The rest is just noise

December 25, 1987

Portland, Memorial Coliseum.

The Christmas Day game between the Knicks and Trail Blazers started at the Trail Blazers' home court.

This game was broadcast live across the United States on CBS, and the commentary team was not the usual Dick Stockton and Tom Heinsohn, but Bill Russell and Rick, who were famous for their "nonsense nonsense"

·Barry.

Two former NBA superstars came to commentate on the popular game, which can be considered a special arrangement by CBS.

"Bill, who do you think will win or lose this game?"

Although Barry is a commentator with a lot of bad reviews, he is still acceptable compared to Russell.

"From my experience, I think defense will be the winner of the game." Russell always makes game previews based on his experience as a player. "Therefore, Patrick, who blocks 4 times in every game,

·Ewing, could be a key factor in this game."

"That's true, but I have a slightly different opinion."

Whenever Barry says he thinks "a little bit differently," it's not just "a little bit."

"The key to deciding the outcome will be between MJ and Benj." Barry affirmed, "MJ is already the best offensive guard in the league, and Benj is the most promising forward after Larry Bird."

Russell has different views, but he respects Barry's right to express his personal opinion.

As the two said this, the two teams warming up at the scene gave the audience a wonderful dunk performance before the game started.

"You all know that MJ cannot be defeated by one person, but today we have to use one person to defend him."

Louis had already said this in the hotel, and he was just emphasizing it at this time.

"Our purpose is to control Drexler's performance." Louis said bluntly, "So, keep in mind his shooting ice point, keep in mind his offensive hot zone, remember that he is a player who relies very much on space, and

All we have to do is not give them space."

There is another obvious change in today's Knicks, that is, Dale Ellis replaced Miller.

In the 10 games since Ellis returned, the Knicks have 6 wins and 4 losses.

Only recently has Louie found a balance.

That is to let Ellis. Sure enough, although Wilson, who has been partnered with Ellis for a year, is still very awkward, he can use his personal ability to adapt.

As for Miller, despite his usual arrogance, he is well aware of Ellis' achievements in the Knicks.

He knew that he was originally Ellis's substitute. Even if the effect was good and the original version came back, he would still be the substitute.

Unless Ellis performs as badly as Matsushima Kaede in his comeback, Miller can only be a substitute.

That's exactly what Miller had in mind.

Louis' idea is to let Ellis play a few good games and sell him at a good price.

Eliminate hidden dangers before other young people have ideas.

Although he is nostalgic and cherishes the friendship with Ellis that has gone through hard work together, as a general manager, he cannot be swayed by personal emotions.

Leaving Ellis, Miller, and Hornacek behind will sooner or later feel resentful.

No matter how luxurious the Knicks' personnel reserves are, once the people are not united, they cannot succeed.

So, Dale Ellis has to go, and Louie wants him to know that it has nothing to do with basketball.

The Knicks are Stockton, Ellis, Wilson, and surprisingly Oakley and Ewing.

On the Trail Blazers side, there are Terry Bol, Jordan, Drexler, Larry Nance, and James Edwards.

Seeing the Trail Blazers bench Xavier McDaniel, Louis was a little regretful.

He asked Oakley to prevent the villain from running wild on the field.

Unexpectedly, the Blazers put him in the second lineup, which is also a good way to deal with villains.

The two parties exchanged pleasantries before jumping away.

Jordan chewed gum in his mouth, first greeted Stockton, then shook hands with Ewing, and then gradually walked towards the others.

"I wonder when Patrick will be as graceful as MJ." Louis daydreamed.

Zhao Yuanzheng shook his head and said with a smile: "I think there is no hope, why not look forward to Benj."

When Jordan came to Wilson, before he could speak, Wilson said: "I will beat you up in your home court."

As if he heard something impossible, Jordan chewed his gum a few times quickly, with a look of confusion on his face, "Did I hear that right?"

"Listen up, I'm going to blow you up." Wilson reiterated.

"Okay," Jordan smiled cruelly, "I also want to know what it feels like to be beaten up."

"Is that kid crazy?" Louis cursed.

Zhao Yuanzheng said confused: "He seems to be provoking MJ?"

"Bullshit, isn't this obvious? Didn't you see Michael's face suddenly darken? That face looks terrible." It's not like Louis doesn't like these people provoking Jordan.

He just doesn't like this kind of rash provocation without recognizing the difference in strength between the enemy and ourselves.

Only Tomjanovich of the entire coaching staff agreed with Wilson's punch against Jordan: "I like Benj's ambition."

Well, after all, he was not the one who was beaten up.

