no shortcuts in basketball

Chapter 171 8 Interpretation of Military Power
The United Center is abuzz.

When the Heat are trying to defend your core players, it is very critical whether your role players can step up.

Battier not only stood up, but also scored consecutive three-pointers.

In a sense, those James guys are quite right. The Bulls are really a giant of five, six, seven or eight.

Because at critical moments, none of them showed mercy!

In fact, Battier's deal originally caused doubts among many fans. After all, Battier is 32 years old, while Korver is only 28 years old, and the Bulls also hired a part-time team bodyguard who was on the edge of the lottery. Johnson.

But actually from the management's perspective, that deal must be done.

Because starting from the selection of Yao Ming, the Bulls are fighting for the present rather than the future.

Especially when the team has the strength to compete for the championship and has the opportunity to find the winning puzzle piece, it must not be missed.

Facts now prove that the management's choice was right.

After the timeout, the Heat made substitution adjustments, and Miller came on to replace James.

Spoelstra is not as soft as he looks. James cannot meet his requirements on both offense and defense. He is not used to it anymore.

This wave of substitutions also boosted the Heat's morale. After returning from the timeout, Wade suddenly scored from Chalmers, who hit a three-pointer to help the Heat quench their thirst.

But back on the defensive end, the Heat faced a dilemma.

Because Spoelstra's defensive system is based on the quick defense capabilities of Wade and James.

If you go to James now, Wade alone can't cover the half-court defense even if he breaks his leg.

Therefore, as a result of the Heat's continued insistence on the defensive strategy, another player was missed.

This time it was Artest who got the chance.

Artest's three-point shooting has never been stable in his career. He only had a performance of 41% in a single season when he was with the Pacers, and then fell below 35% at every turn.

But including this season, in the three seasons of cooperation with Yao Ming, his three-point shooting percentage has remained above 38%, especially this season it reached 40.6%, breaking the 40 mark again.

On the one hand, this is due to the containment power of the Bulls' three cores. On the other hand, it is the mentality.

Just like Rodman back then, players can get better and better by only doing what they are good at.

"Shh!"

Artest did not disappoint, and even played the answerball.

There were constant cheers at the scene.

A piece of hot knowledge, Artest is also a rookie on the Bulls.

Although he only played for the Bulls for three years, he did something as big as breaking Jordan's ribs with his elbow.

Therefore, it is impossible for Chicago fans to be unfamiliar with him, and of course he is not a well-known one.

This time he has matured a lot since entering the palace for the second time. Coupled with this tough character, it is easy to think of Rodman back then.

Even Artest, 31 years old at this time, is three years younger than Rodman.

This popularity is second only to the three core members of the Bulls.

Spoelstra put his hand on his forehead with a helpless expression.

The Bulls' role player feels like this tonight, and his defensive strategy can no longer be used.

But without it, the Heat can't guard against the Bulls' pick-and-roll. In fact, they still can't guard against it.

It can't work with James, and it can't work without James. It's really a headache.

But what Spoelstra never expected was that tonight's headaches had just begun.

The Heat actually don't have no chance tonight. Although the Bulls are in very good shape, Wade and Bosh are also in very hot shape on the Heat's side.

Therefore, although the Heat have maintained a 5 to 10 point difference, they have not allowed the Bulls to completely pull away.

Then the crux of the problem came. James rarely took any shots in the next three quarters.

To put it nicely, he is organizing the team and giving up the right to take shots to Wade and Bosh who are in good condition.

But in fact, anyone with a discerning eye can feel that James is angry with Spoelstra.

And there was nothing Spoelstra could do about it.

Refer to Carter in detail back then. After applying for a trade, the Raptors refused to agree. He still played on the field, but it was clear that he was not working hard.

For ordinary players, the head coach can just put them on the bench, but for the core of the team, you really have nothing to do, because you really can't win without him.

Otherwise, there won't be so many stars applying for trades in the NBA in the future, and all of them will get their wish in the end.

The result is that although the Heat have kept the point difference wide, they have never been able to overcome that point difference.

