God of NBA point guards

Chapter 515 Your smile is too obscene

By the end of December, the Sonics had 12 wins and 23 losses, ranking second in the Western Conference.

The Lakers are 25 wins and 5 losses, two more wins than the Sonics.The third place is the Trail Blazers, with 22 wins and 7 losses, half a game less than the Sonics.

The Jazz have 18 wins and 10 losses, fourth in the Western Conference.Last season's championship Spurs, who were most favored by the media, had 21 wins and 10 losses, ranking behind the Jazz.

The West is strong and the East is weak. The Pacers are number one in the East, with 20 wins and 9 losses, fourth in the league.

December's Best of the Month went to Alonzo Mourning, and O'Neal continued to rank first in the MVP rankings.

Zhou Quan's task requires MVP. Of course, he will not give up competing for MVP. This can be pursued after the All-Star Game. Then his teammates will be stronger. In the second half of the game, O'Neal is likely to lose because of Reduce some investment due to physical reasons. After all, his tonnage is too big. As long as the record is better than the Lakers before the All-Star Game, there is a chance to catch up.

Anyway, with his strength, the Sonics' lower limit is very high. Even if they bring a group of players with minimum salary, there will be no problem in reaching the playoffs.

Now he just needs to train these young people to increase the team's upper limit, and then it's time to exert force.

In 15 games this month, the Sonics have 12 wins and 3 losses. Zhou Quan averaged only 26 points per game, but his assists per game increased significantly to 14.5. This is because he focused more on organization and passing, using more More opportunities to sharpen young teammates.

Because of the change in his playing style and after two months of training, the scoring average and shooting percentage of several outsiders such as Corey Maggette, Bowen, Barry Jr., and Reuben Patterson have improved.

Although his scoring has decreased, the team's winning rate is higher than in November, and the improvement of a group of young people with minimum salary is also visible to the naked eye. Barry averaged 11 points per game, Patterson 15 points, and rookie Ma Getty 14 points.

After Ben served as the starting center, he averaged 35.5 minutes per game, 6.2 points, 13.2 rebounds, 1.7 steals and 2.3 blocks per game. He performed as a first-class or even top defensive center, which also surprised people.

On the 1st, the earth successfully entered a new century, the millennium bug did not break out, and the year 2000 came.

On this day, the league officially announced the start of All-Star voting.

In addition, the NBA League has officially opened an Internet voting window, but only the NBA League’s official website has a voting window.

This year's All-Star, David Stern has great expectations, pointing to Zhou Quan's vote to continue his glory, thereby increasing the influence and popularity of the NBA.

On the 4th, the SuperSonics defeated Mosaic first, and then returned home and lost to the Lakers on the 5th.

On the morning of January 2000, 1, David Stern was sitting in his office, feeling a little uneasy because the voting statistics for the first week of the All-Star Game were about to be released.

Zhou Quan received 97 million votes in the first week of 101, a total of 441 million votes. He very much hopes that Zhou Quan can break his record this year.

With the King of Iron Fist having greater influence now than in 97, and the online voting window being opened, this is very possible. The only factor that may affect it is that the NBA is not as popular now as it was in 97. Even if the King of Iron Fist comes back, The league is not as good as it was in 97.

In the first two months, the average viewership of the Sonics' national live broadcast was as high as 756 million, exceeding the historical record, but only for the SuperSonics.

Across the league, the average viewership in the first two months was 235 million, which should have basically stabilized.

Of course, this rating is also good, much better than last season, but it is still not as good as the year when the Iron Fist King retired, when the league's national live broadcast ratings exceeded 500 million.

"Ding ding ding..."

Then the phone rang.

"Hello, I'm David Stern."

After three rings, he picked up the phone slowly.

The voice of special assistant Chris Baikes immediately sounded across the street, and he said very excitedly: "Mr. President, 165 million, breaking the first-week voting record of 101 million for Iron Fist King. 35% of the votes came from the official voting window."

"call!"

David Stern took a deep breath, and then said as calmly as possible: "I know, let's release it to the media immediately."

"Okay, sir."

After hanging up the phone, David Stern began to think about whether to add some online voting windows for next year's All-Stars.

……

At 10 a.m., the NBA All-Star first week voting data was released via NBC and New York TV.

"165 million votes in the first week?"

Anyone who sees this horrifying data is shocked by the popularity of King of Iron Fist in the United States.

The second-highest vote was sophomore Vince Carter, who received 55 votes in the first week. This statistic was equally shocking.

……

Tonight, San Antonio, Alamodome.

This is a stadium that can accommodate up to 2000 people. It is mainly used for rugby games, but it is also the home stadium of the Spurs.

During basketball games, a curtain will be used to separate the venue, and half of the venue at the north end will be used, which can accommodate up to about 5000 people.

