At the other end, the supersonic press conference hall.

"Iron Fist, you made 29 steals in four games, an average of 7.25 per game, which is beyond our normal perception, how did you do that?" The New York Times reporter said.

Zhou Quan said with a smile: "The understanding of the opponent's technical movements, coupled with active defense, so as to make accurate predictions, coupled with a fast enough reaction speed, and finally the body to keep up with the reaction speed, combined, you can do what you think you can't do." ”

"Iron Fist, we lost to the Bulls in the finals last season, how confident do you have this time?" The Seattle Times reporter asked.

Zhou Quan said: "First I don't think the Bulls' lineup will be better than us, last year we only lost at the No. 5 position, and there is a serious lack of low post offense and low post defense, and now we have strengthened this weakness, then our opportunity has come."

The second is a question of impromptu performance, most of us played the finals for the first time last year, and we were inexperienced, under great psychological pressure, and couldn't let go, so I believe it will be much better this time.

I believe that we are not inferior to the Bulls now, and when we compare the two lineups, our interior rebounding ability is even stronger, and as long as the outside can withstand them on both ends of the offensive and defensive ends, we have a chance to win. ”

The next question was asked by a reporter from the Miami Daily News, who asked: "Iron Fist, the Bulls have Jordan + Pippen on the outside, why do you think the supersonic can withstand them?" ”

Zhou Quan smiled: "Are they strong in your eyes?" Is it invincible? ”

"That's of course, the first person in the active service, and Pippen is now also a superstar in strength." The white reporter said.

Zhou Quan changed his expression of disdain and said, "But that's your opinion, if you are not as good as them, you feel that they are invincible."

It's not a big deal for me to beat Jordan + Pippen, and it's not like I haven't beaten them in the playoffs.

I won once in '93, and this time again, is it something incredible? Is it unthinkable? ”

The reporter was a little helpless, because this is a fact, Jordan didn't even score in the East Final in 93, and he couldn't refute it at all.

And in fact, this is also Zhou Quan's heart, Jordan and Pippen are just his former subordinates, and they have nothing to do with invincibility.

In his eyes, Jordan is strong, but only strong, not at all to the point of being invincible.

And Pippen is just like that, that is, the defense is not bad, but he can't prevent him, organizing the offense is nothing in front of him, he doesn't even look down on Pi Er, Pi Lao Er is not qualified to be called a superstar in front of him, he is just a first-class all-star.

At the time of the press conference, ESPN and other major media outlets had already updated some of their forecasts.

After the G2 battle of the Western Finals, the probability of supersonic advancing to the finals is 65%, and after losing the G3 battle, it becomes 55%, but now, it has risen directly to 90%, and Mosaic only has 10%.

The Bulls, who are 3-0 ahead of the Magic, have a 99% chance of advancing to the Finals, which means that ESPN is optimistic about the SuperSonics to advance, but at the same time believes that Mosaic still has a chance to turn the tables, otherwise it is a symbolic 1%, not 10%.

The ESPN championship prediction data, the original Bulls 64%, SuperSonics 20%, Mosaic 15%, Magic 1%, now the updated data is Bulls 60%, SuperSonics 34%, Nimosaic 5%, Magic 1%.

The matchup is not over yet, and early the next morning, the major media have already updated their predictions for winning the championship, completely ignoring the two teams that have not yet been really eliminated, Magic and Mosaic.

ESPN, Bull 60%, Supersonic 40%.

NBC, Bulls 58%, SuperSonics 42%.

ABC, Bulls 55%, Supersonic 45%.

TNT, Bulls 53%, Supersonics 47%.

Los Angeles TV, Bulls 51%, SuperSonics 49%.

Detroit Worker, Bulls 48%, Supersound 52%.

Seattle Post, Bulls 45%, SuperSonics 55%.

Basically, with the exception of the media in Seattle and Detroit, the media in other cities are more bullish on the Bulls defending their title.

These media also gave their own reasons, the main reason why they are more optimistic about the Bulls is that the Bulls are more experienced in the finals, and the second is that the Bulls have two superstars, and the supersonic has only one, Schramf is a two-time All-Star backup forward, but he is not a superstar, and Rodman is a rallying champion for several times, but he has no offensive ability.

At ten o'clock in the morning, Supersonic left the hotel and headed to the airport, where some media reporters rushed to interview.

"Iron Fist, the media is more optimistic about the Bulls winning the championship, they think the Bulls have two superstars, do you agree with them?" A reporter asked.

Zhou Quan sneered and said: "In the second round of the East in 93, the Bulls also had Jordan and Pippen, why didn't they make it to the Eastern Finals?"

So the media are all non-professional, they should find a few professionals, and those people should be able to provide them with more professional reasons. ”

At four o'clock in the afternoon that day, the supersonic returned to Seattle.

That night, the G4 battle of the East Finals was held in Orlando.

