On June 2, 1999, in the Western Conference Finals two days ago, the Spurs had won two games in a row, leading the opponent 2:0.

In the G2 game, 5 seconds before the end, David Robinson blocked Jim Jackson's pull-up jumper;

Then the Trail Blazers' Walter Williams grabbed the rebound, controlled the ball, and hit another jumper, and the Spurs were able to defend their home court without danger.

The two sides played another slow-paced game, playing 47 minutes, Duncan was 8 of 11, 7 of 13 free throws, and got 23 points, 10 rebounds, 2 assists, 5 blocks and 4 turnovers;

In 40 minutes, David Robinson was 6-of-10 and contributed 14 points, 7 rebounds, 2 assists, 3 steals and 3 blocks.

The Spurs' twin towers contributed eight blocks, once again showcasing their top-notch rim protection ability.

Popovich didn't have many special tactics, he was still the main force, and Duncan rested for a minute

The New York media was still discussing the strength of the Spurs' twin towers, and with the Knicks announcing Ewing's injury in the morning, everyone was cold.

No one expected that Ewing, who limped off the court at that time, would tear his right Achilles tendon.

"The good news is that Pat doesn't need surgery, and the bad news is that he's going to need at least half a year to recover."

After Jeff Van Gundy announced the news at the Tarrytown Training Center, New York fans were a little confused.

Regardless of the opponents in the Finals, just the current Pacers team, without the gorilla, Rick Schmitz can gain a huge height advantage.

For a moment, the swelling New York fans all calmed down

After finishing G2 in the Eastern Conference Finals, the Knicks were given three days off to recuperate.

On the morning of the 3rd, when the New York media interviewed Ewing, the gorilla's lower right foot had been immobilized.

Despite still appearing in the training center, Ewing looked extremely depressed.

At the end of his career, he suffered an Achilles tendon injury, which was a huge blow to his athleticism.

Ewing certainly understands what such an injury means, and it will be difficult to get a decent stat next season.

In the media center, watching Ewing limp to the stage, many reporters who have followed the team for many years are also a little sad.

In the past, people often consumed gorillas, but seeing the end of the career of the star who has been with them for many years so embarrassed, many people don't want to ask anything more.

"Pat, are we going to beat the Pacers?"

A reporter from the New York Times asked a simple question, and Ewing on the stage pulled out a smiling face and replied seriously:

"Of course, the Knicks will not only win the Eastern Conference Finals, but also win the championship again!"

“.”

In the training session, Jeff Van Gundy was a little worried, without Ewing, the lack of height on the inside, the quality of the cover will decline, and the center does not need to think about the second dominance of the ball.

Oakley's jumper has also been inconsistent this season, and while the defense is still on the line, the Pacers opted to let it go in the first two games.

Blocking tactics are getting tougher and tougher, and it has become the consensus of the coaching staff.

'It looks like we're going to have to increase the playing time of the back three, which is a really no-brainer.

Assistant coach Thibodeau watched the Knicks team work out as they were doing their workouts and whispered a sigh to Jeff Van Gundy next to him.

The bald young marshal shook his head, how to match the inner line, he didn't know the bottom in his heart.

Even if Ewing's form has declined this season, rebounding and excellent defensive awareness can still raise the team's defensive ceiling.

In the bench, Kurt Thomas and Ben Wallace are too inexperienced, and Jeff Van Gundy believes in the veterans more.

The coaching staff didn't make too many adjustments, and after the training session, back in the dressing room, Oakley took the initiative to say:

"We do have a bit of a height disadvantage, but it's not just about height when defending and rebounding, and I'm going to take on the big guy on the other side."

Larry Johnson can also defend the interior and doesn't care too much about Ewing's absence:

"We need to be consistent offensively and I don't like to play in Indiana, but we have to win at least one away game."

Sprewell noticed that "Big Mom" was looking at him, pouted and didn't speak, G2 suddenly lost fire in the fourth quarter, a wave of 6 in 1, and was taken away by the opponent to play

Alan Houston's form is starting to pick up, and he is getting used to Reggie Miller's defensive skills.

"Nobody can stay stable all the time, just do your best, the series has just started, there is no need to be mentally burdened."

"Of course, we do have to strengthen our defense, after all, Pat is gone, rebounding is not a one-man thing, everyone has to be ready."

Hearing Li You's words, everyone in the atmosphere group also echoed loudly.

Ben Wallace was also a little excited, and despite the average G2 performance after his debut, he was a little uncomfortable with defending Rick Schmitz.

