NBA: Back to 97, to be the Jagged Bishop

Chapter 100 The All-Star Game Starts, Jordan Is Isolated

In the following game time, Billups rarely took shots, looking for opportunities to throw a three-pointer from time to time, and helped his teammates score the rest of the time.

Halfway through the fourth quarter, Tang Shuai took down Evergreen Tree and Trash Dog on the field, and replaced them with a star-defying lineup of five basic-salary players.

Kumbu also started to make substitutions, which put the game into garbage time.

Of course, Billups was also taken down. He took a total of 33 shots tonight and scored 37 points and 9 assists.

It's a pity that the assists failed to reach double figures, and the offensive efficiency is not high. It can't be called his exclusive night, but those nine assists were obtained in just 15 minutes, which is very amazing.

If the game does not enter garbage time, the Flounder has every chance to score a 40+10 super double-double tonight.

"What's on your mind right now?"

After the game, Combe called the flounder to his side and asked with a smile.

"Like a dream."

Flounder said in a daze.

"Coach, I don't know how to thank you."

"I'm so lucky to have met you, without you my career would be over."

Kong Bu waved his hand, "You don't need to thank me, this is your own strength."

The awakening of Billups, just as Comb expected, the Raptors' overall team rating has officially reached the S level, and the Bulls have become the only two S-level teams in the league today.

Halfway through the schedule, there is not much time left before the playoffs.

In the two weeks before the All-Star break, the Raptors played 7 games and won six of them, with a record of 37 wins and 15 losses. They have successfully overtaken the Pacers and are currently ranked second in the Eastern Conference.

Billups has been starting in seven games, averaging 14 points, 12 assists and 1.5 steals per game, gradually becoming an indispensable force in the Raptors' backcourt.

The week before the All-Star game, the official announcement of this year's All-Star lineup was announced.

The starting lineup in the Eastern Conference is Big Zhi, Jr., Hill, Jordan and McGrady, and the seven substitutes are Big Ben, Wu Sheng, Uncle Mu, Penny, Reggie Miller, Glenn Rice and Tim Hardaway .

The Raptors finally broke the historical record and successfully selected five All-Star players.

Not only that, but Combe has also become the leading coach of the Eastern Conference for this All-Star.

The Raptors are not number one in the Eastern Conference. It is reasonable to say that Kumbu is not qualified to lead the team, but the Bulls were the first in the Eastern Conference last season. Zen Master has already led the team once. According to the rules, the qualification to lead the team this time has been postponed to Kumbutou superior.

Under normal circumstances, the leading coach of the Eastern Conference is Larry Bird. Combe's crossing made Bird miss the All-Star team qualification.

In the West, the Lakers selected four players. In addition, Duncan was also selected as an All-Star as a rookie. Unfortunately, he was only a substitute. The starting forwards were Garnett and Malone.

The leading coach is George Karl, the second-ranked Supersonic coach in the West, and an old acquaintance of Comb.

The situation is the same as in the East. The Jazz ranked first in the West was also the No. [-] last season. Jerry Sloan's eligibility was postponed to Karl Sr.

The Madison Square Garden Arena in New York is where this year's All-Stars will be held.

Kumbu didn't watch the miscellaneous games in the first two days, and they didn't have any attraction at all.

The rookie game was something to watch, but this year's rookie game is very special. Duncan, McGrady and even Wu Sheng were all selected as All-Stars, which caused the first-year combat power to be terrible, and Billups became the most dazzling first-year player. star.

There are so many stars in the second grade. Even if Kobe, Jr. and Ben were selected into the All-Stars, there are still Iverson, Camby, Raheem, Ray Allen and other big names left in the 96 generation.

There is no need to watch the game at all, it is definitely a game of abuse from beginning to end.

The three-point contest is also boring in Kongbu's view, and it is far less exciting than the three-point contest of later generations.

There was originally a slam dunk contest worth looking forward to.

It's a pity that the official canceled this year's slam dunk contest because no one watched it.

Kumbu arrived in New York on the day of the All-Star Game.

As soon as he got off the plane, Ernie, general manager of the Knicks, drove to pick him up in person, and invited Kumbu to have a big meal by the way.

Before parting, I gave Combe two boxes of expensive cigars.

