Evening of the 8th, Delta State Center Arena.

At half past seven, the two sides announced their starting lineups.

Jazz: Filton Spencer, Carl Malone, David Bennott, Jeff Malone, John Stockton

Hypersonics: Sam Perkins, Rodman, Schramf, Kendall Gill, Zhou Quan

The game was not broadcast live across the United States, only on regional television in Salt Lake City.

At 7:30, the home team was a little more aggressive, and the two starters met in the players' tunnel.

When Rodman saw the postman, he laughed and whispered to Zhou Quan: "Iron Fist, the pig's head is here." ”

"Haha......"

Zhou Quan didn't control it and laughed.

Rodman's voice was actually not small, and the postman heard it, with a rigid face, neither speaking nor looking at Zhou Quan and Rodman.

"Detref, I heard that your German boxing is very popular?" Zhou Quan didn't bother to pay attention to it, and turned to Schramf and said.

When Schramf heard this, he immediately nodded proudly and said: "Yes, Iron Fist, boxing is very popular in our country. ”

Speaking of this, he said with admiration: "Iron Fist, many of the sports you are good at are among the most popular sports in our country. ”

"Oh, those?" Zhou Quan asked curiously.

"The number one favourite in Germany is, of course, football, then golf, third ice hockey, then boxing." Schramf said.

Rodman exclaimed: "Oh, Iron Fist, you account for three of the top four most popular sports in Germany, you go to Germany to develop, don't take our jobs here." ”

"Haha......" Zhou Quan and the others laughed.

Seeing Zhou Quan and the others talking and laughing, Carl Malone, Stockton, and Jeff Malone glanced at each other, and their faces were all gloomy.

Last season's playoffs in the first round unlucky to meet the SuperSonics, the final round, the Mammoths retired after playing last season, but the team got Tom Chambers from the Suns, and from the Timberwolves got Felton Spencer, increasing the strength of the interior, the Jazz have been getting better and better, and this season's ambitions are greater.

However, the guy Iron Fist actually ran from the east to the west just after winning the championship, although supersonic speed is equivalent to reconstruction, but who dares to underestimate this rebuilt supersonic?

There is no doubt that the arrival of Iron Fist has increased the competition in the West, and at the same time, John Stockton has never taken advantage of Iron Fist, so it can be said that Zhou Quan is Stockton's nemesis, and the Jazz are also likely to be restrained by this new supersonic, which is why they feel unlucky.

"Shh

When the away team played, the fans in Salt Lake City were not polite to Zhou Quan, after all, he had just beaten the postman in the professional boxing ring, and when they saw him play, they all booed desperately.

"Hehe......"

Such a lively away stadium and such an active fan make Zhou Quan like it very much, and he hates the lifeless stadium the most.

"Shh

Seeing Zhou Quan constantly waving at them, is this a provocation? The Jazz fans' boos suddenly became even more violent.

……

At eight o'clock, the game began.

"Guys, what do we want tonight?"

"Victory!"

Zhou Quan shouted, Rodman and others responded in unison, and then walked onto the court.

There is no height on the inside, and the jump ball is a weakness of the supersonic, and the Jazz offense.

John Stockton got the ball into the front court, and Zhou Quan defended it in front.

One is 77 kg, one is 92 kg, one is slow, one is fast, one is not high, one is very capable of jumping, vision, confrontation, passing, attack, defense, organizational ability, Zhou Quan has an advantage in all aspects.

If you talk about advantages, John Stockton barely has a slight advantage in terms of game experience, nothing else, it's all disadvantages.

Since the beginning of his rookie season, in the face of Stockton, Zhou Quan has never fallen behind, and has always had an advantage, playing against the 5-time assist king, two-time steal king, 5-time All-Star, 3-time defensive second-team, 6-time best second-team superstar, no matter from physical, technical, psychological and other levels, now he is a crushing advantage.

And this is also an important reason why after he came to the east, the postman and others felt very unlucky.

In the face of Zhou Quan's suffocating defense, especially the maddening steal, John Stockton was under great pressure and nervous.

At this time, the postman came to the top of the arc and made a block.

But Zhou Quan heard the sound of sneakers rubbing closer and closer behind him, meaning that the blocking and demolition was coming, and immediately stepped up close to the body, forcing Stockton to transfer his position, just like that, a very simple close-fitting robbery broke the postman and Stockton's blocking and demolition tactics.

John Stockton took advantage of Zhou Quan's closeness and broke through quickly, but after two steps, Zhou Quan, who was moving faster, was back to his side.

However, over the years, Jerry Sloan's blocking and pick-and-roll tactics have reached their peak, and the Postman's first blocking and dismantling was unsuccessful, and the second blocking and dismantling immediately followed.

