roccoschili Chapter 532 [More selfless, finals]
Chapter 532 [More selfless, finals]
Chapter 532 [More selfless, finals]
The NBA season started late this year, and the Eastern Conference finals will not end until June 6. The Bulls will rest for 6 days. The first game between the two sides will be played in Los Angeles on the 3th, with a schedule of 9.
Being eliminated is not necessarily a bad thing for "Big Shark" O'Neal, at least he doesn't have to bear huge psychological pressure.Going to Los Angeles to fight, he will definitely be booed by the home fans, and the Heat are still the weaker side, which will make his original choice even more stupid.
At the press conference, the reporter asked Thibodeau to comment on the Lakers. He chose to show weakness and said the Bulls were just challengers.
Several Bulls stars also did not mention victory or defeat, but only said that they would work hard and try to cause trouble for the Lakers.The goal is just to cause trouble for the opponent, they can't keep a low profile anymore, and then they have to kneel on the ground and sing "Conquer".
"Jerry's coaches meet in the finals", "Master-Apprentice Showdown", many media used such titles to attract fans.
ESPN's 13-person expert team predicted the outcome, and one side was optimistic about the Lakers winning the championship. Only two people guessed that the two sides would play six games. Five people chose to sweep. No one on both sides played the tiebreaker.
On the Internet, except for Chicagoans, no one supports the Bulls to win the championship, and the popularity is far worse than that of the Lakers.
This gave David Stern a headache. The ratings in the finals will definitely not be very high. He can't change this. He can't deliberately weaken the Lakers in order to create opponents, right?
The league can only try its best to render the contest between the stars, but no matter how publicized it is, fans discuss the game and generally believe that the Lakers stars soar high scores and win more points in the finals.
On the morning of the 9th, Kobe Bryant practiced shooting. At the end of the training, Yang Rui went to the arena and asked him to have breakfast together.
They went to the breakfast shop near the arena and ordered bacon omelettes, etc., and the two chatted about the game at night.
Yang Rui said: "Kobe, in the first game, I hope the team has a big victory. You need to break through the organization and pass the ball, and reduce the mid-to-long-distance shooting. You have to be more selfless than ever."
"Oh?" Kobe waited for his next words.He practiced shooting because he wanted to shoot a lot at night.
Yang Rui said unhurriedly: "I can generally guess the defensive tactics of the Bulls. Thibodeau and I have worked together for many years, and we played against the Lakers in the Raptors twice. He will try to cut off the connection between you and your teammates. Artest is an excellent perimeter defender, Tracy McGrady is very familiar with you, and they focus on taking care of them, and it will definitely be difficult for you to score."
"I can blow them up," Bryant hummed.
Yang Rui smiled and said, "Yeah, but Yao Kongqie hits the basket, or Rasheed makes a three-pointer from the perimeter, and it's easier to blow up the Bulls. If you take the lead, the Bulls will be very happy. Do it with you. I was very happy with your performance in those two finals when you were against the opponent."
Kobe was a little upset. "Are you mocking me?"
"No, I'm just stating the fact that when you play against the Spurs, the team needs you to do it alone, because the Spurs have a strong overall defense, and it is easier for you to score single-handedly. The Bulls have obvious weaknesses on the defensive end, and it is easier for you to assist your teammates than to score. If you can score 25 points, 5 rebounds, 10 assists, and shoot 50 percent from the field, you will definitely get a higher rating than the series average of 30 points and 40 percent shooting. The first way, we win easily, the second Seeds can probably win, but the scene won't be as pretty."
Kobe answered without thinking, "I choose the first one."
It's not that he likes the first one, but that he wants to have a good relationship with Yang Rui.
In the previous two finals against the Raptors, after the game, Ke was said to be a hindrance by the media. The data was not bad, but the hit rate was too low.If the hit rate is very low this time, the media will definitely not say anything good about him.
Today, he came to the arena early for extra training, which is also related to the lack of sleep last night. Yao Ming's shooting percentage is stable at more than 50%. The Bulls are not strong in the inside line. The center is two blue collars. If Yao Ming plays beautifully Data, FMVP does not necessarily belong to anyone.
Kobe is very clear that the Lakers have undergone earth-shaking changes at this stage, and Yang Ruilai's coaching is inseparable.Yang Rui told him to make more assists, so selfless play should be easier to win the MVP.
The current Kobe is not as stubborn as Yang Rui's previous life. He only won one championship in 2001. Even if he has the regular season MVP now, he is not very confident.
Yang Rui nodded: "Jordan played a quasi-triple-double in the 2003 finals and won the MVP. You are much more capable than 40-year-old Jordan, and you can definitely play efficiently and win the MVP. Work hard. Lord, pass the ball when you meet Artest and McGrady."
Kobe laughed. If the Bulls didn't need a zone defense, he would have no difficulty playing Purzbila after the pick-and-roll.
He is determined to win the finals MVP. As long as he gets it, this year will be a Grand Slam.In the NBA, if he can win these two honors and scoring titles in a single season, even if he does not win the championship in the future, people will always remember his name.
On the evening of the 9th, the finals started.
The scene of the Lakers' appearance ceremony was grand and shocking.Jerry Bass, Kupchak and other management personnel were present to watch the game and won applause from the fans.
Before the game, they went to the locker room to encourage the players and let them play well.
This year has been a perfect season for the old Bass, the players are playing well, there are no serious injuries, there are a lot of fans, and the team makes a lot of money.
Kupchak is equally beautiful. Yang Rui did not rob him of his job. Yang Rui only made suggestions for selection and trading. In terms of publicity, Yang Rui would not point fingers.The clear division of labor made Kupchak a solid position in the team, and he was also elected as the general manager of the year.
Since taking office in 2000, Kupchak has only worked as the general manager of the Lakers for five years, and he is about to bring the team a second championship trophy, which makes him very proud.
Yang Rui and Xibodu greeted each other, just hugged each other and said nothing.
As an opponent, there really wasn't much to say before the game, and Thibodeau didn't dare to talk to Yang Rui, for fear that the other party would say something like "Tom can't beat Jerry", which would make him uncomfortable.
Five Lakers: Mo Williams, Kobe, Iguodala, Rashid, Yao Ming.
Bulls five: Duhon, McGrady, Artest, Brand, Puerzbila.
Yao Ming won the jump ball and the game started.
Kobe received the ball well and protected him. Artest was the main defender. The teammates pulled away, and Yao Ming played a pick-and-roll with him in the middle.Similar to the way he played in the first three rounds, Bryant attracted interior defense after getting rid of it and opened up the distance.
The previous three teams had super insiders, and it was still uncomfortable to encounter the Lakers pick-and-roll. Brand was very good in the East and was the most stable power forward. Slightly inferior.
Thibodeau arranged man-to-man and did not dare to let Brand defend against pick-and-rolls. If Yao Ming played in the low post, it would be enough for him. He is only 203cm tall, and although he is heavy, it is difficult to interfere with Yao Ming's shooting.
Purzbila mainly guards Yao Ming, and how to guard Kobe after changing positions is another big problem.This is why Yang Rui asked Kobe to be selfless and break through. As long as he is willing to pass the ball, the Bulls' defensive loopholes are obvious.
Kobe Bryant reached the 45-degree face frame, attracted Artest to chase and defended, and divided the ball to the middle. Yao Ming caught the ball and made a three-point shot. The slow-moving Przebila threw out to interfere with the shot. Before he had time to jump, the ball flew towards basket.
The opportunity came. Yao Ming was a little excited to enter the NBA finals for the first time. He used a little more strength, the ball missed, and McGrady grabbed the rebound.
(End of this chapter)