Kumbu ate and took without any psychological burden. He had the right to regard the Knicks as compensation for his mental damage.

"Dear viewers and friends, welcome to watch the All-Star Game of the 1997-1998 season."

"This year's All-Star Game is quite special. For the first time, five people were selected in the same team."

"It's also the one with the most rookies participating in the main game. Three rookies and three second-year rookies have qualified for the All-Star game."

"Look, Combe has already led the Eastern Conference All-Star lineup."

In the commentary room, even Xu Jicheng, who always gave the impression of being steady and sophisticated, became anxious.

This is his first live commentary on the NBA All-Star Game.

Even if you don't explain it, just watching the best players in the world play on the court is a supreme enjoyment.

After Kumbu led the Eastern All-Stars into the field, there was a hint of disappointment on his face.

He tried the blank template card at Jordan just now, but there was no response at all.

In other words, leading the All-Star team by himself is not considered to have coached Jordan at all.

After learning that he became the leading coach of the Eastern Conference, Combe has been looking forward to seeing if he can replicate Jordan's template.

It's a pity that I didn't get what I wanted. It seems that I can only wait for the World Championships in the offseason.

It's right to think about it. All-stars are entertainment after all, and it's normal not to be recognized by the system.

"Hey Kong, long time no see!"

After old Karl saw Kong Bu, he took big strides, and walked over quickly.

"Old man, it's been a long time."

Konbu smiled and stepped forward to give him a hug. Old Carl is one of the few old men in the league who can chat with Konbu.

"You Raptors are too dazzling this year. I can't even dream of five All-Stars."

"Our Supersonics only have Payton and Wen Baker selected, and Wen Baker is just a substitute."

"Tsk tsk, you kid is such a monster. I heard that you have hoarded countless draft picks in your hands. This year's draft is going to make a fortune again, right?"

Old Karl envied and hated.

Kumbu has indeed hoarded a lot of draft picks now, from high to low, there are all kinds of picks.

I made a verbal agreement with the Clippers that they will guarantee the top four picks, and they will exchange them for the two core players of the Raptors.

Traded with the Sonics and the Trail Blazers, and both got their first-round picks.

And when they traded Snow, they got their first-round pick from Green Kai.

Even if Lukai gets Snow this year, there is no possibility of entering the playoffs, so this is a lottery pick.

It was agreed with the Pistons to exchange draft picks. The number has not increased, but the quality has greatly improved. With the record of the Raptors, the first-round pick that comes with it must be outside the 25th pick.

The Pistons can't make it to the playoffs at all, and the last time they have to be the 13th lottery pick.

In addition, the Raptors also brought a second round pick.

In other words, Comb held six picks in the 98 draft, five of which were in the first round and one in the second round.

There are at least three lottery picks in the five first rounds.

"No way, our Raptors have only been building the team for two and a half years, and the background is too shallow."

"We can only get more draft picks and try our luck."

Kong Bu said modestly.

"Tsk tsk, it's really modest, Kong, we are not outsiders, we are old friends."

"Tell me quietly, is the 98 draft a big year?"

Old Karl lowered his voice suddenly, for fear of being heard by others.

Kong Bu smiled wryly, isn't that obvious enough?If it wasn't a big year, would he be worthy of saving so many draft picks?
"I can only say that it is not weaker than the 96 draft."

This piece of information directly made Carl's complexion rosy, not weaker than the 96 draft?Then it can no longer be described in New Years.

It's a draft super year!
For a while, old Carl began to figure out how to find a way to get a lottery pick.

While the two coaches were chatting, the All-Stars from the east and the west were not idle, and they connected with each other in small groups.

Jordan was surrounded by a lot of people, and the little fan boy Kobe stood beside him, staring at Jordan with fascination, without blinking.

McGrady was whispering to Penny Hardaway, not knowing what they were talking about.

Wu Sheng has a fear of society, and people are afraid in social situations. He wanders around on the court, and chats awkwardly when he catches people, regardless of whether they want to talk to him or not.

Basically, the stars all have their own small circles, but the Raptors' inside trio stared wide-eyed, not knowing how to integrate into this atmosphere.

"How about I talk to Shaq?"

"I have hundreds of thousands more votes than him!"

Xiao Ao summoned up his courage and said that he always wanted to put on a good performance in front of O'Neill.

