Chapter 150 Eastern Conference Finals - Fighting Jordan

That night, TNT TV arranged a program for the upcoming Eastern Conference Finals and Western Conference Finals.

The TV station invited some NBA superstars as guests, including newly retired Magic Johnson, Lakers super center O'Neal who was just eliminated by the Jazz, and Heat center Mourning who was just eliminated by the Knicks. The host was Bill Walton.

When the show started, Zhao Dong also turned on the TV in the hotel and tuned to the TNT channel.

At the same time, the Bulls were also watching the show at the hotel.

But Rodman was not there, which made Jordan very dissatisfied.

In this playoffs, Rodman's performance in the first two rounds was very poor. He averaged only 8 rebounds per game, and he could only play for 20 minutes. His physical condition was very poor. Under this situation, the Eastern Conference Finals is about to start, and he will go tonight Playing in nightclubs without even thinking about competitions.

"Let's talk about the Western Conference Finals first. For Mosaic and the Jazz, who do you think has a better chance of reaching the Finals? Erwin, let's start with you."

Bill Walton laughed.

"The Jazz eliminated the Lakers 4-1, and the Mosaic eliminated the Supersonics 4-3. In terms of physical reserves, the Jazz have the upper hand. The strengths of the two sides are similar. In the four regular season contests, the two teams were tied with two wins and two losses, so I I think the Jazz will have some physical advantages in this Western Conference Finals, and they will have some advantages in general," said the magician.

O'Neill went on to say: "Dream and Barkley are both old. Barkley suffered two consecutive serious injuries this season, and his condition is not good. In the Western Conference Finals, they are a little bit powerless. This is their disadvantage. I agree with El. Wen’s point of view.”

"Alonzo, what about you?" Bill Walton looked at Mourning.

Mourning obviously hasn't recovered from the defeat in the second round. After a few days, he is still feeling a little lost. He said at this time:

"It's not easy for the Jazz to win Mosaic. They have very few low-post offenses, and this is Mosaic's strength. As long as Dameng and Barkley seize this point and fight hard, it is not impossible to win the Jazz."

"Two to one, the Jazz have the advantage. So let's discuss the situation in the Eastern Conference Finals now. When it comes to the Eastern Conference Finals, we have to mention Dragon, oh, and his new girlfriend. I don't mean the one he just dated." Korean girl, probably broke up now. I mean Lindsay, a girl with aristocratic air."

Bill Wharton said gossipingly.

"Does anyone think that Feilong guy is worthy of Lindsay?" This time Mourning reacted quickly and immediately shouted.

Both Onick and the magician laughed,

The latter said with a smile: "It seems that this is not something we can decide."

O'Neill joked: "The Bull Triangle wants to be the knight who saves the princess. It seems that you, Alonzo, want to be the knight too!"

"Haha..." Bill Wharton took the lead in laughing.

"I just can't understand that rookie's practice of changing women every day. He is too hardworking and not worthy of Lindsay." Mourning said angrily.

"Okay, let's talk about the Eastern Conference finals. Who do you think has the advantage." Bill Walton brought the topic back to the right track.

"Of course it's the Bulls. I never thought the Knicks had a chance to win." Mourning said airily.

Magic Johnson analyzed: "From the analysis of the lineup, the Knicks have a certain advantage inside, and the front line is the same. Pippen has no advantages on both ends of the offense and defense against the Dragons, and the back line is of course the Bulls' advantage.

Judging from the series between the Knicks and the Heat, the flying dragon's breakthrough ability is extraordinary, which is definitely a big impact on the Bulls inside. They don't have anyone who can withstand this kind of outside impact, including Rodman. Danger.

Conversely, when Jordan broke through, the Knicks had Ewing and Oakley, two defensive giants, and the defense was more stable, which would make it more difficult for the Bulls to attack. "

"You think the Bulls can't beat the Knicks?" Bill Walton asked in surprise.

"No, I didn't say that, I just compared the pros and cons of the two sides."

The magician shook his head, and said: "The Knicks have a weakness, and that is the organization of the small forward Flying Dragon. He is the Knicks' ball controller, and almost 70% of the offensive starts from him. As long as you restrict him, you can restrict him." Knicks offense.

