The rest is just noise

Since the 1976-77 season, the first round of the playoffs has implemented a first-round bye system for the top two in the division.

In other words, such an exciting gimmick as Black Eight was directly taken away from the league according to the rules.

The top two teams in the division will advance directly to the semi-finals, while the bottom four teams in the division will play a best-of-three knockout round.

What’s more interesting is that the Houston Rockets and San Antonio Spurs, two famous Western Conference teams, were both Eastern Conference teams in 1980. This year, the two Texas teams will compete in a best-of-three elimination round in the first round.

The civil war between the Rockets and the Spurs lasted three games. The Rockets won 2-1 to advance to the semifinals and came to the Celtics.

Malone averaged 27 points and 17 rebounds per game, overwhelming George Gervin who averaged 33 points, 6 rebounds and 5 assists per game.

The semifinals started as usual, and there was no pressure on the Celtics.

Although Malone is a variable, a superstar without the ability to attack tough situations is not enough to change the situation.

The Celtics may have only exerted 70% of their combat effectiveness, because Bird was still playing awkwardly. Although he had repeatedly caused exclamations from the media, Louis felt that he still had a lot of energy left to play.

In the best-of-seven semifinals, the Rockets failed to win a single victory from the Celtics.

They lost the semifinals cleanly.

When the local media in Houston pointed the microphone at Malone and asked him how he felt about the defeat.

He first replied: "Gulu!#￥@"

"ha?"

"Moses, I understand what you are saying, but can you be more detailed?" In fact, the reporter couldn't hear what Malone was saying at all.

Malone frowned angrily and said hesitantly: "Moses...has nothing to say."

The interviews between Malone and Spurs scoring leader George Gervin were definitely two highlights.

They both like to use the third person to represent themselves. Gervin does it to look cool, while Malone does it purely to make people feel boring. For many years, imitating Malone's speech has been a reserved item in the NBA.

April 20, 1980

Boston, Massachusetts, Boston Garden

The first battle between the Celtics and the 76ers starts here.

Although midsummer has not yet arrived, the environment and atmosphere here have become intolerable.

No matter when, Louis doesn't like to play games at home.

The Celtics should be the only team in the league still playing games in the old arena built in 1920.

The Boston Garden was certainly advanced in 1920, but now...

How to accurately describe the feeling here? The first second Louis walked into the garden, he was overwhelmed by popcorn, strong beer, hot dogs, and the smell of elephant dung. Why is there elephant dung? Because Boston

The Garden is a multi-purpose commercial venue - although it is not even air-conditioned, it is indeed multi-purpose, including circus performances, and unfortunately, the circus happened to be here before the Celtics game.

During the performance, their elephant happened to leave physiological traces here again.

Although Louis would rather die than believe it, the old garden does have a ventilation system, which consists of 14 giant grilles installed on the sides of the building from the ground to the roof.

Outside air enters the grille through a series of large fans driven by a common belt twelve inches long by one-half inch wide on each side of the building and driven by another belt.

Original ventilation is then achieved by a 150 hp AC induction motor.

Very good, it successfully makes every guest who comes here want to go back the same way.

The secret of the Celtics' winning percentage at home is much higher than that on the road. This is not the so-called "magic floor" or "a short or high but non-standard basket" and other stories that only new fans will believe.

Celtic players can adapt to the home environment, but it's difficult for guests to adapt. It's that simple.

Louis was the only assistant wearing short-sleeves and cropped trousers, which made him look extraordinarily different.

At least in terms of clothing, he is not as serious as others.

He swore that his attitude towards the game was serious, but he was also serious about not wanting to suffocate/heat himself to death at home.

Today, Fitch sent Bird, Cowens, John Long, Maxwell, and Archibald as starters.

The Celtics' opponents, the 76ers, are Dr. J, Darryl Dawkins, Lionel Hollins (PG), Caldwell Jones (C/PF), Qi

kes.

Before the game started, Fitch called the main players to his side: "Our inside line has obvious disadvantages. Don't go head-to-head with them in the penalty area. We must mobilize their big men and use our energy to deal with them!"

Old-school coaches always like to talk about conceptual things and rarely talk about detailed tactics.

If Louis were allowed to come, he would be simple and rude, asking Bird to go directly to the high post or shoot from outside the three-point line to empty their penalty area and then attack.

But this approach was too radical, and Fitch would never agree to it.

From the very beginning of the game, there was excitement.

Although Dawkins won the jump ball, Maxwell predicted the direction of the ball and attacked the opponent's basket.

Dr. J's athletic talent was on display as he quickly ran back to the penalty area, even falling to the ground to block Maxwell's ball.

In an instant, Lionel Hollins, known as the "L Train", advanced with the ball and passed it to Cheeks.

The former Celtics player who choked Boston hit the spot and scored a layup.

Bird's agility was revealed a few seconds later. Instead of serving the ball seriously, he threw a long four-point pass from the backcourt with one hand that shocked Fitch.

"What the hell are you doing?" Fitch yelled.

The accuracy of Bird's one-handed long pass from the backcourt made Louis open his mouth, and the ball was accurately delivered to Maxwell's palm.

If Caldwell Jones, who is 2.11 meters tall, hadn't blocked the shot from behind, Bird's pass would have been a magical pass.

"L Train" Hollins used the butt-sticking technique commonly used by defenders in the 1970s.

At all times, you should aim your butt at your opponent and try to protect the ball.

The 76ers' positional warfare relies entirely on momentum, and there is no completely reliable attacker.

"Stop pouting, you're so ugly!" Louis stood up and shouted.

Hollins glared at him and passed the ball to Dr. J.

Dr. J missed the shot.

"Look, that's right. Even if you can't make a shot, it's still beautiful -" In fact, it's not beautiful at all, Louis kept shouting, "Who are you showing your big butt to?"

Jack Madden, the golden whistle, warned Louis with his wrinkled face: "Watch your mouth, Oriental!"

"Stop your discriminatory behavior, referee!" Louis refused to give in.

"Beep!"

Fitch was completely stunned.

What the hell is going on? He didn't even call out a few times, but his assistant coach was called T by the referee?

Madden thought that Louis would be honest now, but who knew that someone would be so bold when he was blown away, "Blow me out if you have the guts, you racist!"

"Blow!" Louie shouted, "Kick me out quickly, you idiot with a wrinkled face!"

So the referee satisfied Louis.

The fans, who had no idea what was happening on the field, supported Louis with unanimous boos.

And Louis loudly accused Jack Madden of unfair enforcement of the law like a head coach.

After making such a big fuss, reporters would naturally come to question him, and Louis said back in front of the reporters: "Jack Madden is a racist!"

"He called me racial slurs! He called me an Oriental! I don't think any Asian in the United States can tolerate this kind of offense!" Louis told the media like a vicious dog. "I'm going to accuse him to the league, and

I won’t accept his apology!”

As Johnny Most said: "No matter who loses or wins in this game, this young assistant coach has a special way to let the fans know him."

Only Bill Fitch couldn't figure it out even if he tried hard. He stared at K.C. Jones and asked: "Has he always had such a bad temper?"

K.C was also puzzled: "This is the first time I've seen him get angry!"

"Damn it!" Fitch became even more annoyed.