After returning to the hotel after playing G3, Doon, as usual, did not show the attitude of taking the initiative to discuss with someone and play tacit ball in the next game.

It's normal to eat supper, and then move at night, and then go to bed.

After all, reaching out to other people, even if it is reporting to the team owner, constitutes match-fixing, and even leaves evidence.

The NBA is a business league and there is no shortage of black whistles, tacit balls, and even match-fixing.

However, as a star, Doon certainly can't bear such a stain.

However, Doon was not wrong.

The next morning, Doon was called into a room by Scott Skyles, and when he entered, he found that the team's general manager, John Paxson, had been waiting for a long time.

Clearly, John Paxson must have been assigned by team owner Jerry Reinsdorf.

John Paxson is a former three-time Bulls decorated player, and after the Bulls retired, he also stayed with the Bulls directly, working as an assistant coach and scout.

It wasn't until Jerry Krauss, the Bulls' meritorious general manager and single-handedly promoted the Bulls dynasty, that John Paxson was appointed and promoted by Jerry Reinsdorf.

As a die-hard loyalist of the team's owners, John Paxson's arrival in Indianapolis during his busy schedule has already shown something.

However, playing tacit ball depends on whether there is tacit understanding.

And the Bulls owner also has to see if Doon understands the rules and is willing to cooperate, so that he can earn one more playoff ticket money.

After all, it hasn't been long since Du En first came out of the rivers and lakes, and it is understandable that he does not understand the rules of the rivers and lakes.

Coupled with the youthfulness and vigor of youth, which is the age of competitiveness, once Doon wants to sweep the Pacers, then it is not negotiable.

The Bulls owner relied on Doon to sell tickets and Doon to lead the team to the playoffs.

Just giving the team coach a death order and pressing the hot Doon on the cold bench, even if the head coach is removed to make Doon angry, it will definitely cause some conflicts that affect each other's feelings.

So, John Paxson came here today to do work for Doon.

After John Paxson met Doon, he also praised Doon as the only one in the league, and the Bulls were able to win the playoffs because of Doon's personal strength.

Subsequently, John Paxson hinted to Doon through words that the Pacers are a defensive powerhouse and an old powerhouse.

With three losses in a row, the G4 Pacers could break the jar and use dirty tricks.

Therefore, John Paxson is constantly reminding Doane that Doon has a future and there is no need to risk injury and go toe-to-toe with the Pacers in G4.

Doon was already angry with Reggie Miller, and he had a tacit understanding, and when he encountered this kind of thing, he could naturally maintain a tacit understanding with John Paxson.

Doon directly expressed his willingness to obey the team's orders, and at the same time made a little request that was not excessive.

That is, after playing G4, regardless of whether they win or lose, the team will treat all the players to a big meal in the name of Doon.

John Paxson was overjoyed when he heard this, and he agreed.

For players, there is no salary in the playoffs, so it is natural to play less games to reduce the risk of injury.

Therefore, playing tacit ball to make money for the team owner is not only not profitable, but risky as a player.

Doon asked for a meal of tens of thousands of dollars in exchange for Doon to play tacit ball and cooperate with the team owner to make money.

At the same time, the team owner helped Doon strengthen the team's morale, offset the impact of the loss, and improve Doon's status in the eyes of his teammates.

This kind of simple and effective, but humane transaction, is naturally worth doing.

So, before G4 started, Doon and Scott Skels already had a certain tacit understanding.

During this period, although many people up and down the bull knew about it, they didn't leave any handle.

Fast forward to May 3rd, and G4 between the Bulls and Pacers was held as scheduled.

Doon's rotation and playing time didn't cut much tonight, but there was a noticeable change in the style of play.

Doon didn't continue to play inside, limiting O'Neal Jr.'s play.

Doon is more of an outside shot and a simple tandem, just acting as a nanny, escorting the rest of the Bulls' youth rookies throughout the game.

At the end of the game, Doon shot 11 of 20, 3 of 7 three-pointers, and 2 of 2 free throws, and scored 27 points, 6 rebounds, 11 assists, 1 steal and 1 block.

Although it is not as explosive as the previous three, it is not bad overall, at least it can be called decent.

Of course, because Doon couldn't work hard and couldn't use defense and more efficient offense to help the rookies withstand the pressure, the Bulls still lost the ball tacitly.

