socalfunplaces Chapter 188 Jordan's Christmas Gift! Almost 3
Chapter 188 Jordan's Christmas Gift! Almost 3
Chapter 188 Jordan's Christmas Gift! He almost had three girlfriends!
"You can give us a present? What present? Your leg?" Miller scoffed. "Charles, break his leg, then see what present he gives us."
"I'm not your thug. Come on, you hit him, I'll hold his legs down for you!" Barkley rolled his eyes, looking annoyed.
You, Reggie Miller, what gives you the right to order me around?
"Do you guys want the gifts or not?" Jordan couldn't help but yell as he watched the group still making a scene. "Fuck you! Hurry up, grab Lin first, this bastard's trying to escape!"
Jordan's words made the group realize that Lin Tian had slipped out of the crowd and was running towards the players' tunnel, clearly preparing to escape.
"Lin! Here! I'm here!"
Before Lin Tian could even squeeze into the players' tunnel, he was spotted by someone else. A pretty girl stood up and waved at Lin Tian, saying, "This way, let me introduce you to a new friend."
Charlize Theron!
The girls were indeed seated in the front row.
Yes, girls!
Lin Tian really wanted to pretend he didn't see them and run away, but when he saw the girls sitting side by side, and after making eye contact with all three of them, Lin Tian knew that it was better not to run.
Yes, three girls!
There was one more person calling me before the game than the hell!
Lin Tian said: This is such a pleasant surprise!
I love this Christmas present!
It gives you the feeling that this is the last Christmas of your life!
"F***! Lin, that bastard, why does he always have such beautiful female companions? When he was in Indiana, he seduced so many beautiful girls in Indiana!" Barkley couldn't help but curse when he saw Theron's stunning appearance.
Jordan stopped chasing Lin Tian. This bastard had already been caught; was he really going to pretend he didn't see anything and just run away? He didn't believe Lin Tian could be that shameless!
"She's absolutely gorgeous! And not only is her face beautiful, her figure is perfect too. More importantly, that girl is a Hollywood star, she's starred in several movies." Jordan grinned mischievously. "And don't you guys think the two girls next to her are also incredibly beautiful, each one a stunner?"
Jordan's comment made Miller and the others notice that there were actually two girls sitting next to Theron.
"I recognize that fairer-skinned one! Jennifer Connelly! She was absolutely stunning in 'Once Upon a Time in America'! I dreamed about her for nights on end!" Barkley slapped his thigh, instantly recognizing his goddess from back then!
"That one who stood up, could it be Marian?" Miller frowned, recognizing Theron.
Marianne is the name of a character in The Devil's Advocate, which she co-starred in with Keanu Reeves and Al Pacino.
This movie was only released in North America in October, and it grossed more than $60 million in North America alone. Although it can't be called a blockbuster, it definitely made a lot of money, and the performances of the three main actors were also highly praised!
Especially for Charlize Theron, as a newcomer, she entered the public eye with this film. Her sexy looks and perfect figure are talked about by countless movie fans!
For example, right now, Theron simply stood up, waved, and called out, and Miller, who loves watching movies, recognized her.
After explaining to those around her who this was, only Julie, who had already debuted but hadn't yet played any big-name roles, remained unrecognized.
At this point, Jordan stopped keeping him in suspense and said with a mischievous grin, "Two days before this game, someone from our PR department contacted me and said that a girl named Charlize Theron called him, saying that she was Lin's girlfriend and that she also claimed to know me, hoping to get her a front-row ticket."
"Honestly, this kind of thing happens every day in the NBA, and 99% of them are scam calls. But coincidentally, I really know this Theron. Lin had dinner with us before. I just wanted to give Lin a surprise as a Christmas present, so I got a ticket for this girl."
"Less than two hours later, my own phone rang. It was Charles, your goddess calling me. I met her in Los Angeles; she was Lin's girlfriend back then, and we even had a bit of a scandal! So, being the generous person I am, of course I'd help this lovely girl find a ticket!"
"Well, now that there's a second one, I was wondering if there would be a third?" Jordan said with a mischievous grin. "So I had my staff keep an eye on it and verify the caller's identity, and well, there really was!"
