The 1998 Houston Rockets were the top team in the league, and there was absolutely no problem with that.

After all, it is the team led by Olajuwon and Barkley, and in this era, as long as the names of these two people are called, I am afraid no one will not know.

But such a star-studded rocket actually has many, many problems.

Olajuwon's knee injury is a ticking time bomb.

And Barkley can't be as injured as he was when he was younger.

Injuries, in recent years, have also found Barkley, making his form a little up and down.

The injury problem is the most serious problem for the Rockets.

But their problem is not just injury.

The team is aging, which is another big problem for this rocket.

The Rockets' management seems to be a little too superstitious about these old guys, and after losing to the Jazz in the 2-4 West finals in the '96-97 season, the Rockets didn't make any big personnel changes.

Hakeem Olajuwon (213cm/116kg, No. 5, 84-year-old pick), one of the so-called four centers, overtook the team led by Barkley in the two years of Jordan's first retirement, won the championship for two consecutive years, and is now one of the core of the Rockets, now 35 years old.

Charles Barkley (198cm/114kg, No. 3/4 position, fifth pick in the first round in '84) was in the Suns at his peak, won the MVP on Jordan's head, and the gold content is completely two levels with Malone's, and the healthy version of Zion, the physical talent is probably above the fat tiger.

After all, Fat Tiger's ability to resist injuries is really not good, and his self-control is also a little crotch-pulling.

But Barkley is different, with a height of less than two meters and a weight comparable to the traditional number five, he can still fly on the field.

Age, 35 years old.

In addition to these two, the Rockets' No. 1 player is a player named Matt Maloney, who is 191cm tall and weighs 87kg, which is the youngest player among the Rockets' starters, and is now 27 years old.

In the third position, it is Matt Bullard, who is 208cm tall and weighs 97kg, and like Matt Maloney, these two "Matts" are non-draft players and are 31 years old this year.

The second position of the Rocket, is Mario Elie, 196cm tall, weighing 95kg, in the playoffs that year, the Suns were able to tie seven with the Suns led by Barkley, he is one of the biggest heroes, and the most classic is his "kiss of death".

After beating Barkley's Suns in a tie-break, the Rockets beat the Spurs 4-2 before sweeping the Magic 4-0 in the finals to defend their title.

It was also that year that Rockets coach Tom Jalovich shouted out the words that will always make people warm - "Never underestimate the heart of a championship." ”

The current rocket has a legend, has countless honors, and has the "heart of the champion" of a 1-3 turnaround.

But these things, in the eyes of martial arts, are already in the past.

These players who are full of honors are already old!

The players from both sides walked into the court one after another, the Timberwolves, here, in addition to the four players of Wu Dao, Garnett, Marbury and Tom, there is also a center Stanley Roberts.

Olajuwon's appearance did not come as expected by Coach Philip, and the main purpose of sending Stanley Roberts on the field was not to make Stanley Roberts score many points on the court.

The effect he wants is to let Stanley Roberts spend Olajuwon's energy well.

In Coach Philip's opinion, Olajuwon's knee injury should not be as good as it gets, and he has more or less read some of the previous reports on Olajuwon's injury.

If Olajuwon, who is still recovering, encounters a fierce confrontation, the Rockets' management should hide Olajuwon.

This is already a predictable thing.

This year's Rockets still have championship ambitions, and if possible, they will not care about gains and losses in a regular season game.

Desperately taking a huge risk to bite the hard bone of the Timberwolves, there is really no need for the Rockets.

Just over halfway through the regular season, they still have a chance to play in the playoffs.

In the cheers of the audience, the Timberwolves and Rockets players settled in the middle of the court, and unexpectedly, the player who stood in front of Martial Arts was Charles Barkley.

"Hey, young man!"

"In today's game, I'll defend you!"

"Don't worry, I'll let you spend an unforgettable night."

Barkley stood at Takemi's side, adjusted the position of his pants with both hands, turned his head, and said to Takemichi with a smile.

