NBA: I just want to play soy sauce, you let me win the championship

Chapter 335 The way of heaven is easy to reincarnate, who will be spared by heaven (two-in-one)

After the Kings won the second game of the series, the strange atmosphere within the team did not diminish at all, and even became more intense.

Whoever it is would be confused!

In the first game, Kobe was hit all over the head by the God-descended Kobe, and then O'Neal, who had been recharged throughout the game, ended the game, which was a blow to the Kings who were aiming to defend their title.

But the second game was even more nonsensical. The Kings coaching staff spent the two days between games racking their brains to find ways to limit O'Neal's performance. They prepared five sets of tactics for this purpose, but none of them were used.

O'Neal was actually single-guarded by his teammates!
The Lakers allowed Kobe, who was in poor condition, to fire without limit, but O'Neal, who had a hot hand, couldn't get the ball.

If Jenny and Phil Jackson weren't causing trouble here, who would believe it!
But from the perspective of the Kings coaching staff and players, they did nothing and won the second game in a daze. Of course, there was a sense of unreality and a sense of crisis.

Was our victory stolen?
If the Lakers complete adjustments after this big defeat and play at home again, can we still win the game?
Before the series started, the Kings players felt that their team's reinforcements this year were in place. They were not even a little bit better than last year. How could they deal with the defeated Lakers?
But after experiencing the first defeat, the Kings players were not so confident.

Not only Kobe Bryant's genius, but also the performance of Billups and Battier.

These two players acquired by the Lakers in the offseason are actually role players with both offense and defense. Even their three-point shooting level far exceeds the team's original Fisher and Fox, which makes the Lakers' triangle offensive tactics The threat has risen by more than one level.

The Lakers also have very big reinforcements!
We must not look at them with the same eyes as last year!
In such a powerful dialogue, who is confident of winning?
unless. . .

Yes, only after playing the third game well can everyone truly know the basics!
It is said that the fifth game of the series is the "Battle of Tianwang Mountain". Between the two teams that are tied, whoever wins the fifth game will have the advantage in the entire series.

But the current situation of the Kings and Lakers makes the third game even more important.

Especially for the Kings players, only in the third game can we really see how strong this Lakers team is.

On May 5, Staples Arena, the much-anticipated Game 23 of the Western Conference Finals between the Kings and Lakers is about to start here.

The front row of the arena was filled with Hollywood stars, and it was a glittering place.

There are die-hard old fans like Jack Nicholson who come to the scene just to support the Lakers, and there are also female celebrities who don’t know much about football, but dress in fancy clothes and want to still stay popular. Some of them still miss Lu Yuanzhi, but Hathaway is being watched closely by the river crab master.

Okay, Catwoman, you're done!

In one chapter, you were locked up in a small dark room for several days, and then you had no chance, and you wouldn't have a story to tell if you came to the sidelines to watch the game!

Lu Yuanzhi didn't care at all who was sitting on the sidelines.

No matter you are a Hollywood superstar or the President of the United States, as long as you walk into this arena and support the Lakers, you are now Lu Yuanzhi’s enemy!
There is nothing easy about making friends with the enemy!

The atmosphere in the Kings locker room was a bit dull. Although Bobby Jackson was still joking with his teammates to try to ease the tension, most people were still quietly packing up their equipment and preparing for the decisive battle.

"Bobby, you don't have to do that deliberately!" Lu Yuanzhi's voice clearly reached everyone's ears in the quiet locker room, "We are all a little nervous, aren't we?"

"No need to pretend to be relaxed!"

"We all know that the Lakers have become stronger this year, stronger than we thought!"

Lu Yuanzhi kept talking, and his teammates also looked over, waiting for his "but".

"But," okay, that's the skill of speaking, no one can be perfect, but the key is that the next words must be convincing, "I bet the Lakers locker room next door is just as nervous as us. Worrying because we are stronger than any opponent they have ever faced!”

"Guys, now that we are on the stage of the Western Conference Finals, do we still expect our opponent to be a weakling?"

"This is the West!"

Lu Yuanzhi pointed to the TV, where the second game of the Eastern Conference Finals was being played. The Nets, who were beaten by them last year, brought in Mutombo this year, but the old man averaged 11.5 minutes per game in the playoffs. Averaging 2.7 rebounds and 1.3 points per game, he completely lost the look of the best defensive player.

