Chapter 186: The protagonist of Staples
"Also! Three-point hit! A tough shot in Kobe. Bryant heads in! This is the third three-pointer he hit today, God, you know, in the first three games combined, he didn't hit a single three-pointer! โ
Not only Van Gundy, but even Phil on the sidelines. Jackson was surprised. I thought that Yiyang's two three-pointers in the first half of the game were lucky, but I didn't expect that after the silence of the game in the third quarter, that Tanhuaxiu actually hit another three-pointer.
Everyone has a good hand, and even Wade has the potential to hit a three-point shot that isn't as accurate as it gets. It's just that Jackson didn't expect that this kind of thing was just bumped into by his Lakers.
Kobe Bryant was also very helpless, he had done his best for this goal, but Nowitzki's back-of-head pass was really beyond most people's expectations.
Nowitzki and Yiyang have only been partners for half a season, but the tacit understanding between the two is as if they have been together for several years. Now, it's Nowitzki making the ball for Yiyang. The treatment of the two was completely reversed.
While Nowitzki's back-of-head pass and Yiyang's three-pointer were both spectacular, the Staples Center fans weren't discouraged in the slightest. The reason is simple, they have Kobe. Bryant!
Kobe Bryant's score today was not explosive, but the victory was efficient enough and able to connect the whole team.
Kobe Bryant's turnaround jumper just now has taught Yiyang the power of the league's top guards. This time, Yiyang pressed closely, and was even unwilling to give Kobe Bryant a chance to receive the ball easily.
Bryant certainly wasn't going to give up, but when Fischer hit the ball into Gasol's hands, Bryant didn't mess with it anymore. He pulled up to the bottom left corner and did his best to help his Spanish team-mate open up space.
Gasol was the most offensive player on the field today, not one of them. Even Kobe Bryant was not as eye-catching as Gasol on the offensive end today.
Phil. Jackson made the right decision, and he put Gasol under pressure on Nowitzki from the start, not only did the German not find his form now, but also gave Gasol himself a self-confident look.
Gasol took the ball and looked around him, made sure there was no help defense, and then started to push back in!
Since Odom is now playing in the number four position on the field, Gasol's opponent has also become Chandler. Chandler's defensive ability was much better than Nowitzki's, and Gasol's push was minimal.
But the confident Spaniard didn't give up, and he forced a turn to lean on Chandler to go straight to the basket. "The King of Fighters" raised his hand to interfere, intending to block it. But unexpectedly, the hand slapped firmly on Gasol's forearm.
The referee was aware of everything and did not let Chandler go. Gasol didn't score directly, but he did get two free throws.
The Spaniard's soft touch allowed the Lakers to continue scoring, and the defending champions were still in control of the game, and a three-pointer was clearly not enough to bring down the venerable giants.
Yiyang's defense against Kobe Bryant has been strengthened, and in turn, Kobe's defense against Yiyang has naturally improved a lot.
Yiyang had just dribbled the ball across the half court and hurried out of the ball. Although Yiyang's performance today was not bad, he also knew that it was not a wise choice for him to want to hold the ball and play Kobe Bryant alone.
"Are you scared, boy? Come on, let's have a good time! Kobe Bryant began to stimulate Yiyang with words, but Yiyang's "wood" naturally did not give any reaction.
After a series of conductions, the basketball was finally played to Marion, but Marion's shooting space was completely blocked by Artest. As Carlisle said, Marion's single offensive approach can easily be limited.
With 24 seconds left, Marion made a pull-up jumper.
Under Artest's interference, Marion's peculiar shooting posture naturally failed to shoot the basketball. The two teams were in a mess in the box, with Gasol and Chandler jumping up and touching the basketball at the same time.
But in the end, no one got the ball down. The basketball was clicked by the two elders and jumped out.
Yiyang, who was extremely focused, jumped up high and got the basketball that was pointed out. After catching the basketball, Yiyang did not retreat outside the three-point line to reorganize the offense, but took advantage of the chaos to break through suddenly!
Although Odom held his hands high, he didn't want to foul, and he didn't completely block Yiyang. Yiyang jumped up after rushing to the basket, and the basketball lightly grazed the rebound into the net, and the sneak attack was successful!
"An attack that has already failed has been turned into a real two points, this is the opportunity to fight out, and it seems that Yi is not going to tie his hands in front of the defending champion today."
