NBA: I just want to play soy sauce, you let me win the championship

Chapter 333 Victory is at hand (two-in-one)

As expected, the situation went in a direction that Phil Jackson expected and he did not want to see.

Kobe is still unstoppable. His hands felt hot today. Even under the joint efforts of Lu Yuanzhi and Christie, he still shot inside and outside. He scored 32 points in the second and third quarters, and his shooting percentage was as high as 65%!

It's not surprising that Kobe scored high points, it has happened often over the years, but in this crucial first game of the Western Conference Finals, it was commendable that he scored high points while also maintaining a high shooting percentage.

But the Kings were not helpless. Weber, Lu Yuanzhi, Stojakovic and Turkoglu all worked hard to hold on to the score.

If Stojakovic and Turkoglu weren't still a little unfamiliar with the Golden Rooster's independent shooting package and missed a lot of mid-range shots, they even had a chance to take the lead before the end of the third quarter.

In this regard, Phil Jackson was also very helpless.

There are some amazing players on our team, but there are also four players on the opponent's team who can stand up and offset Kobe's performance with their outstanding performance.

74:68, the Lakers still led by 6 points at the end of the third quarter.

But Phil Jackson couldn't laugh.

He glanced at Kobe, who was gasping for air and covered in sweat on the bench, and knew that his beloved disciple was about to reach the limit of his physical fitness.

Although Kobe is in good mental condition now, and it seems that when the whistle blows, he will be back on the court to kill everyone, but Phil Jackson knows that this is just an illusion, a false power stimulated by hormones in Kobe's body.

At this moment, what I fear most is rest.

As soon as he sits down to rest and the hormones in his body recede, Kobe will be enveloped in infinite fatigue.

This is a normal physiological phenomenon, a natural science that cannot be resisted no matter how strong your will is.

Therefore, Phil Jackson ignored Kobe's objections and put him on the bench, hoping that he could spend this period of weakness on the bench.

But Zen Master can’t guarantee that he can always persuade Kobe. He knows Kobe’s stubborn temper better than anyone else.

The tough Kings, even if Kobe Bryant descends to earth, can they still withstand it?

Of course I almost couldn’t stand it!

On the bench of the Kings, Lu Yuanzhi was also sweating profusely.

For the first time, Lu Yuanzhi experienced the feeling that his body was about to be hollowed out after only three quarters of the game.

But what can I do?
In order to slightly restrict Kobe's performance, he had to put in three times the physical energy to lead the defense, get in position, run, jump, and take off continuously.

With such defensive intensity, if an ordinary player came over, he might not even be able to catch the ball, but Kobe still scored more than 30 points!

Next to him, Christie was also panting. He only came on as a substitute for Lu Yuanzhi at the end of the third quarter, but the huge pressure caused his physical fitness to fly away quickly.

But fortunately, he was just panting like after a [-]-meter sprint, and was not really tired.

"Max, it looks like Kobe is going to stay on the bench for a while!" Christie glanced at the situation on the Lakers' side and finally felt relieved when he saw Kobe's demeanor slowly becoming sluggish.

"Indeed," Lu Yuanzhi also took a look and nodded in reply, "But I'm afraid it won't be long. At the decisive moment, he will still appear on the court full of vigor and vitality."

"Yes, so during this period, you have a good rest, and I will go have some fun with their substitute players."

After Christie finished speaking, he laughed. As long as it wasn't Kobe Bryant who exploded, he believed that other players in the Lakers' lineup would pose no threat to him at all.

This is indeed the case. Anyone who looks at the Lakers bench will shake their head.

Every player is a role player configured for the triangle offense.

They have completely lost their ability to attack independently. The reason for playing is either to share the defensive pressure for the OK combination, or to open up space for the OK combination.

As for other functions?
Maybe just gathering 5 people can make the game go on normally!

Although Horry and Fisher both had classic moments of last-minute buzzer-beaters, to be honest, how could they easily shoot at the last moment just because they were not taken seriously?
Think about Horry's magical three-pointer. Webber, who was guarding him, was still fighting with O'Neal in the paint at that time!
However, Lu Yuanzhi had a different opinion, "Why didn't I force him out? Doug, you don't want to see a Kobe who has recovered most of his strength, right?"

Adelman, who was sitting next to him, glanced here. Christie and Lu Yuanzhi were his two defensive heroes. He was very happy to see the harmonious relationship between the two and was very willing to listen to their defensive wisdom.

