Chapter 369 The Playoffs Begin
Latest website: "Give the ball to Kobe, that kid has won the dunk contest, let him dunk one." Jordan shouted.
"Pfft!"
Many people burst into laughter.
Kobe's face was also a little dark, and he glared at Jordan, "You don't want to pick up any of the pots, right?"
After he won the dunk contest championship, the league immediately canceled the dunk contest the following year. Whenever he mentioned that championship, he was quite embarrassed.
Being so disturbed by Zhao Dong and Jordan, Gary Payton was holding the ball. Who was the ball passed to?
"Beep!"
The referee blew the whistle and made a 24-second offensive violation gesture.
"Ha ha……"
The whole audience burst into laughter.
All the stars in the Western Conference became dark-faced and looked down upon Zhao Dong and Jordan off the court.
Western Conference head coach Popovich simply made a substitution. Duncan and Garnett were replaced, and Chris Webber and Francis were replaced. They also used an inside-four-outside tactic.
Nelson also changed players, Iverson and Kidd came off the court, and McGrady and Ray Allen came on.
Now it's done, everything adds up to dunks, and the next scene becomes lively. You dunk one, I dunk one, and the dunks are endless. The atmosphere of the scene has also reached a higher level, which is extremely hot.
Zhao Dong came down after playing for half a quarter and stopped joining in the fun.
Dayao came on as a substitute, still one inside and four outside, and this was really one inside and four outside.
After Zhao Dong came off the court, the All-Star game returned to its original atmosphere and started to become serious.
But as a result, the atmosphere at the scene calmed down and was not as lively as before.
Zhao Dong sat next to Jordan and started a friendly chat while watching the game.
"Feilong, do you want to win the MVP this season?" Jordan asked.
"Of course, I want to be the first person in history." Zhao Dong said straightforwardly.
Jordan clenched his teeth and felt a critical blow. He sighed secretly and asked, "If Fordson is injured, it will be difficult for you to fight against the Lakers!"
Zhao Dong nodded. In the last home game against the Lakers, Fordson was still there and the game was lost. Without Fordson, it would be even harder.
But his fighting spirit is not weak, and he said with a smile: "The Lakers may not be able to overcome the Spurs."
"Without Fordson, you will suffer the same losses as the Spurs. No matter how strong you are, you can't beat the Spurs Twin Towers." Jordan continued to undermine Zhao Dong's morale.
Zhao Dong said angrily: "Then just watch and see how I win four consecutive championships."
"..."
Jordan was furious. Why didn't I retire for two years? I could win six consecutive championships.
Under the exchange of words, the friendly chat between the two was interrupted.
"The Mavericks played well. Are you satisfied with Da Zhi's performance?" Zhao Dong asked.
"Wang's performance is indeed good. He is much better than Luke Longley." Jordan nodded and smiled.
"How is the operation?" Zhao Dong asked.
"It's not bad, the ball market there is good."
Jordan nodded with satisfaction and said two good words in a row, which showed that it was really good.
But then he said with regret and envy: "But in Dallas, the most popular and popular team is not the Mavericks, but the NFL Cowboys. Every time they play a game, the home stadium of 85,000 people will be full, and the tickets will be full." The income is so hot!”
Having said this, he said to Zhao Dong with an envious look on his face: "Your New York Jets are better than the Cowboys. Are you making a lot of money?"
Zhao Dong chuckled and said, "If you have money, I'll sell it to you."
"ah?"
Jordan was startled and said in surprise: "You want to sell the jet? Why is it so profitable?"
Zhao Dong smiled and said, "I don't rely on this income."
He was not boasting. Whether it was Storm Fund or Tianlong Investment Bank, more than one trillion U.S. dollars in capital could bring him and Lindsay large commissions and investment shares. The little money earned by the New York Jets did not count at all. What.
He had discussed it with Lindsay and was indeed planning to sell the New York Jets. The market value of the Jets is still US$7.8 billion, which is several times higher than when they were originally acquired. It was a good time to sell the jets before the price of American assets fell. Chance.
After cashing out, the remaining money can be used to buy a private jet for Lindsay. Lindsay often flies around the country to give her a good rest.
He has already booked the plane, a Boeing 737, a short- to medium-range type, suitable for domestic flights.
In this All-Star game, the Western Conference finally won. O'Neal and Duncan became double yolks and won the All-Star Most Valuable Player honor.
Dayao played 28 minutes and scored 13 points, 7 rebounds, 4 assists and 3 blocks. He performed well in his first All-Star game.
