Chapter 115 I gave you a chance, but you didn’t use it (10,000 words chapter)

On June 5, 1998, after winning G2, the Knicks successfully protected two home courts, and then flew to Salt Lake City without stopping.

After staying in the hotel for one night, the Knicks could already feel the hostility of local fans towards them.

Karl Malone and Stockton have been with Jazz fans for too long.

Although they always fell in the first round before and lost inexplicably, after defeating the stars of the same class, Jazz fans hope that the two will have a happy ending at the end of their careers.

Facts have proved that the body is the capital of revolution, and being able to endure working years is also an amazing talent!

The G3 game is about to officially begin in the evening. During the video class in the morning, Jeff Van Gundy, who was in a good mood, was still making chicken soup for the Knicks:

"As long as we win another away game, we can get the match point and end the series!"

"Think about it, Karl Malone is 35 years old and Stockton is 36 years old. After two consecutive games, their physical condition will not be very good!"

"This is our opportunity. As long as we play an away game, the championship will be ours."

Ewing and Oakley both glared at Jeff Van Gundy:

"If you can't speak, speak less!"

Noticing that the two veterans were looking directly at him, Jeff Van Gundy realized that there was too much salt in the chicken soup, and he had caught up with the old guy.

In terms of schedule, as long as the Jazz can survive G3, they will get two days of rest, and with the next two home games, the possibility of a comeback in one go does exist.

The most important thing is that in the two lost games, both teams clocked out three quarters, and Jerry Sloan had no clue and had to consume the physical strength of the main lineup.

The old guys in the team are getting older, so naturally they have to use them sparingly.

Not every player is as stubborn as Michael Jordan. Sometimes, giving up appropriately is indeed a more reasonable choice.

In short, the iron-blooded coach seems to have made up his mind to give up the away game. The first two games may also be called "tests".

In the two games, the Jazz changed different inside combinations, and generally tried out which player is more suitable for this series.

Li You rubbed his chin. So far in the playoffs, everything was as he expected. He finished first in the regular season and had the easiest schedule.

In the playoffs, he swept his opponents cleanly without giving subsequent opponents too much information to refer to.

Except for the Bulls' three-pointer that almost changed the course of the game, the entire playoffs were perfect.

However, most NBA head coaches have good stuff, just like the bald young coach who can't play offense, but is very good at building a defensive system.

Even without Ewing this season, the Knicks' defense is still ranked second in the league, and Jeff Van Gundy is naturally credited.

The guard leads the defense against the opponent, goes up to the line to flank the ball carrier, quickly rotates inside to compress the opponent's offensive space, and finally protects the backcourt rebounds.

This defensive system inherited from Pat Riley has been further optimized. Although the Knicks lack a long and highly mobile inside man, Oakley's fierce defense makes up for this.

Of course, any system and every player has weaknesses. After reaching the finals, Li You felt that it was time for someone to figure out the way.

Before the game started that night, most sports media believed that the Jazz could come back.

The biggest difference from playing away games is that when returning to the Delta Center Arena in Salt Lake City, the Jazz's defensive intensity will definitely pick up.

In the Western Conference Finals, the Lakers lost two games in a row, and their outside three-point shooting was limited. This was because the Jazz's defensive experience locked up the flashy Van Exel, and also made Eddie Jones and Fisher misfire.

Two old white men, their individual defense status is average, but due to the bonus of the system and their own "tough" defensive actions, ordinary players really can't stand it.

That night at the Delta Center Arena, before the game started, the abuse became louder and louder.

Spike Lee was sitting in the front row again, and he was still provoking fans, but all he got was scolding.

Before the game, in addition to interviewing the core members of the home team, NBC's famous reporter Jim Gray also did not forget about Li You. However, as soon as the two of them stood on the sidelines, boos broke out in the audience.

"Oh! It can be seen that the Jazz fans really don't welcome you!"

"It's your first time playing away from home in the finals. Li, tell me how you feel?"

The booing was so loud that Jim Gray subconsciously raised his voice, but Li You didn't care and said with a relaxed expression:

"It seems to be no different from the regular season. I like playing in the boos, which also gives me extra motivation."

"Three consecutive away games, we are confident of getting a victory!"

The yelling and cursing became louder and louder. Jim Gray patted Li You and sent out his blessing loudly:

"Li, I wish you good luck!"

"."

The Jazz, who never double-teamed the ball carrier throughout the season, also completely changed their game strategy and double-teamed Li You early at the beginning of the game.

The 35-year-old Jeff Hornacek has difficulty defending Alan Houston alone, but he is experienced in double-teaming and assisting defense.

"Defense!Defense!Defense!"

The Jazz fans at the scene began to shout loudly for the home team's defense. In the first offensive round, Stockton immediately defended Li You when he came to the right wing.

