The Pistons' tenacity far exceeded Gentry's expectations.
They only lost Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals. The next two games will be played at the Nets' home court and the Pistons' home court.
The Nets' home court.
Anthony, Hamilton, and Billups all scored 20+ points, while Ben Wallace went 0-for-5 and didn't score, but he grabbed 19 rebounds and had 5 blocks.
Both offensive and defensive ends...
The Nets struggled immensely and ultimately lost the game.
Pistons home court.
Since joining the NBA, Wei Guo has never experienced losing two consecutive playoff games.
But...
The Nets suffered two key injuries to Kenyon and Hill during the game, and despite leading in the first half, they were overtaken by the Pistons in the third quarter with a 27-13 run!
In the fourth quarter, only Wei Guo scored for the Nets, while the other players were exhausted. They lost their offensive desire after receiving the ball and blindly searched for Wei Guo, which gave the Pistons another opportunity. In the end, the Pistons united and won the game at home once again.
The score is 1-2!!!
I have to say...
The Pistons are too strong this year.
Scott is right. If the Pistons can get past the Nets, they have a very good chance of winning the championship!
......
The hotel where the Brooklyn Nets are staying.
Gentry and Scott were in Weiguo's room when they received news that Kenyon and Hill's injuries were not serious.
but...
Kenyon will need to rest for at least three games, and considering Hill has suffered two major injuries, he will be out for at least two weeks.
The three games and two weeks have one thing in common: neither of them will be able to play in the Eastern Conference Finals. If the Nets can make it to the NBA Finals, Hill will probably be able to return in Game 3 of the Finals.
"We've been protecting the players throughout the regular season..."
Scott sighed and said, "I never expected the injury to still happen, especially in the Eastern Conference Finals!"
Wei Guo said nonchalantly, "Injuries are part of the game. Who the hell knows whether tomorrow or an injury will come first? What we need to do now is forget about Kenyon and Hill and figure out how to win the Eastern Conference Finals."
"Some adjustments need to be made to the lineup."
"Two key generals have been lost..."
"Brother Wei, do you have any good ideas?"
With the Nets' current roster, Hill and Kenyon are arguably the team's second and third options. The simultaneous absence of these two players has a significant impact on the Nets; otherwise, the Nets wouldn't have lost the last game.
When Gentry and Scott came in, Wei Guo was reading "The Smiling, Proud Wanderer".
"To bring the Dugu Nine Swords to their fullest potential"
The key lies in the word "liveliness".
When facing the enemy in battle, it's best to forget all your sword techniques.
To reach the highest level of mastery, where no moves are needed to defeat all moves.
Feng Qingyang is teaching Linghu Chong the Dugu Nine Swords. This is a very popular TV series in China in the 1990s. Lu Songxian's acting skills are superb. Wei Guo has nothing to do in his room, so he takes out the TV series and watches it again.
"Brother Wei!"
Gentry called Weiguo's name again, finally getting Weiguo's attention away from the TV series. "Huh?"
"I'm saying... how should we play the next match?"
How do we fight?
Wei Guo scratched his head. "Hill and Kenyon are both out, which is a huge loss for us."
"Yes, the general public is not optimistic about the Nets now."
"Those are a small group of people who don't understand football; don't pay attention to their opinions."
"So, do you have any good ideas?"
Wei Guo watched Linghu Chong practicing his swordplay and casually remarked, "Offense is the best form of defense."
Gentry asked, "What does 'offense as defense' mean?"
"There's a saying in the league: offense wins games, defense wins championships."
Scott added.
"Then do you know what the best defense is?"
"The best defense..."
Gentry and Scott fell into deep thought, racking their brains for a long time without finding an answer. They looked at Wei Guo and asked, "Wei Guo, what do you think is the best defense?"
"Attack!"
"this..."
Gentry didn't know how to refute Wei Guo.
Wei Guo's words seemed to make sense, yet also seemed like nonsense. He and Scott couldn't find the answer in Wei Guo's words and eventually left disappointed.
......
On May 28, 2004, the Eastern Conference Finals reached Game 4.
The Nets had a record of 1 win and 2 losses, while the Pistons had a record of 2 wins and 1 loss. If the Nets lose another game, they will be in danger.
Barkley and Johnson were present to commentate on the game. Although the Nets had lost two key players, Barkley still firmly believed that the Nets would win the game.
"My request is just one word!"
Wei Guo instructed his teammates, "You have to be fast! Pass the ball fast, shoot fast! Shoot as soon as you receive the ball, and get back on defense as soon as you shoot!"
Mourning asked, "Don't you need the rebounds anymore?"
"Who said we don't need rebounds?!"
Wei Guo's face fell. "I'll grab the rebound! Everyone else, get moving!"
After saying that...
Wei Guo had Cummings take out a leather whip and throw it on a bench. "If anyone can't run fast enough, Old Jin, you can use this whip to lash them!"
"This...this...this..."
Gentry stared in disbelief. "Where did this whip come from?"
Cummings chuckled and said, "Wei Guo asked me to buy a leather whip. I didn't know where to buy one, but I happened to pass by an adult store, so I just bought one!"
The Nets players felt a chill run down their spines!
This is actually one of those leather whips...
If that slapped on the body, especially on the butt, who could stand it?!
......
The match is about to begin, and the key players have already taken to the field.
Pistons: Billups, Hamilton, Anthony, Rasheed, Ben Wallace
Brooklyn Nets: Stockton, Kiddels, Jefferson, Weiguo, Mourning
The Pistons players were particularly relaxed...
They've won two straight games, and with the Nets losing two key players, Hill and Kenyon, the odds are in their favor. Most players are already dreaming of the Finals.
Many NBA legends came to the game.
Among them were retired Pistons legends Thomas and Dumars, and of course... many other players, such as Iverson, Mutombo, Francis, and Yao Ming, who were former teammates of Wei Guo and came to cheer him on.
"Beep!!!"
The starting whistle blew.
Wei Guo and Big Ben jumped for the ball. Big Ben had never won a jump ball against Wei Guo. Stockton dribbled the ball to the frontcourt, where Wei Guo was already positioned outside the three-second zone.
Jefferson's positioning...
Stockton hadn't even reached the three-point line when he noticed Jefferson had some shooting space and immediately passed the ball to him!
Jefferson receives the ball and shoots!
Barkley: "Jefferson's shot was too hasty. Wei Guo was already in position. He could have easily passed the ball to Wei Guo. No one on the Pistons could stop Wei Guo!"
"bang~~~"
The basketball bounced off the rim!
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