Anyway, he has plenty of time to practice and develop his three-point shooting before next season.
Once Lewis also develops his three-point shot, he, Petrović, and Guoyang will have the strongest outside firepower in the league.
All-around, no dead angles in their offensive capabilities, no team will be able to stop them by then.
Lewis is only 27 this year, one year younger than Guoyang and Petrović.
The "Iron Triangle" is stepping into their peak together.
So, some basketball experts say that as long as the Trail Blazers have a solid "Iron Triangle," their dominance over the league will continue for three to five years, or even seven to eight years.
All teams can only hope for the best, as scenarios like Olajuwon, Miami Heat big trades, and superstar alliances will likely become more common; otherwise, they can’t truly compete.
While the two were resting and chatting, on the court, Petrović and Pippen were battling back and forth.
At the Olympics, Petrović scored heavily when facing the Dream Team, alone against Jordan and Pippen’s defense.
Returning to the NBA stage, with stronger teammates, Petrović played even more aggressively when Ah Gan wasn’t on the court, like a sharp knife.
With the Bulls closing the score by consecutive scoring, Petrović seized the opportunity, and on a fast break, he charged down the lane fiercely.
He utilized very quick speed and change of direction to break into the basket and scored a reverse layup, while also drawing a foul from Pippen.
Seeing Petrović’s play, Guoyang shook his head, thinking, "Is Pete not worried about his legs and knees?"
Change of direction at high-speed ball handling puts a lot of stress on the knees.
Petrović still wears a thick knee brace on his left leg; his torn cruciate ligament is only temporarily remedied, not fully healed.
This kid plays recklessly, regardless of his body; charging forward like this, what if he gets injured again?
"Damn it, slow down a bit, Pete! Do you want to lose your knees?"
After making the free throw, Guoyang shouted towards the court.
Petrović only smiled upon hearing this, then continued to focus on the game.
On this point, Petrović isn’t as meticulous as Sabonis.
Sabonis has been an ’old patient’ for a long time; he knows well how to protect his body.
Under injury conditions, Sabonis controls his movements and workload.
Sabonis’ injuries are numerous, primarily due to his large physique and the side effects of unsystematic training during his youth.
After coming to America to play in the NBA, he is very adept at protecting and using his body.
In the past two seasons, Sabonis has rarely dunked or joined fast breaks, purely to protect his knees and ankles.
Petrović is different; once on the court, he plays with adrenaline rush, having been suppressed for a month, he’s definitely not willing to slow down.
On the Bulls’ side, Rodney McGrady received a pass from Parkson and made a mid-range jump shot successfully.
Trail Blazers counterattack, Petrović once again rushed holding the ball, executed a pick and roll with Davis in the middle.
Petrović accelerated and broke into the Bulls’ inside line, attacking the basket and drawing Bulls’ defensive foul.
At the free-throw line, both free throws were made, and the Trail Blazers maintained a lead of around 10 points.
Rodney McGrady received at the low post, backed down twice, turned around for a jump shot, and scored again.
McGrady was a major bench addition for the Bulls last summer, adding depth in offense and defense on the wing.
He enjoyed his most glorious years with the Houston Rockets; back then people believed the Rockets would dominate the Western Conference along with the Trail Blazers.
Time has passed, with Olajuwon being traded to the Heat, traces of the Rockets’ Twin Towers era have vanished completely.
Now, McGrady can still score with his decent offensive skills from the bench, continuing the firepower.
At this point, Bobby Berman took the dead-ball opportunity to substitute Bernard King in, to alleviate Petrović’s offensive pressure.
After losing Cliff Robinson, the Trail Blazers’ bench’s self-initiated offensive strength indeed decreased sharply.
King took the court, used screens and movements to get a chance at the left corner.
PJ Brown’s screen was well placed, Petrović passed the ball to King.
King received the ball and made a mid-range jump shot, scoring.
Both teams’ scores alternated, increasing by two points at a time.
The Bulls’ offense tonight was indeed subpar, not only feeling off at the start; they also lacked some luck.
Trail Blazers attempted a missed three-pointer outside, Pippen grabbed the rebound and began a counterattack, a two-on-one with McGrady.
Facing Dale Curry at the basket, Pippen’s layup, seemingly sure to go in, missed.
Grabbing the rebound and trying again, still missed, until the Trail Blazers recovered defensively, and the ball was knocked out of bounds.
The score is now 31:41, Bulls still trailing Trail Blazers by 10 points, both teams’ starters are about to return to the court.
Guoyang stood up from the bench, substituting PJ Brown, and Lewis substituted Petrović.
Guoyang patted Petrović’s shoulder, saying, "Take it easy, Pete, your knees aren’t well yet."
Petrović only smiled; during the game, he forgets about the pain, fully immersing himself.
Once back to the bench, he then realizes his knees feel a bit uncomfortable; indeed, he needs to take it easy.
Guoyang enters the game, naturally Jordan has to return to the match too.
As the second quarter progressed, the confrontation intensified, the Bulls increased their siege on the Trail Blazers’ outside.
Jordan drove into the basket, causing Davis’s foul, standing at the free throw line, made 1 out of 2.
To block the Trail Blazers’ passing routes, the Bulls rearranged their defense.