Bulldozer of the NBA’s Restricted Area

As soon as the All-Star Game was over, the regular season, which was already halfway through, immediately got back on track. With the trade deadline approaching, the entire league didn't seem so calm. There was only one lonely Dallas Maverick who was out of tune with the atmosphere...

February 14th.

The Mavericks welcome the Chicago Bulls at home!

Before the game started, Jordan's smile never broke, just like O'Neal's smile. Although he knew it was not directed at him, Li Shengli was still very depressed.

"Li, have you slept well these days?" Jordan asked happily.

"Oh my God, if I were this kid, I would definitely lose sleep. After all, the gap from the championship Jazz to the fringe Mavericks is too big." Pippen always followed Jordan and especially liked to taunt Li Shengli.

"Go ahead and don't get inside me for a while, or I'll tell you to see how big my slap is."

"Just your second-rate lineup? I advise you not to think so much, otherwise the situation will be very embarrassing. I'm afraid you won't be able to accept it."

Rolling his eyes at Mr. Pi, Li Shengli was very unhappy, but Jordan said, "Calm down, Li, the two rings you got are enough. I won't have another performance from you for a long time in the future. And the future league will be mine. Of course...if your contract ends and you are willing to come to our Bulls, that would be the best. Believe me, together we can win 8 consecutive championships like the Celtics."

Go to Bull to be a mistress?

Aren't you talking nonsense?

Li Shengli cursed in his heart, it was impossible to go to the Bulls to work for Jordan, because the triangle offensive system has Jordan and Pippen, and what is missing in the third corner is a blue-collar player who can weaken the offense and strengthen the defense. Li Shengli went to the Bulls and was overqualified. They can't afford a big contract, and they are not cost-effective. After all, once the rookie contract is over, the prices Li Shengli and O'Neal ask are not that cheap.

"Don't go so far!" Li Shengli said.

"Then just wait." Jordan.

"That's not necessarily the case. I just need help now, but it's not like I can't fight."

"Oh my god, you still thought you were in the Jazz?" Mr. Pi was unwilling to be left alone. "With your strength, don't be so loud."

"How about you try this one?"

"Then come!"

…

The atmosphere before the game was not harmonious. Although Jordan had always maintained a good relationship with Li Shengli, he could not resist Pippen's naughty behavior and kept flirting. Li Shengli directly transferred this anger to the Bulls' inside players.

The Mavericks starting lineup: center Li Shengli, power forward Lorenzo Williams, small forward Poupoye Jones, point guard Kidd, and shooting guard Curry.

The former defensive eldest brother Doug Smith has not been in the starting lineup for a long time. Lorenzo, who replaced the fourth position, was not drafted. Although his strength is a bit inferior, at least he has a correct attitude and can be used as a temporary emergency.

Bulls starting lineup: center Will Perdo, power forward Horace Grant, small forward Scottie Pippen, point guard BJ Armstrong, shooting guard Jordan.

Grant's average data of 12.8+9.7 last season was good, but it was only good. If you want to become a strong inside team, the center line must be matched well. However... Bulls starting center Weir can only be regarded as a second-rate center.

Game start.

There was no suspense in the opening jump ball. Although Weir had never played against Li Shengli, it didn't stop him from knowing how cruel Li Shengli was. He was a head higher than him when he took off. Coupled with his wingspan, he would lose even if he jumped a hundred times.

Attack on the first turn.

Li Shengli, who was angered by Pippen, didn't even pause. He rushed straight to the basket. Weir almost vomited and couldn't stop him. Kidd, who was controlling the ball from the outside, didn't even need to think about it. He ducked and gave the ball to Li Shengli. A gentle hook under the basket sent the ball into the basket.

So simple?

It's really that simple.

Today's Mavericks are definitely the natural enemy of non-core teams. Anyone who can't stop Li Shengli has to kneel down, because the target of Kidd's pass from outside is definitely Li Shengli. Even if Kidd's offense is not good, his playing and passing are really not fake. Yes, I dare to pass it no matter where I am.

…

Back to the Bulls' turn.

The Mavericks' offense was easy, and the Bulls' offense was also very casual.

As soon as the triangle offense started, the defense relied on the player's single defense ability. There was no problem with the tentative attack in the front, but when Jordan held the ball at the top of the arc, trouble began, because it was difficult for Curry to guard Jordan and was defeated. After Jordan broke out alone, the Mavericks' entire defense was in chaos.

Before Jones, who was nearby, could make up the position, Jordan immediately passed the ball to Pippen who was waiting in the corner. When Curry went to Pippen again, Pippen passed it back to Jordan, directly outside the three-point line, almost air defense. hit a three-pointer.

Although too many passes and receptions will cause an increase in turnover statistics, the Bulls' cooperation has become stable and they are not worried about mistakes. This ball is a typical example of the triangle offensive system.

…

The situation throughout the game was very clear.

The Bulls focus on the outside. Jordan is a big problem that the Mavericks can never solve. Curry, who is not strong in single defense, can easily do it. Even if Kidd runs to double-team, it will not work because the Bulls are too far away and Jordan only needs to distribute the ball. , Kidd's double-teaming and lone defense were completely too late.

The Bulls were simply overwhelming the Mavericks on the outside, but the same scene was the same on the inside.

For the Mavericks, who mainly play inside, Ware + Grant were tortured to death by Li Shengli alone. Similar to Jordan, Li Shengli also used unsolvable singles to destroy the opponent's defense and force double teams.

It's just that Lorenzo, who was missed, couldn't position as far away as the Bulls. After all, there was only so much space inside. When he received Li Shengli's pass, he was always harassed by the nearby Pippen or BJ, which was not very efficient.

Fortunately, Li Shengli's crushing of the Bulls' interior was already ruthless. Not only Will and Grant, but even Pippen had to come up and touch him from time to time, giving the Mavericks some breathing space. The only bad news is that Curry's side...

You know, Jordan's strength lies not only in offense, but also defense. He is indispensable in the defensive first team every year. Compared with Curry, both offense and defense are much worse. The few shots he takes are full of dangers and low hits.

…

Logically speaking, in this case, the Mavericks should be lagging behind in the first quarter, but in fact... the Mavericks led by 4 points with a score of 27:31. The most important thing is the control of rebounds.

The disadvantage of the inside is not just offensive. The Bulls' rebounds were blown up in the first quarter. Lorenzo tried his best to occupy Cargrant's position, while Li Shengli simply lifted Weir up and whipped him, almost covering the backboard, even though there were a few, collapsed comparisons. You can't compete for long rebounds, but don't forget that the Mavericks also have Kidd who can do everything except attack.

It is true that the Bulls' offensive efficiency is high, but they really can't stop the Mavericks from controlling the rebounds and using more shots to make up for the lack of single offensive efficiency. In the first quarter alone... Li Shengli got 11 rebounds, not to mention other things. , this kind of individual data is also very amazing. After all, Weir + Grant only have 5 together, and this does not include Lorenzo's 2.

Regardless of other statistics, what does it mean to have 8 more rebounds in the paint?

Bulls head coach Phil Jackson knows it all too well. Although the Bulls have always had this problem when encountering core teams, there has never been a game that magnified this problem to this extent. This game has determined the Bulls' pursuit of Rhodes. Mann's determination.

Controlling the rebounds controls the game?

The words are not absolute, but they make sense. If you want to restore the Bulls dynasty, you must not suffer a loss in rebounding. Even if you suffer a loss, it cannot be like today... a bloody loss.