Chapter 211 [The attitude is very low-key, speaking at Versailles]
The SuperSonics led by 27 points entering the final quarter, and the stars went off work. They did not need to strive for a 40-point victory or more, they just needed to ensure their health and play away games.
The Jazz's starters fought for a while in the final quarter, but were unable to reverse the situation. In the end, the SuperSonics won 101 to 76.
The SuperSonics led 2-0 with a total score, and the Western Conference finals almost lost suspense.
Jerry Sloan was on the podium at the press conference, holding a technical statistics paper and muttering to himself: "Is this the real score? The whole game? I thought the Sonics scored more points, at least 120 points
above."
101 points is a relatively low scoring performance for the Sonics, but the Jazz failed to score 80 points in two consecutive games.
Yang Jian only played for 30 minutes again, making 8 of 14 shots, 2 of 5 three-pointers, 5 of 7 free throws, and scored 23 points, 3 rebounds, 5 assists, and 2 steals.
Hornacek took more shots than Yang Jian, making 6 of 16 shots, 2 of 6 three-pointers, 6 of 7 free throws, and scored 20 points, 4 rebounds, and 4 assists.
The statistics of the two seem to be similar, but Hornacek's shooting percentage is only 37.5%. He got 5 points in the garbage time in the final quarter.
Stockton's performance was even worse. He made 5 of 8 shots, 1 of 2 three-pointers, 11 points, 7 assists, and the most 7 turnovers in the game in 38 minutes. The team needs Stockton to step up.
When he was playing, he didn't dare to shoot or break through at all, and he distributed the ball to Malone again and again.
Payton made 4 of 10 shots, 2 of 5 three-pointers, and 2 of 4 free throws. He scored 12 points, 2 rebounds, 10 assists, and 4 steals. He didn't score much, but his role was even better.
In this series, the reputations of Stockton and Payton have been reversed. Just as people criticized Payton last season, they will criticize Stockton this season. His badness cannot be reflected by statistics.
The worst thing about Stockton is not his inability to stand up and score and provide offensive firepower, but his control of the rhythm when falling behind. You may not believe it, but he steadily helped the Sonics control the rhythm.
The Jazz were 20 points behind, but Stockton was still dribbling the ball slowly across the half court as before, slowly running the pick-and-roll to organize the offense. He seemed unhurried and confident, as if the team was ahead by 20 points.
.Fast break? What is that? He doesn’t know.
Stockton didn't have a few decent breakthroughs throughout the game. Five of the top ten goals in a career were breakthrough layups, and the beautiful breakthroughs were basically in the highlights.
The media said that Stockton is not good and is an overrated star. Many Yun fans expressed disbelief. His statistics are so beautiful, how could he be overrated? However, the strength of some players is reflected through statistics and is not conspicuous in the game.
.
If you watch the game, people will find that what Stockton is best at is passing the ball to Malone, and then stretching or running to wait for the opportunity to catch the ball and shoot.
Stockton's shooting percentage has always been very high, but he rarely takes any good opportunities. He is so stable, even if Malone is anxious to tear up his jersey on the court and transform into Zhang Jike...
At the press conference, Yang Jian once again reiterated that he would not underestimate the enemy.
"We lead 2-0, but it's not time to celebrate yet. Because the Jazz are two completely different teams at home and away. We have to risk injuries to play next, and their defense will definitely be tougher.
." Yang Jian emphasized the last word.
The reporter asked: "When you say tough, do you mean they have a lot of little defensive moves?"
"Okay, if you call that a small move. I saw it last time when we lost in Salt Lake City, and the fans watching the live broadcast of the next game will definitely see it. To be honest, I am a little scared when I think about that game.
Fortunately, I tried my best to protect my face and my handsome appearance was preserved."
The above is not Yang Jian's original words in English, but when translated into Chinese, it almost means this.
A Salt Lake City reporter was dissatisfied: "What you said is all nonsense. The game hasn't even started yet. How do you know that the Jazz will be dirty at home?"