Kobe Bryant's defense was perfect from start to finish, but he didn't expect Yiyang to be able to spell out a chance after the offense was over. The point difference became 3 points, and Kobe's sense of crisis became heavier and heavier.
After that, the basketball finally hit Kobe Bryant himself. But Yiyang was not nervous, his long arms invisibly increased his defensive area, and this also greatly hindered Kobe's breakthrough.
Bryant repeated his old trick and switched to carrying the ball with his back when he advanced to a mid-range position. It's just that this time, when Kobe Bryant turned over and made a jumper, it became two hands in front of him!
Tyson. Chandler gave up protecting the basket and saved to block Kobe, while Marion and Nowitzki were in charge of getting in on the rebound.
This unexpected defense affected Bryant's shooting rhythm a little, and the basketball spun around the basket twice, only to slide out like butter.
This time, the Mavericks didn't miss rebounds like the Lakers did, giving Kobe a chance to scramble. The Germans held the basketball steadily, and the Mavericks were aiming to tie the score in this round!
I don't know if it's because the score is about to be equalized, Yiyang looked very excited in this round. He didn't hand over the ball as soon as he just passed the half, but pushed the ball to the outside of the three-point line with Kobe's entanglement.
Outside the three-point line, Yiyang stopped his steps. Bryant also stepped back a little distance, spread his arms, and lowered his center of gravity, like an eagle waiting for his prey to take the bait.
Yiyang was not stupid enough to fight with Kobe, he stretched out his hand, and the German immediately mentioned the high position to block the demolition.
Yiyang and Nowitzki's pick-and-roll is arguably the Mavericks' most threatening offensive initiation, and this kind of pick-and-roll is not safe for the opponent to prevent breakouts or put shots. Yiyang and Nowitzki both have the ability to finish the attack.
But today, Nowitzki is not in good shape, so the Lakers' strategy is to defend Yiyang's breakthrough with all their might!
The Germans blocked and dismantled in place, Yiyang kicked the ground with his left foot, and the basketball shoes rubbed against the wooden floor and made a "zla" sound, and Yiyang was "bounced" out in response!
"It's fast!"
Kobe Bryant immediately bypassed the pick-and-roll, while Gasol blocked Yiyang's breakaway to delay his speed and help Bryant catch up with his opponent.
Nowitzki was completely empty from beyond the three-point line, but Phil. Jackson was unfazed. At least today, Nowitzki is not a threat!
Really! Yiyang did not immediately return the ball to the "Nuo Tianwang" who did not feel good, but struggled forward under the front and back strikes of Gasol and Kobe.
If Yiyang insists on attacking the frame by himself, it will undoubtedly be suicide. Under the defense of Gasol and Kobe, a rookie can't escape at all!
People thought that the end point of this blocking offense was either Dirk or Yiyang, but when Yiyang suddenly sent "ammunition" to the third person with a ground-hitting pass during the break, the Lakers had no time to make up for it.
"How did he do it!?" Seeing Yiyang send the ball to Terry under the block of Gasol and Kobe, Mike. Brin's eyes widened. Under the blockade of a long-term player like Gasol, it stands to reason that there is no vision of passing.
Indeed, Yiyang didn't see where Terry was at all. But he doesn't rely on his eyes to pass the ball, but his brain's deduction and prediction of tactics!
Terry received a quick shot from the basketball, and Fischer reacted half a beat slower, after all, this guy didn't expect the basketball to get out of the cracks.
"Brush!" The basketball rolled up a net, and the crisp sound made Yiyang look up at the big screen excitedly. That's right, the Mavericks hit another three-pointer, and the score was levelized!
"The Mavericks equalized and the defending champions are in big trouble now! It's clear that the Mavericks have regained momentum during this time! โ
If it was an ordinary coach, maybe it would have been called a timeout right now. But Phil. Jackson didn't, as I said earlier, this guy is probably one of the least favorite coaches in the league to call a timeout. He's more used to letting the players figure things out on their own rather than allowing himself to babble like an old woman.
No matter how old a horse is, there are times when it misses its front hooves, Phil. Jackson should call a timeout. Because he didn't know what the number one guard would be like after that......
Kobe Bryant controlled the ball himself, but he was not in a hurry, but used to walk through the half. The Black Mamba is still far from the three-point line, and Gasol and Odom's double blocks are coming up.
This time, no matter which side Kobe Bryant goes, Yiyang will be delayed. And if someone else assists in the defense, Bryant's pass can also quickly find his teammates.
