NBA: The Dynasty Crasher

The timeout ends, and the Bulls take possession.

On the right wing, Jordan pulls up for a three—brick.

Zhao Dong boxes out Rodman and snatches the defensive rebound. Knicks push the pace.

Ewing gets the rock, and Zhao Dong, moving off-ball on the right wing, suddenly bursts toward the basket.

"Oh, he's cutting inside!" Doug Collins shouts on the NBC broadcast.

"BANG!"

Zhao Dong catches the dish from Ewing and slams it home over the slow-footed Luke Longley. The United Center falls silent again.

"Beep!"

The ref blows the whistle, pointing at Longley—and-one!

"Big-time move!" Zhang Heli says excitedly. "That's two fouls each on Longley and Pippen!"

Zhao Dong steps to the line and knocks down the free throw. Bulls bring it up.

Seeing how effective the inside cut is and with Ewing willing to make the extra pass, Zhao Dong keeps running the same play.

The constant movement shreds Chicago's defense, making it tough for them to send double-teams his way.

Back when the Bulls had their first three-peat, Horace Grant's off-ball cuts were a huge part of their offense, filling that Triangle system role perfectly.

Rodman? Yeah, dude's still hurting. He's usually quick, but right now? His lateral movement is looking cooked. He's just not keeping up.

By the 9-minute mark, Zhao Dong checks out after four strong cuts inside—scoring twice, missing once, and drawing a foul on Rodman for free throws. His paint efficiency is on point.

End of the first quarter, Zhao Dong's line:

5-of-7 from the field

4-of-5 from the stripe

14 points, 3 boards, 2 blocks, 1 turnover, 1 foul.

Knicks lead 26-24.

---

Over on NBC, Marv Albert breaks it down:

"Jordan played 11 minutes in that quarter—shot 6-for-9, hit a three, and went 2-for-3 from the line. He's already got 15 points, 2 boards, 1 dime, 1 steal, and 1 foul. Just another day at the office for MJ."

Doug Collins nods. "Zhao Dong's been huge. His inside game is giving the Bulls problems, and he's racking up fouls on their bigs. That's dangerous."

Marv adds, "I noticed something about his off-ball movement."

"Oh?" Doug leans in.

"It kinda reminds me of Horace Grant's cutting style—how he moves, the timing, the way he slips defenders to get to the rack."

Doug thinks for a second. "Yeah... I see that too."

---

Bulls' bench—Phil Jackson strategizing.

"We let that rookie go off. He's too efficient. That stops now," he says, dead serious.

He points at the stat sheet. "Ewing barely got looks—only four shots, made one. We need to shift our defense to stop Zhao Dong."

Jordan leans in. "We didn't double him enough."

Phil nods. "Yeah, but here's the problem—he's not playing low-post iso. He's constantly moving, slipping inside off the ball. Hard to double someone who isn't stationary.

"But we gotta help on his cuts. If we don't, he'll keep carving us up."

Then he turns to Rodman. "Dennis, you gotta do better."

Rodman scoffs. "Man, that kid throws elbows like Karl Malone. Keeps catching me in the ribs—he's dirty as hell."

Phil sighs. "Fine. Play off him a little. Make sure he doesn't get to the paint so easily."

Pippen speaks up. "When Zhao Dong cuts, we need better weak-side help. Longley's got his hands full with Ewing, so it's on me."

Phil nods. "Yeah, you gotta step up."

---

Second quarter, 4-minute mark—Jordan checks back in.

MJ wastes no time—2-for-3, including a three. Bulls go up 39-36.

6-minute mark—Zhao Dong re-enters. He's paired up with Buck Williams in the frontcourt.

Bulls' bigs? Bill Wennington and Toni Kukoc.

Kukoc—a skilled shooter, 208 cm but only 87 kg—ain't built for post battles. Zhao Dong knows it.

---

Knicks possession.

Zhao Dong bullies Kukoc deep into the post—just two steps from the rim.

Kukoc tries to fight back, but Zhao Dong keeps forcing him lower, his long arms keeping the defender locked out.

The pass comes in. Zhao Dong snatches it one-handed, spins baseline, takes a step—

BOOM! Tomahawk jam over Kukoc!

"BANG!" The rim shakes, Kukoc hits the floor.

"Beep!"

The ref's got his whistle—foul on Kukoc!

On the sidelines, Phil Jackson sneaks a glance at Jordan. Does he regret not keeping this kid?

Because in Phil's eyes? Zhao Dong's already better than every Bulls big except Rodman.

And this is just his rookie year. Imagine what happens in a few seasons...

Zhao Dong nails the free throw—game tied at 39-all.

---

Bulls' turn.

Kukoc pulls to the right corner, Zhao Dong sags off two meters, keeping an eye on Jordan, who's got the ball at the top of the arc.

The Knicks send John Wallace to double MJ.

Jordan shifts gears, crosses up Starks, and blows by him—Zhao Dong steps up.

MJ kicks it to Kukoc—wide open.

Three-ball—cash.

Bulls up 42-39.

---

Next Knicks possession—Zhao Dong goes right back inside.

Kukoc and Wennington aren't stopping anything in the paint.

This time, Kukoc fronts him, trying to deny the entry pass.

Zhao Dong shoves him out with his left arm, raising his right to call for the ball.

Bulls' Jason Caffey rotates over, ready to double-team.

John Wallace is wide open at the top of the key, calling for it.

Charlie Ward swings it to him—Ron Harper rushes out.

Wallace pulls up—bricks it off the rim.

Everyone jumps for the board—but Zhao Dong snatches it over Wennington.

One quick pivot—

He splits Kukoc and Caffey, rises up—

BOOM! One-handed slam!

"Beep!"

The ref points at Caffey—foul!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

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