NBA Backer King

  Chapter 656 The Nets eliminated the Knicks in the second round

  No. 8, the match day of the second round of G1.

   On this day, the West is the Suns against the Spurs, and the East is the Heat against the Pistons.

  For the Suns, playing the Spurs is no more difficult than playing the Kings, and they won the G1 game smoothly.

  The ambitious Heat encountered a stumbling block from the Pistons.

The Pistons cut off the connection between O'Neal and others through the double Wallace, and only allowed him to get 14 shots. Although O'Neal shot 64.3% from the field, he took too few shots, and only made 2 of 4 free throws, which was not lethal. Only got 20 points.

  In addition, under the strong defense of the Pistons, the outside core Wade's performance fell short, 7 of 25 shots and 2 of 2 free throws. He also did not play lethality and only scored 16 points.

  The Pistons had six players score in double figures, and finally won the G1 game in the away game with 90:81.

  No. 9, the other two second-round matches will start.

  Before the game, Lao Wang called Dayao and said, "Dayao, in the regular season you and the Knicks had one win and three losses. Don't make another one win and three losses in this series."

"Brother, don't worry, Vince was injured and didn't participate in the two regular season games with them. It happened that I was also injured and only played one of the two games. Now that we have a full manpower, we shouldn't have a big problem playing the Knicks. " Dayao said.

   "Let Kidd lock up Nash, and you will win half of the battle. If you work harder, it will be fine." He said.

  However, the Nets still lost the G1 game away.

  Although Dayao scored 29 points and 11 rebounds and shot 62% from the field, under the running and bombing of the Knicks, he didn't contribute much on the defensive end. In addition, his physical energy was consumed too quickly, and he couldn't keep up with the rhythm at the end of the quarter.

  After the game, Dayao called and said in frustration: "Brother, their running and bombing are too fast, faster than thieves, I can't keep up with the rhythm, and I can't guard against them.

   In addition, Kidd is also in a mediocre state today. He didn't play too excitedly, and he didn't guard Nash, otherwise we wouldn't lose. "

  Old Wang comforted: "It doesn't matter, I already knew you couldn't do it. Dayao, I think you'd better come here early and hug Kobe's thigh. What do you think?"

  Dayao said angrily: "Brother, if you want to say this, I really want to kill Nix. If I don't kill Nix, I will have no face to see Jiangdong's elders."

   Another game ended shortly thereafter, with the Blazers beating the Sonics at home.

  …

   On the 10th, the Suns beat the Spurs twice, and the Heat pulled back a game to tie with the Pistons.

  In this game, Wade showed his power, making 15 of 28 shots and not shooting a three-pointer.

  Under the restrictions of the double Wallace, O'Neal played in a sluggish manner. He only made 8 of 15 shots and 1 of 5 free throws. He only scored 17 points, 10 rebounds and 2 blocks.

   Bill Walton, who was in charge of explaining the game, said: "Judging from these two games, O'Neal's strength has indeed come down from the peak, and he no longer has the dominance he used to have."

   On the 11th, Dayao did what he said, and defeated the Knicks with Kidd, and scored a one-to-one tie in the away game.

  He played 41 minutes, 15 of 24 shots, 62.5% shooting, including 3 of 6 three-pointers and 6 of 6 free throws. He scored 39 points, 12 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 steal, 4 blocks, 2 turnovers and 4 fouls.

  However, this game was won mainly because Kidd played well. He allowed Nash to only score 16 points and 7 assists.

   On the other side, the Trail Blazers won the Sonics twice and won their second consecutive home victory.

  Dayao won the game, Lao Wang didn't comfort him, and Dayao didn't call to seek comfort.

   On the second day, on the 12th, the Suns defeated the Spurs again in an away game and won the second round match point.

  The Heat, on the other hand, showed their power in the away game, and made another victory, leading the Pistons by a big score of 2 to 1.

  The score of this game was 113:104. The Pistons' defense failed, and the two sides played against each other.

  Wade scored another 36 points, O'Neal also scored 24 points, and the two jointly contributed 60 points.

  For the Pistons, Hamilton scored 33 points. Four of the team scored in double figures, but the shooting percentage was not good. With 17 more shots than the Heat, the shooting percentage was nearly 9 percentage points lower, and even lost the game.

