Chapter 379
Chapter 379
On November 11, Jordan arrived in Oakland on the third day. That night, the Bulls challenged the Warriors, who have remained undefeated this season, away.
For this game, the Bulls' starting lineup is: Sam Vincent, Michael Jordan, Horace Grant, Brad Sellers, Bill Cartwright.
Yes, there is no Jordan's best friend Oakley in the lineup, but one more former All-Star center Bill Cartwright. The reason is very simple, that is, Oakley was traded by the Bulls.
As Jordan's best friend, teammate and "bodyguard" on the team, Oakley is definitely the teammate Jordan cares about most in the Bulls.
Oakley entered the NBA a year later than Jordan, and the two were like glue in the Bulls. They trained together, played cards together, and played golf together. It can be said that Oakley accompanied Jordan to grow into an MVP in the Bulls.
However, facing his best friend, it was during the offseason, specifically on the eve of the draft, when Jordan happened to be watching a boxing match with Oakley.
As a result, Oakley met an acquaintance, and the acquaintance told him that he was traded, and then Jordan knew about it.
So there was a scene where Jordan made trouble in Klaus's office. He pointed at Klaus' nose and cursed: You are going to destroy this team!
Of course, it turned out that this deal did not ruin the Bulls, and even helped the Bulls complete their three consecutive championships.
Oakley is a typical jack-of-all-trades player with a fierce playing style, hard work, and a good mid-range shot, but what the Bulls need more at this time is the height of the inside and the defense of the center.
From this point of view, Oakley really can't do it.
And more importantly, there is a replacement for Oakley's role in the Bulls, and that is Grant.
Although this is Grant's second season, the talent and potential he has shown are enough to make Krause give up Oakley.
However, all of this did not change Jordan's dissatisfaction. He even resisted Cartwright at one time, calling him "Pharmaceutical Bill". It's buttery hands.
In short, no matter how hard Jordan struggles, it can't change the fact that the transaction happened. Fortunately, Jordan is not easy to put these emotions on the field. Jordan wants to win.
With the referee's whistle, Malone won the scrimmage and the game officially began.
Although Cartwright is taller than Malone, but Cartwright was plagued by injuries. Among them, he played a total of 84 games in the two seasons from 86 to 2. It is no wonder that Jordan called him a medicine jar.
After holding the ball, Li Weisi quickly broke through Vincent's defense.
It has to be said that Vincent is not the answer for the Bulls at the No. [-] position.
In order to find a suitable No. [-] position, the Bulls traded for Vincent last season, and brought in Craig Hodges during the offseason. However, they still cannot solve the problem that No. [-] position is a pit.
At this time, the Bulls' formation was already in place. Although Li Weisi broke through Vincent, he still encountered the help defense from the flank.
Li Weisi took the ball with his right hand and pulled it outward, as if he was about to pass the ball. Grant, who was helping to defend, stopped and was about to return to the defense. In less than a second, Li Weisi put the ball away and directly Throwing was chosen.
Hollow into the network!
Grant's footsteps are definitely fast in the fourth position, but at this time he is playing the third position.
Let’s talk about Collins’ employment here. Although Pippen’s performance in the playoffs last season was remarkable, at the beginning of this season, Collins still did not put Pippen in the starting position, but placed him in the paint. Two twin towers with a height of more than 210cm.
This has led to the Bulls' insiders getting together, and their outside defense rotation is seriously sluggish. Facing a team like the Warriors that focuses on outside offense, they can't defend normally at all.
Of course, in this era, there is only one team that plays like the Warriors.
Looking back, after Jordan came to the frontcourt, he encountered Richmond's strict defense, even when Jordan had no ball, he began to prevent Jordan from receiving the ball.
It can be said that the reason why Frank chose Richmond when the team's shooting guards were about to overflow was to let the Warriors have someone who could keep up with Jordan physically.
Faced with this situation, Jordan is not afraid at all. He has encountered more fierce and tighter defenses than this over the years. How can Richmond do it?
Jordan stepped on the three-point line, leaned against Richmond, asked Vincent directly, and shouted: "Give me the ball, I have a good chance here!"
Hearing what Jordan said, Vincent quickly handed the ball to Jordan.
After receiving the ball, Jordan first used his body to hit the top, and found that Richmond was very strong. Immediately afterwards, Jordan did not choose to hit with his back, but turned halfway around, and directly chose to hit the frame.
Only then did Jordan see Richmond's face clearly, a young face sinking like water, unaffected by what he just said.
This guy!
With just one glance, Jordan could feel the unique temperament of the rookie in front of him.
At the moment, Jordan started dribbling the ball and did not take the three-threat, because he knew that the so-called three-threat was useless to this guy. After all, he was outside the three-point line, and it was generally impossible to shoot.
What?You say pass?Sorry, before the breakthrough is successful, Lao Tzu's pass button was picked off!
Jordan lowered his body, and with an unsolvable first step, he broke through from Richmond's left side. Richmond found that Jordan was leaning on him to break through, and he quickly stepped back, trying to block Jordan's offensive line.
But after only breaking through two steps, Jordan made a big change of direction, with his face almost on the floor, successfully throwing off Richmond's defense.
Immediately afterwards, Jordan quickly collected the ball, took off, and completed the shot. Although Richmond immediately took off, at this time, he could not interfere with Jordan who had already jumped high.
The basketball went into the net hollow, and Jordan scored a long two-pointer.
After scoring the goal, Jordan, before he had time to celebrate, found that Richmond in front of him ran forward with his feet stretched out. He waited until Jordan landed and chased after him. The two of them already had two bodies.
Sure enough, in less than a second, the basketball flew from the top of Jordan's head to Richmond's. When Richmond received the ball, he had already passed the middle circle. He only dribbled two steps and made some adjustments. , then immediately received the ball, and then took off in two steps.
At the same time, Jordan also caught up with Richmond behind him. In terms of speed, jumping, and wingspan, Jordan has an overall advantage. Therefore, Richmond's imperative dunk was actually forced by Jordan. The back is covered.
The basketball hit the basket's neck and bounced out. Just as it hit the ground, before Jordan could turn around, a huge force struck and pushed Jordan one meter away.
When Jordan turned his head, he saw that Rodman had already made the dunk, and shouted excitedly at the scene after landing.
Damn it, I was actually blocked by this guy?
(End of this chapter)