So I am the god of basketball?

Jordan showed great defensive aggressiveness.

If you haven't seen Jordan's defense, then you can imagine the "softer version" of Kobe Bryant.

There are not so many big elbows that make people uncomfortable, and Michael Jordan's defense is also skillful.

Of course, to put it bluntly, it depends on physical fitness.

He lacks both the explosiveness and responsiveness that are most needed for defense, not to mention the enthusiasm that is most important for defense.

Meng Lang started his hand in the "triple threat posture" and was almost cut off. Fortunately, he quickly turned around and turned his back to Jordan. Although this action was intercepted by Jordan before. But with Meng Lang maintaining a high level of vigilance, it was difficult for Jordan to complete the steal like that time. Even the interference with Meng Lang's dribbling was not that obvious.

You still have to catch the ball while running to have a better offensive opportunity against Jordan.

After the initial try, Meng Lang knew that his face-to-face breakthrough skills could not deal with Jordan. As for the "post-back", it is easy for him to push into the high position, and he will be double-teamed. He does not want to waste his efforts.

So the ball was handed over again.

But when the ball was given to Jones at the top of the arc, he quickly moved towards Jones.

"Hand-to-hand" catches the ball, and Jordan never leaves.

But Meng Lang, who had already started, now had more ways to deal with Jordan.

Quickly dropping the ball and trying to break through, Jordan is very confident in his lateral movement. But at this moment, Meng Lang had already stepped into the three-point line with one foot, and jumped up half a step in front of the free throw line. Jordan couldn't avoid it, and during the collision, Meng Lang, who was a little unbalanced, shot.

"Snapped!"

During the process, the sound of Jordan's thugs was clearly heard.

"beep!"

A clear foul.

What's even worse is that the ball flew directly towards the basket, hit the backboard, and then bounced into the basket.

As we all know, many times in the NBA, cricket is a very lucky goal. Because NBA players generally aim at the basket. Only when you use too much force will the ball hit the backboard.

But whether it's luck or other reasons.

When the ball fell into the basket and the referee blew the whistle, there was a low roar, and the pain could be clearly seen on the faces of these people.

The Chicago Channel studio was also quiet at this time, and the two commentators did not speak for a long time.

None of them expected that Jordan's first defense in front of Meng Lang would have such a result...

"Dream really doesn't have stage fright!" Bill Walton sighed slightly.

Although more and more people are now comparing him with Jordan. And he has had enough advantages in most regular seasons and playoffs. But everyone knows that Jordan in the Finals is the most powerful Jordan.

Especially Jordan in Game 6 of the Finals, he was almost invincible...

Barkley, Drexler, Payton and Sean Kemp of the SuperSonics, all failed to survive Jordan in Game 6 of the series.

A very scary number:

Jordan's lowest score in a single game in the Finals was 22 points!
Let's make a comparison. Among the "superstars" who have played more than three finals, Olajuwon's lowest score in a single game in the finals was 3 points, and Kobe had 19 points, although it was because he only played 2 minutes. LeBron James also had 9 points...

Other historical giants have more or less experienced such downturns in the finals.

But even with the whole team working together, the Sonics, led by "Defensive Player of the Year" Gary Payton, only limited Jordan's lowest score in a single game to 22 points.

This is Michael Jordan's Finals dominance.

When he stood in front of Meng Lang, most people thought that Meng Lang would no longer be able to score goals, while some people thought that Meng Lang could still score goals. But absolutely no one expected that he could actually complete "2 plus 1" against Jordan!
Looking at those piercing eyes, an invisible pressure spread across the United Arena.

Even Jordan was deflated, and the rest of the Bulls couldn't help but feel the pressure.

This is another manifestation of "Jordan dependence".

All Chicagoans, including Bulls players, believed that Jordan could solve anything on the court.

As a result, as long as Jordan is on the court, everyone will feel at ease.

But when an opponent that even Jordan can't solve appears, panic is inevitable.

Jordan had a panoramic view of everyone's appearance, and he knew exactly what he should do next.