After the All-Star break, the season entered the second half.
Teams that have firmly entered the playoffs have begun to strengthen their rotations and began to obtain more rest time for their main players.
And the teams lingering on the edge of the playoffs began to fight hard.
As for the teams that had no hope at all, they began to mess up and strive to get better draft picks.
It was the end of February, and Zhao Dong and Lindsay talked on the phone that night.
"Honey, Penguin can't survive anymore and wants to sell QQ alone. We are negotiating with Dragon." Lindsay smiled.
"How much is the price?" Zhao Dong asked.
"One million yuan." Lindsay smiled.
Zhao Dong couldn't help but laugh.
Last year, Julong Investment raised US$300 for Penguin, obtained 49% of Penguin’s shares, and snatched the investment opportunity of the second son of the Li family. Unexpectedly, the inertia of history has not changed, and Penguin is still unable to hold on.
In the last life, the second son of the Li family and a data company in the United States each invested US$1.1 million and each obtained 20% of Penguin's equity. Penguin only lasted for a year, but it still failed to survive in this life.
The reason why it cannot sustain is very simple. It is not that the development is not good. On the contrary, it is that the development is too good. The number of online users is too large, which causes the company's operating expenses to skyrocket. Now it is a development stage of pure investment without any monetization ability. As a result I just can't make ends meet and have no liquidity.
"Aiweier, let the giant dragon talk about it. In addition, how are the other three families?" Zhao Dong asked.
Julong Investment owns 49% of Penguin's equity and is the largest shareholder. It also has close ties with several other shareholders. In fact, Julong Investment has strong control over Penguin, but it has never interfered with the company's operations. But now that the company can no longer operate, it has no choice but to stand out.
"Those three companies are preparing to go public in the United States. With the current situation of the U.S. stock market, there will be no good results. Do you want to intervene?" Lindsay asked.
Zhao Dong pondered for a moment. Those three giant dragon investments all have 40% of the equity. If they really want to interfere, with the influence of today's giant dragon investments and Tianlong Investment Bank, their influence is not small. Then the three Internet companies must also consider it. A moment, but is it necessary?
"Let them struggle, and the acquisition will be completed by then." He said after thinking about it.
"That's fine." Lindsay smiled.
Three days later, Lindsay told Zhao Dong that the negotiation between the dragon and the penguin was completed.
As a major shareholder, Julong Investment rejected Penguin's plan to sell QQ separately and proposed a new financing plan with a financing amount of up to 300 million yuan.
With the equity of Julong Investment and its influence on other shareholders, the board of directors finally reached an agreement to stop the sale of the QQ plan and passed a new financing plan.
The company's estimated market value is RMB 300 million. Because some small shareholders have no funds, Julong Investment independently obtained a quota of 250 million. After completing the financing, Julong Investment owns 70% of the equity and the founder, Mr. Ma, owns 10% of the equity.
After completing this round of financing, Penguin's market value increased to 600 million yuan, and it had 300 million yuan in liquidity. The company was suddenly full of vitality and competitiveness, far surpassing the other three Internet companies.
When those three companies saw Julong Investment’s large investment in Penguin, they felt itchy and wanted Julong’s investment. However, they were worried about losing the company’s controlling stake. Fortunately, their plans to go public in the United States had already begun, and their listing applications had been submitted one after another. As long as the listing is successful, they can also raise sufficient operating funds.
After February, a total of 55 regular season games were played. The Knicks had 48 wins and 7 losses, winning all 13 games in February.
On March 1st, the league announced last month's best of the month honor, and they sat in rows to eat fruit. This time it was Tim Duncan's turn.
However, there is no other player in the MVP rankings. Zhao Dong still holds the first place with his super performance and the Knicks' first record in the league.
On this day, bilateral negotiations between China and the EU ended and an agreement on accession to the WTO was reached, more than two months earlier than the previous time.
As the schedule enters March, the Knicks' record has declined due to increased rotation of main players. At the same time, rookies Marion and Ginobili are in average condition. Without the madman, their outside strength has also declined.
However, Stackhouse performed well. He got more opportunities on the outside, averaging 20+ points per game. During the period when his outside strength was declining, he performed like an All-Star.
On the 15th, negotiations with the buyer were completed. Zhao Dong and Lindsay sold the New York Jets and received US$820 million in cash.
On the 19th, Barkley called. This guy actually joined TNT as an NBA commentator.
TNT also found him a partner, just like the previous one, Kenny Smith retired in 1997.
