Chapter 358: Dilemma
Shaq really knows Lamar too well, knows the horror of this guy, not only has a wide vision and excellent organization, but also shoots accurately, and has a three-point shot against the sky, not to mention that there is only one Cote Thomas, even if he is added, I am afraid that he can't prevent Lamar's casual and willful and unrestrained offense. Pen @ fun @ pavilion wWw. ļ½ļ½ļ½Uļ½Eć ļ½ļ½ļ½ļ½
Midway through the first quarter, with the Lakers leading by just two points, Phil Jackson replaced Kobe Bryant, who had been the best performer so far, with Harbour.
It was thought that this would be a good opportunity for the Knicks to overtake and potentially quickly close the gap, but it was not that simple. The Lakers used their strength to tell the Knicks what a solid defense is.
After Kobe Bryant left, the Lakers lacked a strong outside offensive firepower point on the court, which made the Lakers gradually shift the team's focus from offense to defense, and gradually increased the defensive strength of the Lakers' players, and now they are more handy when dealing with the familiar Lamar.
There was really nothing to do, and Van Gundy replaced Lamar with Antonio Davis to prevent a frantic comeback after Kobe Bryant's appearance.
The fans called the traitor New York Son and the hero Los Angeles darling were all gone, but the singing in the Staples Center didn't stop there. They seem to have liked the feeling of singing in the NBA, and they all shouted hoarsely, and they kept shouting.
"You're our forever L.A. darling!"
Bryant wore a white towel over his head, trying to calm his mind. Naturally, he is thrilled by what the fans have done for him, so he wants to be at his best and repay the support of the fans with a victory.
Lamar had a two-minute break off the pitch, and although he had a problem with the manager replacing him, he chose to obey, he knew very well how difficult this game was, and if he did as recklessly as he had done in the previous game, he would probably run out of energy in the battle against Coatthomas.
Just sitting on the bench and watching his teammates being tortured by the Lakers' old fritters, but he couldn't help, Lamar was still faintly anxious in his heart.
Although no one can question the talent of the current Knicks players on the court, with the two experienced veterans of Chauncey Billups and Alan Houston, it stands to reason that the two sides should be evenly matched. But what is happening on the court now is that the Lakers are faintly in control of the game.
Lamar knows very well that the key reason why his teammates have been unable to get into form is still on him, because he usually occupies the vast majority of the team's shots, and his teammates have developed a dependence on him, and once he is not on the field, it is really difficult for the team to open up the situation.
It wasn't until Bryant stood up on the bench on the other side that Van Gundy finally made a move.
"Lamar! It's your turn. Van Gundy said, but his eyes did not take off the ring, and he waved at Lamar and said, "Do you see?
Seeing Van Gundy's solemn face, Lamar did not rush to the court, and leaned to Van Gundy's side and said: "The strength of Coat, Thomas and Grant is very good, their threat under the basket is too great, Samuel is still too tender, and Antonio can't handle it alone." ā
"That's right!" Van Gundy nodded and said, "Without the protection of the inside line, Chauncy and Houston on the outside line can't find their touch, and now we are in big trouble." Lamar: I want you to go up and find a way to tie them together, like they're fighting on their own right now, and they can't beat this Los Angeles Lakers team by playing with talent. ā
Lamar thought for a moment and said, "I know what to do!"
He understood what Van Gundy meant, and that he was just letting him play as a playmaker, the kind of work he used to do when he was very Lakers.
Although most of this work is now entrusted to Chaunse, since the team needs it, he is still very willing to take on his own part of the work.
Taking advantage of a dead-ball opportunity, Lamar and Kobe Bryant came on at the same time, Lamar replaced Chauncy Billups and moved to the point guard position, while Kobe Bryant was the opposite, he replaced Sprewell or returned to his favorite point guard position.
"Do you want to have a fight!?" Kobe Bryant looked at Lamar playfully and challenged.
Lamar was tempted to say "yes!", but the situation in which the team was right now did not allow him to do so.
Of course, he could have equalised with his own scoring ability. or even overtake, but in that case, the consumption of his physical strength is too great, and it is very likely that in the final stage of the game, he will not be able to stop the Lakers' counterattack.
The most important thing at the moment is how to get the morale of the teammates back up, let them score and get them into the best form.
"If you want to fight, you can always have time, but not now!"
