Chapter 580 Texas Cockroach

Two days later, the promoted teams from the East and West appeared.

As expected, the Bulls beat the Heat in the East, and as Li Shengli guessed in the West, the Rockets were dragged into Game 7, barely defeated the SuperSonics, and met the Lakers in the Western Conference Finals.

At the same time, the major awards for the 1996-97 season were also announced one after another.

COY's best coach is Pat Riley.

DPOY's best defensive player is Mutombo, who was elected with 52% of the vote.

The ROY Rookie of the Year is Allen Iverson, whose averages of 23.5 points, 2.7 rebounds, 7.5 assists, and 2.1 steals per game are indeed amazing.

The regular season MVP was taken away by Malone. This is the first time he has won this award. This is... this award seems to come at the wrong time, more like a consolation prize for being knocked out by the Lakers in the first round.

As for the five data kings, Li Shengli didn't have one.

Because since the restructuring of the 1969-70 season, the league has officially stipulated that players participating in the award selection must play 70 games that season, not just Li Shengli, who was suspended for 20 games, but also David Robinson... none of them.

Li Shengli, a big winner, was empty-handed, and the entire Lakers had nothing to gain. This was also the baldest time for Li Shengli. Fortunately... they didn't want to miss the finals, and the championship was more real than any award.

…

At this point, the opponent is determined and the schedule is determined.

The Lakers depart for Houston on May 18.

The Rockets had just finished their tiebreaker with the SuperSonics on the 17th, were preparing for the game on the 18th, and held a pre-game press conference on the 19th, and this press conference was more like a declaration of war for the Lakers.

Because there is only one championship, although the Western Conference Finals cannot determine the ownership of the championship, it can determine which team will reach the final showdown. And failing to take this step is no different from being eliminated in the first round for the Big Three of the Rockets. What a difference.

Although there was fierce talk before the game, this game came quickly, and the atmosphere at the Compaq Center Arena, the Rockets' home stadium, on the night of the 19th was quite enthusiastic.

This is the first time in five seasons that the Lakers have reached the Western Conference Finals.

To be able to reach this point, to be honest, the Lakers management thought that the team would gradually improve, but they did not expect to reach the Western Conference Finals in one step, because the ranking in the playoffs was too embarrassing, but after two rounds, they found... The new team's lineup turned out to be extremely brutal.

…

"Li, you have to pay attention tonight!" In the away locker room, a while before the game, Harris said a few words to Li Shengli alone before the pre-game meeting.

"Why, do you have any special arrangements?"

"That's not true. You are my most assured and trustworthy team member. I have nothing to say to you, but this time you may be doing more than just your own job. I'm worried... other positions tonight Something will go wrong!" Harris frowned and expressed his thoughts.

Take the second round and seven games between the Rockets and SuperSonics.

The power of the inside combination of Olajuwon and Barkley is quite amazing, plus the glider Drexler.

After seven games, the Big Three of the Rockets have formed a fighting team, averaging 62 points and 33 rebounds per game, and this kind of data is very exaggerated.

Furthermore, although the Big Three are three veterans, they were all superstars who were the bosses of three teams. Even if their physical fitness has declined, their experience is still there.

Especially when the three giants are all eager for the championship, the combat effectiveness they display will be amazing, because the willingness of the three veterans to stick together proves that they no longer care about data.

This can indeed be seen. Whether it is Olajuwon, Barkley, or Drexler, the scoring data of the three people have shown a downward trend. It is indeed not good for their personal accounts, but for the Rockets team But it's a good thing.

…

Worried about something going wrong?

It's normal if there are mistakes, but it's abnormal if there are no mistakes, right?

If every game can be perfect and reach the peak of the team's performance, it is basically impossible. The significance of the head coach is to deal with these mistakes in a timely manner during the game.

"Coach, are you worried about gains and losses due to excessive tension?" Li Shengli teased.

"That's not true. Although this is the first time in my coaching career that I have gone so far and so steadily, you can always be careful. And playing against the Rockets... I don't think the problem is with Olajuwon, but with Barkley. .”

"Are you worried about Big Ben?"

