NBA Backer King Chapter 512

   Chapter 512 Chamberlain: The Lakers should train Kobe to replace Old K

  With the end of the regular season, the rankings of the Eastern and Western regular seasons are also announced.

  Eastern, the first to eighth are the Knicks, Celtics, Pacers, Heat, Hornets, Hawks, Cavaliers, Nets.

  West, the first to eighth places are the Lakers, Trail Blazers, Jazz, Supersonics, Timberwolves, Mosaic, Suns, Kings.

In the East, the Knicks and the Celtics in the top three belong to the Atlantic Division, so the Celtics, who are second in the East in the regular season, are automatically ranked fourth in the playoffs, and the Pacers progress to the second place in the Eastern playoffs. The Heat advanced to third in the playoffs.

   So the Eastern Conference playoffs are the first Knicks against the eighth Nets, the second Pacers against the seventh Cavaliers, the third Heat against the Hawks, and the fourth Celtics against the Hornets.

  West, the Blazers and Jazz in the top three are all in the Northwest, so the third Jazz automatically ranks fourth in the playoffs, and the third is progressed by the SuperSonics.

So in the Western Conference playoffs, the first Lakers are against the eighth King, the second Trail Blazers are against the seventh Suns, the third Supersonics are against the sixth Mosaic, and the fourth Jazz are against the fifth Timberwolves. .

   The first round of the playoffs will start on the 23rd and 24th, with three or four days of rest. In these days, the media has conducted a lot of analysis on the playoff situation in the East and West.

  ESPN updated the prediction of the odds of winning the championship at 9 am on the 20th, the day after the end of the regular season.

   This time, the Lakers occupy the first place, but the predicted chance of winning the championship is only 25%.

The second is the Knicks at 24%, the third is the Blazers 20%, the fourth is the Jazz 18%, the fifth is the Celtics 7%, the sixth is the Pacers 5%, the rest of the playoffs Teams add up to 1%.

  Reggie Miller is very dissatisfied with ESPN's prediction, because Ewing has come back and is in good shape. Why do the Pacers only have a 5% chance of winning the championship?

   He immediately blasted ESPN for its unprofessionalism through the media.

The Celtics were also quite dissatisfied, but David Robinson didn't say anything, and he didn't bother to argue with the media, but Danny Ainge expressed some personal views on ESPM's championship prediction in an interview with the media, and quoted ESPN in The fact that the predictions of the odds of winning the championship and the predictions of the finals in previous seasons were all wrong, and they refuted the fact that ESPN was very embarrassed.

TNT TV's NBA channel held a program about the playoffs, hosted by Bill Walton, and invited several guests, namely Magic Johnson, Big Dipper Chamberlain, Iceman George Gervin, and those who have not come back after surgery. Pippen.

   At 8:30 p.m. on the 20th, the show started.

  Pharaoh was also sitting in front of the TV and watching this program.

  Bill Walton entered the topic after his opening remarks and asked: "Erwin, Wilt, you are all Lakers legends, what's your comment on Old K's performance in the Lakers?"

  Magic Johnson didn't give in, he knew that Chamberlain and Old K were both one of the greatest centers in the league, and they were a little incompatible.

   "74 wins, this is the best Lakers and the most powerful team in history. Old K's performance in the Lakers is quite perfect.

  The team record, the Lakers are the first in the league and the first in the history of the regular season.

Personal data, averaged 38 points per game, 50+ 8 times in the season, 40+ 25 times, and won the honors of scoring champion, rebounding champion, and block champion at the same time, and he is also the first in the league in offensive efficiency, defensive efficiency, and personal efficiency. First.

   In short, his performance is so perfect that even the most critical person can't find any shortcomings in him. "

   Having said this, he said to Chamberlain: "Wilt, do you think I am right?"

   Chamberlain felt a little depressed, but he could only nod his head and said, "As a Lakers senior of Old K, I also think he has done a pretty perfect job."

  Magic Johnson nodded in satisfaction and smiled.

   "So what do you think the Lakers will do in the playoffs and still be strong in the regular season?" Bill Walton asked again.

