Reborn as Kobe - Chapter 113
On May 16, the Western Conference finals between the Lakers and Jazz took the lead.
Before the game, many media and experts made predictions about the game. Most of them believed that the Lakers had a great win. Although the Jazz eliminated the Lakers last season, everyone who knows the ball knows that Del Harris is the reason, especially this season. The playing style of the Lakers not only broke the historical record of the Bulls and won the best record in the regular season, but also won O’Neal the MVP position in one fell swoop, which also made Harris’ ability further questioned. Harris is also sinking into regret now. He underestimated Kobe’s influence and misjudged the form, which put him in such an embarrassing situation. Now he can only be an adviser for the Bucks, but this is not what he wants. need.
O’Neal is the most urgent for the game against the Jazz. Last season, because of his selfishness, the good situation was ruined and this became his demon.
The Jazz players were very low-key when interviewed before the game. The seven battles with the Rockets made them physically and mentally exhausted. Even iron men like Malone felt tired. It shows how much the Rockets’ youth army has done them.
In the morning, Kobe went to the arena to practice shooting, and rested at home in the afternoon, waiting for the start of the evening game.
The key Western decisive battle, the atmosphere of the Staples Arena reached its peak. The Lakers gave all the fans present a yellow t-shirt and changed into the home team uniform. In addition, the staff also standardized the fan phalanx and selected the commanding representatives who shouted slogans to make Staples. Si became the grave tomb of Jazz.
Players from both sides enter the field and the game officially begins.
The five visiting Jazz starters are Karl Malone, Brian Russell, Greg Fox, John Stockton and Jeff Hornacek.
The five starting five for the Lakers are Kobe, O’Neal, Horry, Eddie Jones and Rick Fox.
The whistle sounded and O’Neal won the opening ball. In the first quarter, the old Nelson arranged a play style of focusing on the inside and restraining the outside. This is also to make full use of O’Neal’s strong point and cause the greatest damage to the Jazz.
Unfortunately, the Jazz players exploded as soon as the game started.
This season is the final peak of Malone and Stockton, so they played very hard, because the chances of winning the championship will be slimmer if not desperately.
Hornacek greeted Eddie Jones with a cold arrow and hit a three-pointer.
O’Neal then used the color and received a pass from Kobe to force the hook to hit the basket.
Then Stockton and Malone’s classic pick-and-roll, broke Kobe’s defense and scored a layup.
Brian Russell also made an open three-pointer. He is capable of three-pointers, but Sloan did not allow it in the past.
After O’Neal dunked for two points, Hornacek immediately ran to the bottom corner and made a three-pointer. Jones was not focused enough and missed the ball.
Malone also surprised people. He made two fouls and made all four free throws. This was the first time everyone saw a tough guy playing so soft and cunning. ·
The Lakers made many mistakes in the opening game today. Even though Eddie Jones had already prepared before the game, he still underestimated Hornacek’s full firepower.
Hornacek went crazy today and made all four 3-pointers in the opening.
8 to 17, the old Nelson hurriedly requested a timeout. The Jazz completely changed the style and increased the outside three-point shooting, which also made the Lakers suffer a big loss. It was not that the old Nelson had not considered this when preparing for the game, but he did not expect that Sloan would have changed so much.
The lead at the start did not make Jerry Sloan proud, on the contrary, he was sinking into deep self-blame. If the Jazz played in this way in the finals last year, it is very likely to defeat the invincible Bulls, but Sloan’s pick-and-roll defensive play has ruined the only chance. Now Malone, Stockton, Hornacek, etc. The beginning of the hero is late, which is also the main reason for Sloan to blame himself, he changed too late.
Old Nelson adjusted the lineup, replaced Van Exel, replaced Rick Fox, raised Kobe to the second position, and directly defended Hornacek.
Fox is stronger defensively, but Nelson is no ordinary coach. His coaching style is always to defeat opponents with offense.
Van Exel has outside three-point ability and may be insufficient defensively, but the old Nelson only asked him to delay Stockton’s speed to prevent the opponent from making a fast attack.
Then the Lakers stabilized the situation, but the Jazz players may have let go of their baggage, feel hot, and the two teams also stalemate. At the end of the first quarter, the Lakers were 11 points behind 24 to 35.
The magician said with emotion: “Sloan has changed so much! This is not the jazz we are familiar with in the traditional sense at all.”
Chickhearn also sighed: “Since the emergence of the golden generation led by Kobe, many teams in the league have been innovating in their technical and tactical play. Three-pointers are getting more and more attention, and the pace of the game is getting faster and faster this season. The new play styles of the Lakers and Rockets have opened doors and windows for other teams to move forward. Everyone found that the most effective use of strong inside play like O’Neal is to increase three-point shots. Even if the shot is missed, there are inside players to protect the rebounds.”
The magician said: “The second quarter depends on how old Nelson adjusts. I think the Lakers should speed up the pace further. After all, they have more physical advantages.”
Old Nelson arranged tactics and said: “Kobe, speed up the pace of the game, Shaquille, your task is the most important, you must control the rebounds. Others increase the running position and shoot when they qualify. Don’t hesitate. It doesn’t matter if you don’t make a shot.”
Everyone nodded, their expressions serious, no one thought that Jazz would be so difficult.
After the start of the second quarter, both sides were placed on the bench. The Jazz continued to play Hornacek, and the others were Howard Eisley, Chris Morris, Shanton Anderson, and Antoine Kyle.
For the Lakers, Van Exel and Fisher partnered in the backcourt. The others were Campbell, Joan Barry, and Corey Blunt.
The game started ~www.mtlnovel.com~ The ball is on the Jazz side.
Howard Eisley took the ball to the frontcourt and played the pick-and-roll with Shanton Anderson, attracting Blount to switch the ball to Antoine Kyle. Campbell immediately got close, Kyle tried to get to the basket without success, and passed the ball to Hornacek.
Hornacek made a three-pointer against Van Exel and the ball was hollow into the basket.
The Lakers fought back, and Fisher took the halftime to Van Exel.
Van Exel received the ball on the right side of the top of the arc, and shot from beyond the three-point line.
He shot the ball very resolutely, the arc was also very good, and he made a three-pointer.
The Jazz attacked. This time Hornacek passed the ball to Chris Morris after attracting a double-team, who made a three-pointer from the left corner.
The benches on both sides played very unrestrainedly, the Jazz were more blooming, Hornacek contained the defense, and there were many open spaces. The Lakers’ offensive points were mainly concentrated in the hands of Van Exel and Fisher. Others were responsible for pick-and-roll defense. Fisher and Van Exel played a bit like the bankrupt version of Splash Brothers.