Chapter 87 After All, No One Wants to Be the Next Pacer

By 7:30, most of the fans had already entered the stadium, and the United Center, which can accommodate 22,000 people, was only half full. Without the support of the record and the performances of star players, Chicago is no longer the league's top basketball city.

At eight o'clock, the two teams announced their starting lineups and the substitute players came out to warm up.

Knicks: He Zhongqiu, Kurt Thomas, Sprewell, Alan Houston, Howard Ellis
Bulls: Tyson Chandler, Donyell Marshall, Jalen Rose, Trenton Hassell, Jay Williams
The game was not broadcast live across the United States. Instead, it was broadcast live by Chicago-area television stations, with Ham Jackson and Maddul Dewey as the live commentators.

"The Knicks have been playing well recently, even reaching the seventh place in the Eastern Conference, thanks to them finding a big Rain Man Wolverine," said Ham Jackson.

"The Wolverines provide the Knicks with their most needed rebounds. Before, their average rebounds per game was last in the league. After the Wolverines joined the Knicks, they are now third from the bottom, with an average increase of 1.7 per game," said Madure Duwe.

"There's also the basket offense. The Wolverines only know how to attack the basket, and that's exactly what the Knicks lack," said Ham Jackson.

Madur Dewey nodded and said, “So even though Wolverine is amateur in other aspects, he is still important to the Knicks.

In addition, our boxing champion will face Wolverine tonight. They are both so talented, and the boxing champion's playing style is equally tough. I believe the fans will be looking forward to this matchup.

But I also hope that they won't have conflicts on the court.

Remember, this is the NBA, a league that plays basketball."

"Yeah, no one wants to be the next Pacers," said Ham Jackson.

At half past eight, the game was about to begin, and He Zhongqiu and Tyson Chandler were in the center circle preparing for the jump ball.

Chandler was the second overall pick in 01. He is 216 cm tall, weighs 102 kg, has a wingspan of 221 cm, a standing reach of 279 cm, and a running jump of 85 cm.

He has explosive talent. Both his static and dynamic talents are at top-notch level. He can run as fast as someone who is a foot shorter than him.

After being selected by the Clippers, the Bulls traded him for Elton Brand, the No. 01 pick in 99 who had scored 20+10 for two consecutive seasons, in . They were extremely optimistic about him.

In his rookie season, he averaged 20 minutes, 6 points, 5 rebounds and 1.3 blocks per game, which was not as good as the best but better than the worst. Anyway, it was not on the same level as Brand's All-Star data.

But Chandler is still an important core force for the Bulls' hope of rising. He and Eddy Curry are the Bulls' two treasures in the interior, one on defense and the other on offense, and the offense and defense in the interior are quite balanced.

Seeing the two standing together, Ham Jackson couldn't help but say: "The Knicks are really lucky. They didn't pay any price and got a guy whose talent is more explosive than Chandler."

Madur Duwe also sighed: "Wolverine is 213 cm tall and weighs 115 kg. His wingspan is even better than Chandler's, at 222 cm. His standing reach is also better, at 285 cm. His vertical jump is 88 cm and his running start is 101 cm. His talent is no less than Kwame Brown and Chandler."

At this time, the referee threw the ball into the air. He Zhongqiu jumped higher than Chandler, but he jumped a little early, and it was Chandler who came later who touched the ball first.

The Bulls attacked and Jay Williams controlled the ball and advanced to the frontcourt.

This is a fellow draft pick of He Zhongqiu, ranked just below Yao Min, and the No. 02 pick in .

He performed very well in the NCAA and received numerous honors, including the Wooden Award, and was a member of the Dream Team 5.

Don Cheney arranged a man-to-man defense tactic, with the madman targeting the Bulls' outside spearhead Jalen Rose.

At this time, Williams passed the ball to the right wing shooting guard Trenton Hassell, who faced Alan Houston with a fake shot and a real breakthrough.

"brush!"

After shaking off his opponent, he made a long two-point shot in one step from the three-point line.

"Bang!"

Looking back, Alan Houston made a mid-range shot from the right wing, but missed.

"Bang!"

Kurt Thomas was in the right position to pick up the offensive rebound and immediately took a mid-range shot, but it missed.

"Oh, he grabbed another offensive rebound, and then... haha, he still missed. Congratulations to the Knicks for three consecutive misses." Ham Jackson shouted excitedly.

"It's really not right that the Bulls lost two defensive rebounds in a row." Madur Dewey complained angrily.

The Bulls finally grabbed the defensive rebound, not in the paint, but by shooting guard Hassell who had just made a shot and rushed in to pick it up.

