NBA: I just want to play soy sauce, you let me win the championship

Chapter 88 Chris Webber's Battle for Redemption

The two teams had not scored, and the game was more intense than exciting. Barkley and Smith, who were sitting in the commentary box, looked at each other and knew that it was their turn to take control of the game.

"Kenny, do you know? Actually, there is still an argument between the Kings and the Jazz." Barkley said.

"How to say?" Smith immediately cheered.

"In the 98-99 season, Webber just came to the Kings and led the team to the playoffs for the first time. The team he encountered was the Jazz."

"98-99 season? I remember that year, you were still playing for the Rockets, right?"

"Yes, I also paid attention to their games at the time. After the first three games, they led the 'defending runner-up' Jazz 2:1."

"Wait, Charles, what word did you just say?" Smith suddenly found an interesting word, "Defending runner-up?"

"Isn't it? In the past two years, the Jazz reached the finals and then lost to the Bulls led by Jordan." Barkley smiled, "Isn't it the defending runner-up?"

Barkley was so domineering on the court that he even dared to hit O'Neal, but he suffered a big loss under Malone's big iron elbow and was sent directly to the hospital.

So whenever I get the chance, I will make fun of Malone and his Jazz team.

Smith didn't want to make trouble, so he asked, "And then? I remember that the Jazz made it to the second round that year. What happened?"

"There are 1 minute and 30 seconds left in the fourth game, and the Kings still lead by 4 points," Barkley continued, "But Webber's 2 free throws and 1 of [-] free throws and sleepwalking at critical moments gave the Jazz a glimmer of hope."

"In the end, Stockton showed his heart and scored a lore goal. The Kings unfortunately lost the game by 1 point and did not end the series early."

"Then the Jazz counterattacked in Game [-] and won the entire series."

"So," Kenny Smith considered his words, "this series is also Chris Webber's redemption game?"

"That's right," Barkley agreed loudly, "You can't kill the Jazz here. Chris Webber will probably live in guilt for the rest of his life!"

The two chatted passionately, and the situation on the field also changed.

The Kings played hard, and the Princeton system pursued 1v0, which is no problem in the regular season. There will always be defensive players who desert, and it is easy to score 1v0.

But in the playoffs, every player is fully focused, those opportunities to slip to the basket easily are gone, and the opportunities to run back to the basket through exquisite coordination are also reduced, because as long as you go to the basket, there will always be other players on the way. interference.

Pulling down jerseys, stretching legs, and even elbows are commonplace.

In the end, Adelman shouted "give the ball to Chris" and quickly switched to star singles mode.

What should I do if I can't get things going in the playoffs?Give me the head star!
Weber received the ball at a 45-degree angle on the left side. This time he launched an attack facing the basket. He used his footwork advantage to get half of his body out of the way. Then he suddenly turned his back, leaned against Malone, and pretended to break through toward the free throw line.

After Malone's center of gravity followed him, Weber quickly turned around and stepped back one after another, directly throwing off Malone's defense, and took off from the horns to shoot.

However, Kirilenko suddenly appeared from the side, jumped up quickly, and blocked Weber's shot with a slap. Stockton picked up the ball and quickly advanced forward.

"AK47!" Buckley shouted excitedly in the broadcast booth, "Kirilenko's timely defense prevented Weber's attack. He was almost successful!"

"It seems that Weber's battle for redemption is going to be very difficult!"

"Yes, we know that this year Malone and Stockton are one year older, their feet have become slower, and they will face more pressure on the defensive end," Smith also commented, "but it is Kirilian Ke's timely supplementary defense can help the Jazz enter the playoffs in the West where there are many strong teams!"

"Kirilenko, who is omnipresent on the defensive end, makes up for the lack of defense of the veterans."

Seeing Stockton advance to the frontcourt, Malone also quickly started, followed up to the three-point line, received a pass from Stockton, opened the way with two big iron elbows, and easily scored a dunk.

Malone: ​​I'm a big iron elbow, which of you rookies dare to come up?
2: 0!

The Jazz first broke the deadlock on the field.

Lu Yuanzhi's focus was all on Kirilenko.

This guy is so skilled and daring, marking the new "three-point king" and dare to come out to make up for it!
This opportunity to assist in defense is worth studying and pondering.

The Kings still handed the ball to Weber in this attack. This time he held the ball behind his back with one hand and continued to stand at the corner, scanning the audience, ready to launch an attack.

When Kirilenko followed Stojakovic and ran from the side, he suddenly let go of Peja's defense and stepped forward decisively to double-team Weber.

Double team?

Weber looked at it and wanted to laugh, who do you think I am?
I was still thinking about how to find opportunities, but didn’t you just show up at my door?
Weber was not affected at all and passed the ball out amid the double teams of Malone and Kirilenko.

Russell has already rotated very vigilantly, switching to Stojakovic who cuts to the basket.

But the ball did not fly to Stojakovic.

If a big player has a good pass, he will have a huge advantage on the court.

Because they are at a higher altitude, they are not easily blocked by players on the field.

For this ball, Weber took advantage of his height. Seeing that Russell had turned around and was about to defend Stojakovic under the basket, he directly changed the target of the pass. Among a group of Jazz players, the ball It was given to Christie outside the three-point line in the corner on the other side.

Christie received the ball with no defense in front of him. He took off and shot very calmly, and the ball hit the net.

2: 3!

Both sides broke their scoring drought.

The game gradually returned to the right track.

The Jazz continued to play their familiar pick-and-roll tactics. Malone stepped up and acted as a wall for Stockton, ready to take outside jumpers or cut inside to attack the basket.

At the same time, Collins, Kirilenko and Russell set screens for each other and sneaked to the basket.

The Kings also continued to play the Princeton system, with Divac at the free throw line and Webber at the corner, taking turns to attack.

For the Princeton system, Jerry Sloan specially arranged for center Collins to squat at the basket to prevent other Kings players from sneaking to the basket, and also to provide Malone with help.

This is indeed able to provide effective basket defense.

But what about Divac?
Veteran Divac held the ball near the free throw line, and Collins was two big steps away but refused to follow.

Seeing the scene in front of him, Divac, who has played for more than 20 years, had already thought of a way to break the game. He made a decisive shot from the free throw line, and the ball went into the basket steadily without any interference.

Hum, the idea is correct. A rim protector standing under the basket can indeed protect the basket very well and greatly reduce our success rate of finishing at the basket.

But how dare you let me go?

Is it because my name Divac is not easy to use?
Do you think I'm old and can't hit the basket?
(End of this chapter)