Starting from the last bus in the NBA

Chapter 221 Lakers

222. Lakers
As one of the four major centers, there is no shortage of grievances between Ewing and O'Neal.

Especially because of the All-Star incident, the two of them turned their faces a little bit, and they had to compete every time they met.

Speaking of which, Ewing was also quite unlucky.

At the beginning of his career, when he just entered the league, he was already able to hit nearly 20+10 data.

This is definitely the performance of a top center in the NBA. There is no problem at all to win an All-Star starter.

It's a pity that he didn't become the All-Star starter, because there was Moses Malone at that time.

Moses Malone, who is already in the latter part of his career, is not actually better than Ewing, but he still starts.

At that time, Ewing was thinking that it was not unacceptable to give up the All-Star starting position to the seniors.

Well, this is pure fart, and Ewing must not accept it, but it is just a reason to comfort himself.

It wasn't until Moses Malone was completely old that he sat on the starting position of the All-Star and enjoyed the most dazzling lights.

However, this time did not last long, O'Neal turned out to dominate the court.

As a rookie, Ewing was directly robbed of the All-Star starting center position, which made Ewing very upset.

Although your data is better, but why, I will be suppressed by the seniors, and you will not?

As the top 50 superstars in the NBA in 50 years, and one of the four major centers in the NBA, Ewing has only had four All-Star starts.

Moreover, this is the case when Moses Malone is old and O'Neal has not competed with him.

I have to say, it is indeed unlucky enough.

The two played against each other a lot, so they naturally knew each other very well.

Ron Harper immediately handed the ball to O'Neal, and everyone on the Lakers pulled away.

"boom!"

O'Neill dribbled the ball, exerted strength suddenly, and the sound of muscle collision came out.

To be honest, Wang Hao looked at it deliberately and was a little frightened.

If this level of confrontation is placed 20 years later, it is estimated that O'Neal will be sent off directly.

That's right, it's not an offensive foul, but a direct penalty.

Just imagine, if the one standing behind O'Neal is not Ewing, but a center 20 years later, such as Downs, Jokic, or Embiid.

Being hit by O'Neill like this, he had to lose half his life.

Your offensive action is too big, you can call a foul; but this action is directly fatal, then you will not be sent off.

Ewing carried it for a while, but still retreated slightly.

At the peak of his career, Ewing was no match for O'Neal in terms of strength confrontation, let alone now.

However, Ewing does not need to completely support O'Neal, because he still has teammates.

Gary Payton immediately chose to double-team O'Neal, forcing O'Neal to return the ball to Ron Harper.

In O'Neal's game, you will actually see O'Neal hit two with one, and score the ball strongly.

O'Neal is indeed very strong, but it is impossible to say that one person can solve the game.

In this case, there must be a premise, that is, the opposing center cannot guard O'Neal at all.

When the double-team was in place, O'Neal had squeezed the opponent's center into the interior, and he was ready to end the offense.

In fact, as long as there is a center who can hold O'Neal and cooperate with double-teaming, O'Neal can be prevented.

Otherwise, why do you think every NBA team is hoarding meat shield centers?play?

If you meet another player who is taller and stronger than O'Neal, you can even defend O'Neal alone.

That's right, it's about Yao Ming after gaining weight, but it's a pity that Yao Ming was only facing the old O'Neal at that time.

After Ron Harper received the ball, he was not in a hurry. He didn't make a decisive shot until he confirmed that Gary Payton had shrunk his defense.

One step within the three-point line is two points longer, and we have it!

0:2
For such a goal, the Sonics were not moved. This is the price that must be paid for shrinking the inside to defend O'Neal.

The Lakers are actually similar. Facing the opponent's shrinking defense, outside players are required to make decisive shots.

These are all mutual trials at the beginning of the game.

Looking back, the Sonics attacked, this time, they used the most careful defense.

If you want to talk about the Lakers' defensive problems, it is definitely not a small one, but they are covered up by their offense.

For example, Ron Harper, who is no longer young, still plays the first position, which is very disadvantageous in terms of speed.

That's why, when facing the digital team, Kobe had to face Iverson.

If you think he is willing, there is no other way.

The first set of tactics arranged by the Supersonics was to target Ron Harper's old arms and legs.

Wang Hao and Gary Payton, Ron Harper defends whoever fights.

