CHAPTER 1287: CHAPTER 520: DANCING WITH THE GODS (BEGINNING)

However, the more rewards there are, the harder the tasks become.

The big screen displayed the teams’ and star players’ data from the first six games.

Chicago Bulls in the first six games: averaging 108.5 points, 41.8 rebounds, 21 assists, 9 steals, 5.5 blocks;

Knicks Team in the first six games: averaging 107 points, 45.5 rebounds, 24 assists, 7.5 steals, 8.3 blocks.

In scoring and steals, the Chicago Bulls have the advantage; in rebounds, assists, and blocks, the Knicks Team has the advantage.

Jordan averages 32.5 points, 8.3 rebounds, 8.5 assists, 3 steals, and 1.3 blocks;

Zhang Yang averages 34.5 points, 5.3 rebounds, 2.6 assists, 2.8 steals, and 1 block.

When Zhang Yang first saw the details of the task, he wondered why there were so many ’or’s, but recalling seeing the comparison of the two teams’ data before the game, he knew there weren’t that many ’or’s, and it was impossible to complete the advanced tasks. Not to mention anything else, he wasn’t even certain he could outscore Jordan, with a total 12-point lead over six games.

He did, however, have significant advantages—shooting percentage: his 48.7% compared to Jordan’s 45.5%, and especially in three-point shooting: his 38.6% compared to Jordan’s 27.3%, averaging 2.4 threes per game vs. Jordan’s 1.

But the tasks don’t account for these, they specifically target his weaknesses... But, God? Who’s that referring to?

The referee came onto the court with the ball, Zhang Yang closed the ’door’, cleared his mind, and got into game mode.

At 8 PM, the whistle blew, the game began, Ewing beat the veteran Bill Carterright in the jump ball, and the Knicks Team attacked first!

The Chicago Bulls’ starting five, John-Parkinson, Jordan, Pippen, Horace Grant, Carterright fell into positions, blocking Zhang Yang’s fast break path.

Zhang Yang praised quietly ’as expected of the league’s top defensive team’, slowed down, and waited for his teammates to position themselves.

Chicago Bulls allowed only 99.5 points per game during the regular season, the second-lowest in the league, with only the Pistons allowing fewer points, averaging 97.7, and only these two teams allowed less than 100 points during the regular season.

However, the now declining Pistons lowered scores purely by controlling the pace, with opponents averaging only 83 shot attempts per game, while Chicago Bulls’ opponents averaged more than 90, which is the league average. Calculating by points allowed per 100 possessions, Chicago Bulls were indeed the league’s strongest defensive team.

All five starters for Chicago Bulls are excellent defenders, John-Parkinson, a shorter version of Bowen, not fast, not strong, with unremarkable stats, yet with great defensive performance; Horace Grant and Carterright’s twin towers rank among the best in defense; the guard and forward line with Jordan and Pippen, both in the All-Defensive Team, are the strongest in the league.

However, the Knicks Team’s offense is not something the best defense can easily stifle... with a regular-season average of 115 points, second in the league! Only behind the crazily playing Crazy Scientist’s Warriors!

Mark Jackson pushed to the frontcourt, passed to Ewing who was leaning on Carterright in the low post, Ewing turned directly after receiving the ball, executing a turnaround jumper before Pippen could double-team—scoring!

Carterright, the Knicks Team’s 79 draft third pick, was the Knicks Team core center before Ewing, after Ewing joined the NBA in 85, Carterright was abandoned, relegated to a substitute. After the contract expired in 88, he was sought after by many teams, eventually signing a lucrative contract with Chicago Bulls, 3 years for 4 million, transitioned to a blue-collar role, became Jordan’s most effective helper in the late 80s, and got an even bigger contract, 3 years for 6.6 million, last summer at 34 years old.

Carterright’s defensive strength lies in his 216cm height and 221cm wingspan to disturb shots, with not high steals and blocks stats, but excellent defensive effect.

However, his defensive shortcomings are also evident, against especially decisive strong offense, Carterright struggles to respond effectively, a fact well known by Ewing, with whom he played for three years.