"The last one, the one we didn't recognize—long legs and thick lips—I saw her in New York. She was sitting next to Hilton, and Lin chose her, completely disregarding Hilton. I heard Hilton was furious about it and got lip augmentation surgery because she thought Lin liked that!"
"But the result is that Lin doesn't like thick lips, Lin just doesn't like Hilton." Miller nodded, indicating that he had figured it out, and he had seen how Hilton looked at Lin Tian's house this summer, as if she wanted to devour Lin Tian at all costs.
But Lin Tian remained completely unmoved!
I have no idea why this bastard would reject a super-rich woman with billions in assets!
But does that matter?
Of course it's not important!
The important thing is that Jordan, that cunning guy, actually gave three girls adjacent tickets!
This is outrageous! This is utterly despicable! This is practically trying to kill Lin!
But he's a true friend! A very true friend!
What our Pacers team needs most is a good friend like you, Michael! Ideally, every team you join in the future will have a great buddy like you!
Moreover, the most important thing now is that Lin Tian, who has nowhere to avoid it, has been discovered by Theron and has no choice but to bite the bullet and walk towards Theron.
Lin Tian knew that he couldn't avoid this today! There was no way he could escape it.
Whether you get caught before or after the match, it makes no difference. You'll get stabbed sooner or later, so why not get it over with sooner? Maybe after a great match, the girls will forget all their grievances.
Who knows?
What if?
"Hey, Charlize, long time no see! Angelina, Jennifer, you're both here. Did you buy your tickets from the same person? What a coincidence that you're sitting together!" Lin Tian walked up to the three of them with an innocent and sunny smile, looking completely unconcerned.
The three who initially felt something was amiss are now becoming somewhat uncertain.
After all, they're not idiots!
On the contrary, these three girls were all incredibly smart, each one a shrewd and astute individual.
Just sitting together like this, chatting casually for a bit, and thinking back on the bits and pieces from before, it would be a miracle if they couldn't figure out that the three of them were most likely having an affair with Lin Tian!
But instead of running away, Lin Tian walked over with an innocent look on his face, as if nothing had happened, which made the three girls who were just holding their breath feel a little strange.
Are you overthinking it?
As the three women looked at each other, wondering who the real woman was, who the mistress was, and who the fourth mistress was, Jordan walked over with a large group of people, all smiles.
This time, it wasn't just a few thugs from the Pacers who followed; Rodman, Longley, Kukoc, and others also came over.
It's going to be exciting, why not come and see it!
"Why are you all here?" Lin Tian turned around and looked at Jordan, his face full of smiles, but his eyes... were full of knives!
I'm not hiding anymore, I want to kill you right now!
In an instant, countless plans flashed through Lin Tian's mind. The most feasible one was to punch Jordan directly, trigger a conflict, and get himself ejected. This would easily resolve tonight's crisis.
But Jordan reacted with lightning speed, saying, "Lin, weren't you going to introduce us to your girlfriend? Reggie and Charles have never seen her before!"
They're back! They're all back!
After saying this, Jordan looked at Lin Tian expectantly, wanting to see how Lin Tian would resolve this matter.
Lao Tzu's dignity, face, good mood, source of happiness, and everything else have returned!
Life is so wonderful!
Of course, Jordan wasn't the only one with the same expectations; everyone behind Jordan was looking at Lin Tian with anticipation! Why bother with a Christmas game? This is much more exciting than the Christmas game!
A fight broke out on the spot! They started fighting! They beat Lin Tian to death!
Of all the people present, who hasn't been bullied by Lin Tian?
Who hasn't been teased by him a few times but still managed to out-roast him?
Although we are not on the same team now, we all share the same dream.
Watch Lin Tian make a fool of himself!
To everyone's surprise, Lin Tian was not nervous or even afraid at all. Instead, he smiled and said, "Okay, Michael, let me introduce you to my girlfriend. Honey, say hello to everyone!" As he spoke, Lin Tian turned his head and looked at the three girls with a smile.
Almost simultaneously, he forced his eyes to look at everyone, and made the three girls think that he was looking at her, and only at her!
What does "fortune favors the bold" mean?
This is!
Is that how it happened?
Is this how you try to fool us? Are you really that shameless? Introducing three people at once, without saying their names or anything else, just a casual remark?
What you're describing is utter nonsense!