At the end of March, they had 60 wins and 12 losses. In a total of 17 regular season games in March, the Knicks had 12 wins and 5 losses.
March's Best of the Month went to O'Neal. This is the second time he has won this honor this season, the same as Zhao Dong.
However, Zhao Dong still overtakes O'Neal in the MVP rankings and continues to be first.
The Knicks have 10 games left in April and the regular season ends on the 19th.
The only team in the league that can keep up with the Knicks in terms of record is the Lakers, while other teams have fallen behind.
The Lakers are currently 59 wins and 13 losses, one win away.
The Spurs have yet to reach 50 wins, and Popovich has significantly reduced Robinson's playing time in preparation for the playoffs.
Second in the Eastern Conference is the numbers team, with 57 wins and 15 losses.
The Nets are third in the Eastern Conference, surpassing the Pacers, with 51 wins and 21 losses.
The fourth place in the Eastern Conference is the Pacers, with 50 wins and 21 losses.
Entering the last month, Zhao Dong was a little curious. In his previous life, Tim Duncan would be seriously injured in the last period of time. In the 78th regular season game, he tore the meniscus on the side of his left knee. From then on, he changed from a flying devil to a floor wreck. Will this life change?
Judging from the current arrangement of Popovich increasing Robinson's rotation and not reducing Duncan's playing time, it may be inevitable.
Injuries are indeed accidental, but when a player is tired, coordination and flexibility will be affected, and the probability of injury will be greatly increased.
On the 7th, the Knicks lost to the Numbers team again at home.
However, in the away game on No. 10, the Knicks pulled back the last game and tied with Philadelphia for the second time this season.
It's also strange that both teams lost at home but won on the road.
On the 11th, the Knicks returned to New York. That night, Zhao Dong watched the game between the Spurs and the Kings.
This game was played at the home court of the Kings, and the Kings' current record is ninth in the Western Conference, hovering on the edge of the playoffs, one game behind the eighth-place SuperSonics, so this game was played very actively and very actively. Want to get this win from the Spurs.
"What the hell, has history changed?"
Seeing the 9th minute of the final quarter, Zhao Dong was a little confused, but Duncan was not injured.
However, he also wondered about Popovich's confusing behavior, because the Spurs have no record requirements, and it doesn't matter if they lose to the Kings. However, Duncan actually played the entire game in this game and has not played until now. Why is this?
A minute later, Zhao Dong opened his mouth wide because he saw Duncan's left knee seemed to turn a bit while grabbing a rebound, and there was a look of pain on his face.
However, Duncan did not ask for a substitution and remained on the court until the end of the game.
"Duncan and Popovich's brains are broken." Zhao Dong could only lament that historical inertia is so great that Duncan should still be injured.
Sure enough, the next day, the Spurs announced that Duncan would be reimbursed for the season, and the Spurs basically withdrew from the championship competition.
At the same time, Duncan's contract with the Spurs also ended and he became a restricted free agent.
On the 19th, the Knicks completed 82 regular season games in the 1999/00 season, with 68 wins and 14 losses, ranking first in the league.
The Lakers are first in the Western Conference and second in the league, with 67 wins and 15 losses.
The playoffs will begin on the 22nd, and each team will have two or three days to rest.
In the Eastern Conference, the top four teams in the regular season are the Knicks, the Digital Team, the Nets, and the Pacers. Three of the five teams in the Atlantic Division occupy the top three in the Eastern Conference. This record is really surprising.
According to the playoff ranking rules, the champions of the three divisions in the Eastern Conference are automatically ranked among the top three in the playoffs. Therefore, the playoff rankings in the Eastern Conference are the Atlantic Division champion Knicks, the Central Division champion Pacers, and the Southeast Division champion Heat.
Fourth to eighth are the Digital Team, Nets, Bulls, Hornets, and Raptors respectively.
This playoff ranking puts the Digital Team and the Nets at a disadvantage. They will have a PK in advance, and only one can advance to the second round.
At the same time, the Bulls themselves were ranked fifth in the regular season, but in the playoffs, they were ranked one lower, but their opponent in the first round will be the Heat, which was ranked sixth in the regular season, but they took advantage.
In the Western Conference, the top four teams in the regular season are the Lakers, Trail Blazers, Spurs, and Jazz.
It just so happens that the top three are also the champions of the three Western Conference divisions, so the playoff rankings of the Western Conference are the regular season rankings. Fifth to eighth are the Mavericks, Suns, Timberwolves, and SuperSonics respectively.
First round playoff lineup.
