Chapter 304 Finals

In the evening, the Knicks bus arrived at Madison Square Garden.

When the car passed the square, He Zhongqiu paid attention to the Rose Cinema.

The Rose Cinema has a total of six theaters and twelve screens. At this moment, there were several long queues outside the ticket office.

"I wonder what movie they are going to watch?" He Zhongqiu suddenly said.

"Haha, Wolverine, there is only one blockbuster movie, King of Iron Eagle, these days. What else can they watch? New York is your home court." Nash laughed.

"Boss, congratulations. Iron Eagle King is so popular that I watched two shows in a row with my family last night," Witherspoon shouted.

"Wolverine, the movie is awesome!"

"Wolverine, the ticket price for Iron Eagle King 1 is only $10. With your influence, you don't have to worry about its box office."

"Yes, the cheapest mountaintop ticket for our Game 1 finals is as high as $386. Most people can afford to watch a movie, but they can't afford to watch the Knicks finals."

"Yes, I only watched three NBA games live before I joined the NBA. My father had to save money for a long time."

Everyone started talking about it.

He Zhongqiu smiled and turned away from looking at the cinema.

The finals have begun. From now on, all his energy and attention must be focused on the finals and cannot be distracted.

At seven o'clock, Madison Square Garden was already packed.

David Stern, Los Angeles Lakers and other NBA executives all came to the scene, but only Stern sat in the front row, while everyone else sat in the back.

All the boxes were full of wealthy people from all over the United States and the world, and even some royal members from Europe.

A large number of Hollywood stars and current and retired NBA players showed up, and many of them attended the premiere of Iron Eagle King last night.

Yang Xue hangs out among these stars. She used to be not good at socializing but now she can deal with them very well.

In addition, Wu Jing, Zhang Jin, Wang Baoqiang, Xie Miao and others also came.

Iron Eagle King 2 has been shooting for a few days. Not only are they responsible for action direction, but except Xie Miao, the other three also have important roles, so they actually don't have much time.

But He Zhongqiu takes this final very seriously, so I still came here tonight to cheer for He Zhongqiu.

In an indoor training hall in Yanjing, a large group of actors from the White Bone World, including Zhang Ziyi, Zhou Xun and Liu Yifei, are training.

Zhao Wenzhuo is also here. He has signed with China Mid-Autumn Film and Television, passed the audition, and got the role of Tang Monk.

He hadn't made a movie in more than two years. White Bone Realm was the biggest production in the history of Chinese cinema. He was very happy and excited to get this role as soon as he joined the company. He always had a smile on his face when he saw everyone he met.

He was very enthusiastic in training and also found time to teach others how to practice.

Like Zhang Jin, he is also a Wuying-level warrior, proficient in all kinds of martial arts, and is best at Tongbiquan.

After Yuan Heping finished instructing Huo Yuanjia, he also came over and brought half of the Yuan family class with him.

He also brought Zou Zhaolong with him. Zou Zhaolong was originally signed with Hong Jingbao's company, but this time Hong Jingbao let him go directly. He also joined the China Mid-Autumn Film and Television Company and signed an overseas contract with the American Mid-Autumn Film and Television Company.

In addition, Yang Xue also found a female student named Jiang Luxia from Beijing Sport University to help train Zhou Xun and other actresses.

Jiang Luxia is 19 years old this year. She is beautiful and 168 cm tall. She went to Shaolin to practice martial arts when she was 12 years old and is a fellow disciple of Shi Xiaolong.

She is also a top student. She was admitted to Beijing Sport University in 03 and became a Wuying-level athlete in 04. She is currently employed by CCTV as the head coach of the practical women's self-defense column.

Yang Xue felt that there were no female action stars in the company right now. Jiang Luxia had good looks and was a martial arts-level athlete, so she was perfect for training.

Next to the training hall, there was a TV broadcasting the finals, and CCTV's Zhang Heli was interviewing Yang Xue.

"Look, President Yang." Zeng Li stopped training and pointed at the TV and shouted.

"Wow, President Yang is surrounded by big Hollywood stars." exclaimed newcomer Bai Bingbing.

Zhang Ziyi and Zhou Xun also came over, with a hint of envy in their eyes.

"Wu Zhang, that's Zhang Jin." Zou Zhaolong said, pointing at the TV.

He was still very envious. Although he had also worked in Hollywood, he was not as successful as Wu Jing and Zhang Jin, who would soon have movies starring them released.

Zhao Wenzhuo was even more envious. His junior Wu Jing used to be far less successful than him, but after following Wolverine, he has now established himself in Hollywood, while he is not doing as well as before.

Jiang Luxia next to her saw Wang Baoqiang, a fellow Shaolin disciple. Unfortunately, she didn't know him. When she went up the mountain, Wang Baoqiang had already gone down the mountain for two years.

Liu Yifei said nothing, looking at Yang Xue on the screen, feeling a little confused and complicated.