Magic Johnson said: "This is for sure, based on the performance of the old K in the first five seasons, his performance in the playoffs will be stronger. He is one of the few players in history who has a better playoff than the regular season. Superstar, I think he'll bring the Lakers a 12th championship."

  Chamberlain felt a pain in his head when he heard this sentence, **** it, are you saying that I am a regular season superstar?

   "George, which team do you think will have the best chance of winning the playoffs?" Bill Walton asked over the Iceman's head.

George Gervin said: "I'm actually more optimistic about the Trail Blazers in the West. The Suns made the stupidest trade. Even if they traded Old K, in fact, as long as they keep Big Dream and Duncan, with the current Suns lineup, they also have a chance to defend the title. championship."

  Magic Johnson shrugged, not responding to Iceman's words.

However, Chamberlain nodded and said: "Yes, I think so too. The Suns' first trade is actually a good one. The younger Duncan has the strength to make his debut. With him, the Suns will not have to do it for at least ten years. Change the core, but unfortunately they stupidly traded him."

   Magic Johnson disagreed with this, and immediately retorted: "NONONO, the first trade of the Suns... Well, I will speak with facts."

Then he immediately listed Duncan and the old K's four regular season data, saying: "In the four regular seasons, the Lakers and the Trail Blazers were tied, but in terms of personal performance, in three games, the old K faced Duncan in an overwhelming advantage. , a tie is considered a draw, which has already explained the problem.

   If Duncan is at his peak when he debuts, then he doesn't have much room for improvement, and with his current peak performance, even if there is a little improvement, it will be difficult to compete with old K in the future. "

   "It seems so."

   Bill Wharton said in a daze.

   The other three were unable to refute for a while.

Magic Johnson continued: "And compared with age, Wilt, you seem to overlook a problem, old K is only 35 months older than Duncan, Duncan is 22 years old now, but old K is more than a month away from turning 25 years old. , he's still very young, and he doesn't have any major injuries. You say Duncan can be the core for ten years, but what about old K?"

Chamberlain said unconvincingly: "Old K is almost 25 years old, do you think his peak period can be maintained until he is 35 years old? Erwin, you think it is too beautiful, with his style of play, even if the confrontation is reduced this season, the game has changed. Law, but I think he can last three or five years at most.

  I think the Lakers should train Kobe, and when Old K finishes this contract, Kobe can take over the Lakers after three or five years. "

   "Are you crazy?" Magic Johnson said in surprise.

   The two Lakers celebrities fought against each other, and the others regarded it as watching the show. Bill Walton also smiled and did not stop it.

"this is a good idea."

  Los Angeles, Kobe's home, his mother Pam immediately nodded to Kobe and said: "Kobe, I think Chamberlain is right, the Lakers made you an All-Star starter this year, and sooner or later you will become the king of the Lakers."

   Kobe is also eager to try, even in front of Pharaoh, he has never concealed his inner ambition, let alone in front of his family?

  Pam said again: "How many years are there for old K's contract?"

   "6+1, three years of playing, four more years, the last year is a team option." Kobe said.

  Pam said: "According to Chamberlain's estimation, I think the Lakers should trade him in the last year, change some chips, and then you will have a strong lineup by your side..."

   "Mom, are you crazy?" Kobe looked at his mother in shock.

   "How am I crazy? Kobe, how did you talk so rude?" Pat said unhappily.

   "Kobe, don't talk to your mother like that." Kobe's father, Joe Bryant, said seriously immediately.

Kobe stood up and said dissatisfiedly: "Old K is my master, I have learned a lot from him, he taught me techniques, taught me how to play more efficiently, taught me how to be a team leader, lead win me the championship.

  I also invested in his trading company. He is my guide in the NBA. Even if his condition declines in the future, I will not allow the team to trade him unless he wants to leave the team. Anyway, now he took me to win the championship, I hope I can take him to win the championship when he gets old. "

  Pam said with a wry smile: "Kobe, you are too idealistic. If you are always on the same team with him, how can you be the leader of the team?"

   Kobe said: "Then I can be the core of the court, he is the leader of the locker room, we are the boss of the team."

   "What if his strength is still there?" Joe Bryant asked.

