Zhiba NBA

Chapter 89 (88) Tang Shuai's Speech
The result of this game attracted the attention of the sports media all over the world. Both the press and the players were unanimously optimistic that the Rockets, who were unanimously optimistic about winning the championship, still lost by 1 point after their wonderful performance.This defeat made people realize that the strength of the Pistons is not a flash in the pan, but that they are really going to win the championship.The five-game losing streak in the East seems to be coming to an end.

For this sake, not only the confidence of the players was shaken, but even the seasoned Tomjanovich and Wang Yuanfei, the eye of the future, were shaken.Yuan Fei has begun to worry that the Rockets' trajectory in the finals is exactly the same as the F4 Lakers in the previous life.The Lakers also lost at home first, tied and then lost three games in a row on the road and were eliminated.

"Jason, do you think we can come back?" Tomjanovich asked privately: "Some media checked the historical statistics. There have been 6 comebacks from a 1-3 deficit in NBA history. Among them was the Rockets in the Western Conference semifinals in 95. At that time, Hakeem was still the absolute core of the team. We defeated the Suns led by Barkley in three games in a row and finally won the championship. In the history of the Finals, there has never been a team that has come back from a 1-3 deficit."

(Small allusion: As of 04, there have been 7 such situations in history. The closest one to 04 was the Pistons in the first round of the 03 playoffs against the Magic led by Tracy McGrady. When the Magic led 3-1, Tracy McGrady threatened in an interview with the media that he was already considering the next opponent. As a result, the Pistons broke out with all their strength under the ridicule and successfully turned the tables. Tracy McGrady’s big words became the laughing stock of the league and one of the superstar’s stains.)

"I also read this report. Up to now, there have been 27 times in the league's history that the finals fell behind 1:3. Only 2 of them were dragged into the tiebreaker, but they failed to come back. Of course, this kind of historical statistics is not absolute. It can't prove that we have no chance of winning, but it can show that there are many difficulties in winning the championship." Yuan Fei said: "I can only say that the Rockets have signed the best players, selected the best coaches, and played the most advanced tactics. But basketball is not an absolutely fair test, and the best may not be the final winner."

"In other words, you still believe that the Rockets are the best team, but not necessarily the final championship?" Tang Shuai asked conclusively.

"Yes, after all, the playoff series is only a small sample of games with a maximum limit of 7 games. Any team will have the possibility of being down for a while and losing. If the Rockets and Pistons play 82 games, I have no doubt that the Rockets will win more games. Because we have more talented players and a better tactical system."

"We still have a more precious you." Tang Shuai said with a smile: "Even if you were forced into a desperate situation, you never doubted the player's ability, never doubted the idea of ​​​​building a team, and never doubted the tactical system. This kind of self-confidence based on reason is what our team needs most at present. And it is my responsibility as the head coach to pass this precious wealth to the players."

***
Rudy Tomjanovich is the No. 1 coach in the history of the Rockets. Although his coaching ability, especially on-the-spot dispatching ability, is slightly inferior to the first-line coaches in the league such as Zen Master and Popovich, but in terms of tenacity, Tomjanovich can be called a model in the league.

On December 1977, 12, when Lao Tang was still called Xiao Tang, he was still a player of the Rockets.But in a conflict on the court, he was hit in the head by Lakers player Kermit Washington, causing jaw and face fractures, and the back of the skull fractured when he fell and hit the ground.What's even more frightening is that after waking up from a coma, Tomjanovich asked the doctor why he felt bitter in his mouth at that time, and the doctor replied: "You tasted the taste of your own brain."

A few years later, NBATV produced a documentary about Kermit Washington, and Tang Shuai naturally accepted the interview.He said generously: "I hope Washington is doing well. Everyone makes mistakes and should be given the opportunity to correct them."

It is precisely because Lao Tang is so tenacious, elegant and generous that he has won the respect and love of every player.At this time, he announced the end of training early and called the players together.

"We were cornered, and everyone knew it. One more loss, and the season is over, and we're going to be the first Western Conference champions to lose the Finals in six years."

The players listened quietly, some lowered their heads, and some showed embarrassing expressions.

"Many media now question us, such as questioning that we shoot too many three-pointers. They still have the old concept, rebounding wins the game, and defense wins the championship." Lao Tang still said unhurriedly: "But are we not good enough? Have we already lost? The team management set the championship goal at the beginning of the season. We did not fight all the way to win the runner-up. It is enough to play our rhythm, our ability, and our game. I believe Houston's basketball is better than Detroit. , There will be on-the-spot adjustments, but our game is enough, enough to win the championship."

If Olajuwon was present, he would definitely find this passage familiar.This is obviously a replica of what Lao Tang told the team at the time in the locker room on the eve of the Rockets winning the championship in 1995.It's just that things are different. Among the Rockets at that time, only Olajuwon was still on the team, but he failed to enter the playoff roster.Robert Hawley is in the Spurs, Sam Cassell is in the Timberwolves, and most players such as Kenny Smith and Clyde Drexler have left the NBA. After all, it has been 9 years.

"The NBA Finals has never had a team come back from a 1:3 deficit. Even if it was dragged into the tiebreaker, it was only the Knicks in 7 and the Lakers in 1951. In other words, we have obtained the possibility of breaking the 1966-year record, and we can even go further and create an unprecedented unique record. Are you afraid? I will not be afraid, because records are created by human beings; because sports exist to continuously create miracles." Tang Shuai's tone gradually increased, and his voice gradually became excited, " We faced more difficult times. We won the championship in 38, but then the team faced difficulties, only 1994 wins in the regular season, sixth in the Western Conference. In the playoffs, we faced the 47-win Suns, 59 to 1 behind. Hakeem gritted his teeth, led the team to fight back game by game, and finally won the series. I said a word at that time, and I was hyped by the media. I think you all have heard of it.”

"Don't underestimate the heart of a champion!!!" The players shouted in unison.At this moment, the air seemed to be agitated. This famous quote seemed to have magical powers, igniting the passion and unyielding fighting spirit unique to their young people.

"That's right, I believe in you, I believe that you are the current championship, and I believe that you are the future of the league. No team won the championship with the sixth position back then, and we did it. Today, no team came back when it fell behind 1:3 in the finals, and we can do it too!"

"Yes!!!" At this moment, the lofty words resounded through the world!

　This chapter can be regarded as an introduction to the history of Houston and Laotang, and some historical stories will still be interspersed in our stories later. After all, introducing the NBA is my original intention of creation.

　　In addition, in 2016, the Cavaliers made history and became the first team to come back from 1:3 in the finals, paying tribute to the great Cavaliers.Also respect the great Warriors, they are the king of 73 victories, and they also deserve our respect.

　　
　
(End of this chapter)