Healthy basketball, starting from eating the old Lakers F4

Chapter 174: Tacit understanding of the ball, advancing to the Eastern Conference semifinals

After returning to the hotel after playing G3, Du En, as usual, did not show any initiative to find someone to discuss and play with each other in the next game.

Just eat a normal late-night snack, do some activities in the evening, and then go to bed.

After all, taking the initiative to contact other people, even reporting to the team owner, constitutes match-fixing, and even leaves evidence.

It is true that the NBA is a business league, and there are many cases of black whistles, tacit understanding of the game, and even match-fixing.

However, as a star, Duan certainly cannot bear such a stain.

However, Du En's guess was not wrong.

The next morning, Dunn was called into a room by Scott Scales. When he entered, he found that the team's general manager John Paxson had been waiting for a long time.

Obviously, John Paxson must have been assigned by team owner Jerry Reinsdorf.

John Paxson was the Bulls' former three-time meritorious player. He stayed with the Bulls directly after retiring and served as an assistant coach and scout.

It wasn't until Jerry Krause, the Bulls' meritorious general manager who single-handedly promoted the Bulls dynasty, stepped down, that John Paxson took over at the critical moment and was promoted by Jerry Reinsdorf.

As a die-hard loyalist of the team owner, John Paxson took the time to come to Indianapolis during his busy schedule, which already explains something.

However, playing with tacit understanding depends entirely on whether there is tacit understanding.

The Bulls boss also wants to see if Dunn understands the rules and is willing to cooperate so that he can earn more ticket money for a playoff game.

After all, it is understandable that Du En has not been in the martial arts world for a long time, so he does not understand the rules of the martial arts world.

Coupled with the fact that he is young and energetic, he is at the age to be competitive. Once Duen wants to sweep the Pacers, there will be no negotiation.

The Bulls boss relies on Dunn to sell tickets and lead the team to the playoffs.

Just giving the team coach a fatal order and pushing the hot-handed Du En to the cold bench. Even if the coach is removed to vent his anger on Du En, it will definitely cause some conflicts that affect the relationship between the two.

Therefore, John Paxson came here specially today to do work for Du En.

After John Paxson met Duan, he was also very eloquent and praised Duan as the only one in the league. The Bulls' victory in the playoffs was entirely due to Duan's personal strength.

Later, John Paxson hinted to Dunn through words that the Pacers are a strong defensive team and a veteran team.

After losing three games in a row, the G4 Pacers may resort to dirty tricks.

Therefore, John Paxson kept reminding Duen that Duen has a bright future and there is no need to take the risk of injury and go head-to-head with the Pacers in G4.

Duan had already had a tacit understanding with Reggie Miller, and when this happened, he could naturally maintain a tacit understanding with John Paxson.

Du En directly stated that he was willing to obey the team's instructions, and at the same time he made some modest demands.

That is, after playing G4, no matter whether they win or lose, the team will treat all players to a big meal in the name of Du En.

John Paxson was overjoyed when he heard this and agreed wholeheartedly.

For players, there is no salary in the playoffs. If they can play one less game, they will naturally play less to reduce the risk of injury.

Therefore, playing tacit basketball to make money for the team owner is not only unprofitable but also risky for the player.

Du En demands a meal worth tens of thousands of dollars in exchange for Du En playing tacit basketball and cooperating with the team owner to make money.

At the same time, the team owner helped Du En consolidate the team's morale, offset the impact of losing, and enhance Du En's status in the eyes of his teammates.

This kind of simple, effective, yet humane transaction is certainly worth doing.

As a result, before G4 started, Duan and Scott Skiles already had a certain understanding.

During this period, although many people in the Bulls knew about it, they didn't leave any clues.

Time came to May 5 in the blink of an eye, and the G3 game between the Bulls and Pacers was held as scheduled.

Tonight's rotation arrangement and playing time did not decrease much, but the style of play has changed significantly.

Duan did not continue to play inside, limiting O'Neal's performance.

Duan was more of an outside shooter and a simple series player. He just acted as a nanny and protected the other rookies in the Bulls' youth army throughout the game.

全场比赛下来，杜恩20投11中，三分7投3中，罚球2投2中，得到27分6篮板11助攻1抢断1盖帽的全面数据。

Although it is not as explosive as the previous three games, it is not bad overall, at least it can be said to be quite satisfactory.

Of course, because Duan did not work hard and could not use defense and more efficient offense to help the rookies withstand the pressure, in the end the Bulls lost the ball tacitly.

