The longest river

Chapter 145 Pippen also did it.

After the timeout, the Bulls made a substitution, with Kukoc replacing Rodman.

When the Bulls returned, they continued to use Longley's low-post isolation tactics.

Pippen's weak-side cut was beautiful this time; he received a pass from Longley and completed a powerful two-handed dunk.

Kukoc's role was evident in this round; as an all-around striker, he was able to create space.

Phil Jackson used the Pacers' tactics against the Pacers.

Bird then stood up and made a tactical gesture.

Mark Jackson signaled to Dale Davis to post up after he got to the frontcourt.

Although Kukoc is taller than Mashburn, he weighs less than 90 kilograms and cannot withstand Davis's impact.

Davis finally had a chance to showcase his low-post skills, using a fake turn towards the free-throw line to spin past Kukoc and score.

Bird's personal speech had an effect, and the Pacers were firing on all cylinders tonight.

Seeing that his teammates were all in such good form, Yang Shuai knew it was time for him to do something else equally important.

During the transition from offense to defense, Yang Shuai immediately started trash-talking Jordan.

"Michael? Did I go too far before, making you afraid to fight me one-on-one now?"

Jordan's brow furrowed immediately.

Among the young players, he admires Yang Shuai the most, but he also dislikes Yang Shuai the most.

This guy's trash talk always hits his sore spots perfectly.

While Yang Shuai was venting his frustration, the Pacers let Kukoc double-team Pippen on the strong side. Kukoc received a pass from Harper, but his three-point attempt missed.

While Kukoc has spacing ability, his three-point shooting is inconsistent. Last year in the playoffs, he averaged 4.5 three-point attempts per game, but his shooting percentage was an absurd 19.1%.

If the Bulls hadn't been a strong team overall, his blunder-like performance would have been met with such harsh criticism that he would have questioned his very existence.

He performed better in the playoffs this year, but still only around 35%.

Schmitz secured the defensive rebounds, and the Bulls' offensive rebounding threat decreased after Rodman left the game.

Davis then continued to post up against Kukoc.

This time, Pippen demonstrated his defensive prowess, quickly collapsing to force Davis to pass and then making a steal.

However, Miller reacted quickly, fouling in advance to prevent the Bulls from launching a fast break.

Both sides continued to move to their positions.

"If I remember correctly, you only scored 5 goals on the night you won the championship in the Finals last season, not as many as Scottie. You're not going to have to rely on Scottie and your teammates to carry you to the Finals this season, are you?"

Yang Shuai continued his trash talk.

Jordan glared fiercely at Yang Shuai.

However, just like the Christmas Day game, it only made Yang Shuai more excited.

"Don't worry, I'll allow you to use a screen this time."

"Negative energy from Michael Jordan +1174".

Jordan finally reached out for the ball with his back to Yang Shuai.

It wasn't just Yang Shuai's trash talk that angered him; the Bulls' defense couldn't contain the Pacers, so they needed him to open up the offense.

Once the triangle offense created space, Jordan began his post-up game.

However, unlike what Yang Shuai had imagined, Jordan made a change in his technique for this play. After a post-up move, he chose to drive to the free-throw line and then took a mid-range shot after a sudden stop.

Yang Shuai only slightly lost his rhythm, and his interference when Jordan took the shot was very limited.

"Shh!"

Jordan hit that mid-range shot.

It has to be said that Jordan is the strongest in terms of the combination of ability and skill.

"Is this what you wanted?" Jordan asked Yang Shuai, shrugging after scoring.

However, it's clear that Jordan, being too busy, is somewhat forgetful.

"Of course!" Yang Shuai answered with absolute certainty.

Although the Pacers had a perfect start, he knew very well that if they didn't wear Jordan down, the later games would still be very difficult.

We can't let the Bulls have enough energy to launch a defensive surge in the third quarter; this is a lesson learned from last season.

Jordan's face darkened; he had asked that question out of turn.

The Pacers continued to have Davis post up, but this time Davis was aware of Pippen's position and his turnaround shot drew a foul from Kukoc.

It turns out that Kukoc really couldn't defend Davis.

When Davis was shooting free throws, Phil Jackson had no choice but to substitute Rodman for Kukoc again.

As it turns out, a tactical system is not as simple as just making some personnel adjustments.

This indirectly confirms Yang Shuai's previous idea: even if Brown used him as a starter last year, the Pacers were no match for the Bulls.

Of course, this year is different.

After a season of adjustment, and with the arrival of Mark Jackson, they are ready!

Davis made both free throws, bringing the score to 12-6.

The Pacers took an early lead and are now consolidating it.

The scene felt somewhat surreal to the Chicago fans in attendance; they had a feeling that the score had been wrong.

Of course, they were well aware that this was true; the Bulls were in a situation they hadn't experienced in a long time, but which was extremely dangerous.

"Go Bulls!" Amidst the immense anxiety, Chicago fans began chanting in unison to cheer on their home team.

Jordan received the ball with his back to the basket once again, and this time he turned and drove to the baseline before pulling up for a jump shot.

