NBA: Back to 97, to be the Jagged Bishop

Magic Doug Rivers is going crazy. He has a good talk with the Rockets, and he is only one step away from completing the deal.

As a result, the Rockets suddenly stopped talking. Even if Rivers lowered the threshold, the Rockets would not want McGrady.

The deal with the Grizzlies was a good deal, but it's a pity that McGrady couldn't kill the Grizzlies, and even used his veto power in the deal.

Rivers still wanted to continue to find another home for McGrady, but unfortunately time was running out. One week after the end of the All-Star weekend, the door to the trading market was officially closed.

The actions of the Rockets were abnormal, and Rivers felt that someone must be playing tricks. He called the Rockets coach Van Gundy Jr., tapped on the side, and wanted to ask what was going on.

Little Van Gundy actually didn't know anything, not at all about Ewing's conversation with his boss Alexander.

Rivers' first object of suspicion must be Combu, because there is one and only one in this league who has the ability to stop the Magic deal and still make a profit.

It's a pity that he has no evidence. This kind of thing can't be bitten randomly, especially Kong Bu.

In this way, the door to the trading market is closed, the Magic lineup has not changed, McGrady is still in the process of being reimbursed for the season, and the Magic is at least [-]% likely to rank the bottom of the league's record list this year.

Kumbu is now waiting for the lottery meeting in May to see how his luck is and whether the Magic can help him draw a No. [-] lottery.

Time passed quickly, and in mid-April, the annual playoffs officially started.

In this year's playoffs, the Eastern Conference will highlight a group of heroes competing for hegemony, with a cloud of strong teams. A random team drawn from the top four in the Eastern Conference may be No. 1 in the Western Conference.

Under normal circumstances, the pattern of the league at this point in time is that the east is weak and the west is strong. After the Bulls Dynasty, that is, from 98 to 08 when Green Kai won the championship, in a total of ten years, the West won eight championships, and the East won eight championships. Only the Pistons and the Green Kais managed to win the championship once.

In the next three years, it was Kobe's two consecutive championships and Nowitzki's single-core championship, and then the Heat's Big Three helped the Eastern Conference win two championships, saving a little bit of face.

But the situation is different now. Comb entered the Eastern Conference in 97, and he won all the championships in the first six seasons.

Under normal circumstances this season, the Pistons should win the championship. Judging from the current situation, the chances of the Pistons winning the championship are not high, but the championship will definitely stay in the Eastern Conference.

Either the New York Knicks, or the veteran Toronto Raptors, or the reigning champion Philadelphia 76ers, or the Charlotte Bobcats, an upstart team formed by Comb and Jordan.

The record in the Eastern Conference, the New York Knicks ranked first, followed by the 76ers, Raptors, Bobcats, Pistons, Nets, Heat and Bucks.

The Bobcats will face the Detroit Pistons in the first round of the playoffs.

The Pistons have a deep relationship with the Bobcats. Although the Bobcats are new players, they are inextricably linked with the Pistons.

Comb has always been regarded as the coach of the Pistons, and he has a close relationship with the old Pistons at the helm of Dumars.

Another owner of the Bobcats, Jordan, has a long relationship with the Pistons. Jordan lost two championships when he was suppressed by the Pistons when he was a player.

In addition, Grant Hill, the current outside core of the Pistons, came out of the Pistons. He was once the hope of the Pistons.

There are also many players in the current lineup of the Pistons who used to be disciples of Combe. For example, their insider monster Ben, and the outsider core Hamilton is the true successor of Jordan, who has really received Jordan's systematic training.

This inextricably linked relationship has led to the first round of the playoffs between the Bobcats and the Pistons to attract the attention of countless fans.

On April 4, the Bobcats played at home against the Detroit Pistons.

"Kong, we're not going to lose to the Pistons, are we? No, right?"

Jordan was a little nervous before the game, as if he had returned to the time when he played against the Pistons when he was young. Against the bad boy team back then, no player would not be nervous, because they didn't know whether they would be crippled after the game.

"Whoever says this kind of thing is good, it still depends on the performance of the players."

"Fighting the Pistons, we don't have to worry about the opponent's shark-cutting tactics. They cut fat people, and we can cut big money."

Combe laughed.

Daben's free throws are not as good as O'Fang's. The two sides cut each other, and the Pistons must suffer.

"We must win!"

"Although we are the only rookie team to make the playoffs in 30 years, it has been a successful season."