Still holding the ball in the backcourt, looking at Jones who didn't dare to step forward, Jordan chose to take a position one step ahead of the three-point line, which is where he originally shot a three-pointer. Jones didn't expect him to be so decisive in this round. The interference given is not very strong.

Jordan responded with a three-pointer.

The atmosphere at the scene immediately improved a lot.

Jordan's three-pointers have always been his weakness, but when he can hit three-pointers on the court, there is nothing he can't do! ?

Lakers offensive possession.

This time Jordan didn't even follow Meng Lang after switching defenses. Instead, they chose to defend against Meng Lang from the beginning.

The reason why he attempted a three-pointer was because he wanted to slow down his breathing so that he could better stalk Meng Lang who was running without the ball in this round.

He successfully bypassed Barkley's screen. It was not until the last 4 seconds of this round that Meng Lang had a chance to catch the ball. The ball flew from his hands and flew straight to the basket. The path of the ball was very narrow. Yes, but the ball hit the basket and fell out.

"Whoo~"

Jordan let out a heavy breath.

He gritted his teeth and defended Meng Lang this round, but he still caused enough interference.

"Boy, don't let me touch you like this!"

What he means is that I have just started to get serious...

Meng Lang also took the initiative to switch defense in front of Jordan.

For neutral fans, seeing this scene made them feel a lot more excited.

They originally thought that such a scene would not occur until the final "moment of life and death", but they didn't expect it!
There was still more than half of the third quarter, but the two men could no longer hold back and stood on opposite sides.

Jordan paid the price for gritting his teeth and guarding against Meng Lang:

Although he successfully restricted Meng Lang, he didn't have a chance to catch the ball until the last 4 seconds.

But the physical energy he consumed in it made him unable to breathe.

The heavy exhalation just now was proof.

"Bang!" "Michael failed to seize this opportunity!" Bill Walton thought for a while and added, "Obviously defending the dream is something that affects the offensive end!"

But the same defense against Jordan is also such a thing that affects the offensive state.

Meng Lang failed to score on his next attack.

Seeing these two people competing against each other and using all their energy to block each other's offense, the head coaches on both sides chose to change their tactics and work together as a team.

After several rounds of fighting and defending each other, Meng Lang and Jordan's first head-to-head confrontation came to an end for the time being.

Judging from the current situation, the two people are almost tied.

The Lakers led by 5 points until the final moment, but at this time, Chuck Daly made a mistake.

In order to allow Johnson and Divac to have more physical energy to play in the fourth quarter, he chose to replace these two players in the last 2 minutes of the third quarter.

This period has also become a weak period for the Lakers.

However, because Jordan took on a lot of the Bulls' offensive tasks from the beginning of the third quarter, his state also had some ups and downs during this period. The Bulls' X factor did not stand out, and the Lakers still came in with a 5-point lead. Here comes the last 25 seconds.

Ordinarily, Divac and Johnson should be replaced at this time to allow more ball handlers on the court to ensure that the Lakers can make this final attack and let the point difference reach more than 5 points.

But Chuck Daly made no move.

This allowed the Bulls to double-team Meng Lang and force him to pass the ball early. Barkley spent seven or eight seconds facing Rodman's "back-up" state, was defended, and quickly passed the ball again.

The Bulls' experience showed in this moment. They gave Jones space to play in isolation and allowed Pippen to force him to break through.

Jones was indeed fooled and missed the breakthrough, leaving the Bulls with about 8 seconds.

Jordan almost stood in front of Longley and got the ball, then quickly moved to the frontcourt and hit the second three-pointer of the game at the buzzer.

They still have the right to attack first in the fourth quarter.

In other words, the Bulls, who are 2 points behind, have a chance to equalize the score at the beginning of the fourth quarter.

For the Bulls, who trailed for most of the game, that would be an opportunity...

Chuck Daly shook his head secretly, and he knew very well what kind of mistake he had made.

