God of NBA point guards

Chapter 499 The unification battle with Lewis

On April 4, the NBA playoffs begin.

In Seattle, Zhou Quan was training in a private boxing training hall, and Roger Philippe came over.

"Zhou, your external phone was turned off and David Stern contacted me."

"Oh."

Zhou Quan didn't ask Stern what he wanted from Philip. No need to guess, he knew why. Besides inviting him to return to the NBA, what else could he do?
Philip didn't mean to say anything further, but said: "This season the Jazz and Bulls both have 65 wins, but the Jazz have home court advantage in the playoffs. By the way, the Pacers are second in the Eastern Conference."

"Oh? Has Reggie Miller's luck come?" Zhou Quan said happily.

Philip smiled and said: "Larry Bird's coaching ability is still good. He reused Dutch center Rick Schmitz, who was not reused by the previous head coach.

Behind them are the Heat and the Hornets. The Knicks, the former strong team in the Eastern Conference, are no longer good. After Ewing was seriously injured, they fell to seventh place in the Eastern Conference, with only 43 wins. "

"How many games has Ewing played this season?" Zhou Quan asked casually, not knowing much about it.

Philip said: "About twenty games, I don't know the details. His knee was seriously injured again, and he is dead. In addition, the Jazz are first in the Western Conference, with 65 wins. Barkley's luck has come."

Zhou Quan chuckled and said: "The Jazz probably can't beat the Bulls. Barkley is probably holding on to the black and white evil spirits again."

Philip nodded and said: "The Lakers are second, the Suns are third, the Spurs are fourth, and the SuperSonics are fifth."

"It would be great if the SuperSonics can make the playoffs. That guy Rodman was lazy this season and only played 47 games." Zhou Quan laughed.

Philip said: "Tim Duncan, who was drafted by the Spurs at a bad time, is really good. He was at his peak when he debuted. He averaged 39.1 minutes per game in the regular season, 21.1 points, 11.9 rebounds, 2.7 assists, 0.7 steals and 2.5 blocks. He has a nickname and has great basic skills. His playing style is very stable. The media said he is. Top-notch offense and defense."

"So strong? It seems that David Robinson's luck has come. He and Tim Duncan teamed up, which seems to be no less than O'Neal and the Postman teaming up." Zhou Quan said with some surprise.

Next, the NBA entered the playoffs, and Zhou Quan continued boxing training.

With the unification war approaching, golf training has almost completely stopped, that is, playing a dozen and adjusting when relaxing.

On May 5, Zhou Quan and Zeng Li, as well as the boxing team and security personnel, and a group of more than 24 people came to Las Vegas.

The MGM Hotel hosted several of Zhou Quan's boxing matches and made a lot of money. Many times, just from the increase in room prices, there were tens of millions of dollars in additional profits. It provided free rooms for Zhou Quan and his team. The room is the most luxurious presidential suite.

Zeng Li brought two nannies from home and was packing his luggage. The security personnel were checking the room. Zhou Quan was fine. Thinking of the ongoing Western Conference Finals, he took out his mobile phone and called O'Neal.

The Western Conference Finals is between the Lakers and the Jazz. The Lakers have lost three games in a row. Tonight is the G4 game and they are in danger of being swept. He plans to comfort O'Neal.

Over there, O'Neal was training at the Lakers headquarters. He heard his cell phone ringing. When he came over and saw that it was Zhou Quan's call, he said angrily: "If you call me at this time, you must be mocking me."

"Iron Fist, what do you want to say?" he asked angrily after being connected.

"Shark, what else can I say? You are about to be swept away by the postman and Barkley. Let me comfort you." Zhou Quan said with a smile.

"I knew you wouldn't say anything nice on the phone at this time. Let me tell you, even Jordan can't beat me, so it's just them?" O'Neal said angrily.

Zhou Quan said earnestly: "Shark, the Jazz can't make waves under my hands. If you are swept by them, I will be embarrassed for you. You should be more careful, work harder when playing, defend well, and don't be immobile." It’s very embarrassing to be swept away by others.”

"Asshole, Iron Fist, how could I be swept away? Don't affect my training."

Over there, O'Neal listened to Zhou Quan's nonsense. His stomach ached with anger, and he hung up the phone with a curse.

He saw other people looking at him and yelled angrily: "What are you looking at? Go to training quickly. We are about to be swept away. Someone called me to ridicule me."

Seeing the shark's rare anger, the others were very surprised and quickly started training again.

General manager Jerry West was also here, and he came over and asked, "Shaq, what's Iron Fist's phone number?"

"Ah."

Jerry West's eyes lit up and he asked: "Shaq, you and he are friends. Has he told you that it is possible to return to the NBA to play?"

O'Neal shook his head and said: "How is it possible? He makes hundreds of millions of dollars in a boxing match. Why would he come back? He never said he would come back."

Jerry West shook his head in disappointment and said no more.