Seeing that Lamar actually rejected his challenge, Kobe Bryant was slightly surprised, and he had the impression that Lamar would never shy away from any challenge.
"Why don't you have the guts?" Bryant added, this game is far more important to him than the game itself, and he doesn't want to give up this good opportunity to be as high as Lamar. A win over Lamar would prove that the team was not wrong!
"There's no time to ignore you!" replied coldly, and Lamar took the lead in the ring.
Of course, he was greeted by a flood of boos, and it was as if every Los Angeles fan had set a formula in their minds right now - Lamar boo.
The game restarted, the Knicks served from the sideline, and the score was 32:39, and the Knicks trailed their opponents by seven points.
Lamar took the ball and glanced at the opposing half, the Lakers' defensive formation was already in position, only Cote Thomas, who was defending him, broke away from the overall defensive formation and kept interfering in front of him.
Lamar has already learned the power of this role player before, and he also has a certain understanding of his defensive skills. Overall, he and Battier are completely different types, although they are both kraft candy fights, Battier looks at solid defense and sheer strength, while the taller Thomas relies on his innate instinct and variety of small moves to defend.
"Come on, little girl, let me see how good you really are?" As soon as he pressed Lamar's body, Thomas's trash talk erupted like a flood that broke the embankment.
If it had been in normal times, Lamar would have taught him a lesson. It's just that the team is still behind, and he is not in the mood to argue with Thomas, while enduring Coat-Thomas's verbal and physical harassment, while observing the movement of his teammates.
I have to say that sometimes the role of the leader is very obvious, before Lamar came on the court, the Knicks' players were simply scattered on the court, and there was no fighting power at all. Once Lamar is on the field, the situation is completely different, the waist is not sore, the legs are not painful, the running is also energetic, and the body shape and footwork when running are called an elegant and chic.
Antonio Davis stepped on what appeared to be Limbo's slight step, and a very flashy emergency stop turned around, squeezing Horry, who was defending him, behind him, and as soon as he pulled away, he reached out to Lamar for the ball.
Lamar's eyes were already on Davis, leaning back, jamming Coat-Thomas, followed by a slam-ball pass.
Seeing that the ball was about to reach Davis's hand, a classic slam dunk was about to be staged, but the hand appeared on the ball's track at an inopportune time.
"Smack!"
It was Kobe Bryant, and he knew what he was playing as soon as he saw that Lamar didn't choose to break through in the first place. He took a step ahead of the curve and intercepted Lamar's pass to Davies.
"Attack!"
With a shout, he slapped the ball in front of him and was the first to rush out. On either side of him, Tinsley and Cotter Thomas were also accelerating, and at one point three sharp knives went straight to the Knicks' weak spot.
Lamar just wanted to chase back the defense, but was noticed by Cote Thomas, took a step forward, and then stuck the position to prevent Lamar from having a chance to defend.
"Huh!"
Escorted by two teammates on the left and right wings, Bryant ended the offense with a simple layup.
Although it was just an ordinary three-step layup, the Los Angeles fans in the stands still burst into huge cheers, of course, more because of Kobe's successful steal before.
"Lamar, you're at that level, if you want to score, you'd better do it yourself!"
Kobe smiled and shook his fingers, pretending to be Uncle Mu with a look of underachievement.
Lamar glared at Kobe Bryant fiercely and said, "It's better to take care of yourself!"
After receiving the baseline ball again, Lamar calmed his emotions a little, and then quickly dribbled towards the opponent's position, without giving Cott Thomas the opportunity to press the defense closely.
"Hey, hey, learn wisely, know that keeping your distance from me is good for you, but do you think that I can't do anything about it? Don't underestimate people! little girl!"
Cote Thomas screamed as he moved his feet quickly, and the tightness of the defense did not give Lamar the slightest chance to break through.
"Here!"
Davis saw that Lamar was entangled by Rajakot Thomas, so he quickly took a step outside and reached out for the ball. Although he didn't deal with Lamar in the team, he still knew what was important, and he valued the win or loss of the game more than that personal grudge.
Lamar heard Davis's shout and just wanted to pass the ball, but now Kobe Bryant had noticed that he was moving in Davis's direction. Just as the ball was about to be shot, Lamar pulled his wrist down and pressed the ball down.
At this time, there was not much time left for the offense, and he could only choose to force a jump shot, but the result can be imagined, and the hasty shot, coupled with the impatience, made the ball he threw out of the standard.