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Compared with 2000, the core of the Raptors is much calmer and restrained.

When players appear, Carter and O'Neal no longer use dancing or POSS to increase their presence. This time, they were like aloof swordsmen, quietly waiting for the decisive battle to begin.

Once the sword is unsheathed, it will see blood. It's not that it's not unsheathed, it's that the time has not come yet.

"Shark" O'Neal didn't have his usual playful smile. He warmed up expressionlessly and practiced a few turnaround throws while everyone else was practicing shooting.

CCTV5 broadcast the game live. Zhang Liji said: "This is the second time the two sides have faced each other in the finals in three years, and each has won a championship. Whoever wins this finals will be the best team in the 21st century."

Xu Jicheng said: "After the Raptors end this season, I don't know if they can continue to be strong. The four important players Miller, O'Neal, Carter, and Halprin are free agents, and the two inside stars are still completely free agents. Regardless of the trident, The lack of any one of them will affect the strength of the Raptors."

Zhang Lili said: "The Lakers will definitely be able to maintain the original lineup next season, and then they will also face pressure to renew O'Neal."

The starting players from both sides appeared.

Raptors five: Billups, Carter, Kirilenko, O'Neal, Jerome James.

Yang Rui benched Miller to strengthen defense. If he starts, he will definitely be abused when defending O'Neal alone. If Miller wants to defend O'Neal, he basically only has to commit a foul. A light foul will not work, a serious foul will not work... Yang Rui doesn't want to see Miller being chased by O'Neal.

Jerome is one of the few centers in the league who can compete with O'Neal in strength, which is why the Raptors signed him.

Kirilenko started to deal with Kobe, and Reed was better offensively, but he might be beaten.

Lakers five: Fisher, Kobe, Fox, Horry, O'Neal.

The Lakers, like the Raptors, have no injured players. Horry's starting start was an adjustment specially made by Jackson. He used this method to defeat the Raptors in the Christmas game in the regular season. And in the last round of the series, Horry was in very good shape.

O'Neal earned the ball and beat O'Neal Jr., and the game began.

The four Lakers opened up, O'Neal was in the low post on the right side, and Kobe, and Fisher formed a triangle.

Only with Horry starting, the Lakers can open up space inside, and with the two shooters separated, Kobe can create a breakthrough opportunity for one-on-one, and combine inside and outside to defeat the opponent.

Now that Kobe's tactical status has improved, "Zen Master" knows very well that if Kobe can't open up and no one breaks through with the ball, it will be impossible for the Lakers to defeat the Raptors.

Fisher passed the ball to Kobe and faced Kirilenko. It was a good one-on-one opportunity without anyone interrupting him. Kobe's goal this time is not only to win the championship, but also to compete with O'Neal for the Finals MVP.

The regular season MVP was won by O'Neal, and he didn't want to continue to lose in the finals.

The regular season record is of great importance in entering the playoffs, but compared to the playoffs where white knives enter and red knives exit, the regular season is more like a training ground. Everyone plays 82 games first to see who performs. OK, you can go to the real game, and the player with the best performance in the process will be awarded the MVP.

In the playoffs, we not only compete on technology, but also on psychology and various factors. Relying on one person's ability may help the team turn the tide and lift the trophy at the last moment. It feels completely different from winning the game in the regular season.

Kobe believes that the regular season MVP is a victorious general, and the Finals MVP is awarded to heroes. In his mind, the Finals MVP has a higher gold content.

The opponent was just a rookie, and Kobe thought this was a good opportunity.

Who is Kirilenko? How could you possibly guard against him?

From joining the league in 1996 to now, he has experienced not only hundreds of battles, but more than 500 battles.

Kobe feinted with the ball, then suddenly accelerated and broke through the middle. His first step was very fast, and few people could keep up. However, Kirilenko was one of these few people. He liked to rely on his body when facing others. Hit, move sideways, and easily cover Kobe with his long arms.

The two teams only played two games in the regular season. The match was in December. Kirilenko had just joined the team and was still getting used to it. His form was unstable and he didn't have much playing time. Kobe didn't know him well enough and just inferred the level through video. He was a little surprised to be caught up easily, but he was not panic at all. He leaned against Kirilenko with his back to protect the ball, shook his left shoulder lightly, and quickly turned to the right and shot a fadeaway jumper.

Kobe can imitate all of Jordan's offensive moves. This is the secret of his strength. In this way, he can not only hit the ball against the defender, but also get applause from the whole house because his posture is so picturesque.

This season, Kobe's weight reached 102 kilograms. What he gained was muscle and impact. He broke through and knocked over Jordan in the regular season. All of this greatly increased his confidence.

Unfortunately, Kobe underestimated his opponent. Not to mention Kobe, McGrady didn't dare to shoot casually in front of Kirilenko, he had to make sure there was space. Kirilenko jumped up and knocked down Kobe's shot.

Kobe was shocked. He turned around to pick up the ball faster than Kirilenko, who was facing the basketball, and the ball was snatched away. Kirilenko made a solo fast break and dunked the basketball with both hands. 2 to 0.

Xu Jicheng shouted: "Kirilenko jumps so high, and his arms are too long. Yang Rui made him a starter because he liked his defense. Once he entered the league, his defensive ability was above the league average."

Zhang Lijia smiled and said: "Looking at Kobe's eyes, he is probably a little angry. I wonder if he will return the favor."

Kobe reached out for the ball as soon as he passed half court. Kirilenko lowered his center of gravity, expressionless, waiting for him to attack.

Kobe still couldn't get past his first step. He pulled the ball up from the left three-point line and raised the ball to fake a shot. Kirilenko didn't stop the stagger and lightly jumped past Kobe.

Kobe attempted a pull-up jumper, but before he reached the highest point, something unexpected happened. Kirilenko followed him and blocked the ball from behind.

Carter, who was about to cover up against Kobe, picked up the basketball and immediately passed the ball forward. Kirilenko went on the fast break again, unguarded, and scored with a one-handed tomahawk dunk! 4 to 0.

Zhang Lili shouted: "Another dunk. Kirilenko blocked two of Kobe's in the opening game. Is he going to compete for MVP?"

Kobe was very embarrassed and wanted to play another one. Phil Jackson didn't allow it and shouted to the players from the sidelines: "Pass the ball to Shaquille!"

In his opinion, it is completely stupid to single out Kirilenko without finding a cover. Just looking at his figure, he knows that this person is not simple.

Yang Rui smiled on the sidelines. Kobe is still too young now, and rookie Kirilenko can give him some restrictions.

If it were Kobe at his peak, Kirilenko would definitely not be able to do it. He would be elbowed to the point of doubting his life. How could he take off so easily? Today's Kobe is not good at using his elbows to create space, and he doesn't have the body hair whistle treatment.

Fisher ran to the bottom corner, and Kobe reluctantly dropped the ball to O'Neal in the low post. He knew the ball would never come back.

Indeed, Kirilenko did not retreat to double-team, giving him ample space for singles in the low post.

The "Shark" held the ball and squeezed into the penalty area. Jerome did a very good job of defending with all his strength and did not let O'Fat get to the basket. O'Neal turned and threw toward the baseline. Jerome jumped up to interfere, and the ball missed.

O'Neal Jr. grabbed the backcourt rebound on the left side and held it in his arms, waiting for Billups to respond. The Raptors' defense was very successful in the opening game!