   Kobe was startled, thought about it and said, "If his strength doesn't decline, who can compete with him? Don't talk about me, even Jordan in his prime, right?"

  Joe Bryant and his wife stayed for a while, as if that was the case.

  Pam asked, "Kobe, if that's the case, you don't want to be the leader of a team?"

Kobe said: "Old K has proved in the first five seasons that no matter how strong the perimeter is, even if he is as great as Jordan, he can't win against him. Why should I run to other teams when his strength is still there? Wouldn't it be nice to win a championship together?

   And don't you want to stay in Los Angeles? Mom, what, do you want to go back to Phoenix, or to another small city? "

   "Oh, of course not, I'm just talking, I hope you stay here to play forever." Pam shook his head quickly.

In the live broadcast room of the show, when the two Lakers stars were about to fight, Bill Walton intervened, stopped their argument, then changed the subject, asked Pippen's head, and said, "Scotty, what do you think? Who is most likely to make it to the finals?"

  Pippen said without hesitation: "Of course it's the old K's Lakers and O'Neal's Knicks."

"Oh…"

   Bill Wharton lengthened his voice meaningfully.

  From Pippen's words, he knew that Pippen and Jordan had a conflict.

   Jordan in New York said he was also very helpless. Pippen asked him to borrow millions, and his money was not brought by the wind. Now Pippen is complaining about him.

Bill Walton immediately waved his **** and began to tap its potential from what Pippen just said, asking: "Scotty, do you think the Knicks are not Michael's team, but O'Neal's team? You don't support it. Michael?"

  Pippen said blankly: "Of course I support Michael, but O'Neal is preconceived, and he should be the leader of the Knicks. Michael shouldn't **** O'Neal's leadership position, right?"

   Bill Walton laughed, now he could imagine how the media would laugh at Jordan tomorrow.

   "Shet!"

   And Jordan swears, very annoyed by Pippen's words.

   At this time, Pippen continued: "From the analysis of the playoffs, the Western Lakers will face the winner of the Jazz and the Timberwolves in the second round, and there is no doubt that the Jazz will enter the second round.

   The four regular season games between the Lakers and the Jazz are the same as the Blazers. They also have two wins and two losses. The two sides are tied. The two teams meet in the second round. I am more optimistic about the Lakers. "

   "Why?" Bill Wharton took up the topic.

Pippen said: "Because the Jazz's strength has been so strong since the beginning of the season, and the Lakers defeated the Jazz in the first regular season. At that time, the Lakers' strength had not been run-in, and they were not as strong as they are now. Although they lost two games later. But there are objective reasons, because of injuries, the lineup is not complete, so I think the Lakers will come out of the second round and eliminate the Jazz again.”

   "And what about the other pair?" Bill Walton asked.

  Pippen added: "If nothing else, the Blazers and the Sonics will undoubtedly eliminate the Suns and Mosaic, and they will make it to the second round.

   These two teams, of course, the Blazers are stronger, and the Blazers will be easier to reach the Western Conference finals than the Lakers. "

   "What about the east?" Bill Wharton asked.

Pippen said: "In the second round of the Eastern Conference, the Knicks will play against the Green Team. There should be no suspense. The Pacers will play the winner of the Cavaliers and the Eagles. There is some suspense about this. I can't say who will kill the Cavaliers and the Eagles. Enter the second round.

   But no matter who makes it to the second round, I believe the Pacers will eliminate them. The Pacers are the most likely team in the East to reach the Eastern Conference Finals.

   And between the Knicks and the green team, I am more optimistic about the green team. "

   "What?" Bill Walton and the other three were very surprised, Pippen, your attitude towards Jordan is too obvious, right?

Pippen shrugged and said: "It's not that I underestimate the Knicks, but the green team's lineup is more balanced. The Knicks' offense is too biased towards the 5th and 2nd positions. The regular season can be, but in the series, There's a good chance that something goes wrong, and if one of them doesn't perform well in a game, it's very likely to fail."

  Pippen seemed to have some truth in saying this, and even Jordan in front of the TV became cautious.