While guarding his right hand, Hornacek at the top of the arc also rushed towards this side. Li You, who switched to his left hand, quickly noticed the opponent's defensive rotation.

Before the double-team was completely formed, the ball was quickly given to Alan Houston at the top of the arc to connect. The Jazz defense rotated again, and Brian Russell immediately moved to defend.

Alan Houston did not force the attack, but quickly transferred the ball to Larry Johnson near the left corner.

The "aunt" who was shorted hesitated for a moment, and finally hit the open jump shot.

"oh!!"

Amid the cheers, Foster and Ewing, who were starting tonight, struggled hard under the basket. Karl Malone successfully got in position and grabbed the rebound.

In the first round, Li You realized that something was wrong. The Jazz completely abandoned their previous defensive strategy and began to boldly double-team and let Larry Johnson go.

Fortunately, the Knicks' defense was also on line, and Hornacek slipped from the baseline and bounced out to the mid-range on the right side of the block.

Back at home, Karl Malone was even more aggressive, hanging on Oakley and almost grabbing an offensive rebound.

After some confusion, when Ewing collected the rebound, the Knicks' transition attack was gone.

Although Jeff Van Gundy was prepared to face difficulties before the game.

But as the game progressed, when Malone stopped shooting jump shots and frequently attacked the inside, Oakley couldn't withstand it.

With 3 minutes and 21 seconds left in the first quarter, Oakley received his second foul, and veteran Buck Williams had to come on early.

The chain reaction was that the Jazz double-teamed Li You even more fiercely, and the Knicks' offensive space was further compressed.

Each attack lasted close to 24 seconds. Li You was forced to strengthen his movements without the ball, and Jerry Sloan on the sidelines also smiled.

The Jazz, who were unable to fight back in two away games, changed drastically after returning to home. They were still weak on the offensive end, but relied on strong defense to drag the game back to their favorite rhythm.

At the end of the first quarter, the score between the two sides was fixed at 17:17, and the noise in the Delta Center Arena became louder and louder.

Jeff Van Gundy is also aware of the problem. Many rounds have too obvious passing intentions, and the Jazz can easily predict them.

The plan made before the game was not successful, at least the performance of Larry Johnson, who was shorted, did not meet expectations.

The bald young coach carried out the rotation step by step, and the game completely returned to the rhythm that the Jazz liked.

Malone only scored 6 points after going 2 for 6 in the first quarter. In the rotation stage, the tough screen came back, and Stockton was finally able to get rid of the pursuit and hit a mid-range jumper.

In the NBC commentary box, Isiah Thomas looked at the Jazz's defense with a smile:

"This is the Jazz we are familiar with. They can always find a solution. Like I said, basketball is not just about offense!"

After regaining the rhythm of the game, the Jazz were still unable to take the lead. The old guys were already working hard at this time, and Jerry Sloan kept shouting from the sidelines.

Oakley, who received three fouls in the first half, finally fouled out with 4 minutes and 02 seconds left in the fourth quarter.

Ewing, who had committed 5 fouls, also became timid. Relying on Karl Malone's performance of 4 of 10 and 4 of 5 free throws in the last quarter, the Jazz struggled to regain the victory.

At 82:87, when the game ended, the Jazz fans cheered loudly.

Larry Johnson looked ugly, cursed secretly, turned around and walked towards the tunnel.

In the NBC commentary box, Bob Costas was not too worried about the excitement and concluded in a brisk tone:

"Back at home, Karl Malone and Stockton both performed well. The two of them scored 49 points together. I think this is the game that everyone is looking forward to seeing!"

With the support of tough screens, Stockton made 9 of 12 free throws and 6 of 7 free throws. He scored 24 points, 2 rebounds, 8 assists, 1 steal and 3 turnovers;

Karl Malone made 9 of 24 shots, 7 of 9 free throws, scored 25 points, 14 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals, 1 block and 2 turnovers.

Facts have proved that as long as the cover is in place, the elderly Stockton can still play an efficient game.

Doug Collins did not pay attention to technical statistics, but praised the Jazz's adjustments:

"Throughout the regular season, the Jazz never flanked the ball carrier. They relied more on zone defense-like positions and tacit cooperation to defend."

"Brian Russell played a key role. Compared with several other veterans, Russell is more energetic and takes on more defensive responsibilities."

Isiah Thomas seemed quite proud of his prediction:

"For three consecutive home games, the Jazz have a chance to get the match point!"

"Of course, for veterans, physical fitness is also a test. Fortunately, they have two more days to rest."

"."

After Jeff Van Gundy returned to the locker room, he felt a sense of crisis in his heart. If the Jazz were to lose three games in a row, even if he was the best coach in the league, he would most likely be fired during the offseason!

New York fans can't accept the result of reaching the finals and losing again, and the same goes for the management. Salary represents strength. If you can't change the players, then change the coach.
To be continued...