No.1 in basketball scoring-Chapter 85 - 77. Even More Arrogant than Big Bird: The Buzzer-Beater_3
Chapter 85: 77. Even More Arrogant than Big Bird: The Buzzer-Beater_3
With only 58 seconds left, the Celtics led the Chicago Bulls by six points, 116-110, having outscored them 35-25 in the final 11 minutes of the game!
Just when everyone thought the Celtics had secured the win and the fans were ready to celebrate the come-from-behind victory, Jordan exploded!
Jordan began with a face-up mid-range jumper over Zhang Yang, followed by consecutive steals and fast-break scores against Dennis Johnson.
As the clock hit 11 minutes and 48 seconds left in the final quarter, Jordan scored six points in 46 seconds, helping the Bulls tie the game!
Jordan, who racked up 16 points in the first quarter, 15 in the second, 8 in the third, and 10 in the first 11 minutes of the fourth, added these final six points for a total of 55 points, the third-highest in history, trailing only Baylor’s 61 points and Chamberlain’s 56!
And he still had a chance to score more! With only 12 seconds left, the game might go into overtime!
The Celtics called a timeout to set up a play for ’Bird.’
But after the timeout, it was Jordan who took on the defensive task against ’Bird.’ ’Bird’ barely caught the pass from his teammate with Oakley rushing up immediately.
The Bulls’ two best defenders double-teamed ’Bird’!
’Bird’ first looked for McHale, but the interference from Jordan and Oakley on the pass, as well as the tight coverage on McHale, made it challenging.
Then ’Bird’ saw Dennis Johnson open and was about to pass to him, but then he noticed Zhang Yang running from the wing toward the top of the key, trailed by the opposing point guard... Without hesitation, ’Bird’ decisively passed it to Zhang Yang, who was closely guarded!
With 8 seconds still on the clock, Zhang Yang didn’t rush, facing Kyle Macy’s tight defense. He steadied the ball, calmed his breathing, synchronized the rhythm of his body, and took time off the clock.
Oakley dropped back toward the paint, rejoining his defensive assignment and ready to secure the rebound.
Impatient to double-team and prevent ’Bird’ from getting the ball again, Jordan was anxious. How could Macy possibly contain that guy? But he dared not leave ’Bird’ wide open... As the clock dwindled to 3 seconds, Jordan couldn’t resist anymore; he lunged toward the free-throw line.
Zhang Yang made his move at that moment, faking a step forward, which caused Macy to step back half a step. Then Zhang Yang pulled back, collected the ball, and jumped!
Jordan flew past in front of Zhang Yang, contorting his body in mid-air, stretching out an arm in an attempt to disrupt the shot; he knew he couldn’t reach the ball, but perhaps he could startle his opponent?
But Zhang Yang wasn’t fazed in the slightest, his step-back jumper steady and true.
As soon as the ball left his hands, Zhang Yang knew it was good.
After landing, Zhang Yang turned and put his hand behind his ear, listening...
Accompanied by the long buzzer signaling the end of the game, the ball swished through the net, and the crowd erupted in an instant, cheers boiling over!
"Jack... Jack... Jack..."
For the first time, the home crowd chanted Zhang Yang’s English name in unison, thoroughly riled up.
A buzzer-beater as the shot clock expired, and Zhang Yang turned to celebrate even as the ball descended... such audacious confidence from the rookie... no! Their rookie had always been audacious!
Daring to challenge ’Bird’ right after joining the team!
As much as they still held grievances against this rookie — who came from the place that longed for Los Angeles and idolized Chamberlain — at this very moment, they fell in love with him!
Jordan watched Zhang Yang listening with his back turned, furious and powerless. He thought he was destined to make a big play, indeed having a crazy 46 seconds with 6 points and 2 steals... Only to become part of a most dramatic backdrop!
His teammates were also shocked. This rookie was truly as arrogant as ’Bird’!
’Bird’ stared at Zhang Yang’s back... damn, he got completely outplayed by that annoying rookie! How come he hadn’t thought of celebrating straight after a game-winning shot?
Shit!
He couldn’t do that anymore either; doing so would be imitating the rookie.
At that moment, he was more incensed than Jordan!
...
points, 4 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals, 1 block, and a game-winning shot — Zhang Yang successfully won the home crowd’s affection... a mix of love and hate.
Perhaps when he really brings great honors to the Celtics, the fans will be able to turn the story of his first day on the team challenging ’Bird’ into a topic of laughter.
But he didn’t care about that; his mind wasn’t on the fans. He didn’t even attend the post-game interview; he was ready to show no shame.