98 to 104. This was also the first time in this year's playoffs that the Bulls failed to score 100+ points.

Fortunately, the Bulls are not completely without gains. Ben Gordon still performed stably, scoring 19 points, 4 rebounds and 3 assists.Tyson Chandler, Luol Deng, and Andres Nocioni all scored more than 10 points. The Bulls' overall performance was still very good.

The one who is slightly injured may be Josh Smith, who is not good at defense and offense.

However, the Pacers also know that they are playing tacit basketball tonight, and the defensive intensity is not high.

Even when Luol Deng broke through the basket and showed his talent to the fullest, and wanted to dunk, he did not use foul moves.

Therefore, after playing G4, apart from consuming some physical energy, the Bulls players did not suffer much other losses.

Mentally, they were immediately replenished with a feast invited by "Du En" and chicken soup prepared by Du En himself.

After a big meal in Indianapolis, the Bulls and their team returned to Chicago leisurely to prepare for the next G5 victory.

June 5, Chicago United Center.

The Chicago fans seemed to be more enthusiastic tonight than in the previous two home games.

Encouraged by more than 2 fans at the scene, the Bulls youth team has accumulated a lot of playoff experience, and they also know almost how to deal with the Pacers.

Therefore, under the leadership of Duan, the Bulls easily defeated the Pacers and successfully advanced to the Eastern Conference semifinals without any effort.

全场比赛下来，31投15中，三分球8投3中，罚球8投6中，砍下39分8篮板9助攻2抢断1盖帽的杜恩，无疑成为了全场瞩目的焦点。

During the post-match interview, on-site reporters even swarmed towards Duen.

In this situation, Du En naturally had to show off a little bit, showing that he was not worried about who his opponent would be in the next round.

At the same time, Duen also showed a humble side, praising O'Neal Jr. and Warriors Jackson, saying that they are opponents worthy of respect.

On the contrary, Reggie Miller has nothing to say.

However, Reggie Miller strongly promoted Duane in the post-game interview.

“Duane’s talent and expressiveness are something I have only seen in Michael!

His future holds endless possibilities!Now he is on the right path.

Yes, I think Duen has surpassed me. Duen will be stronger than me, that's for sure.

Duane must be included in the regular season MVP discussion. Duane is the best player in the Eastern Conference, bar none.

I don't deny that the Miami Heat are first in the Eastern Conference, but they need Shaq and Dwyane to win so many games.

Duan single-handedly led a group of rookies to defeat a large number of strong opponents, including the Miami Heat!
You know, this kind of thing is crazy!

Even if you put a young, healthy Larry Bird into today's Chicago Bulls, there is no way he can do better than Duane.

Perhaps, I can make a bold prediction here in advance.

In this year's playoffs, Duan's next performance will shock everyone! "

The first round of the playoffs is almost over, and the regular season MVP will be announced soon.

In terms of record, the Bulls have 55 wins and 27 losses. Only the Suns, Spurs and Heat are better than the Bulls this season. Among them, only the Suns have a team with 60+ wins.

In terms of statistics, Duan averaged 27.2 points, 10.3 rebounds and 11.8 assists per game. He is the second player in the NBA after Big O to achieve a triple-double in the regular season after 43 years.

In the past, Du En was destined for the regular season MVP simply based on his triple-double average.

However, the regular season MVP is voted by the media.

Duane's disadvantage is that he is too young and is neither white nor black.

Of course, Duan also has an advantage, which is that he incredibly brought the second-last team in the Eastern Conference to second in the Eastern Conference.

Moreover, this season, the Bulls only have one All-Star player in Duen, and it is clear that Duen has no reliable helpers around him.

Therefore, Reggie Miller took advantage of the critical moment at the end of the first round to heat up the topic of Duane and the regular season MVP in advance.

No matter what the final outcome is, it will be beneficial and harmless to Du En.

Fans learned from Reggie Miller that Duane has Jordan's talent and Larry Bird's team-leading ability, and now Reggie Miller has been defeated.

So, even if Duane won the regular season MVP in his second year as a rookie, neither basketball commentators nor fans would have many doubts about Duen.

On the contrary, Duan failed to win the regular season MVP. Everyone will question the professionalism of the media's voting for regular season MVP.

If this is the case, Duan will have an extra talisman. No matter what happens in the next playoffs, even if he scores eight points in a single game, he may not be criticized.

(End of this chapter)