Li Ao returned to the bench and immediately found Gentry and said: "We are ready to fight hard and let the OK team feel the pressure."
Gentry also saw the changes on the opposite side, but he didn't feel it as directly as Li Ao on the court.
As an 'outsider', the coach can see many things that the players on the field cannot see, but the direct feelings of the players on the field are also something that the coach does not have.
When Li Ao said this, Gentry quickly connected their feelings together and responded: "Yes, we can no longer let the OK combination play so easily."
Jordan interjected: "Not only did they play more relaxedly, but their playing style also changed a lot. They began to trust their teammates again, and their teammates also gave them positive feedback. If you think about it, Bryant and O'Neal Tonight both scored simple goals that were rarely seen in the first two games..."
Li Ao couldn't help but twitch the corner of his mouth when he heard this.
Simple ball, does it mean Kobe's baseline jump, 180-degree turn and pull-up layup?
Or is it that O'Neal relied on his weight to squeeze into the front of the basket and suppress O'Neal's hook?
He resisted the urge to complain and continued to listen without interrupting Jordan.
"...The pressure on the offensive end of the OK combination is reduced as a result, and they can focus on defense and reduce the defensive pressure on their teammates.
Protecting the rim is a very simple thing for O'Neal, defense is like a rest for Bryant, the rest of the Lakers performed well offensively tonight, they just need to play alone when necessary.
If this continues, they may form a virtuous cycle and achieve a continuity they never achieved in the first two games.
Gee, it’s unbelievable. The Lakers actually showed such teamwork at this time. Their teamwork didn’t reach this level during their two consecutive championships. It’s a pity that their role players are too old..."
After listening to Jordan's analysis, Li Ao suddenly understood what he had not expected to understand about the changes in the rhythm of the OK combination.
Although Jordan's abilities as a coach and manager are very unique, his analytical ability is no worse than anyone else.
Well, let’s start with a rebuttal: “Michael, do you think it’s possible that Kobe was immature at that time, and now he’s closer to you, double team.”
Jordan looked disdainful and replied: "An imitator will always be an imitator."
"Have you ever heard that a person is better than a person who is good at it?"
"Have not heard!"
Gentry ignored the conflict between God and Man and made personnel adjustments. Gerald Wallace and O'Neal were replaced, and Big Q and Campbell came on to strengthen the confrontation.
Li Ao and Jordan don't understand the OK team's mental journey this season, and Gentry doesn't understand either.
But they all know that the situation is becoming dangerous now.
Tonight won't go as smoothly as the last two!
…
After the timeout, the Lakers replaced Samakie Walker with Horry, and Fisher, Kobe, Rick Fox, and O'Neal continued to play.
Clippers offense.
Bibby and Matt Halprin hit Horry's long two-point shot after a pick-and-roll.
At 9-12, the Clippers narrowed the point difference to 3 points.
O'Neal picked up the ball and batted it, then again!
It was like this in last year's playoffs, and it's still like this in this year's playoffs. Whenever they were about to widen the point difference, the white and black guy would score one out of the blue.
How annoying!
During the transition between offense and defense, the Lakers players immediately felt the changes in the Clippers when they arrived in the frontcourt - the defensive confrontation became more fierce.
Kobe was not surprised by this. It is the style of the Clippers to fight without a word.
Fisher passed the ball to Rick Fox at the top of the arc and then ran to the right corner. Kobe took Li Ao, who had switched to him, to take a step inside the 45-degree three-point line on the right side, widening the distance enough. , after Fisher reached the right corner, Kobe turned around and passed Li Ao, cutting in!
Rick Fox released the ball in time. Kobe received the ball from the free throw line and dribbled it. He took three long steps and accelerated with the most explosive speed, leaving Li Ao behind and entering the paint.
Campbell wanted to make up for it, but his steps were too slow. Kobe flew into the air for a layup...a black hand stretched out from his right back and slapped...his arm hard.
"beep"
The referee's whistle sounded, Big Q's thug fouled, and Kobe got two free throws.
After Da Q landed and stood firm, he shouted at Kobe: "Imitators of God are always just imitators!"
Kobe rubbed the forearm that was hit hard: (.-＿-.)
Kobe ignored Big Q, turned around and glared at Li Ao before walking to the free throw line.
Is it okay for this fellow man to be so arrogant if he can really succeed in making up for his defense?
He didn't need to think about it to know that the people in his class learned from the big spider.
Just a few minutes ago, the big spider actually yelled "I'm open, pass it to me quickly" when his arms were tangled up by his close combat.
