Basketball's most talented forward is on the left

"Is this a bond?" Zuo Li looked at the familiar team and familiar roster and smiled. He didn't expect that the opponent in the first round of the playoffs would be Rose's Bulls again.

"Now, the outside world should be looking forward to our duel again."

Just as Zuo Li thought, when the regular season finally came to an end and the media and fans turned their attention to the playoffs, the showdown between the Knicks and the Bulls immediately caught people's attention, and the popularity even surpassed

The classic Western showdown between cows and horses.

ESPN ranked all eight matchups based on the amount of online discussion and expert predictions, and the showdown between the Knicks and the Bulls ranked first.

Tickets for the first two games at Madison Garden have been sold out, and even when a total of 4,000 seats were temporarily added for two days, it was still hard to get a ticket. There were even scalpers asking for a ticket at ten times the price. It is said that the highest price

It has been sold for 20,000 US dollars each, which is a full 10 times higher than the normal price during the regular season.

Zuo Li was secretly speechless when he read these news, sighing that the fans' fighting power is really unfathomable. At the same time, he also felt a little different because of the high popularity of this matchup.

After all, in Zuo Li's mind, matchups with close strengths are more interesting. Before time travel, what Zuo Li watched most often was the confrontation between No. 4 and No. 5. After all, a match with a small difference in strength is more interesting. Like the No. 8 fight

First, a duel with a huge gap in strength is generally not very exciting. Apart from watching the stars, it is difficult for you to find fun in the game itself. After all, black eight and black seven are more exciting, but they don't happen very often.

Judging from the rankings, the Knicks are second, the Bulls are seventh, and their regular season record is 4-0. It really doesn't look like they can answer a wonderful round.

But in fact, this is understandable. New York has returned to the playoffs after 5 years, and its outstanding performance this season has made fans look forward to it. In addition, New York is a huge market. No one dares to underestimate the fighting power of Manhattan fans.

Coupled with the feud between Zuo Li and Rose, Zuo Li's personal influence, and the support of the New York media, it is not surprising that it became the most popular matchup in the first round of the playoffs.

The media also came out to warm up, and everyone was looking forward to what kind of sparks the two strongest two from the 2008 class would collide with in the playoffs!

Chicago fans even chanted the slogan of counterattack. Former Bulls legend Scottie Pippen even said when he was a guest on a local show on the 17th: "Although our regular season record is not superior, we may not be able to win in the playoffs."

Just be afraid of the Knicks. We could beat them back then, and now, you can too!"

There are even radical fans clamoring for Black Seven on the Internet, threatening to send the Knicks to a first round trip. Langley, who was even slapped in the face by Zuo Li and disappeared for several months, posted a post on social media, analyzing the Bulls from 10 aspects.

Possibility of beating the Knicks…

It can only be said that hatred distorts people.

However, Zuo Li could only say that he would disappoint all the waiting fans because this series will not last long after all.

Although the Bulls forced the Celtics to a tiebreaker in the previous generation, in terms of hard power, the Bulls were actually quite inferior. They were able to play like this, firstly, thanks to Ben Gordon's incredible performance, and secondly, the Celtics.

Its own strength has declined.

Without Garnett, their interior barrier disappeared. Both offensively and defensively, the Green Army dropped a level. This gave the Bulls a chance. Otherwise, relying only on the Bulls' current interior configuration, Garnett would be able to do it even if he was injured.

It is very difficult for him to teach his forehand and backhand casually and only rely on Rose, who has not grown up, to fight against Ray Allen and Rondo's backcourt.

And coincidentally, the Knicks also have a top-notch inside line. The combination of Zuo Li and Randolph is excellent enough. Although the outside line is immature, in the Knicks' system, they do not need to bear too much responsibility.

So Zuo Li is ready to use this series as his touchstone. He will go all out to score points, gain enough reputation, and at the same time accumulate experience, and set his sights on the Eastern Conference semifinals!

Celtics, this is Zuo Li's real goal!

In Zuo Li's view, without Garnett, the Knicks have a real chance to challenge them. If all goes well, they will meet in the Eastern Conference semifinals and defeating them is Zuo Li's ultimate goal this season!

After analyzing everything, Zuo Li and Omei said good night to each other, then had a good sleep, and got up the next day to go to the hospital for the last physical examination before the playoffs.

At the same time, the Knicks also submitted a roster of 121 for the playoffs to the league.

They are:

Center: Zuo Li, Ewing Jr., Jerome James.

Power forward: Randolph, David Lee, Harrington.

Small forward: Chandler, Novak.

Shooting Guard: Larry Hughes, K6.

Point guard: Dragic, Duhon.

Active list: Jeffries.

After some consideration, D'Antoni still chose to bring 6 insiders. It can be seen that in this era, the idea that the inside is king cannot be avoided even by a bombardment master like D'Antoni.

Of course not, this is also related to the fact that the Knicks' perimeter players are relatively weak. Only these six players can handle the three perimeter positions. This is also the key reinforcement target for the Knicks next season.

As soon as the Knicks' roster was announced, it immediately sparked discussion from the outside world, because compared with the luxurious lineups of other teams, it is really not worth mentioning. Some people even think that the Knicks' lineup last season was more famous than this year.

Being able to take this lineup to second place in the Eastern Conference and win 62 games, Zuo Li's strength has been further recognized.

Regarding this, Zuo Li could only say that in the Eastern Conference, this lineup is really enough.

The Knicks are not good, they are just trying to die by their own inertia.

On the 18th, the Knicks team held a joint training. In response to the Bulls' style of play, the Knicks coaching staff asked the players to strengthen interior protection, and also asked Duhon and Dragic to increase special training for Rose.

The Knicks' tactics are also very simple. Give the ball to the left wing at all costs, whether inside or outside, and rotate according to the left wing play style.

The Knicks are very familiar with this game and are just waiting for the playoffs to come.

On the 18th, this season’s playoffs will begin in full swing, and the Knicks will also have a media interview day.

In the evening, the Knicks watched the game between the Cavaliers and the 76ers in the locker room. There was no suspense. The majestic Cavaliers easily won 102-88 and got off to a good start.

The Nuggets, second in the Western Conference, also defeated the Hornets 113-90. The only upset happened to the Magic. They were defeated by the fifth-ranked Heat 108-110 in the first game, with a 2-point advantage. Wade scored 35 points and hit a perfect shot.

Killed, while the Magic's Howard only scored 12 points and 8 rebounds.

This makes Heat fans very excited. A counterattack seems to be just around the corner, but Zuo Li knows that the Magic just haven't entered the state. Only when they lose this game will the Magic spread its claws. The most difficult team in the Eastern Conference will gradually reveal its strength.

Fangs.

On the 19th, Zuo Li’s playoff career finally begins!