As for Ron Harper, who can't be guarded by anyone, and he goes to stare at Lewis, that's okay, just treat it as a demolition.

Although some do not talk about Wude, the effect is really good.

Ron Harper also knew his problem. When he was young, he did defend well, but now, he is older.

Ewing, 37, is like that. Ron Harper, 36, is like that. Both are the same.

Supersonic offense, Gary Payton handed the ball to Wang Hao after halftime, this situation has gradually become normal.

After a month of running-in, their new offensive system has been initially established.

Today's Gary Payton has gradually returned to his past position, the team's defensive core and offensive playmaker.

As for the real offensive core, the role of the scorer has gradually shifted to Wang Hao.

In the new season, the average performance of nearly 30+5+5 per game, even Gary Payton has to admit it.

In terms of defense for the Lakers, Kobe is still facing Gary Payton. As for the one standing in front of Wang Hao, it is naturally the San Fernando movie star.

As for Ron Harper, he himself, including the Lakers, knew this problem, so he consciously stood in the corner with Lewis.

It's a pity that there are some things that he can't hide from if he wants to.

When Wang Hao said hello, Lewis immediately ran up to play the pick-and-roll, and Ron Harper had to follow.

With a simple pick-and-roll, Wang Hao easily got rid of Reagan Fox. Logically speaking, Ron Harper should switch defenses.

It's a pity that Ron Harper obviously didn't think he could defend Wang Hao, but chose to shrink to prevent Wang Hao from breaking through.

As for Wang Hao?
Naturally, let Reagan Fox bypass the defense as soon as possible, stand in front of Wang Hao again, and face Wang Hao.

Reagan Fox is already trying his best to do it, but unfortunately, it's too late!
The moment the opportunity came up, Wang Hao shot from beyond the three-point line without hesitation for a moment.

Dare to let me shoot casually from beyond the three-point line, how can he still be polite?

"Shh!"

Without any accidents, the basketball flew out of a standard parabola and fell steadily into the basket.

3:2
This scene did not make any changes for the Lakers. As the defending champions, they have this confidence.

Of course, they were more vigilant about Wang Hao's three-pointer.

When it was the Lakers' turn to attack, they still focused on O'Neal's inside line, but this time they played a triangle offense.

As a triangle offense, doesn't it mean that O'Neal plays the pivot in the interior, looks for opportunities to pass the ball, or attacks by himself.

As for O'Neill's choice, it is natural to attack by himself.

Almost exactly the same as before, O'Neal singled Ewing, but Ewing held O'Neal in the first pass.

At the same time, the supersonic defense was quickly put in place, and this time it was Wang Hao who double-teamed.

O'Neal can't help it. He is still a little far away from the basket, so he can only choose to pass the ball.

The basketball returned to Kobe's hands, Kobe was ready to make a shot, and Lewis' supplementary defense was in place.

After all, it was just the beginning of the game, and Kobe was quite calm. He knew that Lewis was defending him, and his teammates must have space.

An open space appeared in the hands of Reagan Fox. He passed the ball immediately to his teammates outside the three-point line in the bottom corner.

Seeing that PJ Brown was about to help defend in place, Reagan Fox chose to shoot directly.

"Bang!"

Without too many surprises, the basketball bounced out of the frame, and PJ Brown's height and arm length obviously affected the San Fernando Valley movie star.

That's right, this is the Sonic's defensive strategy, trying to let the Lakers players except O'Neal and Kobe finish as much as possible.

And what they need to do is to rotate as much as possible, even if they can't make it, it doesn't matter.

Compared with giving the opportunity to the OK combination, the role players of the Lakers are obviously more unreliable.

This tactic is aimed at the Lakers. If it is facing the Spurs, it will definitely not work.

There is no way, the offensive firepower of the OK combination is too strong, but the role players do not have many opportunities to finish.

Over time, their finishing ability will inevitably decline.

As an important member of the Lakers, Fisher was injured and will not return until later in the season.

This led to a very serious problem. Except for the OK combination, no one in the entire Lakers team scored in double figures.

Of course, the average score of the OK combination is as high as 60 points per game, which is indeed very exaggerated, and it is true that teammates do not need to contribute offensive firepower.

Ewing protected the rebound and did not give O'Neal a second chance to attack.

