God of NBA point guards

Chapter 437 The New Big Three
After leaving Philadelphia, the Sonics defeated the Nets on the 11th and lost back-to-back to the Bucks on the 12th, achieving a record of 18 wins and 6 losses, still second in the Western Conference.

Around four o'clock in the afternoon on the 13th, the team returned to Seattle, and the Mosaic team also arrived at the same time.

This game has attracted a lot of attention, because in the eyes of many media, Mosaic, which has a better record, is stronger than the SuperSonics, and the win or loss of this game will verify this view.

At the request of the media, the Mosaic team held a press conference in the hotel.

"Coach Tomjanovich, so far, the Mosaic team has achieved a record of 18 wins and 3 losses, ranking first in the West and second in the league, second only to the Bulls with 20 wins and 2 losses, and 1.5 more wins than the Sonics , so for tomorrow night's game, are you confident that you can beat the Sonics?" a reporter from the New York Times asked.

Tomjanovich smiled and said: "Our lineup configuration is more reasonable than in the previous three seasons. I believe we will achieve a good record against the SuperSonics this season."

The next question was from a reporter from the Seattle Times, who asked: "Coach Tomjanovich, Mosaic was eliminated by the Supersonics in the Western Conference Finals three times in the past three seasons, and was even swept last season. Is it because of an extra bug? Hardaway, are you so confident? You know Jordan can't guard against Iron Fist."

Tim Hardaway's face was a little ugly. He was unhappy with Zhou Quan after he got his first Skechers signature sneaker contract, but until today, even rookies like Iverson and Kobe have received tens of millions of dollars. sneaker contract, and he still has not received a signed sneaker contract.

Tomjanovich glanced at Tim Hardaway, and then said: "Tim is a very good point guard. He has filled in the most important piece of our championship puzzle. I believe he can win against Iron Fist." A performance that is admirable.”

"Mr. Hardaway, your shooting percentage has been only 94% since the 95/42 season, and this season's shooting percentage is only 41%. Do you think you can compete with the Iron Fist King?" The reporter immediately turned his gun. Mouth asked.

Tomjanovich couldn't help but clenched his fists when he heard this question.

This is what worries him. Xiao Chong's offensive efficiency is not high enough, or even very low.Once faced with Iron Fist's defense, there is a high probability that the efficiency will be even lower.

He was worried about this, and Dameng and Barkley next to him were also worried about this.

But among the point guards in the league, Xiaochong is already considered very good. He has been a three-time All-Star substitute, and the management can't find a better point guard.

Tim Hardaway said coldly: "When I faced him, at least I didn't suffer a big loss."

"Because you only played against him in the regular season and never met him in the playoffs. He was just playing for fun during the regular season," the reporter said with a smile.

"Damn reporter!"

Tim Hardaway cursed secretly and said coldly: "Then I hope he can perform like a playoff player tomorrow night. I will never lose to him."

"Ha ha……"

A bunch of local reporters below laughed.

Hearing the laughter of those who were laughing at him, Hardaway became a little angry. Fortunately, the host confiscated the reporter's microphone and controlled the situation.

"Dameng, are you still disappointed that you have not been traded to the Bulls?" The next question was a reporter from the Los Angeles Times, who asked a question that made Dameng very uncomfortable.

"The reason why I proposed the trade is because I hope to put a certain amount of pressure on the management. I hope the management can strengthen it. I don't really want to leave Houston. I have said this a long time ago." Olajuwon said unhappily. .

"Do you think Mosaic really has a chance to overcome the SuperSonics this season?" the reporter asked again.

"Of course."

Thinking of being eliminated by the Sonics in the Western Conference Finals for three consecutive years, it was his nightmare. Dameng suppressed some confusion in his heart and said firmly.

"Charles, in the first 21 games, you have been sidelined for 8 games. Can you stay healthy for the next game?" the next reporter asked.

"I hope to stay healthy."

Barkley, who was almost exhausted and suffered too many injuries, said helplessly.

"Do you still have expectations for the championship?" the reporter asked again.

Barkley perked up and said excitedly: "Of course, I hope to reach the finals this season. We are now second in the Western Conference, and we will persevere."

"Do you think Xiaochong can beat the Iron Fist King?" The reporter asked again.

"Iron Fist may have some advantages, but he will never be able to lock down our organizational functions like before, and our advantage in the paint will destroy the SuperSonics, so we have no problem." Barkley said firmly.