   He knows very well that the combined shots of him and O'Neal account for half of the Knicks' shots, and sometimes more than that. If one of the two of them can't play efficiently, it will definitely cause big trouble.

   Like playing at home against the Lakers, O'Neal played well, but his performance was not very good, and he lost the game.

   But now O'Neal's strength really satisfies him. He feels that if they meet the Lakers in the finals, as long as O'Neal can form a mutual explosion with Old K, even if it is worse, the Knicks will have a chance to kill the Lakers.

   At this time, his mobile phone and landline both rang one after another. He didn't know the number of the call from the mobile phone, so he cut it off and connected the landline.

"Hello, Michael, I'm Wick, the New York Times reporter. Do you agree with what Pippen said? Do you think you stole O'Neal's leadership position? a lot of questions.

"Mr. Reporter, I think Scotty is right, the Knicks are indeed Shaq's team. The Knicks' locker room has had no issues since the beginning, and Shaq and I worked out together for a few months in the offseason. Time, our relationship is very good until now, so are you satisfied with my answer?" Jordan said coldly.

   He knew very well that without O'Neal, it was impossible for him to win the old K, so at the critical moment, he was calm and made the best response.

"what?"

  The reporter over there stayed for a while, but he didn't get the reaction he wanted, which made him very disappointed.

   hung up the reporter's phone, Jordan decisively unplugged the phone line and turned off the phone.

The first round of the Lakers started on the 24th. On the 21st, Pharaoh had a party at home. On the 22nd, the team did not arrange training and continued to have a holiday. He and Yu Feihong left Dabao to participate in Tom Cruise's game. The party was another rather relaxing day. On the 23rd, the Lakers resumed their team training, and the playoffs officially started that day.

   Four games on this day, East, Knicks vs Nets, Celtics vs Hornets, West, Trail Blazers vs Suns, SuperSonics vs Mosaic.

   At noon, the king arrived in Los Angeles.

   When the team was eating, Pharaoh called Dazhi, who had already come to Los Angeles with the Kings.

   At the beginning of the Kings, there were not many opportunities, but then the opportunities began to appear, and his performance was still reluctant. After all, the Kings are a bad team.

Played in 61 games, started 7 games, averaged 17.5 minutes, 7.3 3.36, 46%, 2.5 3-pointers, 0.9, 38%, 2.5 free throws, 80%, 9 points per game 3.6 rebounds, as a center or power forward, the overall shooting efficiency is somewhat low, if it can reach more than 50%, it will be more competitive.

   Pharaoh is a little worried that such efficiency is not competitive, and the attacking area is too far out. Fortunately, until the age of 21, there are still opportunities for growth.

   and Dazhi chatted for a while, gave some words of encouragement, and called Lao Hu again.

   Lao Hu's side is much better. The Pacers have gained the trust of Larry Bird and served as Reggie Miller's first backup, and he can also substitute the No. 1 and No. 3 positions, and he can play multiple positions on the perimeter.

This season, he has played 65 games, 17 injured and 14 starts, averaging 28.5 minutes per game, 5.6 of 12 shooting, 46.7 shooting, including 3.5 three-pointers, 1.4 shooting, 40% shooting, 4.6 penalty 3.9, shooting rate 84.8%, averaging 16.5 points, 3.5 rebounds, 3.2 assists, 1.5 steals, 0.5 blocks, 1.2 turnovers and 1.8 fouls per game.

   Lao Hu listened to Lao Wang's words and shot when he had the chance. In less than 30 minutes of playing time, he averaged 12 shots per game, which is already quite a lot. The efficiency is not bad, the three-point shot is also good, and the defense is not a loophole.

   "Old Hu, do the Pacers want to keep you?" Pharaoh asked.

"David Frank said that the Pacers do want me to execute the contract for next season, but he does not recommend me to stay. He said that the Pacers are a championship contending team and will not renew my contract in advance. I didn't pursue the championship, so he suggested that I go to a weaker team to play the main force and get a better contract.” Lao Hu said.

   "Yes, if you want a ring, you can come to the Lakers in the future, but now it's all about making money." Pharaoh laughed.

   (end of this chapter)

Chapter end