She felt that Sister Xue was now much more distant from her and rarely contacted her.

Of course, it is also possible that Sister Xue is too busy. After all, there are too many things to manage for such a large film and television company to develop.

The media no longer talks about her scandal with the monk, but there are more scandals between Sister Xue and the monk than before, which makes her doubt whether Sister Xue is together with the monk.

In fact, if Sister Xue and the monk are really together, she won’t find it strange at all. Isn’t that normal?

But there is always a feeling of loss in my heart, and I feel uncomfortable.

Yuan Heping saw that everyone had run away and quickly shouted, "Just take a look, come back and train, the filming will start next month, there is no time to waste.

I tell you, if you don't practice well, Yang Xue will come back and maybe you will all be replaced. Zhaolong, turn off the TV."

"Come on, come on, let's continue training." Zou Zhaolong, who was derelict in his duty, hurriedly called out and went forward to turn off the TV.

In a flash, everyone ran back. No one wanted to be replaced. The White Bone Realm was very important to everyone here, even the biggest star Zhang Ziyi.

The television rights to the finals belong to TNT, the commentators are Barkley and Kenny Smith, and Jordan is the guest commentator.

TNT's commentary booth is no longer in the live studio at the headquarters, but has moved to the scene. Unlike CCTV, it is on the sidelines and also serves as the on-site commentator.

The game started at eight o'clock, and the live broadcast began at seven o'clock. Barkley and his two companions took the photographer to interview celebrities everywhere and were very busy.

They don't just interview NBA stars, they also like to interview Hollywood stars.

CCTV did the same, starting the live broadcast one hour in advance. At this time, Zhang Heli and Yu Jia also brought a camera crew to interview some NBA stars.

Out of respect for He Zhongqiu, the stars were very cooperative and had very good attitudes.

At 7:30, both sides announced their starting lineups.

Spurs: Nazr Mohammed, Duncan, Bruce Bowen, Ginobili, Tony Parker
Knicks: He Zhongqiu, Karl Malone, Shane Battier, Josh Howard, Nash
Barkley said: "The Spurs' main center Rasu has been on the bench since entering the playoffs due to injuries, averaging less than 8 minutes of playing time per game."

Kenny Smith said: "It doesn't matter. All the centers of the Spurs are third-rate or even inferior. Facing the Wolverines, it doesn't matter who plays as the main force. They will be beaten anyway."

"Haha..." Barkley and Jordan laughed.

Jordan laughed and said, "Nazr is only 208 cm tall. Although he is a center, the finals should be played by Tim Duncan and Wolverine."

Barkley analyzed: "Nazr only weighs 113 kilograms, while Wolverine weighs 117 kilograms. He can't be a meat shield.

In terms of skills, he only has some offensive ability in the restricted area, rebounding is OK, likes to grab offensive rebounds and tip-ins. "

At this point, he thought for a moment and said, “The Pistons’ double Wallaces double-teamed Wolverine in advance, but the effect was actually very average.

Even if Wolverine is double-teamed in the low post, they often can't defend him because Wolverine's physical fitness is too strong."

Jordan continued: "If Nazir defends Wolverine, he will definitely be beaten, but I believe Duncan will not be able to defend Wolverine alone."

The other two nodded in agreement. Jordan continued, "But Wolverine is not O'Neal. His ability to shoot accurately is the reason why the double-teaming tactic cannot be implemented in advance, unless he is willing to let the Spurs double-team him in advance and deliberately go to the low post to get a position.

In fact, if Wolverine pulls out of the paint, I think the Spurs should have Nazr and Bowen double-team Wolverine early, with Duncan guarding the paint and helping on the other side. The same goes for Wolverine pulling up to the high post.”

At this time, on the sidelines, Rick Carlisle and Popovich shook hands.

"Young man, your team is strong," Popovich said.

"The Spurs are also very strong." Rick Carlisle said politely.

"We will be the ultimate winners, and I have found a way to deal with you." Popovich said very confidently.

Carlisle was startled, and quickly said: "If that's the case, I believe you won't tell me."

Popovich was stunned, smiled, and let go of his hand.

In the player tunnel, He Zhongqiu was staring at Bowen, causing Bowen's whole body to tremble slightly. Unable to withstand the knife-like gaze, he hid behind Duncan.

"Ahem, Wolverine?" Duncan said.

He Zhongqiu retracted his gaze, stared at Duncan and said, "Tim, keep an eye on your people, don't let me misunderstand, don't give me the chance to destroy you."

Duncan said awkwardly: "I will, don't worry."

"In fact, people like this should be kicked out of the alliance." He Zhongqiu said this and walked back to his team.

He really doesn't have a good impression of the Spurs.

There are not many players on this Spurs team who can play clean defense. Only Duncan and Parker are okay. The defense of others is a bit dirty, including Ginobili and Horry.