Even if we agree that all three girls are our girlfriends, would the three girls agree?
Three girls, all at the same time, can say "I'm your girlfriend"? You actually passed that test?
If you, Lin Tian, can get away with this today, I, Michael Jordan, will write my name backwards!
Can Lin Tian easily get away with just one sentence? Of course not!
There's no such thing as a free lunch in this world.
"Haha, she's your girlfriend? She's beautiful!"
"So that's why you never bring your girlfriend out. She's so beautiful. Are you afraid I'll steal her away?"
"Don't look at me, this is his girlfriend."
Jennifer, Theron, and Jolie said completely different things almost at the same time.
But the meaning is almost exactly the same.
A living Bodhisattva! A female Bodhisattva!
In Lin Tian's mind, all three people were given the highest praise at the same time!
She was absolutely a living Bodhisattva reincarnated, a great woman who gave away her own body in charity!
If even one of the three people had confessed, Lin Tian could imagine what he would have faced, let alone the hellish scene of two or three people confessing at the same time.
But ironically, the one correct answer out of countless wrong answers actually appeared!
God rewards hard work!
God has been kind to me!
If all three people deny it, then Master Lin has a lot of room to maneuver...
So, Lin Tian then used all his acting skills, from head to toe, to put on an expression of great disappointment, deep shock, extreme joy turning to sorrow, and forced smile!
Lin Tian swore that this scene would be an absolute top-tier performance worthy of an Oscar or one of the three major European cinemas!
Then Lin Tian spread his hands, trying to make the girls think he was feigning composure and said helplessly, "What a pity, I thought I could have three girlfriends at once, but now I don't have any."
"Looks like this trick didn't work after all, Reggie. You've taught me all this wrong! Next time you'll have to teach me something real."
Nonsense! I'll only listen to your nonsense!
Miller's eyes widened in shock. Could this really be possible?
"Teach you? I can teach you how to shoot threes, but when it comes to picking up girls? Even if I, Reggie, had another trophy, I still wouldn't be a match for you!"
But the strange thing is that everyone present knows Lin Tian is talking nonsense, even the three girls know that Lin Tian is talking nonsense, but no one is willing to open their mouths to say that he is talking nonsense.
Even the three girls felt a pang of regret and guilt.
Did he lose face because of what I just did? Is he feeling disappointed? Is it possible he's actually waiting for me to agree? Was I too mean to force him to put on a brave face like that?
The doubts and suspicions they had just had vanished, at least for this moment. All that remained in the hearts of the three girls was guilt; they all felt that they had done something wrong.
Of course, it will take them anywhere from a few minutes to two or three days to realize that Lin Tian is a scumbag with superb acting skills.
But by then, does it even matter?
Can they still come forward to demand an explanation?
The best opportunity to confront them has already passed!
In particular, Julie, for example, has clearly stated that she will not be Lin Tian's girlfriend.
She had no grounds to question or accuse him.
Regardless, facing the Christmas gift and game-winning shot that Jordan had prepared for Lin Tian, Lin Tian managed to fight his way out!
He passed! Not only did he pass, but everyone praised him highly!
This is a role model for us all!
Lin Tian gained more than just a safe passage through a crisis; he also gained a large amount of experience points!
Jordan, Rodman, Miller, Barkley...
When have these people ever seen anything like this before? A group of people watched Lin Tian's actions, their experience points dropping rapidly!
Unfortunately, there are only experience points, and no skills drop.
Even so, after all that, Lin Tian still gained more than 300 experience points!
After this little incident, the warm-up for both sides could finally continue, and with the incredibly lively atmosphere at the scene, the Christmas battle was about to begin!
The Pacers did not change their starting lineup, with Schmitz, Barkley, Rose, Lin Tian, and Miller still starting together.
Meanwhile, due to Pippen's injury and Jackson's tactical adjustments, the Bulls' starting lineup became Longley, Kukoc, Jordan, Harper, and Scott Burrell!
Compared to their previous lineup of the "iron triangle" plus Lin Tian and Long Li, this roster is clearly a significant drop in terms of star power, intensity, and offensive and defensive capabilities. But Jackson has no choice; this is a dilemma that every team aiming for a three-peat must face.
