On the 19th, major media outlets concentrated their coverage on the on-court conflict between the Suns and the Lakers, which was somewhat detrimental to Lao Wang.
Many American media ignored O'Neal's flagrant foul, or brushed it off, and only highlighted the process of K's beating, describing it as a bad on-field violence incident, and called for the league to ban him from the game.
New York, Jordan's home, he is preparing for a vacation.
He is planning to go to China. There is currently a lawsuit going on in China. But this time he is mainly going to see the market there and see if he can develop his own business there.
I picked up the pile of newspapers prepared on the table and flipped through it, and I saw that many media were attacking the violence at Lao K's court.
He is not surprised at all. The media is like this. After he won two consecutive championships in 1991 and 1992, he became the public enemy of the league. The media also treated him in the same way, looking for all his weaknesses, amplifying them, and attacking him desperately.
Even after his father was shot dead, the media had nothing good to say about him and maliciously speculated that he owed gambling debts to the casino and that his father was shot dead by someone hired by the casino.
The media only does this for one purpose, sales.
There is no news more attractive than the scandal about celebrities. If there is no scandal, just create it.
He is like this, and so is Lao K. Even more so because he is not an American.
Lao Wang was also at home reading the newspaper at this time. Jordan was not surprised, and he was not surprised at all.
As early as after the Suns won three championships in five years, many American media began to target him. Then after the Lakers' first championship, he officially became a public enemy of the league, and the number of American media targeting him skyrocketed.
Especially after his comeback, this situation became even worse.
Those who are not of my race must have different hearts. This saying also applies in the United States.
He has long been mentally prepared. Since he doesn't welcome me, I will be a conqueror.
He was more worried about Dayao, who was implicated by him, and some media attacked him.
Fortunately, Dayao's personality was different from his, so the American media couldn't find any flaws.
However, the American media could not find it, but the domestic media could find it. Once Yao went to a nightclub with his teammates and stayed in the lobby for a while. This was nothing in the United States. The American media did not report it, but it was reported
The domestic media almost cursed me to death.
…
That night, the Nets and Pistons started a G2 game.
As a result, Dayao was limited by the bypassing tactics and had a mediocre touch. He only scored 18 points even with shooting and penalties. He couldn't open up inside, so Kidd could only shoot outside. As a result, he lost the second home game.
The teams tied one to one.
"Dayao, why are you so stupid that you can't handle it even if you go around?" Out of concern, Lao Wang still called Dayao to comfort him.
No. 20, Game 2 of the Western Conference Finals.
The Suns did not perform well in this game. Marion, under Fox's defense, made 2 of 8 shots and only scored 4 points. Stoudemire made 3 of 7 shots and only scored 8 points including free throws. Others also performed averagely, including Lao Wang himself.
He scored only 35 points and shot 55% from the field.
The Lakers played better. The OK combination scored 61 points, and five players on the team scored in double figures.
"Brother, O'Neal scored 26 points on you. How about I help you next season? We will play high and low twin tower tactics and we will be invincible."
This time it was Dayao's turn to comfort Lao Wang.
On the 21st, the Suns and Lakers came to Los Angeles.
In the evening, the G3 game between the Nets and the Pistons at the Palace of Auburn Hills in Detroit began. As a result, Yao scored 32 points and 16 rebounds, and Kidd scored 17 points and 18 assists. The two teamed up to defeat the Pistons and achieved a two-to-one lead.
On the 22nd, the Suns and Lakers started a G3 game.
"king! king! king..."
As the founder of the Lakers' second dynasty, Wang received a warm welcome from countless Lakers fans at Staples Center.
"Old K, come back!"
Even many Lakers fans are chanting for him to return.
But Lao Wang did not show mercy. He completely exploded in this game, overwhelming O'Neal on the offensive end and beating the opponent. In 46 minutes, with only two minutes of rest, he made 19 of 29 shots, a shooting rate of 65.5%, and 15 of 18 free throws.
He scored 53 points, 17 rebounds, 5 assists, 1 steal, 3 blocks, 2 turnovers and 4 fouls.
