Heat (4): (4) Lakers.
When the Lakers attacked, Kobe continued to ask for the ball at the top of the front arc and faced Lin Fei's defense.
"Lin, I heard that your defense has improved rapidly in the new season. Let me test it tonight to see if it is true!"
Kobe faced the frame in a triple-threat pose, while Lin Fei was concentrating one step away, bending his knees and stretching his long arms, always paying attention to every subtle movement of Kobe.
Lin Fei's current height is about 194cm with bare feet and 196cm with shoes. He is only two centimeters shorter than Kobe Bryant, who is 195cm with bare feet and 198cm with shoes. The difference between the two is not obvious when they stand together.
Kobe's weight is 96 kilograms, and Lin Fei's current weight has increased to 90 kilograms while maintaining body fat percentage, and his bench press strength has also improved significantly.
In terms of wingspan, Kobe is 211, Wade is 210, and Lin Fei is 212, which shows that Lin Fei's static talent is not inferior to the top point guards in the NBA.
"Corvo, come over here!"
Lin Fei responded confidently and calmly, his focused gaze always staying on the basketball in Kobe's hand.
Kobe first used a step back to get into a shooting position. Seeing Lin Fei's left foot take a half step forward, he quickly lowered his center and started to drive to the right.
"Whoosh!"
Although the first step is not as quick as Wade's, he is still at the top of the league. During this period, Kobe's body and skills have reached their peak, and his experience has gradually enriched, and he can adjust the breakthrough method and rhythm according to the defender.
Lin Fei's quick sideways slide did not allow Kobe to completely pass the first step, and his long arms quickly interfered with Kobe's dribbling.
Taking advantage of the situation, he smoothly dribbled the ball behind his back and changed hands under his crotch. Kobe adjusted his rhythm and then broke out to the right. With his stronger body, he directly entered the penalty area against Lin Fei who was defending from the side.
Facing O'Neal who was guarding the basket and ready to defend at any time, Kobe broke into the penalty area and suddenly braked, took a step to the outside, opened up enough distance from Lin Fei, and quickly took off and shot elegantly.
This position is about 17 feet away from the basket and the angle is about 75 degrees. It is a sweet spot that Kobe often shoots from.
Lin Fei knew very well that Kobe was a shooting player. During the breakthrough process, trying to escape and find shooting opportunities accounted for a large proportion of the offense. This is similar to Medicart, but different from Iverson and Wade.
And this is the most difficult thing for Kobe to guard against. With a solid mid-range shot, he may make a sudden stop at any time.
Even though Lin Fei reacted the fastest, his overall physical talent was still far behind Kobe. This time the defense was very timely, but Kobe still shot the basketball accurately.
"Uh-huh!"
besides.
Kobe hit all 3 shots in the opening game, fully demonstrating the importance he attached to tonight's Christmas game.
The cheers of Lakers fans rang out at Staples Arena. Kobe Bryant, who was facing Lin Fei's two-pointer, returned to defense and gritted his teeth to challenge Lin Fei domineeringly:
"Lin, you can't guard against me!"
Lin Fei was not emotionally affected by Kobe's trash talk. It was normal for him to be unable to guard against Kobe at his peak, even though he already had a comprehensive defensive attribute of 92.
You must know that the league currently cannot find a defender who can completely restrict Kobe on the outside, especially when he is ruthless.
Bruce Bowen, Raja Bell, Jason Kidd and Artest, who are perennially selected to the All-Defensive Team, can only reduce Kobe's shooting percentage to a certain extent.
With the official promulgation of the nohandcheck rule, the league's rules are more inclined to encourage offense. Offensive players with the ball in hand are always more proactive than defensive players.
When the ball was transferred, Jason Williams dribbled the ball forward, while Lin Fei was actively running in the frontcourt looking for opportunities, with Kobe always chasing after him.
The scene of last season's Western Conference Finals tiebreaker is still vivid in my mind. Even though Kobe Bryant tried his best to pursue Lin Fei in that game, he still couldn't stop the Timberwolves from using various screens to allow Lin Fei to hit 10 three-pointers.
"Whoosh!"
Udonis Haslem mentioned a screen at the 45-degree three-point line on the right side, allowing Lin Fei to speed up and get rid of Kobe's pursuit.
The Black Mamba was also shocked. Today's Lin Fei has made significant improvements in speed, change of direction and explosive power compared with last season's Western Conference Finals.
Odom could only switch to Lin Fei's side immediately.
As a man with outstanding physical agility who can serve as a power forward, small forward and even a defender at the same time, Odom's ability to switch defenses and defend small and large teams is very good.
