NBA: Miracle Workers

Chapter 113 Everyone is brave and strikes hard

1998年6月1号，总决赛G1将在当晚21点整在麦迪逊广场花园正式开战。

Everyone in the Jazz flew to New York ahead of schedule at the end of May, but after routine interviews with most sports media, there were no more reports.

The media in Salt Lake City are clamoring for the Jazz championship every day, but their influence is really limited.

The New York media didn't pay attention to the Jazz at all:
"The Bulls had a gentleman sweep, Jazz? Who is that?"

At this time, everyone is busy mocking Michael Jordan, but there is no time to talk to Karl Malone, who is not topical.

For 4 full days, while the sports media reported the news of the finals, they kept everything about the situation of the Bulls. Michael Jordan was still ridiculed by the crowd.

Ordinary fans don't care about the media, whether fans of other teams like to see such a matchup or not, New York fans are already in high spirits.

Tickets were sold out early, and enthusiastic fans entered the venue before 21:[-] that night.

Many people also held the slogan "True MVP" to show their support for Li You.

Restricted by the transmission conditions, the stars who can sell tickets at this time are very important to the team.

Only the support of buying tickets with real money can bring intuitive income to the team.

NBC's famous reporter Jim Gray also felt the love of New York fans for Li You. After joining the team for less than two years, he is almost on the same level as Ewing.

Li You usually comes to the arena to warm up in advance, and the media reporters are also aware of his habits, and when the warm-up is over, they immediately come to him:
"Li, congratulations on reaching the finals!"

"At 20 years and 151 days, he once again broke the record set by Magic Johnson and became the youngest player to start the Finals in NBA history."

Hearing Jim Gray talking about the record issue with a smile, Li You also quickly smiled. At present, there are not many young records set by Magic Johnson.
"This is the first finals game of your career, and you are about to play against Stockton. Can you talk about your expectations for this game?"

Many fans are still sighing. Li You's flashy warm-up activities have become a must-see for many fans before the game. However, seeing the NBC reporter, the fans soon followed suit.

Having already changed into a "equipment dog" suit and the home jersey of the Knicks, Li You immediately answered the question with a relaxed expression:

"Of course we must win at home. From the perspective of the schedule, 232, there is a possibility that the opponent will win three games in a row. Therefore, protecting the home field is our goal in these two games."

"When I was in college, what I watched the most were Stockton's game highlights. Being able to play against him on such a stage is something I have always looked forward to."

"."

Ewing did not accept an interview before the game, and the gorilla cherished this opportunity to reach the finals again.

This year, I suffered a wrist injury and my condition declined. Considering my age, if I get injured again, I will basically say goodbye to the level of a star player.

Michael Jordan was swept by the Gentlemen, and Ewing also realized that his remaining career time was running out.

Under such circumstances, the gorilla doesn't want to fail in this finals. He needs the championship too much. He has won rave reviews after winning the Michael Kors. If he really wants to win the championship, there is a high probability that he will ascend to heaven.
In the Knicks locker room, seeing that everyone had arrived and changed into uniforms, Ewing immediately said loudly:

"We have to win the two home games. After the game starts, everyone has to be nervous."

Oakley also clapped his hands and reminded:
"Don't worry about the opponent's small moves, this is our home field!"

In the locker room of the visiting team, everyone on the Jazz team did not shout, and Stockton and Karl Malone still looked calm.

Jerry Sloan looked serious, and specifically told the center Ostateg who started tonight:
"When encountering a pick-and-roll, remember to delay quickly. During the game, echo each other, and don't let the opponent find the rhythm easily!"

The away players were greeted by continuous boos, and the atmosphere at Madison Square Garden became more and more heated as everyone from the Knicks came on the field one by one.

In the NBC commentary seat on the spot, Bob Costas immediately introduced briefly after getting the starting rosters of both sides:

"Compared to the Western Conference finals, the Jazz changed the center and Greg Ostertag started."

"It's still John Stockton and Jeff Hornacek at guard and Brian Russell and Karl Malone up front."

As soon as the voice fell, Doug Collins on the side immediately added:

"Taking a big man is not a very good choice. The defensive end may provide the ability to protect the rim, but in the face of the pick-and-roll, once Stockton fails to squeeze through the screen in time, Ostertag will be forced. Delay."

"Lee will seize these opportunities. After Ewing returned, the quality of the Knicks' screens has improved, which is why the Bulls chose to switch defenses many times."

Isiah Thomas in the commentary seat has been in a particularly beautiful mood in recent days. Hearing his partner's point of view, he immediately nodded in agreement:
"Yes, tonight is a test of the Jazz's perimeter defense ability. Considering John's age, it is difficult for him to limit Lee's performance."