The team's key players were exhausted and injured due to too many games, role players were poached by other teams for high prices, and the team's desire for a third championship had greatly decreased because they already had two championships. In addition, their tactics had been studied by the entire league for two years, making it difficult for them to show anything new, new playing style, or new tactics.
It can be said that any team aiming for a three-peat will encounter huge problems in their third year: injuries, aging, and lack of fighting spirit. These are challenges that every team must face.
And in that same year, these teams actually only had one real secret weapon.
Let's push our core players to the limit and see just how far they can take us!
Historically, teams that have achieved three consecutive championships have undoubtedly had their absolute core players and star players perform at an exceptional level, which has led to a decline in the performance of the role players. On the other hand, teams that failed to achieve a three-peat were certainly those whose absolute core players had fallen ill first, which led to their failure to win the championship.
This year's Bulls, without a doubt, all the burden actually rests on Jordan's shoulders!
Lin Tian's departure further reduced their scoring options. Today's starter, Burrell, is the best reinforcement the Bulls could find this summer. Although he can only contribute 6-7 points per game, his 3-point shooting percentage is 37%, which can alleviate some of the burden on Jordan and the team.
But there's one crucial point: the Bulls' only real asset this season is still Jordan!
Even with Pippen's return uncertain, they only had Jordan!
Two minutes later, the ten starting players from both sides took to the field. Referee Crawford looked at the people around him, smirking, and said, "We're all old acquaintances. I don't care about your past conflicts or disagreements. My only requirement is that there be no surprises tonight!"
"The Christmas Day game is being broadcast live across the US, and dozens of TV stations around the world are also broadcasting it. If you cause trouble tonight, do you know what the consequences will be?"
Listening to Crawford's unoriginal and clichéd tune, Lin Tian even yawned in boredom.
conflict?
In Chicago, what conflict could he possibly have against the Bulls?
Regardless of whether they are brothers or not, as witnesses to every conflict on the court, how could these people not know what Lin Tian's abilities are?
They'd be crazy to mess with Lin Tian!
Crawford certainly knew his threat was completely meaningless, but he still swept his supposedly fierce gaze over everyone present before tossing the ball into the air.
"Snapped!"
After a crisp sound, the taller Schmitz successfully won the first possession. Lin Tian was about to throw the ball forward when he found that Jordan had entangled Rose, making it impossible for him to run down the court as fast as usual. Jordan alone blocked the Pacers' and Lin Tian's favorite early-game steal.
However, Lin Tian wasn't in a hurry. He put down the basketball, raised his hand, and said, "No rush, no rush, let's take it slow. Let's start with an isolated island!"
"Lin, you can't fool us!" Hubble lowered his center of gravity, looked at Lin Tian, and said intently, "Not a single word of the tactics you've shouted out can be trusted."
"But this time, you can trust my Ron! I never lie to my old buddy!" After saying that, Lin Tian suddenly lowered his center of gravity, accelerated forcefully, and was about to charge through Hubble from the side!
But Hubble, who had sacrificed all his offensive talent and focused all his abilities on defense, managed to keep himself in front of Lin Tian by relying on his defensive footwork.
It's blocked!
Hubble was overjoyed. Just as he sensed Lin Tian dribbling the ball back and retreating, clearly preparing for another offensive, Lin Tian suddenly dribbled the ball between his legs to the other side, then leaned his entire body to the left. This shift in center of gravity finally fooled Hubble!
Hubble quickly moved half a step to one side.
And it was during this half-step that Hubble discovered Lin Tian had vanished from his sight!
Lin Tian changed direction again, still to the right, and forcefully cut past Hubble!
Lin Tian drove straight into the paint without any hindrance. Without Pippen and Rodman, the Bulls' defensive capabilities had indeed dropped by more than one level!
The only one who could guard the basket, Langley, rushed towards Lin Tian. However, Lin Tian did not choose to confront him head-on. Instead, he suddenly threw the basketball into the air. Barkley, who was behind Langley, jumped high, caught the basketball with both hands, and easily slammed it down!
"boom!"
Lin Tian and Barkley connected from the air, helping the Pacers score their first point of the Christmas Day game!
Turning back, Lin Tian stared at Hubble and suddenly asked curiously, "Ron, I forgot to ask you this when we were on the same team, why haven't you been able to score lately?"
