Chapter 112 Blade 3
On the 19th, the Hornets arrived in New York.

The records of the top five teams in the Eastern Conference are not much different. The first-placed Pistons only won three more games than the Hornets, and the Knicks only won one more game than the Hornets.

Therefore, for this series, the media's evaluation will depend on the on-the-spot performance of both teams, and everyone has a chance to advance to the second round.

At four o'clock in the afternoon, He Zhongqiu and Philip each drove a car to the airport to pick someone up.

CCTV’s previous live broadcasts were in the form of a rear-stage studio. Like ESPN, TNT and other TV stations, the commentators were not at the scene of the game.

This method does not require commentators to travel to the home stadiums of various teams. They can complete the commentary sitting in the live broadcast room at the headquarters, which is much more cost-effective.

But the playoff series is different. It adopts a front-line live broadcast method and sets up a live broadcast seat at the game site.

CCTV did the same, sending out a commentary lineup consisting of Sun Zhenping, Zhang Heli and Xu Jicheng, as well as a three-person photography team, a total of six people.

In addition to these people from CCTV, there are also Yang Xue and Wu Jing, who were picked up by Xia Song in Los Angeles, and they happened to come together.

"Sister, Sister Xue..."

He Zhongqiu saw Yang Xue from a distance and waved and called out happily.

"Hey, three pounds!"

Yang Xue also waved from afar, her big eyes smiling into crescent shapes.

When he got closer, Yang Xue stopped two steps away and looked He Zhongqiu up and down. He was wearing a well-fitting casual suit and a pair of casual leather shoes. He looked completely different from a few months ago. The only thing that was the same was that he still had a bald head.

He Zhongqiu also looked at Yang Xue. Her innocent eyes were still so pure, her face was moist and translucent, and she was wearing a grey windbreaker, revealing half of her calves in black stockings. She had a dignified and elegant temperament.

Yang Xue smiled happily and said, "Three pounds."

"Sister Xue, haha, long time no see, welcome!"

He Zhongqiu strode forward and gave her a big hug.

"Brother Jing, welcome to New York."

He hugged Wu Jing again, patted his shoulder and said, "Don't worry, after the playoffs, we will go to Hollywood.

I also know a few celebrities, like Arnold, Sylvester Stallone, and Jean-Claude Van Damme, all action stars. If I ask them to introduce me, it shouldn't be hard to find a job."

“You’re doing pretty well!”

Wu Jing sighed and said, "I heard from Brother Xia that you have received a lot of Hollywood film offers."

"Haha, Brother Xia has turned down those small productions in the past, and there is another film we are discussing. We can talk about it later when we have time." He Zhongqiu said with a smile.

After he finished speaking, he started to greet Zhang Heli and Xu Jicheng.

After a round of greetings, we went straight to Chinatown for dinner and found a Shandong cuisine restaurant. It was already evening when the food was served.

"Sanjin, you said you were discussing a movie. Can we tell you now?" Yang Xue asked with concern.

He Zhongqiu said: "New Line Cinema's film, which belongs to Marvel movies, Blade 3, has an investment of 6500 million US dollars. Have you heard of it?"

"You've seen the second disc, the one where Makoto Dan has a role. What role was given to you?" Yang Xue shouted.

He said, "A member of a vampire hunting team, also a specially designed character, with a salary of five million dollars. But it hasn't been negotiated yet, and the contract hasn't been signed."

Yang Xue said happily, "Five million dollars. I heard that Zhou Yunfa and Gong Li only made four or five million dollars, and Zhang Ziyi only made three million dollars. You have already reached their status in Hollywood."

Wu Jing said enviously: “Zhongqiu, you are considered a newcomer in Hollywood, and getting $5 million for your first film is really high.

Brother Jie was so famous in China and Asia at the time, but the first role in Hollywood was only offered $100 million, and later only $50. Your starting point was much higher than his. "

Xia Song smiled and said, "At that time, Li Lianjie was not well-known in the United States, and had no influence, so his pay was definitely not high.

Mid-Autumn Festival is different now. The influence of the All-Stars' Bare-Handed Wardrobe Tearing is very large, and the number of clicks on the Internet has entered the top ten of the year.

He is also different from NBA stars like Jordan and O'Neal who participated in movie shoots. They all made basketball movies, which are not commercial films but more literary. He is making real commercial blockbusters, so his pay is relatively high.

