The Spurs returned to the locker room, the atmosphere was okay, Duncan really pressed the scene, and he had already completely taken over the position of locker room leader from David Robinson.

David Robinson sat panting, he played 35 minutes today, 10 more minutes, tired and stuck out his tongue, only three months away at the age of 38, he is already desperate.

After resting for a long time, everyone else went in to take a shower, and then he got up and picked up the bath towel and prepared to go to the bathroom.

Before entering the bathroom, he stopped again, turned and walked to the doorway to Popovich.

"David?" Popovich asked.

David Robinson pondered for a moment and said, "Greg, I've decided." ”

Popovich was stunned, and after reacting, he asked, "Is it really decided?" ”

David Robinson nodded and said, "Ewing retired last year after taking a ring from the SuperSonics, and Big Dream retired without a crown last year, and now it's my turn." I was at least a little stronger than the two of them, and I took a ring on my own. ”

"Okay then."

The two had already discussed this, and Popovich nodded.

David Robinson originally wanted to snatch a ring from the supersonic's hand, but looking at the current situation, I am afraid that there is not much hope, so he decided to retire.

Popovich doesn't have too many regrets about David Robinson's retirement, Robinson can't play now, and there are fewer and fewer places to help Duncan.

However, he regretted using David Robinson for too much time tonight, and returned to the home court in the G3 game, I'm afraid David Robinson's condition will not be good, if he uses it conservatively tonight, it will be better to return to the home field.

This game was hotly discussed by the media on the second day, in addition to praising Zhou Quan, who scored 65 points, the media also discussed the Spurs' no-ball wrapping tactics against Zhou Quan.

The Los Angeles Times reported: "Tekken is not O'Neal, O'Neal has a small area of movement, and once he is encapsulated and his range of motion is reduced, he loses energy."

And the Iron Fist King's activity area is all over the field, coupled with the magical ability to move without the ball in the penalty area, there is no restriction on his off-ball trapping at all.

The Spurs should be thankful that Cory Maggeti didn't shoot well, otherwise Cory Magetti would have been able to shoot the Spurs without the Iron Fist King's shot. ”

The New York Times reported: "Off-ball traps have never been effective for low post players, and off-ball traps on outside players don't have much effect, and the person being caught can simply pull to the side and his teammates can get big open space on the other wing or in the middle."

Even if the Iron Fist does not have such a magical ability to run without the ball in the restricted area, the SuperSonics can arrange for others to shoot in the open space, and the Spurs' off-ball tactics will only provide countless empty spaces for the SuperSonics, allowing the Iron Fist to efficiently blast down 65 points, and there is no other use. ”

At 10 a.m., Popovich was interviewed at the airport.

"Coach Popovich, the media is not optimistic about the no-ball trapping tactics against the Iron Fist King, why did you implement the off-ball trap on him all over the court last night?" A reporter asked.

"It wasn't full-time, it was just the first half, and in the third quarter we were back in defense." Popovich corrected.

"Would you still use an off-ball bag on Tekken?" The journalist asked.

Popovich said expressionlessly: "I don't know now. ”

"Do you think it's because of the off-ball tactics that the Iron Fist King scored 65 points?" The reporter asked again.

"No, the off-ball tactics are not the reason, he has also scored 60+ or even 70+ several times in the playoffs before." Popovich said.

"Do you think there's any hope for the series?" The journalist asked.

"Of course, we won't give up." Popovich said firmly.

But steadfastness to steadfastness, the Spurs ultimately lost the series.

However, the supersonic did not complete the sweep, during the G4 battle, Big Ben fouled too quickly, plus the other people were not in good shape, and the reason for the home whistle, they lost the game, and finally returned to the home court to win the G5 game, and won the series with a big score of 4 to 1.

In the second round of four groups, the Lakers finally defeated the Kings with a score of 4-2 and met with the SuperSonics again.

In the East, the Nets swept the Pistons 4-0 and reached the Eastern Conference finals faster than the SuperSonics.

The Numbers defeated the Pacers 4-3 and reached the Eastern Conference finals.

"Iron Fist King, I'm in the East Finals, and I hope to meet you again in the finals."

"Aaron, I'm looking forward to it."

Iverson was very happy, this was his second time in the East Finals, and he even made a phone call to Zhou Quan.

But thinking about it, Zhou Quan feels that it is still a little impossible for the digital team to win the Nets.

The Eastern Conference finals will begin on May 18, and the Nets will play against the digital team, and the Nets have a home-court advantage, 22111 home and away system.

The Western Conference is the 19th, and the SuperSonics have a home-court advantage against the Lakers.

After the second round ended on the 16th, the next day on the morning of the 17th, the league announced the best team.

Not surprisingly, Zhou Quan was selected for the 9th time in the double team.

In addition to him, there were Ben Wallace, Duncan, Garnett, and Kobe Bryant.