At the same time, on the defensive end, the Suns used limited man-killing tactics, sending fringe players at the fourth position. After taking turns, O'Neal made 4 of 12 shots and 6 of 14 free throws, resulting in only 14 points and 10 rebounds.
"Old K, you guys are playing too rogue! Don't you think the killing tactics insult your status as the number one active player in history?"
At the end of the game, O'Neal, filled with grief and anger, yelled at Lao Wang.
"You can also kill me, I welcome you." Lao Wang said sincerely.
"If you dare, challenge me in a duel!"
O'Neal wants to vomit blood and chop you, isn't that giving away points?
"Single-on-one? Since the 1998 Finals, when have you ever challenged me one-on-one? I've always challenged you one-on-one, and you double-teamed me with your teammates. I remember this." Lao Wang said in surprise.
"..." O'Neill was speechless.
On the 23rd, the Nets defeated the Pistons again, 3-1, and secured a point in the Eastern Conference Finals.
The next day, on the 24th, the Suns, determined to win the match point, launched an attack on the Lakers and once again resorted to slashing tactics against O'Neal.
Head coach Phil Jackson had absolutely no strategy to deal with the slashing tactics, so he could only pass fewer passes to O'Neal and leave it to Kobe.
But Jordan has long proven that no matter how efficient he is on the outside, he can't beat Old K. Moreover, the Suns played a zone defense and Kobe didn't have many opportunities for singles. In the end, the Lakers slipped into the abyss of failure step by step.
Lao Wang scored 42 points on O'Neal, only allowing O'Neal to score 13 points. Three to one, the Suns successfully got the match point.
Barkley said before the live broadcast ended: "This series has ended. Once the weakness of O'Neal's poor free throw shooting is targeted, the Lakers can only lose to the end without a chance to turn around."
Kenny Smith said: "Playing against other teams, even if O'Neal is cut, he can still win with his strong dominance, but Old K is a super center who is more dominant than him, and his own efficiency is higher than O'Neal.
, and if we use foul tactics again, the Lakers will have almost no chance of winning."
Barkley said playfully: "I think the league needs to add rules to restrict slashing tactics, but how to restrict it?
In these two games, the Suns cut O'Neal, and it was only when he had the ball, and they actually didn't cut it much. They cut O'Neal 5 times in the last game and 4 times this time, which forced the Lakers not to dare to give him any more.
O'Neal passed the ball."
Kenny Smith said: "The Suns and Lakers are already close in strength. As long as they cut a little, the Suns can gain an advantage. Who made O'Neal not take free throws?"
"Old K, let's go one-on-one in the end. No one can double-team anyone, and no one can cut anyone." After the game, O'Neal issued a letter of challenge to Lao Wang.
"Do you have the final say?" Lao Wang looked contemptuous.
"Old K, let's play man-to-man in the next game." Kobe, with a gloomy look on his face, walked over and issued a letter of challenge.
Lao Wang smiled and said: "You two bastards, are you taking me for a fool? We can easily defeat you, why should I agree to you?"
"Old K, don't you dare?" O'Neal said angrily.
"Old K, I don't accept that you defeated us by cutting people off," Kobe said angrily.
"What do you think?" Lao Wang looked back at his teammates and the coaching staff.
"Old K, we listen to you." Nash and others said.
Ewing opened his mouth, but then closed it. He was just a man who hugged his thighs and tried to get a ring, but he was not qualified to stop Old K.
D'Antoni wanted to object, but he opened his mouth and said nothing.
In a one-on-one match, although Old K can beat O'Neal, who can guard Kobe? Once Kobe and O'Neal cooperate, Old K can't guard him either. Wouldn't the Suns lose more and win less?
But Old K’s status in the Suns is too high. He can’t stop what he wants to do. And now the team has three match points. Even if they lose one game, there shouldn’t be any big problem. The worst is losing in G5.
Battle, continue to kill sharks in the g6 battle.
"Okay, I promise you, I will always make you convinced that you lose." Lao Wang nodded.
"It's a deal." Kobe and O'Neal said at the same time.
"It's a deal," Lao Wang said.
