Chapter 200 [If I can't beat you, I will join you]
After the game, many media reported Yang Jian's arrogant declaration, saying that he was young and full of energy.
After hearing these words, the Kings players felt very uncomfortable and vowed to show this young man some color.
In the second game, the Kings players began to defend Yang Jian with all their strength, assisting in defense inside and double-teaming on the flanks. Their thinking was similar to "the team battle can be lost, but Teemo must die."
However, this was of no use. The Kings lost by 18 points, and Yang Jian did not die. Yang Jian's score was lower than in the game, 6 of 11 shots, 1 of 3 three-pointers, 3 of 4 free throws, and scored 16
A double-double of points, 6 rebounds, 11 assists and 3 steals.
Payton also scored 15 points, 3 rebounds, 10 assists and 2 steals. The SuperSonics' ball movement was particularly smooth, with 7 players on the team scoring in double figures.
In the third game, the SuperSonics flew to the away game and still dominated the Kings. They never let their opponents take the lead from beginning to end. They won again 103 to 89.
The Kings mainly rely on Mitch Richmond to score points and drive the performance of his teammates. Richmond struggled against Yang Jian, and his teammates were not efficient. The Kings only scored 89 points in the three games.
The SuperSonics easily swept the Kings 3-0 to advance. Not only did they have an excellent offense, but they also looked very strong defensively.
Sarunas Mathiulionis became the biggest pitfall of the series. His performance in each game was poor, averaging 25.3 minutes per game, 7.3 points, 1.8 rebounds and 3.5 assists.
Looking at the data, it seems that Sarunas can still play some role, but looking at the game scene, he is a complete undercover. He was at a loss whether he faced Yang Jian or Payton, shooting 27.6% from the field and 27.6% from the three-point range.
22.2%, free throw percentage 60%.
When Yang Jian was interviewed after the game, he said even more arrogant words. "I think it's normal to sweep the promotion. I don't mean to disrespect my opponent. It's just that the strength gap between the two sides is too big. What I said is the truth."
The reporter asked: "Which team in the Western Conference do you think can pose a threat to the SuperSonics?"
"I think there is no threat in the West. The SuperSonics will definitely advance to the finals. Our only opponent is the Bulls. I am very sure of this during the season."
Kemp, Payton, and Schrempf all said the same thing, and their goal was very clear: the championship.
They all feel that they cannot keep a low profile at this time, and they must show their domineering power when they should be domineering. They have even broken the NBA's historical regular season record. As one of the teams with 70 wins in history, why should they be afraid of not being able to win more than 70 games in the regular season?
What about the 60-win Western Conference team?
Yang Jian has the most confidence. He knew before the start of the season that the Sonics were capable of entering the finals. His confidence also gave his teammates confidence, and everyone's self-confidence increased.
The unprecedented unity within the Sonics team has laid the foundation for the championship. Although Yang Jian was still third from last in the game, his teammates have begun to treat him as the boss. Whatever he says, everyone will follow suit.
In the Eastern Conference, the Bulls swept the Heat 3-0 in the first round. This series was also a defeat. In the second game, the Bulls beat the Heat 106-75 at home by 31 points. Pat Riley knew that if they want to win the championship, the Heat must
Bring in more stars.
The Knicks swept the Cavaliers 3-0 and will face the Bulls in the second round.
The Knicks were the only team to beat the Bulls by a wide margin during the regular season, winning by 32 points. Their next round series is the focus of the Eastern Conference. Experts predict that the two teams will open at 37 points, and the Knicks also have a chance.
The Magic swept the Pistons 3-0. Grant Hill's performance was on par with Anfernee Hardaway, but the Pistons' inside players couldn't do anything to O'Neal. Fortunately, O'Neal's free throw shooting rate hit a career low in the playoffs, and the Pistons lost.
It’s not too miserable, and it retains a bit of dignity.
The Orlando media and fans were somewhat dissatisfied with O'Neal, believing that his condition declined because he did not train hard. Anyway, many people disliked O'Neal and felt that he did not assist Hardaway, who played better and looked better.
The first round of the Western Conference was more intense. The Lakers failed to take advantage of an extra home court and were happily eliminated by the Rockets 1-3.
The Lakers lost in the paint. Verrati Divac and Eldon Campbell couldn't defeat "Big Dream" Olajuwon in a round-robin battle. Magic Johnson performed well offensively, but he couldn't defend Olajuwon either.
