Reborn as Kobe - Chapter 171

In the press conference after the game, both teams acted very cautiously. No one in the Lakers said that they must win. They seemed very conservative. The Rockets did not mean to be discouraged. After all, the strength of the two sides can be said to be 50-50.

Rudy Tomjanovich just took the responsibility for the defeat on himself, saying that the team’s defeat was a problem with his own formation.

A local reporter in Houston asked: “How do you think you can limit the OK combination? Will you make adjustments to the lineup in the next game?”

“Anyone in the OK combination cannot be restricted. They are the magicians and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar in the new era. Our lineup will definitely need to be adjusted in the next game. We can no longer lose at home.” Rudy- Tomjanovich replied.

In fact, Rudy Tomjanovich has found a few ways to limit the Lakers. In terms of the strength and depth of the lineup, the Rockets are not losing to the Lakers. The only thing that makes people worry about the outbreak of Kobe at the critical moment. The loss of this game makes He once again remembered Jordan, who had retired. In Rudy Tomjanovich’s view, Kobe can already be shoulder to shoulder with the trapeze on the key ball.

In an interview, the old Nelson said cautiously: “Our next game will definitely be more difficult, but our opponents also have weaknesses. Their players are too young and inexperienced, so we are determined to win the final.”

A reporter from the New York Times asked: “Mr. Don Nelson, who do you think Kobe or O’Neal is more important to the team?”

“The two of them are the cornerstone of the team. There is no difference between them. For the Lakers, neither is indispensable.”

On June 6, the fourth game between the two sides continued at the Compaq Center in Houston.

Lakers lineup: O’Neal, Kobe, Barkley, Ray Allen, Eddie Jones.

The Rockets lineup has slightly changed: Carter, Nash, Duncan, Olajuwon, Bowen.

Rudy Tomjanovich decided to send someone to kill Kobe from the first moment of the game. This is because he was afraid of being voted by Kobe. He didn’t want to be uncontrollable.

The Rockets’ tactics in this field are to kill O’Neal inside and consume Kobe as much as possible outside. At the beginning, Olajuwon desperately singled O’Neal. Carter broke into the basket time after time to find O’Neal for physical contact. Bowen played against Kobe regardless of his physical abilities. Anyway, Jackson was on the court to prepare. They were prepared to drag Kobe to death.

For the Lakers, the old Nelson had already anticipated this result, so Barkley intends to protect O’Neal and share his defensive pressure. As for the perimeter, the old Nelson has nothing to do, because no one can replace Kobe, and only depends on Kobe’s physical fitness. Hold on.

The two teams were deadlocked from the first second of the game, and both were deliberately fighting each other’s weaknesses.

After the start of the game, Ray Allen and Nash exploded. Ray Allen made three three-pointers in a single quarter, and Nash also hit two three-pointers. He also scored an air cut layup after a left-hand counter-run pick and roll. .

The Lakers led 27 to 26 in the first quarter.

In the second quarter, the old Nelson once again sent Horry, Kobe, Ray Allen, Nowitzki, and Lewis’ three-point shooting lineup. This time the Rockets replaced O’Neal and Pierce on the court as early as possible. The two sides played in eight minutes. It was 18-17, almost regardless of the outcome.

Rudy Tomjanovich does not blindly defend, but prefers a balance of offense and defense. At the same time, he uses all means to give Olajuwondo rest and maintain physical fitness.

For him, if he wants to limit the violent O’Neal and keep the Rockets’ hope of victory, the key lies in the big dream Olajuwon.

O’Neal is quite a bit of a **** blocking and killing gods, and Buddha blocking the Buddha. This season, apart from the Rockets, no other team can limit him. The Rockets are also trapped by Olajuwon’s experience and Duncan’s efficient defense. O’Neill, the great white shark.

After nine minutes of play in the second quarter, the two teams switched to the starting lineup at the same time and continued to face each other. The Rockets used the shark-cutting tactics, and once stretched the lead to ten points.

In the second half, the Lakers played a four-star tactic. O’Neal turned into a blue-collar defender of the basket. Kobe organized Ray Allen, Mobley, Horry and Lewis to shoot three points from the outside, narrowing the point difference to just one point. Three points.

In the second half of the third quarter, the Lakers switched back to the main force and competed with the Rockets.

In the last quarter, the two teams have shown their full strength and can already be said to be fighting for their lives.

O’Neal, who was dull for three quarters, broke out. Olajuwon hung himself on his body and he dunked the basketball into the hoop.

However, O’Neill was also uncomfortable and was once again played by Olajuwon with his big dreams.

In the last minute and a half, Olajuwon, who had hardened O’Neal throughout the game, could not run at all. No matter if he counterattacked or battled in position, he couldn’t keep up with the team’s speed. Rudy Tomjanovich could only Replaced him with O’Neal. This substitution also became the turning point of the game. The Lakers took the opportunity to quickly pull the point difference to 9 points in a wave of 8 to 2 and sealed the victory.

When the whistle sounded, the players of both teams were spread out on the court. After entering the Western Conference Finals, everyone had no reservations and had to fight hard by strength.

Although the Lakers went 112 to 108 and extended the total score to 3-1 to get the match point, the fans at the Compaq Center were not disappointed to leave. UU reading www. uukanshu.com

“Go on Houston! Go on Houston!”

The words shouted by the audience made Olajuwon and others cry in their eyes and rekindled the fighting spirit of the Rockets players.

Smith in the commentary commented: “This is the first time I have seen Houston people so united. Although the past Rockets fans are enthusiastic, they are always a little less enthusiastic, but since the change of owners last year, this team’s The atmosphere has changed drastically. The enthusiasm and passion is no longer inferior to the home atmosphere of the Mavericks and Spurs. The top three in Texas have more and more frightened other teams in the league.”

Moses Malone said: “As long as the Rockets retain these main players, I think even if this season is not successful, next season will be more promising.”

Smith laughed and said: “If the Lakers lineup hasn’t changed a lot, there will be no accidents in the West next season, and the two teams must be fighting each other.”

For the Lakers today, O’Neal made 11 of 19 shots and 8 of 16 free throws. He scored 30 points, 16 rebounds, 2 assists and 2 blocks to get the best of the game.

Kobe made 7 of 15 shots, 2 of 4 three-pointers, 5 of 5 free throws, 21 points, 5 rebounds and 11 assists.

Five of the Lakers scored in double figures. The highest score was Ray Allen with 32 points, 2 rebounds and 1 assist. The other two were Horry’s 10 points and Mobley’s 11 points.

The arduous series exhausted the two teams, but it also gave the young players training and tempering. From the third game, it is not difficult to find that the rookies of the two teams have matured a lot.

At the press conference, the Rockets players all expressed disappointment, but they all said they would not give up hope.

Old Nelson once again emphasized that the Lakers must not take it lightly until the last minute of the game.