"Bill, did the Pacers win?" Pharaoh asked assistant coach Portka.

"We won 8 points, Ewing scored 21 points, Reggie Miller played average, 1-of-5 three-pointers, and only got 15 points. Mourning also played well, scoring 23 points, 10 rebounds and 4 blocks, but Two fists can't beat four hands," Portka said.

  Pharaoh asked: "With Reggie Miller's performance, the Pacers still win, is Ewing's efficiency very high, or did someone else stand up?"

   Portka shook his head and said, "Ewing's efficiency is average, 44.4%."

   nodded, Old Wang felt that Ewing would come to defect to him sooner or later. With such efficiency, it would be useless to score in the Eastern Finals, it was just a gift.

   "How is my fellow countryman doing?" he asked.

  Potka gave a thumbs up and said with a smile: "Old K, I think we can recruit Hu, it was he who stood up tonight.

  Hu made 4 of 7 three-pointers tonight and scored 21 points, shooting 52% from the field, helping the Pacers beat the Heat. "

"good."

Pharaoh praised and said, "Whether the Lakers will recruit him or not, the management can decide for themselves. But I guess it won't work. He will most likely jump out of the last year's contract and enter the free market, but he won't come over if the contract is too small. , we don't have that much room."

   After he finished speaking, he took out his mobile phone and called Hu Weidong.

   "Iron Army, hehe..."

   Hu Weidong laughed as soon as there was a call over there, and he seemed to be in a very good mood.

   "Old Hu, you've done a good job. Listen to me, you're right. Take the opportunity and throw it away. That's what shooting guards do." Lao Wang laughed.

  Wang Tiejun speaks English, Kobe Bryant next to him is stunned when he hears it, old K, that's not what you said to me.

  Kobe, roll down if you dare! Kobe, I'll trade you if I make another move! Kobe, the shot must be rational and efficient! Kobe, don't litter! Kobe, pass the ball...

  The visiting team's locker room has an atmosphere like an iron plate.

  Everyone in the Jazz, from management to coaches to players, no one thought that the game would be played like this, they thought it would be inextricable with the Lakers like the regular season.

Jerry Sloan thought that the old K would play a tough style of play, but he did not expect that the old K would play that kind of play. He thought that the old K would still play the regular season. Occasionally tough, mentally prepared not enough.

   But even if he expected it, there was not much preparation he could do. Sabonis, who was seriously injured and old, couldn't stand the super strong confrontation of old K.

   He still can't get the Postman to guard the old K, so Sabonis will be pulled out by Hill or Fortson to break his leg, and the Lakers will get a completely large open space outside.

  There is no way to change anything. This helplessness is a kind of pain, and now the Jazz team is suffering from this pain up and down.

  Jerry Sloan washed his face, sobered up, and started thinking about the next series.

   Obviously, old K is targeting Sabonis. Even if Sabonis can play, the Jazz's defensive tactics will be extremely passive. For now, he feels that he can only abandon Sabonis and use Postman and Big Bug as the inside combination.

   Thinking of this, he couldn't help but smile bitterly. At first, he took great pains to trade Sabonis in, but now he can't use it.

   However, Postman + Big Bug, it seems that the defensive effect is better, maybe he should have let Sabonis play the bench long ago, and the effect may be better.

   "How's Avidas' injury?"

Glancing at Sabonis, who was soaking in the ice bucket, he asked the team doctor Maurikas, who shook his head and said, "There is a little swelling, if the swelling can't be reduced in time, the next game can't be played. If the swelling disappears, there will be no problem in the end ."

With a    nod, Jerry Sloan made up his mind and put Sabonis on the bench, and then he made a grim announcement.

   Sabonis was very helpless and couldn't help but beat his left knee holding the ice pack. If he had a pair of healthy knees, if he could be a few years younger, even if he was old K, he might not be his opponent.

  The postman, on the contrary, was somewhat happy.

   He believes that Sabonis' role in today's game is not as big as he imagined. Although pulling out can indeed form a high artillery fort, but on the defensive end, Sabonis can only keep the low position and be targeted by the old K, which is too passive.

   If he joins forces with Big Bug, the effect should be better, he can hold old K, Big Bug helps defend, and the defensive tactics will be less restricted.

   He was afraid of Old K's sideways hitting, but he was not afraid of arching his back and would keep hitting his bones. Old K's style of play today could not target him.

   Soon after, the post-match press conference was held.

   "Coach Sloan, why did the Jazz have such a big disadvantage in G1?" A reporter asked in the Jazz press conference hall.

Jerry Sloan said: "No, I don't think it's as big a disadvantage as you think. I think everyone, including you, saw it, our players just had some problems with the touch, and our shooting percentage was low. The Lakers are close to 7 points, and it's a road game, which is something we can expect and it's not surprising."