Lin Tian's question is actually one of the biggest unsolved mysteries of the NBA in the 90s!
Ron Harper played for the Cavaliers and Clippers for the first half of his career. Although he was never selected for the All-Star Game, he is widely regarded as one of the biggest omissions from the All-Star Game in the 90s. Except for his second year in the league when he could only average 15 points per game due to injury, he averaged more than 18 points per game in the other 7 years of his career!
Furthermore, he is not the type who can only pad his stats on weak teams. His output in the playoffs is also very consistent. He has averaged around 18 points per game in several playoff runs, and his efficiency and shooting percentage have not dropped significantly.
This player, who wasn't particularly strong but was definitely a very consistent backcourt scorer, experienced a precipitous decline after joining the Bulls at the age of 29!
That year, the Bulls had just lost Jordan, and Krause signed Harper with the intention of making him Jordan's replacement! He hoped that Harper and Pippen could form the Bulls' new duo!
But the result surprised everyone. After Jackson gave Harper a full tactical position, shot attempts and the right to attack with the ball, the guy could only put up an average of 6.9 points, 2 rebounds and 2 assists. In the playoffs, his numbers dropped to a dismal 2 points per game!
Without any injuries or major life changes, Harper inexplicably lost his scoring ability at the prime age of 29. Just the year before joining the Bulls, he was averaging 20 points, 6 rebounds, and 4 assists per game with the Clippers!
Hubble's sudden decline is truly baffling.
And it wasn't just for one year. In the following two years, after the Bulls acquired Lin Tian, his average output per game declined even further, dropping to 5 points and 4 points respectively. It was only this year, with Pippen sidelined due to injury and Lin Tian leaving for Indiana, that he had to increase his shot attempts and ball possession time, and his stats finally improved.
But he only managed 10 points, 4 rebounds, and 2 assists, barely reaching half of his peak performance.
Why did Hubble experience such an exaggerated and inexplicable decline? How did he go from a star player averaging around 20+6+4 to a mere role player in just one offseason? Lin Tian didn't know, Phil Jackson didn't know, and neither did his fans.
Hubble transformed himself from a "Jordan replacement" into a pure role player, and Lin Tian felt that even Hubble himself might not know why.
For example, now that Lin Tian has asked this question, Hubble can't give any answer. He just bites his lip, turns around, uses his butt to push Lin Tian towards the front of the court.
Even if his skills decline and he becomes almost completely unable to score, Hubble's standard 198cm forward physique will not leave him. Even if he only relies on his height and wingspan, he can still have a significant advantage when facing most point guards.
Well, this advantage didn't translate into any impressive stats. It just made it safer for Hubble to dribble up the court. Then, Hubble immediately raised the ball over his head and passed it to Jordan, who was already boxing out Rose in the low post and calling for the ball.
Without Lin Tian this season, Jordan can no longer play the same easy off-ball offense as last season. He can hardly rely on off-ball movement to get the ball and shoot. Every offensive play of his is very difficult. He has to set up his formation and try his best to score every shot!
Besides the fact that the Bulls' current passers are not as good as Lin Tian in terms of vision and timing of passing, the biggest reason is that the Bulls are missing Pippen.
The Bulls now rely solely on Jordan on offense. When opponents defend, they focus a lot of attention on Jordan, leaving him no chance to make off-ball runs. There is help defense and rotation everywhere.
At the very least, before Pippen returned, Jordan had to chip away at the ball one by one like this!
Fortunately, Jordan, who is about to turn 35, shows no signs of aging. Apart from almost no longer engaging in aerial maneuvers and having his dunk count plummet to the lowest point of his career, Jordan's offensive efficiency and shooting percentage are in no way inferior to his peak!
For example, when he faced Rose this time, he didn't hesitate at all. After observing that no one from the Pacers came to help defend, he suddenly turned around and passed the ball, shoving Rose's shoulder hard into Rose's chest, causing Rose to take a half step back. Then Jordan took the opportunity to step back, pulled up and shot!
"Whoosh!"
With a crisp sound, Jordan scored 2 points, tying the score!
Simple, efficient, practical, and aesthetically pleasing!
The greatest truths are the simplest; a heavy sword has no edge.
This is Jordan's biggest offensive label this season.