But even with such a stretched Nets team, they are still beating the Pistons.

The Pistons' 180-centimeter-tall starting point guard Chucky Atkins was pushed to the floor and rubbed by Kidd.

With this height and weight, do you still want to resist Kidd?

Even if Billups went to the Pistons as in history, he would still be beaten by Kidd. He averaged 9.8 points and 6 assists in four games, and his average shooting percentage in four games was even lower. An outrageous 27.5%.

Everyone couldn't help laughing when they saw the two teams of rookies pecking each other.

Lu Yuanzhi clapped his hands and called everyone's attention back to him, "So, guys, is it difficult to admit that your opponent is strong?"

There was another silence.

Yes, the opponent is very powerful, beyond the understanding of ordinary people, which is also the source of their nervousness.

"But, guys, have you forgotten something?" Lu Yuanzhi raised his head again, with blazing fire in his eyes, "We are also very powerful!"

"Kobe's performance in Game [-] cannot be replicated, but he was almost defeated by us!"

"In the second game, as long as they showed a slight flaw, we were easily defeated!"

"Our strength also makes all opponents despair!"

"Some of you know, some of you don't know. Let me tell you clearly. I will definitely leave the Kings next year because I want to pursue a contract that is consistent with my strength."

"The team has triggered the luxury tax, and more people may leave this great team next year!"

"So, now, this is the most powerful form of this Kings team!"

Many Kings players lowered their heads. This is a cruel reality, but everyone has to pursue their own interests, and no one can escape.

"Similarly, the struggle between the Lakers management has reached a life and death moment. Either next year or the year after that, they will fall apart!"

"This terrifying Lakers team will also disappear into history!"

"So, in the past five years, in the next five years, in these 5 years, it is impossible for a team to be stronger than the current Kings and Lakers!"

"Do you understand? Guys?" Lu Yuanzhi's voice suddenly rose, "The strength of us and the Lakers cannot be replicated. Our strength has surpassed all teams in the league by two or three levels!"

"You should not feel afraid or nervous because of the strength of your opponent!"

"Don't you think this is the best challenge?"

"As long as we win this series, we will be the strongest team in the new century and the unquestionable number one team!"

"In 20 or 30 years, many of your children may also enter the NBA. At that time, you can sit proudly in the stands, the cameras will be pointed at you, and a line of text will pop up below to introduce you to the 01-02 season and the NBA. Member of the championship in the 02-03 season."

"The greatest team of the 21st century, a two-peat member of the Sacramento Kings!"

Many players laughed, while Stojakovic looked thoughtful.

"So, show off your talents!"

"Only by defeating the extremely powerful Lakers will our 'greatest' be worthy of the title!"

"'Chasing Greatness' (Note 1) is a joke, we are the real greats!" "Guys, bring down Los Angeles!"

"Fuck Los Angeles!"

"Beat LA!"

"Beat LA!"

The Kings players were so excited by what Lu Yuanzhi said. The previous fear, nervousness, and doubts were all swept away, and uniform shouts rang out in the locker room!
Thank you Bostonians for creating this catchy slogan!

Off to the side, Divac and Webber were whispering.

"Chris, this kid came to me and told me that I wanted him to deliver the motivational words before the game. I had some doubts."

"But he did great, didn't he? Vlad!"

"Indeed, we are much better than when we were young. It's a pity..."

"There is nothing to regret, Vlad. We have already won the championship we dreamed of. We are going all out to win the second championship. You can't expect them to give up their big contracts and compete with us for the third time."

"After all, we are the two people with the biggest contracts in the team, and Max's salary this year is only one of our 10 minutes. You can't stop young people from chasing wealth!"

"That's it, good!"

"If we can win the championship this year, our career will be perfect."

"Of course, if you are not old yet, even if most of the team members are missing next year, I am still confident that I can accompany you to win the Triple Crown!"

"Hahahaha, of course I'm not old! But let's win this year's championship first!"

"Definitely!"

Soon it was game time, and the Kings still sent out the starting lineup of Divac, Weber, Stojakovic, Lu Yuanzhi and Bibby.