The agreement between the three people was quickly spread by the surrounding media.
At noon on the 25th, the Suns and Lakers arrived in Phoenix one after another.
That night, in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference Finals, the Nets were defeated by the Pistons at home and lost a match point.
On the 26th, the game day of Game 5 of the Western Conference Finals.
Lakers: O'Neal, Samakie Walker, Rick Fox, Kobe Bryant, Fisher
Suns: Wang Tiejun, Amar'e Stoudemire, Marion, Hardaway, Nash
At eight o'clock, in the TNT commentary box, Barkley said: "According to the agreement between Old K and OK, this game will be man-to-man, without zone defense, one-on-one between Old K and O'Neal, no double-teaming, the same goes for Kobe.
Kenny, which side do you prefer?"
Without thinking, Kenny Smith said: "Lakers."
"Why?" Buckley asked.
"In singles, Kobe is unstoppable on the outside. When Old K and O'Neal are duel, there should not be as much advantage as Kobe's outside. O'Neal may not be able to defend against Old K's offense, but with his current tonnage, Old K wants to defend him
He's having a hard time, too," Kenny Smith said.
Barkley couldn't help but nodded and said: "Old K is indeed a little impulsive. In the first four games of the Western Conference Finals, he was in single defense, and his defensive efficiency against O'Neal was indeed not high enough. The 150-kg O'Neal is really a big shark, unstoppable.
The big shark.”
In the CCTV commentary booth, Zhang Lili said with some worry: "Tie Jun is still impulsive. Just use the killing tactics if they work. You shouldn't agree to the ok combination."
Su Qun said: "The main thing is that no one can guard Kobe on the outside. Once he goes in and connects with O'Neal, even K can't guard him."
In the players tunnel, the starting lineups of the two teams met.
"Old K, don't keep your word." O'Neal said with some worry.
"Do you think I am you?" Lao Wang said disdainfully.
"Whoever keeps his word will carry the other person's bag." O'Neill said quickly.
"I'm waiting for you to carry my bag again." Lao Wang said.
"Don't even think about it!"
Without saying a word, O'Neill rushed out of the passage angrily.
"Kobe, are you still confident to beat me?" Lao Wang asked with a smile.
"If it doesn't work this year, then next year, I'm younger than you." Kobe said with full confidence.
"You can say that again in twenty years." Lao Wang chuckled.
"Twenty years later? What do you mean?" Kobe was confused.
"go out!"
Lao Wang didn't know how to explain, so he pushed Kobe out casually.
At 8:30, the game starts.
In the jump ball, the 150 kilogram O'Neal was still too heavy. Lao Wang made the first move and the Suns attacked.
"What are you doing here?"
O'Neal followed Lao Wang and found that Lao Wang stopped at the top of the arc and asked with a headache.
"Fuck you!"
In Mandarin, Lao Wang swore angrily, it would be nice if I promised you a one-on-one fight, but you still care what tactics I use?
At this time, Nash had already gotten rid of Fisher and broke in from Wang and O'Neal. Then Wang went down, received the pass, and took off from the free throw line.
This kind of dunk with terrifying impact, even if O'Neal stood under the basket, he would probably have to retreat.
"Bang!"
The explosive dunk made the entire American West Arena burst into cheers.
"Old K, beat up the shark! Beat him up!" some fans shouted at the top of their lungs.
"Blow the shark! Knock the shark..." Countless home fans followed suit, immediately forming an earth-shattering roar.
Barkley laughed and said: "It seems that Suns fans are still very supportive of Old K and O'Neal's duel."
Kenny Smith said: "Judging from this goal, as long as Old K pulls it out and then hits it in, O'Neal can't keep up with the rhythm, so I think on the defensive end, he is probably going to be beaten by Old K. It just depends.
How is the offensive end going?"
Barkley nodded and said: "Although O'Neal's weight is under control now, he is still 20 kilograms heavier than Old K, and his speed can no longer keep up with Old K. Old K is the real small forward speed, and should be the best among small forwards.
It’s pretty quick.”
