Chapter 81: He Did It on Purpose

Before the fifth game started, the media had thoroughly hyped up the match.

Whether the Knicks won to advance or the Bulls returned home with a victory, it was very appealing to the fans.

In Yang Rui's previous life, when the Warriors broke the record with 73 wins, many retired players were not convinced. Pippen publicly stated that the 2016 Warriors were no match for the Bulls of their three-peat era.

This kind of debate is like comparing apples to oranges; no one can convince the other.

Now, following the Knicks to the Eastern Conference Finals, Yang Rui firmly believed that the 1998 Bulls would definitely not be able to beat the future Warriors, and there was even a high possibility of being swept.

Basketball tactics developed rapidly in the 21st century. The Dream Team's multiple losses in international competitions between 2001-2006 were a clear indication that relying solely on star power could no longer determine the outcome.

The current pace of the Bulls, in hindsight, was like a worse-shooting version of the Big Three Celtics, relying on defense and individual star power to win games, averaging only 93 points per game, which was too weak offensively.

What about the 2015-2017 Warriors? Except for the center, all players could step out and shoot threes, integrating off-ball screens, inside passing, cuts, and fast breaks into their tactics, capable of playing both fast and slow.

Besides Jordan and Pippen, the Bulls had three starters who were not good shooters and several role players who were also poor shooters. Only Kukoc could lead the bench in offense. Apart from Warriors coach Kerr, no one had a three-point shooting percentage over 40%. How could they win relying solely on star players' two-point isolations?

Yang Rui believed that the Bulls players could pack up and go fishing after this game.

New York is the most prosperous city in the United States. Madison Square Garden is not only the home of the Knicks but also hosts many other events, concerts, and more, with excellent facilities. Players in New York can greatly enhance their commercial value, which is unmatched by other places.

New York is diverse and populous, with many white-collar workers from Wall Street coming to watch the games after work. Therefore, the management did not arrange for uniform T-shirts during the playoffs, but this did not affect the home court atmosphere. No matter how big the celebrity watching the game, they all cheered vigorously for the home team.

The Knicks had never defeated the Jordan-led Bulls in the playoffs, but today they were about to make history.

The Bulls changed their lineup to better defend the pick-and-roll, pairing Rodman and Kukoc inside, playing small ball. As a result, Ewing started the game with four consecutive successful shots and assisted Ward in hitting a three-pointer from the left corner.

Ewing had a height advantage over Rodman, was on fire, scored three times with turnaround shots, and after setting a screen, cut to the basket, ignoring Jordan's defense and dunking with both hands!

The home team led 11-2, and the momentum was overwhelming. At this moment, something happened that infuriated all Knicks fans.

The Bulls proved in a despicable way that even in a very unfavorable situation, they still had ways to win. The 90s had one clear advantage over the future: players were good at committing flagrant fouls!

21st-century NBA teams played like Wing Chun, emphasizing speed, precision, and ruthlessness; the 90s teams had a slower pace, each team cultivating a few enforcers, like wielding sledgehammers in Hung Gar.

Some said these players were tough, but they were actually just sportsmanship-violating bastards.

In Yang Rui's previous life, in Game 3 of the 1998 Finals, Rodman and Malone got tangled up while retreating on defense, both falling to the ground. When Rodman got up, Malone deliberately knocked him down with his body, and when Malone got up, Rodman retaliated. In just a few seconds, the two fell four times like wrestlers, only without throwing punches.

Malone was a well-known iron man in the league and wouldn't get hurt wrestling with Rodman, but Ewing didn't have such a good physique. He was tall but lacked agility.

Rodman suddenly tripped Ewing while retreating on defense. Ewing, distracted and thinking about the next play, fell to the ground, twisting his body and injuring his right knee.

Other players might have been fine, but Ewing was different. His knees were very fragile, having suffered knee injuries since his rookie season, which made him wrap his knees like a mummy throughout his career. People said players had their peaks, but due to injuries, fans never saw Ewing's true peak.

The head referee followed Harper, who was dribbling, past half-court and didn't notice what happened behind. Only when Ewing fell and couldn't get up did he blow the whistle, and the whole arena booed.

Van Gundy was furious, jumping and shouting on the sidelines, "He did it on purpose! That's a flagrant foul!"

By this year, NBA broadcasting technology was already top-notch, with technical stations and replays from various angles. Rodman had previously kicked a cameraman, which wouldn't have been caught in the 80s, but now his misdeeds were once again fully exposed to the world.

The referee assessed Rodman with a flagrant foul 1, giving the Knicks two free throws and possession.

The NBA's flagrant foul rule was adopted in the 1990s to protect professional players from physical harm.

Flagrant fouls are divided into two types: flagrant foul 1 and flagrant foul 2. A flagrant foul 1 involves unnecessary contact, usually when the defender deliberately swings and makes heavy contact with the offensive player and follows through. A flagrant foul 2 involves unnecessary or excessive physical contact, usually deliberate heavy collisions and follow-throughs, resulting in immediate ejection.

The replay showed that Rodman's action wasn't too severe, just very precise, so he wasn't ejected.

The Knicks' team doctor shook his head after examining Ewing; he couldn't continue playing.

Ewing, supported by Buck Williams, left the court with tears in his eyes. He could barely walk, and without even checking, it was clear that the injury would require at least a few weeks of rest. Even if the team eliminated the Bulls, he would miss the Finals.

Van Gundy cursed on the sidelines, wanting to rush onto the court to confront Rodman, but Yang Rui held him back from doing anything rash.

"Don't hold me back! We can't let this slide. Even if I get ejected, I can't let this bastard get away with it," Van Gundy shouted.

"Of course, we can't let this slide, but what good does it do if you rush up there? If the players go up to help, will they all get ejected with you? Call a timeout! Now!" Yang Rui shouted even louder than Van Gundy.

Van Gundy calmed down after being yelled at. "What do you want to do?"

"Divide the tasks. You calm everyone down; the game has just started. Tell Larry and Charles not to lose their cool. Without Patrick, they are the key to winning. Think about how the Knicks were eliminated last season. I'll talk to Ben and Bruce separately."

Yang Rui was not a good-tempered person. If someone provoked him, he would retaliate.

As the players gathered in a circle, Yang Rui called out Ben Wallace and Bruce Bowen's names and said loudly, "Everyone, stay calm. Your task is to play well and strive for victory. Leave Rodman to the three of us."

Oakley was stunned for a moment, then looked at Yang Rui approvingly and gave Ben Wallace a hard pat on the shoulder. "Do a good job."

Yang Rui sneered, "Trust me, he's done for."

Rodman, you provoked the "New York Mafia." Let's see if you're still smiling by the end of this game!