The rest is just noise

Louis was facing numerous cameras, and the reporters wanted to hear what he had to say.

There was a cup of Coke in front of him, with an obvious Coca-Cola pattern on it. Because he was the spokesperson of the Coca-Cola Company, he picked up the Coke and took a sip.

"Coach Lu, what do you think of MJ's evaluation of the Knicks?"

Louis acted as if he didn't know the cause and effect of the matter and asked, "I still don't know what Michael said."

"MJ said that you use rough moves to attack his teammates every round, and every foul may cause them injury."

Louis smiled calmly; "I will not overturn Michael's accusation. If I were to say, I think this is the reason why it took them four years to defeat the Lakers. This is also the reason why the Lakers have never defeated the Celtics.

Human reasons.”

"Coach Lu, what do you mean?"

"What I mean is very simple. What we do is no different from other teams in the Eastern Conference. You have to adapt to this instead of complaining to the media. This will not change your plight."

After that, he took a sip of Coke.

The Knicks' advantage over the Trail Blazers and their crushing performance on the field were something that many people had never imagined.

Including Louis himself, he never thought that the Blazers would not even have the power to backhand.

The 3-0 lead is easy. From a historical perspective, the Knicks have basically put the championship in their pocket this season. All they need is to win another game on the road.

They have won three games in a row against the Trail Blazers, but the Knicks haven't even come up with the Jordan Rules against Jordan.

The Bad Boys used Jordan's Law against the Bulls because if they didn't, Jordan would destroy them with his personal ability.

But the strength gap between the Knicks and the Trail Blazers seems to be so large that individual abilities cannot make up for it.

However, the Blazers' roster is not that weak.

No, just in terms of lineup, they are very strong.

How could it be like this?

Phil Jackson, Louis' assistant coach, revealed the mystery: "Adelman allowed others to play under the influence of MJ, and he excessively elevated MJ's tactical status."

Jackson could tell at a glance that Jordan needed to take a step back and spread his overflowing strength to other things.

Louis looked at Jackson. This person may be one of the few coaches who can force Jordan to do his best.

Now, the Bulls have changed beyond recognition, and Jackson is also an assistant coach under him. Is there still a chance to coach Jordan?

By the way, Jackson's contract seems to expire this summer, right?

"You're right, Phil." Louis suddenly mentioned Jackson's future, "When the season is over, do you want to stay? Let's get a few more rings together."

Jackson's seemingly uncontested face hides his desire for power.

If he stayed with the Knicks, it would be impossible for him to rise to the top. Louis is too young.

Even though he has been in the league for ten years and is still under 30 years old, he is already a godfather-level figure who controls the Knicks management and coaching staff.

There is no other person in the entire league who has what he has.

"I haven't thought about it yet." Jackson avoided the answer by pretending to be stupid. "I will think about it when the season is over."

Knicks return to Marriott hotel.

There is one game left.

For Louis, sweeping the Trail Blazers is necessary.

Not only was it the achievement of sweeping Jordan in the Finals, it was also a good opportunity to cast a psychological shadow on the Blazers.

Looking at the league, in the next two years, the team most likely to compete with the Knicks for the championship is the Trail Blazers.

If the Knicks, who have a clear advantage this year, can sweep them, it will be advantageous for the future matches between the two teams.

Therefore, Louis considered using the Jordan Rules in Game 4.

After all, Jordan is currently averaging 43 points per game. If he gets another high score in the fourth game, his average data will be even more amazing. Even if they are swept, the Blazers will be lucky. They will think Jordan is invincible.

So just change the others.

Louis didn't expect Jordan to average 40+ per game in his first Finals with them.

Therefore, in Game 4, his goal was not only to complete the sweep, but also to limit Jordan's scoring.

Jordan has currently scored 129 points in three games. If he wants to average 40 points per game, he can "easily" achieve it by scoring 31 points in the fourth game.

Therefore, the key lies in how to limit Jordan and control his scoring within 31 points.

June 7, 1988

The day before Game 4, Louis was in the hotel and conveyed an idea to the players.

"I hope we can win the series outright, not just win the game."

