341: 140: It’s really simpler than I imagined, but what’s simple is the SuperSonics (asking for monthly tickets!)_3 341: 140: It’s really simpler than I imagined, but what’s simple is the SuperSonics (asking for monthly tickets!)_3 For the second consecutive round, Shaq completed a powerful defense under the basket!
This marks the second dissimilarity between the SuperSonics and the Bulls, their offense is not as outstanding as that of the Bulls.
Payton has never been a scoring guard, and as for Kemp, his offense is indeed strong, but compared to Michael Jordan?
Give me a break, there is no one in this world who would compare the two.
Unless it’s a historic level of physique combined with the unique footwork of the Dream, Kemp could possibly be mentioned in the same breath as Jordan.
Speaking of historic level physiques and unique footwork, to be mentioned in the same breath as Jordan, it seems there truly will be such a figure in the future.
The SuperSonics’ offense failed again, their offense was even more vulnerable than their defense in front of the Magic.
Watching the Magic and the Bulls fight to Game 7 last round, and without any game point difference exceeding two digits, gave the SuperSonics the illusion “I could do it too.”
But they forgot, before meeting the Bulls, the Magic hadn’t lost a single game in the playoffs.
Only the legendary 72-win Bulls could push Roger and Shaq into a corner in this league.
Defensively, the SuperSonics’ pressure was hard to suppress the two strong points because their height wasn’t very oppressive to Roger and Shaq, overall not as good as the Bulls.
Offensively, the SuperSonics and the Bulls aren’t even in the same league.
They want to beat the Magic, based on what?
With the SuperSonics’ offense struggling, George Karl’s outburst was timely, “Wimps!
Can’t even make a layup, did you leave all your strength in that chick in yoga pants last night!?”
At that moment, Roger blasted back at George Karl, “Sit down, puppet!
Don’t ruin my pleasure of slaughtering your team!”
The word “puppet” is a big insult for a team’s head coach, similar in meaning to the Chinese context of “being led like a controlled dog.” Which coach would want to admit they are the dog in that scenario?
You’re only up 2-0!” Payton immediately countered.
Roger, without wasting words, took the ball across half court and continued to feed Shaq.
This time, the SuperSonics’ double team immediately converged on Shaq.
But O’Neal quickly passed the ball to Roger, who after receiving the basketball shot immediately.
Payton was slightly slow to interfere, but it was already enough for Roger to score successfully.
The SuperSonics’ defense could force the opponent’s strongest player to pass the ball.
For most teams, achieving this defensively would be sufficient.
In the original history of the Bulls, Jordan’s second in command was Pippen, who averaged 34% shooting for 15 points.
Under such circumstances, after Jordan passed the ball, the Bulls’ offensive threat diminished greatly, making it hard to convert Jordan’s passes into scores.
So Jordan had to make difficult shots under tight defense, thus transforming into Kobe.
In previous matches against the Rockets, when Olajuwon was double-teamed, the only Rockets player left who could reliably score was Drexler, who couldn’t even score 20 points swinging free.
Therefore, similarly, as long as they forced Olajuwon to pass the ball, the Rockets’ offensive threat was directly halved.
But the Magic was different.
They forced O’Neal to pass the ball, and the receiver was the scoring champion Roger.
They forced Roger to pass the ball, and the receiver was the top three-player Shaq.
No matter how they forced Shaq and Roger to pass the ball, the Magic’s offensive threat wasn’t reduced, and the efficiency of converting passes into scores was very high!
Why were the SuperSonics dragged into a Game 7 by the Jazz?
It was because, in those last few games, the nation’s favorite son-in-law Hornacek played as if divinely inspired.
Even when they forced Malone to pass the ball, the Jazz still had an offensive threat.
But Hornacek’s threat, compared to Roger and Shaq, was simply negligible.
Therefore, the Magic’s offense in front of the SuperSonics was simply effortless.
The ball went in, and after landing, Roger flashed four fingers to Payton, “Just 2-0?
Retract your foolish words Gary, now I’m leading 4-0.”
Soon, Payton on offense posted up Harper.
However, the tall Harper didn’t let Payton have his way, this SuperSonics star guard couldn’t carry the team.
In the original 1996 Finals, one reason the SuperSonics managed to win two consecutive games was Payton’s scoring performance gradually improved.
G4 and G5, the only two games in which Payton scored more than 20, were won.
The reason he managed this was that, in G4 and G5, Harper was injured, and Payton only needed to face a defender of Cole’s caliber, resulting in a decent scoring performance.
In other words, to limit Payton’s offense, a Harper was enough.
Fortunately, Harper is now with the Magic.
“Damn it Gary, if you keep playing , it’s going to be 6-0 in no time!
I don’t really care, dude, since I frequent the Finals.
But this might be the last Finals of your life; you can’t embarrass yourself !” Seeing Payton miss, Roger continued with his verbal artistry.
“Fuck 6-0, try it yourself, loser!”
Try he did, as Roger was always an activist, from the very first day he joined the league.
Back then in the locker room, Pippen had said to Roger, “Try hitting me,” and Roger really did try.
This round, faced with Payton’s relentless defense, O’Neal once again held the ball to attract defenses.
After the double team came, Shaq quickly passed the ball to Harper.
Meanwhile, Roger broke away from Payton for a moment, ran towards Harper, caught the ball and, in an instant, turned around and jumped for a shot!
Payton didn’t expect Roger to turn around for a jump shot so abruptly, so his interference was a bit hasty, and he didn’t manage his distance well.
Thus, as Roger took his shot, Payton ended up hitting the back of Roger’s hand.
The referee’s whistle blew, calling a foul on Payton.
Yet the basketball still went in, making a satisfying “swish” sound.
Roger maintained his shooting stance, soaking in the thunderous cheers filling Orlando Arena.
He had earned a 2+1 opportunity in front of the best defensive player!
It’s not 6-0, Gary, it’s 7-0!
Well done, best defensive player,” said Roger, glancing at Payton and shrugging.
This start left most SuperSonics fans in despair.
Apparently, Magic and SuperSonics really weren’t on the same level!
Roger high-fived Shaq, then stepped up to the free throw line.
He didn’t plan to drag things out with the SuperSonics.
Roger intended to let the whole world know that the ’96 Magic was one of the greatest teams in history.
A team like that wouldn’t waste much time on any opponents other than the Bulls!
This season was Roger’s to demonstrate dominance, a season to establish his reputation.
If you drag it out, could that even be called dominance?
The SuperSonics always thought they could compete with the Magic, it was time to correct their mistaken thinking.
Roger made the extra point, and Magic led 7-0 at the start.
Roger taunted Payton: “C’mon Gary, try to leave something behind in your one and only Finals journey.”
O’Neal gestured to Reign Man, pointing at his temple: “Beat us?
You speak without using your brain.”
In the face of absolute power, George Karl’s clever tricks were insignificant.
George Karl was right in thinking this round would be simpler than imagined.
However, it wasn’t the SuperSonics solving the Magic easily, but rather the defending champions solving the SuperSonics, much more simply than people anticipated!