But he is a newcomer after all. Otherwise, given his current popularity in the United States, his pay would be higher, but now he is paid a newcomer’s price.”

"If this movie is well made and receives good response, the next one will definitely earn tens of millions in salary." Wu Jing said in an affirmative tone.

Yang Xue asked: "You haven't signed a contract yet, do you have no time?"

He Zhongqiu said: "Xia Song hopes to have more scenes, so we are still discussing it. We need to change the script, which is quite troublesome."

Xia Song said, "If we really can't come to an agreement, we have to sign it. It's a production worth more than 60 million US dollars, we can't miss it."

After talking about the movie for a while, Zhang Heli asked, "By the way, Yao Ming and Da Zhi are not coming to watch the game?"

Xia Song said: "They are not coming, Yao Ming is going to take a break and then go back to China, as there is the Asian Championships in September.

As for this, I contacted the Pacers for him, and he might play for the Pacers, so he also agreed to return to China to play in the Asian Championships. "

"what?"

Zhang Heli and others were stunned.

"Really?" Xu Jicheng said happily.

"It can only be confirmed after the transaction, but I spoke to Larry Bird on the phone. All the Pacers' players are on the shelf, and a large number of players are needed," said Xia Song.

"It's great that Dazhi is back home." Zhang Heli said with an excited smile.

After dinner, Zhang Heli and the other six people booked a hotel in Brooklyn, which was cheaper than in Manhattan. He Zhongqiu arranged a car to take them there, and Yang Xue and Wu Jing followed him back to the villa.

"Sister Xue, Brother Jing, this is the house I bought. It's average quality. I'm also planning to buy a better villa in Long Island."

Arriving in front of the villa, he introduced it.

"Isn't this good enough?" Wu Jing said enviously as he looked at the brightly lit villa.

"Sanjin, aren't you planning to buy a house in Yanjing? There are villas for sale in Yanjing now, and the good ones cost several million each." Yang Xue said.

"Buy it, how could I not buy it? I'll buy it when I get back." He Zhongqiu said with a smile.

Wu Jing said, "Ten years ago, Chenglong was filming in Yanjing and was tricked by a real estate agent into buying a courtyard house for 500,000 yuan. It has an area of ​​more than a thousand square meters and is located in Dongzhimen. Now he has made more than ten times the profit. During the Mid-Autumn Festival, you can actually buy a few courtyard houses."

"Really?"

He Zhongqiu was really moved.

……

That night, four first-round series began.

There were no upsets, all the teams won at home. In the Eastern Conference, the Nets beat the Bucks, the New Orleans Pelicans beat the Celtics, in the Western Conference, the Mavericks beat the Trail Blazers, and the Kings beat the Jazz.

On the 20th, it is the game day of Game 1 between the Knicks and the Hornets.

After a rest in the morning, the Knicks had an hour-long team training in the afternoon, which just consisted of physical exercise and shooting.

At 6:30 in the evening, the team arrived at Madison Square Garden.

When I arrived outside the locker room, I saw owner James Dolan and a group of management standing there.

"Hey, guys, I have prepared gifts for you, come in and take a look." Dolan shouted loudly from more than ten meters away.

"Oh ho!"

"Thank you, Mr. Dolan."

"thank you boss."

A group of people happily rushed into the locker room, only to see piles of US dollar bills piled up on the luxurious mahjong table, forming a small mountain, probably more than a hundred bundles.

"Oh, is this our playoff bonus?"

"awesome!"

"How much can I take?"

A group of people gathered around the table and shouted excitedly.

Dolan said with a big smile: "This is the bonus for the first round of the series, you can divide it up."

Leiden quickly said, "This is the bonus that the boss paid in advance. According to league rules, the playoff bonus is divided per person. Each person will get $100,000 first, and the remaining amount will be refunded or supplemented later."

"Oh ho!"

Everyone cheered and grabbed the bundles of US dollars.

"Don't tell me, I just like the big scale to divide the gold, it's so cool! It's much better than using a check!"

He Zhongqiu was no exception. He counted out ten bundles and put them into his backpack with a laugh.

"Here, Wellington, this is your work benefit, don't complain about it being too little."

Turning around, he saw Pripp's face full of envy and couldn't help but laugh. He took out two bundles of US dollars from his bag and stuffed them over to him.

"No, no, no, Zhongqiu, I can't take this." Pulip was startled, and quickly took the US dollar bill, while refusing. "No, give it back to me." He Zhongqiu stretched out his hand.