14, Seattle Center Stadium.

At eight o'clock, the two sides announced the starting lineup.

Mosaic: Olajuwon, Barkley, Sam Mack, Mario Eli, Tim Hardaway

SuperSonics: Christian Laettner, Rodman, Schrempf, Jose Hawkins, Zhou Quan

The game was broadcast live nationwide on ABC television, with commentators Lewis Williams and Bill Walton.

At the beginning of the live broadcast, Bill Walton made an opening statement, and then went straight to the point, saying: "Now the media is generally optimistic about the Bulls winning the championship, but not optimistic about the SuperSonics defending the title, and even in the Western Conference, the media is more optimistic about the Mosaic than the Sonics. Lewis ,What do you think?"

Williams said: "Analyzing the lineup, the Bulls are indeed better than the SuperSonics. They rank first in the league in perimeter defense, and with Mutombo as a defensive gate inside, the Bulls currently allow the fewest points in the league. The team averaged only 88.5 points per game, while the Sonics averaged 91.9 points. The Bulls' defense is too strong.

Although the Sonics have several All-Stars, except for Iron Fist King, Glider and veteran Cummings, they are all All-Star substitutes.

The Glider is already old, playing as a substitute in the SuperSonics, and currently does not have the strength of an All-Star.As for Cummings, he’s truly a veteran.

In fact, in my opinion, except for Rodman, the SuperSonics' several All-Star substitutes are only of ordinary main player level and cannot be considered true All-Stars.

They are just very easy to use and have no obvious shortcomings on both offense and defense. Coupled with the leadership of the leader Tekken King, their strength has been enhanced, which allowed this team to win two consecutive championships. "

"You're more optimistic about the Bulls, too?" Bill Walton asked.

Williams nodded and said: "The Bulls' defense is really too strong."

Bill Walton also nodded and said: "I am also worried that the Sonics will suffer a disadvantage when they encounter the Bulls in the Finals. The Bulls' defense is indeed too strong.

If there is still a chance, it can only be if Tekken continues to play explosive performances on both offense and defense to defeat the Bulls on his own. "

Williams added: "In the Western Conference, Mosaic currently ranks first, but I am more optimistic about the Sonics and Jazz."

"Oh, you think Jazz is better than Mosaic?" Bill Walton said with some surprise.

Williams nodded and said: "Don't underestimate the Jazz. The Jazz did struggle under Iron Fist and seemed vulnerable. But that was because Iron Fist was too restrained by Stockton. In fact, this team is already very mature and powerful. Very strong, fully capable of fighting Mosaic.

Although Mosaic has Dameng and Feizhu, they have also strengthened Xiaochong, but Barkley is old and injured. Xiaochong's offensive efficiency is too low, and the substitute lineup is not very good. Now it is only supported by Dameng. , in fact, I think this team cannot touch the strong teams. "

Bill Walton nodded and said: "Dameng's shooting percentage this season is 51%, which is similar to last season, but the scoring, rebounding, and defensive performance have all declined.

However, I think Dameng is conserving his strength. Like Tekken this season, he is aiming for the playoffs and will not exert too much strength in the regular season. "

Williams smiled: "That's for sure. Dameng's performance in the playoffs is always better than in the regular season. This is different between him and Barkley."

"Haha..." Bill Walton laughed.Williams added: "The goal of the SuperSonics this season is to win three consecutive championships. No one wants to see them succeed, so whoever touches the SuperSonics now will give their best and want to step on the SuperSonics.

The Sonics and Iron Fist are doing the right thing. Accumulating strength in the regular season and then exploding in the playoffs will be more conducive to winning three consecutive championships.

It's just that the media doesn't seem to see this. They still believe that Tekken has distracted its energy from boxing, making it impossible to train during the offseason, which ultimately affected its own state and hurt the team's record. "

Bill Walton said with a smile: "So far, Iron Fist has averaged 28.5 points per game and shot 50.3% from the field, which has declined from last season, but has improved slightly from last month. Jordan, on the other hand, is averaging 29.8 points and shooting 48.6% from the field. %, which is down compared to last season.”

Williams smiled and said: "I really want to know now that Iron Fist probably has no intention of competing for MVP this season, but I don't know if he has any thoughts about the honor of being the defending scoring champion."

"The gap is not big, Iron Fist has a good chance." Bill Walton said.

