NBA: Goat is actually me

Chapter 107: Inside Lineup Shortcomings, Being Slapped in the Face

"29 points, 10 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 steal, 1 block, wow, if this is not the best debut in the playoffs, I think it is at least one of the best. How do you think you did it?" The ABC radio reporter smiled and asked Meng Jin the question.

"You have to ask these two people." Meng Jin turned his head and looked at Collins and Jordan next to him: "One of them makes tactics for me, and the other passes the ball to me. I am only responsible for getting the ball into the basket."

The reporters all laughed after hearing this, and Jordan and Collins next to them also laughed. Everyone seemed to be in a good mood as the team won its first victory.

Jordan picked up the microphone and laughed and interjected: "Don't listen to this guy. Everyone knows that the hardest job on the basketball court is to get the ball into the basket."

The reporter turned to Collins and asked, "Coach Doug, tonight is your first playoff win in your coaching career. You must have done a lot of work in advance for this game. Can you tell me about it?"

Collins nodded: "Of course, I exercise my vocal cords every morning by going to the park and yelling 100 'LETS-GO's."

The reporters laughed again. Collins seemed to be making fun of himself, but he was actually mocking those who said he only knew how to use the LETS-GO tactics.

Meng Jin joked, "I can testify that we live in the same neighborhood, and what wakes me up every day is not the alarm clock but the coach's roar."

After hearing what Meng Jin said, the reporters laughed even more happily.

The next reporter pointed the microphone at Jordan: "Michael, the Bucks defeated you in the first round of the playoffs in the 84-85 season. Is this series a revenge game for you?"

"It's an absolute battle of revenge." Jordan said firmly.

The joyful atmosphere suddenly became solemn. Meng Jin could even hear the sound of Jordan gritting his back teeth. His desire to win was rising again.

After the press conference, Meng Jin ran into Grant in the player tunnel. He pointed behind him and said, "Your celebrity girlfriend is waiting for you."

Oh, shit!

Meng Jin patted his forehead, and then he remembered that there were two more troubles waiting for him.

Meng Jin first found Madonna and told her that he still had some things to deal with in the team and asked her to wait for him at home.

Then Meng Jin found Cindy Crawford.

Cindy Crawford gave Meng Jin a big hug and kiss as soon as they met. After the kiss, she looked up at Meng Jin and said, "Let's go to your house and celebrate this victory."

Meng Jin quickly said, "No, no, it's not my house."

Cindy Crawford bit her lower lip: "You mean outside?"

Cindy Crawford misunderstood. She thought Meng Jin had some new tricks. Meng Jin's image as a bad man has been deeply rooted in Cindy Crawford's heart. After all, which good man can do it directly on the golf course?

Meng Jin looked at the other party with a serious face: "Cindy, you know, I am an extremely self-disciplined person. I usually like to abstain from sex during important competitions."

Cindy Crawford narrowed her eyes and looked at Meng Jin: "Just celebrate, nothing else."

"No, you are too tempting, I can't control myself." Meng Jin said bluntly.

Cindy Crawford was a little disappointed. After all, watching the game was just her lie. Her real purpose of coming to the scene was to celebrate with Meng Jin after the game.

Cindy Crawford teased Meng Jin for a while, trying to make her change her mind, but Meng Jin remained unmoved by the temptation: "Sorry, I'm a professional player, and the team's victory always comes first."

"Okay, that's next time." Cindy Crawford left somewhat disappointed.

Meng Jin quickly drove towards home at a speed of 180 miles per hour.

Madonna, here I come!
Meng Jin opened the door and it was pitch black inside. At first, Meng Jin thought Madonna had not come back yet. The moment he turned on the light, Meng Jin was startled.

Madonna has secured herself to the sofa.

"You've kept me waiting too long. I have to punish you," Madonna said teasingly.

Meng Jin walked up to Madonna and said, "I accept the punishment."

"No, back off, back off a little further."

Madonna directed Meng Jin to retreat to the gate.

Meng Jin didn't know what Madonna was going to do, but he had a bad feeling.

The next second, Madonna said, "Come over here, let me feel your power, speed, and passion!"

"What!?"

Meng Jin knew Madonna was crazy, but he didn't expect her to be this crazy.

After a lot of tossing and turning, Meng Jin finally fell asleep in the late night.

After winning the game, Collins gave all players half a day off, and Meng Jin didn't wake up until 11 o'clock in the morning.

Meng Jin's cell phone rang, and Tim Grover's voice came from the other end of the line: "What's going on? Meng, I called you seven times but you didn't answer."