Next, the visiting team goes first.

"Shh!"

This was the finals, and the usually polite New York fans ignored etiquette and booed loudly in Madison Square Garden.

Especially when Bowen came on the court, the boos were the loudest.

Normally, he wouldn't have cared, but since he had just been warned by Wolverine, he was a little scared and his concentration was a little off.

"Oh ho!"

When it was the home team's turn to play, there was wave after wave of cheers and applause.

"Wolverine! Wolverine! Wolverine..."

When He Zhongqiu appeared on stage, the cheers from the audience were earth-shaking and overwhelming.

Coming out of the tunnel, there were fans on both sides, then teammates, then the boss and management coaching staff, and finally Yang Xue and his friends.

After shaking hands with David Stern, Los Angeles Lakers player Daley and others, he came to the center of the court. The host handed him the microphone. As the leader of the team, he had to say a few words to motivate the team.

He first did a four-way fist salute, to which the fans responded with warm applause, and then said:

"Ladies and gentlemen, it's time for the most exciting finals again, it's time to reap the rewards, I really want to know, what are you looking forward to?"

"Defend the title! Defend the title! Defend the title..."

A huge and uniform shout rang out in Madison Square Garden, and the Knicks' morale soared to the sky.

"The Knicks have won three championships before, in 70, 73 and last year, but have never defended the title. This year they have the best chance," Zhang Heli said excitedly.

Yu Jia said excitedly: "Yes, the Spurs are strong, Duncan is strong, but I believe the Knicks are stronger, and the Mid-Autumn Festival is stronger."

Zhang Heli nodded and said, “There are three major giants in the NBA, including Michael Jordan’s Bulls, and there are only four major giants.

The Celtics have 16 championships, the Lakers have 9, the Bulls have 6, and the Knicks have only 3. If there were no Mid-Autumn Festival, they would only have . The New Yorkers’ desire for a championship is very strong.”

At eight o'clock, the competition begins.

He Zhongqiu and Duncan jump ball and the Knicks attack.

"Duncan catches up with Zhongqiu, should we defend him alone?" Zhang Heli asked.

"There should be tactical tests." Yu Jia said.

When He Zhongqiu saw that it was Duncan defending him, he immediately ran to the left wing.

Rick Carlisle and the coaching staff have formulated a tactic. If Duncan is defending him alone, then he will pull out and play, then cut in for a dunk, and the mid-range shot is the second option.

He ran to the left elbow area, one step away from the restricted area, and Duncan immediately got below him. The first matchup between the two in the playoffs in three seasons began.

"No double-team early," Barkley yelled.

Nash pulled the basketball from the top of the arc to the right wing, and at the moment the basketball was pulled up, he suddenly turned his hand and the basketball flew straight to He Zhongqiu in the left elbow area.

"Back pass!" Jordan yelled.

The moment He Zhongqiu received the ball, he turned left, pushed Duncan with his left elbow, and broke into the penalty area.

"So fast!"

Duncan reacted quickly, but his movement speed could not keep up with He Zhongqiu's rhythm. He was half a beat slower and was defeated in one step.

But he also made a small move. He quietly pulled He Zhongqiu's jersey with his right hand, and then quickly released his hand.

However, He Zhongqiu's explosive power was too strong, and this amount of force was not enough to affect his breakthrough momentum, and then he took the second step and entered the penalty area.

Nazr Mohammed quickly returned to the basket from the low post on the right wing. At this time, He Zhongqiu landed in his third step and jumped up.

"boom!"

As the basket was blown up, Nazir was dunked under the basket.

"Oh ho!"

Thousands of people raised their arms and a huge cheer swept across Madison Square Garden.

Barkley said excitedly: "One-on-one defense is not possible, even Tim Duncan, who was selected to the defensive first team six times, can't do it, so hurry up and double-team him in advance."

"No one can defend a superstar alone. Even Wolverine can't defend Duncan alone."

Jordan said this, and then immediately added: "However, Wolverine can use his strength to prevent Duncan from getting close to the basket, thus forcing him to increase his mid-range shots and reduce his offensive efficiency. This is fatal and is a problem that the Spurs need to solve."

"Will the Spurs double-team early?"

Kenny Smith looked at Popovich who was standing in front of the Spurs bench.

"Tim..."

Popovich shouted to the court, made a tactical gesture, and then sat back on the bench.

He is a pragmatist. If a tactic doesn't work, he will change it immediately without hesitation. He will use whatever tactic is suitable.

He was also the first head coach to use the Hack-A-Shaq tactic as a regular tactic when dealing with Shaquille O'Neal.

"Changing tactics after just one ball?" Yu Jia said in surprise.

Zhang Heli immediately said: "The Spurs should have adjusted their tactics to defend against Zhongqiu. Popovich's strength lies in his strong on-the-spot command and tactical abilities."

(End of this chapter)