O'Neal didn't want to be swept away, and in 42 minutes of the game, he only made 13 shots, hitting 11 shots, with a shooting rate of 84.6%, plus 6 of 9 free throws, and scored 28 points, 9 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 steal, 3 blocks, 3 turnovers and 5 fouls.

His younger brother Anfernee Hardaway shot 9-of-21, a 42.9% shooting rate, and 1-of-6 three-pointers, with 28 points, 3 rebounds, 8 assists, 1 block, 3 turnovers and 3 fouls.

The Bulls continued to play strong outside defense, making 12 steals to the Magic's five.

Jordan shot 16-of-23 from the field, shooting 69.6 percent from the field, 3-of-4 from three-point range, 10-of-14 from the free-throw line, and scored 45 points, 3 rebounds, 5 assists, 1 steal, 1 block, 4 turnovers and 5 fouls.

Pippen shot 4-of-11 from the field with a shooting rate of just 36.4%, made 1-of-5 three-pointers and 3-of-6 free throws, and scored 12 points, 5 rebounds, 8 assists, 2 steals, 2 turnovers and 4 fouls.

But in terms of overall shooting percentage, the Bulls are 5 percentage points lower than the Magic, but the Bulls' three-point shooting exploded, shooting 9 of 22, a shooting rate of 40.9%, while the Magic shot 4 of 15.

The final score was 106-101, and the Bulls won on Jordan's efficient performance, as well as outside defense, and three-point shooting.

And the Magic were swept away and out in shameful fashion.

Zhou Quan called O'Neill after the game and comforted: "Shark, you are really not angry, you were really swept." ”

"Can you blame me then?"

In the Magic's locker room, O'Neal said angrily.

"Shark, come here, you can't catch the ball on the court, as long as you are by my side, I guarantee that you will average 35+ per game, at least 25 shots per game." Zhou Quan tempted.

"25 shots a day, I'm not going to be tired of being a dog? Don't do it! "O'Neill was very decisive.

Zhou Quan was stunned and couldn't help scolding: "You lazy!" ”

O'Neill's tone changed and he said seriously: "Of course it's not because I'm lazy, my big shark will never hug his thighs for the championship." Also, Iron Fist, you prepare me for the finals, and I'm going to watch you beat Jordan. ”

"How do you kid have a tone with Reggie Miller? Forget it, if you don't come, you won't come, I'll do my big dream a few more times, so that he can't see hope, he will come and hug my thigh, that old rascal has no loyalty to Mosaic. Zhou Quan said with a smile.

"That's not good, you and Da Meng join forces, what chance do we have?" O'Neill was dissatisfied.

"It's to make you despair." Zhou Quan said with a smile.

On May 30th, the G5 battle of the Western Finals began.

Without Drexler, the supersonic's attack on the big dream is even more crazy, and the mosaic can't withstand it after three quarters.

Zhou Quan punched in the third quarter, scored 26 points, 10 rebounds, 4 steals, 2 blocks, 0 turnovers and 2 fouls, led the team to defeat Mosaic, eliminated the opponent with a score of 4 to 1, and stepped into the finals with his head held high.

This is also the third consecutive season that Zhou Quan has reached the finals, with one win and one loss in the first two times, with a 50% win rate.

The Western Conference finals are over, and the date of the Finals has also been announced, which will start on June 2, and the Bulls have home-court advantage, and the home-and-away schedule is two-three-two.

In addition, the official announcement of the best team and best defense will be announced on June 1.

"We're going to replicate last year's Grand Final!" Chicago Daily News.

"The Bulls and the SuperSonics will face off again in the finals, and the two super guards of the Flyers and Tekken will face it out." Los Angeles Daily News.

"Jordan has already won his fourth MVP, and if he can win the fourth championship of his career and successfully defend his title again, it means that the 90s of the twentieth century will be the era of the flyers." New York Daily News.

"Punch hard, and the iron fist will break the dream of Michael Jordan of the flyer to defend his title." Seattle Daily News.

"In the battle between super centers and super defenders, the super centers lost by an indisputable disadvantage, O'Neill and Olajuwon were both eliminated, and it is certain that this is the era of super defenders." Washington post.

From the second day, the sports news coverage in the media focused on the upcoming NBA Finals, as well as the All-NBA Team.

At nine o'clock in the morning, the league announced the All-NBA and Defensive Lineups.

Zhou Quan was selected for the double team again, which is also the third consecutive year that he has been selected for the double team.

Like him, Jordan was once again selected for the double team.

In addition, among the SuperSonics, Rodman was also selected for the best defensive team, and McMillan was selected for the second defensive team.

In terms of the best team, Rodman and Schramf were both selected in the best three team.

At four o'clock in the afternoon, supersonic arrived in Chicago.

At half past five, at the request of the media, the team held a press conference at the hotel.

"Iron Fist, the Seattle media thinks you have what it takes to compete with Michael Jordan for the position of the active No. 1 man, what do you think?" The first question was from a reporter from the New York Times.

