The rest is just noise

November 27, 1996, Thanksgiving Eve

Ever since the Portland Trail Blazers drafted Michael Jordan in 1984, the showdown between the Lakers and Trail Blazers has been a fixture for NBA fans.

Before the strong rise of the Knicks, the Lakers War could be said to be the most gorgeous showdown in professional basketball.

Over the years, this has become a tradition.

This year, the NBA arranged for the two teams to play before Thanksgiving, apparently to attract vacationing fans to watch the game.

The game time has also been changed from 8pm to 4pm.

When the fans entered the forum, it was still daytime outside.

When Louis came to the locker room, he found that Kobe was sweating.

"Bean, Sean Kemp is too embarrassed to call himself 'Rain Man' in front of you. You are the real 'Rain Man'." Louis said with a smile.

Ben Wallace explained to Kobe: "Coach, Kobe came to the forum two hours early for training today."

"Train two hours early?" Ellis said in disbelief, "And then you still have the strength to play the game?"

The arrogant high school student said arrogantly: "Don't compare me with an old man like you who lives a corrupt life."

"Okay, tonight's game is getting more and more exciting!" Barkley laughed, "High school boy, Michael is actually like that. If he was really strong, he would have won the championship long ago."

The tragedy maker quipped: "Chuck, aren't you the reason why Michael didn't win the championship?"

"I'll fucking say it again, 1993 was a strategic mistake made by that bastard Pat Riley!"

After a useless and meaningless argument, Louis led the players into the forum.

In order to show that they take this game more seriously, the Trail Blazers came to the arena to shoot 10 minutes ago.

Wilson, Barkley met with Jordan and Olajuwon.

"Michael, are you ready to lose?" Barkley asked arrogantly.

Jordan rolled his eyes: "Besides barking, what else can you do?"

Kobe didn't go over to say hello to Jordan, he just shot the ball silently.

Garnett has a sense of ownership and greets every Trail Blazers player like a boss.

But the responses he received were all indifferent.

Because Laili does not allow his players to chat with their opponents before the game.

Speaking of which... this is his second year under the military order. When he took over as coach again, Paul Allen gave him a two-year limit.

If he cannot lead the Blazers to a championship within two years, he will have no choice but to leave.

Now it is about to enter its second year. Jordan and Olajuwon are a little older. Alonso Mourning, who paid a heavy price in exchange for it, is affected by the progressive luxury tax and cannot renew his contract. He can only watch helplessly.

Watching him fall into Cleveland's arms.

On paper, the Trail Blazers still have a good lineup.

Starting: Jordan, (Tyrone) Corbin, (Rex) Chapman, Clifford (Robinson), Olajuwon.

Anyone who sees this lineup must weigh it.

However, their lineup depth is seriously lacking.

There is a lack of strong substitutes on the bench, and there are no young players with promising futures. Only relying on a group of veterans, trying to succeed in this highly competitive league is tantamount to wishful thinking.

"Pat, if you don't win this year, will Mr. Allen really fire you?"

Louis asked the question that Laili least wanted to face right now.

Lailey said unhappily: "If you don't win a championship for the Lakers by 2000, Jerry Buss will do the same thing to you."

Louis said sarcastically: "Believe me, if it gets to that point, I will fire myself without Mr. Bass firing me. I am a good-looking person and will never wait for someone to kick me away.

.”

"Louis, what do you mean?!" Laili said angrily.

Louis smiled and said: "I mean, you should let go when you know that you can't do anything. Pat, you don't think you can lead them to win the championship, do you?"

"Of course!" Laili had already hypnotized himself, "Michael is the strongest player and Hakeem is the strongest center!"

"Ah, yes, the two strongest players you call have one thing in common, that is, they cannot win the championship." Louis said firmly, "Never."

When did the relationship between Louis and Larry deteriorate?

This started in 1993, when Louis led the team to overturn the game by 25 points in two consecutive games. In the end, he even left the game without even congratulating Louis in a false way.

From his standpoint, Louis could understand this decision.

But from the perspective of Louis, a victor, he could not forgive this behavior.

Louis returns to his own side and both sides' starting lineups have been announced.

