My Name is Kobe Bryant

May 8, 2003, San Antonio.

Previously, the Lakers and Spurs tied at 1:1.

In the first game, Duncan completed the buzzer beater.

In the second game, because Duncan didn't dare to let go, Kobe took advantage of the Spurs' defensive loophole and took away the game.

The Spurs' strongest defensive point is actually their weakness!

As long as Duncan is in foul trouble, the Spurs will have no second player who can stand up and withstand Duncan's absence.

In G3, the Lakers still let Kobe maintain this strategy.

"No! This can't go on like this!"

Lakers 25:21 Spurs in the first quarter.

Kobe completed 9 breakthroughs in a single quarter!

You must know that in any era, anyone who completes more than 10 breakthroughs in a game is a superstar!

The leader in breakthroughs per game this season is Iverson, who averaged 16.7 breakthroughs per game.

The second is Grant Hill, with 14.7 times.

The third place is Kobe's 14.1 times.

In the playoffs, the average number of breakthroughs per game by superstars will continue to increase!

The playoffs are a time for heroes and heroes!

Iverson averaged 20.1 breakthroughs per game in this year's playoffs, ranking first in the league!

Kobe averaged 17.8 times per game!

Carter 16.4 times!

Hill 15.3 times!

Breakthrough is the most offensive method that can destroy defense. Compared with shooting, breakthrough has more options. You can complete the offense yourself and attract defense assists to teammates.

When Kobe Bryant completed 9 breakthroughs in a single quarter, the Spurs didn't have many ways to limit the Lakers' offense.

Especially Duncan's performance was very frustrating.

"Damn it." Even the calm Shi Buddha was a little angry at this time.

If he was guarding Stephen Jackson, no matter how Kobe played the pick-and-roll, he wouldn't have to switch to Kobe.

The wall of Stephen Jackson is so thin that Laga Belle can easily pass through it.

But Yao Ming is different!

Yao Ming's pick-and-roll is very strong, and his three-pointers are difficult to interfere with!

If Duncan were to defend Yao Ming, he would have to face Kobe's repeated attacks!

And the way to defend Kobe is to often start from outside the three-point line!

For Duncan, who is 2.11 meters tall, no matter how quick his steps are, there is no way he can keep up with Kobe!

Especially since Kobe is still looking for confrontation! Call a foul!

Duncan, the strongest defensive player in the league, has all his martial arts skills, but he has no room to display them in front of Kobe!

"Coach, leave Yao Ming to me. Let Tim guard Kobe in the paint." The general suddenly said in a loud voice.

Popovich thought for a moment and decided to give it a try.

The difference between the playoffs and the regular season is that both sides will continuously adjust their tactical strategies according to the opponent's lineup.

This is also the reason why many teams that are invincible in the regular season struggle after being targeted in the playoffs.

Since Kobe and Yao Ming's pick-and-roll made it very difficult for the Spurs to defend, Popovich changed his defensive strategy and it was a very smart on-the-spot change to see the effect.

The general defended Yao Ming and did not suffer.

Even as an aging general, he is very fast in the paint.

And his strength is even more powerful than Yao Ming.

The most critical point is that the general is not worried about getting into foul trouble.

Let go! Even if he is kicked off the field, there is still Duncan!

Section 2.

The Spurs' tactical change caused the Lakers to suffer a small loss.

After Kobe and Yao Ming started a pick-and-roll, they broke through the basket with a general hanging on their backs. As a result, Duncan, who was helping to defend him, was kicked out of the court for a layup!

Fiery hot pot!

"Fuck!" Kobe was furious.

Duncan who helps defend is the strongest Duncan!

He didn't have to worry about fouling, because it was the general who made physical contact with Kobe.

Duncan's mobility and defensive awareness advantages are fully demonstrated!

"This guy is really ridiculously strong." Kobe put his hands on his hips.

Duncan is the strongest inside player Kobe has ever encountered in his entire career.

No wonder he was able to win 5 championships in his last life! Become the number one power forward in history.

So stable, Kobe caused trouble for Duncan time and time again, but Duncan was able to solve them one by one!

If the Spurs don't have Duncan on the defensive end, Kobe can easily average 50+ per game.

With Duncan, the Spurs are completely different.

At least with the current defensive strategy, Kobe's breakthrough shooting percentage will drop by at least half.

