Reborn as Kobe

　　 After the Lakers lost the second game, overwhelming criticism flooded everyone.

　　 Almost all the news media in Los Angeles mentioned Harris's shortcomings, and believed that Harris' poor on-the-spot response during the game was the main reason for the Nets' loss. Of course, O’Neal has also become a target of public criticism, criticizing him for failing to effectively combine the Lakers, causing his teammates to fall into a single-handed vicious circle, failing to become a competent leader, and even more distorting and exaggerating the reasons for his escape from the Magic. Get rid of a huge burden.

　　 Regarding Kobe, the major media did not care too much. They just said that Kobe exposed the lack of rookie experience and lost the agility of previous games, but Kobe's strength is still worthy of recognition.

In fact, there are other reasons why these news media do not dare to comment on Kobe excessively. The first is Kobe’s worth. With the popularity of high-tech stocks in the United States, Kobe’s assets with a large number of shares in Microsoft, Oracle, Amazon, Cisco, and Yahoo have exceeded 100. Billion, coupled with his status as a superstar on the off-field music scene, made these media very jealous.

　　 In the regular season and the previous two rounds of the series, the Lakers’ offense was guided by Kobe.

　　 It is precisely because Kobe controls the rhythm of the game that the Lakers can win the first place in the Western Conference in the regular season, and the game is also efficient and beautiful.

　　 But now, under the control of Harris, the Lakers are back to the old way of last season, wanting to win the game through defense.

　　 Harris also felt that he had to make adjustments, but his method was to remove Van Exel, who had insufficient defensive ability, and replace him with Campbell to increase his defense.

　　 On May 23, the third game of the series between the two sides was held at the Energy Solutions Arena, the home court of the Jazz.

　　 On the night of the game, Harris once again emphasized the need to pay attention to the defense of the opposing players, and strive to minimize the efficiency of the Jazz.

　　 The players all opened their mouths and Kobe also promised that he would never fight like the previous two games.

　　 This time Harris is satisfied. He feels that the Lakers are already on the right track. Although he is not too sure about the outcome of the game, for an old-school coach like Harris, the right to control the voice is always the first.

　　 The game began, O'Neal lost to the Great White Bears in a rare jump, Stockton began to organize the offense, Kobe fully interfered.

　　Although he no longer has much hope for this round of the series, Kobe still hopes to improve his defensive ability by competing with the Jazz. "

Stockton slinged the ball to Malone, who was in the low position on the left. Malone arched his back twice inside. Campbell didn't hold his position. Malone was stronger than him. O'Neal wanted to double-team, but was caught by the big white bear. Framed.

　　 Malone turned around with the ball in the middle and made a mid-range jumper, 0:2.

　　 Kobe dribbled the ball through halftime, shook Stockton, and slid the ball to O'Neal at the basket. Obier leaned on Greg Ostertag, turned around and scored a handball, 2:2.

　　 Jazz offense, Malone and Stockton classic pick-and-rolls reappear. Malone caught the ball and cut to the basket, and he was about to rush, Campbell reluctantly pulled the foul.

　　 Malone was sent to the free throw line and made two free throws.

　　 Harris yelled loudly from the sidelines, very dissatisfied with these two defenses.

　　 Kobe expanded the range of assisted defenses, and did not hesitate to entangle Stockton and Hornacek, Eddie Jones took the opportunity to catch O'Neal's pass and made two shots. Kobe scored only 2 points in the first quarter, sent 3 assists, and was replaced in the ninth minute. The Lakers and Jazz drew 19 in the first quarter.

　　 After the start of the second quarter, the Lakers replaced the bench lineup. Van Exel completely lost the style of the sixth man, giving Kobe the feeling that he played well and became a dribbling machine.

Harris came to hope to use Van Exel to open up the deadlock in the offense, hoping to pull the score apart, but since he pulled Van Exel to the bench and abolished Kobe’s conduction ball, Van Exel No more expectations for him, and hopes for the Lakers to compete for the title were completely shattered.

　　 Four minutes into the second quarter, the two teams put their main players back on the court, and the Lakers and Jazz continued the tug of war.

　　 Kobe ran through the half-court at full speed, Stockton followed desperately, and when O'Neal was in place, Kobe gave the ball to Campbell.

　　 Campbell and O'Neal made a low-position pick-and-roll cooperation, and finally O'Neal dunked the ball into the basket.

　　 Jazz attacked, Stockton passed the ball to Hornacek, broke inward, and Kobe clung to it, not allowing Stockton to receive the ball. Hornacek passed the ball to Brian Russell, Russell squeezed the ball away from Horry, and passed the ball to Malone. Malone then passed it back to Hornacek. Jones was helping defend Malone. Hornacek was left open, and saw him up and down, hit a three-pointer, the score was 33:35, the Lakers also led by two points.

　　 The Lakers attacked, Campbell put up a high screen, Kobe broke through with the ball, suddenly stopped and jumped, passing the ball to O'Neal in the air.

　　 O'Neal wanted to fly into a dunk, got stuck by Osterkag, pushed his back twice, and missed the hook.