Li Ao was glared at: (O_o)??
Big Q fouled and made a dead hand. Kobe made the first free throw. He adjusted his shot for the second free throw and hit it close to the neck of the basket. It bounced and spun into the frame.
When the Clippers attack, Bibby comes back with another shot... iron.
In this Clippers lineup, even if Big Q is replaced, the offense will still be the same. It just has one more outside shooting spot to look forward to.
But the effect of hand-to-hand combat is immediate!
The opportunities for the Lakers' wing and high-post role players to catch and shoot are rapidly decreasing. Horry, Rick Fox, and Fisher are also restricted from cutting into the frame. Campbell cannot make up for it, but he is very good at protecting the frame. With the ability to cut in and receive the ball, it is difficult to form a linkage with O'Neal in the paint like Kobe.
Kobe and O'Neal were able to get some 'simple' offensive opportunities at the beginning, but in the second half of the quarter such opportunities became less common.
The Lakers' scoring momentum suddenly slowed down!
Changing from his mentality in the past two games, when Kobe encounters this situation, he will definitely or anxiously start to engage in personal heroism.
But this time he chose to be patient and give trust to his teammates.
The performance of teammates declined and the OK combination failed to exert force. The Clippers successfully held on to the score!
At 10 minutes and 44 seconds of the first quarter, Big Q counterattacked against Fisher and used his height advantage to score the ball. The score came to 19 to 21, and the Clippers chased the point difference to two points!
In the first quarter, they could no longer gain an advantage. The Lakers fans at the scene became increasingly quiet, and despair spread among the Lakers fans.
When the Lakers attacked, after Fisher advanced to the frontcourt, he did not give the ball to Kobe to launch an attack, nor to Horry, who was running towards the top arc. Instead, he reached one step outside the three-point line and grabbed the ball lightly. Qing took a step forward, took off, and shot a three-pointer at Bibby!
Bibby didn't even react. The ball had already flown over his head. He turned around and looked...the ball hit the target!
24 to 19, the Lakers' lead extended to 5 points!
In the transition between offense and defense, Bibby used the pick-and-roll to get to close range and met the moving O'Neal with a high throw and hit the board.
Respond to Fisher's three-pointer!
The ball fell from the basket and bounced on the floor before being caught by Horry. Horry quickly served the ball to Kobe. Kobe took a step to release the ball. Fisher received the ball and counterattacked with Li Ao's pursuit. hit.
26 to 21, the Lakers continue to lead by 5 points!
When the Clippers attacked again, Li Ao used a screen to cut in and attracted Rick Fox to cover up the defense and then passed the ball to Big Q. Big Q faced Horry and hit a two-pointer from the bottom line.
This time the Clippers retreated very quickly and did not give the Lakers a chance to counterattack. With 9 seconds left in the first quarter, Fisher quickly advanced to the frontcourt after receiving the serve, was stuck by Bibby and passed to Kobe.
Kobe received the ball and broke through to score the ball. Horry received the pass and shot a three-pointer...
When the ball reached its highest point and started to fall, the whistle sounded at the end of the first quarter.
With a long whistle, the ball plunged into the frame!
29 to 23, the Lakers took a 6-point lead!
The Lakers fans, who had been quiet for a while, were stunned for a while when Fisher suddenly went berserk and scored 5 points in a row. Horry hit the ball. The Lakers fans reacted and started cheering crazily!
Now it's Clippers fans' turn to feel bad.
Aren't the veterans of the Lakers already 'wasted' in hand-to-hand combat? Why did you quit all of a sudden?
…
For a very enthusiastic and proactive person, others often take his goodness for granted.
But a person with a cold temperament or bad behavior can make others deeply moved by occasionally revealing a little kindness.
Kobe and Li Ao are very similar. Kobe has knives in his eyes, and Li Ao has knives in his mouth.
The difference between the two is that Kobe is pure and proud, while Li Ao will give small gifts to his teammates during the holidays, hang out with veterans, and train with new teammates... The difference in the relationship between the two and their teammates lies in the difference. Here it is.
The little bit of trust Kobe gave him in such a season, at such a time, and in such a crucial game inspired the Lakers role players to play even more desperately... They were depressed for a few minutes by the Clippers' hand-to-hand combat. Finally, in the last minute or so, they played a crazy 8-4!
Falling behind by 6 points in the first quarter is not a big deal for the Clippers. They have fallen behind in the first quarter of the past two games.
But the difference this time is that the OK combination did not exert any force in the first quarter! Instead, hit slowly!