In the player channel, the two teams started to meet.

"The new Big Three, haha!" Zhou Quan smiled teasingly.

"Aren't you half an All-Star team?" Barkley retorted.

Zhou Quan looked at his teammates from side to side and smiled: "I very much hope that every one of my teammates can be selected as an All-Star."

He said to Tim Hardaway again: "Little bug, you said that you want me to play at the level of the playoffs, sorry, I really can't."

"What do you mean?"

Tim Hardaway didn't know why, and asked with some anger and confusion.

Zhou Quan laughed again, but did not answer the question.

But Rodman next to him said with a smile: "I'll answer for Iron Fist, he thinks you are not qualified for him to give his full performance."

"Pfft!"

Schremp and the others laughed.

"asshole!"

Hearing this sentence, Tim Hardaway was so angry that he was about to vomit blood, and his fierce eyes swept back and forth between Zhou Quan and Rodman's faces.

The away team started the game, and Glider took the initiative to come up to say hello to Dameng and the others. Dameng and Barkley also gave them hugs.

"Hakeem, Charles, I hope our desire to win the championship will come true." Glider said sincerely.

"So do we." Dameng and the two nodded.

At 08:30, the game officially started.

Jump ball, mosaic attack.

Behind the center line, Xiaochong held the ball, faced Zhou Quan's defense, and immediately started his best change of direction breakthrough.

Controlling the ball with your right hand, quickly take a step to the left with your left foot, then change hands with your hip and make a breakthrough from the left.

At this time, the average defender will be swayed to the left by him, and then he can change hands again and break through from the right.

But is Zhou Quan an ordinary defender?Of course not, not only is Zhou Quan not, he can also be said to be one of the strongest defenders in the history of the league.

Moreover, when he first entered the league, he suffered a little loss from Xiao Chong, so he has done a lot of research on Xiao Chong and is very familiar with Xiao Chong's best breakthrough technology.

The performance of Xiaochong this season is still good. Although the shooting percentage has further declined, the scoring average has increased to 20 points, which is higher than Barkley and is the Mosaic team's second scoring point.

The three-point shooting rate is 34.4%, averaging 7.3 attempts per game and hitting 2.5. Last season, Xiaochong only averaged 4.7 three-pointers per game.

Obviously, Xiaochong this season has reduced his breakthroughs and increased his three-point shots. This is also one of the reasons for the decline in Xiaochong's shooting percentage.

The reasons for the increase in three-pointers are, first, that he is 30 years old, his physical fitness is declining, and his breakthrough ability is not as strong as before, and the second is injuries.

Zhou Quan has analyzed Xiao Chong, so he knows these very well.

When Xiaochong made a breakthrough from the left, his right foot immediately moved a small step to the right.

The next moment, Xiaochong saw Zhou Quan being shaken, and immediately changed hands to dribble, changing direction and starting to break through from the right.

But just as he was changing direction, Zhou Quan's right foot, which was moving to the right, had quickly taken a step laterally from behind his left foot, and then moved his left foot another step to the left, blocking him in front.

"Oh!"

The next moment, he bumped into Zhou Quan's body. The 79-kilogram man couldn't stand at all. After the rebound, he sat on the floor and the ball was out of control.

"Oh!"

The whole audience burst into cheers.

"The Iron Fist King steals the ball! He's going down quickly..."

The live commentator Henem Chrisman shouted excitedly.

On the court, Zhou Quan picked up the ball on the floor and headed towards the frontcourt.

"boom!"

A powerful chop detonated the Central Gymnasium.

Bill Walton laughed: "Iron Fist gained weight for boxing, which he admitted, but I don't seem to see the increase in tonnage bothering him. He is still so fast, can still jump so high, and is still so agile."

Williams smiled and said: "This is talent. Just like Shaquille O'Neal, who weighs almost 140 kilograms and can still run and jump."

Bill Walton laughed: "Shark has gained weight, and we can still see that he is not as fast or able to jump as before, and the defensive area is further restricted to the penalty area, making it impossible to defend.

But Tekken, I really don't see any decline in his athleticism.Lewis, can you tell? "

Williams shrugged, "I can't tell."

In the 4th minute of the first quarter, when Zhou Quan stole the bug for the second time and scored on a counterattack, at 4:10, the SuperSonics had led by 6 points, and Tomjanovich called the first timeout.

(End of this chapter)