Chapter 19: Different Choices (Part I)
On June 5, 1996, the G1 finals officially kicked off at the United Center Arena in Chicago.
After the messy joint trial, Li You was just in time to watch the game at the United Center Arena in the evening.
Ray Allen also came to Chicago, and the two didn't choose to watch the game in the box, and agent Mark Battlestein prepared front-row tickets for them.
Chicago fans were particularly excited, and after a two-year hiatus, they were back on the stage of the Grand Finals.
The game was very anxious that night, and it wasn't until the fourth quarter that the Bulls played a wave and the difference gradually widened.
SuperSonics' George Karl coach is basically a seven-man rotation, stubbornly stumbling on the main team, Li You saw Gary Payton still not resting for a minute until the middle of the fourth quarter, and couldn't help but secretly complain:
"It's really the strongest tactic to use to the end!"
The Bulls' Phil Jackson was very calm, but Jordan and Pippen didn't have much time off...
Even if Steve Kerr, who came off the bench tonight, was average and scored zero goals, the Bulls always insisted on an eight-man rotation.
Michael Jordan broke through Gary Payton's defense and dodged Sean Kemp's block in the air for a right-handed basket that erupted in cheers from the United Center Arena.
Playing a wave of 10:0, the Bulls have locked up the win!
Ray Allen also cheered with the audience, tonight is completely incarnated as a brainless fan...
This is the first time that Li You has watched the game of this era up close, and the Bulls' defense is stronger than he remembers, and the old guys are not only full of tacit understanding, but also have a lot of hand movements.
The SuperSonics have always wanted to slow down and rely on their own forward group to limit the Bulls' offense, but in turn, the Bulls relied on excellent defense and made the opponent make many turnovers.
"That's the dominance of a team with 72 wins! No one in this alliance can defeat them! ”
The Bulls' outstanding performance made Ray Allen scream with excitement.
The surrounding Chicago fans showed proud expressions, and every fan who came to Chicago to watch the game would be impressed by their Bulls in the end.
Li You has no sense of substitution, he has witnessed 73 wins in the overturn, and that is the most shocking:
"The Bulls will win at home, and you can go to the Celtics for a tryout!"
The cacophony of the scene made Lee Woo raise his voice, Ray Allen grinned, and everything was as he had planned, watching the finals, completing the tryout, and finally going to play for the team of his choice.
Amid the cheers of the Chicago fans, the score was fixed at 90:107, and the Bulls managed to defend their home court.
The reporters at the scene interviewed Michael Jordan for the first time, with 28 points, 7 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals, 1 block and 2 turnovers, and Jordan scored the highest score on the team.
“Michael! Michael——! ”
While Michael Jordan finished the interview, Ray Allen shouted with the fans in the front row, and the boiled egg who heard the shouting waved his hand here with a smile, making the brainless fans cheer again...
Perhaps it was Lee You's very calm expression that aroused Michael Jordan's curiosity, and the big star looked at this side twice, heard the shouts on the other side, and then slowly turned away.
At the end of the game, the crowd slowly walked away, and Lee Woo moved with the crowd, and Chicago's home stadium was always full, which was unique in the league.
"Maybe you can go to Milwaukee and Minnesota, they have the No. 4 and No. 5 picks."
After leaving the arena, while Mark Battlestein had not yet arrived, Li You reminded Ray Allen next to him.
"I don't want to play over there, so I'm going to make it clear in advance that I'm not going to accept their tryouts!"
Ray Allen is all about the Celtics, he likes the atmosphere of Boston, and unlike most black players, he grew up in an environment that makes Ray Allen more like a white man a lot of the time.
Li You secretly shook his head in his heart, sometimes the team doesn't care about the player's intentions, and the vague memory in his mind tells him that Ray Allen will probably not be able to go to Boston.
...
On June 7th, Mark Battlestein, who was in a good mood, accompanied Lee to Madison Square Garden.
Yesterday's trial for Ray Allen was perfect, and Celtic confirmed their intentions, and the two sides were interested in each other, which was the perfect result.
Driving the Chevrolet Blazer, Mark Battlestein couldn't help but hum a ditty.
Li You, who was sitting in the passenger seat, felt very helpless about this, and couldn't help but remind loudly:
"I always felt that the Bucks and the Timberwolves weren't going to miss this opportunity, and the 6th pick wasn't a risk."
Mark Battlestein didn't care much about this, and continued to say proudly:
"No problem, a lot of teams are willing to sell the Celtics a face, and Auerbach has a lot of energy in the league."
Li You secretly complained that this old man will be put on the spot by David Stern next year, the old guy is already angry!
The Madison Square Garden Arena in Manhattan, New York City, is also a landmark.
Opened in 1968, it is one of the oldest indoor stadiums in the world, and Lee is familiar with this arena, where the regional finals of the Great East Conference have always been held.
They were greeted by the Knicks' senior advisors Dick McGuire and Jeff Van Gundy.
A native New Yorker, Dick McGuire is not only a legend for the Knicks, but has also worked for the team since retiring.
Jeff Van Gundy has been Pat Riley's assistant assistant in the past as an assistant coach and has just taken on the role this season.
To be more involved in the team's work, not yet completely bald, Jeff Van Gundy has a smile on his face...
The coaching staff and scouts were also on hand, and young Tom Thibodeau was calling for the staff to set up the training facilities, and Thibodeau is now trusted by Van Gundy to become the head assistant.
"Oh! We're old acquaintances, Lee, and welcome to Madison Square Garden again, the best arena in the world! ”
"I still remember your performance in the Great East Conference Championship Game, I was there, so get moving, Mark, thank you for choosing the Knicks."
Dick McGuire, who is 70 years old, is very personable, and the old man speaks, and everyone shows a gesture of listening.
"No one will turn down an invitation from the Knicks, Lee has been attending Connecticut for the past two years, and New York has always been his first choice!"
Mark Battlestein immediately spoke up, and Jeff Van Gundy on the side greeted Li You:
"Come on, Lee, you're familiar with the locker room here, we're ready, it's your turn to show yourself."
"And a one-on-one session? I love a challenge like this! ”
Li You was not polite, and raised an eyebrow at the serious-looking John Starks by the way, obviously, the other party wanted to see his performance under NBA-level defense.