But the Spurs have never filled half a court with 5000 people, even in last year's Finals, and even though the average ticket price for the Spurs' Finals was only a few dozen dollars.

But for today's game, the ticket price has skyrocketed from the average price of 16 US dollars to 55 US dollars, and the seats are actually full, which is also an anomaly.

Investigating the reason, there is no second explanation other than the influence and popularity of King of Iron Fist.

The Spurs announced the game against the SuperSonics three days ago. In the promotional photo, Zhou Quan, one of the Spurs' twin towers, was pushed aside, with Zhou Quan occupying the middle.

The home team relies on the visiting team's stars to sell tickets. This is the tragedy of small teams.

……

At 07:30, the two sides announced the starting lineup.

Spurs: Tim Duncan, David Robinson, Mario Elie, Jaren Jackson, Avery Johnson

SuperSonics: Ben Wallace, Campbell, Corey Maggette, Brent Barry, Zhou Quan

In the CCTV commentary box, Zhang Lili said: "The Spurs' current record is a bit disappointing. The second position is a weakness. There is no main shooting guard and several blue-collar shooting guards rotate.

In addition, the main small forward Mario Elie is 35 years old and can no longer play. He is also a blue-collar player with limited strength.

The young point guard Avery Johnson is also 35 years old and can play well, but if he plays Zhou Quan, it will definitely not work and he will only be abused. "

Xu Jicheng nodded and said: "The Spurs are strong on the inside, and they don't have an advantage against several championship-level teams on the outside."

Zhang Lili said: "In the past two months or so, the SuperSonics have felt that several players with basic salaries are OK and they are worth the money.

Especially the short center Ben Wallace, he really found a treasure!A player with a minimum salary has performed like a first-class defensive center.Mutombo's annual salary is tens of millions. This is hundreds of thousands of dollars, a difference of thirty or forty times, which is too cheap. "

"It's nicknamed Big Ben. He just guards the basket. He's so powerful that ordinary centers can't get in. And when he plays, he has a fierce look on his face, which may make ordinary people feel a little scared." Xu Jicheng said with a smile.

Zhang Lili laughed and said: "In the SuperSonics' starting lineup, in addition to Zhou Quan, there are three people including Campbell, rookie Maggette, and Barry Jr. who have scored in double figures.

In the substitute lineup, Brad Miller, Rashard Lewis, Bowen, and Thorpe can also score a few points.

Reuben Patterson, the first substitute at No. [-], even performed as a sixth man. His scoring average was third on the team, only lower than Zhou Quan and Barry. "

Xu Jicheng laughed and said: "Speaking of Ruben Patterson, he was with the Lakers last season. According to media reports, he had a lot of conflicts with Kobe." Zhang Lili laughed and said: "The Lakers attach great importance to Kobe and build him into a Patterson’s position overlaps with that of the outside core, so I might be dissatisfied with Kobe because of his youth.”

Xu Jicheng said: "The SuperSonics' current scoring average is 103.5 points, second in the Western Conference, only lower than the Kings' 105 points. They are also second in the league, tied with the Pistons, who are first in the Eastern Conference.

Although there are a large group of basic-salary players, under Zhou Quan's organization, their scoring ability is still very strong. "

Zhang Liji nodded and said with a smile: "Not only the offense, but the defense is also good. Especially after putting Ben Wallace in the starting lineup, the defensive effect is even better.

The Sonics are now averaging 91.4 points per game, third in the Western Conference, only lower than the Spurs' 90.2 points and the Trail Blazers' 91 points.Ranking fifth in the league, the Heat and Knicks scored 91.3 and 90.7 points respectively. "

Xu Jicheng said: "Rodman, Ben Wallace, Campbell, and Thorpe, these four inside rotations are all defensive players, but Brad Miller's defense is not very good.

Needless to say, Zhou Quan is the main outside player, and Barry's defense is also good. Although rookie Corey Magette's defensive skills are average, he is powerful and can effectively limit his opponents.

As an outside substitute, Bowen specializes in defense, and Ruben Patterson is better defensively. Although he is only in his second year, he is known as the gatekeeper of outside defense.

Among all outside players, except for the two marginal players Williams and Vinson, only Lewis's defense is not good.

Therefore, although the Sonics are all on the fringes of the basic salary, their defensive abilities are really good, but they still need to grow. They are too young and lack sufficient skills, physical fitness, and game experience. They still need to continue to practice. "

Zhang Lili said: "The Spurs did not play the same style as last season's championship this season and fell to fifth in the Western Conference, which is a bit disappointing."

Xu Jicheng said: "Last season's schedule was too short and too intensive. Many players were injured. Many media said that the championship content last season was not high."