Although the Lakers sit in the big ball market of Los Angeles, they are also greatly affected by the retirement of the Iron Fist King. One is the ratings, the other is the sponsors, and the third is that the league has passed a resolution that starting from next season, the team’s 42% of regional broadcast revenue must be turned over to the league, which will be distributed equally to all teams.

This last decision alone will reduce the Lakers' operating income by US$2000 million per year, which is a huge loss.

That night, the Lakers were swept by the Jazz.

"what!"

At the end of the game, Barkley, who had reached the Finals for the second time in his career, was so excited that he roared and screamed.

"Iron Fist, you said you wouldn't let me enter the finals, and now I'm in!" He was so excited that he rushed to the NBC television camera and shouted loudly.

Zhou Quan was startled in front of the TV and couldn't help laughing. You're such a retard. If I were still here, would you be able to enter the finals?
"Barkley broke the prediction of the Iron Fist King and reached the finals with his head held high!" New York Times.

"While the Iron Fist King was away, Barkley reached the finals holding the postman's thigh!" Los Angeles Times.

"Congratulations Jazz, you finally broke through the suppression of King of Iron Fist." Seattle Post.

“The damn Seattle Times!”

The next day, when Buckley saw the Los Angeles Times in the Los Angeles hotel, he dissatisfied and said to his wife: "Damn hotel, why did you send me this newspaper?"

"Because this is Los Angeles, they only have the Los Angeles Times, not the Salt Lake City Daily News." Maureen smiled.

Buckley laughed a few times and said, "Maureen, believe me, we are very hopeful this time."

Maureen nodded and said: "Without Iron Fist, the opportunity is indeed good."

Buckley was stunned and looked at his wife. Maureen's knife skills had improved again. The knife was so accurate that her heart hurt.

Maureen felt something strange about Barkley and hurriedly said: "Charles, after this season, why don't you just retire? Your physical injuries are too severe."

Barkley nodded and said: "I will retire immediately after winning the championship."

Maureen decided not to speak. What she actually wanted to say was, with the strength of the Jazz, how could they beat the Bulls?

……

On May 5, the Bulls defeated the Pacers with a score of four to two and advanced to the finals.

On June 6, the NBA Finals begins, with the Bulls facing off against the Jazz, the home court of the Jazz.

On the 1st, David Stern, who was sitting in the office, was looking through some information and happened to see the playoff ratings, and he couldn't help but sigh.

In the first three rounds, the Bulls had the best ratings. The average viewership of the Eastern Conference Finals was 551 million, which was an 80% decrease from last year's Eastern Conference Finals.The overall viewership of all series was cut in half from last year, to just shy of 400 million.

But now that the finals are about to begin, the sponsorship revenue from the finals is far less than last year, and the price of Bulls home tickets is only 50% of last year.As for the Jazz's home tickets, he has no expectations because the market in Salt Lake City is too small.

"The alliance's popularity has dissipated, and its reputation has been really ruined!" He sighed again.

The next day, the ratings of the finals came out, with an average of 853 million and a maximum of 912 million.

This ratings almost made David Stern burst into tears.

The ratings for Game 1 of last year's finals were over 5000 million. Thinking of the difference between the two figures, he wanted to kill that bastard Hughes Blake.He picked up the newspapers on his desk. The first one was the New York Times. When he turned to the sports section, the headline was NBA news.

"The average viewership of the G1 game was only 853, only one-sixth of last year's G1 game. With the Iron Fist King driven away, the NBA league has come to an end."

“Damn New York Times!”

He, who is usually very elegant, couldn't help but use foul language.

It was the New York Times that led the public opinion against Iron Fist in the first place, and now it is mocking the NBA. These media are sucking blood from the league!
Next, the finals continue, and the unification battle between Zhou Quan and Lewis is getting closer and closer.

October 6st, boxing day.

This night is also the G4 game of the NBA Finals. The Bulls led 4-[-] in the first three games. The G[-] game is the Bulls' home court.

A few days ago, there was a lot of news about the NBA Finals, but starting from the 8th to today, there is no news about the NBA. It is all news about boxing matches.

At 08:30, the G4 game between the Bulls and Jazz began, and the back-up game here also began.

At 10:30, the G4 game ended, and the Bulls led three to one.

"Mr. Stern, the average viewership of the G4 game was 625 million, with a peak of 728 million."

"..."

In New York, Stern received the report and was in no mood to talk.

The average viewership of the first three fights was still 900 million. This G4 fight was affected by the boxing match and actually dropped to 600 million. If the boxing match was a free wireless model, not many people would watch the G4 fight.

In the early 90s, when the Bulls won two consecutive championships, the ratings of the Finals reached around 2000 million because of Jordan. Now that Jordan is still there, it is less than half.

"We have to find a way to bring Iron Fist back."

He was determined that no matter what the cost, it would be worth it.