In the East, the Knicks face the Raptors, the Pacers face the Hornets, the Heat face the Bulls, and the Digital Team faces the Nets.
In the West, the Lakers face the SuperSonics, the Trail Blazers face the Timberwolves, the Spurs face the Suns, and the Jazz face the Mavericks.
If the Knicks advance to the second round, they will face the winner of the numbers team and the Nets, as will the Western Conference.
In terms of personal data, Zhao Dong has played 82 games this season, averaging 44.5 minutes per game, which can be called an iron man.
He averaged 43 points, 11.5 rebounds, 10.2 assists, 1.9 steals, 3.1 blocks, 1.9 turnovers and 3.8 fouls per game, shooting 64% from the field, 91% from the free throw line, and had a 40+ triple-double.
This data makes him the second star to average a triple-double in the regular season after Big O (Oscar Robertson, who averaged 30.8 points, 12.5 rebounds and 11.4 assists per game).
With such data, both fans and media are shouting MVP.
Zhao Dong won the scoring title this season with an average of 43 points per game.
At the same time, he won the assists title this season with 10.2 assists. Below him is Jason Kidd, who won the assists title this season in the previous life, with 10.1 times.
The rebounding leader was won by Mutombo, averaging 14.1 rebounds per game.
Fordson was unlucky. Before his injury, he averaged 15.9 rebounds per game. If he hadn't been injured, he would probably have been the rebounding champion.
The steals leader was won by Eddie Jones, averaging 2.7 per game.
The block leader was won by Mourning, averaging 3.7 per game.
"Brother Dong, we are unlucky to face Philadelphia in the first round."
Around 10 a.m. on the 20th, Dayao called and talked about the playoff situation.
Zhao Dong laughed and said: "Then try to kill Philadelphia. No one among them can guard you anyway."
Although the digital team has Leo Ratliff and Postman Malone inside, these two people cannot guard against Dayao. This season, the Nets and the digital team have the same four regular season games. Coincidentally, like the Knicks, they are the same as the opponent. With the tie tied at two, Dayao did not play badly in four games.
The competition in the first two rounds of the Eastern Conference this year is fierce. The top three teams in the Eastern Conference will have to lose one in the first two rounds. No matter who among the three teams reaches the Eastern Conference Finals, they have great hopes of advancing to the finals.
In the West, after Duncan of the Spurs retired for the season, the Lakers are the dominant team and have the greatest chance of entering the Finals.
Then Zhao Dong praised Dayao's performance in his rookie season. Dayao played in 72 games this season, played in 10 games, averaged 37 minutes per game, 22.5 points, 9.6 rebounds, 2.1 assists, 0.8 steals and 2.4 blocks per game. His performance Extraordinary, almost entering the 20+10 club.
This data is almost comparable to Duncan's rookie season.
In Duncan's rookie season, he averaged 21.1 points, 11.9 rebounds, 2.7 assists, 0.7 steals and 2.5 blocks per game. His performance was a little more outstanding than Dayao's, directly 20+10.
With Dayao's current strength, the absolute strength of the league's first-class center, even if Zhao Dong faced Dayao himself, his height is too low and he would not be able to guard against Dayao, and he would probably be defeated by Dayao.
After hanging up Dayao's phone, Zhao Dong called Hu Weidong.
"Brother Hu, are you and your sister-in-law going back to China right away, or are you staying to watch the playoffs?" he asked after getting through.
"Oh, when we return to China, we won't watch the playoffs." Hu Weidong said with a smile.
"Okay, after you return to China, go to Beijing Dongcheng Base for a physical examination and take care of yourself." Zhao Dong said.
"I know, I'll get over it if I stay at home for a few days. This year's Olympics, the national team training tasks are very heavy." Hu Weidong said with a smile.
"After you report in, tell the coaching staff and Liu Chu that you should focus on recuperation and don't practice with them. Liu Chu has promised before that we have a lot of games here, so we need to have enough rest time." Zhao Dong said.
"You know, you know, my body really needs to recuperate after a season, haha!" Hu Weidong said with a smile.
He plays the main position of swingman for the Wizards. This season he averaged 16.5 points, 4.2 rebounds and 3.5 assists per game. He is the Wizards' third scoring point and his performance is quite good.
On the afternoon of the 21st, Zhao Dong held a party at his home and invited his teammates to have a small gathering before the playoffs. The party lasted until ten o'clock in the evening.
At this time, at the Beijing International Airport, father and son Zhao Zhenguo and Zhao Dacheng stared dumbfoundedly at the plane in front of them.