The rest is just noise

The whole court pressed, put pressure, released three-pointers, got inside and flanked the Knicks and used various defensive tactics against Jordan, but none of them could prevent him from scoring 20 points in a single quarter.

At midfield, the Trail Blazers led the Knicks by 5 points 59 to 54.

Jordan broke down the Knicks' defense, but didn't lead by much.

Seeing Jordan's performance in the second quarter, Louis will naturally use his and Curry's series of sudden bursts to defeat the opponent.

What's the difference? It's obvious that Curry's moves are accompanied by three-point bombs that the entire Warriors team sings.

As for the Trail Blazers, all they have is Jordan's solo performance.

The difference between the whole team's efforts and one person's efforts is this.

A team can destroy the opponent, but one person can only establish an advantage. Sometimes it is difficult to even win points.

Because the Knicks were not intimidated by Jordan, they should still play as they should.

As usual, Louis has to be interviewed by reporters before returning to the locker room.

This can be regarded as a bad habit in the NBA. Which audience wants to listen to the head coach nagging at halftime? Can't we be more practical and directly show the cheerleaders?

Since this game was not broadcast live in the United States, the media who arranged the interview were local Portland.

Since it is a local media, the questions raised will naturally dig holes for the opponents.

"Did you try to limit Michael with intense defense before the game started?"

If Louis's answer was yes, even if it wasn't a direct admission like "yes," they would misinterpret it.

"No, there's no need." Louis responded "sincerely" to the reporter, "Michael is not worthy of us doing this."

Regardless of whether he meant it or not, these words did break the questioner's defense.

"But Michael scored 20 points in the second quarter."

"hehe."

"little dew?"

"Do you really want me to say that? In fact, this is normal. Michael is one of the best attackers in the league. We have always defended him like this. Let him score and let him play in isolation. We only need to guard him.

Teammates are enough.”

Louie ended the interview before the Portland reporter lost his composure.

If they "know how to play", they should convey these words to Jordan to make his anger even stronger.

Louis himself doesn't care about being beaten by the other team's career masterpiece. The regular season is a training ground. They have too many newcomers. Even Ewing and others are only in their second year.

Stockton, who seems to be the most mature, is only in the third grade.

Back in the locker room, Louis praised everyone's performance.

"We have encountered some difficult situations. Michael is probably the best offensive player in the league. He will continue to attack hard in the second half. We may not have anyone who can match him."

When Louis said this, Benjamin Wilson's eyebrows twitched, he might not agree.

In the first half, Jordan had 28 points, 6 rebounds and 3 assists, and Wilson had 10 points, 5 rebounds and 1 assist. Even if we only look at the shooting percentage, there is an all-round gap between them.

Through the first half of the game, Louis felt that maybe it was a mistake to let Wilson play against Jordan.

Wilson only has the advantage of static talents over Jordan, but these talents cannot be fully utilized without being able to keep up with Jordan's offense.

Jordan's breakthrough with the ball and the speed of his movements can often complete the offense before Wilson's defense arrives.

Even when faced with multiple double-teams, he can still find an attack point in the crowd.

He is a freak. If Harden put all his energy into how to create fouls, then Jordan put all his energy into his innate competitive heart. Watching him attack, it is natural.

, what I feel is not spiritual energy, spiritual energy is stunning with a little unexpected surprise.

When Jordan did that, you would never be surprised. Your first feeling must be fear.

Especially when you are on the opposite side of him.

"In the second half, we let Dell and MJ face off." Louis laughed. "I know this is cruel to Dell, but you all know that I originally had high hopes for Benj, but it is a bit early for him to face Michael."

"Coach, I have no problem." Wilson said aloud.

"No, it's my fault that I put you against Michael so early." Louis decided to withdraw from the original matchup, "From now on, you will face Drexler. In terms of offense, he is only 40% of MJ's level at most.

, but you still can’t underestimate him.”

Wilson looked serious: "Coach, I want to face MJ."

"Do you know what you're talking about?" Louis asked.

Wilson has the same instincts as Jordan, although his immediate ability is not as good.

But this unique fighting spirit is what distinguishes Garnett and Duncan, McGrady and Kobe, Drexler and Jordan.

Louis said that Benj plays with Garnett's emotions and plays McGrady's way. However, this does not mean that some of his tendencies are similar to Garnett's. No, the most criticized thing about Garnett is the life and death situation.

At that moment when white comes in and red comes out, his emotions cannot allow him to press the button in his body and turn him into a killer to end the game. But Duncan can. At that time, you can trust Duncan. Garnett can do other than that.

