Chapter 222: Anti-Isolation Singles Rules
Latest website: The atmosphere is very hot. The popularity of the NCAA Final Four alone is no less than that of the Eastern Conference Finals.
All the Knicks players came, and there were also many NBA stars.
Dayao's manager Zhang Mingji also came to the scene this time.
However, due to NCAA rules, his agent contract with Dayao has actually been terminated. The outside world does not know this, so he cannot contact Dayao as an agent.
"Feilong, Dayao has changed a lot and has matured a lot." Zhang Mingji said.
"The level of the NCAA, especially at prestigious schools like Duke, is far beyond what domestic high school leagues can match." Zhao Dong smiled.
Hu Weidong sighed and said: "Zhao Dong, if you had participated in the semi-finals, you would definitely not have been selected."
"It's not bad now." Zhao Dong smiled.
"That's right." Hu Weidong smiled.
"Brother Hu, have you seen Dayao?" Zhao Dong asked.
"We met at the National Games last year. I told you before." Hu Weidong said.
"Oh, Dayao will definitely join the national team in the future. You have a chance to communicate with him. This kid, as long as his injury problem is solved well, he has a chance to become a superstar in the NBA in the future." Zhao Dongdao.
"So much potential?" Hu Weidong was quite surprised.
"After senior Mu Tiezhu, he is the strongest center in China." Zhao Dong said.
"Better than Shan Tao and Battle?"
Hu Weidong opened his mouth and said, "Is he stronger than you?"
"I'm not a center, I can only make a cameo appearance." Zhao Dong said angrily.
"Hehe..." Hu Weidong laughed.
"Dayao's future strength is not on the same level as Shan Tao and Battle." Zhao Dong said.
"Can it be so strong?" Hu Weidong was truly surprised.
"Mr. Hu,
Please take good care of Dayao from now on. "Zhang Mingji said politely.
"That's for sure." Hu Weidong said quickly.
Not long after, the game started.
Only two players from this University of Utah team can enter the NBA.
One is the future NBA assists king, Andre Miller, who is called NBA Mo Wenwei by Chinese fans.
One is Michael Doriac, center, an NBA role player, 211 centimeters tall, averaging only 3.3 rebounds and 4.9 points per game.
This year Dayao's opponent is Michael Doriac.
Zhao Dong believes that with Dayao's current strength, he should be able to defeat his opponent.
He was sitting on the sidelines. When Dayao came on the court to warm up, he shouted: "Dayao, if you make it to the finals, I will introduce you to a girlfriend, of any type. I guarantee your satisfaction."
"ah?"
Dayao said hurriedly: "Brother Dong, no need, no need..."
"Haha..." Hu Weidong laughed beside him.
"Fuck, doesn't this guy already have one?" Zhao Dong's heart moved.
He recalled the memory of Dayao and was suddenly startled. Yes, this guy met Ye Li at the Shanghai Sports School in 1996. Could it be that he had a crush on her at that time?
"In 1996? This kid was only 16 years old. He was definitely in puppy love!" He muttered.
"I've also heard that there seems to be no progress. That girl is not interested in Dayao." Zhang Mingji said with a smile.
"That's what you mean." Zhao Dong smiled.
"Feilong, China Yao said that you are his brother and you recommended him to Duke University. Is this true?" Some media came over and asked.
"Yes, that's true." Zhao Dong said.
"Then can you tell me, will China's Yao Yao participate in the NBA draft next year?"
"Won't."
"Many New York media predict that China's Yao Yao will enter the lottery. What do you think?"
“When did the New York media become so conservative?”
"What? Feilong, please tell me more specifically?"
"cannot."
"..."
The reporter was speechless, being teased by this damn New York dragon again.
At the beginning of the game, Dayao made a jump ball and won, and Duke University attacked.
Dayao entered the basket, Doriak defended, and Dayao immediately withdrew to the left wing to ask for the ball in the low post.
The ball was given to Dayao, who swayed left and right, shook Doriac, and immediately turned around and made a jump shot, making a hit.
"Feilong, Dayao is now 223 centimeters tall and weighs 100 kilograms. He said that coach K asked him to continue to increase his weight to 105 kilograms next year and keep it at 115 kilograms before entering the NBA league." Zhang Mingji said.