Ever since Michael lost the Eastern Conference finals, Isiah Thomas has almost turned into Li Youqiu.

As the commentator of the finals, he did not forget to praise Li You's performance in the Eastern Conference Finals.
When the two sides warmed up at the end, Utah Shuangsha didn't have much expression. It seemed that reaching the finals didn't make them excited.

In contrast, Ewing seemed more excited. The gorilla even completed several dunks during the warm-up, showing his physical condition to the fans.

As the referee signaled the players from both sides to come to the center of the field, there was a huge cheer immediately:

"Let's go Knicks! Let's go Knicks! Let's go Knicks!"

The New York fans at the scene shouted extra vigorously, and when the gorilla successfully passed the ball to the half court, the cheers rang out again.

Unlike Harper's leading defense, Stockton only chose to step forward to defend after Li Youyun passed halftime.

Quickly making tactical gestures, Li You, who holds the ball in his left hand, quickly came to the left flank to protect the ball sideways, and the Knicks pulled away one by one.

It was still Larry Johnson who stood on the right flank to respond, and Alan Houston observed the defense from the right corner, ready to start at any time.

Oakley is on the right near the bottom line and Malone is stuck, ready to grab the rebound.

Ewing moved quickly, came to the three-point line, and performed a high pick-and-roll.

Reverting to the previous offensive routine of partial 2-on-2 after the opening, Li You was not polite. At the time of Ewing's station, he immediately held the ball in his left hand, lowered his center of gravity, and broke through on the left side.

The quality of the Gorilla's screen was very good, and although Stockton pushed his way through, he still couldn't complete the chase.

Hearing the head coach's instructions before the game, Ostertag quickly slid and delayed Li You.

It’s just that the 2-meter tall man is difficult to bend over to defend. Li You just raised his body’s center of gravity slightly.

Before Ostertag had time to slide again, Li You, who lowered his center of gravity, grabbed the ball with his right hand, quickly led the ball forward, and easily passed between the two.

"Oh!!"

It was so beautiful that the scene burst into cheers. In the blink of an eye, Li You had already rushed inside the three-point line, catching the ball with his right hand and going straight into the paint.

Ma Long, who was still stuck with Oakley, moved quickly to make up defense, but Li You suddenly stopped in the paint right in front of the basket and shot a quick jumper!
"Shua!" A steady hit in the middle distance!

Seeing Li You score so easily, Coach Sloan on the sidelines frowned.

With a smile on his face, Li You clapped Ewing's hands in celebration, and then turned around to lead defense against Stockton.

He is not interested in rushing to the basket with a straight head, and Malone's muscles and big elbows are not just for display.
Perhaps in order to save energy, Stockton did not choose to dribble across the half court himself, but quickly gave the ball to Hornacek who was responding.

After dribbling across the center line, Stockton ran without the ball again to catch the ball again.

"Defense! Defense! Defense!"

Amidst the defensive cheers, Li You was still sticking to Stockton's side, noticing that Malone had started to move, and immediately prepared to squeeze through the cover.

He didn't play the pick-and-roll as usual. At the top of the arc, Stockton was strictly guarded by Li You. He first pretended to break through on the right side, and then quickly dribbled behind his back.

After Malone screened, he moved quickly and came to the elbow area on the right side of the free throw line. Stockton, who switched to his left hand, took advantage of the opportunity to send a ground pass.

After catching the ball, Ma Long took advantage of the situation and took a quick tentative step with his right foot. Taking advantage of Oakley's slight step backwards, he immediately exerted force with his feet and succeeded in a jump shot!
"Shhh!!"

He has beautiful muscles, but Ma Long can also be a pretty guy in the mid-range shot sometimes.

This powerful power forward usually completes the offense from the outside after the start. After finding the touch, he combines shots, hits the basket, and stands on the free throw line.

Stockton can always make the opponent catch the ball comfortably, the two cooperate tacitly, and there are many pick-and-roll tricks.
Quickly throwing the baseline ball, Li You made a simple tactical gesture to indicate a change in defensive strategy.

The customized game strategy before the game was to chase Stockton, and Oakley and Ewing also needed to participate in the delay defense. After all, Stockton's mid-range is very accurate.

After one round, Li You decided to defend alone and one-on-one to see Stockton's offensive state.

In this attack, Ewing set a screen for Alan Houston on the right side near the baseline.

Without complicated tactics, Alan Houston immediately bounced to the elbow on the right side of the free throw line, received a pass from Li You, faced Hornacek's block, drifted slightly to the left, and shot a mid-range jumper!

"Shuh!" The two-pointer scored again.

