NBA: The Basketball Miracle

On June 1, 1998, Game 1 of the Finals will officially begin at 9:00 p.m. at Madison Square Garden.

The Jazz players flew to New York in advance at the end of May, but after most sports media conducted routine interviews, there were no further reports.

The Salt Lake City media clamors for the Jazz championship every day, but the influence is really limited.

The New York media didn't take the Jazz seriously at all:

"The Bulls swept the team like a gentleman, but who are they?"

At this time, everyone was busy mocking Michael Jordan and had no time to pay attention to Karl Malone, who was not a topic of discussion at all.

For four full days, the sports media kept reporting on the Bulls while reporting on the finals, and Michael Jordan was still being ridiculed.

Ordinary fans don't care about the media's nonsense.

Regardless of whether fans of other teams like to see such a matchup, New York fans are already going crazy.

The tickets were sold out early and enthusiastic fans entered the stadium before 9 p.m. that night.

Many people also held up signs that read "The Real MVP" to show their support for Clay Lee.

Due to the limitations of communication conditions, stars who can sell tickets are very important to the team at this time.

Only real money support from buying tickets can bring direct income to the team.

NBC's famous reporter Jim Gray also felt the New York fans' love for Lee.

Less than two years after joining the team, he was almost treated the same as Ewing.

Lee usually comes to the gym early to warm up.

The media reporters are also familiar with his habits.

When the warm-up is over, they immediately come up to him and say,

"Lee, congratulations on making it to the finals!"

"At 20 years and 151 days old, he once again broke the record set by Magic Johnson and became the youngest starter in the Finals in NBA history."

Hearing Jim Gray talking about the record with a smile, Lee also smiled.

Currently, there are not many young records set by Magic Johnson.

"This is your first finals in your career, and you will be facing Stockton soon. Can you talk about your expectations for this game?"

Many fans were still sighing.

Lee's fancy warm-up activities have become a must-see for many fans before the game.

However, when they saw the NBC reporter, the fans soon started to boo loudly.

Having already changed into a "Gear Dog" suit and wearing the Knicks' home jersey, Lee immediately answered the question with a relaxed look:

"Of course we have to win at home. From the perspective of the schedule, 2-3-2, it is possible that our opponent will win three games in a row, so protecting our home court is our goal for these two games."

"When I was in college, I watched the most highlights of Stockton's games. Being able to play against him on such a stage is something I have always been looking forward to."

"."

Ewing did not accept any interviews before the game.

Having reached the finals again, the gorilla cherishes this opportunity very much.

I injured my wrist this year and my condition has declined.

Considering my age, if I get injured again, I will basically say goodbye to the level of a star player.

Michael Jordan was swept by the Gentlemen, and Ewing also realized that he didn't have much time left in his career.

In this situation, the gorilla didn't want to fail in this finals.

He needed the championship too much.

He had won rave reviews over Michael Jordan.

If he really won the championship, he would most likely ascend to heaven.

In the Knicks locker room, seeing that everyone had arrived and had changed into their uniforms, Ewing immediately said loudly:

"We have to win two home games and everyone will be nervous when the games start."

Oakley also clapped his hands and reminded:

"Don't worry about the opponent's tricks, this is our home court!"

In the visiting team's locker room, no one on the Jazz team yelled or screamed, and both Stockton and Karl Malone looked calm.

Jerry Sloan looked serious and specifically reminded Greg Ostertag, the starting center tonight:

"When encountering a pick-and-roll, remember to delay quickly. During the game, respond to each other and don't let the opponent find the rhythm easily!"

The visiting players were greeted with continuous boos, and as the Knicks players took the stage one by one, the atmosphere in Madison Square Garden became increasingly heated.

On the NBC commentary booth, Bob Costas gave a brief introduction to the starting lineups of both teams immediately after receiving them:

"Compared to the Western Conference Finals, the Jazz changed their center, with Greg Ostertag starting."

"The backcourt is still John Stockton and Jeff Hornacek, and the forwards are Bryon Russell and Karl Malone."

As soon as the voice fell, Doug Collins on the side immediately added:

"Taking a big man is not a good choice. He may be able to provide rim protection on defense, but facing pick-and-rolls, if Stockton fails to squeeze through the screen in time, Ostertag will be forced to delay."

"Lee will seize these opportunities. After Ewing's return, the quality of the Knicks' screens has improved, which is why the Bulls chose to switch defense in many rounds."

Isiah Thomas, who was in the commentary booth, had been in a particularly good mood in recent days.

He nodded in agreement after hearing his partner's opinion:

"Yes, tonight will be a great test of the Jazz's perimeter defense. Considering John's age, it will be difficult for him to limit Lee's performance."