But the reason why Odom has never been selected as an All-Star in his career has a lot to do with his mental state on the court. He is often prone to lack of concentration and even distraction.
"Magic" Johnson has said that if Odom can have 10% of Kobe's game concentration, he will definitely become a superstar.
Although Odom's change of defense was timely this time, he did not notice the direction of the basketball.
"boom!"
A long shot from a tricky angle, Jason Williams passed the ball very boldly, and the basketball almost bounced out from under Odom's feet.
Lin Fei didn't hesitate after receiving the ball. He jumped decisively towards Odom and took a lightning shot.
Because he was not focused enough, Odom jumped to defend a little too hastily. He did not stop his movement. When the basketball flew past his fingertips, his fingers also touched Lin Fei's wrist.
"Uh-huh!"
"Beep!"
The ball goes in and the buzzer sounds, 3+1.
Kobe, who bypassed Haslem and caught up with him, jumped up to block the shot almost simultaneously, but he still missed by a hair.
If Lin Fei was 0.1 seconds slower this time, he would probably be blocked by one of Odom and Kobe.
After landing gracefully, Lin Fei also high-fived Jason Williams, who rushed up, and then responded to Odom and Kobe:
"You can't guard against me either!"
The Lakers fans at home also exclaimed. The visual shock of Lin Fei's three-pointer against Odom and Kobe just now was absolutely stunning.
While Lin Fei stood on the free throw line, the high-definition four-sided screen above his head also quickly replayed the entire process of the ball just now.
Only then did the fans at the scene see clearly that "White Chocolate" Jason Williams had entered the penalty area and hit the ground without looking at anyone from behind. The difficulty of this goal can be said to be quite high.
The power forward's upward screen, White Chocolate's ghostly pass, and Lin Fei's lightning shot against the two of them made the score 3+1.
This series of coordinated actions has a high degree of completion, which fully reflects the Miami Heat's good tactical atmosphere and team quality. It is in sharp contrast to the Lakers' Kobe Bryant's continuous solo fights after the start.
In front of the courtside commentary desk, Charles Barkley and Kenny Smith couldn't help but brag about the Heat's offense:
"It seems like Jason has quickly gotten along with his Heat teammates. His pass just now and Lin's tacit understanding are so high!"
"A wonderful pass coupled with a wonderful three-pointer, assists and scores achieve each other. This is the perfect cooperation that is most worthy of applause!"
"Although Dwayne is gone, I believe the Heat are already significantly higher than the Lakers in terms of overall strength!"
"Uh-huh!"
On the court, Lin Fei also took extra penalties and scored 4 points successfully.
Heat (8): (6) Lakers.
It is worth mentioning that from the beginning of the new season to the present, Lin Fei has made a total of 102 free throws in 29 games, averaging about 3.4 free throws per game, with a shooting rate of 100%.
This also makes Lin Fei the only player who has never missed a free throw since the start of the 2004-05 regular season.
Making 102 consecutive free throws also set an NBA record for consecutive free throws, and this record is still being refreshed by Lin Fei every game night.
"Lin's free throws are so stable. He hit 102 consecutive free throws. It's terrifying!"
"No wonder Lin's three-pointers are so accurate. With just one free throw, he instantly killed all the players in the league!"
The Lakers attacked, and Kobe's anger obviously grew. He asked for the ball at the top of the key and once again hit Lin Fei alone.
Lin Fei's defense this time was very oppressive. After Kobe Bryant started to break through, he quickly moved up to him. Without fear of physical confrontation, he lowered his center of gravity and squeezed Kobe's dribbling space, and his long arms continued to interfere.
Lin Fei's defensive actions are highly similar to the death coil of Leonard at his peak to defend the ball carrier, but even Leonard at his peak cannot completely restrict Kobe at his peak.
Seeing that the breakthrough was unfavorable, Kobe did not panic at all. He turned his back to resist Lin Fei. His continuous footwork changes were very skillful. He made a feint and turned back directly with smooth movements.
Facing Kobe's fadeaway jumper, Lin Fei found it difficult to block the shot. He could only jump up as much as possible to block Kobe's sight with his hands.
At the beginning of the 2004-05 season, Kobe had not yet perfected his fadeaway jumper, nor had he reached his peak technically. Coupled with the interference from the Eagle County incident, his natural state would fluctuate greatly.
Although the ball was thrown in front of Lin Fei, it was very difficult and Kobe could not grasp the aim.
"Clang!"
Amidst the sound of the iron, the rebound was easily grabbed by O'Neal against Chris Mihm. Lin Fei completed a successful defense against Kobe.