"Don't be in a hurry, take your time. After he enters the league, his weight should be controlled at 120 kilograms, and a maximum of 125 kilograms is enough. Strengthen the lower limbs and be able to stand in the low position. With his height, others can't hold him up." Zhao East Road.
"Feilong, do you think it's possible for the Knicks to draft him in a few years?" Zhang Mingji asked.
"..."
It will be difficult for Zhao Dong to stay. Unless he leaves the Knicks and the Knicks become a bad team, where will they get the No. 1 pick? Or sell everyone and get the No. 1 pick?
In this game, Duke University defeated the University of Utah and advanced to the finals first.
In the 40 minutes of the game, Dayao played 28 minutes, making 8 of 13 shots, 1 of 3 three-pointers, 5 of 6 free throws, scoring 22 points and 8 rebounds, and also had three blocks. His performance was excellent.
Being able to perform well in a game with such attention means that he has entered the attention of all NBA teams. A large number of scouts will continue to observe him and record everything about him. At the same time, all teams will Create a draft profile for him.
"In this NCAA season, I think I can help him play in the CBA for several seasons. Your original suggestion that he come to the NCAA was a correct decision."
Zhao Dong said to Zhang Mingji.
"I saw your example, otherwise I wouldn't have dared to think about it. It was because of you that Dayao's parents finally agreed." Zhang Mingji said with a smile.
On the 21st, the University of Kentucky eliminated Syracuse University and reached the finals.
On the 23rd, the NCAA men’s basketball championship finals kicked off at Madison Square Garden.
On the 22nd, Zhao Dong drove to the airport with Dayao and Zhang Mingji, and Dayao's parents came.
In the era when Yao's parents played basketball, there was no professional league, the economy was very poor, and life was poorer than that of ordinary people. Therefore, the economy of Da Yao's family is still very tight now, especially after losing 100,000 in training fees. Gotta stutter.
Now Dayao's expenses for studying abroad are sponsored by Feilong Sports Company, and the same goes for the air tickets this time.
In this way, the old couple no longer have to chew carrots at home every day.
"Zhao Dong, I'm troubling you again this time."
As soon as they met, she glanced at Dayao. Although she hadn't seen him for more than half a year, Yao's mother ignored him and said to Zhao Dong.
"It's a small matter, but Dayao's opportunity to make big money is still coming."
Zhao Dong waved his hand and said with a smile: "Before Dayao is drafted, I will definitely give him a sponsorship contract for signature sneakers worth tens of millions of dollars. I will not treat him badly."
"Ten million dollars?" Everyone, including Dayao, was shocked.
Even Zhang Mingji, who is optimistic about Dayao's future, still dare not imagine that Dayao can get a sneaker contract worth tens of millions of dollars.
"I, am I worth so much?" Dayao said blankly.
"You are worth this price." Zhao Dong smiled.
In the last life, when Dayao entered the league, Nike had the best chance of signing him, because Dayao's high school sneakers were provided by Nike.
But unfortunately, Nike offered a humiliating contract of $1.6 million over four years, which angered Dayao. Later, in panic, Nike offered a seven-year offer of $120 million in order to regain the huge Chinese market. The US dollar super contract was still rejected by Dayao.
In this life, although he has become the most influential basketball superstar in the country, Yao's value still exists, and a contract of tens of millions of dollars is worth it.
Unfortunately, in the finals, several of Duke's starters were still a little too green, and they lost to Kentucky and lost the championship.
But Dayao still performed well, scoring 20+7, and received praise from the media.
Dayao was a little frustrated when he fell in the final.
Zhao Dong comforted him with kind words: "You kid, just be satisfied. I've played for two seasons, and I haven't even made it out of the division. I haven't even tasted March Madness."
"hey-hey……"
Dayao laughed immediately.
As we enter the end of March, we have lost five more games this month, with 50 wins and 23 losses. We are already one game behind the Pacers, one and two games ahead of the Bulls and Heat respectively, and we are second in the Eastern Conference.
The best of the month in March was given to Zhao Dong again. This month he averaged 38 points per game while continuing to maintain the first place in the MVP rankings.
He also became the most outstanding player this season, winning Player of the Month honors three times in five months.
