Reborn as Kobe - Chapter 163
In the second quarter, the Lakers replaced O’Neal and Barkley, replaced Horry and Nowitzki, and started running and bombing. The defensive end used frontcourt pressing tactics. Kobe started to switch between the first and fifth positions. He was the team’s core point guard on offense, and he doubled Robinson with Horry on defense.
In this round of the series, the old Nelson will focus on positional battles, which can maximize O’Neal’s power, but will not give up running and bombing. This is the only way for all Lakers players to show offensive power.
The Spurs did not change personnel, Popovich will use the main force to grab points. This round of the series knows that the Lakers are no match, but Popovich has to fight for the next few games.
Many people will wonder why the weak teams know that the strength of the two sides are very different. There are actually many reasons. First of all, it is not reconciled. It is not easy to enter the playoffs. Naturally, they want to continue. Second, feel the fierce playoffs. Degree, accumulate experience, and prepare for the future.
Billups was double-teamed by Ray Allen and Eddie Jones in the backcourt and could only pass the ball to David Robinson, who quickly passed the ball to Sean Elliott.
Nowitzki was a step slower with the defense, and Sean Elliott made a hit.
Because of Kobe’s organization of training during the lockout period and the training of Nelson, Nowitzki has improved much faster than in the same period in history. Unfortunately, the offense is improved, and the defense needs time and experience. Tom Thibodeau’s opinion of Novus Ji’s defensive ability is very promising, but the time to shrink the season is too short.
The Spurs relied on the life of the armed forces and the control of Billups, and gradually stalemate with the Lakers.
After playing for seven minutes, O’Neal returned to the court and the Lakers began to play inside. Horry gave Kobe a pick-and-roll screen and Kobe passed the ball to O’Neal. O’Neal hit Robinson and hit the Admiral before hitting a hook.
After a few rounds, the score was gradually opened, and Popovich made many substitutions and adjustments to no effect.
In the third quarter, the old Nelson began to experiment again. He sent Kobe, Ray Allen, Lewis, Mobley and Nowitzki on the offensive lineup, and began to play offense. The defense was almost gone. The players on the Lakers began to compete with the combination of Billups and David Robinson.
Most of the Lakers’ shots were on the periphery. The most exciting one was the three-pointer between Ray Allen and Billups. The audience cheered. The Lakers led the game with a score of 59 to 40 and entered the second half.
Ray Allen scored 27 points in the third quarter, and Kobe sent 11 assists in a single quarter. Although Nowitzki and Lewis did not defend well, Popovich was a headache for letting go.
Robinson, the Spurs boss, is not very efficient offensively, because as long as O’Neal is not on the court, the Lakers will double-team him, and the penalty area will be blocked, allowing him to shoot outside.
Billups made 5 of 9 3-pointers in three quarters and scored 20 points from free throws. He has tried his best.
In Kobe’s last life, Billups was a famous ranger in the league. It was not until the Pistons won the championship that his civilian MVP talent was discovered. The game that really made him play was when he entered the Nuggets and scored with Melon Anthony. Finally, he was still able to beat Paul until the end of his career in the Clippers. In this life, because I met Popovich early, and there is no entertainment industry in San Antonio, Billups did not have any lace news, and his football skills rose very quickly. Now Billups has a nickname that makes people laugh. It’s called the “civilian version of Kobe”, because Billups not only played the game but also publicly said that his idol was Kobe when he first entered the league.
“To attack with all strength, we want to destroy their will in the first game. I don’t want to waste time in the second round. I want you to crush your opponents like tanks!”
During the break, the old Nelson repeatedly emphasized that he knows that Popovich’s apprentice has a unique idea and focuses on practicality. He can do whatever it takes to win. He doesn’t want to give his opponent a breather.
In the final quarter, the old Nelson started with Mobley, Ray Allen, Kobe, Ryan Bowen and O’Neal, and began to attack the Spurs. Energetic Mobley and Ryan Bowen began to press against Lupus.
Relying on the physical advantage, the Lakers played proactively, and the Spurs’ weaknesses were too obvious to parry.
The Spurs are very difficult to organize an effective offense. The offense mainly relies on Billups and Robinson to fight, and the shooting rate is not high under the defense of the Lakers. Avery Johnson also made a pass error and was successfully intercepted by Kobe. He quickly counterattacked and shot a three-pointer.
Under the command of the old Nelson, the Lakers were like an overwhelming bomber group, instantly knocking the morale of the Spurs into a trough. Only Robinson and Billups still gritted their teeth on the court, but their shooting percentage dropped to about 35%, and they could not come back.
The Lakers increased the point difference to 29 points in a wave of 11 to 2. Robinson and Billups both had physical problems. Popovich could only replace the two and gave up the game.
Smith commented: “The Spurs have done well enough. Unfortunately, the overall strength of the Lakers is too strong. They have the league’s first center Shark O’Neal, the magician successor Kobe Bryant, the flying pig Barkley, and the cold-blooded killer Ray Allen. , There is also a strong bench group, the two sides are not in the same heavyweight at all.”
Link said: “Mr. Don Nelson had the last laugh in this master-apprentice battle~www.mtlnovel.com~ But we can’t just say Popovich is not good enough, but only Admiral and civilian Kobe are far from enough. Heat than contend.”
Smith nodded and said: “The Lakers are too tight on defense. They are not only better than offense.”
After the last few minutes of the two teams’ substitutes, Fisher took the water fountain teammates to further expand the score.
116 to 84, the Lakers won the second round of the series at home.
Old Nelson walked onto the court and shook hands with Popovich. The two exchanged greetings before separating.
Six Lakers scored in double figures. Ray Allen scored the highest score on the outside, scoring 35 points, 2 rebounds and 1 assist. The most eye-catching player on the inside was O’Neal with 29 points, 18 rebounds and 4 blocks.
Kobe scored 21 points, 11 rebounds, 22 assists and 2 steals in a double-twenty triple-double.
The Spurs scored in double figures. The best player was Billups, who scored 31 points, 3 rebounds and 12 assists.
At the press conference, Popovich reluctantly said: “We have put out all the strength, the Lakers are too strong, maybe only the Bulls dynasty at its peak can compete with them.”
Billups smiled bitterly and said: “I wanted to play a good battle with my idol Bryant, you see, I have used all my strength, but Bryant can play with ease.”
The old Nelson was much more low-key, first praised the players, and then said: “This is just a game. We have to win four games to advance. It is not the time to be happy. The strength of Billups and David Robinson cannot be underestimated. Popovich’s coaching ability is also very strong, and we cannot relax our vigilance.”
The next day was full of news that praised the Lakers, but the players of the two teams did not speak up and prepared for the game.