Gary Payton pushed forward with the ball, still a familiar routine, watching Lewis run to the pick-and-roll again, Ron Harper was so uncomfortable!
This time, he didn't dare to let Wang Hao's three-pointer go, so he could only grab it online.

However, at this time, Wang Hao did not shoot three-pointers, but chose to break through.

When he was young, Ron Harper's defense was not bad, but at this age, he was really slow.

In addition, his position has always been vacant, and he has no advantage in physical confrontation.

This allowed Wang Hao to easily break through.

On the inside of the Lakers, O'Neal is still standing under the basket, and Horace is taking the initiative to help defend.

Wang Hao didn't choose to force it. After all, besides Horace, there was also the fat man behind him who was eager to try.

He stuffed the ball to PJ Brown. PJ Brown lacks offensive firepower, referring to shooting. Under the basket, he still has the ability to finish.

"Shh!"

5:2
That's right, the Lakers' defense has also been adjusted to double-team Wang Hao and Gary Payton as much as possible.

It's just that, after all, the two are outsiders, and with the ball in their hands, they can create opportunities to attack independently.

On the Lakers side, no matter how strong O'Neal is, someone has to send the ball inside.

Kobe saw that something was wrong, and began to stand up and control the offense, using his own singles to solve the problem.

On the Supersonic side, Gary Payton didn't do anything to watch, constantly passing the ball and organizing the team's offense.

At a time when no one noticed, he suddenly threw two more, as if telling others that he could also score.

The Sonics continue to accumulate points, and it seems that the Lakers seem to be helpless.

However, as the head coach Phil Jackson, he was not in a hurry, but chose to wait.

At 5 minutes and 26 seconds, when the first timeout came, Phil Jackson decisively picked up his tactical board.

This is the opportunity he has been waiting for.

18:10
The score difference of 8 points is only within the acceptable range.

How the Lakers arrange their tactics can actually be guessed, and what they can rely on is naturally the OK combination.

As for the supersonic side.

Paul Westphal said loudly: "The double-team needs to be advanced, as long as you see Shaq with the ball, double-team him for me.

PJ Brown, give me a forward defense, this is Shaq, there's no shame in a forward defense.

In addition, on offense, we need to play fast, play faster, not slow down. "

……

After a timeout, the Supersonics replaced Ewing. In just a few minutes, the confrontation with O'Neal had already made him very tired.

According to the past rhythm, Paul Westphal should be replaced by Ruben Patterson, but this time he did not.

After Ewing left the field, no one could withstand O'Neal in the first place, which was very fatal.

Even PJ Brown can only interfere with O'Neal by going around the front to defend.

The appearance of Ruben Patterson can't solve the defensive problem. If it can't solve the defense, then it can solve the offense.

The solution to the offense is to speed up. O'Neill and Horace were on the court at the same time, and playing delayed the speed of the Lakers.

Moreover, he chose to believe in Michael Reid.

In the preseason, Quentin Richardson seemed to be better and more complete.

However, in the middle of the season, everyone seems to have discovered that Quentin's comprehensiveness has no effect.

In the Supersonic team, there is Wang Hao, there is Gary Payton, even on the bench, there is Brent Barry.

These are players who can run offense with the ball, and Quentin Richardson hasn't had many opportunities to show his versatility.

Of course, if he has that strength, it goes without saying, Wang Hao also played like this.

It's a pity that his strength is obviously not enough and he still needs to exercise, but the supersonic speed didn't give him the opportunity to exercise.

Instead, Michael Reid, as a spot-up shooter who stretches the space, is more suitable for the lineup.

The Lakers also made substitutions. Ron Harper was replaced and Robert Hawley played.

This season, the Lakers' unfavorable start has a lot to do with the many injuries in the team.

At the position of point guard, Fisher and Tyronn Lue were injured successively, and only veteran Ron Harper held on.

Now, it is even more necessary for Kobe to make a guest appearance.

Fortunately, this is the point guard of the Lakers, and the requirements are not high. As long as he can dribble the ball across the half court and pass the ball, that's enough.

Of course, neither Fisher nor Tyronn Lue can solve the problem, and they will still be targeted.

Instead, let Kobe play the point guard as a guest, which makes it impossible for the Sonics to carry out special targets.

(End of this chapter)