Not far away, Magic Johnson and Skyhook Abdul-Jabbar are being interviewed by reporters together.

"Erwin, what do you think of Fliggy and Tekken's performance tonight?" The journalist asked.

"It's all very good, they have the strongest opponents." The magician said.

"Karim, what about you?" The reporter turned his head and asked.

Abdul-Jabbar laughed: "I think Iron Fist was better, although the first half was not good, he was more trustworthy than Barkley in key moments. ”

Magic Johnson nodded: "That's true, the Suns also had a chance to come back in the last few minutes, and there wasn't much behind, but Barkley didn't do it." ”

"Erwin, if the Detroit Pistons win their third crown, will you congratulate the Smiling Assassin?" The journalist asked.

Magic Johnson's mouth moved, and he wanted to take a bite out of the damn reporter.

His face froze slightly, and then he smiled, "Of course." ”

Seeing that the magician's face was uncertain, the reporter quickly shifted the muzzle of the gun and asked Abdul-Jabbar again: "Karim, what conditions do you think the Suns need to turn the tables?" ”

Abdul-Jabbar was stunned and said with a smile: "Iron Fist played against Michael Jordan in the second round of the East, averaging 27 points per game, and now it is 37 points against the Suns, if the lightning is replaced by Jordan, I think the Suns will have a chance." ”

"Haha......"

The magician and the journalist laughed.

At this time, the atmosphere in the away team's dressing room was cold.

Barkley sat there dejectedly, not saying a word, leaning against the wardrobe, staring blankly at the opposite wardrobe, his mind empty.

After being traded to the Suns, he thought that teaming up with the top point guard Lightning would have a chance to challenge for the championship, and he was very excited.

And the result is as he thought, the Suns have the first record in the regular season, and although there were twists and turns in the playoffs, they finally reached the Finals, everything is so beautiful and worth looking forward to.

However, after entering the finals, he encountered an iron fist like a wolf, and the lightning was suppressed in all aspects, and he suffered two consecutive defeats at home, and he was hit in the head.

After winning the G3 battle, he was pleasantly surprised, making him think that he would be flat from now on and aim for the championship, but the result was ......

"Alas!"

When he was dazed, he sighed deeply from time to time.

The Lightning was about the same, this was his sixth season, his first Finals appearance, and he was the closest to a championship, and after winning the G3 fight, he thought that the series would turn around, as Barkley said, but reality gave him a blow.

What disappointed him even more was that his performance in the series was completely suppressed by Iron Fist, and his performance was said by the magician, which was a huge blow to his self-confidence.

At this time, Zhou Quan had returned to the locker room with his teammates and was on the phone.

The staff told him that his mobile phone had been ringing since the end of the game.

It was all congratulatory calls from some friends, including girlfriend Christina, and agents and so on.

"Iron Fist, aren't you going to change your phone? This can send text messages, which is much more convenient than big bricks, and it is very fashionable, and this is popular now. ”

Darnell Walker raised the Lokia phone in Young's hand.

"More on that later."

Zhou Quan looked at the mobile phone in his hand, it was indeed not very fashionable, Krina and Philip kept asking him to change, but he liked the brick machine very much, this thing has both style and combat effectiveness.

Darnell Walker's mobile phone is a GSM mobile phone released by Nokia last year, which is small and convenient, more modern, and also has its benefits, and he also plans to buy one and use it instead.

……

The next day, on the 25th, ESPN released the latest prediction data for the championship.

Suns 1%, Pistons 99%.

This data did not surprise the media and fans, after all, in the history of the NBA, there is no record of turning the tables around when they are down 1-3 in the finals.

"That's the right prediction, ESPN has finally become professional, and I have to congratulate them." In a telephone interview, Zhou Quan commented.

Detroit fans have already begun to celebrate their third championship, and since the morning, people have been taking to the streets and gathering to celebrate.

The palace of Auburn Hills has begun to arrange the ceremony for winning the championship.

