Chapter 399 398. Fight against the bad boy army, start the waves!
The two days of preparation passed in a flash, and on May 5th, the first game day of the Eastern Conference Finals arrived.

Zhang Yang is very excited today. He has been here several times. He has seen the Pistons and Laimbeer countless times in training information and news, but he has never actually met or played against them.

We can finally fight this time!
In the Western Conference Finals, the Lakers defeated the Spurs 128-112 last night.

Lian Zhan Big Bird, the Bad Boys, the Magic... He felt excited just thinking about it.

It was 7:40 p.m. at Madison Square Garden, and the entrance ceremony began.

New York fans are very excited tonight, partly because they finally made it to the Eastern Conference Finals after many years, and partly because of their opponents.

When the players from the opposing Pistons entered the court, each of them looked tough to deal with, but when the players from the Knicks entered the court, they looked even tougher to deal with!
If there is any team whose fans are not afraid of the violent acts of the Bad Boys and even look forward to it, it is only the New York gang.

Although their notoriety is not as bad as the Bad Boys, they are still well-known, especially after the combination of Zhang Yang and Oakley was formed. Those basketball hooligans seemed so well-behaved and sensible when they met the Knicks.

These days, the Knicks have an extremely positive public image, which means their opponents are the Bad Boys.

Look, when other stars played against the Pistons, they walked around the Pistons players before the game. But it was different for the Knicks. When Laimbeer went to apply magnesium chalk, Zhang Yang took the initiative to come over and they immediately cheered.

Seeing this, Rick Mahorn quickly moved behind Laimbeer and acted as a bodyguard.

Oakley saw Rick Mahorn's movements and came behind Zhang Yang.

When the referee saw these four people, he was stunned: Brothers, the game hasn’t even started yet, what are you doing?
Zhang Yang looked at the audience. He didn't know what these New York fans were cheering for. He didn't care for the moment. He asked Lambier who was looking at him with doubt: "I saw your information. Are you from Boston?"

Ranbir was stunned for a moment and responded, "Ah? You came to me just to ask this? Yes, yes, what's the matter?"

Zhang Yang: "Nothing, I'm just curious, why don't you play for the Celtics? That should be a good fit for you."

Laimbeer looked at Zhang Yang with a strange expression, turned back to continue applying magnesium powder, and replied: "The Celtics management is blind. They didn't choose me in the draft. Why should I join them? Boston fans are also blind. They didn't like me when I was in college. You should understand that."

Zhang Yang agreed: "They are indeed blind. If I, Big Bird and you form the 2-4 position, we will not be invincible. It's a pity... But I am more happy to play against you. I hope it will be an exciting game tonight!"

Laimbeer: "I would never want to be teammates with Bird, but I also hope it will be a great game tonight."

After saying hello, Zhang Yang grabbed some magnesium powder, spread it evenly on his palms, patted them, and returned to the bench with Oakley.

Laimbeer looked at Zhang Yang's back and complained to Rick Mahorn: "This guy, how come he has changed so much? He wasn't so enthusiastic before, was he?"

Joe Dumars, who was watching from the side, responded: "Maybe after taking revenge on the Celtics, he let go of his worries. Maybe this is the real him. Boston must be a very stressful place for him. Not being a white person playing there would cause some psychological problems. I heard that Russell saw a psychologist for many years after retiring." Laimbeer: "Really? I don't think so. He is such a confusing guy. But I also heard that most athletes have psychological problems. Do you think I have psychological problems?"

Joe Dumars: "I think you often cause psychological problems for others..."

Zhang Yang naturally never thought that his sudden impulse to go and say hello to Laimbeer would lead the opposing players to discuss the topic of mental health knowledge. If he knew about it, he would definitely chat a little more and maybe be able to distract the other party's attention?

Even if it just increases the chances of winning a little bit, it would be great.

At 8 p.m., the game began as Ewing defeated James Edwards to win the tip-off.

Pistons starting lineup: Isaiah Thomas, Joe Dumars, Laimbeer, Rodman, James Edwards.

Knicks starting lineup: Mark Jackson, Gerald Wilkins, Zhang Yang, Oakley, Ewing.

When the Knicks players ran across the center line, they encountered half-court pressure and melee defense from the Pistons players.

Zhang Yang encountered the defense of Dumars, who was known as the "only good guy" of the Pistons.

This "good guy" is only relative. Dumars's little tricks are all over the place, such as pinching the waist and elbowing. The most he does is that he is not like other players on the Pistons who would commit flagrant fouls at the slightest disagreement.

Zhang Yang naturally had to respond to such defense. When Mark Jackson pushed forward to the top of the arc with his big butt, Zhang Yang turned and ran to the left elbow area. While turning, he actively stuck to Dumas and threw an elbow at him.

Dumas was elbowed so hard that he spit out a breath, cursed, and hurried to catch up.

Oakley and Ewing went to both sides of the free throw line, Gerald Wilkins went to the 45-degree angle on the left, and the first attack started with the elevator door tactics!
The Pistons were prepared for this move. When Zhang Yang ran around the three-second zone and went to the free throw line for a close screen, Rodman bypassed Oakley and Ewing to block Zhang Yang. Laimbeer also let go of Gerald Wilkins and pounced on Zhang Yang who received the ball from a 45-degree angle on the left.

James Edwards retreated directly to the basket, and Dumars did not continue to chase him. He retreated to the basket to block Oakley and Ewing who were running to the basket after executing a close screen.

Zhang Yang received the ball at the top of the arc and turned around. Facing the double-team of Laimer and Rodman, he jumped up without hesitation, facing the two people blocking his three-point shot... He was interfered with a bit too seriously, and the shot missed, but!
Oakley rushed into the inside and made a tip-in!
James Edwards blocked Ewing's rush, but Dumars, who jumped up to grab the rebound, was knocked out of the baseline by Oakley. It was a brutal scene.

Chuck Daly on the sidelines twitched his mouth. Zhang Yang on the opposite side was so damn reckless!

He watched the live broadcast of the game between the Knicks and the Celtics, and was also troubled when he saw the elevator door tactic, but he pondered it for a few days and found a pretty good defensive method. He gave up defending against Gerald Wilkins and Oakley's mid-range shots, blocked Zhang Yang's shots, and prevented the Knicks from cutting into the paint to receive Zhang Yang's passes.

Their defense was very effective in this round, and it can be said that they did not give Zhang Yang and Ewing, two first-team players, any chance at all.

But he didn't expect Zhang Yang to be so reckless. He dared to shoot even when Laimbeer and Rodman were right in front of him!
(End of this chapter)