Zhou Quan smiled: "Jordan has never said in public that he is the first person on active duty, and this honor should be given by the media and fans, so I have nothing to say." ”

"This is your second Finals with Michael, having lost to him last year, what odds do you think you have this year?" The reporter continued.

"I think we have a better chance of winning this Grand Final series."

Zhou Quan did not hesitate or be modest on this issue, if he was modest and hesitant on this issue, it could only show that his confidence was insufficient, which would definitely affect the confidence and morale of his teammates.

The reporter said: "Michael Jordan has reached the finals three times, won the championship three times, and the winning rate is 100%, and you have reached the finals twice and won the championship once, and the winning rate is 50%, in terms of probability, it should be his probability is higher, why do you think your probability is greater?"

And the Bulls won the championship last year by beating the SuperSonics, and in the Finals, you are the loser and Michael is the winner. ”

Zhou Quan said with a smile: "Probability is just chance, numbers can't determine the final win or loss, otherwise we don't want to play the finals, just use the past data to decide whether to win or lose." ”

"Then please tell me your reasons." The reporter said.

Zhou Quan said: "We are very similar to the Bulls, both are teams that focus on offense and defense on the outside, and I think that whether it is on the offensive and defensive ends, the strength of our outside rotation lineup is not weaker than that of the Bulls.

And this year we have a stronger interior line, a stronger low-post offense than the Bulls, and the Bulls don't have Cobra Grant's inside cut, and their low-post offense has lost some of it.

We also have some advantages in rebounding, Dennis is the best rebounding player in the world and he is one of the key guarantees of our victory. ”

"Rebounding, from the first minute, everybody has to rush for every rebound, that's my first request to you."

At this time, in a conference room at the Bulls headquarters, the Bulls were holding a tactical meeting, and Phil Jackson said very seriously.

"The second point, when the iron fist broke through with the ball, the nearest person pinched him. Positive people block his shots, Michael, it's your responsibility. ”

“OK。”

"The guy who packs the ball is responsible for cutting off his pass to one wing, you don't have to defend his shot, you just prevent his pass. The man on the other wing wants to keep an eye on his own people, not giving them a chance to open the spot, not giving him a chance to pass the ball with Iron Fist, and forcing him to shoot against Michael's defense. ”

"The third point, if you can break in and play, you can break in and play, Rodman and Gilliam are not high, and their ability to protect the basket is average. Kill in, make kills, I want to see efficient low post and offense under the basket. ”

……

That night, some TV stations arranged live broadcasts about the finals.

The finals series was broadcast live across the United States by TNT TV, and TNT found Big Bird Larry Bird and Magic Johnson this time, and hired them temporarily with high salaries to form the Magic Bird Group to explain the finals, and TNT's program was also hosted by the two of them.

The two were responsible for inviting guests, inviting super center O'Neal, who had just been eliminated by the Bulls, and Olajuwon, who had just been eliminated by the superSonics, as well as super center Ewing, who was eliminated by O'Neal in the second round, and Barkley, who was also eliminated by Olajuwon in the first round.

At eight o'clock, the show began.

"Ladies and gentlemen......"

Larry Bird got straight to the point after opening the remarks and said, "Guys, there's only one topic to discuss tonight, and who has the better chance of winning the championship." So who's coming first now? ”

"Me."

O'Neill immediately danced and shouted, "I'm more optimistic about supersound." ”

"Why?" Magic Johnson asked.

"The guy who was swept by Michael, he certainly didn't want the Bulls to win." Da Meng suddenly said at this time.

"Poof!"

Larry Bird burst out laughing, hehe, and Magic Johnson also couldn't control the smile on his face and lowered his head.

O'Neill was extremely angry, staring at Da Meng with a pair of small eyes and roaring: "One to four, you are not much better than me, I kindly tell you, Iron Fist said that you will take the initiative to hug his thigh in the future." ”

"Alas!"

Barkley heard O'Neill's words, but he sighed deeply.

"Boy, do you dare to talk nonsense?"

Da Meng was so angry that his old face turned red, and the tiger stood up at once, his fists clenched, and he looked like he was going to fight.

"You come up. Big dream, I don't scare you, I learned boxing with Iron Fist. O'Neill hurriedly got up and put on a boxing stance and continued to provoke.

"Okay, okay, sit down, sit down." The two demon birds were busy persuading peace.

Of course, Da Meng and O'Neill won't really fight, so they borrowed the donkey and sat back.

Larry Bird sat down and looked at a few people, and when he saw Barkley with a lost face, he smiled and said, "Charles, what are you thinking?" I warn you, you took the notice fee, collected the money, don't think about your own personal affairs. ”

Barkley said awkwardly, "No." ”

"So who are you more optimistic about?" Magic Johnson asked.

"It's comparable." Barkley blurted out.

(End of chapter)