Chapter 24: "Liu Ming's Moment" (2)
"I hope you're right, or the crowd will leave early," said Greg Sager, a well-known NBA commentator. Pen & Fun & Pavilion www.biquge.info
"Adrian, what do you think of the performance of the two teams tonight as a Jazz legend?" Sigma asked.
"The Jazz's performance tonight was perfect, and Malone and Stockton perfectly interpreted the meaning of "pick-and-roll". Tonight's starters were all good. And the Bulls are now relying on Jordan to hold on, but the Bulls' No. 14 rookie boy is doing well. As the "singles king", Adrian Dantley also expressed his views more pertinently.
In fact, as early as 15 years ago in the 84-85 season of the All-Star Game, Dantley thought that Jordan would play a world in the future, and in that All-Star Game, Jordan only scored 7 points and 6 rebounds on 2-of-9 shooting in 22 minutes. Because the Eastern stars led by the "smiling assassins" and Saiah Thomas rejected Jordan, Jordan had no choice but to steal Dantley or grab rebounds to get the ball, but Dantley, known as the "singles king", was not a vegetarian and gave Jordan 5 fouls, and Jordan could only be replaced. Since then, Jordan and Thomas have formed a bond.
At this time, seeing that Jordan was still very tenacious in dragging the score, Dantley was also embarrassed in his heart.
At this time, not only the Jazz players looked at Liu Ming, but even the Bulls players looked at Liu Ming with a different face, knowing that this guy's three-point shot was accurate, but I didn't expect this guy to be so accurate in the game.
The Jazz team doesn't have such a perverted shooter, but with the three military lives, coupled with Malone's outburst, the Jazz still firmly grasp the lead.
With Jordan's mid-range miss, "Drop! ”。 At the end of the third quarter, "88:97", the Bulls were behind.
At this time, Phil Jackson looked at the Bulls players with a tired look on their faces, not only the fierce game was played, but more importantly, the Bulls had won 12 consecutive games, and they were already a little tired. Jordan is also a little tired, the game is to rely on Jordan's mid-range shot, breakthrough to stabilize the game, otherwise this game would have entered the "garbage time", Ma Long's offensive method is destined to be more labor-saving than Jordan, this is the advantage of the inside line over the outside line, of course, the inside line is more difficult to receive the ball than the outside line, which is also the helplessness of the inside line at the critical moment. However, there is no problem for Malone not to receive the ball, because the person who passed the ball to Malone met Stockton.
Phil Jackson decided to let Jordan try again with the main force, Liu Ming was replaced, Hubble played, although Hubble was not in good shape in this game, but at this critical moment, Phil Jackson still believes in the old players, of course, this is the practice of every NBA coach. Liu Ming doesn't blame the "Zen Master", but Liu Ming still has some regrets in his heart, after all, he is in good shape today, 6 of 8 three-pointers, and scored 18 points in the third quarter. Liu Ming has done enough.
Jordan played, the Jazz was also the main force, the Jazz decided to block the Bulls' strong attack, blocked the Bulls should give up the game, and ended the Bulls' 12-game winning streak, thinking about the Jazz players felt a little excited.
Malone took Stockton's pass and shot from mid-range, "Whew". The Bulls are a little helpless, although the Bulls' offense is not bad, but they just can't resist the Jazz's offense. The Bulls' players all showed helplessness.
"Di-Di-" The referee blew the whistle, Pippen broke through and caused Byron Russell to foul, and the "Zen Master" saw that the game was hopeless, and ripped off the main force with a wave of his hand, leaving Pippen. Bill Winnington, Cole, Liu Ming, Kukoc played.
There was more than 1 minute left in the game, Liu Ming came on the field, Liu Ming didn't know what was going on, how to get a little excited, Liu Ming thought about it and felt that he might be too nervous and a little tired.
Pippen made one of two free throws, Malone got 15 rebounds in this game, Malone gave the ball to Howard Easley, Howard Easley dribbled the ball across the half court, and quickly gave the ball to Malone, Malone faced Winnington's defense, missed the shot, and Malone's physical strength also decreased a little, and Winnington's height is 2.13 meters taller than Malone Malone did not shoot in order to avoid Winnington's interference, as a role player, Winnington knows his task and must show himself in every aspect, whether it is offensive or defensive.
Kukoc grabbed the rebound and handed the ball to the "second master", Kukoc and Pippen have a very close relationship, Jordan retired two years ago, as Pippen's biggest supporter, Kukoc firmly hugged Pippen's thighs, not only forced away the original team's "second master" "Cobra" Horace Grant. also advocated that Pippen would lead the team not to lose to Jordan when Jordan retired.
As Pippen's "hardcore little brother", Kukochi immediately received the gift of "big brother". Kukoc ran and broke Chris Morris received a pass, ready to shoot three points, Shanton Anderson, who was originally defending Liu Ming, pounced on Kukoc, Kukoc, known as "European Jordan", the ability is not small, Kukoc shook up Shanton Anderson, and quickly passed the ball to Liu Ming at 45 degrees, Liu Ming received the ball and threw it, without any hesitation. Liu Ming feels really good tonight, "Huh". The 7th 3-pointer of the game.