Meng Jin quickly said, "I'm sorry, Tim, I was sleeping so deeply."

Normally Meng Jin wouldn't sleep so soundly, it's just that Madonna is too energetic.

"It doesn't matter. There is no game tonight, so I can make up for the training workload," said Tim Grover.

"OK, I agree."

Although Meng Jin is usually unruly, he has a serious attitude towards basketball and never avoids training.

Meng Jin was just about to get up when he realized that Madonna was gone. He didn't care. Madonna was a big star, and it was normal for her to come and go without a trace.

Meng Jin went downstairs to the living room and found Madonna sitting on the sofa.

"Give me an explanation."

Madonna threw the newspaper on the ground. Meng Jin picked it up and saw that the most eye-catching illustration was a photo of him and Cindy Crawford kissing.

"Damn reporters, damn paparazzi." Meng Jin blurted out a curse.

"Is that your explanation?" Madonna asked.

Meng Jin shrugged: "As you can see."

Meng Jin didn't want to make up any lies or explain too much. This was not his style.

Who knew that Madonna's next sentence would surprise Meng Jin: "Is she sweet-mouthed?"

"Strawberry flavor, probably because she keeps chewing strawberry flavored gummy bears."

Madonna rolled her eyes at Meng Jin and said, "No, you really did describe it."

Meng Jin has given up now. He feels that his relationship with Madonna is over.

Madonna crossed her legs and acted like a queen: "Do you know why I'm angry? It's not because of what happened between you and her, but because you hid it from me."

"I don't like being lied to. If you had told me last night that you wanted to date her first, or if you had brought her home and we were dating three people, I would have accepted that."

Meng Jin was a little shocked and asked, "Are you serious?" Madonna nodded seriously, "Of course, this is your nature. What we need to learn is to release our nature instead of suppressing it. I don't mind sharing you with others, but the premise is that you don't lie to me."

Madonna stood up and helped Meng Jin fasten his belt and said, "We are all free."

Meng Jin nodded: "Mai, I like this way of getting along, I love it so much."

The Bulls had an internal training in the afternoon. As soon as Meng Jin appeared in the training hall, his teammates immediately surrounded him.

The gossip about Meng Jin and Cindy Crawford had long been known to the entire team.

Grant adjusted his glasses and said, "Supermodel? How did you succeed again?"

John Paxson laughed, "Good kissing skills."

Listening to the teasing of his teammates around him, Meng Jin looked helpless: "I will kill this reporter, I swear."

Oakley came over with a smile and said: "If you kill the reporter, you will go to jail. Why not kill two Bucks players to vent your anger?"

Dave Korsin grinned and said, "Haha, at least make some contribution to the team before getting arrested."

Jordan came over with the basketball in his hand and asked, "Did you and Madonna break up?"

The teammates around him all laughed with glee after hearing this.

Meng Jin sighed: "At first I thought we were done, but guess what happened? Not only did she forgive me, she also said that she would allow me to bring a woman to date her in the future. Don't you think this world is magical?"

"What!?"

"Are you serious?"

"Fuck! Are you kidding me?"

"How come all the good things happen to you?"

The Bulls players collectively changed their expressions.

This time it was Meng Jin's turn to laugh. He chased after his teammates and said, "Hey! Guys, I still like the way you guys gloated at the beginning."

His teammates no longer wanted to pay attention to him, especially Jordan, who grabbed the basketball and started shooting.

On May 5st, G1 started.

Bucks head coach Del Harris changed his strategy. Since the defense couldn't stop the opponent, he let the team go on offense.

This strategic adjustment has achieved very good results. Jack Sikma scored 32 points, 17 rebounds and 4 blocks in this game, which was a superstar performance. In the words of the commentator, "Dav Korsin defended Jack Sikma like Olajuwon tonight!"

Dave Korsin does seem out of place on this Bulls team, but Collins has no choice. He only has this one center, so he can only rely on the outside firepower of Jordan and Meng Jin to make up for the shortcomings in the interior.

The Bucks tightened their defense today, focusing on allowing the opponent to shoot but not break through.

Jordan's touch was average tonight, but Meng Jin had a good feel for mid-range shots and made consecutive hits in the second half.

三节打完，孟进拿到24分6篮板2助攻，乔丹17分11助攻4篮板，芝加哥公牛只领先了3分。

Both Collins off the court and Jordan on the court seemed a little anxious.

The Bulls won G1 by a large margin, but they struggled so much in G2 that it is impossible for the Bulls to have no psychological fluctuations.