Zhu Wang.
Lakers outside players Cedric Ceballos and Van Exel performed poorly and had a low shooting percentage.
Especially "Crazy" Van Exel, he never slowed down throughout the season after being dunked by Yang Jian, and his regular season data was not as good as last season. In the playoffs, he was completely lost, averaging 34.3 minutes per game and 11.8 points.
4 rebounds and 6.8 assists. His field goal percentage was only 29.6% and his three-point shooting percentage was 31.3%. Such performance is obviously not qualified for a starting position.
The best performer on the Lakers is Eddie Jones, who averaged 38.8 minutes per game, scoring 17.3 points, 5.3 rebounds, 1.5 assists and 2 steals. His shooting percentage was as high as 55.1%, and his three-point shooting percentage was 52.6%.
2.5 three-pointers.
Jones' defense is also excellent, and he has vague star status, but the whole team can't open up space if he only relies on him to shoot three-pointers. Ceballos plays like a power forward. The only commendable thing about the series is that he averaged 8 per game.
rebound.
A group of people from the Lakers frequently attack the penalty area. It seems that the shooting rate is okay, but in fact, the scoring efficiency is not as good as that of the Rockets' Robert Horry, who floats outside and shoots jumpers. Horry is a space-based power forward with obvious tactical effects, averaging 2.5 field goals per game in the series.
A three-pointer.
However, the media feels that the Rockets' good days have come to an end. They will face the SuperSonics in the second round.
Even with Olajuwon, the Rockets' overall strength is obviously not as good as the SuperSonics. Drexler, a glider in a declining period, is not as good as Yang Jian. If Drexler was a glider, Yang Jian would be the No. 2
fighter.
The Spurs eliminated the Suns 3-1.
This year's Suns team was evaluated by the media as the worst since 1987. In 1987, the Suns experienced a series of drug-related accusations. This season, although the team made the playoffs, they were eliminated in the first round.
It's the worst in the past five years.
The Suns lost without any temper, and the players lost their fighting spirit.
Former All-Star point guard Kevin Johnson, who has been with the team for a long time, began to seriously consider retiring due to injuries. Former MVP winner Charles Barkley also came to an end with the Suns and planned to seek a trade with the team. Three
A few years ago, they were still standing at the top of the Western Conference and in the finals, but now they are facing disintegration.
Barkley wants a championship, and there is not much time left for him. The Suns don't have many trading options. He will definitely not agree to send Barkley to a bad team. Very few strong teams can accept a big-name star like him.
, the salary is skyrocketing.
According to media analysis, Barkley is most likely to join the Houston Rockets. Olajuwon needs helpers to continue his impact on the championship.
After reading the news, Yang Jian thought it was funny because in the future when Barkley was working as a commentator on TNT TV station, he wildly criticized Durant as a defector who would join if he could not beat his opponent.
Who initiated this "I will join you if I can't beat you"? The answer is Barkley.
The Suns led by Barkley had been eliminated by the Rockets for three consecutive seasons, and he was convinced. The Rockets had already completed two consecutive championships. When Barkley joined the Rockets, the outside world unanimously believed that he was trying to grab someone else's favor.
The Rockets were the championship before I came here.
Among the four teams that finally decided the winner, the Jazz eliminated the Trail Blazers 3-2, which was not a difficult victory. In the fifth game, the Trail Blazers players collapsed and lost 64-102 away from home by 38 points.
The Pacers suffered a huge upset and were eliminated by the Hawks 2-3 in the first round.
The Pacers played an extremely ugly game. Coach Larry Brown struggled with opponents every game and fought hard to defend. Finally, they defeated themselves to death even though their lineup was obviously better than the Hawks and they had the home court advantage.
The two teams only scored 100 points in one game, and the Pacers won the second game 102-94.
The media believes that Larry Brown should be responsible for the Pacers' defeat, and the fans don't like him. He is not far away from getting out of class. However, the Pacers management is ready to wait until Larry Brown's contract expires, and they have no better owner for the time being.
Coach selection.
The current NBA competition system is to wait for other teams to advance, and teams that sweep their opponents cannot start the game early. The SuperSonics players are very physical, and they are waiting to work against the Rockets, and they have already taken the initiative before playing.