He Zhongqiu felt that he had met his match. Although the guy in front of him, who was said to be the runner-up in the draft, was not very strong, he was not slower than him and had better prediction than him. He had blocked the position before him twice and left him behind.

It was the same when he played against Duncan last time. He moved faster than Duncan, but Duncan was better at predicting rebounds and was always able to position himself faster than him.

Bulls offense.

Coming to the left waist position, Tyson Chandler first tested from the upper side, and when He Zhongqiu moved horizontally upward, he suddenly entered the paint area from the bottom and reached the basket in two steps.

When He Zhongqiu turned around and followed the basket, he was already a step slow.

It’s not that his movement speed is not as fast as the opponent, but that his low-post footwork level is still too low.

The use of footwork in basketball is very particular. Just like boxing fighting footwork, it has its own special application method.

The purpose of applying basketball steps is to establish advantages in offensive and defensive positions with the simplest, most effective and fastest steps.

When defending in a low post, when the opponent breaks through with the ball or moves without the ball, as a defender, you have to decide which foot to move first based on the opponent's movement, which is different from the movement of ordinary people.

Every defensive action requires long-term repeated training to allow the body to form a defensive instinct like a conditioned reflex.

He Zhongqiu learned how to use low-post steps from the Knicks' trainer, but he is still a long way from achieving that level. There is no shortcut and he can only rely on training.

Seeing Tyson Chandler cutting to the basket, Jay Williams, who was holding the ball at the top of the arc, immediately dribbled one step to the left, dodged Ellis in front of him, then passed the ball and lobbed it towards the basket.

"empty link!"

At this moment, tens of thousands of Bulls fans at the United Center suddenly became excited.

"alley..."

In the live commentary booth, the two commentators also looked towards the basket with their mouths wide open, expecting the scene they were expecting to appear.

"Snapped!"

Boxing champion Chandler, who had just arrived at the basket, saw the ball coming, and jumped up with all his strength excitedly, caught the ball with both hands, and then smashed it into the basket.

At this moment, He Zhongqiu arrived in time and jumped from the upper side of Chandler, spreading his wings like an iron eagle.

"Take it!"

He flipped his left hand, and made a claw in the air, with his five fingers like hooks, grabbing the basketball that Chandler threw towards the basket.

"how is this possible?"

At this moment, Tyson Chandler felt as if he was dunked on the backboard. The powerful reaction force pushed him backwards. After landing, he took two steps and sat down on the ground.

"how is this possible?"

He couldn't believe that his two-handed dunk was blocked by Wolverine with just one hand, and it was a backhand shot. Are Wolverine's hands made of iron? How could he have such great strength?

"Oh!"

There was an exclamation in the United Center.

"Backhand block? What is this move?"

Ham Jackson was extremely surprised when he said in the commentary booth: "This is not a regular block at all, okay?"

"But this was just a block. Wolverine used an unconventional block move to block the boxing champion." Madur Dewey said very frustratedly.

"Maybe, this is also Kung Fu?" said Ham Jackson.

"Who knows? Anyway, this block will definitely be one of the top five plays of the week." Madur Dewey shook his head.

He Zhongqiu threw the basketball he caught, and then immediately ran to the frontcourt. After entering the frontcourt, because Chandler was too late to return to defense, Donyell Marshall had to let go of Kurt Thomas and return to defend the basket.

Alan Houston, who was in control of the ball, passed the ball to Kurt Thomas, who took an open shot one step outside the right waist position. This time he did not miss the shot and made a two-point shot.

2:2, Bulls attack.

Jalen Rose made a quick stop and jump shot from the outside, but unfortunately he made a mistake under the madman's pressure, and the ball was knocked away when he jumped.

The Knicks attacked, He Zhongqiu entered the basket, easily trapped Chandler behind him, and occupied the most advantageous offensive position in front of the basket.

When tens of thousands of Bulls fans saw Chandler struggling behind Wolverine, they gritted their teeth and wanted to help him.

But unfortunately, even if they gritted their teeth, Chandler still couldn't push He Zhongqiu away.

Bulls starting power forward Donyell Marshall was at the right waist position. Seeing this, he immediately rushed over and implemented an early double-team.

At this time, point guard Howard Ellis decisively passed the ball to Kurt Thomas who was in an open position on the right wing. Thomas lived up to expectations and hit another two-pointer, making 4 of 2 shots at the start.

"Participate in an inside-outside combined offensive tactic, proficiency +100, offensive tactic level raised to level 52."