   The first point of the Pistons' loss was Billups' swashbuckling shots. The old problem was committed. He made 6 of 19 shots and his shooting percentage was only 31.6%.

  The second is the three-pointer, 4 of 13 shots, and the shooting percentage is only 30.8%, while the Heat made 7 of 14 three-pointers.

   On the 13th, the Trail Blazers lost on the road, and the Sonics were 2-1.

  The Nets returned to the home court, under the home court advantage, but lost to the Knicks, falling behind by a big score of one to two.

   "Dayao, are you going to go fishing in *Shanghai, or in New York?"

   "Brother, this year our east is obviously more competitive than your west."

  As soon as Dayao returned to the locker room, Lao Wang's comforting call came as scheduled.

   "Don't make excuses, didn't you say that there is nothing wrong with playing the Knicks?"

   "No, they are difficult to play, and the offensive and defensive rhythm is too fast."

   "Fart! What does Kidd eat?"

  "To be honest, brother, Jason tried his best, but he can't lock Nash. He is 31 years old this year, and Nash is faster than him now."

   "Okay, you are useless, it is best to let the Knicks reach the finals, and I will solve them personally."

   "Don't worry, brother, we can definitely solve them, it's just a little difficult, I have confidence."

   On the 14th, the G4 battle between the Heat and the Pistons took the lead.

  The Pistons strengthened their defense, preventing the Heat from making 3 of 14 three-pointers, and then won the G4 game, tying the Heat 2-2.

   Then the Suns completed another sweep, eliminated the Spurs, and took the lead in reaching the Western Conference Finals.

   This is the 12th time that Lao Wang has reached the Western Conference Finals. He has made 12 Western Conference Finals appearances in 12 years, preserving his qualifications of never missing the Western Conference Finals.

Magic Johnson said in an interview with the media in Los Angeles: "If the Suns lineup is not counted without the old K, it is just an ordinary playoff lineup, but with the old K and a gorgeous transformation, it is a championship-level lineup." line-up.

Old K averaged 37 points, 16 rebounds, 1.5 steals, 7.5 assists, and 4.5 blocks in the first round of the series. In the second round, he averaged 39 points, 17 rebounds, 1.7 steals, 7.2 assists, and 4.2 blocks. He is still at his peak. I look forward to him in the Western Conference Finals I will go to the scene to watch the performance. "

   "Hey Kobe, how was the catch today?"

   "Oh, it's okay."

   "But what about your fish?"

   "I'm just a little interested. I caught it and released it again."

   "Will you come fishing again next year?"

   "No way!"

  At a pier in Los Angeles, Kobe, who had just got off the boat with his fishing tackle on his back, was caught by a reporter.

   "Kobe, what do you think is the probability that Old K will lead the Suns to the finals this year?" The reporter asked again.

"Randolph did not come back, the strength of the Blazers is not as good as last year, but the strength of the Suns this year should not be as good as last year, the strength of both teams has declined. But I think the Suns are still stronger, and no one in the Blazers can limit him , and he can limit Duncan." Bryant said.

   "Do you think it will take a few more years for the Lakers to rise again?" The reporter asked again.

   "We will re-enter the ranks of the championship competition, there is no doubt about it." Bryant said firmly.

   "Kobe, will you go to watch the Western Conference Finals?" The reporter finally asked after seeing Kobe getting impatient.

"certainly."

  …

   On the 15th, the Trail Blazers defeated the Sonics and won the second round match point with a big score of 3 to 1.

  In the same night, the Nets' Yao Jika's Big Three team made efforts to blow up the Knicks under the blessing of home court advantage, and the two sides tied 2-2.

   On the 16th, the Heat returned to the home court and made great efforts to win the G5 game, winning the second round match point with a big score of 3 to 2.

   On the 17th, the Blazers successfully defeated the Sonics, 4 to 1, and joined the Suns in the Western Conference Finals.

  The Knicks, who returned to Madison Square Garden, exploded with huge offensive energy, scored 115 points, defeated the Nets, 3-2, and won the second round match point.