   "Coach Sloan, do you think there is a problem with the Jazz's morale? Is it because of Old K?" a reporter asked.

   "No, Jazz is fine, and our morale is still high. The postman is the strongest fighter in this alliance. As long as he is here, no one can destroy Jazz's will, not even old K." Jerry Sloan said.

   "Postman, do you think Old K has dealt a psychological blow to the Jazz today?" a reporter asked.

"I said that he is really strong, very strong, but winning or losing is a normal thing, we will adjust it. As for the problem you mentioned, it does not exist, we are not rookies, and will not be psychologically affected by a loss. affected," the postman said.

   The next day, the media and some stars commented on the performance of the two teams last night.

   Lightning Kevin Johnson and a group of people were shopping on the Avenue of Fame, met the media, and accepted their interviews.

   "Lightning, do you think the Lakers' 17-point victory over the Jazz last night is a true reflection of the strength of both sides?" a reporter asked.

   "Yes, what you see is not a hallucination, haha!" Buckley laughed sarcastically.

Lightning continued: "Last night, the Jazz were obviously not mentally prepared, they didn't expect the old K to play the strongest confrontation, but even if they expected it, they couldn't do anything, because they couldn't take the old K in the previous seasons. So in fact, that is the real strength of both sides.”

   "So do you think that the Lakers can still maintain their superiority over the Jazz in the next series?" the reporter asked.

Glider said: "That's not necessarily true. Experts know that the existence of Sabonis is both good for the Jazz and bad for the Jazz. He is not the best person for the Jazz, but he has to carry the old K on the defensive end. It is very passive, so if you change this, it is likely to trigger some new changes, which is an important point that affects both sides.”

   On the night of the 5th, the Knicks WWII Celtics, Trail Blazers WWII Supersonics.

Pharaoh's house is very lively, except for Barkley and the others, who have arrived, and Kobe and Magic Johnson, Rick Fox, Chris Mullin, Richmond, Danny Fordson, and Mark Price also have appointments. Come over to join in the fun together, we have dinner and watch the game together.

  Dazhi originally planned to stay here for two days and then go back to China, but Pharaoh didn't let him go, and let him stay, like last year, with extra training in the offseason.

Last year, he let Da Meng and Glider teach Dayao and Lao Hu. This time, he plans to let Barkley accompany Dazhi to practice low-post offensive and defensive skills. After he eliminates the Blazers, Dameng will join in and practice Dazhi well. .

   If you don't practice anything else, in fact, other skills are fine. You should learn low-level offensive and defensive skills. In low-level offense and defense, strong confrontation is included.

   In addition, let Dazhi get in touch with these stars and change his character.

   Dazhi, who didn't return to China last year, really wanted to go back, but after Lao Wang spoke, he couldn't resist, so he could only stay and practice.

   But he wanted to bring his parents who he hadn't seen in a year to the United States. There was no problem with that. Pharaoh immediately asked someone to help with the procedures in China.

   In the evening, a group of people turned on two televisions in the movie room.

  Pharaoh took out a box of high-quality Cuban cigars, handed one to each person, turned on the exhaust device on the top of his head, and everyone began to puff.

   "Who's betting with me?" Buckley asked with interest.

   "What about the stakes?"

   Rai Gong's interest also came, this guy often makes small bets.

   "One thousand dollars per person." Buckley said with a grin.

   "OK." Lei Gong smiled.

   "I'll join one." Kobe said eagerly.

"Me too."

   Lightning and others joined in one after another, including Lao Hu, only Dazhi was watching the fun and didn't talk much.

   "Dazhi, group activities, you won't join?" Pharaoh asked.

   "I, then, well, count me in."

  This is gambling, what kind of collective activity? Well, collective gambling is also a collective activity. Under the coercion of Pharaoh, he could only nod his head and join.

  Barkley said with a smile: "I bet the Blazers and the Knicks will win the second straight, you and I will bet, both of them will lose before you win."

   "That can't be done, Charles, this is too much. As long as one of the two teams loses, we win." Lei Gong immediately refused.

   "I'll quit if I bet." Kobe threatened.

   "That's right, Fliggy, you bet unfairly." The glider also said, and the others nodded in support.

   "Okay okay." Everyone objected, and Barkley could only agree.

The    Blazers and SuperSonics game begins first.

  Pharaoh asked people to prepare some food and drink. While eating and drinking, everyone discussed the performance of the players on both sides.

   "Duncan's performance is really stable, the offense is too simple, and Weinbeck can't defend him." Barkley praised.

   "Dameng felt average today, 0 of 3 shots, I think he is getting further and further away from the basket now." Glider said.

Pharaoh looked at the big dream on the TV screen and said: "The hand feel is one thing, today, the big dream has no desire to attack, and Schramf's defense is not very good. ?"