For example, there are many large colored balls hanging on the ceiling, which are filled with ribbon crumbs, and light shows, fireworks, bands, etc.

At noon that day, David Stern arrived in Detroit with the championship trophy.

Pistons owner Bill Davidson and general manager Troy Weaver, as well as a cadre of executives, headed to the airport to greet them.

After greeting and getting into the car, David Stern smiled and asked, "Bill, how did you think about my proposal last time?" ”

Davidson sighed and said: "David, the team continues to lose money, in fact, I have been thinking about selling the team for a long time, and I am currently looking for a buyer. ”

David Stern was stunned, this news is true, as far as he knows, after the locker room violence in '91, Davidson has been trying to sell the team, but what does this mean now?

He said tentatively: "Beal, this time there are four rounds of playoff revenue, do the Pistons still have losses?" ”

Davidson smiled wryly: "You also know how low our tickets are for the finals. But counting the finals, plus the money allocated to us by the league, it should be just enough to make up for the loss. ”

David Stern didn't speak, he certainly knew that the G4 game had a maximum of 26.5 million viewers, but the average ticket price in Detroit was only $105, which was already seven times the regular season, and the Pistons' average ticket price for the regular season this season was only $15.

He calculated that after a Finals, excluding the league's 45% share, the Pistons could get about a million dollars, and if the Pistons won the championship 4-1 this time, they could get three million dollars in ticket revenue at three home courts.

"The four-round series, including the series with the Bulls, and sponsorship advertising revenue, add up to tens of millions of dollars, right?" He asked again.

He has to care about this problem, because most of the teams in the league are losing money, and if even a team like Detroit that reaches the Finals can't make money, it will be quite detrimental to the league's business.

But the Pistons' situation, which is in line with his plan, is difficult to operate, so it will be even more difficult for the Pistons to provide Zhou Quan with a big contract.

And if Davidson does sell the team, then the plan to trade the weekly rights to the West will be easier to implement.

"The second round was good, our three home games earned close to $3 million, which is about the same as the Finals, but we only made $2 million in the first round and the Eastern Conference Finals, plus the Finals and other revenues, it's almost $9 million," Davidson said. ”

"Nine million?"

Stern thinks the Pistons' situation is actually good, and the situation is even worse for teams that can't make the playoffs, and the average team loses more than $10 million a year.

Fortunately, new broadcast contracts can be signed in a few years, and the league's operating income will increase a lot, which can help more small teams survive.

"Bill, what do you think of my suggestion? You know what I'm suggesting for, the better the league goes, the better your team will grow, and our interests are completely aligned. Then he asked very bluntly.

"I hope to go through the finals and then think about that," Davidson said. ”

“OK。”

David Stern nodded, this is as it should be, the Pistons are basically stable in winning the championship, and the iron fist of winning the championship and FMVP will definitely be higher in terms of trade value.

He wanted Zhou Quan to go to the west, not only for the purpose of balance, but also because he was optimistic about Zhou Quan's influence in the circle.

This kind of influence is what the NBA needs now, but this kind of influence can only be maximized if it goes to big cities.

A city like Detroit, whose economy is declining, is simply not suitable for Zhouquan's development.

Detroit's population is now declining every day, from a peak of two million to one million, leaving mostly white and middle-class, with a growing black population, and the city's appeal is dying like a lamp that drains the oil.

……

The Pistons did not arrange training, and at three o'clock in the afternoon, Zhou Quan went to the airport to pick up people.

Christina Yerry took a leave of absence from missing the moment of his first championship.

In addition to Christina Yeri, there is also Roger Philip, both of whom came from Los Angeles on a plane.

At four o'clock, the three of them left the airport, first found a coffee shop to sit for a while, and then went to the restaurant for dinner.

Philip had been excitedly discussing Zhou's future, and Christina was a little out of the question.

Her relationship with Zhou Quan is quite stable now, but there is also a problem, she is not so ambitious, and now she wants to get married, hoping to have her own family and love, but Zhou Quan is only 21 years old, 6 years younger than her, and does not want to get married so early.