Today's Buckley, his body shape has been a little out of shape, after all, he is already 40 years old, and the level of human hormone secretion is very different from when he was young.

Barkley was young, although he had a huge weight, but his body fat rate at that time was very low, so although he was called "Fliggy" when he was young, his speed, strength, and explosiveness were all at the top level.

At that time, he could not be called fat, but only strong.

Barkley's size is the NBA version of the streetball giant, the "Short Rebounder".

But now he is already a little out of shape in the eyes of martial arts, although Barkley is still very strong, but the impact of oil and age on Barkley cannot be ignored.

His bounce, speed, and strength are probably much less than when he was at his peak.

Wu Dao looked at Barkley carefully, and then a gentle smile appeared on his face, and he said with a smile:

"I'm looking forward to it."

Hearing Martial Dao's words, Barkley only felt that this young man was really a little crazy.

One of his predecessors superstar took the initiative to talk to this kid, and this kid actually looked like this. It's just that Barkley is not surprised, the young people of the NBA, but whoever plays something, how can he not be crazy?!

He himself was like when he was younger, but Barkley himself knew very well.

"Haha, it's very imposing."

"It's a young man who educated Michael."

Barkley was relaxed and smiled.

The "Michael" in his mouth is none other than the god of basketball, Michael Jordan. The old guys of their age have known each other for many, many years, and he Barkley and Jordan are still very good friends.

The two of them had a deep friendship that lasted until Jordan became the owner of the team

Barkley and Jordan are friends and rivals, he has watched the fight between Martial Arts and Jordan, and he admires Martial Arts as a young man.

As long as it is a young man who can make Michael deflated, Barkley will appreciate it~

"Educated Michael!?"

Hearing the words in Barkley's mouth, Wu Dao only felt his head grow for a while.

He doesn't have the confidence to say such a thing, if this is a stupid answer, if it is heard by others, it will soon be taken out of context by the media, but it will become the headline of tomorrow's major media.

"I don't, don't talk nonsense."

"Normal competition, friendly exchange."

Wu Dao was a little humble at this moment, although Barkley still wanted to say something in his heart, but at this time, the referee in the field had already blown the whistle in his mouth.

Forget it, there are still many opportunities to chat, let's take a look at the young man in front of me first.

Barkley is quite interested in martial arts that can compete with Jordan and lead the team to victory.

"Da!"

Olajuwon seemed to have really recovered from injury, jumping very high when jumping the ball, easily suppressing Stanley Roberts and pointing the ball to the backcourt.

Matt Maloney picked up the ball and slowly ran towards the Timberwolves halfcourt.

Martial Arts' defenders on the outside have really become Barkley.

Wu Dao thought that this guy would be in the position on the inside, so he didn't think about facing the other party head-on at all.

After all, Barkley is biased towards the No. 4 position, and it is understandable to follow the No. 4 position when he is in the position.

It's just that in today's game, I don't know what this "flying pig" is thinking, and when he got close to the three-point line, he quickly leaned sideways on Wu Dao's chest.

Wu Dao didn't even notice that Barkley had any powerful movements, just leaning on his body with his body, and Wu Dao immediately felt the terrifying power pouring out on his body, and he couldn't help but take a step back.

Barkley, who had squeezed out of the martial arts, quickly stretched out his hands, and at the same time, the blue ball also passed out of his teammates' hands and was firmly given to Barkley's hands.

Barkley received the ball on the side of the basket, and he didn't see him adjust to stand firm or sweep the ball to the basket, and after receiving the basketball sideways, Barkley actually turned around, and sat on the body of Wu Dao with his big buttocks.

In this regard, even though Martial Dao was mentally prepared for physical confrontation, but when he was suddenly pushed by Barkley, Martial Dao couldn't withstand the strength of the other party, and his body leaned back slightly.

Barkley's back-to-back singles are very technical, and the position he sits down in happens to be on the thighs of Martial Arts, and it is a little different from other people's back-to-back singles.

Other people's backs, the main focus is on the waist and the back above the waist, but Barkley is different, he is really sitting and playing.

