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Thibodeau and Yang Rui have worked together for five years, but they still haven't done a good enough job in rotation. The Bulls rely on their main players to win. Thibodeau's trump card is that Crawford, McGrady, Artest, and Brand are all on the court together. The players can cooperate and have strong personal abilities. No team can withstand them if they play crazy. attack.

However, apart from these four players, the Bulls have no players who are good at scoring. They are all blue-collar players. To put it simply, the Bulls' core players cannot rest. Crawford, the substitute, averaged 33 minutes per game in the playoffs.

McGrady played 40 minutes in the regular season and averaged 44 minutes per game in the playoffs. This is risking his sports career. As long as his physical strength ensures efficiency, he can only play 35 minutes. This was the case with the Raptors. When he comes to the Bulls, Yang Rui believes that there will not be much change.

As expected, McGrady was still able to score on the offensive end in the final quarter, but his enthusiasm on the defensive end dropped and he was unable to balance offense and defense.

Unfortunately, the man McGrady was guarding was Hamilton, a marathon runner. Unfortunately, he experienced the sorrow of Hamilton's pet dog.

Isn't it? Still running? Are you finished yet? I really want to go home! Do you believe it or not if I run away again and pee all over you? McGrady: Except for the last sentence, he looks like me...

In the last few minutes, Hamilton didn't need his teammates to cover him, and McGrady had a hard time keeping up. As soon as "Scalpel" runs out of space, other Bulls players must cover up, otherwise he will make a perfect shot.

Still unable to catch up with the score, Thibodeau lost the confidence he had before the start of the game. He couldn't understand why the Bulls' stars were clearly stronger but couldn't beat the Wizards?

This is really not Thibodeau's fault. The substitutes signed by the Bulls management are not good enough, far behind the starting lineup, and not talented enough. The upper limit of a player is largely determined by talent.

For example, Ben Wallace, who is also a short inside man, can run, jump, and has outstanding wingspan, became the best defensive player and was selected as an All-Star. Hayes, a floor player with a similar defensive style, will never be selected as an All-Star. Even if he gets a mid-level contract, he is questioned as a garbage contract.

In the last minute, McGrady missed three consecutive three-pointers.

The Wizards maintained their advantage until the end.

McGrady makes a lot of pull-up shots in every game, but the "T-Mac moment" only comes once in a lifetime. If McGrady doesn't join the Rockets, Yang Rui doesn't know if his glorious record will still appear.

In most games, McGrady's key ball efficiency is very poor due to lack of physical strength. In Yang Rui's previous life, McGrady's performance in the last two minutes of his career was terrible. In the regular season, he averaged 1.12 points and a shooting percentage of 35.6 in the last two minutes. In the playoffs, he averaged 0.99 points and a shooting percentage of 29.3.

108 to 94, the Wizards got off to a good start at home. Six players on the team scored in double figures, with Marshall having the highest score of only 19 points. The players shot more evenly and played perfect team basketball.

Four Bulls scored in double figures, McGrady had 30 points, 4 rebounds and 4 assists, Brand had 22 points, 10 rebounds, 2 assists and 2 blocks, Artest had 16 points and 7 rebounds, and Crawford had 13 points.

At the press conference, reporters mainly interviewed Yang Rui and Jordan. No one expected that in a crucial game, Yang Rui would actually let Jordan play as a substitute and win.

Of course, Thibodeau didn't expect it, so the Wizards won unexpectedly, disrupting the Bulls' pre-game arrangements.

In fact, without Jordan as the starting small forward, it is easier for the Wizards to break the zone defense, and the Bulls players do not dare to shrink into the penalty area.

The elements to break the 122 zone defense are corner three-pointers, quick cuts inside, and running without the ball. Wizards role players can do it. Yang Rui knew this before the game, so he was very confident.

In Yang Rui's previous life, in the 2002-2003 season, Doug Collins also let Jordan play as a substitute because Jordan had a knee injury. During that period, the Wizards' record was not bad, and they finally won 37 games and finished third in the Eastern Conference. Nine, missed the playoffs.

The competition in the Eastern Conference was so weak at that time. The scoring mainly relied on Jordan and Stackhouse, and their positions still overlapped. The Wizards' roster is much deeper now.

In an interview, Yang Rui certainly would not say that the team would be stronger if Jordan was substituted. There will definitely be media who take the opportunity to provoke, and Jordan will be so angry that he will burst into flames. This kind of big news is very detrimental to the Wizards.

Yang Rui pretended to be embarrassed and sighed: "I had no choice but to replace Michael in this game. He played all 82 regular season games. He had an old knee injury and swelling after the last series. The starting confrontation was fierce. I have to control his playing time. What he has to do is to be efficient in the limited playing time and help the team."

The reporter asked: "Does this mean that you will let Jordan always be a substitute?"

Yang Rui shook his head. "I don't want this to happen. The specific situation depends on his recovery. The playoff schedule is tight and it is impossible for him to truce. That means we will definitely be eliminated. The Wizards have taken the initiative in this series. We all I hope I can go further.”

The reporter asked: "What do you think is the key to the Wizards winning?"

"It's perseverance and unity. Michael's injury boosted the morale of the whole team. The 40-year-old veteran is still working hard, and there is no reason for others to be lazy. We must use all our strength and leave no regrets. When the season is over, we will have something to gain. Time to rest.”

When reporters interviewed Jordan, he said: "I follow Jerry's arrangements. He has already proven his strength. If everyone listens to him, we can play well in the playoffs."

A reporter asked: "In the last season of your career, you were reduced to a substitute in the playoffs. Do you regret it?"

Jordan shook his head. "I don't have any regrets. I have won five championships and won many individual awards. Now that the team can reach the second round, we have done a good job. Of course, I don't think the Wizards will lose to the Bulls. "

In the locker room, everyone has spoken to each other and cannot talk nonsense during interviews. Otherwise, when a reporter asked about Jordan's injury, it would be embarrassing if someone said, "Jordan's knee is fine."

The only people on the team who really knew about Jordan's knee condition were the team doctor and management. This was part of the publicity.

The Wizards did not shout a championship slogan to the outside world. They selectively kept a low profile. Talking too much is useless.

The reporter also interviewed Bulls coach Thibodeau and asked him to evaluate the game.

Thibodeau said: "Jerry likes to surprise players. Usually we think it is best not to change the starting lineup frequently so that the players can cooperate more tacitly, but he especially likes to arrange unexpected tactics and win by surprise. I know him very well, and I did not expect it." He would bench Jordan."

The reporter asked: "Are you confident that you can lead the Bulls to win next game?"

Thibodeau said sternly: "Yes, we must win. If we return to Chicago's home court with a total score of 0 to 2, it will be very difficult to eliminate the Wizards. That is what we don't want to see. As long as we win a victory, the situation will be better Very good for us.”

Interviewing Bulls players, Brand took the blame for the defeat on himself. "It was my fault that we lost this game. I failed to guard the penalty area. We will try to play stronger defense in the next game."

McGrady also actively took the responsibility on himself, saying that he would play well in the end and strive for more points.

People change with different circumstances. McGrady, who has a ring, doesn't like to make excuses after joining the Bulls. He dares to take responsibility.

ps: The previous chapter has been modified. The Wizards have home field advantage in the second round.

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