"Well, I'm going to go out first. Call me if you need anything." As if he didn't hear anything, Philip turned around and walked out of the locker room.

"Boss, how many times do you want to touch me?"

Harrington got $100,000 and his hands were itching to make some money, so he immediately shouted.

"Touch it a few times, this is the playoffs."

He slapped Harrington on the back of the head and yelled, "Guys, play hard tonight and be worthy of the dollars the boss gave you, don't you agree?"

"Yes."

Everyone cheered, and the morale in the locker room was high.

The madman had serious problems with his knees, an old injury that had occurred over the years, so he put the money in the closet and asked a physical therapist to give him a massage.

He Zhongqiu stood aside bored, observing the physiotherapist's massage techniques.

He also knows massage techniques, and when he was a child, after practicing martial arts, his father would massage him with medicated oil to promote blood circulation and remove blood stasis.

Obviously, the physiotherapist's technique was very rough. He didn't understand the tendons and bones, didn't know the acupoints, and didn't know how to promote blood circulation. He simply massaged the knees to relax the muscles around the knees, but it had no effect at all.

"Wolverine, what are you looking at?" asked the madman.

"Latrell, I suggest you see a Chinese doctor. Try some acupuncture and cupping. It will be good for your old injury," he said.

"Can it be done?"

The madman has also heard of traditional Chinese medicine. There are many traditional Chinese medicine clinics in the United States, but he has never tried it.

"Why don't you give it a try? I'll ask someone to go to Chinatown to find an old Chinese doctor tomorrow?" he said.

"Row."

The madman agreed after hesitating.

When Alan Houston heard this, he was also covered in wounds, so he hurriedly said, "Wolverine, let me try too."

"OK."

He Zhongqiu talked to Leiden again. Since Chinese medicine is legal in the United States as long as there are medical practice procedures, Leiden agreed.

At 7:30, the two teams announced their starting lineups.

Hornets: Jamaal Magloire, P.J. Brown, Jamal Mashburn, Baron Davis, David Wesley

Knicks: He Zhongqiu, Kurt Thomas, Sprewell, Alan Houston, Howard Ellis
This series was broadcast live nationwide by ABC, actually co-broadcasted with ESPN. The commentators were Michael Brin and Jeff Van Gundy, and the guest was Olajuwon.

Their commentary stand was also on the scene, and two meters next to them was CCTV's live commentary stand.

"Hey, look who that is?"

Da Meng suddenly shouted while staring at the TV screen in front of him.

Following Da Meng's finger, the other two looked and wow, they saw the Smiling Assassin Isaiah Thomas, sitting in the third row of the east stands.

"Why is he here to watch the game?" Jeff Van Gundy didn't quite understand.

"He should be in Detroit watching the Pistons and Magic game, not here," Michael Brin nodded.

Jeff Van Gundy didn't intend to continue the topic because he guessed one thing.

But he came from the Knicks, and now is the critical moment of the playoffs. He doesn't want to affect the team because of this, so he immediately changed the subject and said:

"Hey, guys, now let's take a look at the starting lineups for both teams."

"OK."

Michael Breen nodded and said, “Of the five main players of the Hornets, the three outside players are the team’s top three scoring points in the regular season, and the two inside players are the fourth and fifth scoring points.

The five players all averaged 10+ points per game, with the scoring leader Marsh averaging 21.6 points per game. The five players combined to contribute 76.4 points per game.

The Hornets average 93.9 points per game, ninth in the Eastern Conference, and the five main players account for 81.4% of the team's points, which is a bit high, indicating that the bench lineup is average. "

Jeff Van Gundy went on to say: “For the Knicks, four players scored in double figures during the regular season, with Alan Houston leading the scoring at 20.5 points per game.

The second scoring point is the Wolverines with 18.5 points, the third scoring point is the Madman with 15 points, and then Kurt Thomas with 12 points. The main point guard is the fifth scoring point, averaging 8 points per game.

The five main players contributed an average of 74 points per game, and the team scored 98.2 points, ranking third in the Eastern Conference, accounting for 75.4%, which is lower than the Hornets, indicating that the Knicks' bench lineup is better. "

Dream also looked at the data sheet in his hand and said: "The Knicks' offense is stronger, but on the defensive end, the Hornets are averaging 91.8 points per game, fourth in the Eastern Conference, and the Knicks are 94.3 points, eighth in the Eastern Conference. The Hornets' defense is better."