Next, after Kobe tried to break through, he passed the ball to Yao Ming and then to Stephen Jackson.

However, other Spurs role players set up crazy defense, causing the Lakers' three-pointers to miss continuously.

And Duncan continued to ravage Yao Ming on the offensive end!

Young Yao Ming still hasn't found a way to defend Duncan.

Stockton's passing allows Duncan to always receive the ball in the most comfortable position and complete the offense.

Without Stockton, Duncan's offensive dominance wouldn't be so amazing!

With Stockton's Duncan, his offensive ability seems to have surpassed the invincible stone Buddha in Kobe's memory in the previous life!

In this life, Duncan did not suffer a major knee injury!

This makes Duncan's explosive power even more terrifying!

Not having to actively defend Kobe allows Duncan to focus more on the offensive end.

Scored 23 points, 7 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 blocks and 1 turnover at halftime!

As for his teammates in the Lakers, when the three-pointer missed, Kobe could only stand up and continue to play unlimited singles.

The Lakers just lack a real second scoring point, the core of their tactics. This puts the Lakers on one leg.

Although Kobe’s thigh is very thick and advantageous! But one leg can't run fast at all!

Kobe scored 27 points at halftime, accounting for more than half of the Lakers' scores!

At halftime, the Lakers were overtaken by the Spurs 45:53!

The game enters the second half!

"This can't go on like this! We have to stand up!" Stephen Jackson's face turned red with anxiety.

He really wanted to help Kobe!

But the Spurs' defensive rotation in this game was too fast.

The defensive rotations of Laga Bell and Finley reminded Stephen Jackson of the Bulls that year!

That bull is just like this infinite rotation, sealing the beast of the big shark!

Although the Spurs' perimeter defense is far worse than that of the Bulls, they have Duncan!

With Duncan standing in the penalty area instead of following Yao Ming and Kobe like in the last game, the Lakers' points in the penalty area will be cut in half!

Yao Ming clenched his fists, but there was nothing he could do.

"Farke, that old guy from Stockton." Xiaoyu lifted up his jersey, his body was bruised and swollen, all the marks left by Stockton's continuous pinching and beating!

Bowen let out a long breath. Finley, the Spurs' most talented outsider, didn't score many points, but he couldn't score on the offensive end. He and Finley are almost equal to Dui Zi.

what to do?

The Lakers players really did their best.

But the gap with the Spurs is so big.

The Spurs have the dual-core driver of Stockton and Duncan, as well as General and Finley, two players who can easily average 20+ per game. They are so confident.

On the other hand, the Lakers, besides Kobe, the one with the highest scoring average per game is Ginobili.

Yao Ming, Randolph, Okur, they have talent, but in this level of competition, it is difficult to perform well.

Perhaps after experiencing the training of the playoffs this season, they can go further.

But in the short term, the Lakers are still a top-heavy, crappy team.

"Manu, you need to take on more tasks in the second half." Harris could only choose to let Manu and Kobe play more.

"Coach, let Kobe and I start." The Eagle of the Pampas Plateau understood that at this time, someone on the team must stand up to help Kobe.

This candidate may be Yao Ming in the future.

But now, who else would it be?

"Okay." Facing the demon sword who volunteered, Harris nodded.

The demon sword is unsheathed!

Xiaoyu came off the court to rest, and he really had no good way to face Stockton.

So will Manu definitely perform well against Stockton?

No one can be sure of this.

After all, Stockton is also a veteran top defender and has won the best team many times.

Although his athletic ability has declined, Ginobili is not the kind of guard with explosive athletic ability.

The second half started soon after the break.

"The Lakers changed their starting lineup, and the best sixth player Ginobili appeared in the starting lineup in the second half." George Gervin said.

"This is just a way to quench thirst! When Kobe and Ginobili are both off the court, what will happen to the Lakers' bench lineup?"

"Or are they planning to let Kobe play the entire second half?"

“It’s hard to say whether it will work, but it’s a gamble!”

"The Lakers were forced to use all their cards by the Spurs."

George Gervin had a point.

The most critical point is that the Lakers have used up all their trump cards.

In the next series, the Lakers don't have much room for adjustment.

There are a lot of things that the Spurs can adjust and change.

For example, make some fuss around substitutes Parker, Cole, Horry, and Kevin Willis.

The Spurs' bench didn't do much in this series.