Someone wants to ask.

This man is Patrick Ewing, the "why" of everything: "We are all 3-0 up, isn't it a complete victory?"

"That's good, but no." Louis asked, "Do you know why?"

No one knows, after all, a sweep is an overwhelming victory in the playoffs. If a sweep is not a complete victory, then what is?

"Michael Jordan is currently averaging 43 points per game and his shooting percentage is close to 50%. He can definitely say that he can beat all of us. The Knicks defeated the Trail Blazers, not who among us defeated him."

"If we don't limit Michael's performance in Game 4, we can't say it's a complete victory."

Wilson was interested in limiting Jordan: "Coach, what are we going to do?"

Louis said with murderous intent: "In Game 4, activate Jordan's Law. Moreover, everyone must play against the Trail Blazers just like Game 7 against the Celtics. Let's have a real finals and let them

Knowing that if we want to, the intensity of the game can be higher than they can handle."

"Coach, is it necessary? We can win as long as we increase our intensity casually." Rodman said brazenly.

"Okay, have ambition!" Louis pointed to Rodman and said to everyone, "Dennis will be the main defender in MJ in the next game. If he is beaten by MJ, when the season is over, I will trade him to Utah.

I believe the Mormons there will like you!"

"Coach, I'm kidding you!"

"Who are you kidding? Please correct your attitude. Now go back and prepare to change your clothes for training!"

Louis mobilized the enthusiasm of the players and also made them understand that tomorrow night's game is the last game of the season. They must not make any mistakes and must sweep the Trail Blazers.

The players and most of the assistant coaches have left, and Zhao Yuanzheng has other things to report.

"Coach Lu, this is our draft plan for this year."

Although Zhao Yuanzheng is not the chief assistant coach, he manages many more things than Tomjanovich.

Scouting rookies is one of his jobs, and now it's easy for him not to go on-site to inspect college players because he has four or five scouts under him.

This year, the Knicks have three first-round picks, one is their own and one is a return on investment from the SuperSonics. A few years ago, Louis made a trade with the SuperSonics in exchange for two of their future first-round picks. This year, among them

A first-round pick was cashed in.

The Sonics had bad luck in the lottery and got the seventh pick in the first round.

But it doesn't matter, if they pick too high, the Knicks will have a headache because this pick comes with top-three protection.

It can be said that they got the seventh pick in the first round for nothing.

Then, comes the big gift of the bull.

This is the follow-up impact of the Len Bias trade. The Bulls also gave this year's first-round pick to the Knicks. Although they have Barkley, Joe Barry Carroll and Dennis Johnson, this lineup is just a look.

The name is loud, but the actual effect is not good.

The Bulls' record has plummeted this season, ranking ninth from the bottom in the league.

Since their rankings do not meet the qualifications for the lottery, their draft picks are certain.

Excluding the nine teams participating in the lottery (two expansion teams) and subtracting one pick, this is the Bulls' first-round pick this year.

They got the 11th pick in the first round, but the pick still had to be sent to the Knicks.

Then there is his own draft pick, which is not worth mentioning at the end of the first round.

Zhao Yuanzheng recommended two candidates: "William Anderson (WillieAndeonSG/SF) from the University of Georgia and Ronnie Sekali from Syracuse University. The latter can be Patrick's substitute, and the former will be our wing line

A powerful addition.”

Louis had never heard of these two people's names.

In the list submitted by Zhao Yuanzheng, Louis knew Rick Schmitz (Japanese kS fan tsC). Later, when Yao Shuan participated in the draft, this guy was his template. And Mitch Rich of Kansas State University

Mond, nicknamed The Rock, was an offensive and defensive wing who was the player who best defended Jordan in the 1990s.

If the Knicks lack someone to match Jordan, Louis will definitely find a way to get Richmond. As for now, they already have Wilson, and the wings are full, and there is no need for a core-level talent to increase the team's involution.

.

Again, if a team has eight or nine players who can play, it will definitely explode.

The Knicks have this kind of hidden danger.

Therefore, what kind of players to add needs to be carefully considered.