"But I still don't want to have a round trip, at least I have to bump fists with the Knicks."

If the Bobcats can win the Pistons, their opponent in the Eastern Conference semifinals will be the New York Knicks.

The Philadelphia 76ers are certainly strong, but they suffered a lot of injuries during the regular season. Iverson was injured for nearly two months, and Yao Ming also missed more than ten games, so the regular season record is not as good as the Knicks.

The Knicks this year focused on extravagance, and Kumbu couldn't count how much they spent. In addition to introducing the bus, they also got Mutombo into the team.

Uncle Mu's annual salary is tens of millions. With his current strength, the price-performance ratio is not high.

It's a pity that what kind of team is the Knicks, they don't think about cost performance, as long as it helps the team's strength, as long as they can spend money, they don't even frown.

"Don't worry, it shouldn't be a big problem. Our lineup on paper is stronger than the Pistons."

"Even if there is no way to sweep them, I think winning six games is a sure thing."

Combe smiled and comforted Jordan.

"Dudududu!"

The referee's whistle sounded, and the starters of both sides took the field.

When Kumbu saw the lineup on the field, he felt as if he had traveled back to his previous life. Ao Pang, Pistons and Wallace, isn't this the lineup of the 04 Finals?
It's just that the Bobcats don't have Kobe, and the Pistons don't have Flounder and Little Prince.

In the jump ball session, Ao Pang succeeded, and Hinrich rushed forward with the ball. Facing Eric Snow's defense, he didn't dare to overdo it, and immediately transferred the ball to Hill's hands.

Snow can almost be said to be the natural nemesis of players like Hinrich. He doesn't participate in the offense very much, which makes Hinrich's defensive ability useless.

And Snow's defense was top-notch, and he was able to limit Hinrich's offense.

When preparing for the playoffs two days ago, Kumbu talked to Hinrich specifically, telling him not to get ahead in the game.

Hinrich is a rookie, eager to express himself in the playoffs, but unfortunately the series against the Pistons is definitely not his stage.

Hill held the ball against the Pistons' No. [-] Clifford Robinson, making a gesture to make a mid-range shot with his back.

After jumping up, Robinson's height of 208 centimeters and super long wingspan made Hill instantly lose interest in shooting and transferred the ball to Bosh.

The Pistons once ranked third in the Eastern Conference this year. If Robinson hadn't been injured for more than two months, they would definitely maintain this record and enter the playoffs.

Robinson's offensive end this season is a bit outrageous, with a shooting percentage of less than [-]%, but his defense is a must. With his height and wingspan, coupled with the defensive experience of the old demon level, and seemingly unlimited physical fitness, Works great against any [-] player.

After Bosh received the pass, he made a mid-range shot. Unfortunately, under the interference of Rasheed Wallace, he failed to score.

Ao Pang also worked hard, gritted his teeth and squeezed Daben away, and then grabbed the offensive rebound.

When Ao Pang was holding the ball at the basket, Daben had nothing to do with him. The height gap was here, and he could only watch Ao Pang's second offensive dunk.

"Ben, my rebounding is actually much better than yours. As long as I think about it, I must have more rebounds than you tonight."

Ao Pang, who scored 2 points and 1 offensive rebound in the opening game, showed off in front of Da Ben.

Ao Pang has played against Daben countless times in recent years. Of course, he has scored more points than Daben, but he has always had slightly fewer rebounds than Daben.

"Wait until you really beat me with rebounds before you say such big words."

Big Ben was a little unhappy. Rebounding and defense were his main business. He could admit that his offensive ability was not even as good as O'Pang's, but he couldn't admit that his rebounding was not as good as O'Pang's.

When it came to the Pistons' offensive round, Hamilton attacked with the ball and hit a mid-range shot on Gil's head.

Comb was amazed that Hamilton was strong off the ball. He didn't expect that he would start playing with the ball against an old man like Jill tonight.

In the Bobcats' offensive round, Hinrich transferred the ball to Hill. Hill adopted a sudden-point strategy this time and passed the ball directly to O'Pang.

Daben has already occupied a favorable position under the basket, no matter how Ao Pang pushes him up, he just won't fall down and won't retreat an inch.

Ao Pang had no choice but to make a small hook shot, but failed to score.

The rebound was snatched by Bosh, who rushed over, and threw the ball in with a rebound.

In the offensive round of the Pistons, it was Hamilton who shot again. This time he played off the ball, relying on the old Robinson's tall pick-and-roll, and scored a mid-range shot.