"Krina, what's the matter, why don't you speak?" Zhou Quan realized that his girlfriend's expression was a little scattered, so he asked.

"Nothing, good coffee here." Christina said with a smile.

Zhou Quan had some doubts, his girlfriend's smile had always been bright, like sunshine, but today her smile was very reluctant, like the sky in Detroit, gray and dull.

But now that Philip is here, it's hard to say anything, he takes it to heart, and let's communicate again when he has the opportunity.

……

On June 26, 1993, the G5 battle in the finals.

Detroit, Auburn Hills Palace.

Since the morning, a large number of fans have arrived here, and by the evening, tens of thousands of people have gathered outside the stadium, which can be called a sea of people.

"Overall Champion! Overall Winner ......"

In the sea of people, bursts of shouts erupted from time to time.

On the other side of the Pacific, it was the weekend, and many people turned on their TVs early in the morning to watch the game.

Zhou Quan's family is the same, the family has breakfast early and sits on the sofa.

When it was almost seven o'clock, Zhou Quan drove the car and rushed to the Auburn Hills Palace with his girlfriend and Philip.

At the scene, there were many NBA stars, such as O'Neal, David Robinson and other three super centers, Magic and Sky Hook, Pippen, Larry Bird, etc., all rushed here.

Ewing and Olajuwon and David Robinson have very complicated feelings, they have played all these years, and they haven't even touched the edge of the championship, but Zhou Quan's side is about to win the championship in the second season, and his heart is very sour, envious and jealous.

Especially Ewing, who was eliminated by Zhou Quan in the Eastern Finals, otherwise he was the one who reached the finals, with the strength of the Knicks, he felt that he should be sure to play the Suns, they have an advantage on the inside, and they are not weaker than the Suns on the outside.

In addition, there are actually some Hollywood stars tonight, Big Mouth Roberts, Tom Cruise, and there are three or four first-line ones.

There were also a lot of executives from Detroit's major car companies, as well as the mayor and some city councilors.

Zhou Quan came to the scene, first greeted the fans, then chatted with friends, and politely greeted the mayors and councilors before going back to the locker room.

At 7:20 a.m., David Stern showed up on the scene, and the championship Larry O'Brien Cup was also placed at the exit of the players' tunnel.

In the visitors' dressing room, Barkley was looking at the trophy.

He was standing under the TV, within reach of the trophy, but the real distance was very far away.

"Charles, focus on the game, we don't necessarily lose, win this game, it's our home stadium, then the situation will be reversed."

Head coach Paul Westphal advised.

Barkley smiled wryly and stepped back to sit on the bench.

……

At 7:30, the two sides announced their starting lineups.

Suns: Mark West, Charles Barkley, Richard, Dan Marley, Kevin Johnson

Pistons: Secali, Dennis Rodman, Joe Dumas, Zhou Quan, Isaiah Thomas

"Oh, the assassin or the starter?" Bill Wharton said in surprise.

"Doesn't it matter if you get injured on the field?" It's the same with Williams.

"I hope I can really fight."

On CCTV's side, Zhang Li was just as surprised when he saw the starting list.

"At this time, the manager will definitely not randomly arrange an injured person to play the starter, right?" Sun Zhenping said.

Zhang Li thought for a while and said, "Maybe it's a reward for the assassin, a pseudo-starter." With his status with the Pistons, and with his standing in Detroit, he really deserves the treatment. ”

Sun Zhenping was stunned, nodded and said: "It is indeed an honor to start and win the championship as the main force." ”

At 7:45, he started the game.

The lights of the Palace in Auburn Hills have gone out, but the prepared light show has begun, and the colorful lanterns form one after another flowing patterns, which are dazzling.

"It's the starting lineup for the Phoenix Suns right now."

"Charles Barkley, a power forward from Auburn University, is six feet six inches, 115 kilograms, let's welcome flying pigs."

With the shouts of the host on the spot, Barkley collected his mood and walked out of the passage.