After the first two games were done, it was time for alternating between home and away games.
The first round of the best-of-five series had three days of rest during the first home and away switch, and the Celtics were scheduled to travel to Chicago the day before the game.
On the 20th, the first rest day, Zhang Yang still got up early. Following the game, he underwent ice therapy with Larry Bird, which had a pretty good effect.
Last night, he had asked the video analyst for some clips of Bird’s game, which he watched all morning. Approaching noon, the ’mole’ he had paid for... that is, the security guy, called to say Bird had entered the arena.
He picked up a dozen items that the supermarket had delivered that morning and ran to the arena. When he got to the practice court, he saw Bird warming up.
Seeing Zhang Yang, Bird’s mood soured even further, "Wow, isn’t this Mr. Big Heart who celebrated the buzzer-beater in advance? I thought you’d be so happy that you wouldn’t be able to sleep for two or three days, but I didn’t expect you to be training the day after the game..."
Zhang Yang shot back immediately, "Did you celebrate for two or three days and couldn’t sleep after your first playoff buzzer-beater? Sorry, maybe I’m just too cool. Please remind me in advance next time, so I can put on an act and make you feel better."
He saw the news at breakfast; the Boston station said he was better at showing off than Bird. That was sarcastic. Although he needed a favor, he still had to clap back when necessary.
Bird really wanted to curse out loud but that would mean losing his composure.
This time he really felt defeated; the guy had just scored a buzzer-beater, and it was such a domineering one too. Jordan’s clawing action in the air was the headline background in the newspapers, and Jordan’s third-highest playoff score of 55 points in history became a joke... Next time he would definitely win!
Just when Bird was about to give up arguing and continue warming up, Zhang Yang said, "Bird, teach me how to post up!"
Bird turned around and then turned back, his expression full of disdain, "Teach you? What’s in it for me? No way."
Zhang Yang lifted up the dozen items he was carrying, "Teach me how to post up, and I’ll treat you to beer."
Bird watched Zhang Yang for a while, stepped forward, and reached out for the beer... Zhang Yang handed the beer to the trainer standing by.
Bird: "What do you mean by this?"
Zhang Yang: "During the playoffs, the Red Auerbach banned drinking, I’ll join you for drinks after we send Jordan on vacation."
Bird, tilting his head and stroking his beard, grunted and said, "You’ll drink against me? That isn’t enough."
Zhang Yang: "I have dozens more cases at home, enough for you."
Bird: "You’re looking for trouble, book a hospital in advance for a stomach pump. I’ll teach you, but don’t expect me to treat you with kid gloves like I would a little brother. I’ll practice the post-up footwork in high-low positions more these few days. You watch and learn; whether you get it or not is up to you."
Zhang Yang: "Heh..."
That laugh again, Bird wanted to smack this rookie to death with a stool, but he held back. If he really did it, he’d be the one getting smacked to death...
...
Zhang Yang followed Bird for two days practicing post-up moves. True to his word, Bird only demonstrated the moves during training.
Zhang Yang wasn’t picky; he was happy just to have something to learn.
After arriving in Chicago in the morning of the 22nd, Bird went to the Bulls’ gym that afternoon. Once Zhang Yang got the news, he too went, and seeing that Zhang Yang really came along, Bird’s satisfaction with his teammate’s effort went up by +1, and his annoyance level also went up by +1...
On April 23rd, the Celtics faced off against the Bulls in the third game of the away series.
Zhang Yang was already psychologically prepared, waiting for Jordan’s rampage...
After scoring 41 points in one game and 55 in another, Jordan faltered in the third game. He made only 12 out of 33 shots, including 1 of 5 from beyond the arc; together with 6 of 8 free throws, he scored 31 points, 6 rebounds, and 8 assists.
Zhang Yang seized the opportunity to counter-attack furiously, scoring 8 field goals off fast breaks alone.
With 14 of 26 shot attempts made, including 2 of 6 three-pointers and 4 of 5 free throws, Zhang Yang set a new personal playoff high with 34 points, 6 rebounds, and 3 steals.
119-100, the Celtics took down the Bulls with ease, completing a 3-0 sweep and advancing to the second round!
This trial did not immediately end after the series was over. Zhang Yang thought there would be more... but the next day, after returning to Boston with the team, he and Bird drank dozens of bottles of beer in his apartment, and both ended up vomiting like dogs. That’s when the feeling of the trial being over hit him... it was quite something!
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characters~ I made up for the 1500 words I missed yesterday, asking for monthly tickets! And recommendation tickets!
The sourc𝗲 of this content is free(w)𝒆bnov(𝒆)l
