Chapter 653: The All-Star Who Almost Broke Ten Million
Chapter 653 The All-Star vote nearly exceeded 10 million
After spending two days in Los Angeles, at 9 a.m. on the 8th, the league announced the All-Star voting results for the first week.
Lao Wang ranked first, with a terrifying 2.45 million votes in the first week, setting another record high.
He had 1.02 million votes in the first week last year, and 1.21 million votes in the first week of 2003. This time he directly broke the record in 2003 and doubled it.
This is because the alliance has not opened voting channels for China, otherwise it would be even more terrifying.
In particular, of the 2.45 million votes, 1.3 million came from overseas, which shows that his influence has truly extended to the world.
This result should be brought about by 101 points in a single game.
That night, the Suns defeated the Clippers and rushed back to Phoenix overnight. On the 9th, they lost back-to-back games to the Pacers.
24 wins and 10 losses, one game behind the Trail Blazers. The Trail Blazers also lost two games after entering 2005.
On the 10th, the Suns flew out of Phoenix again and headed to the East.
This time it is another round of 5 away games. The Suns have a lot of back-to-back games this season. The 5 away games include two back-to-back games. They will play against the Heat first, then rush back to the West overnight to play against the Jazz, and then fly to the East again to play against the Pacers and the Jazz.
The Pistons, and finally the Nets.
In these 5 games, the Eastern Conference games have nothing to do with the overall situation. The Suns first lost the game against the Heat, but beat the Jazz back to back, then beat the Pacers, and lost to the Pistons.
In the end, he challenged the Nets. Lao Wang didn't dare to lose. No matter who he lost to, he couldn't lose to Yao. He was an apprentice. If the master couldn't beat the apprentice, what would he have to lose?
In the end, 5 away games, 3 wins and 2 losses, a total record of 27 wins and 12 losses, still second in the Western Conference, two games behind the Trail Blazers.
On the 18th, the Suns returned to Phoenix.
On this day, the Knicks also arrived in Phoenix.
Outside the hotel where the Knicks stayed, a large number of Suns fans gathered. When D'Antoni, Nash and others got off the bus, they started to curse.
Although the media requested a press conference, the Knicks refused. The management said that the players were very tired after the long flight and would fully prepare for tomorrow night's game.
At noon on the 19th, Lao Wang rushed to the headquarters after lunch.
The Suns certainly didn't want to lose to the Knicks at home, so Fan held a tactical meeting because the Knicks were now stronger than last time, so he was very cautious.
"Josh, you, Zhu, and Jason need to strengthen perimeter defense, especially you and Zhu..."
Xiao Fan said to Josh Howard and Zhu Fangyu: "Their offense is too fast. They rush down desperately and constantly break through, cut in and pick-and-roll. You two have to connect our internal and external defenses to become one."
"Yes, coach." The two nodded repeatedly.
Xiao Fan said to Lao Wang: "Old K, their defense is pretty good now. You'd better sit in the penalty area and focus your main defensive energy on protecting the basket. Leave other areas, especially the outside, to them.
two."
"OK."
Lao Wang nodded.
Zhu Fangyu's training direction is to be a 3D player who can defend the outside line and is also good at inside defense. He can connect the inside and outside on the defensive end.
Josh Howard's defense in his rookie season was average, not good, but after Xiao Fan, who paid attention to defense this year, took over the team, he strengthened Howard's defensive training. This season, his defensive ability has made great progress, and he is also a forward.
A swingman with height and speed, he can now defend both inside and outside on the defensive end. Like Zhu Fangyu, he can connect the inside and outside.
Both of them can connect inside and outside on the defensive end. The Suns' defense is much better now than last season and the beginning of the season.
In the zone defense formation, for teams whose main play style is outside jump shots and breakthrough cuts, the defensive effect is good. For teams whose main play style is inside, they can also help defend the low post in time to achieve good defensive effects.
However, both are sophomores and lack defensive skills and experience and need to improve.
The evening of the 19th, game day.
At eight o'clock, the starting lineup was announced.