When passing by the O'Brien Cup, his eyes were red, and if he snatched it, he would have won the championship, and he would definitely snatch it and turn around and leave.

"Bang Bang Bang ......"

Tonight's palace in Auburn Hills seemed to be particularly tolerant, with few boos, but some applause.

"The three-to-one lead has emboldened the Detroiters, who already disdain to hit their opponents with boos."

Bill Wharton said with a smile.

After the visitors, they welcomed the home team.

"Now let's give a warm welcome to the point guard ...... from Chicago"

"Oooooooooo......oo

As soon as the host's voice sounded, it was drowned out by the frantic shouts of the Pistons fans.

Smiling assassin Isaiah Thomas slowly walked out of the players' tunnel, smiling, with two lines of tears on his face, and his hands raised in the air, greeting the fans.

"It's not easy for an assassin to save his reputation, and it's a very good ending for him to retire as the leader of the team." Bill Wharton said with a sigh.

"It was a particularly big blow to him when he was swept in the '91 Eastern Conference finals, and if he sank like that, then his place in history would be greatly reduced, but now that he can eliminate the Bulls and Jordan and win a third championship, his career is already very perfect for him." Williams nodded.

"It's Dennis Rodman now, and the big energetic bug is very popular and he's getting a huge cheer," Bill Wharton said. ”

Williams continued: "The third player is Ronnie Secali, the center who came in in the trade is very soft, but his role cannot be underestimated, scoring, rebounding, is an indispensable piece of the Pistons' championship puzzle. ”

"The fourth is Joe Dumas, one of the Pistons' outside cores, who helps Iron Fist share a lot of offensive and defensive pressure." Bill Wharton said.

"Now it's Iron Fist, he's out." Williams shouted with a raised voice.

Thundered......

When Zhou Quan walked out of the passage, the huge shouts were like rolling thunder for a long time, he was very excited, his blood was boiling, and he kept waving to the fans.

He walked past the O'Brien Cup, not touching it, just taking a light look, smiling confidently, and walking over.

"A superstar on the rise! Even if he's not as good as the Magic who won the championship and won the FMVP in his rookie season, he's not far behind. Bill Wharton exclaimed.

Williams nodded: "His defense is not comparable to Magic, Magic is better than him, and he can play five positions."

I believe that as long as Iron Fist is not seriously injured, as long as he continues to fight like this, with the influence of his current outing, he will become one of the supergiants of this alliance sooner or later. ”

"Hello, Mr. Stern."

"Zhou, I wish you success."

"Thank you!"

After completing the appearance ceremony, Zhou Quan went to say hello to David Stern.

Stern's view of Zhou Quan is getting better and better, not only is Zhou Quan's strength getting stronger and stronger, but also has a certain influence out of the circle, and the important thing is that he can win the championship in the second season, and he can become Michael Jordan's strongest opponent, and he may recreate a yellow-and-black era after the era of the magic bird.

On the other hand, Zhou Quan is different from last season, this season there have been no violence on the field, which also makes him very happy.

Because of these reasons, in the second-round series, even when the Bulls were facing elimination and his god-making plan was facing failure, he did not interfere too much in the game.

But there are also things that make him not very happy, although Zhou Quan's cross-border has brought some personal out-of-the-circle influence, but it will do more harm than good to the alliance.

"We are tough, tough, iron-willed, and we are not afraid ......"

At 7:59, before the starters came on the field, under the leadership of Zhou Quan, a huge and neat shout sounded in the palace of Auburn Hills.

"Victory!"

On the other end, Barkley yelled.

He was unwilling, unwilling to fail at such a close distance from the championship, and he didn't want to be defeated by Zhou Quan.

Tonight, he's going to fight for the championship dream.

"Charles, you can't win the championship this time, don't think about it in this life."

At this time, far away in New York, Jordan stood in front of the TV, staring at the TV, but holding a basketball in his hand, after saying this, he stepped forward to turn off the TV, and then took the ball to practice.

……

(End of chapter)