With 44 seconds left in the game, the Bulls were "95-109" and the Jazz were ahead. Byron Russell served, and prepared to send the ball to Shanton Anderson, Anderson didn't know if he hadn't woken up from the three points that Liu Ming had just thrown, and he didn't pay attention, and Pippen made a steal in the frontcourt. As the shortest player on the court for the Bulls. Liu Ming is the closest player to the front court, Liu Ming saw Pippen's steal, and immediately ran to the front court, and the front court played 2 to 2.
Pippen broke through, passed Anderson in one step, Byron Russell hurriedly made up the defense, who knew that Pippen threw the ball to the three-point position in the middle, Liu Ming received the ball, and Anderson was too late to defend for a while, I don't know why Anderson felt that this goal would definitely be scored.
"Huh",
"This is a rookie Liu's eighth three-pointer, and tonight a rookie feels a little hot," Seeing Liu Ming score another three-pointer, Greg Sager said helplessly.
But for a while, Dantley suddenly stopped talking, his face was a little dull, and he didn't know what was going on, Dantley suddenly felt that something big was going to happen. Seeing Dantley suddenly like this, Sigma didn't know what was going on, staring at the court tightly.
"98:109" There are still 39 seconds left in the game, but at this time Shanton Anderson also came to his senses, and after receiving the backcourt serve again, Shanton Anderson began to "go around the court", Liu Ming only had one thought in his head at this time, "I want to shoot three points, I want to shoot three points."
Liu Ming hurriedly caught up with Anderson and hugged Anderson, Liu Ming's move stunned the audience.
"What is this rookie doing? Could it be that he thinks he can still win the game? Greg Sagar felt that Liu Ming was a little whimsical.
Pippen, Kukoc, Cole, Winnington were also a little puzzled, "Trust me, believe me, the game isn't over yet, believe me tonight!" This Liu Ming said to his teammates with some excitement, Pippen, Kukoc smiled when he heard this, and felt that Liu Ming couldn't afford to lose, Liu Ming had never lost when he entered the NBA, and the pressure was a little great, Pippen saw Ma Long who was about to grab the board on the opposite side and suddenly thought of "It seems that Ma Long secretly called his mother to cry after losing when he first entered the NBA" Thinking of this, Pippen was relieved, a tough guy like Malone has so much pressure when he loses, let alone Liu Ming.
Pippen thought of this and decided to fulfill Liu Ming's wish, and also told Liu Ming that there will always be wins and losses in the NBA, and sometimes it is not up to one person to decide. Pippen told Kukoczy his thoughts, Kerr, Winnington, of course Kukoczy has no opinion, Winnington looked at the decision made by the "second master", what can he do if he doesn't listen, Kerr also thought that the team is now 11 points behind, and there are 39 seconds left, how can the Bulls win, when the team can't win, the person who is embarrassed is Liu Ming, the media will all blame Liu Ming, and Phil will also feel that Liu Ming is not stable enough. In this way, your position can be more stable. And the other three agreed, and there was no way if they didn't agree.
Liu Ming is quite excited to get the support of his teammates, and Shanton Anderson, who is shooting free throws at this time, is a little nervous, as a rookie, Shanton Anderson is the first time to play at this critical time, "In fact, it is already "garbage time", Liu Ming is just his own whim. Anderson kept reassuring himself.
"Bang," Anderson's face turned a little green when he missed the first free throw, but fortunately he hit the second free throw. Anderson quickly exhaled.
Next, Pippen went to the front court and wanted to give the ball to Liu Ming, but Liu Ming couldn't run out of the empty space at all, Liu Ming ran like no one on the field! , the Jazz team felt a trace of fear inexplicably! Rushing, the Jazz believe in evil now, and the players haven't come to stand in a good position! They all hugged Liu Ming and used clamp defense, and the referees who should usually blow defensive fouls did not blow the whistle, because this is the NBA's "unspoken rule" to look at players at critical moments. It's up to the players to dominate everything. "I'll see how you kid makes a move!" Sure enough, Liu Ming ran around for several seconds without a vacant seat.
At the critical moment, Wen Nington came out, Kukoc also came over to block Liu Ming, Liu Ming ran out of the gap between Winnington and Kukoc, and when the ball arrived, Liu Ming at this time was unusually calm, staring at the ball frame and shooting, "Huh! ”
"101:109", Jerry Sloan, who is more like a "Zen master" than a "Zen master" in this game, handed over a long timeout and a short timeout, and the Bulls have long since stopped there.
"Staring at that No. 14, Karl, you defend personally, all of you defend the Bulls for 3 points, put two points," Jerry Sloan said with some anxiety. If this match is lost, he can't believe what the consequences will be.
"Michael, you take over from Winnington, Bill did well in this game" "Zen Master" affirmed Bill Winnington's performance.
"Three-pointer, the next plan is to shoot three-pointers, Michael, although your three-point hand tonight is not good (0 of 6 shots), but I want to contribute at a critical moment"
"Good performance, the next game is yours" Phil Jackson patted Liu Ming on the shoulder, as if to say a trivial word.