   On the 18th, the Heat, eager to win, lost the victory in the away game. They were forced to a three-to-three tie by the Pistons, and the two sides tied for a tie-break.

   On the 19th, the Nets returned to the home court, and there was also a wave of explosions. They defeated the Knicks. The two sides tied 3-3 and will also enter the tiebreaker.

   On the 20th, the WO team led the Heat to face the Pistons at home, and the tiebreaker began.

   O'Neal performed well, making 12 of 19 shots and a 63.2% shooting percentage. However, he only made 6 free throws and made 3 of them, which was not enough lethality.

  But the Heat's outside line was collectively inaccurate under the defense of the Pistons.

   Wade made only 7 of 20 shots, Eddie Jones made only 4 of 12 shots, and Damon Jones made 0 of 2 shots.

  In the end, the Heat lost the tiebreaker and the Pistons advanced to the Eastern Conference Finals.

  The next morning, at the invitation of Mrs. John, when Lao Wang took his family to play golf at John's family golf course, he was stopped by several reporters.

   "Old K, what do you think of the tiebreaker between the Heat and the Pistons last night?"

  "Bao Zi, no, Fang Fang, no, Wade's shooting is too unstable. It is not surprising that the Heat lost the game."

   "Who do you think will win the tiebreaker between the Nets and the Knicks tonight?"

   "It's all possible."

   "Old K, who do you want to win?"

   "Nets."

"why?"

  "Because I haven't had the chance to really play against Yao, I hope to meet him in the finals."

  "If the Knicks reach the Eastern Conference Finals, who do you think has a better chance of reaching the Finals?"

   "Pistons, the Knicks can't handle the Pistons' defense."

  …

  That night, at Madison Square Garden, the Nets and the Knicks started a tiebreaker.

   D'Antoni was forced to the corner. In order to increase the offense of the main lineup, Marbury, who had been suppressed for a season, was sent to the starting lineup.

   Marbury, who started the game, went crazy on the field, took over the ball from Nash, and after one quarter, the Nets led by 8 points. Then he was thrown to the bench by D'Antoni and never came up again.

Yao Kika's Big Three worked desperately, but Dayao's hands exploded. He made 12 of 18 shots and a shooting percentage of 66.6%. Among them, he made 3 of 7 three-pointers and 8 of 8 free throws. He scored 35 points, 12 rebounds, 2 assists and 5 blocks. 2 turnovers and 3 fouls.

  In addition, Carter scored 21 points, Kidd scored 18 points, and the Big Three jointly contributed 74 points, defeated the Knicks, won the tiebreaker, and reached the Eastern Conference Finals.

  The Knicks were eliminated, which disappointed the New Yorkers. The fourth championship they were looking forward to seemed to have to be postponed indefinitely.

   And D'Antoni was of course even more disappointed. He hollowed out the Suns' championship lineup, but he didn't even make it to the Eastern Conference Finals. He can imagine how the media will arrange him tomorrow.

   But he miscalculated and didn't wait until tomorrow. As soon as the game ended, a large number of New York media surrounded him.

  "Coach D'Antoni, the Knicks have paid more than 40 million in luxury taxes this season, ranking first in the league, but they haven't even touched the floor of the Eastern Conference Finals. Do you think your job is outstanding?"

   "Whether I'm doing a good job will be assessed by management and my boss, Mr. Dolan."

  "You hollowed out the main lineup of the Suns for the championship, but they made it to the Western Conference Finals again, but you couldn't make it to the Eastern Conference Finals with the championship lineup. Will you still insist on running and bombing tactics?"

   "There is no doubt that small ball tactics are the future."

  When D'Antoni was besieged by the New York media, Knicks owner James Dolan was discussing matters with several managements.

  Although the team did not make it to the Eastern Conference Finals, the operation of this season is very good, and the run-and-gun tactics are very entertaining. The boss Dolan is clear about this.

However, he still hopes to play a better record, because the Knicks are not short of money, never short of money, although running and bombing can attract fans, but for the Knicks, it is just a bit of icing on the cake, not what he wants. of.

   "Isaiah, do you think he needs to be given another chance?" he asked with a smile.

  Smiling Assassin Thomas hesitated for a while and said: "Mr. Dolan, in just one year, I don't think he can develop his talent. I think he can be given more time."