Jordan started his personal offensive mode at the beginning of the final quarter. The first round was a strong attack. He broke into the crowd and caused damage, and got two free throw opportunities.

The Bucks continued to strengthen their inside offense. Meng Jin quickly retreated to the basket to help Korsin defend. Korsin was a little unconscious after being beaten tonight and basically became Jack Sikma's personal ATM.

Jack Sikma saw the help defense coming and immediately passed the ball, allowing Cummings to make an open shot.

The Bucks' tactic of using one point to lead the whole team was very successful, and Jack Sikma's advantage quickly radiated to the entire team.

With 3 minutes and 07 seconds left in the game, the two sides were tied.

Jordan started a one-on-one game, but missed the mid-range shot after shaking.

Meng Jin descended from the sky and dunked with one hand!
This dunk reawakened the Bulls' morale, and in the next round John Paxson got the ball and made a three-pointer.

In the Bucks' offensive round, after a pick-and-roll, Jack Sikma received a pass from Moncrief at the top of the arc, but missed the high-post shot.

The Bulls counterattacked, Meng Jin advanced with the ball, and after an IN-OUT, he shook off Cummings and started directly!

"Three Bucks players leaned towards Meng, 3V1 in the frontcourt, let's see how he handles the ball!" Johnny Cole gave a real-time commentary on what happened on the court.

Meng Jin and three defensive players jumped at the same time. After hovering in the air, he suddenly twisted his body and passed the ball to Jordan who was running in, and then he easily slammed it down.

"Meng, why did you jump so high when you passed the ball? It would be more threatening if you passed it more cleanly!"

Looking at Meng Jin's rough passing technique, Jordan couldn't help but give him some guidance.

"It's safer to jump high, and it gives me time to think up there."

After Meng Jin said this, Jordan was speechless. It was the first time he heard someone thinking in the air. He was just hesitating in the air.

Johnny Cole in the commentary booth sighed: "Meng not only likes to stay in the air when dunking, but also when passing the ball. Jumping to pass is a bad habit, but not for him. The biggest disadvantage of jumping to pass is that it is easy to be intercepted by the opponent. When the opponent sees through your passing route, you can't correct it in the air. But if it is Meng, his jump height and air time can completely change the passing route before landing."

Commentator Jim Durham shook his head: "His physical fitness is too good, and the time in the air is enough for him to observe the movement of his teammates."

This statement was only half right. Durham ignored Meng Jin's basketball IQ. He had already observed the positions of his teammates when he started. If he could handle the ball comfortably, he would do it himself. Like when he encountered the three Bucks players who were desperate for food just now, he would choose to pass the ball.

Passing has always been Meng Jin's weakness, but this kind of passing in fast break tests thinking and vision more than passing techniques.

The Bulls stabilized the situation with this 7-0 offensive and maintained their lead until the final whistle.

孟进全场拿到30分8篮板4助攻，乔丹34分12助攻7篮板3抢断，雄鹿那边表现最好的毫无疑问是中锋杰克-希科马。

After the loss, Jack Sikma was obviously a little frustrated. The Bulls duo was too abnormal. He couldn't win the game even after playing to this level.

Del Harris hugged his favorite player after the game and said, "Don't be discouraged. Keep up the performance. The Bulls can't win in our territory next time."

Del Harris tried his best to comfort Jack Sikma, who was the biggest comeback point for the Bucks in this round of the playoffs.

On the Bulls side, the first person Collins hugged after the game was not Meng Jin or Jordan, but Korsin.

He hugged Korsin and said a lot of encouraging words. Collins knew that Korsin was in a difficult situation at the moment. He told Korsin that he had to grit his teeth and hold on. If Korsin's mentality collapsed, the Bulls would have no one available in the interior, which would affect the final outcome of this series.

After winning the game without any major problems, all Bulls fans breathed a sigh of relief. After maintaining their home-court advantage, the Bulls led 2-0 in the total score and were only one step away from advancing!
In this era, the first round of the playoffs is still a best-of-five format.

After winning the game, Jordan was so excited that he shouted to the broadcast camera: "I will only bring one set of jerseys to Milwaukee. We are going to finish off our opponent in three games."

This statement angered the Bucks. In the third game, all Bucks players scored in double digits, including Cummings, Jack Sikma and Pressey, who all scored more than 6 points. Substitute Ricky Pierce became the surprise player of the night, scoring 20 points and 19 rebounds.

The Bucks won Game 3 109-100, successfully slapping Jordan in the face.

(End of this chapter)