Kenny Smith said: "O'Neal's problem is that his muscle content is not as good as that of Old K. Even if he controls his weight, his body fat rate is too high. If he wants to really improve himself and maintain his condition, what he needs to do now is not to lose weight.
, but to lose fat and gain muscle.”
"Yes, he can lose fat and gain muscle, but I'm sure he can't do it, because as a fat man, I can't do it, and he can't do it either," Barkley said confidently.
"Haha..." Kenny Smith shook his head and laughed.
O'Neal came to the frontcourt at this time and walked towards the basket with confidence. He was going to beat the damn old K under the basket today.
"ball!"
The left elbow pushed Lao Wang aside, and the right hand asked for the ball.
Kobe also knew that he could not defeat Old K alone, so he immediately passed the ball.
Lao Wang suddenly made a move forward, but the clever O'Neal was also well prepared and took a step forward almost at the same time. The move failed and the ball was caught by O'Neal.
At this time, he immediately took a step back and retreated behind O'Neal. At the same time, O'Neal turned around, ready to rise.
"not good!"
As soon as he danced together, he knew something was wrong and was shaken by O'Neal.
The next moment, O'Neal really jumped up, and there was a double-handed slam across from him.
"Bang!"
Lao Wang's falling body was knocked out of balance in the air, and at the same time, the basket above his head was exploded.
"What the hell!"
After being dunked by O'Neal, he couldn't help but curse inwardly. Now he had to dunk O'Neal three times in a single game to clear the dunk.
"Old K, I told you, you can't stop me in a one-on-one fight!" After winning, O'Neal roared extremely excitedly.
"You are stupid, I have dunked you at least thirty times." Lao Wang spat back.
"..."
O'Neal rolled his eyes and said: "That was before. At that time, my strength was not at its peak. The previous ones don't count."
"Since the previous ones don't count, then does our promise to fight one another count?" Lao Wang asked curiously.
"Yes, of course." O'Neill was dumbfounded and nodded quickly.
"Does the number of times I dunked you before count?" Lao Wang asked.
O'Neal nodded in frustration and said, "Forget it, you win."
Lao Wang scolded: "You idiot, I will return this buckle to you right away."
By this time, the two of them had arrived in the Suns' frontcourt. Lao Wang was not in the high post, but was in the low post on the left wing. He wanted to dunk O'Neal.
O'Neill swallowed dryly. He was also knocked over by Old K when the tonnage was 160 kilograms. Now that the tonnage is 150 kilograms, he has to be more careful.
The ball was passed in. When Lao Wang took the ball, O'Neal directly pressed his chest against his back, not giving him any room to exert force. At the same time, his feet were in tandem, in a lunge.
"squeak!"
But this was not a problem for Lao Wang. With a quick turn, his sneakers seemed to be smoking.
"Slide to the bottom!"
O'Neal retreated instinctively.
"Bang!"
Lao Wang dribbled the ball once and turned around to face the basket while slipping to the bottom. However, when O'Neal retreated from defense, he broke through and turned again, turning from facing the basket to his back, and controlled the distance from O'Neal.
"not good!"
Seeing that Old K turned his back again and was one foot away from him, O'Neal, as an old opponent for so many years, knew that something was wrong.
He remembered the method Kobe taught him to prevent Tieshan from relying on the opponent, and he was about to take a lunge, but it was already too late.
The next moment, Lao Wang stepped forward and reached O'Neal in an instant. His feet paused, the six forces merged into one, and the iron mountain's back arched out with all its strength.
"Bang!"
An extremely heavy impact sounded.
"Well!"
O'Neal's majestic chest also felt like it was crushed instantly. With a muffled groan, his upper body jerked back and his feet retreated continuously.
"Old K?"
He was knocked back, and he saw Lao K turning around and flying up. He was about to be dunked. He was so anxious that his eyes were splitting, and he was filled with grief and anger, but he was unable to stop it.
The next moment, Lao Wang swooped down, and when he clasped his hands heavily, his legs parted.
"Old K, do you dare?"
The moment O'Neal saw Old K spreading his legs, he really went crazy. He was going to dunk him. He was going to be severely humiliated!