Duncan also has the option of putting Parker and Horry in the starting lineup and playing small ball with the Lakers.

When Ginobili is on the Lakers' bench, the Lakers' bench is the best in the league.

Even if Randolph and Okur are not fully mature, relying on the containment power of Demon Sword and Rick Fox's omnipotence, they will have a very big advantage when facing the equally strong Spurs bench.

But the loss of Ginobili's Lakers substitute is nothing to be afraid of.

"Interesting, the broken jar broke."

"Then let's see what effect you have if you fight like this."

Popovich narrowed his eyes.

Stockton saw Manu come on and squinted his eyes.

In the first half, Xiaoyu’s lumpy flesh was quite enjoyable to pinch.

Was it replaced by Ginobili in the second half?

Stockton was also prepared for the matchup with Ginobili.

Popovich has rehearsed almost every situation that will happen when facing the Lakers with the team.

Among them, the two-guard combination of Kobe Bryant and Yaodao is undoubtedly among them.

Facing the league's top-notch defenders, Stockton may not be able to handle it.

But the demon sword Ginobili, who is also white?

Stockton felt that he could completely block him!

First goal of the second half.

Manu advanced with the ball.

Stockton opened his arms and was 1 meter away from the Demon Sword.

The Demon Sword has three-pointers, but not everyone can throw three-pointers regardless of distance like Kobe!

"Careful!" the admiral shouted.

The next moment, Yao Ming's pick-and-roll firmly pinned Stockton.

Turn around!

Stockton seemed to have been smeared with oil, turning around and wiping away from Yao Ming.

Ginobili moved the ball to the left with his right hand, and then in the next moment pressed down to the right to break through!

SHAME GOD!

"It's useless!" The veteran Stockton directly withstood Ginobili with his left hand! Pull on the jersey and stick to it!

Yaodao somewhat understood why Xiaoyu was completely unable to perform in front of Stockton.

This old football ruffian!

I'm afraid it's worse than any other player in the league!

Ginobili doesn’t care!

Now he is the only one in the Lakers who can stand up and help Kobe score!

The pace is huge!

Almost jumping and walking!

This kind of long stride is rarely used by black players!

His stable core strength allowed him to firmly control the ball under Stockton's defense and reach the penalty area.

"Left?"

"No, right!"

"?"

European step!

Manu's European step is the best in the league. Two huge strides burst out in an instant and threw Stockton away!

Then he steadily threw the ball to the basket and scored the ball before Duncan's defense arrived.

fainted!

Stockton was a little dizzy.

When I saw Ginobili's European step off the court, I just thought it was a change of direction layup.

But when faced with the Demon Sword's attack, the imaginary and real steps, as well as the fast and slow rhythm changes, are simply dizzying!

"John, Manu's European step is better than mine." Kobe smiled slightly.

"Really? Can you win?" Stockton said venomously.

"You'll know after you try it."

"After Manu helped Kobe Bryant share the firepower and adjust his physical fitness, the Lakers got closer to the score!"

"End of the third quarter, Lakers 72:76 Spurs!"

Chasing points!

The Lakers' offensive momentum was fierce in the third quarter!

"Stockton's defense is very good! But Manu is still making magic shots one after another!"

"European step! Three-pointer! There are also unpredictable passes!"

"This defender from Argentina is shining at his peak!"

Demon knife!

In the OK era, although the Demon Sword is eye-catching, it is ultimately overshadowed by the light of OK!

Now, as the Lakers' second-leading scorer, his brilliance surprised everyone.

How could a white Argentinian defender with average physical fitness be able to score so wildly?

In the third quarter, he made 7 of 12 shots and scored 19 points and 3 assists!

This performance is superstar-level dominance!

This kind of data is usually scored by Kobe.

First, face Stockton.

Then there's Parker.

In the end, Popovich even considered using Laga Bell to defend Ginobili!

It’s so confusing!

And Ginobili's offense is not just played by one person!

His pass gave Kobe a long-lost shot!

Kobe used Yao Ming's pick-and-roll many times to get one-on-one shooting opportunities.

And once Kobe enters a 1-on-1 situation, he is invincible!

The Spurs' defensive system has not changed, but the Lakers' offense suddenly came alive!

All this is thanks to the Argentinian demon Ginobili!

He has exerted a superstar-level influence!

"The Lakers' second-in-command may be far better than we thought."