Michael Breen said: "So in this series, the Hornets' tactical focus should first be on the defensive end, suppressing the opponent's scoring, thereby creating opportunities for victory."

Jeff Van Gundy said: "In the interior, power forward PJ Brown has been selected to the All-Defensive Second Team three times and is still in good shape with a defensive efficiency of 100.

Center Magloire is also good at protecting the rim and rebounding. He is good at grabbing offensive rebounds and has a defensive efficiency of 99.

In contrast, although Knicks power forward Kurt Thomas has good low-post defense, he has never been selected to the All-Defensive Team.

This season he can contribute 1 steal and 1.2 blocks per game, and his defensive efficiency value is only 102, which is not as good as the Hornets' two inside players.

The Wolverines, on the other hand, have 1.2 steals and 2.1 blocks, which are good numbers, and a defensive efficiency of 102, the same as Kurt Thomas.

He is strong in one-on-one defense and often puts up eye-popping defensive performances, but his ability to assist and help defend has not yet improved, which makes his ability to protect the rim insufficient and affects his defensive efficiency.

There is no problem with his quality, but he needs higher tactical qualities and a stronger awareness of assisting and defending.

A defensive efficiency value of 102 is a very good defensive performance for the outside line. Jordan's career defensive efficiency value was 102, and Kobe's this season is 103.

But for the inside players, especially the center, the defensive efficiency value of 102 is still not up to the level of first-class defense.

The defensive efficiency values ​​of the four super centers are: O'Neal has 102 this season, David Robinson has 96 in his career, Olajuwon has 98, and Ewing has 99. "

Dream continued: "So comparing the interior defense of both teams, the Hornets are stronger."

Michael Breen went on to say: “The defensive efficiency values ​​of both teams’ perimeter players are: Mashburn 103, Baron Davis 102, and David West 105.

As for the Knicks, Alan Houston scored 110, which can be regarded as a small defensive loophole…”

"Ha ha!"

Da Meng burst into laughter.

Xiao Fan also laughed awkwardly. The mid-range shooting king had played under him for five and a half years, and such defense really embarrassed him.

Michael Breen continued: "Madman is 107, Howard Ellis is 108. In other words, David West, the Hornets' weakest perimeter defender, has better defensive efficiency than the Knicks' three perimeter players."

Xiaofan said: "So it makes sense that the Knicks rank eighth in the Eastern Conference in points allowed per game, because the perimeter is full of holes."

Michael Breen nodded and said, "The defensive foundation that the iron-blooded Knicks laid back then has now been completely lost."

The entire Madison Square Garden was packed. The cheapest ticket was as high as $400, and the courtside ticket was as high as $7000. The average ticket price reached $1200. The ticket revenue for one game was as high as more than million US dollars.

The high ticket revenue from the playoffs is why Knicks owner James Dolan attaches great importance to the playoffs.

Yang Xue and Wu Jing sat next to the Knicks bench, feeling somewhat restrained.
Because sitting to the left of Yang Xue was Julia Roberts, and beyond her was Lundgren; sitting to the right of Wu Jing was Jim Carrey, and beyond that was Denzel Washington, all of them were top Hollywood stars, and all of them were box office superstars.

Xia Song sat behind the two of them, next to him was Scarlett Johansson, and further behind him was Adam Silver, senior vice president of the NBA.

Scarlett Johansson glanced at Yang Xue and Wu Jing in front of her from time to time. She didn't understand the identities of these two Chinese people and how they could get tickets to the sidelines. She tried her best but failed.

At this time, James Dolan and Layden came over and stopped in front of the two men.

Xia Song, who was behind him, quickly stood up and asked, "Mr. Dolan, Mr. Leiden?"

"Mr. Xia, please help introduce them. James and I both want to meet Wolverine's sister and friends." Raiden said with a smile.

"OK."

Xia Song quickly introduced them.

The two were very polite and brought two prepared gifts, which they gave to Yang Xue and Wu Jing in the name of the team.

"It's only been a few months, and Chuk-au is doing really well!"

After Dolan and Leiden left, Wu Jing said with great emotion.

"Yes!"

Yang Xue nodded with a smile.

"So it's Wolverine's man, humph!"

Only then did Scarlett Johansson realize that the two Chinese people in front of her were related to Wolverine. The Knicks had prepared gifts for them, so it was no surprise that they could sit in the front row.

(End of this chapter)