So, the Black Mamba Lakers sinked their shoulders and went to the left to kill!
Yiyang reacted quickly and immediately got rid of the block and followed closely behind Kobe. After a while, Yiyang had already run to a position parallel to Kobe.
Kobe Bryant has gritted his teeth, and he knows that his speed is not as good as it was back then. But just because you're fast doesn't mean you can defend successfully!
Kobe was about to go to the basket in three steps, and Yiyang's eyes were fixed on the basketball in Kobe's hand. Just as the black mamba took the second step and just jumped off the ground, Yiyang quickly cut towards the basketball!
"Ahh Bryant yelled, the basketball came out of his hand, and his arm was thrown into the air.
"Foul!" Phil. Jackson opened his mouth to shout, and the fans in the stands booed. However......
However, nothing! The referee didn't blow the whistle! Yiyang cut Kobe's basketball!
"Kobe Bryant actually made a mistake! Could it be that in Yi's eyes, everything should be twice as slow!? "Needless to say, Kobe's ability to protect the ball, being able to cut the basketball out of Kobe's hand is enough for Mike. Brin made a fuss.
Yiyang cut the basketball and made a long pass directly, and the "jet" had already run to the front. But Artest, the beast, clung to Terry's back.
Yiyang's passing is still very steady, and people can't help but wonder if this guy will achieve more if he goes to play rugby. However, looking at the small body of the Tanhuaxiu, he is still more suitable on the basketball court.
Terry catches the ball and goes straight to the basket, but Artest's defense is far tighter than Terry thought. When he jumped to the basket, Artest jumped as hard as he could, and a big hand was already waiting on Terry's head.
Terry knows that if he continues to make layups, there is a good chance that he will be blocked. At this moment, Terry in the air turned into a pass and threw the ball out again!
Terry's breakthrough caused all the Lakers' chasing players to shrink to the basket, so when Terry passed the ball out again, there wasn't even a Lakers player next to the receiver! And the person who received Terry's pass was none other than Yiyang!
"Damn it!" Kobe Bryant immediately changed direction and rushed towards Yiyang, who had already calmly made a move. Three-point shot, is it to kill yourself or the opponent?
The basketball swirled in the eyes of tens of thousands of people, and Lakers fans prayed to God to derail the basketball. But it is clear that God did not hear the prayers of the people of Los Angeles.
The orange Spalding basketball turned into a meteor under the bright lights of Staples and crashed into the net with its light!
Kobe Bryant, who was returning to defense, stopped, opened his mouth and panted, looking at Artest who was embarrassed under the basket.
Carlisle raised his fist high, and he almost wanted to rush onto the court to hug Yiyang.
Phil. The expression on Jackson's face froze, and his mouth was half-open, as if frozen. Just now, it should have been called a timeout!
โthree๏ผ From also! Haha, another three-pointer, oh my god, the Mavericks overtook the score! It was the first time since the third minute of the first quarter that the Mavericks took the lead! Today's performance is really amazing, he shot more three-pointers in one game than in the previous half a month combined! "It's rare for Van Gundy to have such an emotional moment, but today, but that crucial three-pointer, this guy was completely infected by the excitement of the court!
The three-point shot of the No. 1 guard made the defending champion fall to the bottom in an instant! They didn't expect that in the case of Dirk's poor form, the Mavericks actually overtook the score in the last few minutes!
If you think that Yiyang's performance is over, then you are very wrong. After that, Yiyang hit another three-pointer from outside the three-point line. So far in the fourth quarter, Yiyang shot 3 of 3 from beyond the three-point line, and his total three-point shooting percentage also reached 5 of 8.
In the fourth quarter of the game, Yiyang's passing and breakthrough also caused a lot of trouble for the Lakers.
The defending champions, who had led the game for a full game, were disorganized, lost their defensive failures, and lost their usual efficiency on the offensive end. And it all started with that fateful three points......
In the end, Yiyang scored 13 points in a single quarter with an efficiency of 5 shots in the fourth quarter, helping the Mavericks play an amazing game of 30-17 in a single quarter! The defending champion Lakers, who had a four-point lead before entering the fourth quarter, ended up losing 100-109 in Staples!
Carlisle rushed onto the court the moment the game ended, wanting to hug the guy who had led the Mavericks to an incredible comeback.
Suddenly, however, Carlisle stopped in his tracks. Only then did he remember that he had not yet shaken hands with the "Zen Master" Jackson. I really don't know what kind of expression that old man will have now......