93 to 101, the Bulls finally defeated the Heat by 8 points and won the first game of the Eastern Conference Finals.

According to the statistics after the game, the Bulls' top scorer was Yao Ming, who scored 24 points, 10 rebounds and 2 blocks.

After Spoelstra had to give up shrinking defense in the second three quarters, Yao Ming still ravaged the Heat's inside line just like in the regular season.

Rose had 17 points and 6 assists, Battier had 13 points, Artest had 11 points, and Hinrich had 10 points.

The Bulls made 22 of 12 three-pointers from outside tonight, with a shooting percentage of over 50%.

Thanks to the excellent touch of his teammates, Xu Yong scored the first triple-double of his Bulls career, with 21 points, 10 rebounds and 11 assists.

Although it is a bit economical, the focus is on practicality.

热火队那边，韦德20中13得到32分6板4助攻2抢断2盖帽，波什19中11，得到26分6板，米勒11分3板。

詹姆斯全场只出手了11次，11投3中，得到8分9板7助攻2抢断4失误。

After the game, the Bulls players returned to the locker room happily.

Xu Yongze and Yao Ming went to the post-game press conference together.

Today he got the first triple-double of his career, and he got it in the playoffs. This will definitely become the focus of questions from reporters after the game.

The press conference started soon. The reporters in the audience were excited. This game was exciting and there were many things to watch. The reporters were also eager to try it.

Xu Yonglu was asked some questions one after another, most of which were expected, such as his mood after defeating the Heat, his feelings about getting a triple-double, etc.

But when a reporter asked about Barkley's bet, things started to go a little awry.

"Do you think the Bulls would let Barkley drink that bowl of horse piss?"

Xu Yong is not easy to answer this question, because it is actually asking about the Bulls' confidence in the next series.

Moreover, the relationship between media celebrities like Barkley cannot be too rigid. After all, he is not James. He can have such a powerful voice that the media can put pressure on them or even fire them.

"We'll hurry up."

Xu Yong's answer instantly made the reporters laugh.

Xu Yong's answer was perfect. He didn't mention the matter of horse urination, but he showed absolute confidence.

"What do you think about LeBron only scoring eight points tonight?"

The reporter asked again.

However, this question immediately stopped Xu Yong.

Because he doesn't know the specific statistics of the Heat players now. After all, it has only been less than half an hour since the end of the game.As for the game, it's even more impossible. Who has nothing to do to look at the data during the game?

"Are you talking about LeBron?" Xu Yong confirmed.

After getting a positive reaction from the reporter, Xu Yong's expression at this time was a bit wonderful.

Although he didn't see the data, he could still feel that James' data tonight was a bit low.

I just didn't expect it, I never expected it to be 8 points.

Originally, the line of history had changed because of him, and he thought it would never happen again.

But I didn't expect that not only would it happen, but it would also advance to the Eastern Conference Finals.

Although his thoughts at this time have changed a lot from before.

Because at that time, he felt that James' 8 points were more due to technical problems.

But now it seems that it is not just a technical issue, but some other ideas.

"I haven't paid attention to this, but it shows that our defense was very successful. If I remember correctly, he started trying to misplace Derek in singles but it didn't work. I didn't have much impression of him in the subsequent games." Xu Yong tried hard to recall.

This answer also made many reporters below chuckle.

Is there anything wrong with this answer?There's definitely nothing wrong with it.

Because this is a standard statement of facts, you can’t say that repeating what happened is considered a crime, right?

But this is really damaging.

Rather than blaming people, this kind of words can really stimulate people.

But it's just James. Xu Yong hasn't had any on-court conflicts with anyone since he entered the NBA, but James stepped on his feet last season.

Although he is a relatively generous person, there are still things that cost money.

……

On social media after the game, fans were already extremely excited.

"I heard that LeBron is the future No. 1 in the league, but I have never heard of No. 1 scoring 8 points in the conference finals?" A comment from "KBfnas".