Zhang Lijia smiled and said: "Everyone is on the same schedule. Win is win and lose is lose. I can't believe what the media says."

At this time, in the player tunnel, the starting lineups of the two teams met.

"Iron Fist, welcome to San Antonio."

The relationship between David Robinson and Zhou Quan is not very good, but it is not bad either. They are gentlemen and they greet each other from afar.

"David, congratulations." Zhou Quan said with a smile.

"Thank you!"

Hearing Zhou Quan's words, David Robinson burst into laughter. He patted Duncan beside him and introduced: "Tim, this is Iron Fist King. Iron Fist, this is Tim Duncan."

"King of Iron Fist, nice to meet you." Tim Duncan bent down and stretched out his hand, saying with a smile.

Zhou Quan frowned and looked at Duncan's face, and reminded: "Tim, can you smile more solemnly? Your smile is too obscene now."

"Pfft!"

The people in the players tunnel burst into laughter instantly.

"..."

Duncan's mouth opened wide, his eyes widened, and he couldn't help but touch his face. Am I being obscene?Am I really obscene?
……

"Iron Fist! Iron Fist..."

When Zhou Quan came on the stage, enthusiastic cheers erupted in the Alamodome.

Zhang Lili laughed and said, "I think at least half of the people here are here for Zhou Quan."

Xu Jicheng smiled and said: "I think the influence of boxing and golf in the United States may be greater than that of the NBA."

"It's not possible, it is." Zhang Li said with a smile.

At eight o'clock, the game officially begins.

Campbell and Duncan jumped the ball and the Spurs attacked.

"Ben Wallace kept up with Duncan, and Campbell defended David Robinson." Zhang Lili said.

Junior general Johnson advanced steadily to the top of the arc, was very cautious in the face of Zhou Quan's defense, and then hoisted the ball to the low right wing.

At the right waist position, Duncan had his back against Ben Wallace. The moment he caught the ball, he swayed downwards and then immediately caught the ball again. He stepped into the paint area and then took off. While holding the ball with his right elbow outside the position, he held the ball in one hand with his left hand. One hook to the basket.

"brush!"

The water splashed and he hit a hook shot for nearly two points.

Zhang Lili immediately said: "Ben Wallace was shaken first, and he could only look up at Duncan's hook. Even if he was not shaken, with his height and single defense ability, he probably would not be able to defend against such a hook. "

Xu Jicheng said: "I estimate that against Duncan, Mutombo's defensive effect may be better. He relies on technical defense.

Ben Wallace relies on strength to defend, but Duncan is a technical power forward. His skills are too solid. He doesn't even have a strong confrontation with Ben Wallace and just uses his skills to defeat him. "

"That makes sense." Zhang Liyi nodded.

Xu Jicheng smiled and said: "I don't know how Zhou Quan will play tonight. The Spurs swept the SuperSonics in the first round last season, which was a bit of a holiday."

"Ha ha……"

Zhang Lili laughed, but shook his head and said: "The SuperSonics are training now. I guess they won't pay too much attention to personal offense."

On the court, the Sonics attack.

In the low post, Eldon Campbell moves in the left midfield area, and Ben Wallace moves between the basket and the right low post.

On the Spurs' side, Duncan followed Campbell, who was slightly more offensive than Ben Wallace, and David Robinson guarded the basket.

Above, Barry Jr. is active on the right three-point line, constantly making aggressive moves without the ball.Corey Maggette was active on the left wing, forcing veteran Mario Eli to get the ball.

"call!"

When Zhou Quan reached the top of the arc with the ball, Duncan felt a huge pressure coming on him with his psychological quality.

"How will he attack?" Duncan held Campbell with one hand, but his eyes were fixed on Zhou Quan at the top of the arc.

Zhou Quan's eyes had no focus, just looking straight ahead.

The Spurs concede only 90.2 points per game. From this point of view, the Spurs' defense is the strongest team in the league.

The Spurs' strongest defense is not the outside line, but the inside line, guarded by Duncan and David Rosen, as well as the defensive system created by Popovich with Duncan as the core of defense.

And it’s just that the Sonics’ two big men don’t have the ability to stretch out. Ben Wallace’s offense is worse than Rodman’s. Campbell is also a blue-collar guy with no offensive talent. He has some mid-range shooting ability, but his shooting rate is too low. Very low threat.

This means that Duncan and Robinson's defensive positions will not be too far from the basket. Now that they have not defended for three seconds, breakthrough tactics will definitely be severely restricted.

Low-post attacks and scoring at the basket are reduced. If you blindly shoot jumpers from outside, it will test your shooting touch too much. Once the touch is not good, you will lose.

In the first round of the playoffs last season, the Sonics couldn't get into the paint and only made jump shots from the outside, and were swept by the Spurs.

(End of this chapter)