Since winning against the Bulls, Alan Houston has also become more confident in his shooting. After scoring, he retreated quickly with a smile on his face.

Amid the cheers of the fans, the Jazz also began to speed up their advance. Hornacek simply organized the attack after dribbling halftime in this round.

The pick-and-roll was also initiated, and Malone's screen quality on the left flank was very good. Hornacek, who held the ball in his right hand, briefly got rid of the defense.

Quickly arriving at the left elbow of the free throw line, Hornacek immediately stopped and made a jump shot!

"state!"

As soon as the rebound bounced, it was caught by Ewing. Coach Sloan on the sidelines yelled to remind the players to retreat quickly. After receiving the ball, Li You accelerated and rushed across the half court.

There was no delay in time, and Stockton was still directing his teammates to complete the defensive positioning.

On the right wing, Li You, who holds the ball in his right hand, did not slow down. When he was about to approach the three-point line, he quickly in and out.

Stockton was stunned for a moment, and without giving the opponent too much time to react, Li You immediately blew the ball to a stop on the three-point line, and then quickly shot a jumper!
"Shua!" Converted a three-point hollow into the net!
2:7, the crisp three-pointer made everyone in the Jazz a little confused.

Li You retreated quickly and stopped leading Stockton's defense. The Jazz's offense also started from the low post.

Two big men started posting up the ball in the zone, and the rest of the Jazz cut without the ball.

It's just that the tactics ran around, but the Knicks' defense did not show any mistakes. In the end, Malone succeeded in a face-up jumper from the left block position.

The game quickly entered the rhythm of the Knicks, and Sloan on the sidelines loudly reminded the players to defend.

Ostertag delayed Li You in the face of the pick-and-roll, but missed Ewing who was rolling down. In two consecutive rounds, the gorilla succeeded in eating cakes at the basket.

Oakley's offensive end has always been hung on Malone, just near the bottom line and the opponent's position, the old guy does not do anything else, trying to use hand-to-hand defense to affect Malone's shooting touch.

After a few rounds, noticing that the Jazz were getting more and more difficult to score, Doug Collins immediately said in the NBC commentary:
"This is not the Jazz's game rhythm. They play too slowly and are too afraid of the opponent's transition attack."

Seeing Stockton strike an iron, Isiah Thomas on the side said with a smile:
"Lee is not Van Exel. John has to strengthen his defense. It is best to choose a leading defense. This may consume too much energy, but it is definitely the best defensive strategy."

After accepting the long rebound, Li You pushed forward quickly, and Stockton also chased to the side, and soon the two began to compete with each other.

Coming to the top of the arc, Ewing made a false screen on the three-point line and immediately rolled down to the free throw line, again covering for Alan Houston, who bounced quickly.

Without taking advantage of the cover, Li You, who holds the ball in his left hand, quickly dribbles behind his back. After switching to his right hand, he immediately sinks his shoulders and accelerates.

The moment Alan Houston caught the ball, there was no defense in front of him. He threw the ball without making adjustments!

"Shua!" The three-pointer hit the net hollowly!

"Wow!!"

At 6:14, with 1 minutes and 7 seconds left in the first quarter, coach Sloan immediately asked for a timeout amid the joyful shouts of the fans.

Jeff Van Gundy, who hung up, didn't expect the game to go so smoothly. The Jazz, except for Malone, were all bang bang.

Within half a quarter of the game, Li You sent out 4 assists, and the bald young coach hurriedly patted his shoulder to show encouragement:
"Good job!"

On the Knicks bench, the atmosphere team was also shouting happily. It seems that after winning the Bulls, the shooting feel has improved.

Gaining metaphysics psychological bonus, Li You felt that all his teammates were brave, and everyone dared to fight.
After the Jazz's timeout, center Greg Foster was replaced, but the substitution did not change their shooting touch.

Only Karl Malone was in excellent form and was not affected by Oakley at all. In his own sweet spot, he scored consecutive jump shots.

The cheers in the arena are getting louder and louder. It is impossible for one person to beat the Knicks. The smooth attack of the home team also makes the fans more confident.

Rotating personnel early in an attempt to score efficiently, head coach Sloan tried to improve the team's shooting feel, but until the end of the first quarter, the Jazz could not turn over.
At 14:27, the Knicks led by 13 points in the first quarter.

Madison Square Garden is completely boiling, New York fans only feel that the championship is at their fingertips, and the Jazz have no power to fight back.
After the start of the second quarter, Li You, who was sitting on the bench, saw that the bench lineup also began to punch hard, and twitched the corners of his mouth:
"You guys are all here to grab the FMVP!"

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(End of this chapter)