"Don't go there, the last time the coach used shark-slashing tactics to hack him to the point of doubting his life."

"If you go to provoke him again, it's no wonder he's not in a hurry."

Da Ben dispelled Xiao Ao's thoughts, and then looked at Da Zhi who was sitting in a daze.

"Hey, Big Zhi, there is a new Tianchao Foods supermarket near where I live."

"When you get back to Toronto, bring your coach to my residence, and I'll cook some delicious food for you."

Da Zhi could understand the general meaning now, and he glanced at Da Ben's carrot-thick fingers, deeply doubting his cooking skills.

The three of them had awkward chats, looking forward to the start of the game, finishing the game quickly, and then returning to Toronto.

None of them like to join in the fun, and this kind of occasion is a kind of torture for them.

After suffering for half an hour, the annual All-Star Game finally started.

There is no talk of formation, the starting lineup has already been determined, and the role of the coach is almost zero, that is, it can come in handy when changing players.

After the referee's whistle sounded, ten All-Stars made their debut.

These ten people cannot be said to be the ten strongest players in the NBA, but they are indeed the ten most popular.

In the opening game, Big Zhi jumped the ball and won O'Neal, and the East began to attack.

After McGrady picked up the jump ball, he began to control the ball and advance.

In fact, Jordan also had a chance to pick up the ball, but he didn't bend over to pick it up because of his face.

After the ball reached the frontcourt, Jordan stood outside the three-point line, apparently waiting for McGrady to pass him the ball.

It's a pity that McGrady knows how old he is. In McGrady's mind, Penny Hardaway is the idol. If Penny stands there waiting to pass the ball, he will pass it immediately.

Jordan?Just keep waiting.

Payton has already stepped forward to single-handedly defend McGrady. Originally, he wanted to face Jordan, but unfortunately Kobe stuck to Jordan like a dog's skin plaster, and he couldn't drive him away.

As one of the best perimeter defensive players in history, his single defense put a lot of pressure on McGrady.

McGrady didn't ask for a big shot. After jumping up, he made a strong direct pass and stuffed the ball into Big Zhi's hands.

Da Zhi made a mid-range shot, hit the net empty-handed, and scored two points.

"Big Zhi scored. On the stage where the NBA superstars gathered, he made a good start with a half-block basket."

Xu Jicheng explained.

The old commentators of their generation often used the term "half slam dunk" out of their mouths, and many fans were confused by what they heard.

In fact, a half-stop is a mid-range shot. A mid-range shot near the free throw line is called a mid-range shot when a big player makes a shot. When an outside player makes a shot, it is called a mid-range shot.

In the offensive round of the West, O'Neal reached for the ball under the basket.

Tonight, he played against the inside line of the Raptors Gemini, and he had already made up his mind to torture the two opponents.

But he opened his hands for a long time, but no one passed the ball to him. Payton took the ball to the frontcourt and passed it to Kobe next to him, and there was no more.

Facing Jordan's defense, Kobe hit an iron with passion.

O'Neal was still thinking about grabbing an offensive rebound, but he collided with Garnett, and the rebound was taken away by Jermaine O'Neill.

Xiao Ao grabbed the rebound, handed the ball to McGrady habitually, and led Big Zhi to the frontcourt to settle.

After McGrady flew to the front court, he ran in the direction of Jordan.

Jordan sneered in his heart, the young McGrady finally came to his senses and knew how to pass the ball to the protagonist on the court.

It's a pity that he thought too much.

McGrady ran towards him, trying to use his body as a pick-and-roll to help him get rid of Payton's defense.

"Shh!"

With a precise three-pointer, McGrady also scored.

Jordan's face turned green. He suddenly remembered the scene when he participated in the All-Star Game for the first time. At that time, his teammates isolated him and no one passed the ball to him.

How similar the current scene is to that time!

After 13 years, I have survived the old Thomas, Moses Malone and other people, but I did not expect to be isolated.

"Damn Isiah!" Jordan cursed old Thomas in his heart.

He believes that Thomas Sr. deliberately made the Raptors players not pass the ball to humiliate himself.

Old Thomas, who was far away in Toronto, expressed his innocence, and this matter has something to do with him...

Even if he wanted to trip Jordan up, those Raptors players wouldn't listen to him, he was a poor commander.

(End of this chapter)