Knicks: Nazr Muhammad, Stoudemire, Shawn Marion, Quentin Richardson, Steve Nash
Suns: Wang Tiejun, Kenyon Martin, Zhu Fangyu, Josh Howard, Jason Williams
The average ticket price for this game was nearly three times more expensive than the previous home game, reaching as high as $95. It even caught up with the Knicks ticket price, but it was still sold out.
"Shh!"
When the substitutes came on, seeing D'Antoni, the American West Arena received almost the most intense boos and abuse in history.
D'Antoni looked calm, but there was some dense sweat on his forehead, which clearly showed his mood.
In the TNT commentary box, Barkley said with a smile: "This should be the head coach who has received the most boos in the history of the NBA."
Kenny Smith said with a smile: "Indeed, no head coach has ever received such a welcome when he returned to the team he coached before."
"Shh!"
Ten minutes later, when the visiting team's starters came out, the American West Arena was once again greeted with fierce boos and abuses.
Lao Wang stood in the passage, looked at the nervous Nash trio, and smiled.
If you want to succeed, you have to pay the price. When the three of them returned to Phoenix, they were booed a few times, which was considered normal.
At half past eight, the game starts.
Stoudemire and Kenyon Martin jumped the ball, and the Knicks attacked.
The Suns play a three-two zone defense, three on top and two on bottom, focusing on defending the perimeter.
Zhu Fangyu guards the upper left line, Josh Howard guards the middle upper line, Jason Williams guards the upper right wing, Lao Wang guards the lower left midfielder, and Kenyon Martin guards the lower right midfielder.
Marion used his faster half-chip speed to quickly get rid of Zhu Fangyu and cut to the basket from the left wing.
After Zhu Fangyu was surprised, he did not pursue him again, but continued to guard his left wing. Marion who entered would be greeted by the low-ranking Lao Wang.
Lao Wang moved toward the basket and followed Marion's cut, making his cut in vain.
Marion immediately pulled up and ran to the top of the arc to set up a pick-and-roll for Nash. Nash used the wall to get rid of White Chocolate and rushed downward with the ball.
Josh Howard, who was guarding the middle of the upper line, immediately moved downwards, forming a three-in-one situation with Lao Wang and Kenyon Martin below.
At this time, Zhu Fangyu on the left wing quickly moved to the top of the arc. Because Nash was double-teamed, he was not a strong attacker, so he would definitely pass the ball.
Sure enough, as soon as Nash encountered a double team, and it was a triple team, he immediately turned around and passed the ball back. The ball flew to Marion, who was moving from the top of the arc to the left wing.
Two meters away from the wing at the top of the arc, when Marion received the ball, White Chocolate came to his side, and Zhu Fangyu on the left wing also rushed in front of him. A double team was about to hit him, so he had to rush to shoot.
"Bang!"
The basketball hits the basket and rises.
Lao Wang got the backcourt rebound and the Suns attacked.
"The zone defense is playing well. After two months of training, the Suns' defensive level has improved." Kenny Smith said.
Barkley said: "Both the Van Gundy brothers were Pat Riley's assistants. Van Gundy was in charge of defense for the Suns before. Now he is the head coach and is responsible for the defense himself. In addition, Old K has his own defensive system. The Suns'
The defensive improvement is not surprising."
"Bang!"
In the low post on the left wing, Lao Wang faced off against Muhammad, using the big one to beat the small one. After receiving the ball, he easily entered the paint area, then turned around and completed a strong dunk.
Stoudemire did not make a strong weak-side defense. Although he entered the paint area, Wang just watched from the side when he dunked Muhammad.
After the ball was scored, Muhammad picked it up immediately, and Stoudemire did not start a fast break. He stood next to Lao Wang and received the serve from his teammates.
Muhammad successfully served quickly and the ball flew towards Nash. Nash only took three steps forward. Just after passing the center line, he saw Quentin Richardson cutting quickly from the right wing to the basket. Josh Howard's defense should have taken one step.
distance, that is, there is now a one-step opportunity.
