There is a reason why O'Neal did not stand up to trouble Chen Jie at this time.
Because today, the second day of back-to-back games between the Bulls and Bucks, January 21, local time, O'Neal also returned from suspension.
In the first game back, the Miami Heat will challenge the Denver Nuggets, who own the Devils' home court, away from home.
This season, the Nuggets are not weak. Now, they are firmly ranked among the top eight in the Western Conference.
At the Pepsi Center, home of the Devils, Denver has only lost three games this season.
One game was overturned by the Pistons, who had five generals. In that game, Billups had his best performance of the season. He used a triple-double to help the Pistons win on the road.
In another game, it was the Western Conference opponent, the Houston Rockets. Tracy McGrady and Yao Ming both showed their strength, making Denver miserable at home.
The third loss, the Nuggets' most recent loss at home, is more famous.
Now, the players at the Pepsi Center still have fresh memories of the murder.
In that game, the Nuggets were bloodbathed by the Chicago Bulls, who came all the way from afar. Star Carmelo Anthony was sleepwalking, and the Bulls' Jayshawn even scored 62 points at the Pepsi Center to conquer this devil.
Home field.
This game has also become one of the most classic games in the league this season.
With the anger of revenge against Anthony, Chen Jie transformed into a god that night in Denver. The basket was as wide as the ocean in his eyes. He scored 62 points, which also set the league's scoring record in recent years.
However, although the Nuggets have suffered such a disastrous defeat at home, considering their home record of 21 wins and 3 losses, the Pepsi Center can still be regarded as a veritable devil's home stadium.
This away game is also a difficult challenge for the Heat.
On this day, the media across the United States paid attention to this game.
Why?
I believe many people still remember that just after Chen Jie's bloodbath in Denver's away game, O'Neal said some things that should not have been said.
"He is just lucky. Of course, this is also related to Denver's poor defense, and he takes a lot of shots. Basically all the balls in Chicago were thrown to him. If I had such an opportunity in that game, I think
, I will score at least 80 points!"
This is what O'Neal said without hesitation when he participated in a talk show after that game.
At the time, these words aroused a strong response.
First of all, in response to O'Neal's remarks, many so-called experts began to discuss whether Chen Jie took too many shots with the Bulls.
Through analysis, they finally came to the conclusion that Chen Jie only achieved high scores by taking more shots. Any player who can get unlimited firing rights like Chen Jie will also have high scoring performance.
As soon as this argument came out, it immediately attracted refutation from a group of former players or experts led by Charles Barkley.
Charles Barkley even publicly attacked O'Neal in a Daily League Report program on TNT.
"I think Shaq may not have played basketball for a long time, and he doesn't understand the rules of this sport. Jay can score, why can't he take more shots? We can compare Shaq's and Jay's shooting percentages, Jay's three-pointers
His shooting percentage for the season is 40%, which is definitely a very high performance. And his comprehensive shooting percentage is 53%, which is unique among outside players. And let's look at Shaq.
As an inside player, Shaq's shooting percentage is only 60%. I think he should do his own thing well. Don't make irresponsible remarks on others!".
Michael Jordan also stood up to support Chen Jie at this time, which many people did not expect in advance.
"I have watched Jay's game, and he is a very good player. Compared with me back then, he is not inferior. I believe that the Bulls can rise again in his hands. Yes. Taking more shots doesn't mean anything.
When you feel that you need to contribute to the team, you have to take more shots. I did the same thing back then. Jay's more shots represent his courage to take responsibility!"
Immediately, the Nuggets players stood up and pointed the finger at O'Neal because of O'Neal's statement that it was because of Denver's poor defense. Although O'Neal's statement was to explain that Chen Jie's 62 points did not mean anything,
Invisibly, it also put the Nuggets at a disadvantage.
Naturally, the Nuggets cannot let O'Neal go.
At that time, they had just been humiliated by Chen Jie and were so angry that they had nowhere to vent their anger.
The one who stood up was Kenyon Martin, who was sent off for a flagrant foul in that game and was later suspended by the league for two games.
"I think Shaq should really watch the game tape. Don't talk nonsense if you haven't watched it. Our defense was already very good. Jay's state that day was really amazing. We couldn't guard him. But that doesn't mean anyone.
They can score easily over our heads. Shaq said he wants to score 80 points? Very good, I will wait for him, and when the time comes, I will let him see how strong our defense is!"
As a player who plays against O'Neal, Kenyon Martin's words can be said to be very provocative.
Kenyon Martin's words immediately gained support from his teammates.
Carmelo Anthony, Andrew Miller, and Marcus Camby all stood up and asked O'Neal to apologize to the Nuggets. Otherwise, they must look good to O'Neal next time they meet.
Although O'Neal realized that he had made a mistake in what he said, his apology did not solve the problem.
"I don't mean to offend Denver," O'Neal said at the time, "but if they think I'm easy to bully, they're wrong. I'll let them know how powerful I am!"
O'Neal's words, in the eyes of the Nuggets at the time, were a provocative counterattack!
"He will just talk about it. I guarantee that when he sees us, he won't even get 20 points." Carmelo Anthony immediately stood up and scolded O'Neal.
"Whether I can score 20 points will be known in the game by then?" O'Neal was fighting against the Nuggets from afar.
After this scolding, many people also noticed the schedule.
After O'Neal came back, it happened to be an away game against the Nuggets.
When Mars hits the Earth, it’s hard not to attract attention!
At that time, many media began to look forward to O'Neal's performance in today's game.
80 points.
Will O'Neal really work towards this goal?
How can the Nuggets limit O'Neal?
This is all a gimmick!
"Don't facts speak for themselves best? Shaq said he can score 80 points, so go for it. When he comes back, won't he just face the Nuggets? It's also an away game. Let him perform. After that game
, isn’t it clear at a glance who is stronger and who is weaker between him and Jie?”
Skiles' words made this game become a symbol of comparison between O'Neal and Chen Jie.
……………………………………………………………………………………
And today, the game we have been waiting for for so long is finally here.
Of course the media won't let it go.
If Chen Jie's Playboy incident is still raging, there may still be people who won't pay attention to this game or these past events more than half a month ago.
But now, the news about Chen Jie has come to an end. Chen Jie's sluggish state has been supported by the league's superstars, leaving the media speechless.
The boring media will of course dig out this old score.
TNT actually arranged a live broadcast for this game, which shows how much attention this game has received.
Before the game, when the players from the two teams were being interviewed, they also recalled what happened half a month ago.
Kenyon Martin still refused to admit defeat: "I have been waiting for him. Now, he is finally here. Tonight, he will realize the mistake of what he said!"
Kenyon Martin's words were obviously still provoking O'Neal.
Van Gundy was determined to cool down the game: "At that time, everyone was impulsive and said some things that shouldn't be said. Now the matter has long passed. This game is just an ordinary regular season!"
Wade also stood up and echoed: "Of course our goal is to win. Help Shaq score 80 points? If possible, I would like it, after all, this is also a record. But first of all, it is still a great game!"
Wade seemed to deliberately avoid talking about O'Neal's previous promises.
The efforts of the two people obviously did not achieve the expected results.
The media has already started to hype it up. At this time, who can make the game lose its meaning?
If the long-awaited game is let go, the media will be so heartbroken! (To be continued...)