Small forward David Benott on the left wing came over to block the pick-and-roll, and Stockton finally got rid of Zhou Quan.

But Schramf's defense is also not bad, he is as high as 206 cm, and the center can play, using his tall body to block, buying time for Zhou Quan's pursuit.

As soon as Stockton bypassed Schramf, Zhou Quan chased him again, and then Schramf did not chase David Benott, but directly wrapped it on the spot.

At this moment, Zhou Quan's strong vision observed the position of almost all players on both sides, and quickly made a prediction, Stockton only had one passing angle, that is, David Bentno moved behind him, and only this backward passing angle was safe.

Sure enough, he then saw David Benott running behind Stockton.

"Smack!"

The front and both sides were locked, and just when Stockton forcibly turned around to pass the ball, Zhou Quan, who had been prepared, quickly stepped in, stretched out his long arm, and poked the ball that had just been passed out, and then Schramf got it.

"Oh, damn steals, watch out for his steals." The frustrated voice of the on-site narrator rang out in the center of Delta State.

Zhou Quan took the ball, immediately bypassed David Benott in front of him, and started a fast attack.

The supersonic offense is very fast, and the highest height on the court is Schramf and Sam Perkins, both of whom are only 206 cm, and Rodman is only 201 cm, which is the basis for playing fast break.

John Stockton was very self-aware and did not have the idea of blocking Zhou Quan head-on, he desperately returned to the defense, and ran in front, hoping not to let Zhou Quan rush up.

But Zhou Quan's speed is faster, even if he holds the ball, he runs a little faster than Stockton, a small change of direction, he overtakes the opponent, once he overtakes, Stockton can't pull it.

Defender Jeff Malone is a 32-year-old veteran, who returns from the other wing and can't keep up with Zhou Quan.

"Bang!"

Zhou Quan smashed into the restricted area, flew into the dunk, and exploded the Jazz's basket with a powerful slam dunk.

"John, reduce the ball and speed up the ball. Others stepped up their running and made more pick-and-rolls. Jerry Sloan shouted from the sidelines.

He knew very well that if the ball had been in John Stockton's hands, he would have suffered a lot in the face of an iron fist defense.

But this is not a good way, the Jazz do not have Stockton's ball, the offense will collapse in half, the Jazz's strongest is Stockton and Karl Malone's blocking, Stockton does not hold the ball, there is no basis for blocking and dismantling with the Postman, and Stockton's organizational ability must hold the ball to play, without the ball in his hands, he has no threat.

So after playing for a while, the Jazz were in a difficult situation, and Jerry Sloan had to call a timeout to adjust his tactics and arrange multiple pick-and-roll tactics for Stockton in an attempt to get rid of Zhou.

But at this time, John Stockton's other weakness was exposed again, and that was the lack of finishing ability.

No matter how the Jazz block and dismantle, Zhou Quan never changes the defense, so Stockton will also get some opportunities to shoot in the open space, but his finishing ability is limited, and Zhou Quan quickly catches up, and the hurried shot is not very efficient.

This game is still the same as the Pistons who played Zhou Quan before, the Jazz has no good way, Zhou Quan just eats Stockton, locks the opponent on the defensive end, and blows the opponent on the offensive end.

Of course, the Jazz also have their own strengths, and the Postman's strength is enough to beat Dennis Rodman, who is not a top defender.

But as soon as Zhou Quan locked up Stockton, the Postman did not have many chances to get the ball, and the supersonic defensive system did not rely on single defense, but on fast rotation and fierce pinch attacks.

The Postman was not in good shape in the supersonic pinch defense, only 7 of 18 shots, and the shooting rate was only 38.9%, and Rodman defended the Postman very well.

In the end, 124-102, the SuperSonics won two in a row.

Six players scored in double figures, with Zhou Quan scoring 25 points and 15 assists, Kendall Gill with 18 points, Schramf with 21 points, Sam Perkins with 13 points, Rodman with 10 points, and bench swingman Nate McMillan with 15 points.

However, there are still a lot of supersonic mistakes, 17 mistakes, and Zhou Quan is 4.

Last season, the SuperSonics averaged 15 turnovers per game, the Pistons were 13, and the Bulls had the least, only 12.9, so now the SuperSonics' turnovers are not out of control, and they are still at a more reasonable level during a run-in period.

If there are more than 20 mistakes in a single game, it is a slump, and under 20 times, the coaching staff will not be too harsh at the moment.

After the press conference, the SuperSonics rushed back to Seattle overnight.

1,400 kilometers, two hours of flying, plus the time to go to and from the airport, Zhou Quan arrived home at four o'clock in the morning.

The housekeeper Melan Wellington is not a professional housekeeper, and he manages the villa very well, at this point in time, there is also a security guard who insists on patrolling the night and does not lazy to sleep, and when Zhou Quan returned to the villa, she also got up immediately.