But with just a little more playing time, Ben Wallace has the confidence to improve his performance.

Li You noticed that his teammates were still very confident, and he was relieved.

Under the subtle change, although everyone respects Ewing, but on the whole, they still believe in his offense more, it's really not good, you can't share the ball and play, and you can also open the "four guarantees and one".

After leaving the locker room, Li You was surrounded by a large number of media, and it was not good to interview Ewing who was depressed, so he naturally wanted to interview more:

"Lee, can you talk about the trend of the series? Pat's injury, will the team stop the Eastern Conference Finals. ”

"The playoffs start with an away win, and the Pacers have the lead, but we're going to get the initiative back."

"We're certainly not going to stop in the Eastern Conference Finals, and I'm going to make good on my promise that the Knicks will still win the championship."

Li You began to blow X confidently at this time, and soon the New York media in front of him were full of joy, and everyone recovered from the frustration of Ewing's injury.

On June 4th, everyone on the Knicks will fly to Indiana, and tomorrow night, the Eastern Conference Finals G3 will officially begin.

Ewing chose to go away with the team, the gorillas are still very ranked, after the injury, the mayor of New York City followed the care, the news of the past two days, and by the way reviewed his unlucky career.

Many old New York fans even held whiteboards to see them off, and the slogan "Fight for Eulin" began to spread in New York.

It's just that the fans' actions made Ewing even more depressed, as if he was saying goodbye to the NBA.

That night, in the Western Conference Finals G3, the Trail Blazers, who returned to their home court, played the worst game of the series, and the Portland fans almost shut themselves up

After scoring 12 points in the second quarter, after the start of the second half, the Trail Blazers scored another 8 points in the third quarter!

At 24:8 in the single quarter, before the Spurs could exert their strength, the Trail Blazers blew themselves up.

The bench performance stretched, and in the starting lineup, Damon Stoudemire, as the brains of the team, played a disastrous performance.

At 85:63, the Spurs finally easily got the match point, and the series score came to 3:0, and Tim Duncan, a sophomore, was already standing on the floor of the Finals.

Duncan, who was plagued by fouls in this game, only played 20 minutes, 2-of-7, and got 5 points, 8 rebounds, 1 assist, 2 blocks and 3 turnovers.

But the opposite Trail Blazers played crazy under the Spurs' defense, Damon Stoudemire made 1 of 12 and slashed 2 points angrily, looking at the fans who were stupid.

Rookie coach Popovich was also a little nervous at this time.

Even if Mike Dunleavy on the other side didn't give him a good look, Popovich still showed a smile, and at the post-game press conference, he praised the Spurs' twin towers vigorously:

"We don't know what to say about the accident, Tim and David are getting better and better!"

"Maybe Lee is a talent, but Tim isn't bad either, think about it, this is his second season of his career!"

“.”

The Spurs reached the Finals, the New York media began to frown again, Ewing was injured, and everyone very much did not like to meet a twin-tower team.

The closer you are to the basket, the higher the shooting percentage, and the advantage of the big man is obvious, and he can hold the floor well.

As for the team with the outside line as the core, the reputation is that the ceiling is higher, but once the state fluctuates, it usually pulls across.

On the evening of June 5, in the Eastern Conference Finals G3, the Knicks lost again.

The Pacers broke out again, with Reggie Miller scoring just 12 points on 3-of-10 shooting.

Off the bench, Jalen Rose and Antonio Davis combined for 35 points.

Contrary to Jeff Van Gundy's expectations, Rick Schmitz didn't play much time in tonight's game, and the Pacers' forward line frantically attacked the basket.

With a burst of free throws, 85:90, the series score came to 2:1, and the Pacers had a chance to get the match point at home.

The game plan failed to be customized, and Jeff Van Gundy had an ugly face, only feeling that he was being played by the other party.

The fans at the scene were even more fragrant, constantly shouting loud taunts, and everyone on the Knicks looked serious and walked back to the players' tunnel quickly.

At the post-match press conference, Reggie Miller, who was pulling his hips, turned on the big mouth mode again.

In New York, he was silent and returned to his own turf, Reggie Miller loudly mocked:

"Yes, no one on the Pacers is on the MVP charts, and no one has ever won an MVP!"

"But we don't care about that, because in the next game, everybody is going to send the MVP home!"

The reporters accompanying the Pacers all followed loudly, as long as they get the match point at home, the series is probably over!

The New York media watched the businesses on both sides blow each other, and could only scold angrily:

“Fuck！ Miller！.”

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(End of chapter)