After finally losing the No. 1 spot in the Eastern Conference in March, the New York media began to clamor and attack Nelson's coaching ability. They believed that Nelson's coaching style and tactical style were not suitable for the Iron-blooded Nickerson at all. This put some pressure on Nelson.
He had already been fired once last season, and he didn't want to be fired again.
Because of Zhao Dong's luxurious performance, the team is still second in the Eastern Conference, ahead of the Bulls. The record is not too bad, but he has not received too much criticism.
After entering April, the regular season of the 1997-98 season has come to an end, and the Knicks have only 9 games left.
At this time, the media began to analyze the playoff situation.
Jordan's Bulls have not exerted much power throughout the season and lacked brilliance. In ESPN's championship probability rankings, they have fallen to fifth place, with only a 20% chance of winning.
The top four are the Pacers, Knicks, Jazz, and Lakers. Their winning chances are 31%, 30%, 26%, and 23% respectively.
"We are full of light this season, we are full of hope for the playoffs, we are full of desire for the championship, and I see the championship waving to us."
"The Bulls and Jordan have fallen. They can't even get past the first round. Their super lineup is a joke. Ewing is too old to walk."
"The Knicks are a half-dead team. Their interior has no offensive ability and no low-post offense. No matter how strong the interior defense is, it's useless. We can blow them up. Although Feilong is good, he can't do anything by himself. In fact, It’s a cancer to fall in love with him.”
"The Jazz are a pick-and-roll tactic, and the Postman is a pie-eater. We can beat them."
"Lakers? The only job O'Neal can do is keep bending down to pick up the ball I shot through his basket."
On April 1, after ESPN announced the latest championship probability rankings, Reggie Miller was so excited that he immediately found the media to vent his excitement.
"Mr. Reggie Miller is destined to be just a spectator of the championship. He is insulated from the championship." Zhao Dong accepted an interview with the media and sarcastically said about the Pacers' star player.
"When has it been Reggie Miller's turn to speak in this league?" Jordan said dismissively in an interview with the media.
"No matter what round it is, if they encounter the Pacers, they will have no way to survive." The postman yelled during the interview.
"The only job I can do is to change a basket for the Pacers." O'Neal said when facing the media.
Well, the big-mouthed Reggie Miller exerted his greatest ability to attract hatred and offended all the strong teams in the East and West and several of the strongest superstars.
On April 7, an elbow incident occurred in the league. Postman Karl Malone used a knee strike technique to break a rib of Warriors player Donyel Marshall, causing him to miss the rest of the season.
"I didn't mean it, he hit my knee." Afterwards, the postman explained the elbow hit.
"Feilong, what do you think of this elbow incident?"
After the incident happened, before the game was over, a reporter at the scene immediately called Zhao Dong to interview him.
"Knee strikes are techniques in fighting. I have to praise the postman. Your technique is good. Maybe I can try this technique next time I meet him."
At this point, Zhao Dong changed the topic and said with a smile: "Actually, I really hope to be in the ring with the postman again. What are the rules of fighting this time?"
The reporter immediately found the postman and repeated Zhao Dong's words. Postman Ma Long's face suddenly stiffened and he said angrily: "What does this have to do with him?"
"Then will you agree to fight Feilong again according to the rules of fighting?" the reporter asked.
"NO!" Ma Long said angrily.
"A fake tough guy, Dr. Iron Elbow is too timid to challenge the flying dragon!"
"Postman Malone's iron elbow only dares to attack the weak, and does not dare to face the challenge of the flying dragon."
"The postman's reputation as a tough guy has completely collapsed."
For a time, many media gave Karl Malone the name of a fake tough guy, which made him embarrassed.
On April 18, the Knicks completed their last game, ending the regular season this season and achieving second place in the Eastern Conference and third place in the league, second only to the Pacers and the Jazz in the Western Conference.
The Pacers have 58 wins and 24 losses, ranking first in the Eastern Conference.
The Knicks have 57 wins and 25 losses, second in the Eastern Conference.
The Bulls have 56 wins and 26 losses, third in the Eastern Conference.
The Heat have 55 wins and 27 losses, fourth in the Eastern Conference.
The last four are the Hornets, Hawks, Cavaliers, and Nets.