In addition to him, the best team also has O'Neal, Duncan, Garnett, and Maddie.

Bryant once again failed to get a double team, and was robbed of the best team by Maddy.

In addition to Zhou Quan, Duncan and Garnett were both selected for the double team at the same time, and both of them are power forwards, which also means that in the case of the aging and retirement of the four super centers, there are a group of very good power forwards in the league.

On the evening of the 17th, the NBA draft draw ceremony was held in New York.

All the media and the team's scouts believe that this year is going to be a big year for the draft, with several good outside rookies coming up.

The hottest point guard LeBron James, the all-round small forward Anthony, the lightning-fast but missing half a meniscus point guard, and the point back Hinrich, who just led the team to the NCAA finals, are all very concerned.

In addition to the outside line, there are also several excellent interior players, such as the super-talented Serb Milicic, Bosh, who is among the best in the NCAA shooting percentage and block percentage, and Chris Kaman, who has won numerous NCAA honors.

As a result, the knights were lucky and won the lottery. Their boss even directly announced that he would choose local rookie LeBron James.

The Grizzlies drew the No. 1 pick, but the pick was traded to the Pistons a few years ago and was not protected, so it went to the Pistons.

The Bulls drew the No. 6 pick.

At two o'clock in the afternoon, the Lakers arrived in Seattle. At four o'clock, at the request of the media, a press conference was held in the hotel.

The Seattle Times reporter who asked the first question asked: "Coach Phil Jackson, once again playing the SuperSonics, are you confident enough to avoid being swept by the SuperSonics for the fourth time?" ”

Phil Jackson knew that the local reporter had nothing to say, so he was mentally prepared and replied with a smile: "The SuperSonics lost to the Spurs in the second round, which shows that the SuperSonics are not unbeatable."

It's not modest to say that we as a Lakers team are confident that we can win in the Western Conference Finals and defeat strong opponents to reach the Finals. ”

"Big Shark, do you have the confidence to play a decisive performance off the ball?" The second to ask a question was a reporter from the New York Times.

O'Neal glanced at Kobe Bryant next to him, straightened his chest, and said with an unyielding momentum: "I am the boss of the team, I will carry this team." ”

Kobe Bryant snorted, his performance in the first two rounds had completely overshadowed O'Neal, I don't know how this lazy big fat man had the face to say this.

"Kobe, what about you? Do you have the confidence to put in a decisive performance on the head of the Iron Fist King? The reporter asked, turning his gun.

Kobe Bryant also straightened his chest and said in an unusually firm tone: "I have entered my peak, I will tell the Iron Fist King in person......"

"Kobe, what do you want to tell me to my face?"

At this time, Zhou Quan's figure suddenly appeared at the entrance of the press conference, and his voice also sounded.

"Oh, Iron Fist? Hurry up and get out of the way, let me pass. ”

"Why is the Iron Fist King here? Awesome, just in time to interview him. ”

The order of the press conference was suddenly chaotic, and reporters flocked to Zhou Quan.

The Lakers looked at each other, and Kobe Bryant looked at Zhou Quan dissatisfiedly and said, "He's here to smash our field, it's too much!" ”

O'Neill shook his head helplessly and said, "Then let's break up, I was just about to discuss apples with him." Damn apples, my apples, it's almost two hundred now, and it can't get back three. ”

Kobe glared at O'Neal angrily, too lazy to say anything, but scolded in his heart: "Three more? You won't be able to buy it for 300 dollars in the future. ”

Seeing that Kobe and O'Neal were gone, the Postman and Phil Jackson had to leave with them, and the Lakers died in the middle of the press conference.

"Oh, I didn't come here on purpose, I just happened to be passing by and knew that the Lakers were staying here, so I came in to have a look temporarily." Zhou Quan explained.

"Iron Fist King, what do you think of the Western Duel?" A reporter asked.

"The Lakers are stronger than they were at this time last year, O'Neal is more dominant than last year, his tonnage is already invincible, the Postman's elbow is still strong, Kobe Bryant is really at the top, the Big Three all need to be packed, and we will be very cautious about this series." Zhou Quan said.

"Do you think SuperSonics are in danger of losing the series?" A reporter from the Los Angeles Times asked.

Zhou Quan immediately smiled and shook his head: "They are very strong, but they also have their weaknesses, we will not lose, we have the confidence to win." ”

After dealing with reporters for a while, he and O'Neill found a place to have a cup of coffee and chat.

"Iron Fist, do you think Apple will go back to below thirty? If I can get back below thirty dollars, I'll buy some. O'Neill asked, gritting his teeth.

"Why isn't your psychological price less than three yuan?" Zhou Quan asked curiously.

"I don't think it's going to be back under three." O'Neill said firmly.