"It's a great idea," Christie thought for a while before nodding, "but the question is, how do you let him play early?"

"You know, Rick would support our idea, but Phil would listen to Kobe?"

"Even if Phil listens to Kobe, how can you make him eager to return to the court regardless of physical fatigue?"

Of course Lu Yuanzhi has a way.

And the method is very simple.

Even a little silly.

At the beginning of the fourth quarter, Lu Yuanzhi did not go down to rest at all, but continued to play, and then hit a three-pointer over Fox's head.

74:71, the Lakers' lead is only 3 points.

When Lu Yuanzhi returned to defense, he ran past the Lakers bench, spread his hands, and said calmly, "Tired?"

Lu Yuanzhi didn't say much, he knew Kobe too well.

Need to say anything more?

You see, you Kobe is tired, but I, Lu Yuanzhi, am not tired. You are just having fun comparing yourself to me.

You see, you, Kobe, escaped to the bench, while I, Lu Yuanzhi, continued to score on the court. Compared with me, you are just having fun!

Lu Yuanzhi didn't say it out loud, but Kobe could figure it out!

Lu Yuanzhi believed that what Kobe could come up with in his mind would be tens of thousands of times more vicious than what he himself said.

Sure enough, Kobe couldn't sit still.

But Phil Jackson still firmly shook his head at Kobe.

Phil Jackson has been deeply involved in the internal strife of the Lakers. He got together with Aunt Jenny, so he is more or less "someone above".

Well, maybe in a physical sense.

Really hot eyes!
Because of this relationship, Phil Jackson dared to say no to Kobe, because as we all know, Buss Jr. supported Kobe, and Aunt Jenny was more optimistic about O'Neal.

So, how can O'Neal and Kobe coexist in the Lakers?
They have become a tool for the internal struggle over the Lakers' inheritance!

Kobe resisted the urge to stand up and sat back down.

He wasn't just a dazed young man who got excited when Lu Yuanzhi provoked him. He was so eager to return to the court because he saw some bad signs.

He and O'Neal are resting off the court, waiting for the decisive moment to come on. Therefore, Billups and Battier are now playing with a bunch of rotation players on the Lakers court.

The Lakers led by 6 points in the first three quarters, but Lu Yuanzhi recovered by 3 points with a three-pointer.

This is the home court of the Kings!

If the opposing team of Kings players were to equalize the score and bring out the momentum, who knows what kind of passion the fans at the devil's home court of Arco Arena would burst out, and what the Kings players would do with the support of such enthusiastic fans. behave like this.

It's not that he doesn't believe in Billups' psychological quality. He knows that this usually taciturn point guard has a big heart and can step forward at critical moments.

But is he capable enough?

Billups is playing Bibby in singles again.

Now is his time to enjoy the benefits of the triangle offense.In the past, as soon as O'Neal and Kobe Bryant came off the court, the Lakers would immediately change their style of play, switching from the familiar triangle offense to a chaotic battle mode, because this group of rotating players simply did not have the ability to rely on their individual abilities to beat opponents on the court.

The triangle offense means nothing to them.

This is also the biggest difference between the Lakers and Kings.

The Kings' Princeton system cannot amplify the advantages of their star player, but it allows each rotation player to exert their own huge energy.

Let the wise prevail over the strong!
Therefore, as long as they are playing Princeton, the Kings' bench will always play a greater role than other teams' benches.

But now it's different.

Although the Lakers are using a rotating lineup, Billups can exert the tactical power of the triangle offense.

Because in the matchup, Billups can definitely defeat Bibby.

Bibby was struggling to resist Billups' attack at this time.

In the first and last quarters of the game, he was targeted by the Lakers.

The method Lu Yuanzhi taught him is very useful, but Billups is not a fool. After knowing Bibby's little defensive moves, he also made flexible adjustments.

Billups no longer just plays hard, but has added more flexible footwork to constantly mobilize Bibby's defense.

He used constant half turns and back turns to tire Bibby.

Want to put your leg between my legs to prevent me from lowering my center of gravity and eating hard?
It's ok!
As long as you dare to stretch your legs, I can easily turn around and pass you right by!

Bibby retreated steadily under Billups' offensive.

He was pretending to be invincible, trying to draw Billups into the three-second zone.

As long as he enters the three-second zone, he can get support from Cato and Pollard.

Especially Cato, although everyone has always regarded him as "black and tough", he is more flexible than the Kings' original inside line and can jump. His help defense is the support Bibby needs most.