Because the Heat are the Southeastern Conference champions, they are automatically ranked third in the playoffs and face the seventh-place team. The Bulls dropped one spot, fourth in the playoffs, and faced fifth in the first round.
In the West, the Jazz are first and also first in the league.
Second to fourth are the Lakers, SuperSonics, and Spurs, fifth to eighth are the Suns, Trail Blazers, Timberwolves, and Mosaic.
Because the Spurs were the Southwest Conference champions, they automatically ranked third in the playoffs against the seventh-place team. The Sonics dropped one spot to fourth in the playoffs and faced the fifth in the first round.
First-round matchups in the Western Conference playoffs: Jazz vs. Mosaic, Lakers vs. Timberwolves, Spurs vs. Trail Blazers, SuperSonics vs. Suns.
First-round matchups in the Eastern Conference playoffs: Pacers vs. Nets, Knicks vs. Cavaliers, Heat vs. Hawks, Bulls vs. Hornets.
The playoffs will start on April 23, and there are still five days of adjustment time.
Zhao Dong's regular season data for this season has also come out. This season, he has taken more shots and played longer.
Averaged 43.5 minutes per game, 14 of 25 shots, 56% shooting rate, including 1.6 of 3.3 three-pointers, 48% shooting rate, an astonishing 75% shooting rate at the basket, and 6 of 7.5 free throws, 80% shooting rate %.
He averaged 35.6 points, 12.1 rebounds, 9.1 assists, 1.85 steals and 3.2 blocks per game, achieving a nearly triple-double all-around performance.
To be honest, this data makes the entire league feel great pressure.
Almighty, extremely omnipotent, and the highest level of omnipotence.
At the same time, his powerful scoring ability, and very efficient scoring ability, even the most efficient scoring ability in history, makes all teams worried.
Zhao Dong's scoring efficiency shown in this data has exceeded Jordan's peak scoring season.
That was the 1986/87 season, Jordan's third season. He was seriously injured in his second season. After his comeback in his third season, he exploded. He averaged 27.8 shots per game, 13.4 of them, 48.2% from the field, and averaged 37.1 points per game. To the season scoring champion.
37.1 points is also the highest peak in modern basketball. Jordan himself has not been able to break this limit since then.
Of course, it's not that he doesn't have the ability to break it, but the rules restrict him.
What rules? Jordan's Law is the anti-isolation singles law.
How is Jordan playing this season?
It's very simple. Using his super singles ability, everyone else moves to the side without the ball. He singles out the opponent on the strong side and then beats the opponent.
This kind of separated singles, that is, isolated singles, gives full play to his singles ability and makes it more difficult for the opponent team to help defend. It is impossible to double-team and help in time because the distance is too far.
It is this kind of singles that allowed him to average 37.1 points per game this season.
At the same time, in the 1986 playoffs, when the Bulls faced the Celtics, Jordan scored the highest score in the playoffs in history, 63 points.
Then, there was a discussion in the league that this kind of singles has created a situation where one person plays and four people watch, which makes basketball lose the performance of teamwork. Too strong singles ability makes basketball lose its competitiveness. If you want to watch one person fighting, then you might as well change it to a bullfighting competition.
Therefore, after discussing an offseason and a regular season, in April 1988, before the start of the playoffs, the league introduced the Jordan Rules, which are anti-isolated singles rules.
This rule has more than a hundred articles. The main core principle is that the offensive team is not allowed to have more than three people on the weak side or at the top of the arc.
Another rule is that when the attacker is at the top of the arc or at the free throw line, no more than two people can sink below the free throw line at the same time.
These two core rules prevent other Bulls players from gathering on the weak side and watching Jordan play alone on the strong side like they did in the past.
This Jordan Rule is also the first rule in league history to restrict outside players.
It is precisely because of the emergence of this rule that restricted Jordan's singles ability, causing Jordan and the Bulls to fall at the feet of the league for three consecutive seasons.
Of course, this rule was abolished after Jordan retired for the first time, that is, in 1994, because there was no Jordan.
In fact, the so-called Jordan Rules later, including the Jordan Rules that Zhao Dong enjoyed last season, are quasi-Jordan Rules and are not complete at all.
And now, because there is a guy who averages 35.6 points per game and is more efficient and more versatile, before the regular season is over, a voice comes out.