Zhou Quan persuaded: "Shark, Apple may go bankrupt one day, I think you are more suitable to invest in a few burger restaurants, that will never go bankrupt, and you can have an income every day, you don't need money to eat burgers by yourself, you can eat as much as you want." ”

O'Neill tilted his head and thought about it, and suddenly realized: "Iron Fist, I think it makes sense when you say that, then I decided to use the money I was going to buy apples to open a burger shop." Wow, I think I can open at least a hundred stores. ”

Kobe Bryant rolled his eyes next to him, he felt that it was really useless to go to college, look at the fool next to him, he was fooled by the Iron Fist King with a word, and he was not as wise as a high school student.

After chatting for a while, Zhou Quan left, still on the way, and received a call from Zeng Li.

"Husband, Sir approved."

"Really? Which day? ”

"July 6th."

"Then let's go home and celebrate."

That night, the Nets defeated the Numbers at home and won the G1 game of the Eastern Conference Finals.

The next day, May 19th, the day of the G1 match of the Western Conference Finals.

In the morning, the Lakers had a tactical meeting at the hotel.

Phil Jackson prepared a large tactical board and put it in front of him, explaining: "Let's talk about defensive tactics first. Defensively, we have only one and only one focus, and that's Tekken's breakout tactics.

This is the most used offensive tactic of the Iron Fist King, and when he plays this tactic, he can attack from the flanks, from the top of the arc, and more often from the top of the arc. He can also force a first-line defender, or he can call a pick-and-roll.

Let's start with his style of play as a strong defender at the top of the arc. The Spurs have tried, and the defense can't stop him from breaking through with the ball because he has the best pull-up jump shot and the ball, so we still play man-to-man, which is what you do best defensively.

Man-to-man defence, the defender of the first line is very important, he must entangle the Iron Fist King, slow down his breakthrough speed, and buy time to establish a second line of defense in the back. Bryant ......"

Speaking of this, he looked at Kobe, who was also in good spirits and nodded.

Phil Jackson continued: "In previous years, we used to go back to our home stadium and then increase our defensive intensity because at home we had a home whistle, but I think we were wrong.

We've been swept by the SuperSonics in a row, and our series with the SuperSonics is the best watched series, and the league doesn't want to see us swept the most, so this time, we're going to play with the defensive intensity at home on the road, you know? From the very beginning, we have to challenge the referee's bottom line on the road. ”

Kobe Bryant had a sudden realization, yes, the league doesn't want to see us swept, so what are we polite?

Phil Jackson's voice continued to sound in the conference room: "After Kobe Bryant entangled the Iron Fist King, Derek Fisher let go of Cory Magetti and immediately went down to make up for Cote Thomas, while the Postman returned to the penalty area as fast as possible to establish a second line of defense.

At this time, Kobe Bryant should pay attention, you are left behind after being burst, you must block the passing angle of the Iron Fist King and Corymagetti, and the defensive position must be correct.

Although Cory Magetti's shooting is not good, you must know that in the G2 battle between the Spurs and the SuperSonics, the Spurs sandwiched the Iron Fist King without the ball, and Magetti got a lot of open opportunities, and the shooting rate was more than 50%. ”

In the same way, a tactical meeting is being held on the supersonic side.

McMillan's attitude is serious, because the Lakers are very strong, and the pressure on him is very high due to the Big Three lineup.

Don't look at the supersonic speed pressing the Lakers in the regular season, but comparing the records between the two teams, when the Lakers have a complete lineup, the supersonic is not cheap.

"Last season, we played a no-ball pack against O'Neal and it was very successful and we swept them away.

But this time, they're a big three, and there's no way we can use the off-ball pack against O'Neal again.

The big shark is now back to at least 170 kilograms, and he will definitely keep getting under the basket to destroy our box. So, this time we're going to use the meat shield tactic and send him to the free throws. ”

In this tactical meeting, the main focus was on how to defend O'Neal, followed by the Postman, and Kobe Bryant didn't mention much.

The Big Sharks and Postman are strong interior lines with big lethality, but fortunately, the SuperSonics have hoarded six interior lines, three centers, and three power forwards, and this Western Final is their time to perform.

Zhou Quan's home has a lot of guests, a large number of celebrities, many world-class billionaires, and many parliamentarian-level politicians, who have been like this every time they play the Western Finals with the Lakers in recent years, which is more lively than the finals.

Zhou Quan was at the supersonic headquarters, and Zeng Li, who was in charge of entertaining guests, had a big party.

Da Qingyi's outstanding Zeng Li, temperament is elegant, dignified, virtuous and gentle, and arrogant and stubborn, every move reveals mature intellectual beauty, over the years, with the rise of net worth and social status, the body has added a graceful and luxurious temperament, no matter what guests come, in front of her is also polite, very respectful.

In the evening, hundreds of luxury cars left Zhou Quan's home and headed for the central gymnasium.

The Central Gymnasium, when night falls, is already starry-studded, like a jewel in Seattle.

(End of chapter)