　　 The rebound was snatched by Malone and quickly passed to Stockton. Stockton dribbled the ball and was blocked by Kobe from outside the three-point line.

　　 Stockton's attempt to break through failed. Kobe's defense did not leak. In desperation, Stockton could only hang the ball to Malone on the inside.

　　 Malone turned around after catching the ball and hitting the basket with his right hand under Campbell's defense. At 35:35, the Lakers and Jazz tied again.

　　 The defense of both teams is in place, and the score alternately rises. By the end of the second game, the score was 43:44, and the Jazz ended the first half with a lead.

　　 During the intermission, Kobe was already gasping for breath. He could not hear a lot of what Harris said, because the noisy boos all around could rupture the eardrum.

The home of the Jazz is the home of the famous devil in the league. The fans here are very enthusiastic. The visiting team will always hear swear words and boos in the sky. It can be said that this is what really makes this arena terrifying. Crazy fans.

　　 Phil Jackson once said: Salt Lake City is the noisiest home stadium, and they even affected the referee.

　　 In addition, the altitude of about 1,300 meters in Salt Lake City is another reason why the Utah Jazz devil are home. The salt Lake City plateau has low air pressure and the hypoxic environment has a very obvious impact on the athletes. Although Kobe has been in the regular season, he still feels hard to play for a while.

　　 O'Neal was troubled by fouls in the third quarter and received three fouls in less than seven minutes. Without O'Neal's inside restraint, the Lakers began to lose ground in defense.

　　 At the end of this quarter, the score was 60:68, and the Lakers had already begun to be separated by the Jazz.

　　 In the fourth quarter, Howard Eisley, who came off the bench, gave the Lakers a heavy blow. As soon as he came up, he caught the ball from the right corner and made a three-pointer, extending the difference to 11 points.

　　 Then Malone grabbed an offensive rebound and scored 2+1 on the second offense against Campbell. 60:74.

　　 Harris now thought of Kobe, adjusted his tactics, let Kobe control the ball, and the whole team began to speed up the attack.

　　 It was a pity that everything was too late. Kobe's physical fitness began to light up, and other Lakers players couldn't run. O'Neal clenched his teeth for a while, and started a walk with 4 minutes left before the end of the game. The game officially entered garbage time. In order to avoid injury to the main player, Harris can only be replaced by a substitute, ending the final struggle.

　　 The Jazz maintained their advantage to the end, 78:92, a 14-point victory.

　　 Kobe played 40 minutes, 7 of 13 shots, 2 of 3 three-pointers, 2 of 2 free throws, 18 points and 12 assists.

　　 O'Neal scored 26 points and 18 rebounds, still looking unstoppable, but unfortunately the Lakers only scored in double figures, except for Kobe and O'Neal, only Campbell scored 14 points.

　　 For the Jazz, Stockton had 11 points and 8 assists. The numbers were not pretty, but they effectively prevented Kobe's pass. Malone had 25 points and 16 rebounds. The Jazz five scored in double figures.

At the press conference after the game, Sloan smiled, but still humblely said: "The Lakers are a very resilient team. Although we have a good form, we still can't take it lightly because they have Kobe Bryant. , Everything can happen."

　　A reporter asked Harris: "Do you still think the Lakers can make the Finals?"

　　 Harris looked embarrassed and defended: "Our lineup is flawed, and Kobe is just a rookie. But I believe that as long as we work harder ~www.readwn.com~ to enter the finals is still full of hope."

　　 The reporter asked O'Neal: "What do you think is the biggest weakness of the Lakers as coach Harris said."

　　 O'Neal replied with a smile: "I didn't see it. Maybe Mr. Del only understands the shortcomings. After all, he is a coach."

　　 O'Neal returned to the locker room, Kobe had already packed everything and was ready to leave.

　　 "Bryant, I have something to tell you." O'Neill stopped Kobe who was about to leave.

　　 Kobe smiled and said, "Shaquille, you have something to say."

　　 O'Neal awkwardly explained: "The tactics of these games are all made by Del. I just chose to obey. I don't want to see all this happening. Do you believe me?"

　　 Kobe despise this fat man in his heart. He wants to be a **** and establish a chastity archway. If it weren't for tactical status and personal data, the Lakers would never be forced to the edge of a cliff by the Jazz.

Kobe said solemnly: "Shaquille, as long as you stay with the Lakers for one day, you are the leader of this team. I will not fight you for anything. If the Lakers think you are not important one day, then absolutely not. It will be me, and I will not have any opinion on your status now or in the future, because I can wait."

　　 Kobe left, and only O'Neill was left. O’Neal could hear Kobe’s words from his sincerity. Kobe really didn’t want to compete with him, but Kobe’s progress was so fast that it was almost terrifying. O’Neal feared that Kobe would surpass himself. In this fear, he Used by Harris.

　　 O'Neal regrets it very much now, but it's done. Although Kobe will support him as before, the friendship between the two will not go back. From now on, the two will only be teammates on the court, and everything else will stop.