But it's a pity that neither the Magic nor the Heat really restricted the performance of Feilong, double-teaming, encirclement and suppression inside and outside, neither. "

Mourning nodded and said: "We really didn't limit that guy. His pass made it impossible for us to double-team him. His pass can always find loopholes in our defense. If we want to completely prevent him, this Very difficult."

O'Neal said: "When a player needs to double-team from the outside, it must be very threatening."

The magician continued: "So in my opinion, the battle between the Bulls and the Knicks is to limit the flying dragons. Pippen is a key. He is a top perimeter defensive expert. If he can't contribute to the Bulls, the Bulls will be very dangerous. .”

"What about Jordan? What role will he play in the Eastern Conference Finals?" Bill Walton said.

"Pippen defends, and others are ready to double-team the Dragons at any time, and the offense is handed over to Jordan, so that the Bulls have a chance to win." The magician said.

Bill Wharton said in shock: "Have you raised the importance of the flying dragon to this position?"

"Yes, the position that determines the outcome."

The magician laughed and said: "His template is Barkley, but I think he is a mixed version of me and Barkley. His assist ability is much better than Barkley, and his impact is much stronger than mine."

"Feilong scored four triple-doubles in eight playoff games. His strength is beyond doubt." Nodding, Bill Walton said seriously.

Then he continued: "Then what do you think, the Bulls or the Knicks, who has a better winning percentage?"

Mourning said: "I support the Bulls."

O'Neill thought about it and nodded.

The magician smiled and said: "The Bulls still have two weaknesses. The first one is Dennis Rodman. His performance in this playoffs is not good. He only averaged more than 20 minutes of playing time per game. Grabbing an average of eight rebounds per game, this kind of performance will be an Achilles' heel against the Knicks, who have excellent rebounding ability.

Of course, in fact Rodman's performance in the playoffs has always been weaker than the regular season, but this time the performance gap is a little bigger. "

"Knicks rebound?"

O'Neal thought, yes, Ewing, Oakley, Dragon, which one is a rebounder, but what about the Bulls? Can Rodman's half-time performance support the Bulls' rebounds?

The magician continued: "The second weakness of the Bulls, Pippen."

"Pippen? He can't limit the Dragon on the defensive end, you've already said it." Bill Walton said.

"No, I mean his role on the offensive end." The magician shook his head and said.

"Offensive end." Bill Walton was stunned, and immediately reacted: "Organizing small forwards, he can't bear the responsibility of the Bulls' first offensive initiator?"

Nodding, the magician said: "Pippen has always been the first offensive launch point for the Bulls, and his assists have always been more than Jordan. He is the organizer of the Bulls, and the restriction of the flying dragon may prevent him from taking on this responsibility. It will seriously affect the Bulls' offense and increase Jordan's burden."

"I have watched the Bulls and Knicks in four regular season games. This problem is not serious. Pippen still has a good performance in organizing offense, and his assist data is not low." Bill Walton said.

The magician laughed and said: "The two teams are enemies. The Bulls have eliminated the Knicks many times, and now they have become mortal enemies because of the Dragons. But no matter what, in the regular season, they will not do their best.

But now it's the Eastern Conference finals. With the perimeter defense shown by the Dragon and his better mobility than Pippen, will he let Pippen organize the Bulls' offense on the offensive end? "

Bill Walton and others couldn't help nodding, and O'Neal said: "If Pippen can't organize the offense, then he can only sacrifice Ron Harper's defense and let him take charge of the Bulls' organization again. I think so."

"This should be."

"Jordan can't be in charge of everything, but in doing so, the Bulls' perimeter defense will be reduced."

Several others nodded.

O'Neal smiled at this time: "In this case, I also support the Knicks."

"snort!"

Mourning snorted unhappily and said, "I still support the Bulls. That rookie plays with women all the time, so he may not perform well in the Eastern Conference Finals."

"Well, this is also a weakness of the Knicks." Bill Wharton and the others nodded repeatedly.

"Dennis hasn't come back yet. Tomorrow's G1 game, his condition won't get better. What will happen to our rebounds then?"

In the hotel, Pippen was very dissatisfied with authenticity.

"The rest of us put in a little more rebounding and try to keep the tie."

Jordan is also helpless, rebounding, which used to be the Bulls' strength, but facing the Knicks, this is a weakness, and he can't help it.