Ewing played decisively and accurately, Jordan bit his mouthguard, adjusted it, expected this outcome, but still had some hope. If Ewing, who averaged 26 points per game to this point in the East Final, had a slightly worse touch, the game would be much easier.

Jordan reached the frontcourt, just at the three-point line, was immediately pressed by Zhang Yang, using his strength advantage to push Zhang Yang away, just got the ball, Zhang Yang stuck to him again.

Zhang Yang’s dogged defense, which met Jordan five times in the playoffs over the past seven years, was something Jordan was used to. He knew he couldn’t shake the defense, so he focused on his game, changed direction to break through, and in the face of Zhang Yang’s interference, reached the right side of the free throw line. Before Oakley’s help defense was in position, he jumped against Zhang Yang, forced a shot... went in!

Zhang Yang had prepared mentally for not being able to defend, but really having such a quick stop jump shot made him feel prickly.

He had already braced himself, but Jordan used his explosion and footwork to create just a bit of space, maximizing the jump reduction caused by the lower body confrontation, maintaining the shot force.

During the transition, Zhang Yang reached the frontcourt, having adjusted his mentality.

At 29, peak form of facing the basket Jordan, if in a tightly guarded, speed disadvantaged situation he did not have some strong move capabilities, could he still be called the greatest of all time?

Jordan retreated to the backcourt and also pressured tightly on Zhang Yang, Zhang Yang did not call for the ball, seized the right moment, cut in from the left, sneaking along the baseline with Jordan.

Right after Zhang Yang ran out of the right baseline of the paint, Mark Jackson’s pass accurately reached Ewing’s hands, Jordan had to double on Ewing, Ewing avoided Jordan’s reach, slightly moved...

Zhang Yang received the ball at mid-range on the right, took an open mid-range shot... went in!

Jordan put his hands on his hips, with the duo of Mark Jackson distributing the ball, there was no way anyone could stop them!

He couldn’t help but reminisce about college basketball. If he could double-team ahead of time, zone defense would be possible...

Since that’s the case, and there’s no other way, just attack!

The opponent’s offense is strong, and Chicago Bulls are not bad either, averaging 109.9 points, fifth in the league! Ranking just behind the Warriors, Knicks Team, Pacers, and Phoenix Suns!

Although in this East Final, they didn’t stop the Knicks Team, allowing them to average 107 points, but the Knicks Team, 9th in league defense, averaging 103.4 points allowed, couldn’t stop them either. They had stronger overall firepower in the first six games, averaging 108.5 points!

When it came to Chicago Bulls’ offense, Jordan also switched to off-ball mode, the initial attack was merely to respond to Ewing. Facing the same first-team defender Zhang Yang, constantly holding and attacking would wear him out too.

Zhang Yang’s defensive habits were so perfect that even Jordan found them outrageous—the trait being never overexerting.

Lacking in jumping and explosiveness, he didn’t rely on them, focused on giving resistance, with great timing on reaching out to interfere, and very quick hands, a moment of carelessness and the ball would be taken away before it was even raised, making isolation plays very uncomfortable.

But Jordan wasn’t alone anymore, Pippen had his first 20+ points per game season this year, already a second-team, first-team defensive star!

Seeing Jordan begin to run off the ball, Pippen immediately entered attack mode, bursting past Mike Dunleavy into the paint.

Oakley was in position to help, Pippen passed out, Jordan using Horace Grant’s screen shook off Zhang Yang receiving the ball... but couldn’t get an open shot!

Feigning a three-man double-team on Pippen, Mark Jackson immediately dashed towards Jordan when Pippen passed, Jordan received the ball and turned, immediately facing Mark Jackson, with Zhang Yang also stepping around Horace Grant for the double-team.

This Green Army-style way of defending drives and dishes, Jordan was used to, he turned himself into the pivot, passed out... Zhang Yang sprung back like a bullet in front of Horace Grant, but Jordan’s pass wasn’t for the one wearing glasses.

Behind Horace Grant, one step inside the left three-point line, John-Parkinson received the long two-point shot... nothing but net!