Everything except things.

"If you're going to continue to play against MJ, I'm going to have to bench Dell and put on another 3 to play against Drexler. Those two things go together, and I need you to tell me again.

"Louis stared at Wilson, "Are you serious?"

Wilson is not sure of victory, but his determination to face off against Jordan is firm: "Escape is not my style."

"Okay, it seems we have to adjust the second half."

Fortunately, Louis has enough control over the team, which means he can adjust the lineup at will.

Ellis obeyed the arrangement unconditionally.

Wilson took the second position in the second half. As for the third position, Louis found Rodman from the bench who performed well in the first half.

Rodman couldn't believe it when he heard that he was going to play in the second half.

He pointed at himself.

"That's right. It's just you, Dennis. Do you have any questions?" Louis asked.

"No." Rodman shook his head shyly, "No!"

The Trail Blazers are determined to continue Jordan's form tonight.

In the second half, Jordan continued to play the No. 1 position, Drexler played the No. 2 position, McDaniel played the No. 3 position, Nance played the No. 4 position, and rookie Kevin Duckworth played the No. 5 position.

Duckworth was one of the big gains of the Trail Blazers' scouting staff this summer, and he was originally drafted by the San Antonio Spurs.

However, the Spurs have always had the virtue of selflessly helping others. Last season they sent Mario Elie and Tyrone Corbin to the Knicks. This Duckworth is their latest achievement in helping others.

To get this person, the Trail Blazers paid $300,000.

Although the Spurs' scouting team was a mess, the management was unlucky. They gave away a big man who would average 18+8 per game for $300,000.

Of course, they have not opened their eyes and do not know about player development, but the same things happen to them one after another, which makes people have to think deeply.

You know, a few years ago they traded the number one player in team history, George Gervin, to Chicago for money.

Not even the Houston Rockets can do such a disgusting thing.

Olajuwon was traded because the two parties could not agree on the price, so the former requested a trade. The Spurs tried to persuade Gervin to give up his high salary to no avail, so they sent him away in anger.

Probably every team that is naturally selected has to sacrifice the integrity of the management before getting lucky.

In the second half, the Knicks matched up with the Trail Blazers.

Louis was a little worried about one point.

Rodman met Xavier McDaniel.

Now Rodman is like a good student who is reserved and doesn't want to cause trouble. Can he perform normally when he encounters the devil in McDaniel?

At the beginning of the second half, Wilson ran an exgeky (high dynamic offense), which is Ellis's specialty. Now he plays the second position, which is just a good time to test his running and catching and shooting skills.

Ewing's screen was too good, Jordan was caught, and Wilson caught the ball and threw a three-pointer.

The shot was quick and the Blazers couldn't switch defenses in time.

"Whoosh!"

"Benj is indeed worthy of a big job." Tomjanovich praised him. "Although he is not Michael's opponent at this stage, he is not afraid of Michael at all."

Louis is not as optimistic as he is. Sometimes, the fearlessness of failing to correctly understand the gap is not necessarily a good thing.

57 to 59

Regardless, Wilson found a way to counter Jordan.

He has recognized the reality. With his current physical confrontation, if he wants to hold the ball and fight Jordan, he is going to die.

However, Ewing, McHale and the Knicks' mature system can help him make the most of his strengths and avoid his weaknesses.

Therefore, Wilson's offensive performance in the second half was even better than in the first half.

When the feeling comes, he can replace Ellis' role.

It was Rodman who worried Louis.

McDaniel knew right that he was a rookie, and he was domineering, spouting obscene trash talk and engaging in rude and brutal confrontational moves at almost every turn.

Rodman acted like a frustrated little woman, submissive and afraid to confront him head-on.

The scene that made Louis intolerable happened halfway through the third quarter.

Rodman jumped up continuously to grab offensive rebounds. After grabbing them, he jumped up again. In the process, his elbow hit McDaniel's cheek, but he didn't notice this and completed the tip-in.

McDaniel was furious, stepped forward and pushed him down, shouting angrily: "I'm going to fucking destroy you tonight, you!#￥!@# nigger!"

Ewing and McHale were about to break up the fight, but Rodman, who was pushed to the ground, not only lost his temper, but also let Louis who was close to the sidelines hear him apologize to McDaniel: "I'm sorry, brother (sorry private r) 1."

1 I know the correct translation is sorry sir. But what I imagined was that Rodman said this sentence in a cowardly tone. So "I'm sorry, brother" is closer to the state I want to describe.

.