Chapter 49: The Vortex of Public Opinion
With the red light on the rebound, the game was over. Pen, fun, and www.biquge.info
The Lakers eventually won the game, 105-101, and they won hard-fought with a four-point lead.
Tony battled until the final two minutes to get out of the court with six fouls, but he left with a brutal stat of 13 points and 17 rebounds, and what was even more terrifying was that he also had four assists and six blocks, and although the offense was blocked, he still helped the team with absolute dominance on the defensive end.
Although after Tony's six fouls graduated, the Bullets once found hope of overtaking and they pulled the score closer to 1 point, but the Lakers still relied on Kobe's mid-range shot and Hawley's three-pointer to finally kill the Bullets, Kobe Bryant shot 10-of-19 from the field, cut down 25 points, 3 rebounds and 6 assists, and his performance was perfect.
A day later, the Lakers defeated the city rival Clippers on the road, not so much away, but in fact there is no difference from the home court, the Lakers and the Clippers are in the same city, and even the arena they share, the Clippers are a young team, and their influence in Los Angeles naturally cannot be compared with the Lakers, so when the two teams play a derby, no matter whose home stadium, the current fans are basically the purple and gold of the Lakers.
Of course, if you insist on the difference between home and away, it may only be the difference in the logo on the floor of the stadium.
There wasn't much to see in the game, and the trend of the game was almost one-sided, with the Lakers slaughtering the Clippers very easily 108-88.
Fisher had 14 points and 5 assists, Kobe Bryant had 17 points, 1 board and 2 assists, Hawley had 12 points and 10 boards, Jones had 24 points, 7 boards, 8 assists, 3 steals and 1 block, and Tony had 19 points, 15 boards, 5 assists and 3 blocks.
Although the game was easy, the significance of this victory was extraordinary, as the Lakers won this game for the first time in a seven-game winning streak this season. They also moved up to fourth place in the West with this winning streak.
And the Lakers' next opponent is the Chicago Bulls, and their winning streak is likely to end there.
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On Feb. 5, the Lakers hosted their last opponent before All-Star Weekend, the Chicago Bulls.
The last time they met at the Bulls' home court, because of the conflict between Tony and Jordan, the two teams officially formed a bond, and this time back to the Lakers' home court, the Lakers' group of young men were naturally unwilling to end the winning streak, and their whole team was full of energy and wanted to drag the Bulls down.
Of course, this is almost impossible task for the current Lakers team, as the Bulls have a 42-5 record so far this season and are aiming to break the 72-10 regular-season record set just last season. Although the Lakers have exceeded expectations so far, with a 27-20 record, they are not at all in the same class as the Bulls.
"Mr. Michael, it is said that Tony Mars is gearing up to teach you a lesson at home, what do you think about that?" In an interview the day before the game, a good reporter asked.
"Who? Who are you talking about? Jordan asked with a puzzled expression, "I don't know the person you said, there are so many people who want to teach me a lesson, I don't remember everyone's name." ”
"Mr. Michael, what do you think of this young Lakers team?" Another reporter continued to ask.
Jordan's expression looked a little odd, he paused, and began to answer, "Hey! Buddy! Relax, it's just a regular season game, that's a question you can ask when we meet in the playoffs. ”
Jordan's answer immediately caused a small sensation, and everyone knew that the Lakers might be a playoff team, but if they want to meet the Bulls in the playoffs, the Lakers will have to reach the Finals.
Even a fool wouldn't think that way, the Lakers would make it to the Finals.
When Jordan said this, it was obvious that he was still haunted by the last incident.
Tony didn't intend to give in to Jordan's taunts.
"Michael is the best basketball player on the planet, but that doesn't mean he's invulnerable, and if you take us lightly, they're going to pay for it. As for what he said about playoff encounters? Trust me, we'll be able to do it in less than two years, if they make it to the finals by then." “
Tony's answer seemed to be a-for-tat confrontation with Jordan, and his arrogant statement that he would reach the finals in two years attracted a lot of media attention.
When the media turned to interview Kobe, Kobe Bryant just said lightly: "I agree with Tony's statement." ”
At this moment, countless media exploded in an instant.
In this era of Jordan's hegemony in the league, the media has been looking for Jordan's opponent to create a topic, and the Lakers' rookie pair dared to jump out like this and make a big statement, and they even grabbed their G-spot.
"Rookie openly challenged the god of basketball and announced that he would enter the finals in two years"
Confidence or Ignorance? The Lakers are afraid of being crushed by Jordan! 》
......
Through the media rendering, the Lakers' ordinary regular season game against the Bulls has also attracted attention from all sides.
"Tony is too arrogant, Michael, as his senior, Tony should learn to respect." Big Dream Olajuwon said about the turmoil.
"I think Tony is a very brave little guy, he dares to challenge Michael head-on, and this kind of fearlessness is something that some people in the league lack." Flying Pig Barkley is outspoken about his affection for Tony.
"Tony is a good rookie, but he should keep a low profile until he achieves something about it, and he's going to be a joke if the Lakers don't make it to the Finals in two years." To everyone's surprise, Isaiah Thomas, a smiling assassin who has always been incompatible with Jordan, is on Jordan's side this time.
.......
Amid a lot of buzz from the outside world, the two teams started the game.
The atmosphere at the Lakers' home court was no less than that of the Bulls' home court, and the live commentary introduced the starting lineups of both sides amid the enthusiastic cheers of the audience.
"Ladies and gentlemen, the topic of Tony and Michael has obviously attracted a lot of attention before, now let's see if the Lakers youth army with a young duo of twin stars can beat the invincible Michael!" The level of commentary was good, he immediately caught the point of the game and managed to stir up the enthusiasm of the crowd.
The two sides went into the jump ball and Tony snatched the basketball from Langley's hand! The Lakers' ball possession! The narrator shouted, and he burst out with all his enthusiasm, not letting go of any detail.