After scoring, Jordan looked at Rose and sneered, "Kid, do you owe them a lot of money, or have you offended someone? Otherwise, why would they let you guard me and get destroyed by me?"
"You'll talk when you really crush me!" Rose looked at Jordan, not backing down an inch. "You're already this smug after just one basket?"
"Don't worry, there will be a second one soon." Jordan looked at Rose with the same disdain he had for a dead man.
Who does Ross think he is?
You think you're worthy to argue with me?
Lin Tian ignored the verbal sparring between Rose and Jordan and continued dribbling towards the frontcourt. Once there, facing Hubble, Lin Tian waved to signal everyone to spread out!
"Lin has everyone spread out for him again! It seems the main theme of tonight's game, at least for the first phase, is Lin vs. Jordan!" Smith exclaimed excitedly. "They both look like they're going to go all out and dominate their matchups!"
"Now let's see if Jordan and Lin can dominate their matchups, and whether head coaches Bird and Jackson can make the first substitution! Oh, Lin passed the ball... He really always surprises us."
Before Smith could finish speaking, Lin Tian suddenly passed the ball to Barkley, who then scored a one-on-one against Kukoc under the basket.
That pass was absolutely devastating, it was a resounding slap in the face for Smith!
No sooner had Lin Tian said he wanted to go it alone than he immediately passed the ball.
"Charles, great play!" After passing the ball, Lin Tian high-fived Barkley and said, "Keep trying to switch positions with Rick, try to match up against Tony. As long as you can match him, I'm sure I can get the ball to you!"
"We're not playing the way Larry said. They're not starting Dennis, so you should change the pace and go all out from the start. Is that okay?"
"Don't worry, beating a pushover is a piece of cake!" Barkley said confidently. "And even if Dennis comes on, I can still crush him!"
"FUXX!" Jackson cursed from the sidelines. With just this one play, he sensed something was wrong. The scenario he feared most with this lineup had come to pass: the Pacers used screens and mismatches to attack Kukoc.
This season, Kukoc has further showcased his talent on the offensive end, becoming the Bulls' most important scoring option besides Jordan. However, on the defensive end, he has not improved at all. His two major weaknesses, namely being soft and slow, seem to be troubling him throughout his career. This has made Kukoc a breakthrough point for many teams when facing the Bulls, and they will focus on attacking him.
When Jackson started Rodman off the bench and Kukoc and Burrell in the starting lineup tonight, he thought that even if he matched Kukoc up against Schmitz, the Pacers might still target him.
But Jackson really didn't have a better solution.
What can he do?
If Rodman is brought on, then whether Kukoc or Burrell is taken off the court, it will further increase the pressure on Jordan on the offensive end. Opponents can double-team Jordan without restraint, after all, Rodman's output this season is less than 5 points!
When he comes on, it's a complete 4-on-5 on offense!
If Pippen and Lin Tian were available, it would be alright, since neither of them could be left unattended, and the opponents wouldn't be able to double-team them so recklessly.
But the Bulls' problem is that they really don't have many reliable scoring options anymore.
Jackson bit his lip and thought for a long time, but still suppressed the idea of immediately replacing Rodman.
attack!
The most important thing for the team right now is offense!
He can only hope that Kukoc can create the necessary distraction on the offensive end!
"Whoosh!"
While Jackson was still struggling with his decision, Jordan had already scored again in the low post, hitting a fadeaway jumper for another 2 points! Rose was really no match for him.
"It's okay, Jaylen, you defended well! There are some balls you just can't handle! Just keep defending like this, he'll get tired!" Lin Tian patted Rose's butt to comfort him.
After all, the Bulls are lacking offense, while the Pacers are lacking defense! From starters to bench players, the only player on both teams whose size and ability match Jordan's is actually Rose!
If Rose can't defend, then anyone else will be easily dominated by Jordan.
That includes Lin Tian himself!
Lin Tian knew very well that if he were to defend Jordan, he would be constantly backed down by Jordan, since there was a difference of almost 10 centimeters between them!
Jordan will make the most of that 10-centimeter height advantage! Unless absolutely necessary, Lin Tian really doesn't want to defend Jordan.
It's not fear, it's just that it's unnecessary!