Phil Jackson always has a confused smile on his face that says, "There's something fishy about this."

The other assistant coaches don't have so much to do. After all, the core of the coaching staff is Lu, Lu, Zhao, and Zen Master. The others are role-based assistant coaches, just like core players and role players. The coaching staff also has a clear division of labor.

There was no suspense about the jump ball, and the Knicks won.

Stockton dribbled the ball and as soon as he reached the frontcourt, Jordan and Porter exchanged glances and decisively double-teamed him.

It's really unexpected that the Trail Blazers took the initiative to double-team Stockton.

I can't say I'm stupid, I can only say I didn't understand.

For a guard who averages 14 assists per game and makes less than 3 turnovers, is it true that no team has ever thought about flanking him?

Dale Ellis emerges from the weak side.

Stockton hit the ball into place.

Ellis took the ball and hit a three-pointer, giving the Knicks a good start.

Louis secretly thought it was a pity, Ellis is a microwave-type shooter, you can definitely trust him, as long as he plays, he will be effective.

Moreover, apart from Stockton, he is the only one on the team who knows the N.UCLA system well.

The league's top scorer, whom he had worked so hard to cultivate, was about to be sent off the team. Seeing his performance, Louis felt reluctant to give up.

For the Trail Blazers, the distribution of ball rights is not clear.

Jordan can control the ball, Porter can control the ball, and Glider can control the ball even more.

Who will control it? Usually Porter, followed by Jordan. Glider is a hypocrite who has deep thoughts but is elegant, easy-going and doesn't care on the surface. If he doesn't say it, it doesn't mean he doesn't want to.

Porter handed the ball to Glider.

Drexler immediately fell into the trap prepared by the Knicks.

"Every time Clyde holds the ball on the right wing, he will 100% go to the weak side and attack the penalty area." What Zhao Yuanzheng said is exactly what Drexler did.

"Yuanzheng, I've told you several times, we only have one Clyde in New York." (Mandarin mixed with Shanghainese/PS: If you haven't introduced it before, let me add this setting now, Zhao Yuanzheng is from Shanghai)

Zhao Yuanzheng immediately admitted his mistake: "Sorry, coach, I always forget."

Drexler was trapped, but he had good awareness of ball distribution. This is also his characteristic, and it is an ability that all players who can play as point forwards need.

He found Jordan and passed to him.

The only thing he didn't expect was why he could see his ace after being flanked?

Is it possible that the Knicks let him see it? The answer is possible, otherwise it cannot explain why his pass was interrupted.

Drexler's pass was intercepted, and Wilson picked up the ball and rushed forward.

The G.O.A.T from another dimension pursued him at full speed. Naturally, he did not forget what Wilson said.

This is a person who needs to be educated. Wilson has never shown awe to superstars such as Jordan since he entered the league. He has provoked all famous stars.

The only ones who can punish him are Bird and Jordan.

But Bird was sanctioned in the playoffs, and the impression was relatively more profound. Jordan almost came close, sanctioned only in the regular season, and always overturned.

At this stage, it is very stressful for the Knicks to beat the Celtics, but they can still win 50-50 against the Trail Blazers.

Wilson expected that Jordan would catch up. Before taking action, he braked to slow down and hit Jordan hard behind him with his left arm.

He gained strength from this, started a layup, and scored in front of Jordan.

"Don't let me down, Michael."

Those who don’t know may think Wilson is a famous superstar.

Louis felt his fists itch at the sight, "That kid owes K, right? Who does he think he is and dares to talk to MJ like that?"

"It's a good thing that young people have such courage." Tomjanovich comforted Louis and said, "If his legs get weak when he sees MJ, then we will be worried."

People like Louis, who once lived in a basketball forum where Jordan was the G.O.A.T and hung around, were full of stories of "Jordan was angered and smashed his opponents to pieces", and he had an inexplicable awe for Jordan. Of course, this did not affect his competitiveness.

I never looked squarely at the Trail Blazers on the way to the championship.

However, this does not mean that Wilson can provoke Jordan at will.

Don’t you know how many pounds you have gained? At least you have achieved some results before you challenge me.

Moreover, even if he provoked it himself, why was it Dale Ellis who took the punishment on his behalf?

He didn't deliberately let Ellis fight to make Ya suffer. He wanted him to perform well and get a good price. What the hell is this?

"Benj, you can take care of whatever trouble you cause!"

In order to sell Ellis at a good price, it doesn't seem like a big deal to let Wilson get blown up once.

He stood on the sidelines and yelled: "You guard MJ from the next round!"

"Really?" He actually looked like he had won the lottery.