Chapter 215 [The strongest versus the strongest! Join the finals! 】
People are talking about SuperSonics vs. Bulls, 21 vs. 23, as if it is a certainty that the two teams will reach the finals, and they don't care about the feelings of the Jazz and Magic.
Facts have proved that there is really no suspense in the Eastern Conference finals.
On May 27, the Bulls defeated the Magic 106-101 in an away game and swept 4-0 to advance.
Michael Jordan made 16 of 23 shots, 3 of 4 three-pointers, 10 of 14 free throws, and scored 45 points, 3 rebounds, and 5 assists. Anfernee Hardaway made 9 of 21 shots, 1 of 6 three-pointers, and 12 free throws.
9, scored 28 points, 3 rebounds and 8 assists, and was beaten miserably.
The Magic only caused some trouble for the Bulls in the second and fourth games, losing by 5 points. In the other two games, they were defeated miserably, with no temper at all. In the worst game, the Magic only scored 67 points.
.
The most amazing thing about this series is the matchup between Rodman and O'Neal. Rodman restricted O'Neal in the third game. He couldn't guard him, but he could use some means to consume O'Neal and lower his shooting percentage.
In that game, O'Neal played 45 minutes, making 8 of 19 shots, 1 of 9 free throws, 17 points, 12 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals, 2 blocks, and 5 turnovers. The Sharks shot only 42.1% from the field.
Rare.
In this series, the performance of both Magic stars was unsatisfactory. They were able to eliminate the Bulls last season because the Bulls let Horace Grant go and their interior defense deteriorated and they were unable to protect rebounds.
This season the Bulls have Rodman, and O'Neal's inside advantage is not that great. Moreover, Horace Grant missed the Eastern Conference finals due to injury, and the Magic lacked an important player at the 4th position.
Hardaway's shooting percentage is not high. He averaged 20.3 shots per game in the series and could only score 25.5 points, 3.8 rebounds, 4.3 assists and 1 steal.
On the surface, Hardaway's statistics are not much worse than Jordan, who averaged 29.5 points, 5.5 rebounds, 4.8 assists and 2.3 steals per game. In fact, Jordan averaged 18.8 shots per game and his scoring efficiency was much higher.
O'Neal averaged 27 points, 10.8 rebounds, 4 assists, 1.5 steals and 1.5 blocks per game, shooting 64% from the field, but only 36.4% from the free throw line. Poor free throws also lowered his scoring efficiency. If he shot the free throws on time, he could easily score.
Averaged 30 per game.
Many Magic fans blame O'Neal for the loss. Faced with the shark-cutting tactics, the fat man always missed free throws, which really hurt morale. Rodman was more accurate in free throws than him, shooting 60.9% in the series. The Magic
Failed to kill Rodman.
Bulls players were interviewed after the game, and Jordan commented on Yang Jian. "I am ready to meet his challenge. If he wants to be the ultimate winner, he must get past me."
The league began to hype "the best versus the best", a battle between the two shooting guards, with other stars playing supporting roles.
The Sonics won't keep the Bulls waiting, and no one cares about the Jazz anymore.
On the 28th, the SuperSonics defeated the Jazz 111-93 on the road and swept their opponents 4-0.
The Jazz are fighting for face, and the players' morale is low. The SuperSonics' morale is high, and the players have no pressure.
Even if they lose this game, it doesn't matter. They will still advance when they return to their home court, with a very high error tolerance rate. Without pressure on the players, they are more daring to take shots and cooperate.
Yang Jian played according to the way agreed before the game. He didn't take a shot if there was a good opportunity. After getting the ball, he attracted the defense to organize the offense. Payton took more shots, responsible for air cuts, catching and shooting, and occasionally holding the ball in singles.
Coach George Karl also arranged this. In the first game of the series, he encouraged Payton to take more shots because he believed Payton had a physical advantage against Stockton.
The Jazz's defensive system is notoriously strong, good at dragging opponents into positional battles, and then using their rich experience to defeat them. In this series, the person with the greatest physical advantage is Payton.
It is difficult for Yang Jian to get an easy opportunity to take a shot. The two swingmen Chris Morris and Brian Russell will take turns to guard him, and the inside players will also help guard.