At this time, the boxing match between Zhou Quan and Lewis was about to begin.

After this boxing match, an unprecedented four-time champion, a unified king, and a true professional boxing king will definitely be born. Therefore, this boxing match has attracted countless celebrities, celebrities, and rich people.

In the lounge, Zhou Quan had just performed a one-minute air attack training and was doing relaxing activities.

Bob Arum happened to be here, and suddenly pointed at the TV and said: "Tekken King, did that tall guy see it?"

"Who?"

Zhou Quan looked around and saw a tall white man, definitely over two meters tall, but he didn't recognize him.

Arum introduced with great detail: "Vitaly Klitschko, a Ukrainian, 201 centimeters tall, 110 kilograms, with a wingspan of 203 centimeters, has won six world free fighting championships, including two amateurs and four professional ones.

Won the World Boxing Championship silver medal in 95, with an amateur boxing record of 195 wins and 15 losses. He participated in the Atlanta Olympics in 96 and tested positive for drugs. He was expelled from the Ukrainian national team and turned professional in the same year.

So far, his professional record has been 15 victories, including 11 KOs and 4 TKOs. In May this year, he won the WBO intercontinental boxing championship and is very strong. "

"Klitschko?"

At this time, Klitschko was no longer in the camera. Zhou Quan muttered something and asked: "Bob, a 201cm tall boxer, do you think highly of him?"

"He plays a control style, relying on his height and wingspan to control his opponents outside. His style of play is not good-looking, but it is very practical. Moreover, he has a very strong ability to fight and has an iron chin. By the way, he also has a younger brother. , I also practice boxing." Arum said with a smile.

Zhou Quan nodded and said: "This kind of body type matches the control style of fighting. It is difficult to fight. You have to break into the inner circle. Tyson is good at dealing with this kind of boxer."

At this time, the door of the locker room opened from the outside, and an assistant shouted at the door: "King of Iron Fist, time is up."

In the huge gymnasium, the lights were turned off and two extremely bright spotlight columns were illuminated.

"We invite the black boxer, the super boxing champion from London, England, the lion, Lennox Lewis, who has the sharpest fangs."

"Oh hoo!"

Lewis's popularity is still very high. In the 90s, he was one of the four heavyweight kings in professional boxing. He, Tyson and Holyfield were the three leading figures in the heavyweight boxing world of that era. Riddick Bowe was three behind them. People are half a level.

“伦诺克斯身高196公分，臂展213公分，体重240磅（109公斤），职业战绩33胜1负……”

Following the host's introduction, the audience cheered one after another.

"call!"

Looking at Lewis running towards the ring, Zhou Quan exhaled a deep breath. Thinking of the upcoming final unification fight, the adrenaline in his body began to surge crazily, and his mental and physical state also began to enter an abnormal state. .

"Now we invite the red boxer, one of the greatest athletes in the world from China, the king of the NBA, the three-time professional heavyweight boxing champion, and the Iron Fist King Zhou Quan!"

Amidst huge shouts, Zhou Quan walked out of the passage.

"Iron Fist!"

Seeing Zhou Quan's appearance and thousands of people cheering and shouting, Klitschko, who was sitting in the sixth row, had fiery eyes in his eyes.

"One day, I will knock him down, replace him, and become the heavyweight king." Looking at Zhou Quan, he clenched his fists.

"Diego?"

After Zhou Quan appeared on the stage, he kept fist bumping and hugging his friends. When he saw Maradona sitting in the third row, he hurriedly stretched out his arms.

"Iron Fist."

Maradona stood up with a smile on his face and stretched his arms.

The two met before in 95, when Maradona came to watch his boxing match with McCall, in which he won the WBC world boxing title.

But the two didn't say much that day. There were too many people and they weren't familiar with each other. Maradona left after the game.

"Want to come out? Stay with them and get closer to the ring." Zhou Quan asked with a smile, pointing to the boxing team around him.

"OK."

Maradona nodded immediately without thinking.

"iron Man?"

Zhou Quan said he was also surprised when he saw Tyson.

Tyson snorted and bumped fists with Zhou Quan.

"You really don't want to fight me again?" Although there was little time, Zhou Quan couldn't help but ask.

"That old ghost Tang Jin won't let me fight you, do you think I'm afraid of you?" Tyson clenched his fists and glared at Zhou Quan and roared in a low voice.

Zhou Quan smiled and sighed in his heart: "Afraid of losing, old Tyson just wants to make money now and has no spirit anymore!"

Looking at the Iron Fist King walking onto the ring, Tyson in the audience felt very complicated.

He wanted to fight a second battle before, but Tang Jin told him that if he lost the second battle again, his future would be completely bleak. Not fighting a second battle was the best choice for him, and he could still rely on his previous experience. Fame continued to make money, so for the sake of money, he, who was no longer at his peak, had to give up a rematch with the Iron Fist King.

(End of this chapter)