The sheer weight on his thighs made it even less bent for Takemichi to maintain his position, and when Takedo adjusted his stance, Barkley sat on Takemi's legs again.

As soon as he sat on his ass, he was approached by the back beating, and Wu Dao didn't have a good way to face Barkley's back punch for a while, and he could only try to adjust his position.

It was in this way that he opened the martial arts twice in a row, and he himself also crossed the three-point line.

The third time, Barkley blew the ball again, and this time, Takemichi's defensive stance changed dramatically, and he stood straight with his legs as if he were defending the back of a post player.

However, at this moment when Martial Arts adjusted his defensive stance, Barkley, who was holding the ball in the basket, seemed to be able to "see" behind him, and Buckley, who was also aware of the change in Martial Arts' defensive posture, quickly broke through with the ball and rushed to the Timberwolves basket over Martial Arts.

“！？”

The rapid passing action made Wu Dao's heart slightly startled.

It's fast, and the timing is excellent, it's a combination of physical, technical and experience on the field.

Although I was surprised that the 35-year-old Barkley still had such ability, the martial arts steps and movements were not slow at all. Quickly reached out to block Barkley's surprise attack, and while the crab quickly got closer, Wu Dao's other hand also quickly slapped the basketball in Barkley's hand from behind.

Martial Arts admits that Barkley's skills still have the shadow of his peak, but in this ball, he will definitely not be able to win his martial arts by relying on physical talent!

Takemichi started quickly, but when Takeshi hit the basketball from behind with his hand, Barkley, who was in the middle of the attack, was still some distance from the basket, and quickly closed the ball.

The huge combination of ball power made Martial Dao's steal meaningless.

Barkley, who held the ball with both hands, hit the Timberwolves paint area, he just raised his head and shook it, and successfully deceived Garnett, and then he actually pulled onions on dry land, directly took the ball with both hands, and was about to dunk the ball into the basket.

"Smack!!"

However, at this moment, a figure suddenly jumped out from behind Barkley and directly slapped the basketball hard.

Martial Arts had already caught up with the advancing Barkley and blocked from behind.

Barkley, who had already risen into the air, was pressed hard by Wu Dao, and the ball that was poured into the basket was suddenly buckled on the rim of the basket and came out of his hand.

Barkley grabbed the basket with empty hands, and there was a slight look of bewilderment on his face.

"Caught up?!"

"Caught up so quickly?!"

If Barkley doesn't make a fake move for you, the martial arts may not be able to catch up, but if the martial arts can't catch up, it will be too slow!

In fact, Wu Dao did not lose his position after the steal loss, and he was still closely following Barkley, and he was different from Garnett, he was not deceived by feints!

The dropped basketball was picked up in the hands of Garnett, who was the first to land, and then without the slightest intention of sticking to the ball, he quickly threw the ball to the front court.

There, Marbury was already running towards the front court.

The rocket's return speed is very fast, but Marbury, who has been getting up at a speed, is also very difficult to defend, and Marbury rushed to the front court on the way to dribble past an opponent who tried to steal, and then under the pressure of the defenders, he relied on a weird slow three steps to create a layup opportunity for himself.

As the basketball wiped into the net, the Timberwolves, who lost their first serve, scored first.

"Oh-"

"Did you see that? The Timberwolves' number two immediately followed 'Flying Pig'. ”

"Charles was actually covered? That kid's strength should not be underestimated! ”

In the stands, the Rockets fans did not look at Marbury, who scored on the fast break, but instead focused on Wu Dao, who blocked Barkley, when Marbury scored a layup, Wu Dao had already run near the free throw line, and Barkley, who was chasing him, had just crossed the three-point line.

The difference in foot strength between the two of them was already beginning to take shape at the beginning of the game.

After Marbury scored, Takeshi trotted back to the defense, and Barkley glanced sideways at the tall Takedo, and suddenly felt a little sore.

"How do you feel like you've bumped into a bula Michael?!"