Ever since Michael Jordan lost the Eastern Conference Finals, Isiah Thomas almost became a Lee licker.

As the guest commentator for the finals, he did not forget to praise Lee's performance in the Eastern Conference Finals.

During the final warm-up between the two sides, the Utah duo did not show much expression, and it seemed that reaching the finals did not make them excited.

In comparison, Ewing seemed more excited.

The gorilla even completed several dunks during warm-up to show his physical condition to the fans.

As the referee signaled the players from both sides to come to the center of the field, a huge cheer immediately broke out:

"Let's go Knicks! Let's go Knicks! Let's go Knicks!"

The New York fans present cheered particularly loudly, and when the gorilla successfully passed the ball to half court, cheers rang out again.

Unlike Harper's leading defense, Stockton only chose to move forward to defend after Lee crossed half court.

Lee quickly made a tactical gesture and, holding the ball in his left hand, quickly moved to the left wing to protect the ball, and the Knicks players moved away one by one.

Larry Johnson still stood on the right wing to provide support, while Alan Houston observed the defense in the right corner, ready to start at any time.

Oakley was blocking out Malone near the right baseline, ready to go for the rebound.

Ewing quickly moved to the three-point line and performed a high pick-and-roll.

Lee resumed his previous 2-on-2 offensive tactics after the opening.

When Ewing stood still, he immediately held the ball with his left hand, lowered his center of gravity, and broke through on the left side.

The gorilla's screen quality was very good, and although Stockton tried hard to squeeze through, he still failed to successfully complete the pursuit.

After hearing the head coach's instructions before the game, Ostertag quickly slid to delay Lee.

However, it was difficult for this 2.18-meter tall man to bend down to defend.

Lee just slightly raised his center of gravity, and faced with a big delay, he suddenly pushed the ball quickly and changed direction.

Before Ostertag had time to slide again, Lee lowered his center of gravity and scooped up the ball with his right hand, quickly led the ball forward, and easily passed between the two people.

"oh!!"

This immediately caused cheers to break out from the audience.

In the blink of an eye, Lee had rushed into the three-point line, scooped up the ball with his right hand and went straight into the paint area.

Malone, who was still fighting with Oakley, hurriedly moved to prepare for defense, but Lee suddenly stopped in the paint area right in front of the basket and took a quick jump shot!

"Swish!" The mid-range shot hit the target steadily!

Seeing Lee score so easily, head coach Sloan frowned on the sidelines.

Lee celebrated with a smile and high-fived Ewing, then turned around and started defending Stockton.

He was not interested in rushing to the basket headfirst.

Malone's muscles and iron-blooded elbows were not for decoration.

Perhaps in order to save energy, Stockton did not choose to dribble across half court himself, but quickly passed the ball to Hornacek.

After crossing the center line, Stockton caught the ball again by running without the ball.

"Defense! Defense! Defense!"

Amid the cheers from the defense, Lee remained close to Stockton, and when he noticed that Malone had started to move, he immediately prepared to squeeze through the screen.

Instead of playing pick-and-roll as usual, Stockton was closely guarded by Lee at the top of the arc.

He first pretended to break through on the right side, and then quickly dribbled the ball behind his back.

After Malone set the screen, he immediately moved quickly to the elbow area on the right side of the free throw line.

Stockton, who had switched to his left hand, made a ground pass.

After receiving the ball, Malone faked a move and took a quick test step with his right foot.

As Oakley took a slight step backward, he immediately exerted force with his feet and made a successful jump shot!

"Boo!!"

Although he has beautiful muscles, Malone can sometimes also be a handsome mid-range shooter.

This powerful power forward usually completes the offense from the outside after the opening.

After finding his touch, he combines shooting and breakthroughs, attacks the basket, and stands on the free throw line.

Stockton always allows the opponent to receive the ball comfortably.

The two cooperate well and have a wide variety of pick-and-rolls.

A quick baseline ball was sent and Lee made a simple tactical gesture, indicating a change in defensive strategy.

The game strategy customized before the game was to chase and defend Stockton.

Oakley and Ewing also needed to participate in delaying defense, after all, Stockton's mid-range shot was very accurate.

After one round, Lee decided to defend alone, one-on-one, to see Stockton's offensive state.

In this attack, Ewing set a screen for Alan Houston near the right baseline.

There was no complicated tactics.

Alan Houston immediately jumped out and came to the elbow area on the right side of the free throw line.

He received the pass from Lee, faced Hornacek's block, drifted slightly to the left, and took a mid-range jump shot!

"Swish!" Another two-point shot went in.