Although He Zhongqiu didn't touch the ball, this attack still allowed him to gain tactical proficiency. He couldn't help but complain in his mind: "System, do you think participation is important?"

Don Cheney was very happy, this offense was exactly what he expected to see.

The appearance of Wolverine made up for the Knicks' lack of offensive ability under the basket. It was because of him under the basket that Kurt Thomas was able to get an open opportunity outside. 4:2, the Bulls attack.

Jalen Rose made an assist, Donyell Marshall used Hassell's pick-and-roll to get rid of Kurt Thomas, got a mismatch on the right wing, caught the ball and made a mid-range shot after a jump shot.

After the game was tied at 4, Kurt Thomas made consecutive mistakes and fouls under Marshall's defense, and the ball was exchanged.

But looking back, Kurt Thomas fought back, and Marshall also made a mistake and fouled, and the ball returned to the Knicks.

He Zhongqiu only got one block. Although his participation can gain tactical proficiency, he cannot gain proficiency in offensive skills.

So he was a little anxious and crushed Chandler to get into the basket again.

"Howard, ball!"

This time he even shouted loudly in English.

"Let him in."

Pointing to the basket, Don Cheney shouted loudly.

In the inside-outside combination tactics, Wolverine under the basket is very important. If you don't pass the ball to him all the time, Wolverine will not be able to attract the opponent's defensive force under the basket, and the inside-outside combination tactics will definitely not be able to be played.

Chandler, who was stuck behind, quickly tried to move forward, but He Zhongqiu moved in time and used his elbow to help block the position, preventing him from succeeding.

Bulls power forward Marshall, who was at the right waist position, was a little hesitant because he double-teamed Wolverine twice in a row, allowing Kurt Thomas to make two consecutive shots. If he double-teamed the basket again, Thomas would get an open space again.

His hesitation gave Ellis, who had the ball, the opportunity to lob the ball in.

The ball came, and Chandler's struggle to defend became more and more intense. He Zhongqiu jumped forward lightly, grabbed the ball in the air with his right hand, and held it steadily.

At this moment, O'Neal's technical move of turning around and slam dunking under the basket flashed through his mind.

The next moment after landing, he did not put the ball down, but immediately turned around and jumped up, holding the ball with both hands, and smashed it towards the basket.

Chandler, who was about to step forward to defend, was knocked away by him.

"boom!"

The next moment, Chandler fell down with a loud bang.

"Di!"

The referee blew the whistle, Chandler committed a blocking foul, and He Zhongqiu made an extra free throw.

The United Center was silent. He Zhongqiu's slightly slender body hung on the ups and downs of the basketball hoop, attracting everyone's attention.

"Dunk proficiency +3, proficiency accumulated to 3000, level increased to level 92."

"Aerial combat proficiency +3."

"The host has gained some insights. The proficiency of low-post back-up is +9200, and the level of low-post back-up is raised to level 40. The proficiency of single-handed attack under the basket is +1500, and the level of single-handed attack under the basket is raised from level 86 to level 87."

"The host's singles ability under the basket has been improved, and the offensive area ability under the basket has been increased to level 83."

Several system prompts appeared before his eyes.

"Is this the Shark's standard move, a turn-around slam dunk?" Ham Jackson said in a speechless voice at the commentary booth.

Madur Dewey said in a heavy tone: "Probably, Wolverine should learn the offensive techniques under the basket from the Big Shark."

"But he doesn't have the tonnage of the Great Shark, so it's impossible for him to have the same dominance as the Great Shark." Ham Jackson shook his head.

"That's true. But..."

Madur Duwei nodded, and then said: "Even though he doesn't have the tonnage of the Great Shark, he has an absolute strength stronger than the Great Shark. He also has a better bounce than the Great Shark, and has explosive power that is not inferior to that of the Great Shark O'Neal.

Once he masters the offensive skills of the Shark under the basket, even if he cannot achieve the same dominance as the Shark, his offensive strength under the basket will be greatly increased.

If Chandler's defensive level is not first-rate, it would be difficult to defend the Wolverines at that time."

Ham Jackson stopped talking, because Wolverine is not O'Neal. Even if he does not have O'Neal's dominance under the basket, he still has the ability to rush to the basket comparable to peak Rain Man. The violent dunk like a beast after knocking down the defender is the most terrifying thing about Wolverine.

The Bulls' head coach was Bill Cartwright, who played for the Bulls for six seasons and was the starting center in Michael Jordan's first three-peat.

When Chandler was dunked under the basket, he suddenly became anxious.

Chandler was traded for Brand, and he has the risk of back injury. If he gets injured by Wolverine's violent style of play, it would be a loss.