But Billups has a very clear mind. He knows that as soon as he enters the inside, he will be surrounded by the Kings. His slight physical advantage is a huge advantage against Bibby, but it is completely useless against the strong Kings inside. Not enough.

Billups hit Bibby hard, causing Bibby to completely lose his defensive position. Then Billups easily turned around in the mid-range and took off to shoot.

Huh, you want to trick me into the inside?
I don't think about it!

Kobe Bryant, who was sitting on the sidelines, stood up and wanted to shout loudly to remind Billups, but his voice was covered up by the loud noise from the home fans.

On the court, Lu Yuanzhi didn't know when to abandon Fox, who had poor long-range shooting, and came to Billups' side.

The moment Billups shot, Lu Yuanzhi jumped up and held the ball directly from behind.

The ball did not fly far and fell at the feet of Billups and Lu Yuanzhi.

Billups was still looking for the ball after landing, while Lu Yuanzhi picked up the ball with quick eyes and hands and began to sprint towards the frontcourt.

Fox immediately came over and double-teamed Lu Yuanzhi with Billups who was retreating, preventing Lu Yuanzhi from breaking into the inside.

Lu Yuanzhi protected the basketball while traveling, slowed down slightly, and then suddenly passed the ball to the empty bottom corner.

"Missed?"

As soon as Billups and Fox had this pleasant thought in their minds, they saw Turkoglu appearing in the corner that happened to be empty. After receiving the pass from Lu Yuanzhi, they had time to adjust their posture. Another three-point shot.

"brush!"

The three-pointer scored again!

74: 74!

The Kings tied the score!

The fans at the scene burst into earth-shattering cheers.

On the big screen in the arena, Lu Yuanzhi's wonderful block and Turkoglu's three-point shot were constantly replayed.

Kobe's face was livid, and he stood up in a flash.

Although there were only two offenses and defenses at the beginning of the fourth quarter, and the time that passed was only 1 minute, it is not the time to rest at all!

The Kings have already built their momentum.

If the Lakers still have such a bunch of rotation players on the field, they will simply not be able to stop the Kings' attacking waves.

Someone in the Lakers must step up to score and stabilize the situation, and that person is me - Kobe!
Phil Jackson sighed inwardly. He was unwilling to let Kobe play at this time, but he had no choice.

On the one hand, the team really needs a core to stand up and stabilize the morale of the army. Considering that O'Neal must be given enough rest time to maintain his physical fitness for the decisive moment, Kobe can only be allowed to play now.

On the other hand, Phil Jackson also knows that at this moment, no reason can stop Kobe from playing. Even if Aunt Jenny blocks in front, it can't stop Kobe from playing.

After all, Buss is still the boss of the Lakers now, and it’s not Aunt Jenny’s turn to make the decision yet.

Since you can't stop him, why bother being a bad guy?

Phil Jackson found a compromise. He got up and came to the technical stage and called a precious long timeout.

Get enough rest time for Kobe first, and then send him on the court!
Lu Yuanzhi returned to the bench, feeling sore all over.

His physical strength is almost at its bottom and he needs to rest for a while.

If it weren't for the constant high-intensity confrontation that consumes so much of his physical energy, he would have wanted to make a three-pointer with a sudden stop and step back under the double-teaming of Billups and Fox!
After all, double-teaming during the offensive and defensive transition phase is different from usual double-teaming. The defensive player's first reaction is to return to the basket to protect the basket, so that his step-back three-pointer is likely to be effective.

This will better stimulate Kobe.

But it seems pretty good now.

He saw Kobe getting up.

No matter who made the shot, Kobe had to return to the court.

"Doug, the rest is up to you!"

"I have to take a break!"

"No matter what, we have to withstand Kobe's crazy counterattack now."

"The hope of the team rests on your shoulders!"

Lu Yuanzhi breathed heavily, stared into Christie's eyes, and expressed his thoughts word by word.

Christie has rich experience. As a veteran who has been in the league for several years, he certainly understands that his defensive effect at this time will determine the direction of this game.

Although Christie also consumed some energy in the first three quarters, compared to Lu Yuanzhi and Kobe, he can be considered to have sufficient energy.

He knew Kobe was feeling hot today.

But what does it matter!
It's not like he didn't score points for Kobe.

As long as we can continue to consume Kobe and reduce Kobe's scoring efficiency, victory is in sight!
(End of this chapter)