Phil Jackson said to Pippen at this time: "This time against the Knicks, Scottie, you are the key, and it's up to you to limit the dragon."

Pippen nodded slightly, but did not speak.

Phil Jackson said again: "At the offensive end, you should try it first. If there is trouble organizing the offense, Harper will be in charge. There is no way around that."

"No, I can do it, that kid can't restrain me." Pippen shook his head.

Jordan was full of dissatisfaction with Jerry Krause, and he was full of dissatisfaction with Phil Jackson.

Jordan retired in 1994, and he became the leader of the team. In the Eastern Conference semifinals that year, with 1.8 seconds left in the game, Phil Jackson asked him to serve and let the substitute Kukoc play the final attack. He has no qualifications to attract defense, and since then he has hated Phil Jackson, thinking it is racial discrimination against him.

In this Eastern Conference Finals, Phil Jackson set up a defensive strategy against Feilong. With him as the core and with the support of Jordan and Rodman, he has a heavy task and is the key to winning or losing. This makes him very proud. There was some arrogance in Jackson's manner.

After watching this program, Zhao Dong hurriedly tuned in. Tonight is the G1 game of the Western Conference Finals. Jazz vs. Mosaic. These are super strong teams. He wants to observe.

Two hours later, 86:101, the Jazz won the G1 game at home.

Barkley played 37 minutes, made 3 of 10 shots, 6 of 6 free throws, and only scored 12 points, 8 rebounds and 4 assists.

Glider, one of the Big Three, only scored 13 points, showing a sluggish performance.

The old and strong Dream scored 30 points, 13 rebounds and 5 assists, but he has been unable to drive this team.

On the morning of the 20th, Zhao Dong called the guys from the men's basketball team, the Seawolves, to get the tickets.

For the three courtside tickets, his family members are all in China, and there is no one special here. Except for Lindsay, there seems to be no one else who can give them.

"Avril, do you have any friends who want to watch the game with you? I have three side tickets here." He called Lindsay.

"No, I don't have many friends." Lin Saidao.

"Okay then, I'll give it to others." Zhao Dong said.

"Reminder, Feilong, I don't want to sit with your girlfriends, such as your latest Korean girlfriend, otherwise I'd rather stay at home alone." Lindsay said suddenly.

"Uh, I see." Zhao Dong said awkwardly.

This night, Madison Square Garden was full of stars.

Bulls and Knicks, these are the two most watched NBA teams today, and a large number of celebrities have poured into the arena.

In addition to them, a large number of NBA stars also came to join in.

The game started at eight o'clock. At seven o'clock, Zhao Dong went to the underground parking lot to pick up Lindsay, and asked her to enter Madison Square Garden through the inner passage.

Lindsay, who was wearing light makeup, didn't wear any jewelry, and of course she didn't wear her black-rimmed glasses anymore. She was wearing a pink dress with a rose-like temperament and an angelic face. There was a romantic atmosphere all over her body. .

"Avril, do you like red?"

Walking into the silent corridor, looking sideways at the charming Lindsay, Zhao Dong asked.

"Um."

Lindsay turned her head to look at Zhao Dong, with her arms naturally wrapped around the latter's, and she nodded lightly, looking up at her swan-like jade neck.

"Red is also our favorite color in China." Zhao Dong laughed.

"I'm glad I like the same color as you." Lindsay smiled softly.

Looking at Lindsay's soft smile, Zhao Dong felt something filled his heart.

When Lindsay was sent into the stadium, all the media's cameras fell over, and the live cameras also moved the two of them onto the hanging screen and entered everyone's sight.

At this moment, Lindsay became Madison's brightest pearl, and the female stars sitting on the sidelines were also suppressed by her.

"The perfect combination of temperament and appearance, a natural aristocratic temperament." The big star Tom Cruise praised.

"She belongs to Feilong, don't get her ideas, be careful that Feilong beats you up, he doesn't care who you are." Spike Lee next to him warned.

Tom Cruise smiled awkwardly: "I just admire her."

"Hey, Feilong, can't you see me?"

Sitting on the sidelines, O'Neill saw Zhao Dong walking past him with Lindsay on his arm, without even looking at him, he yelled somewhat dissatisfied.

"Shark, I really can't see you now." Zhao Dong turned around and said with a smile.