"Whoosh!"
The next moment, he immediately passed the ball and the ball flew to the front of Richardson's cutting direction.
"Bang!"
After receiving the ball, Quentin Richardson took off from the right waist and dunked with one hand, blasting the Suns' basket.
"Kuang Dang!"
Josh Howard, who returned to defense from the center, flew to block the shot and missed it just a little bit, hitting the basket with his hand.
"Nash passed the ball so accurately! He really dared to pass it!" Kenny Smith praised.
"Now the Knicks are better at running and gunning. Josh Howard's return speed is not enough. He must be faster. He is in the center of the line and is the one with the shortest return distance. He must work harder," Barkley said.
.
Kenny Smith said: "This time the Knicks have experience, leaving Stoudemire and Nash in the backcourt to receive the serve, and Marion and Richardson will serve quickly. If the Suns can't stop their fast serve, it will be very difficult.
passive."
"Josh, be smart. After taking a shot, their outside line will hit it immediately, regardless of whether it is hit or not. You have to catch up as soon as possible."
Lao Wang put his arms around Josh Howard's neck and whispered in his ear.
"I know, boss." Howard nodded repeatedly.
"The same to you."
Lao Wang said to Zhu Fangyu again: "If Josh returns to defense quickly enough from the center, then you have to be careful about their emergency stop jumpers."
When the Suns attacked, Lao Wang got the ball and passed it to Zhu Fangyu who cut through the basket and received an assist.
The Knicks served quickly again, with one person serving, two people supporting each other in the backcourt, and two people serving quickly.
But this time, Josh Howard kept up the pace.
He returns to defense from the center. Although his speed is not as fast as Marion and Quentin Richardson, the distance is shorter. These two people quickly come down from the left and right wings.
The Knicks succeeded in another quick start. Less than a second after Nash received the ball, he saw an opportunity for Marion in the left wing and immediately passed the ball quickly.
Marion was one step ahead of Zhu Fangyu and was cutting towards the basket from the left wing. When he received the ball, he saw that Josh Howard had returned to the free throw line and immediately made an emergency stop.
At this time, Zhu Fangyu, who was mentally prepared, immediately made an emergency stop and stopped right in front of Marion.
Marion lost his open position and had no ability to attack with the ball, so he had to turn around and pass the ball back to Nash. At this time, the rest of the Suns quickly completed their defense, and the Knicks could only switch to a positional battle.
In the positional battle, facing the Suns' zone defense, the Knicks didn't have many options.
Josh broke through with the ball on the left wing, and Quentin Richardson cut in without the ball on the right wing and received a pass from Nash at the right waist position, but was immediately beaten by Josh Howard and Kenyon Martin.
"The ball was lost, Josh Howard successfully intercepted the ball, fast break!" the on-site commentator shouted loudly.
White Chocolate and Zhu Fangyu came down from the center and right wing. Josh Howard passed the ball to White Chocolate, and Zhu Fangyu finally scored a layup.
Someone from the Knicks also quickly returned to defense, and Marion caught up with White Chocolate, but White Chocolate did not take action and settled the battle with a point ball.
After the Suns scored, Marion immediately picked up the ball, moved it to the baseline, and quickly passed it to Nash in the middle position.
Nash glanced at Stoudemire, who was cutting towards the basket from the right wing. He pushed with one hand and the ball flew over.
Stoudemire caught the ball, flew up, held the ball high with one hand, and was about to chop with an ax.
At this moment, Lao Wang's position was a bit far away, but Josh Howard rushed down from the free throw line, flew up without fear of death, and pounced on Stoudemire.
"Bang!"
Stoudemire was frightened and hurriedly changed his dunk to a floater. He missed and the basketball hit the basket. Just in time, Wang returned to the basket and grabbed the rebound.
"Good job!" He praised Josh Howard.
"Yes, boss."
Josh Howard got excited and rushed forward hard.
"Josh is working so hard, I have to work harder, otherwise I will be overtaken by him." Zhu Fangyu secretly thought.