"Miss Wellington, you don't need to get up, go to sleep." Zhou Quan was stunned when he saw Mei Lan Wellington, and hurriedly persuaded.

"Sir, this is my job." Merlin Wellington insisted.

Then she added, "Sir, if you didn't eat on the plane, I've asked the chef to prepare some, do you want to take them out?" ”

Zhou Quan shook his head with a smile and said, "No need, we generally prepare food on the plane, I have already eaten it, and when I come back at this time in the future, I don't need to prepare food for me." ”

He generally doesn't eat before going to bed, and when he flies at night, he eats some first on the plane and goes to bed when he gets home.

However, he was still very satisfied with this housekeeper and was indeed conscientious.

The next day, at noon on the 9th, Zhou Quan received the smiling assassin Isaiah Thomas in the villa.

The assassin first walked around the lake, then visited the villa, and said with an envious expression: "Iron Fist, this villa is amazing!" ”

Zhou Quan smiled: "You can buy it, don't say you don't have money." ”

The assassin shook his head and said, "I can't afford it, I only got a total salary of 14 million in my career, and I didn't save any money." ”

"Don't cry poor, when the Bad Boy Army is in power, you are one of the best point guards in the league, and you have a lot of endorsements and sponsorships." Zhou Quan said with a smile.

The assassin laughed and said, "That's too expensive, more than three million, I can buy a villa in Los Angeles and New York." ”

"I love the environment." Zhou Quan smiled with satisfaction.

That night, the SuperSonics played back-to-back games at home against the visiting Denver Nuggets.

At eight o'clock, the two teams announced their starting lists.

Nuggets: Mutombo, Lafonso Ellis, Reggie Williams, Bryant Stich, Mohamed Lauf

Hypersonics: Sam Perkins, Rodman, Schramf, Kendall Gill, Zhou Quan

The regular season game was broadcast live across the United States by ESPN and featured Isaiah Thomas and Bill Ranbier.

Isaiah Thomas said: "We had a mediocre record against the Nuggets last season, and they had Mutombo on the inside, a big guy who was very defensive.

Now the interior height of this supersonic team is not as high as we were last season, so I think this supersonic team is also a bit passive in the face of the Nuggets, and needs to play on the outside, and the play of Iron Fist and Kendall Gill is key. ”

Bill Ranbial said: "Sam Perkins pulled to the three-point line, Mutombo must have switched to the offensive idiot of the big bug, sat under the basket, and then when the guy with the iron fist burst in, he took the opportunity to reward him with ten big hats." ”

The Assassin can't laugh or cry, Bill, be careful that Iron Fist will beat you up again if he gets the chance.

In the player channel, when he saw Zhou Quan, Mutombo said with envy and emotion: "Iron Fist, we counted you as lucky, we have signed sneakers, the championship is there, AMVP is there, FMVP is also available, the big contract will be in hand next season, and there are a lot of commercial endorsements, when will it be my turn?" ”

"Am I lucky?"

Zhou Quan shook his head and smiled: "That's due to strength." ”

Mutombo said unconvinced: "You guys had a mediocre record against us last season, and our Nuggets restrained your lineup, if you play a championship with us, it may not be you who win." ”

Zhou Quan laughed and looked Mutombo up and down, how do you feel that this old guy is a little superior?

Mutombo was a little furious by Zhou Quan's eyes, and hurriedly said: "Iron Fist, what do you see?" ”

Zhou Quan smiled: "I see that your tonnage is at least 115 kilograms, why are you floating like this?" Do you want to be down-to-earth? I think you're going to gain weight. ”

Mutombo was still unconvinced: "I'll say this again if I win." ”

"If you want to find abuse, I will fulfill you." Zhou Quan said with a smile.

Mutombo proudly raised his right hand, raised his index finger, shook it at Zhou Quan, and said, "Whoever is looking for abuse, it's hard to say." ”

Staring at the index finger that kept shaking at him, Zhou Quan smiled, nodded, and didn't say anything more.

At half past eight, the game began.

The supersonic jump ball lost again, and the Nuggets attacked.

Zhou Quan played against Lauf, a point guard weighing only 73 kilograms and 185 centimeters tall, two laps younger than him, standing across from him and looking half as wide as him.

Love was the most improved player last season, the 90-year-old star show, the Nuggets' scoring champion last season, averaging 19.2 points, 2.8 rebounds, 4.2 assists, 1 steal and 2.3 turnovers per game, as a point guard, the assist-to-turnover ratio is only 1.83, which shows that this is an offensive point guard with poor vision and poor passing ability.

It is characterized by fast speed, flexibility, mid-to-long range shooting, but not a marksman, the main shooting area is three-point and long-range two-point, 15% of the offense under the basket, and the last two points and two points add up to only two percent.