The more Kumbu watched, the more he felt sorry for the old Robinson. This guy was born 20 years earlier.

If he enters the league after 2010, not to mention a superstar, at least he must be a first-line star, the kind that is stable into the All-Star.

The technical characteristics are too suitable for the small ball era. It is basically a replica of Durant, that is, the offensive firepower is not as strong as Durant.

After the first two offensive and defensive rounds of the two sides, the score was tied at 4:4.

Obviously the Bobcats are stronger on the inside, and Hamilton on the Pistons side, the Bobcats don't seem to be very easy to deal with.

Kumbu sighed, Gill's defensive ability was good in his peak period, but now he is older and his physical fitness is far from his peak period. He can't defend many balls that he could defend before.

If there is a player like Tony Allen or Iguodala in his hands, Comb will be more at ease, and restricting Hamilton will not be a problem at all.

Now that the game has just started, Combe is reluctant to waste a few minutes of Slee's precious time.

With 2 minutes left in the first quarter of the game, Kumbu called a timeout.

At 24:23, the Bobcats temporarily lead by one point.

Jill has been on the field for 10 minutes, and his physical fitness is a little bit behind, so Kumbu decided to replace him.

"Kong, let me go up and fight for a while."

"I have the confidence to guard against that kid."

Pippen, who has never had a sense of presence on the Bobcats bench, volunteered.

Comb was stunned, and he didn't expect Pippen to ask to play in the playoffs, but it was really appropriate for Pippen to play.

At his peak, Pippen has defended for many years. Even if he is old now, as long as he is willing to devote his physical energy to defense, he can still maintain a first-class defensive strength for at least 15 minutes.

"Okay, Scottie, you play."

Comb didn't turn down Pippen's offer.

The reason why Pippen took the initiative to ask for Ying naturally had his own plans.

He has stayed in the Rockets, and he may have learned Tang Shuai's philosophy. He recharged his energy during the regular season and focused his energy on the playoffs.

Pippen has had many honors throughout his career, but he has never been an FMVP.

Although the chance of him getting this honor in the Bobcats may be only one in ten thousand, but even the smallest chance is still a chance, and this is Pippen's last chance, he wants to try it.

What if it happens?
Kumbu has given birth to many wonderful FMVPs in recent years, such as the new melon egg Marion, such as the substitute FMVP Ginobili, who can guarantee that there will not be a 38-year-old FMVP?
The game continues and Pippen enters the game.

After he played, the Bobcats' backcourt defense immediately improved, and it was not so easy for Hamilton to score.

However, there are advantages and disadvantages in everything. Pippen's desire to attack is a bit untimely when he is defending.

The key is that he always misses his shots. After playing for a few minutes, he hit 4 of 1 shots.

Kumbu can't laugh or cry, Pippen's cancer has poisoned his head. He can really help the team on the defensive end, but the offensive end will drag the team back.

For a while, Comb didn't know whether putting Pippen on the court would do more good than harm, or whether the harm outweighed the good.

In the middle of the second quarter, Comb's doubts came to fruition. Pippen's playing did more good than harm, because the Bobcats had a lead of one point, but now it has expanded to five points.

Comb strikes while the iron is hot, replacing Pippen and letting Slee play, the situation immediately tilts greatly toward the Bobcats.

By the end of the first half, the Bobcats had led by 11 points.

Jordan's face is full of pride, look, this is his own flesh and blood, the fighting power is in a mess, but it is not durable, it can only last for a few minutes.

With a huge lead in the first half, the Bobcats worked hard in the second half to stabilize the situation.

At the end of the game, the Bobcats beat the Pistons by 102 points, 88:14.

All the Bobcats played well in this game. Hinrich did not lead and did not give Snow a chance. Facing the old Robinson's strict defense, Hill also took the initiative to reduce the number of shots and allocated the right to shoot to the basket. O fat.

Gill and Pippen are two veterans who work hard enough on the court.

Slee played what he deserved in just a few minutes.

Bosh scored 14 points and 7 rebounds, comparable to Rasheed's 16 points and 6 rebounds, and his performance was not worse than the veteran star Rasheed.

Er Fat, who came off the bench, even without the blessing of the speed calibration device now, he still played a big role in the basket.

Of course, if you want to say that the chief contributor to the Bobcats' win, it must be O'Pang.

With 43 points, 13 rebounds, 1 assist and 3 blocks, Ao Pang played a very dominant performance tonight. (end of this chapter)