   "He won the championship after coaching the Suns for one year, but he brought Nash and their three main players to the Knicks, but he couldn't even make it to the Eastern Conference Finals, which disappointed me." Dolan shook his head and said.

  "He had old K in his hands last season, but not this season." An executive said.

   Dolan glanced at the executive and nodded involuntarily.

  Thomas looked a bit ugly. He was the one who advocated the introduction of D'Antoni, and the executive's meaning was obvious. D'Antoni only relied on the old K to win the championship last season.

  Questioning D'Antoni is questioning him, but he couldn't refute him, so he had to look at Dolan and said earnestly: "Mr. Dolan, please give him another season, I think he will prove himself."

   Dolan hesitated, but finally nodded, much to Thomas' relief.

  With the end of the second round, the Eastern Conference Finals and the Western Conference Finals are the Trail Blazers against the Suns, and the Pistons against the Nets. The former has home court advantage.

  The season is a seven-game four-win system, and the home and away game system is 22111. The Western Conference Finals will start on the 22nd and the Eastern Conference Finals will start on the 23rd.

  The next day, on the 21st, the league announced the best team.

   It was the seventh time that Pharaoh won a double first team, which was also his seventh first defense and ninth first team.

   Along with him, Duncan, Nowitzki, Iverson, and Nash were selected to the best team.

  The best first defense includes Duncan, Garnett, Bruce Bowen, and Larry Hughes.

  Double one team allowed him to get the system's 400 points reward, 200 points each.

   After having lunch with his family, Lao Wang rushed to the team and flew to Portland together to start the trip to the Western Conference Finals.

  For the Western Conference Finals, the media's comments are biased towards the Suns.

  ESPN made predictions for both the Western Conference Finals and the Eastern Conference Finals. The Suns have a 60% chance of winning, the Trail Blazers 40%, and the Pistons and Nets have a 50-50 chance of winning.

Magic Johnson, who arrived in Portland, was interviewed by the media at the airport and said: "Randolph is still on the injured list. Although he has entered the rehabilitation link of joint rehabilitation, he can't play the game. The strength of the Blazers Still incomplete.

  Last year, Duncan and Randolph couldn't beat the old K. This year, one is missing. Although the Suns are a new lineup, there is a high probability that they can't beat. "

   Kobe, who came with Magic Johnson, also had the same attitude, saying: "I think Gary Payton may have some regrets."

  Seeing Kobe's words from the media, Payton was so angry that he swears: "Damn D'Antoni, **** Knicks, you deserve to be eliminated by the Nets."

He vented his anger on D'Antoni and the Knicks who hollowed out the Suns, because last year he decided to be shameless for the championship, but he was concerned about the Suns' lineup being poached, and finally chose to stay in the Trail Blazers , but did not expect that the old K was still a pillar of the sky, leading the Suns to the Western Conference Finals, but the Blazers injured Randolph.

   "Hey, Gary, can I interview you? I want to know, do you regret not joining the Suns?" However, some media didn't know what they were interested in, so they called to interview him, and the questions they asked made him very embarrassed.

   "NO! I don't accept interviews."

  He hung up the phone angrily.

  In the evening, Lao Wang sat in a restaurant with old friends such as Magic Johnson, Kobe, Barkley, and chatted while eating.

   "Thunder and the glider will arrive tomorrow. These two guys have just completed a round of world travel with their families, and they are living too leisurely." Barkley shouted.

   "With loose money, of course you can live a leisurely life." Magic Johnson laughed.

   "Old K, you have to be careful of the Blazers, Randolph can't play, Sharif Rahim's strength is still good, and now he is very healthy." Kobe reminded.

  Barkley said: "Raheem is too soft, he can't get into the paint area, so don't worry too much about him. Old K, as long as you get Duncan, the Western Conference Finals will be fine."

  Old Wang laughed and said, "Of course I'm fine. What you're talking about is all nonsense. The emperor doesn't worry about it. What are you eunuchs worried about?"

"drink wine."

   Kobe and others were so angry that they raised their wine glasses and stopped talking about the Western Conference Finals.

  (end of this chapter)