Bishop: since 1998

Chapter 166 Do you call such a pioneer the second in the league?
Energy Solutions Arena.

"Om~"

On the scoreboard, a beep sounded and a red light came on.

The end of the fourth quarter.

Stockton has no physical fitness, can't play, and can't play well. There is only one Malone left on the field, and there is no absolute advantage in facing Duncan in the matchup, and it is even only [-]-[-].

In addition, the Magic's swing lineup naturally restrains pick-and-roll tactics.

97 to 85, the Magic beat the Jazz by 12 points.

Duncan's 23 points and 11 rebounds were unremarkable, and the victory was stable.

McGrady had 27 points, 6 assists and 3 rebounds. He played a good game and used his physical talent to drag Stockton down.

Hill has 12 points, 3 assists and 2 rebounds. His state has recovered a bit, but the three-point problem is still serious.

Jermaine O'Neal had 11 points and 7 rebounds, and his state was also stable.

Stockton and Malone scored 50 points together and still lost the game.

Well, Malone scored 36 points and Stockton scored 14 points.

After defeating the Jazz, the Magic ended their trip to the Western Conference and flew back to Orlando.

The start of the season has been very friendly to the Magic.

After the away game is over, they can rest for three days before playing at home.

So, on the 17th, the Trail Blazers took a day off.

Only returned to training on the 18th.

On the night of November 11th, TD Waterhouse Center Arena.

The Magic's opponent this round is the No. 3 Trail Blazers in the new season's strength rankings.

6 wins and 5 losses! !

You call such a Trail Blazers team ranked second in strength in the league?

Seeing the performance of the Trail Blazers this season, Li Mu also showed surprise on his face.

You know, in order to deal with O'Neal this season, they can get Rain Man Kemp from the Cavaliers.

6 points and 4 rebounds?

It turned out to be the case.

Kemp's star data of 19 points and 8 rebounds last season came to the Trail Blazers, and he only played one-third of the level. It is no wonder that the Trail Blazers have such a poor record after losing Grant and O'Neal.

To be reasonable, Kemp is not the only one who has declined in the Trail Blazers.

The main players such as Pippen, Stoudemire, Steve Smith and Sabonis are all in decline.

Only Rasheed, the Roaring God, has improved and entered the peak period.

In other words, he has never played his peak.

So there are problems, and they all point to the head coach of the Trail Blazers, Dunleavy.

This person holds the top five lineups in the league every year and spends the salary of the top three in the league. As a result, when Dunleavy was in the Trail Blazers, he never broke through from the West. This season, he is still the league's first salary. As a result, the new season At the beginning, the record is only ranked ninth in the Western Conference, and the playoffs are always a problem.

Li Mu feels that having a luxurious lineup of the Trail Blazers is nothing special.

Because the Magic are more luxurious.

During the simple appearance and warm-up, on the big screen in the arena, the starting lineups of both sides for tonight's match were also played.

The Magic started with 5 players, McGrady, Wu Sheng Jackson, Hill, Duncan and O'Neal.

Li Mu continued to change formations, placing Jackson on the shooting guard. At the same time, when defending, he arranged to defend Pippen to reduce Hill's defensive tasks.

The Trail Blazers started with the Five Tigers, Stoudemire, Steve Smith, Pippen, Rasheed, and Sabonis.

On the commentary stage, Barkley said directly, "This game, I bet the Magic will win.

The Trail Blazers have been losing in recent years, however, their starting lineup has not changed.

Pippen has been playing for 35 years. He no longer plays for victory. He plays for whoever pays more money.

He is no longer the Pippen who took an ordinary salary but played a superstar.

He is just not in Jordan now, and Pippen is overestimated for his ability to lead the team.

Plus Sabonis is almost 37 years old.

The head coach Dunleavy is still old-fashioned. He would rather play two old guys who can't play than train rookies.

Look, O'Neal Jr. of the Orlando Magic is in a few blocks away from them. "

"I heard that you and Pippen are at odds with each other in the Rockets. It seems that it is more serious than on the surface." Kenny Smith broke Barkley's mind.

Fairly explained.

"The Trail Blazers are just running in and there is a problem, but the lineup cards are there, and they are still the most difficult opponent for the Lakers.

It is not surprising that the Trail Blazers in poor form win anyone, and it is not surprising that they lose to anyone.

They do have problems.

In this game, I am not optimistic about the Trail Blazers either.

Not because of strength, but because the Trail Blazers played back-to-back away games.

The Magic rested for three days and still sat at home.

In their current state, it is indeed very challenging to beat the league's No. [-] Magic team. "

beep~~
With the sound of the whistle, the basketball was thrown high into the sky.

Duncan and Rashid raised their heads and jumped for the ball at the same time.

Snapped--!
Duncan had the last laugh and scored the first attack for the Magic.

In the frontcourt, McGrady raised the ball and raised his hand to shoot a three-point jumper...

No way, this is a very big misalignment.

The 1-meter Stoudemire is the biggest defensive flaw of the Trail Blazers.

This kind of defensive failure can be said to be one of the best in the league.

You can even count to one.

Because, those who are shorter than him have not played in the starting lineup.

Those who are a little taller than him, such as Iverson, have four protections and one tactical guard.

Li Mu asked McGrady to play point guard because he wanted McGrady to take advantage of his body and bully Little Flying Squirrel.

The problem is that Li Mu didn't allow McGrady to take advantage of shooting.

Moreover, can McGrady's three-pointer be regarded as an advantage?
Bang-dang-!
McGrady's three-pointer has no advantage.

The shot went wide.

"oh!!
The Magic's offense is not over yet.

Under the basket, O'Neal jumped up.

He overwhelmed the 2-meter Sabonis and took off the rebound strongly.

With a bang, the basketball was poured into the basket.

At this moment, Jermaine O'Neal should be excited!
Because, he forcibly took points from his old club. "

0 to 2! !
Little O'Neill clenched his fist, hammered his chest, and roared angrily.

In other words, in the Trail Blazers, he didn't learn to have a good relationship with his teammates.

Instead, I learned Rashid's goal celebration routine.

Rasheed, Cato, Grant…

Coach Dunleavy, one by one pressed on his head.

He just wants it back.

Four years.

He wasted four years.

You should also repay them well.

Off the court, Dunleavy didn't change his face.

The team knows about O'Neal's talent potential.

It's just that, with Rasheed, Grant, etc., a group of powerful insiders.

Jermaine O'Neal is just a chicken helper.

He is just a younger brother.

frontcourt.

Stoudemire breaks through with the ball.

McGrady's high center of gravity cannot stop his speed.

Caught in a pinch, a step down dribble, change direction, make an emergency stop, pull up a jump shot...

Bang-dang-!
Little Flying Squirrel's mid-range shot is also unstable.

O'Neal jumped up, but found that he was stuck.

In addition to Duncan and Rashid, there is no advantage.

The rebound was taken off by Pippen.

Bang-dang-!
Landed, lifted the ball, turned around and blasted the basketball into the basket.

2 to 2! !
Almighty Pippen, on the offensive end, returned the favor.

……

(End of this chapter)