As the lights were turned off, the DJ passionately announced tonight's starting players for the Lakers, playing "Rock & Roll Part II".

When the fans heard Kobe's name, the screams that erupted were comparable to those of star players.

"It's hard to believe how popular a rookie who averaged less than 7 points per game is getting!"

Kobe has started before, but he was never as nervous as tonight.

According to the arrangement, the person he was going to face was none other than Jordan.

Before the jump ball, Kobe walked to Jordan's side.

"I won't show mercy just because you're underage." Jordan said coldly, "Get ready!"

Jordan's words awakened the "real Kobe" in Kobe.

He said fearlessly: "Benjamin has seven rings, but I have never been afraid of him. Do you think I will be afraid of you?"

It was Kobe's words that made Jordan take a high look at the high school rookie.

A fledgling kid is not afraid of an overlord like Wilson, nor is he afraid of facing Jordan. Such courage is rare.

On the opening jump ball, Garnett's wingspan won the ball for the Lakers.

Dana Barros dribbles the ball. Since the Trail Blazers don't have a pure point guard in the starting lineup, Tyrone Corbin is responsible for facing off against Barros.

Corbin was also a member of the Knicks back then and played for Louis, but he played for a Knicks team in the rebuilding stage, with frequent personnel changes, and he did not escape the fate of being shuffled.

After being traded by Louis, Corbin has been bounced between strong teams, but has never had a chance to win the championship.

Nowadays, his competitive state is no longer at its peak, and it is not easy to defend Barros alone.

Barros was in no hurry to fire.

Louis stood on the sidelines and clearly gestured "4" and "1" with his hands.

The Lakers players immediately completed the 41 formation.

Wilson and Kobe Bryant stood in the left and right corners, Barkley was also pulled outside, and Garnett took a strong position, preparing to challenge Olajuwon in singles.

Barros passes the ball.

The moment Garnett took the ball, Louis saw in detail how successfully Bird corrected his technique.

Garnett, who was just a rookie last season, still has many problems from his high school days. After a year of coaching from Bird, he has moved all the way to the inside.

The hand that caught the ball was his right hand. He did not hold the ball to his chest and make fancy movements like before. Instead, he quickly turned up the line. Olajuwon's defensive skills were not weak, and he immediately blocked the offensive line.

Garnett didn't hesitate at all. He saw every move, stopped the ball, swung his elbow against Olajuwon's chest, and then stepped back with his left hand to complete a small hook in the paint area behind the ball.

"Wow~~~~" Louis exclaimed, "If he can beat Hakeem like this, he can beat all the big men in the league like this."

Bird shook his head and said, "No, the shark that hit Orlando couldn't hit like that."

"You hit that shark with your back? You pulled it out and shot him to death." Louis entered the state of praising the players.

In this shot, what ordinary fans saw was that Garnett hit the ball cleanly from behind.

Experts will find that the Lakers' position is a Princeton-style 41 position.

This has rarely happened before.

The Blazers' response was very simple.

Clifford Robinson set a pick-and-roll in the high post, and Corbin got an opening and shot.

However, Corbin's shooting accuracy after taking advantage of the screen was insufficient.

"boom!"

Barkley grabbed the defensive rebound and was violently fouled by the Trail Blazers before he could start the rhythm.

The person who did it was Rex Chapman, and he did it with such force that it was as if he was going to break Barkley's hand.

Buckley immediately became furious and pushed Chapman, who had some acting skills, to the ground with a push.

"Like no one can fucking commit a foul!"

If his teammates hadn't stopped him, Barkley would have gone up and landed a few more punches.

This season, the league has strictly enforced violence on the court. In previous years, Barkley's push would only call for a common foul, but now it is directly called to T.

In desperation, Louis had to replace the irrational Barkley on the bench, and then replaced him with veteran Buck Williams.

[Recommended, Yeguo Reading is really easy to use, download it here www. Come and give it a try.]

"Coach, there's no need to change me, I'm very calm!"

Barkley wanted to continue playing.

Louis just glared at him indifferently: "Come down as soon as you are told, don't talk nonsense."

Buckley immediately returned to his position as obediently as a suckling pig.