The Lakers moved Samakhi Walker to the starting lineup. I don't know if it was to strengthen defense, or to stagger the playing time of their three best shooters, or even Horry was really old and couldn't handle the starting lineup. Intensity.

The Lakers' starting lineup also changed to O'Neal, Walker, Battier, Kobe and Billups.

The Kings came up with a new offensive routine as soon as they came up. Bibby and Stojakovic played a pick-and-roll.

This change quickly attracted the attention of Barkley and Smith in the commentary box.

"Stojakovic's pick-and-roll is a tactic that has appeared for the first time in this series. Kenny, can you understand the principle of this tactic?"

"Generally speaking, defenders will choose to do pick-and-rolls with big men inside. On the one hand, the blocking effect will be better. On the other hand, the huge size difference between the two defensive players will have a better dislocation effect."

"But Battier is a flexible wing defender. Although he is 203 centimeters tall, his steps are not slow. Bibby may not be able to take much advantage in the matchup."

"So, Kenny, this is not a good pick-and-roll option?"

"No, on the contrary, I think this pick-and-roll is very creative, because Bibby and Stojakovic are both very accurate shooters, and the Lakers must keep an eye on both of them at the same time without giving them any openings. "

"The defensive pressure is very high. In order to ensure that Bibby and Stojakovic do not have a good shooting space, the Lakers may have to choose to switch defenses."

Sure enough, before Kenny Smith finished speaking, Battier and Billups, two players with very high basketball IQs, made the most correct choice on the court.

They switched defenses!
We have to switch defenses. As Barkley and Smith said, if we defend Bibby and Stojakovic like we do in ordinary pick-and-rolls, then Stojakovic will be able to gain huge shooting space after popping out.

Don’t forget, Stojakovic is the two-time champion of the three-point shooting competition. Do you dare to let such a person shoot three-pointers?

But the next moment, Bibby passed the ball to Stojakovic and quickly pulled away. During the run, Battier even found Bibby smiling.

What are you laughing at?
After Stojakovic received the ball, he did not mark outside the three-point line and directly entered the three-point line with his back.

Billups was stunned.

what do you want?

Back-up from the three-point line to the paint?
impossible!

The league has introduced a 5-second post-up rule, and you can't do it.

Of course, it is impossible for Stojakovic to hit directly from behind, but his huge size and strength allow him to enter the mid-range area very easily.

Billups' strength is ridiculously strong among point guards, second only to Kidd and Payton. But when a 191cm tall man faces a 206cm tall "giant man", Billups has no chance of winning.

He is even more desperate than Bibi!

When Bibby faced Billups' post-up play, he could also use some small moves to slightly block Billups' advancement.

But when Billups faced Stojakovic, any efforts were in vain.

Stojakovic can go wherever he wants!
After approaching the 3-second zone, Stojakovic did not continue to move forward.

There was a shark inside, and he didn't want to get bitten after going in. After pushing away the defending Billups, he turned around and then used the Golden Rooster's independent skill package to easily score the ball in the middle distance!
"Kenny, I understand! Why did the Kings choose to let Stojakovic and Bibby play pick-and-rolls!"

"Because the Yugoslavian is too tall. He is 206 centimeters, which is almost as tall as our own power forward Webber!"

"He can use his height and weight to punish Billups who changes defense!"

Indeed, the benefits that the Golden Rooster's independent skill package brings to Stojakovic are not only the ability to fight tough battles, but also the ability to punish small men very well in misplaced defense.

Billups, you want to imitate a mountain in Puerto Rico?

I don't think about it!

When punishing the little man Billups, the defensive pressure Stojakovic faced was not as strong as facing Kobe and Battier, so the unskilled Golden Rooster can also play a good role independently.

That's it!

That's it!

Go on, Peja!

Beat Billups!

Bibby, who pulled Battier aside, watched excitedly as Stojakovic used his body to beat Billups violently. He was even more excited than the person involved.

The way of heaven is good for reincarnation, who will the heaven forgive!
Billups, when you used your body to eat me, did you think that this day would come?

Note 1: The name of the AAU team formed by James' son Bronny.

(End of this chapter)