98-104, this is also the first time in this year's playoffs that the Bulls failed to play a 100+ high score game.

Fortunately, the Bulls are not completely without gains, and Ben Gordon is still playing steadily, with 19 points, 4 rebounds and 3 assists.

Tyson Chandler, Roel Deng, and Andres Nocioni all scored more than 10 points, and the overall performance of the Bulls is still very good.

A little injured, it may be Josh Smith, who is not good at defense and cannot attack offensively.

However, the Pacers also know that tonight is playing tacit ball, and the defensive intensity is not high.

Even if Roel Deng broke through the basket to show his talent and wanted to dunk, he didn't use the evil move.

Therefore, after playing G4, the Bulls players did not lose much except for consuming some physical strength.

Mentally, with a big meal invited by "Doon" and the chicken soup that Doon personally cooked, they immediately made up for it.

After a big dinner in Indianapolis, the Bulls and his party returned to Chicago to prepare for the next G5 victory.

May 5, United Center, Chicago.

Tonight's Chicago fans seemed to be more enthusiastic than they had been at the previous two home games.

Encouraged by the more than 20,000 fans in the stadium, the Bulls have accumulated a lot of playoff experience, plus they know a lot about how to deal with the Pacers.

Therefore, under the leadership of Doon, the Bulls easily defeated the Pacers and successfully advanced to the Eastern Conference semifinals.

After the whole game, Dwan, who shot 15 of 31, 3 of 8 three-pointers, 6 of 8 free throws, and scored 39 points, 8 rebounds, 9 assists, 2 steals and 1 block, undoubtedly became the focus of attention of the audience.

During the post-match interview, reporters flocked to Doon.

In this case, Doon naturally has to pretend to be a little pressing, saying that he is not worried about who the opponent will be in the next round.

At the same time, Doon also showed humility, praising O'Neill Jr. and Martial Saint Jackson, saying that they are worthy of respect.

On the contrary, Reggie Miller, there is nothing to say.

However, Reggie Miller did advocate for Doon in his post-game interview.

"Doon's talent and expressiveness, I've only seen it in Michael!

The possibilities for his future are endless! Now he is on the right path.

That's right, I feel like Doon has surpassed me, and Doon will be stronger than me, that's for sure.

Doon has to be put into the regular season MVP discussion, and Doon is the best player in the East, not one of them.

I don't deny that the Miami Heat are number one in the East, but they need Shaq and Dwyane to win so many games.

Doon single-handedly defeated a large number of strong opponents with a group of rookies, including the Miami Heat!

You know, this kind of thing is crazy!

Even if you put a young, healthy Larry Bird on the Chicago Bulls team you are today, you can't do it better than Doon.

Perhaps, I can make a bold prediction here in advance.

In this year's playoffs, Doon's next performance will surprise everyone! ”

The first round of the playoffs is almost over, and the regular season MVP will be announced.

In terms of record, the Bulls are 55-27, and only the Suns, Spurs and Heat are higher than the Bulls this season, and only the Suns have a team with 60+ wins.

In terms of statistics, Doon averaged 27.2 points, 10.3 rebounds and 11.8 assists per game, making him the second player in the NBA to achieve an average triple-double in the regular season after Big O after 43 years.

In the past, Doon was booked as the MVP of the regular season just based on this average triple-double per game.

It's just that the regular season MVP is voted for by the media.

Doon's disadvantage is that he is too young and is neither white nor black.

Of course, Doon also has the advantage of bringing the second-to-last team in the East to the second place in the East.

And this season, the Bulls only have one All-Star, Doon, and Doon clearly has no reliable helpers around him.

Therefore, Reggie Miller took advantage of the key moment at the end of the first round to hype up the topic of Doon and the regular season MVP in advance.

Whatever the outcome is, it will be beneficial to Doon.

Fans know from Reggie Miller that Doon has Jordan's talent and Larry Bird's ability to lead the team, and now Reggie Miller has been convinced.

So, even if Doon wins the regular season MVP the following year as a rookie, neither basketball pundits nor fans will have too many questions about Doon.

On the contrary, Doon was not selected as the regular season MVP, and everyone will question the professionalism of the media to vote for the regular season MVP.

If that's the case, Doon is equivalent to an extra talisman, no matter what happens in the next playoffs, even if it is an eight points in a single game, maybe he will not be sprayed.

(End of chapter)