   "Ask him later," Buckley asked.

  Chris Mullin said: "If the big dream is weak today, the Blazers may really lose, and the Supersonics are actually very strong.

Wen Baker and Schramf are on the inside, Gary Payton and Jose Hawkins are on the outside, Wen Baker and Payton are both stars averaging 20+ per game, and the other two are also averaging 15+ per game. At least can contribute 65+, the strength is not trivial. "

Wang analyzed: "Although the key Blazers' outside scoring ability is good, the offense is inefficient. The two guards' shooting percentages are only in the early 40s, and they are suspected of wave shots, and their defense is not good. They score a lot, but they may lose points. More.

The Sonics' backline is Gary Payton and Jose Hawkins, not to mention the defense of the gloves. The point guard with the strongest defense in the league today. Hawkins' defense is also very good, averaging 1.8 steals per game. If you lock the Blazers' perimeter, the Blazers are in trouble.

   And Payton and Hawkins' offensive ability is very good, no worse than Momo and Ryder, or even stronger.

   In addition, the Supersonic's bench lineup is also stronger than the Blazers. If the Blazers' main lineup can't stand it, the loss will be even bigger. "

   "Then I'm not going to lose?"

  Barkley stared at the screen fiercely and scolded: "Da Meng, this old guy, I called him during halftime and scolded him, maybe I could wake him up."

   "That's not possible, you are cheating." Lightning said immediately.

   "Yes, Charles, you can't call, otherwise you will lose." Glider laughed.

   "If you don't fight, you won't fight. Duncan's performance is stable, and the Blazers will not necessarily lose." Barkley said helplessly.

   Not long after, the game between the Knicks and the green team began.

   At the beginning of the game, David Robinson broke out, attacked with a ball basket, and while scoring, caused O'Neal's pulling foul.

   "Not good!"

   Touched his pocket, Barkley muttered.

   Five minutes later, a driving layup by Kidd resulted in O'Neal's second foul, and O'Neal was substituted.

   "Charles, are you ready for cash? I don't accept checks for a little money." Magic Johnson said with a smile.

   "Don't worry, I don't, there must be some cash here." Buckley smiled bitterly.

   "I have the cash, just don't forget to write me a check." Old Wang said with a smile.

   "Alas, an unsatisfactory dream!"

   An hour and a half later, the Blazers lost by 5 points and were tied 1-1 by the Sonics, and Barkley groaned and began to draw checks from his pocket.

  Dameng scored 20 points, but the shooting percentage was only 33.3%. Although he only scored 11 points against Schramf, his efficiency was too low to help the team win.

   Duncan scored 23 points and 9 rebounds, shooting 52.6%. Although he also scored 15 points against Weinbeck, he could not help the team.

   On the outside, Momonga was sprayed out of his mind by Glove Payton's trash talk. He made a lot of unreasonable shots. He was defended and made 4 of 15 shots. He missed several layups and only scored 10 points.

  Lyder also made 4 of 13 shots and scored just 11 points under Jose Hawkins' defense.

   In terms of Supersonics, Payton scored 22 points on the Momoko and Hawkins scored 19 points on Ryder. The two had the advantage on the outside and led the team to defeat the powerful Blazers.

   "Look, I'm not mistaken, the Blazers' perimeter was blown up." Pharaoh said with a smile.

  Magic Johnson praised: "Now I think that there are actually seven championship-level teams, and the SuperSonics are fully capable of being included in them."

Pharaoh said: "The SuperSonics are completely opposite to the Trail Blazers. The SuperSonics have strong offense and defense on the outside. Although the offense on the inside is also very strong, the defense is not very good. The Blazers, the offense and defense on the inside are extremely strong, and the outside has offense. But no defense.

   The two of them, either the Blazers' inside line blasted the Supersonic's inside line, or the Supersonic's outside line exploded the Blazers' inside line.

   Generally speaking, the inside line is more stable, and the Blazers have a greater advantage, but today's Dameng was average and inefficient, so it's not surprising that the Blazers lost. "

   "I totally agree with what old K said." Magic Johnson said.

  Barkley commented: "Tim Duncan is really strong, he is really a top offensive and defensive integration at the peak of his debut, and he is stronger than when the old K debuted.

   But he is still a rookie. Although his performance is more stable than the big dream, he cannot really carry the Blazers when he encounters a strong team like the SuperSonics in the playoffs. "

   Glider said: "But I'm still more optimistic about the Trail Blazers reaching the Western Conference Finals, Payton and Hawkins can't lock Momo and Ryder.