"Whoosh!"
O'Neal's pass was quick and passed quickly to Jason Williams, who was turning over quickly.
At the same time, Lin Fei had already taken the lead, leaving Kobe behind and heading straight to the frontcourt from the wing.
Kobe Bryant's pursuit was naturally very fast, and he was never completely thrown away by Lin Fei.
Jason Williams dribbled the ball to the frontcourt. Facing the Lakers point guard who was overtaking in the corner, he made a smooth in+out change of direction while driving, leaving the opponent behind and heading straight into the penalty area.
Seeing that Williams was about to make a layup, Kobe was restrained by Lin Fei from the outside and did not dare to rush forward to cover up the defense. Otherwise, with White Chocolate's pass, Lin Fei would definitely get a perfect three-point shot opportunity again.
Avoiding the important and taking the easy, Kobe could only watch Jason Williams lay up.
However, the physical fitness of Caron Butler, who rushed up quickly from the middle, was also explosive. He decisively let go of his opponent Shane Battier and rushed into the penalty area with a single stride. He adjusted his pace and was ready to hit Jason Williams at any time. A chasing hat was sent behind him.
Jason Williams had eyes and ears in all directions. Naturally, he did not risk a layup. Instead, he quickly glanced behind him from the corner of his eye while walking, and then threw the basketball in his hand high towards the steel backboard above his head.
"boom!"
The basketball bounced off the steel backboard and flew over Caron Butler's head, just in time for Shane Battier who followed up.
After receiving the ball, Battier took a step forward, jumped up high, and was about to deliver a one-arm dunk.
But Battier didn't hold the ball firmly while it was in the air and almost let it go.
"Clang!"
He barely smashed the basketball towards the basket, but actually dunked the ball straight away.
The basketball dunked by Battier bounced directly to the free throw line. Haslem, who rushed up, got the basketball immediately, turned over and gave it to O'Neal who followed up.
At this time, O'Neal was holding the ball at the top of the arc, and Lin Fei also quickly started from a 0-degree angle on the left side and shot diagonally towards the top of the arc. Kobe was thrown away at the first shot, but then he caught up again.
"Whoosh!"
With the help of O'Neal, who was holding the ball at the top of the arc, Lin Fei quickly retreated to the outside right side of the frontcourt. Kobe had already seen through the Heat's cooperation and immediately came up to block the passing line between O'Neal and Lin Fei.
Lin Fei kept moving and continued to move to the right, and instantly arrived at a 45-degree angle on the right.
At this time, Jason Williams, who rushed from the basket to the high post, received O'Neal's pass and made a smooth transition. After receiving the ball, he directly made a behind-the-back pass, and the ball instantly came to Lin Fei's hands. .
The cooperation between the three is like a billiard ball hitting the edge of the billiard table and rebounding at a 90-degree angle, bypassing Kobe's interception and quickly reaching Lin Fei.
By the time Kobe, who was two meters away, had his pupils swollen and was about to rush forward to defend him, Lin Fei had already bent his bow and arrow and struck decisively.
"Uh-huh!"
the second.
After landing, Kobe looked very angry and annoyed, and shook his arm hard.
Jason Williams's rushing pass this time completely avoided Kobe's block, and the Heat once again completed a smooth counterattack fast break.
Standing on the sidelines of the Heat, head coach Stan Van Gundy couldn't help but smile and applaud. He didn't expect Jason Williams to be integrated into the team's system so quickly.
It seems that just as the Heat concluded when studying Lin Fei's playing style during the offseason, a player like Lin Fei really needs an excellent point guard to partner with him.
And Jason Williams' passing ability is obviously a level higher than Wade's.
On the court, Lin Fei returned to defense and high-fived "White Chocolate" again. Although the two only trained together for one day, they seemed to have a natural understanding.
"Jason, do you dare to make your passing better? I almost didn't react!"
Faced with Lin Fei’s joke, Jason Williams also laughed and said:
"Lin, of course I will satisfy your request!"
"How about we two compete and see whether you hit more three-pointers or I gave out more assists in tonight's Christmas game?"
Lin Fei touched his chin with his hand and frowned: "It seems a bit unfair to compare like this, right?"
Jason Williams nodded and said: "It is indeed a bit unfair to you, after all..."
Before Jason Williams could finish speaking, Lin Fei interrupted with a smile: "Jason, you seem to have misunderstood me. What I said is unfair to you!"
Jason Williams suddenly became excited: "Lin, don't forget, my record for assists in a single game is 19!"
Lin Fei said confidently and elegantly: "Come on then, I am willing to admit defeat!"
(End of chapter)
