retired Glider and become one of the new four shooting guards.
The Numbers team did not make it to the playoffs. The Madman choked their head coach at the beginning of the season and was suspended by the league. The remaining two teams made it to the finals."