Reborn as Kobe

On April 11, the Lakers lost 110-113 at home to the visiting Sonics and lost the fifth game of the season.

In this game, O'Neal, Barkley and other veterans did not play, and there was no strong center to protect the basket. The inside line composed of Kobe and Nowitzki was very tight, and the rookie played alone, allowing Kobe to fully appreciate the hardship of being a father and a mother. , And once again let him determine how correct it is to hide behind the peak O'Neal and brush stats.

In this game, the outside line lacked Kobe's restraint, Gary Payton was going crazy, and Wenbeck was recovering well, and the Sonics played a wonderful internal and external connection.

Kobe played forty-two minutes, scored 35 points, 15 rebounds, 16 assists, 3 blocks and 2 steals in a luxurious triple-double. Ray Allen performed very hotly, playing 40 minutes, scoring 39 points, 3 rebounds and 2 assists. Under the cover of Kobe, Nowitzki scored 22 points, 7 rebounds and 3 assists, and his true shooting percentage reached 55.3%. The only downside was that he had five turnovers.

For the Sonics, Payton scored 33 points, 5 rebounds and 9 assists, Wenbeck 27 points, 8 rebounds and 1 assist, and the five scored in double figures.

On April 13th, the Lakers lost 91-113 to the Trail Blazers in an away game. Bryant missed the rotation and the Lakers offensive organization was in a mess.

Except for O'Neal, none of the Lakers shot more than 50%. The Lakers scored the most by Ray Allen with 25 points and 2 assists.

After two consecutive defeats, the Lakers still rank first in the league.

The media don't know how to position the Lakers, but most of the comments are almost consistent, thinking that only Kobe and O'Neal are on the court at the same time, and the Lakers are the invincible warship.

The New York Knicks, Miami Heat, Chicago Bulls and other team managers and coaches began to repeatedly emphasize the decisive role of O'Neal, and deliberately weakened Kobe’s position in the Lakers. Fans are not sure, but the Lakers’ old Buss and Jerry West can I know the intentions of these people too well. Now many team managers and even the bosses can't wait to sit outside Kobe's house every day. As long as they sign Kobe, it is a matter of fame and fortune. Although the Lakers have priority to renew the contract, this is not a constraint for Kobe.

For example, as long as Kobe announces his retirement, he will be a free agent when he comes back a year later. One year's salary is just a fraction of a fraction for Kobe.

The Lakers now want to sign an early contract with Kobe before the end of the season, but Kobe's intention is not in a hurry.

The team rested for two days to prepare for the away game and the Jazz.

This year Malone and Stockton tried their best to bring the Jazz to second place in the league. The two elders Xuan Ming are quite thoughtful about this season, and are ready to do their best to give it a go.

The last time he played against him was a strategic abandonment. This time the old Nelson didn't want to lose again. He was going to send all the main players in this game.

"The Jazz are very defensive, but I want to play a half-court battle with them in the Utah Plateau, Tom, do you have any suggestions?"

The old Nelson is very optimistic about Thibodeau, because the opponent's defensive attainments are very high, not inferior to Pat Riley's student Van Gundy.

Thibodeau said: "Since we are going to play positions, I don't think we should go to Dirk. In the first quarter, we can let Bryant defend Stockton, wait until Barkley is off the court, and let Bryant go to the fourth position. Ma Long."

"What about the offense?" Old Nelson asked again.

"Reduce perimeter shooting, hit the basket more, hit the success rate." Thibodeau replied.

"Tom, do you know you have a very serious problem?"

Tom Thibodeau shook his head, looking at old Nelson habitually, hoping to get a better answer.

Old Nelson smiled and said: "You don’t like rotation, which will easily cause more injuries to the main players, and your offensive tactics are somewhat lacking. If you can reach the level of your former partner D'Antoni on offense, you will Will become a generation of famous marshals, more than me."

Looking at Tom Thibodeau who was thinking, the old Nelson couldn't help but think of his apprentice Popovich in the Spurs. He was a ghost who moved him. When he thought about it, he thought of Kobe again. He was always smiling off the court. Disciple, he is a genius in basketball tactics, and he admires many ideas in the basketball field.

The Jazz also cares about the outcome of the game. Sloan now sees only two teams as the Jazz's arch enemies, one is the youthful and talented Rockets, and the other is the steady and changeable Lakers.

Sloan summoned the players and said: "I hope you will treat this as a playoff game. We have to play out all the Lakers' strength and see where they are strong."

"Understood." Ma Long gritted his teeth and took the lead.

Sloan said loudly: "Our goal this season is only one, and that is the championship. The Lakers will definitely become our biggest opponent. We must win this game and strive to gain a psychological advantage!"

Sloan knew that there was not much time left for the two elders Xuan Ming, and he wanted to grab a championship ring for the two disciples.

The war is at once.

Today, the Jazz's home stadium is full again, and ABC is responsible for the national live broadcast of the game.

Kobe, O'Neal and others caused huge boos when they appeared, and loyal Utah fans vowed to defend the honor of the Jazz Devil's home court.

After the players warmed up, the players of the two teams walked to the center line and the game was ready to start.

The Lakers started this game with Kobe, O'Neal, Barkley, Jones, and Ray Allen. Kobe and Jones partnered in the backcourt today and Ray Allen played as a small forward.

The five starting Jazz players are Malone, Hornacek, Stockton, Brian Russell and Greg Osttag.

Commentator Link was surprised: "It is rare to see no newcomers in the Lakers~www.readwn.com~ This lineup is probably prepared for the playoffs."

Smith agreed: "Today the two teams actually came up with the playoff lineup. This is a mutual understanding game. Now the Lakers rank first in the record list, followed by the Jazz. The two teams have a lot of The probability will be determined by the West."

With a jump ball, O'Neal easily defeated Greg Osttag, and now Greg is a bit unable to jump.

The players pulled away, O'Neal pulled out and gave Kobe a pick-and-roll. Kobe took the ball and broke through. Malone immediately came to help defend. Kobe passed the ball in the middle. After Barkley received the ball, he couldn't make a direct shot because the defender was Brian Russell. The height and wingspan are stronger than him.

Barkley paused and gave the ball to Ray Allen who was running. Hornacek defended. Ray Allen easily broke through with speed and made a sudden stop jumper from the distance. 2: 0.

The Jazz attacked, Stockton controlled the ball to the frontcourt, not fast, but the ball was very stable, Kobe did not try to steal the ball.

Malone had a pick-and-roll in the middle, Stockton attracted Ray Allen and passed the ball to the left corner. Hornacek made a three-pointer and made an easy hit without interference. 2: 0.

Kobe looked at Ray Allen and made a gesture, indicating that the ball was not following. Ray Allen nodded apologetically, but his face was expressionless.

Ray Allen, who has not been injured before, is proficient in breakthroughs, dunks, and passes, and his playing style is so flying, which shows that his talent is also very good. After the injury, his athletic ability declined and his playing style was changed. Only then did he have a gentleman's sword that can catch the ball and shoot the ball accurately. Kobe has already had a premonition in his heart that the two of them will not be able to cooperate anymore next season, which also makes him a little sad. Kobe originally wanted to form a high-profile version of Splash Brothers with Ray Allen. It seems that many things have good ideas, but often It is counterproductive.