Defending such point guards, shooting, breaking, and passing are secondary.

Lauf advanced to the top of the arc, facing Zhou Quan, who was eyeing him, and felt a little panicked.

"Cut him off!"

The Assassin suddenly shouted loudly, startling Ranbier.

It's really a coincidence, at this moment, Zhou Quan suddenly started to grab, stepped forward with his right foot, and stabbed the basketball with his left hand between leaning over.

Rough nervously turned to protect the ball instinctively, trying to take advantage of the situation to turn and pass.

But Zhou Quan's defense was not a risky steal, but a very active and aggressive steal, and the stabbing just now just forced the opponent to make a mistake.

When Lauf turned around, he had already retracted his right foot and quickly moved a step to the right, Lauf turned and broke through, just hit him, the gap in confrontation ability was too big, and he rebounded directly and sat on the floor, and the ball was out of control.

Zhou Quan picked up the basketball and immediately launched a counterattack.

"Haha!" The Assassin burst out laughing.

Ranbir said angrily: "Gain weight, all point guards in the West have gained five kilograms." ”

"Can they have so much meat on them? Bill, know how much tonnage Lauf has? 19 kilograms smaller than Iron Fist, haha, he looks even half the size of Iron Fist. ”

At this, the Assassin was already laughing heartily.

"Bang!"

Zhou Quan held the ball into the penalty area, and came to a crotch change hand big loop dunk, which detonated the Seattle Center Gymnasium.

Mutombo wiped his sweat, it can't be played like this, the ball can't go in outside, and Lauf can't beat the guy with the iron fist.

He glanced at head coach Dan Isel on the sidelines, and the second-year head coach didn't seem to react, standing there looking comfortable.

Nuggets offense.

Lauf immediately advanced quickly after receiving the ball, trying to get rid of Zhou Quan with speed, but he didn't succeed, his ball speed was not faster than Zhou Quan, and Zhou Quan used defense to suppress him, didn't rush, and almost made another mistake.

He used Reggie Williams' cover to advance to the front court, pulled to the left wing, Zhou Quan chased after him again, he quickly faked the real shot, and then made a one-step pull-up jump shot from the three-point line.

Zhou Quan blocked from the side, the ball couldn't catch up, and the big hand directly sealed the eyes.

"Whoosh!"

Three do not stick, flying directly from under the basket to the bottom line.

Supersonic attack, Zhou Quan advanced quickly, and Rauf harassed on one side.

But it was useless, Zhou Quan accelerated, and Lao Fu didn't dare to get close, and as soon as he made a slight contact, he was directly bounced away.

Hitting the frontcourt, Zhou Quan had already broken through the faster Lauf, to the top of the arc, small forward Reggie Williams came to make up for the defense, he changed direction to the left, and burst into the penalty area from the left elbow.

Under the basket, Mutombo switched to Rodman, and just ran to the basket, when he just turned around, he saw that Zhou Quan had rushed in.

When he rushed into the box, the ball was pulled up, he put the ball together with both hands, and then grabbed the ball with his right hand and suddenly pushed it towards Rodman on the right side of the basket.

At this moment, Mutombo's attention was distracted, and he instinctively looked over to Rodman's side.

The next moment, Zhou Quan took off with the ball, and his right hand grabbed the ball and raised it high, as if holding a tomahawk.

"Oops!"

Mutombo jumped quickly, but was already half a beat late.

"Die!"

When Mutombo jumped, Zhou Quan had already jumped up completely, and when he hit the ball up, his right arm holding the ball accelerated down through the opponent.

"Bang!"

In the extremely violent sound of the basket, Mutombo was directly knocked over and fell under the basket, while Zhou Quan hung high on the basket.

"Oh roar!"

Tens of thousands of people raised their arms, and a huge shout swept up in the central gymnasium in an instant.

"Buckle! The iron fist slammed Mutombo...... "The on-site commentator Henem Chrisman shouted, and he was extremely excited.

"I felt like I saw another rain man." McJim said excitedly.

"Bill, are you a little disappointed?" On the ESPN commentary seat, the assassin quipped.

"Humph!"

Ranbir snorted: "If you kill it again, sooner or later you will be capped." ”

Zhou Quan fell to the floor, rode on Mutombo's body with his legs, leaned down and shook his right index finger at the other party, and smiled: "Deacon Bay, why are you asking for abuse?" It's not a good habit, we're the same year, you should beg me to take care of you. For example, Iron Fist, please, don't detain me next time, okay? Ha ha! ”

"You go away."

Mutombo was extremely embarrassed at this moment, so he could only block Zhou Quan with both hands and prevent this guy from passing over his head, so as not to be humiliated again.

(End of chapter)