But at this time, everyone didn't care about this sentence, they just knew that it was right to give the ball to Liu Ming.
There are 20 seconds left in the "101:109" game, the Jazz serve, the Bulls are pressing all over the court, Byron Russell almost served for 5 seconds, but he still sent the ball out at the last moment, Shanton Anderson received the ball, but as soon as Anderson got the ball, Liu Ming fouled him.
Anderson stood at the free throw line, Anderson's hands were a little shaky at this time, it was much more serious than just now, Anderson felt that his rookie was about to complete such a difficult task, and he really wanted to cry in his heart.
The usually seemingly simple free throw action turned out to be deformed, "bang", and a free throw missed.
Anderson's heart was dripping blood. His hands trembled even more, and sweat fell from his head into his eyes.
"Bang", two free throws missed, Kukoc got the key rebound, Liu Ming had rushed to the front court at this time and received Kukoc's pass, but there was still Byron Russell defending at this time, Liu Ming didn't care so much at this time, quickly dribbled and rushed to the three-point line, but unfortunately Byron Russell defended very well, but who knew that Liu Ming jumped when there were 3 steps away from the three-point line, Russell was completely unprepared, in this era when empty three-pointers are often not shot, who would have thought that someone would shoot at such a distance.
Only the Bulls players know that this is one of the contents of Liu Ming's daily training, but they don't understand the use of three points at this distance, and it is completely a "thankless" job. However, Liu Ming knows that the future trend of the league is that more and more guards can shoot this kind of ultra-long three-point, and the "general" Arenas, Kobe, and Curry often shoot this kind of unguardable three-pointer.
With Russell's surprised expression on his face, the ball reluctantly entered the basket.
"104:109", the Jazz's lead is only 5 points, this time Russell's serve was not sent, and he threw it in the direction of Malone at the end, who knew that it was Jordan who touched the ball first, and Jordan made a steal at a critical moment.
"Michael, Michael, steal at the critical moment, another steal," Greg Sager said with some confusion.
Jordan knew that after the steal, he passed the ball to Liu Ming, who was 2 meters behind him, and Liu Ming didn't have much time at this time.
8 seconds. Liu Ming made a move, but when he first made a move, he "snapped", a sound.
"It's Malone, Malone's block, the game is over, Malone's domination of the game" Greg Sagar was a little excited, and finally the direction of this game was still under his control.
"What, it's Bruce, it's Bruce who got the ball, throws, throws, Malone fouls, Marlon key fouls,"
The sky did not fulfill people's wishes, "Wow", the ball went in,
"3+1, Bruce actually played a 3+1, the game is not over yet", Sigma, the supersonic big center, also danced with some excitement.
The rest of the audience was also a little boiling.
Ma Long committed 6 fouls, he didn't expect Liu Ming to score like this. Ma Long's spirit was a little trance.
All kinds of noisy voices in the audience came to interfere with Liu Ming's serve, and Liu Ming was also a little nervous at this time.
With two deep breaths, Liu Ming curts, presses his wrist, and makes a move.
"Bang", Liu Ming was shocked, "Huh", and then the hanging heart fell.
In 2 seconds, "108:109", without Malone, the Jazz team on the court has no backbone, Stockton was put off the court by Sloan because of his height, at this time, everyone in the energy center stood up, Sloan walked around the sidelines, and Phil Jackson did not have his former calmness.
Byron Russell was also really nervous at this time, and he couldn't sit down with a serve, and Greg Ostertag, who had just been replaced on the court, relied on his height to get the ball, ready to raise the ball above his head to delay time. Who knew that at this time, Liu Ming suddenly jumped up and grabbed the ball with the two, and tried to snatch the ball from Ostertag, Liu Ming didn't care about fouls at this time.
Liu Ming elbowed Ostertag to the ribs, Ostertag suddenly weakened his left hand, Liu Ming took the ball by the way, often throwing the ball in the frame.
"Drop, whistle blows, red light comes on"
With the eyes of the audience, the ball mischievously stumbled in.
(On April 18, 1993, the Miami Heat played against the Milwaukee Bucks, and the Heat defeated the Bucks 117-92, and the Heat's Brian Shaw scored a game-high 32 points, hit 10 three-pointers, shot 11-of-16 from the field, and contributed 6 rebounds, 4 assists, and 4 steals.)
On April 18, 1994, the Minnesota Timberwolves played against the Detroit Pistons, and the Pistons easily defeated the Timberwolves 126-112, and Pistons player Du Thomas scored a team-high 40 points, made 10 three-pointers, and shot 11 of 19 from the field.
On April 18, 1996, the Atlanta Hawks played against the Orlando Magic, and the Magic defeated the Hawks 119-102, and Magic player Dennis Scott scored a game-high 35 points, 6 rebounds and 2 assists, shooting 12-of-20 and hitting 11 three-pointers.
These are games in which 10 and more three-pointers were made in a single game, before Liu Ming scored 11 threes)
PS: Sleep. It's over. Let's see if tomorrow the Warriors will fight back or go home fishing.