"Yes, I don't need to tell you about Barkley. Although Ben has improved very quickly and even though he has played against Malone, his experience is still a bit behind after all, especially since Barkley is partnered with Olajuwon!"

"Lee, think about it, it doesn't matter if you put it on the Jazz, because the Jazz's center position is not good, but what if you put it on the Rockets? So, as a last resort, you have to reduce your support for Ben on the defensive end, otherwise Olaju Wang will be more troublesome."

Harris makes it easy to understand.

The Rockets are different from other teams. The Big Three all have strong singles capabilities. This is the most troublesome, because stable singles will definitely mean that the defense will be broken. After breaking the defense, the formation will be messed up, which amplifies the offensive capabilities of the Big Three. , so individual defense against the Big Three is very important.

"What about Drexler?" Li Shengli asked the Rockets' No. 3 leader.

"There's no way. It's impossible to suppress the whole line. I don't have that many manpower. Crotty can't play the third position, but Drexler can. I can only hope that Horry can hold on."

Harris thought for a while and then said: "In addition, I have also thought about it. The Rockets also have a headache for us. The ultimate goal of defense is to suppress efficiency, but the most direct way to suppress efficiency is offense, so I need to You played a stable offensive performance and suppressed Olajuwon."

"But we don't have to worry too much. Compared to the combat effectiveness on the bench, we still have an advantage."

…

To be honest, the cost for the Rockets to build a set of Big Three is very high.

After several transactions, it can be understood that they strengthened the starting lineup but weakened the bench. This is also the reason why the statistics of the Big Three remain high, because the Rockets basically do not have a strong bench, and the Big Three will always be the one to deal with trouble. Therefore, no matter whether the game is won or lost, the statistics of the Big Three will not be bad, so only by playing with the SuperSonics can the Big Three average 62 points and 33 rebounds per game.

But that's the problem.

Teams with core players and an astonishing proportion of statistics have a drawback, that is, the victory or defeat depends entirely on the performance of the core players. As long as the Lakers find a way to suppress one or two of the Big Three, they are basically safe and suppressed. Three heads, it can directly defeat the Rockets.

…

Because of this, Harris emphasized defense, so the starting lineup for the first game of the Western Conference Finals was Li Shengli, Big Ben, Horry, Kobe and Nick.

As for why there is no Crotty in the defensive lineup, that is because when the Rockets have the Big Three, the guard combination really does not have and does not need to have a strong offensive point. If there are variables in the guard position, let Crotty be used. It's not too late, and it's safer to start with Nick.

After confirming tonight's starting lineup, Harris repeated tonight's defensive task. At the same time, the Rockets in the home team's locker room were also having a headache. Head coach Rudy Tomjanovich would have an even bigger headache. The Big Three looked at each other. .

"Barkley, Clyde, it seems it's up to you two tonight!" Olajuwon whispered.

"Why, you, the league's number one center, don't have the confidence to face Li Hui?" Barkley asked teasingly.

"You..." Olajuwon choked, "Damn it, if it were me before I turned 30 tonight, I wouldn't say much, but... Damn it, go ask all the centers in the league. Even Li Shengli and I, Olajuwon, dare not say that we are confident. Who else dares to say that? Is it Ewing or Robinson?"

"Okay, okay, I know this bastard is very tough, I'm just kidding." Barkley said with a smile: "But to be honest, I hate this guy to death. Seriously, I even ran to Texas. The Cockroaches are here to join forces. This season was originally the most promising one, but why...why did the Lakers just come out, ah, Clyde?"

"You ask me who will go?" Drexler was furious. "Anyway, I can't wait any longer. There are Bulls in the East and Lakers and Jazz in the West. If I can't make it this time, I won't be able to succeed in the future." No chance, we must win the Lakers tonight..."

"Of course! Olajuwon, I will cooperate with you on the defensive end."

"Okay, you and Clyde hold on tight, I'll pull him away."

"As long as you keep an eye on Li, you can leave the rest to me. I also want to... fly one last time!"

"Stop talking nonsense, it's time."

"Huh... we're finally here, let's go meet the Lakers!"