After Lin Tian arrived at the frontcourt, he still did not rush to attack. Instead, he waited for Schmitz and Barkley in the paint to screen for each other and play small inside combinations. However, this time Longley desperately squeezed past Schmitz and stood behind Barkley in time, preventing Barkley from facing Kukoc.
But Lin Tian still passed the ball to the inside!
Because Schmitz was already inside the paint! With his huge height advantage of over 220 centimeters, Schmitz didn't need to put the ball down after receiving it in the paint. He could just raise it high and shoot, easily scoring a 2-pointer over Kukoc.
"What are you looking at, you softie! I'm going to beat you so badly you won't even make it to Christmas!" After scoring, Schmitz unusually flexed his arm muscles and taunted Kukoc!
It's not easy to meet someone who is more timid and submissive than yourself!
Schmitz has been waiting for this opportunity for two months!
"FUXX! Show some spirit, Tony!" Jackson on the sidelines was anxious but helpless. Kukoc couldn't hold on defensively and hadn't gotten any opportunities on offense yet. Jackson was really getting anxious.
In the third possession, when Jordan once again boxed out Rose in the low post and got the ball, the Pacers finally couldn't hold back any longer.
Double-team!
Miller, who was closest to Jordan, quickly collapsed and blocked his path. However, Jordan's passing ability was among the best in history for a shooting guard. Without hesitation, Jordan passed the ball to the open Burrell.
Barkley, who was closest to him, sprinted to help defend, and Burrell, without hesitation, passed the ball out to Kukoc on the baseline.
After getting the ball, Kukoc pulled it up and shot, decisively taking a three-pointer from the corner!
He knew the significance of his playing time and his own strengths. If he couldn't seize this opportunity, he wouldn't need to play at all; he could just go off and rest!
"Whoosh!"
Kukoc's touch did not disappoint Jackson, nor did it disappoint himself!
After scoring, Kukoc clenched his fists, looked up to the sky and roared to vent his frustration at having just been beaten twice in a row.
"Tony, you're a bit tougher than before." Lin Tian casually called for the ball from the baseline, and similarly, he didn't rush into a fast break.
In the early stages of this match, Lin Tian was not the main character!
"Lin, I get stronger every season!" Kukoc looked at Lin Tian without any fear. This guy had indeed grown a lot in the past six months!
"Really? Then I'll give it a try?" Lin Tian smiled as he walked to the front of the field, then waved and called for cover.
Schmitz rushed forward and immediately set a screen for Lin Tian, quickly running towards his preferred mid-range area. He believed that as long as he got into position, Lin Tian's ball would definitely be there!
"Switch!" Hubble knew how accurate Schmitz was from mid-range, so he shouted and ran towards Schmitz, exposing Kukoc to Lin Tian.
Facing Kukoc, who claimed to have become stronger, Lin Tian had no time to be polite. He accelerated and left the guy behind in one step!
Then Lin Tian rushed towards the inside, and just as Langley stepped up to help defend, he suddenly made a behind-the-back pass to Barkley.
Barkley once again leaped up and slammed the ball into the basket with both hands!
"boom!"
After a loud bang, the Pacers regained the lead!
For the next few minutes, neither side made any adjustments or substitutions.
The Pacers' main strength lies in their inside game. As long as Kukoc is matched up against Barkley, or Schmitz can get into position in the paint, Lin Tian, Miller, and Rose will definitely pass the ball inside, allowing their teammates to take advantage of the team's inside game!
For the Bulls, the focus was still on Jordan. Jordan would constantly demand the ball in the low post. If someone double-teamed him, he would definitely find an open teammate. If they didn't double-team him, there wasn't much difference between playing Rose and playing Marcus Jordan.
They all emphasize the idea of giving and taking whatever one wants.
In addition, the Bulls' three shooters were in good form tonight. Kukoc made 1 of 2 three-pointers in the first quarter, Burrell made 1 of 1, and Harper made 1 of 2. Each of the three made a three-pointer, which made the Pacers' defense hesitate. They dared not double-team Jordan anymore and chose to watch Jordan teach Rose a lesson in the low post.
When the first quarter ended, both sides were evenly matched thanks to their good shooting touch and effective targeted attacks!
29: 28!
The Pacers are now leading by a single point!
(End of this chapter)