Just like Jordan and Pippen and Ron Harper, they couldn't lock the Lightning and me, as long as the perimeter couldn't be locked, and Duncan's stable performance, the big dream couldn't be out of shape, and the Blazers won. The chances of a series are bigger. "

   Everyone nodded in approval. After all, the side with the greater inside advantage will take advantage of the series. The Suns and Bulls have proven this three times.

Half an hour after the Sonics beat the Blazers, another pair of results came out, the Knicks losing to the Celtics.

  O'Neal fouled too much too early, his playing time became intermittent, the defensive end was tied, and the offensive and defensive state was not good. He only played 29 minutes, scored 18 points and 6 rebounds, and the shooting percentage was only barely 40%.

   He was not in good shape inside and could not share the defensive pressure. Jordan was frequently double-teamed outside. Kidd was the main defender of him, which also affected his efficiency. He only scored 25 points and hit only 44.2%.

  The Celtics were a big breakout. David Robinson, Kidd, and Antoine Walker worked together to contribute 75 points and beat the Knicks by 21 points.

   After watching two games, Pharaoh said: "It seems that our Lakers are ready to face the Supersonics in the Western Conference Finals."

   Having said this, he laughed and said: "I hope the Supersonics will reach the Western Conference Finals and beat them, we have an advantage."

   "What advantages do you have?" Barkley asked blankly.

   "Haha, what advantage, I am the advantage, I can go to the basket and directly blow them up, do you think Wenbeck or Schramf can prevent me?" Pharaoh sneered.

   When he said that, everyone else nodded.

Barkley also nodded and said: "Yes, Schramf doesn't matter, he can't guard you with a single arm. The Supersonics exchanged Rain Man for Wen Baker to increase the ability to attack the basket, but in the face of your defense, he I'm afraid he won't be able to hit the basket very efficiently. And his defense is average, you can definitely crush him, the tonnage and strength are too different."

   Glider said: "Old K's advantage in facing Wen Baker in the low post is much greater than Duncan's advantage in facing Wen Baker. The Lakers do have an advantage over the Blazers in playing the Supersonics."

   Barkley said seriously at this time: "Old K, don't watch the Lakers and the Trail Blazers tie 2-2 in the regular season, but if you meet them in the Western Finals, you may not have an advantage."

  Pharaoh nodded and said: "I know this, it depends on how big Meng's performance is. If he can play the super performance when he won the championship in 1996, we will be in trouble, but if we can't play, I believe that our Lakers have a better chance of winning."

  Magic Johnson said with a smile: "Duncan is a rookie after all. If the Blazers reach the Western Conference Finals and face old K, I believe you will blow him up."

   "Of course, I can't even clean up a rookie, what face is there? What about the peak when he debuts? His peak is at my feet." Pharaoh said proudly.

   Having said this, he laughed again and said, "I'm worried about the trapeze now. I'm afraid that he won't even be able to kill in the East Finals, and he will be killed by the green team in the second round, which would be miserable."

   "Haha..." Everyone couldn't help but laugh.

  The people here, except Kobe Bryant and other young people, such as Barkley and Glider, all suffered from Jordan, and they felt very happy to see Jordan deflated.

   "Michael was also out of luck."

  Barkley sighed, and added: "In the early and middle stages of his career, he was suppressed by Erwin, Big Bird, and the Bad Boys Corps, which made you all old before he got a chance to stand out.

   Now the situation is reversed. He can't survive Old K, and he wants to go further. He can only choose to go to the Knicks. Without the honor of one person, one city, his historical evaluation will be lower. "

   "Come on, I'm different? It's all for the pursuit of more honor." Pharaoh said.

The glider said: "It's all young people who can survive the old. How can the old people survive the young? Could it be that he can survive the old K? Since he wants to go further, he can only leave the bull and there is nothing else. choose."

   Next to him, Kobe nodded again and again. He is boiling old K now, and when he is old, it will be his turn.

   "Old K, you deliberately shot Sabonis down. If the Jazz use the postman and the big bug as an insider, do you feel more confident?" Magic Johnson asked at this time.

Everyone also looked over, and Pharaoh said: "We have no way to defend the high point formed after Sabonis pulled out. He restrained me on the offensive end. I think it is a great threat to the Lakers. Defense and backcourt rebounds will be affected. great impact.

   And the postman and the big bug are partners, they have no height, even if I can use the big bug's help defense to weaken my offense, but I can also break their double-team tactics by passing the ball.

   Anyway, I'd rather play Postman and Big Bug than Sabonis on the court, so I'll have to be by his side all the time. "

  Magic Johnson nodded and didn't ask any further questions.

   In fact, he himself believes that although Sabonis will contain the old K's defense, the old K can completely beat the slow on the offensive end and use a stronger low-post attack to blow up the Jazz.

   But old K's approach is also correct. Laying down Sabonis and strengthening his defense and rebounding control is also a good solution.

  …