"Game 6. We protect our home court and win again."
"We tie the series 3–3 and force a Game 7."
The words made every Lakers player's eyes widen.
None of them had dared think about Game 7, but the Zen Master had laid out a path to it.
Every eye turned to him, their attention sharpening.
Phil Jackson continued, laying out the key to victory.
"I know you're worried about Game 7. Playing in New York would bring enormous pressure."
"But you need to remember one detail everyone has overlooked."
"Michael Jordan has reached the NBA Finals several times in his career."
"Six Finals, six championships. Not a single loss."
"But he has never played a Game 7 in the NBA Finals!"
The words exploded through the locker room like thunder.
Every player froze. Much of the fear in their hearts quietly faded.
It was true. For all Jordan's legendary career, he had never faced the life-or-death test of a Finals Game 7.
He was used to controlling the situation, winning championships smoothly, and closing out series decisively.
If the series reached Game 7, none of his past Finals experience would prepare him for it.
Phil Jackson's gaze sharpened as he dissected his opponents' greatest vulnerability.
"Don't turn anyone into a god. Not Li Fei. Not Michael."
"They're human too. Pressure can break them too."
"If we win two straight and force Game 7,"
"the pressure to win the title will come crashing down on the entire Knicks team."
"They had a commanding 3–1 lead and seemed certain to win the championship."
"If we take two games back, their composure will crumble."
"What looked like a sure Dynasty title defense will become a winner-take-all Game 7."
"No one can absorb that kind of psychological blow without feeling it."
The Zen