"LeBron doesn't deserve to be compared with Kobe at all. I can't even see his desire to win in the game. His whole game made me feel like a pufferfish that was rubbed to inflate."

"What you said is wrong. How can you have the desire to win if you can't score a goal? 11 of 3 and only 2 free throws. What do you call this? This is called being guarded to death!"

"At this time, I have to mention that man. In G98 of the 6 Finals, Pippen scored exactly 8 points. But guess what, the Bulls won that game. Yes, Jordan scored 45 points, and hit the 'last.shot' shot." Comment from Laker Nation.

"It's all Wade's fault. He only scored 32 points. If he had scored 45 points, wouldn't the Heat be the winner?"

"Trade, I've really had enough. How does LeBron look like an MVP? If it were Granger in this game, I think the Heat would have a chance!"

"Why do you guys always mention Granger? Do you really think there is a chance if it's Granger? Stop talking, this game is just a three-pointer for the Bulls!" A comment from "Brownie Future Superstar".

"As expected of Brownie."

"You may not believe it, but I think the Heat haven't forced out the strongest Bulls team yet..."

"Yes, the Bulls even gave up O'Neal. I think this Bulls team is underestimated."

"The Heat aren't going to get swept, right?"

"This is too ridiculous. Although I think Barkley is drunk, the Heat will win one or two games no matter what."

……

chicago.

After the game, James did not go back to the hotel, but drove to a local nightclub.

He is really an angry pufferfish now, feeling like he will explode at any moment.

Of course losing makes people unhappy, but what makes him more unhappy than losing is Spoelstra.

How dare that stinky Filipino!

Back in Cleveland, the coaches, let alone quarreling with him during the game, didn't even dare to say a word when he grabbed the tactical board. The emphasis was on obeying what was told, and that was called being obedient.

And it wasn't just a quarrel, Spoelstra actually wanted to reduce his ball rights, which was his life!

As the target of Nike's strong support, he knows better than anyone else the importance of data in the NBA, a commercial league.

The easiest and most effective way for the media to flatter you is to list the data in Excel.

Because most people see text messages, not everyone in the United States can afford the traffic fee to watch videos.

So he would definitely not kill him. This is much more important than the outcome of a game.

The game can be lost, but the power struggle must not be lost.

And he knows that the current Heat team can't do without him, and he will get what he wants in the next game.

……

At the hotel where the Heat were staying, Spoelstra was editing video in the room.

In fact, people like them who are video editors will still edit their own videos even if they become head coaches. It is basically a habit.

Because this is a better way to grasp the details of the game than watching videos.

As he was cutting, he heard someone ring the doorbell.

He stopped what he was doing and opened the door, and then found that the person standing outside the door was Wade.

"Still up so late?" Spoelstra asked with a smile.

In the Heat, the person he has the best relationship with is Riley, and Riley can be regarded as the person who supports him the most.

The next best thing is Wade.

When Wade came to Miami, he, who was still an assistant coach at the time, was responsible for Wade's personal training, and the relationship between the two was very close.

"I can't sleep. I can't express some things quickly." Wade said.

Spoelstra put away his smile, nodded, and then let Wade into the room.

After entering the room, Wade glanced at Spoelster's computer and then sat on the stool.

"If you have anything to say, just say it." Spoelstra closed the door, turned around and said with a wry smile.

He could probably guess Wade's purpose. Everyone would be angry at what James did tonight.

"Eric, let LeBron control the ball and design plays for him to make him feel as comfortable as possible."

But as soon as Wade opened his mouth, Spoelstra was shocked.

Although he knows that the Heat will definitely not be able to win without James, to be honest, Wade is now the leader of this team in terms of performance and status. This is even a bit humble.

But Wade's next words made him stand in awe.

"If we want to achieve our goals, I can make any sacrifices for the team, just to help LeBron take away that hesitation. Our goal is the championship, not personal self-esteem and interests."

……

Historical records: The Heat suffered a new defeat in G1 of the Eastern Conference finals, and James released his military power by 8 points.

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(End of this chapter)