"If the Jazz players play very cleanly in the next game and follow the principle of fair play, I will applaud them from the sidelines and solemnly apologize to them after the game. I really hope to have the opportunity to apologize after the game, because I dare
Guarantee we will play very cleanly, just like these two games in Seattle." Yang Jian said with a smile.
Teams that face the Jazz in the playoffs will find it difficult to get a bargain at the Salt Lake City Energy Solutions Stadium. Jazz players' small tricks at home have become a label, and many opponents want to curse those two guys to death after the game.
If the Jazz players are really clean on the defensive end, Yang Jian won't mind apologizing after the game. Anyway, the Sonics are leading 3-0. In the past two times this year, can the Jazz win if their defense is clean?
A Seattle reporter asked: "Many people say that you are the leader of the Sonics and bring vitality and stable offensive firepower to the team. What do you think?"
Yang Jian smiled and said: "It's too early to say this now. Let's wait until I have a few championship rings in my hands. I think I am a good team player, and we never discuss topics about leaders in the team. From then on.
In terms of age, everyone in the team is my elder brother."
Reporters all felt that there was news to write. On the surface, Yang Jian said that he was a team player and did not admit that he was the team leader. In fact, he showed that he was confident that he would win more than one championship ring in the future. His age on the team
The smallest but achieved amazing results.
With this self-confidence, who is the boss if he is not the boss? But it is not suitable for Yang Jian to say this by himself, he has to let the media and fans say it.
Many black players like to say stupid things in a high-pitched tone and then wait to be slapped in the face.
Yang Jian likes to say high-profile words in a low-key tone. Her attitude is very low-key and she spoke in Versailles.
The next day, the media and reporters unanimously emphasized that it was Yang Jian who changed the Sonics. After he joined, the team has become invincible in the Western Conference.
After the Jazz experienced two major defeats, not many people expected them to regain their dignity in G3.
In the third game in Salt Lake City, the Jazz showed people their tenacity. Back at home, they performed even more fiercely, tougher, and even more hated by fans.
Many people would have said that the Jazz were iron-blooded and tough, but after Yang Jian's two post-game interviews, everyone who watched the live broadcast across the country had only one word left in their impression of the Jazz - dirty!
When defending Yang Jian, Chris Morris and Hornacek can take action at will. Yang Jian's jersey stuffed in his pants was pulled out once. His clothes are not torn because they are of good quality.
The home fans continued to boo Yang Jian. Fans watching the live broadcast on TV suddenly felt that the Jazz were disgusting and their fans were also disgusting.
Some Jazz fans say this is the purest basketball and a symbol of iron and blood. These people probably have never read the rules of basketball.
Because of Yang Jian's words, many people began to observe the defense of Jazz players. Once you pay attention to their behavior, it is easy to find clues, especially in some rounds, there will be slow-motion replays.
In the 1990s, when the league voted anonymously for players to select villains, Laimbeer, Oakley, Malone, and Stockton were elected as the "Four Villains." Stockton defeated the three insiders and ranked first.
Stockton's little moves are very subtle. He is very familiar with tricky tricks such as stepping on the instep, using dirty hands, pushing the knee, etc. Because he is so familiar with it, he can't change it, and he just uses it naturally.
This situation is like the story of a frog carrying a scorpion across the river. Even if the scorpion knows that it will drown if it stings the frog, it will still do it. There is no way, this is the instinct of the scorpion.
Everyone on the Jazz knows one thing, they must maintain their iron blood in order to win. Coach Jerry Sloan asked them to do this. Without fierce confrontation, they will not be able to find the rhythm of winning.
Sloan knew that there might be controversy after the game, but it is better to have controversy than to lose. Sloan was right, the Jazz had achieved good results under his coaching.
In a parallel world, the Jazz reached the Finals for two consecutive seasons in 1997 and 1998. Twenty years later, who will remember what defensive methods they used to eliminate their opponents and advance to the Finals?
However, the Jazz could not defeat the Sonics despite having the home court whistle, and the two teams were evenly matched at halftime.