"Then who can you see? Who, you can't see anyone here?"

O'Neill pointed to the superstars Magician and Admiral Robinson next to him, and said with a tiger face.

Zhao Dong glanced at the smiling Lindsay, and said with a smile, "Who else do you think I can see now?"

"Haha..." The magicians laughed.

"Damn it, you playboy only sees beautiful women?" O'Neill scolded with a smile.

"Sorry, looking at you, I'd rather be looking at beautiful women." Zhao Dong said.

"..."

O'Neill covered his face angrily.

Next, Zhao Dong introduced Lindsay, and Lindsay nodded his head one by one.

"Avril, this is Ringo Wells, my agent. Ringer, this is Avril Lindsay, please take care of me, don't let the media disturb her, she does not accept any media interviews."

"Okay. Miss Lindsay, I'm Wells. Nice to meet you."

"Mr. Wells, hello."

Zhao Dong gave Wells one of the remaining two sideline tickets, and the other seat was vacant. After the introduction, he went back to the locker room first.

Next, Wells got busy and kept rejecting some media reporters who wanted to interview.

"Feilong, what does it feel like to kiss a princess?"

"Feilong, invite Lindsay to our party?"

Zhao Dong returned to the locker room and was immediately entangled by his teammates.

"If I win the championship, I will invite her. But whether she will agree, I don't know." He said hastily.

In the locker room of the visiting team, Phil Jackson said earnestly: "Everyone, you all have wives and girlfriends, so don't stare at other people's girlfriends. Take it easy, our Eastern Conference Finals has begun."

"Yes, the Eastern Conference finals have begun."

Jordan moved his eyes away from the TV, and found that his teammates were still staring at the TV, so he hurried up and turned off the TV.

"Okay, now I will tell you the technical characteristics and defensive strategies of Feilong for the last time."

Phil Jackson went on to say: "His ability to attack the outside basket is top-notch, even top-notch, so to defend him, you must not let him get close to the paint area, you must prevent his breakthrough, and don't let him charge up.

But his impact is too strong, once he breaks in, immediately encircle and suppress him, no matter what the cost.

In addition, his back-up ability is lacking. If you encounter his back-up on the outside, you must be careful about his turning and breakthrough, and retreat quickly..."

Before the game, the starting lineups of both sides were announced.

Bulls: Luke Longley, Rodman, Pippen, Jordan, Ron Harper

Knicks: Ewing, Oakley, Zhao Dong, Alan Houston, Charlie Ward

The game was broadcast live by TNT, as well as CCTV.

Zhang Lili explained at this time: "The Knicks let Charlie Ward start in the Eastern Conference Finals. What should be considered is that after Zhao Dong strengthens his breakthrough, the outside line needs to be opened. Childs' breakthrough ability is no longer needed, and Charlie Ward's COSCO His ability is stronger than Childs, and he has the ability to shoot three-pointers. At the same time, Ewing and Oakley can both pull out, which makes Zhao Dong's breakthrough easier."

Sun Zhenping said: "Director Zhang, according to what you said, today the Knicks are still focusing on scoring tactics?"

"It should be." Zhang Lili nodded.

In the TNT live broadcast seat, Bill Walton explained: "Although the defending champion Bulls are very strong, and Jordan's offensive firepower is unparalleled in history, the general view of the media is that the probability of winning between the Knicks and the Bulls is 50-50. There is a chance to beat the opponent."

Matt nodded and said: "This undoubtedly recognizes the strength of the Knicks. Compared with last season, the Knicks have added Larry Johnson, Alan Houston, and the Dragon.

Among the three, Feilong successfully became the core of the Knicks. Because of his appearance, the Knicks successfully advanced to the Eastern Conference Finals and became a championship-level team. "

"Then in this Eastern Conference Finals, the tactical focus of both sides is to restrain the core figures of the opponent, Jordan and the Dragon. Whoever successfully limits the performance of Jordan or the Dragon will have the hope of winning." Bill Walton laughed.

After a pause, he continued: "Of course, as Magic Johnson said, once Pippen is restricted by the dragon on the offensive end, the Bulls will also have certain troubles. After all, he is a part of the Iron Triangle, and the Bulls need him." His organizational ability, his height on the perimeter is not much lower than that of Feilong."