Of course, from his perspective, if Johnson and Divac were replaced at that time, their rest rhythm would be easily disrupted, and the offensive rhythm on the field might also be affected.

It can only be said that the Bulls are still too experienced, and they can seize every possible opportunity, including opportunities that don't look like opportunities.

However, Chuck Daly still grasped the information that Jordan and Pippen played the entire third quarter.

Even though Jordan didn't have many offensive scenes in the first half, playing with such intensity throughout the third quarter must be a huge drain on his age.

31 minutes of playing time can't fool anyone.

If Jordan plays the entire fourth quarter, his playing time will be 43 minutes!

Although Meng Lang also played the entire third quarter and only played 30 minutes in this game, he is only 24 and a half years old after all!

Youth is also a huge asset in such a finals.

Otherwise, why do rich women like to play with young men?

Playing for 30 minutes once a night is definitely not as good as playing 20 minutes at a time 8 times a night!
Meng Lang can afford it!
As for Barkley, who also played the entire third quarter and only played 29 minutes, Chuck Daly had only one thing to say: "Charles, have you seen David Stern? As long as we put this damn thing Hold on for 2 points, then at the end of this quarter, he will come to you with the O'Brien Cup. From entering the NBA for the first time in 85, to playing in the Finals for the first time in 93, to the same series this year Game 6, think about these years, man, the perfect result you want will be obtained in these last 12 minutes!”

Barkley listened to this chicken soup, but smiled greasyly: "Chuck, I don't know that in your heart, I am such a person without perseverance? Believe me, for the championship, I will do anything to win. Finishing the fourth quarter is nothing to me! "

Chuck Daly was satisfied with his answer. Before the start of the fourth quarter, he glanced at the Bulls bench and called out Magic Johnson, Divac and others. Got the strongest lineup that can attack around Meng Lang.

Phil Jackson looked at the Lakers players, sighed, and said to Jordan next to him: "Man, I think you don't have time to rest tonight. I still have three timeouts to call. This is the last bit of breathing time I can buy for you. If you can’t hold on any longer, tell me!”

Jordan didn't speak or express anything.

It takes strength to respond, and he wants to save all of that strength in this last quarter.

The Bulls' first attack was likely to seal the victory, but Jordan was in no hurry to take action.

Because there are still 12 minutes left.

Compared with the moment after scoring the goal to equalize the score, what he needs to consider more is the time after that...

If you only pursue this moment of equalization, it is really meaningless.

Kukoc took the last shot of the round. When he threw the ball into the basket, the entire United Arena was shaken:

"Defense!"

"Defense!"

"Defense!"

Everyone knows that the Bulls' opportunity has arrived, and the Lakers' test has also arrived.

Jordan took the initiative to switch defense in front of Meng Lang.

This is an extremely important defensive round. By defending this attack, the Bulls' momentum can continue.

Everyone on the Lakers is looking for Meng Lang.

Jordan forced him to a high position. He did not struggle and directly chose to receive the ball from a high position. Then he turned around sharply and forced his way in from Jordan's right side. He used his own pace for this goal, and even Jordan could not move sideways in time. , Rodman inside can only make up for it.

Jordan noticed something and shouted: "No, Dennis!"

Unfortunately, it was too late. The ball went from Rodman's side to the inside. He opened his hand and dunked, and Barkley roared in anger.

He returned to defense but shook his head slightly.

He was so dissatisfied with his offensive performance tonight.

It started well, but what happened after the start?
Excluding those 8 points, he only scored a total of 6 points in these two quarters. On average, he only scored 3 points in each quarter, but to get these 3 points, he took about 5 shots in each quarter. If he hadn't grabbed 11 rebounds, he would definitely curse himself as a "soft guy who can't fight hard".

"Keep yourself safe, I'll handle this damn guy myself!"

Jordan roared, the impatience evident in his tone.

It’s understandable, it’s already the fourth quarter and there isn’t much time left…

Every step from now on, if the Bulls make similar mistakes and allow the Lakers to score easily, they are destined to leave tonight with their heads down. (End of chapter)