Since winning against the Bulls, Alan Houston has become more confident in his shooting.

After scoring, he quickly retreats with a smile on his face.

Amid the cheers of the fans, the Jazz began to speed up their advance.

After Hornacek crossed half court, he simply organized an attack.

The pick-and-roll was also initiated, and Malone's screen quality on the left wing was very good, allowing Hornacek, holding the ball in his right hand, to briefly break free from the defense.

Quickly coming to the elbow area on the left side of the free throw line, Hornacek immediately stopped and made a jump shot!

"Clang!"

As soon as the rebound bounced out, Ewing grabbed it.

Head coach Sloan on the sidelines shouted at the players to retreat quickly.

After receiving the ball, Lee accelerated across half court.

There was no timely delay, and Stockton was still directing his teammates to complete their defensive positions.

On the right wing, Lee, holding the ball in his right hand, did not slow down.

When he was approaching the three-point line, he quickly went in and out while moving.

Stockton was stunned by the dart.

Without giving the opponent too much time to react, Lee immediately stopped the ball on the three-point line and then quickly made a jump shot!

"Swish!" The three-pointer went into the net!

2:7, the neat three-pointer made the Jazz team a little confused.

Lee quickly retreated and no longer defended Stockton.

The Jazz's offense also began to start from the low post.

The two big men began to receive the ball with their backs to the basket in the blocking area, while other Jazz players cut in without the ball.

It was just a tactical run, but the Knicks' defense did not make any mistakes.

In the end, Malone made a face-to-face jump shot in the left blocking area.

The game quickly entered the Knicks' rhythm, and Sloan on the sidelines loudly reminded the players to defend.

Ostertag delayed Lee in the pick-and-roll, but missed Ewing who was running forward.

For two consecutive rounds, the gorilla was able to score under the basket.

Oakley kept hanging on Malone on the offensive end, and he was blocking the opponent near the baseline.

The old guy did nothing else and tried to use melee defense to affect Malone's shooting feel.

After a few rounds, noticing that it was becoming increasingly difficult for the Jazz to score, Doug Collins on the NBC commentary booth immediately said,

"This is not the Jazz's game rhythm. They play too slowly and are too afraid of the opponent's transition offense."

Seeing Stockton's missed shot, Isiah Thomas on the side said with a smile:

"Lee is not Van Exel. John has to strengthen his defense. It is best to choose to lead the defense. This may consume too much energy, but it is definitely the best defensive strategy."

After receiving the long rebound, Lee advanced quickly, and Stockton also chased to his side, and soon the two began to fight with hands.

Arriving at the top of the arc, Ewing set a fake screen on the three-point line and immediately went down to the free throw line, where he set a screen for Alan Houston again, who quickly shot out.

Without using a screen, Lee dribbled quickly behind his back with the ball in his left hand.

After switching to his right hand, he immediately lowered his shoulders and accelerated, spotted Alan Houston's outside shot, and immediately jumped up and passed the ball after crossing the three-point line.

The moment Alan Houston received the ball, there was no one defending in front of him.

He didn't make any adjustments and just shot the ball!

"Swish!" The three-pointer went into the net!

"Wow!!"

At 6:14, with 7 minutes and 2 seconds left in the first quarter, head coach Sloan immediately requested a timeout amid the happy shouts of the fans.

Jeff Van Gundy, who was AFK, didn't expect the game to go so smoothly.

Except for Malone, all the other players on the Jazz missed shots.

In less than half a quarter, Lee had made 4 assists.

The bald young coach quickly patted his shoulder to show encouragement:

"Good job!"

On the Knicks bench, the atmosphere team was also shouting happily, as if their shooting touch had improved after beating the Bulls.

With the bonus of metaphysical psychology, Lee felt that all his teammates were brave and dared to fight.

After the Jazz's timeout, they replaced the center Greg Foster, but the substitution did not change their shooting feel.

Only Karl Malone was in excellent form.

He was not affected by Oakley at all and scored consecutive jump shots in his sweet spot.

The cheers in the stadium were getting louder and louder.

One person could not beat the Knicks, and the home team's smooth offense also made the fans more confident.

The Jazz made personnel rotations early in an attempt to score efficiently and coach Sloan tried to improve the team's shooting touch, but the Jazz were unable to turn the tide until the end of the first quarter.

At 14:27, the Knicks led by 13 points in the first quarter.

Madison Square Garden was completely boiling.

New York fans felt that the championship was within their grasp and the Jazz had no chance to fight back.

After the second quarter started, Lee, who was sitting on the bench, saw that the substitutes also started to attack hard, and curled his lips:

"You are all here to grab the FMVP!"

...

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