Entering the break, Gentry made personnel adjustments: "Big Q, Leo, Michael, Lamar, Jermaine, come on..."
Continuing to let Big Q play instead of replacing Yalic with a stronger series attack ability. Everyone on the field understands the meaning of this choice.
The head coach wants stronger offensive firepower!
Yaric can make the triangle offense more comprehensive. He, Odom and Li Ao work together to support the triangle offense. As long as they do not encounter teams with strong mid-blocking capabilities like the Jazz and Magic, teammates can play at any position. Given the opportunity, they can put the ball in place.
But now they don't consider receiving shots from disadvantaged positions. In such a high-intensity competition, the stability of role players' open shots may not be as accurate as the stars' shots against the defense.
In the past, in the second quarter, Li Ao had to start paddling on the offensive end in order to better maintain continuity. Even if his physical strength has reached the top level of 95, he will still choose to do this. He has good teammates and is not embarrassed. For him, it was great to have his remaining health wandering around, but he felt insecure about not being able to move forward on the defensive end.
But this time, he has to fight!
After Gentry laid out the tactical framework, Li Ao said to several teammates on the field: "I will shoot next, Michael, help me."
Jordan was angry: "You want me to support you?"
"you will not?"
"Who says I can't do it! I'm much better at coordinating things than you are!"
"Then I want to see how you can be better than me."
The three teammates did not dare to interrupt in the face of the altercation between the god and the hero. Seeing that the god accepted the attack... He was indeed Spider-Man! As expected of their boss!
After the intersection break, players from both teams returned to the court. The Lakers sent out a combination of Brian Shaw, Kobe Bryant, Devin George, Samakhi Walker, and O'Neal.
The second quarter started with the Clippers attacking first.
The Black Mamba is like a brick, it can be moved wherever it is needed.
In the first quarter, he defended Li Ao. Now that Jordan is on the court, he defends Jordan again.
He has won two championships and is not afraid of hardship or fatigue. No wonder he can't be a goat... Li Ao cursed and went to the right side of the free throw line to catch the ball and hit Devin George in a single.
Li Ao took a step closer, and Devin George lowered his center of gravity to catch it. Li Ao made a fake move of stepping forward, and Devin George quickly raised his center of gravity and rushed forward. Li Ao turned around and rushed forward, dribbling the ball and taking two steps to grab the ball. Stop the jump shot...
Devin George wanted to turn around and catch up, but his strength was too old. He stopped the car and turned around before even taking a step forward. Li Ao had already taken off and took action...
Hit!
Kobe didn't expect that Li Ao would be the main attacker after Jordan came on the court!
Devin George's defense is actually pretty good, at an excellent level, but as the second-best pure defensive player on the forward and defensive lines of the Western Conference Finals, only being at an excellent level is completely insufficient.
When the Lakers attacked, Kobe made a big hit. When he turned around, Kobe switched defense and returned to Li Ao.
As a scorer who can shoot 60+ in a single game, Kobe is very aware of Li Ao's horror. If Li Ao gets too high, the advantage they finally created will be gone.
Although Jordan may also surge, but at Jordan's age, if he exerts his strength in the second quarter, the threat in the third quarter will be much smaller.
The Lakers have faced this situation when playing against the Clippers' forwards and defenders in the past two years. Kobe already has rich experience and made the relatively best choice.
But something unexpected happened again!
Jordan didn't play in singles, but moved slowly!
Odom broke through Samaki Walker from the outside, and Li Ao began to speed up his movement!
Kobe followed Li Ao closely... and was blocked by O'Neal who was pulled to the left of the free throw line.
Odom broke through and passed the ball to Jordan. Jordan kept passing the ball to Li Ao at the free throw line. Li Ao caught the ball around the pile and rushed forward.
Kobe went around the pile in time to catch up with Li Ao...but failed to catch up!
Li Ao moved faster step by step. O'Neal finished guarding Odom, but couldn't turn back to defend him. Li Ao jumped high, switched the ball to his left hand, and smashed the ball into the basket with one hand!
Kobe: What is this?
He can also play such an offense, but he didn't play like this tonight, because even if he had to attack like this while ensuring defense, he wouldn't be able to last until the end.
When the Lakers attacked, Kobe, Brian Shaw, and O'Neal once again connected on the wings. Brian Shaw received the ball in the corner and passed it to the basket. Kobe's receiver passed the ball and passed again. O'Neal caught the ball and hit it high. .
Looking back, Li Ao caught the ball while running quickly, turned around and dribbled the ball behind his back, and hit another two-pointer!
(End of chapter)