He was going to replace Chandler first to give him a rest. He turned around and looked at the bench, hooked his finger at Eddy Curry, and when Curry stood up, he said to him:

"Eddie, switch positions with Marshall after you come on the court. Let him defend flexibly, go around the front and side. But remember, if Wolverine is about to get to the position under the basket, you have to double-team him in time."

"Yes."

Eddy Curry was a little envious. It was an honor to double-team a rookie in advance.

But he does not expect to have this kind of All-Star treatment because it will seriously affect his ability to produce good statistics.

6:4, He Zhongqiu missed the free throw and the Bulls got the rebound.

Jalen Rose missed the mid-range shot, the madman picked up the defensive rebound and the Knicks attacked.

He Zhongqiu spared no effort and entered the basket again.

But Chandler is worthy of being the main defensive center. This time he did not give He Zhongqiu the opportunity to trap him behind him. After retreating to the basket, he immediately defended from the side and went around the front.

Ellis still lobbed the ball in, but when He Zhongqiu received the ball, he was interfered by Chandman and made a mistake in catching the ball.

Marshall, who was nearby, picked up the ball, but Kurt Thomas, who followed in, stole the ball in time and then shot, but missed.

He Zhongqiu was fouled by Marshall while competing for a rebound.

At this time, the Bulls made a substitution, Chandler was replaced by Eddy Curry.

"Tangyell, change position." Eku shouted at Marshall after coming on the court.

Marshall's face suddenly turned bitter. He was a power forward, only 206 cm tall and weighed only 99 kg. How could he face a fierce guy like Wolverine?
"Go around the front and defend. I will help defend."

Eddy Curry said and ran towards Kurt Thomas.

"You don't have any help in defense."

Marshall muttered something and ran towards He Zhongqiu with a bitter face.

When He Zhongqiu saw that the Bulls sent such a thin power forward to defend him, he immediately became angry. Are they looking down on him?
"boom!"

Ten seconds later, he made an alley-oop slam dunk and his shot was above the basket. Marshall, who was good at defense, could only watch from the side, and Eddy Curry was watching the show from three meters away.

"Marshall is a power forward. Even at the power forward position, his weight is only considered a light power forward. Tim Duncan weighs 113 kilograms. How can he defend against the beast-level center Wolverine?" Ham Jackson said dissatisfiedly.

"But Eddy Curry can't be defended either. He has no defense at all." Madure Duwe said helplessly.

"It seems that we can only hope that Chandler grows up as soon as possible, otherwise our inside line will be quite passive against the Knicks." Ham Jackson said.

8:4, the Bulls were trailing by 4 points, and Bill Cartwright called a timeout.

"From now on, whenever Wolverine is about to get to the basket, double-team him immediately to prevent him from catching the ball. If that doesn't work, foul him and make him shoot free throws."

The Bulls adjusted their defensive tactics under the basket in time and sent in Chandler, who was weak in offense but strong in defense. This ultimately limited He Zhongqiu's offense under the basket. Coupled with the "Hack-a-Shaq" tactic, there were not many offensive opportunities later.

But this left Kurt Thomas with an opportunity, and he did not waste these open opportunities. He took decisive shots and continued to score points.

Throughout the game, Kurt Thomas made 16 of 10 shots, with a hit rate of 62.5%, and 3 of 2 free throws, scoring 22 points.

In the end, the Knicks defeated the Bulls on the road, avoiding a losing streak, with 18 wins and 17 losses, and their winning rate once again exceeded %.

贺中秋打了31分钟，8投6中，7罚3中，得到了15分9篮板2助攻2盖帽3失误4犯规的数据。

After the game, Alan Houston, who scored 25 points, accepted a post-match interview while the others sat on the bench and waited.

"My free throws are a problem. I wonder... can I use the locust stone technique to shoot free throws? I can shoot with a bank shot, but free throws are also shots, and since there's no one guarding me, my accuracy should be higher."

He Zhongqiu took a look at his data sheet. His free throw shooting percentage was less than 50%. After thinking about it, he suddenly had an idea.

"The same goes for low-position steps. I need to think carefully about whether there are any steps in martial arts that I can borrow."

From free throws, he thought of low-post steps, which is also the weakness that limits his low-post offense.

The improvement speed relying solely on training is too slow. If this continues, his low-post offensive ability will improve too slowly, and it will be difficult for the Knicks to make the playoffs this season.

The last time he used the locust stone technique, he was able to increase his level by 30 levels. He wanted to replicate that rapid increase again.

(End of this chapter)