After the first quarter, the Suns led by 6 points at 24:30.
Lao Wang played for 11 minutes and took a break in the last minute. He scored 15 points with consecutive free throws. He accounted for one-third of the team's shots in the first quarter and scored half of the team's points.
The team's efforts on the defensive end destroyed part of the Knicks' offense and prevented the Knicks from unleashing their most powerful scoring ability.
In the second quarter, Xiao Fan didn't want to lose to D'Antoni, so he didn't use all the substitutes, but half the main team and half the substitutes. Basically, two main players and three substitutes.
But D'Anton doesn't want to lose. Four of the five main players are always on the court, and only one takes a rest.
In this quarter, the Knicks had the upper hand. After a run and gun, they scored 36 points in a single quarter. The Suns only scored 28 points. Lao Wang personally scored 13 points in a single quarter. After halftime, 60:58, the Suns
Instead, they fell behind by two points.
In the third quarter, the Suns played their best. Wang scored 18 points in a single quarter and the team scored 30 points.
The Knicks also responded with all their main players, but the defense of the Suns' main lineup restricted the run-and-gun tactics and only scored 22 points in this quarter.
In the end, the Suns regained the score, 82:88, and the Suns once again led by 6 points.
At the end of the quarter, the Knicks' main lineup had almost exhausted their physical energy, and they completely entered the rhythm of the Suns. Lao Wang worked hard and scored 14 points again in a single quarter. He played 41 minutes and scored 60 points, winning 104:113.
Score, leading the team to defeat the Knicks for the second time.
On January 28, 2005, All-Star voting channels were closed and voting ended.
Lao Wang frantically collected 9.88 million votes, almost exceeding 10 million. The number of votes in the United States was 4.35 million, and the number of overseas votes was as high as 5.53 million, which even exceeded the United States. Any of these data broke the history of All-Star voting.
record, and it was broken by a large margin.
At noon that day, Barkley said in an interview with the media in Los Angeles: "All-Star voting is a reflection of popularity and influence. Old K has more than 4 million overseas votes, which is a reflection of his influence and popularity outside the United States.
Reflected, this also excludes China. So forget about the top four shooting guards, Old K is the only signature face of the NBA."
New York, headquarters, Stern looked at Old K's All-Star voting data with great pleasure.
Turning to the second page, this is the sales data of Old K’s Suns’ No. 33 home jersey in the world, ranking first in the league.
However, Lao K's jersey sales have ranked first in the league for many years, so it is not surprising that he ranks first this time.
However, the data this time is a bit scary. Old K's jersey sales exceed the total of the second to ninth place. 70% of the sales come from overseas, of which China accounts for 50% of all sales.
The jersey income is handed over to the league in proportion. Old K alone has brought a lot of benefits to the league, which is something that he is very happy and excited about.
As far as he knows, China's economy has accelerated since the beginning of the second millennium, with GDP rising at a rate of more than 10% every year. Domestic consumption capacity has increased significantly, and the alliance has begun to benefit from it, all thanks to Old K
.
He now has some regrets. There were mistakes in the policy adjustment for Lao K in the past two years. Fortunately, it did not cause much negative impact.
In 2003, Old K beat O'Neal violently in the Western Conference Finals. Old K was absent from the finals, which led to a sharp drop in ratings. The league was forced by several major television broadcasters. At that time, in order to preserve the dignity of the league, the suspension of Old K was maintained. However,
While making the decision to maintain the suspension, he agreed to a compensation request from Mrs. John, the Suns' owner who had suffered the most losses.
This compensation is a No. 1 pick.
At that time, he also made restrictions. This compensation could only be fulfilled after Old K's peak period.
In the past two years, he thought that Old K's peak would pass quickly, but now, he hopes that Old K can maintain his peak period until he is forty years old and be as durable as Jordan.
At this time, he thought of what Jordan said to him.
Jordan originally speculated that Old K would be like him and would have a very long peak period. Now he only hopes that Jordan's speculation is true.