It's clear that Jordan played very intelligently; knowing that Yang Shuai could keep up with his speed, he used various transition techniques to execute his plays.

This type of play is much more difficult for Yang Shuai to defend than simple interference after a confrontation.

However, Yang Shuai was on guard this time and kept up, which forced Jordan to increase the range of his fadeaway shot.

The basketball flew past Yang Shuai's fingertips toward the basket.

"when!"

Jordan failed to make the shot.

In that instant, Yang Shuai caught a crucial piece of information: Jordan's shooting touch was off tonight!
This means he has the opportunity to force Jordan to use his "zone" mode earlier, just like he did during the Christmas Day game.

After Rodman entered the game, the Bulls' defensive ability improved significantly, and Jordan and Pippen communicated more on the defensive end. The Bulls' help defense rotations were very effective, and the Pacers were unable to continue their scoring streak.

Jordan didn't ask for the ball again when he got to the frontcourt; he needed to catch his breath.

But Yang Shuai wouldn't give him that chance.

"People really do lose their stamina after thirty. He couldn't even last two times?"

"Negative energy from Michael Jordan +1414".

Jordan was feeling really bad.

Before Yang Shuai time-traveled, there was a popular internet term called "stalking traitors," and Yang Shuai is now clearly "listening to traitors"!
No man can accept being told he's not good enough, not even Michael Jordan.

Jordan turned his back to the ball, then turned around with the ball and stuck out his tongue.

When Jordan entered the "zone," Yang Shuai couldn't keep up with him on the first step, but he still tried his best to get back on defense.

Moreover, Davis, who was in the paint, also came to double-team them at this moment.

With Rodman on the court, the Bulls were essentially playing 4 against 5 on offense.

Jordan opted for a pull-up jumper before the two defenders closed in on him.

"boom!"

The ball bounced off the backboard and landed precisely in the net.

Jordan, unleashed in his full potential, was unstoppable.

Of course, Yang Shuai didn't care too much. If the Pacers could bring out Jordan's "zone" mode so early, the pressure on them in the later games would be much less.

As Jordan began to dominate, the Bulls gradually stabilized the situation on the court and started to close the gap.

With seven minutes played in the first quarter, the score was 16-13, and the gap had been narrowed to just three points.

However, Bird still chose to replace Yang with McGee at this time.

Bird didn't do much tactical micromanagement; that was Carlisle's job. He focused more on making judgments and choices on the court.

His choices and judgments were mostly proven correct in hindsight, which is the most outstanding ability of a head coach.

After Yang Shuai left the court, the Pacers began to double-team Jordan, forcing him to pass the ball.

Jordan made two good passes, but he quickly came out of his "zone" state.

It was at this point that Yang Shuai realized that while Jordan could decide how to enter that state, he couldn't control how to leave it.

That state seems to be linked to mental will.

About 10 minutes into the first quarter, Yang Shuai was substituted back onto the court, while Jordan was already resting on the bench.

Judging from the way he kept wiping his sweat with a towel, it was clear that what he had just done had taken a lot of toll on his physical strength.

However, at least for now, the score is tied at 18.

It all comes down to this one substitution period.

The lineups on both sides at this moment are as follows: Bulls: Harper, Kerr, Pippen, Kukoc, Bison Deller;
Pacers: Scott, Young, McGee, Jermaine O'Neal, Antonio Davis
The Bulls started their attack.

Pippen has the ball, and Yang Shuai is defending him.

Pippen knew he couldn't beat Yang Shuai, so he didn't ask for the ball.

Furthermore, Phil Jackson explained that his main role on the court during this period was to limit Yang Shuai's scoring.

While Bird's "off-peak travel" strategy is unique, as long as Yang Shuai doesn't score, the Pacers won't be able to establish an advantage.

However, Yang Shuai will not follow Phil Jackson's plan. To stop the Bulls' third-quarter surge, he needs to wear down both of their star players.

"Did Michael give you any money? Didn't he sign a $3000 million a year contract with the team?"

"Negative energy from Scottie Pippen +534".

He broke Pippen's defense with just one sentence.

If we're talking about Jordan signing a $3000 million contract with the Bulls, the most exciting person to watch is undoubtedly Pippen.

According to Yang Shuai's calculation, Jordan earns 12 Pippen coins in one year, which is equivalent to Pippen's 12 years in one year.

How many 12-year periods can a professional player have?
Although it's not really fair to say that, because Jordan is one of a kind, Pippen simply couldn't stop himself from thinking that way.

If Jordan hadn't given him some shot attempts this season, he would have exploded.

As a result, Yang Shuai opened his mouth and flicked a match, directly igniting the time bomb in his heart.

Then, Yang Shuai felt that wasn't enough, so he threw another one in.

"But that makes sense, you scored 8 points in a single game in the Finals, why should Michael share your money!"

My deskmate said that LeBron James' 8 points in the Finals were not as exaggerated as his haters claim, because Pippen had done the same thing in the Finals, and more than once.

(End of this chapter)