Yang Jian is responsible for organization, attracting the focus of defense and passing the ball to the appropriate position. He couldn't do this job before, but now he can. For the SuperSonics, Payton and Schrempf mainly attack, and Yang Jian and Kemp occasionally take action.
Payton made 11 of 17 shots, 4 of 6 three-pointers, 4 of 5 free throws, and scored 30 points, 4 rebounds, 5 assists, and 2 steals.
Yang Jian made 6 of 11 shots, 1 of 3 three-pointers, and 4 of 4 free throws. He scored 17 points, 5 rebounds, 11 assists, and 2 steals.
Schrempf made 7 of 11 shots, 1 of 2 three-pointers, and 1 of 1 free throws, scoring 16 points, 8 rebounds, and 4 assists.
Kemp made 6 of 9 shots and 5 of 7 free throws, scoring 17 points, 13 rebounds, 3 assists and 2 steals.
The four stars played many exciting collaborations. Only four of the Sonics scored in double figures, and the Jazz couldn't hold it back.
The Jazz also had four players score in double figures, not including Stockton.
Stockton's performance was even worse than when he played. He played 38 minutes and made 1 of 6 shots, 0 of 2 three-pointers, and 2 of 2 free throws. He only scored 4 points, 4 rebounds, 6 assists, and 2 steals.
After watching the game, many people lamented that Stockton couldn't play this year. He averaged only 10.7 points and 10.2 assists per game in the playoffs, shooting 44.6% from the field and 28.9% from the three-point range.
Many people feel that Stockton is overrated and that he lacks the personal honors and records to show off.
Of course, he has been brilliant before, and his luxurious statistics in previous seasons prove everything.
Malone performed much better, making 11 of 22 shots, 7 of 13 free throws, and scored 29 points, 15 rebounds, 2 assists, and 2 steals. Malone shot only 53.8% from the free throw line.
The Sonics have become a super dark horse this season, reaching the finals again after 1979. Yang Jian said a few words in the interview, and he was the least impressed among the Sonics players.
The reporters all found it incredible. Although Yang Jian smiled and expressed that he was very happy, everyone could see that there was no emotion in his heart.
This record was expected by Yang Jian. He knew it when he joined the SuperSonics. He had already been mentally prepared. The biggest challenge had not yet begun. How could he be as excited as others?
As a result, it appears that he is extremely talented and more confident than his teammates.
Yang Jian emphasized one thing seriously. "We must win the finals. I know it is difficult, but if we lose in the finals, this summer will be very difficult. After working hard for a season, we fell to the last place."
Series, I don’t dare think about this kind of thing at all.”
He not only said it to himself, but also to his teammates. From now on, everyone must work hard together without any reservations.
Although a star can improve his historical status by winning many championships, Yang Jian doesn't want to experience it at all.
The reporter asked: "What do you think is the advantage of the Sonics?"
"I think it's youth and the desire for a championship. Some people will definitely say that the Bulls players have more experience than us. I think hard work is more important than experience. Jordan and Pippen have won three championships. When Jordan retired in 1993,
He said he has nothing to prove. So, I think it's our turn." Yang Jian smiled.
Many reporters laughed, what an "upright" answer. Isn't Jordan back again? Is he willing to hand over the championship to others?
Yang Jian was just joking. When he mentioned the number of championships won by the two Bulls stars, he also directly praised their opponents.
After the game, the media generally gave high praise to the three SuperSonics stars.
"Although Yang Jian failed to score 20 points in two consecutive games, he played a double-double. He did whatever the team needed him to do, and he did it well."
"The SuperSonics advanced to the finals, but Yang Jian still performed calmly. He is a terrifying rookie and an ambitious star. As he said, only winning the championship and regular season MVP can make him excited. He
I want to be at the top of the league."
"Payton's shooting percentage in this playoffs is very high, and he has finally proved himself. After Yang joined, Payton can get a lot of easy shooting opportunities without having to worry about being double-teamed. Their tacit cooperation has made the SuperSonics three consecutive
The key to sweeping the opponent in one round.”
"Kemp must control the number of turnovers and fouls. As long as he can do this, he will be the Sonics' most advantageous player in the finals. If he can beat Rodman, the Sonics have a great chance of winning the championship.
"
The media has habitually ignored Schrempf, which is the consequence of his transformation into a role player and the team's sixth man...