Super Basketball Manager

Chapter 345 Victory and defeat are based on...

Most people believe that in the final stage of the game, at the critical moment when one goal is needed, the most reliable player is Kobe.

The results of many surveys—whether the object of the survey is fans or NBA players, head coaches or general managers—have proved this fact, even if the data shows that Kobe is not the league's first hit rate at critical moments, Dirk Nowitzki, Anthony and Wade are all ranked in front of him.

This season, however, Bryant's play has put some of those findings to shame.He missed more key shots than Tracy McGrady, and what happened more often was that Kobe didn't have a chance to make key shots at all, and the Lakers were often knocked down by opponents in tight moments. ESPN pointed out, "In the third game of the series with the Rockets, the nightmare began...Kobe missed the lore. This is the fifth consecutive playoffs he has missed a key shot (a shot to tie or overtake in the last 24 seconds). Since the third game against the Jazz in the first round in 2009, Kobe has not made a key shot in the playoffs that affects the outcome of the game."

In the fourth game against the Rockets, in the last 4 minutes, Kobe couldn't make a basket, and he couldn't earn a free throw.

"The last 5 minutes should have been when I took over the task," Kobe admitted rarely, "but I didn't."

G5…

"The Houstonians tenaciously defended their two home courts...but this time, their luck has come to an end! In every battle of Tianwangshan, Kobe will choose to make his response..."

"Whether you are Yao Ming or Tracy McGrady...you can't stop Kobe at the last moment...The previous efforts actually just made Houston's elimination more tragic...(In fact, the Lakers lost a total of 30 points in the two games...Including the 24-point rout in the fourth game...)"

...

Announcer: "...There's still time in the game...A full quarter, trailing by 12 points, it's easy for Kobe...Of course we applaud Houston's tenacity...But in an hour, goddam Texas go home and cry!"

...

Narrator: "..."

...

"I feel like I can't do my best... This is not normal..." After G5 lost 21 points at home and handed over the series match point, Kobe complained to the pity City of Angels media after the game: "...sometimes I really think they are cheating... God! They are better than last year! Last year there was only one Iverson, one Mayo, at most half Dragic... This year they actually have McGrady, O'Neal, and Yao Ming... Can anyone help me find out, the Rockets paid Is there a luxury tax? . . . it's not fair!"

"Mayo is better or Paul George is better?"

"What? Who is George?" Kobe's eyes showed a kind of helplessness... (Obviously he also regarded George as McGrady...)
...

G6…

"...the Lakers came with anger and fury...they said before the game that they were going to bring the game back to L.A...."

"Kobe played with a closed needle, maybe he didn't have any decent teammates around him... We have already experienced the horror of Paul George, and they still have James Harden on the bench... The guy who can beat the old fish until he vomits blood..."

...

"...Come-Go! Focus! Last pitch! Keep it down and we'll knock them out! I don't want to go to California anymore! If you want to go! Pay yourselves!"

Ron behind the bench is even more excited than Adelman...

...

The sound of the whistle at the end was the death knell for the complete collapse of the dynasty...

The TNT commentator told us that it was the nightclub stare (Harden) who guarded Kobe.

For such remarks, Ron was speechless, and even wanted to pay tribute to Bei Dao: "I-don't-believe!!!!"

Even if the ocean breaks its banks and the land rises, I will never believe that Harden, who is staring at anyone pregnant and unable to guard against any shooting guard, can successfully guard against Kobe Bryant. This man who used to have a quick first step, shaking his head and shoulders alone is enough to make defenders hallucinate, and send those "Kobe terminators" to the hospital for ankle treatment. At least George, Battier, and Yao Ming can guard against...

But facts are facts, no doubt about it...

In terms of matchup time, Kobe is really Harden leading the defense...

The nightclub gentleman boasted to Ron...

If he can really effectively make Kobe invisible, then Ron must take him to the most exclusive nightclub in Houston, and the wine he drinks must be 82 years old Lafite...

Because everyone knows the price that Brooklyn Prokhorov offered him, no matter how stingy Alexander is, he still understands the stakes, and the matching price will definitely not be so low...

But Ron, who promised with all his mouth, never thought that this guy really did it...

At least if you don't look at the process to see the result...

Just look at the game a little bit, and you will know-how could it be Harden who guarded Kobe?It's physical strength, it's injuries.In the final analysis, it is time.

People always emphasize Kobe's dedication to victory and exaggerate his mental strength, but often ignore his physical strength. From 2008 to 2010, my deepest impression of Kobe is that he seems not to be knocked down by injuries.Even with bandages on all three fingers, he was still able to put the ball into the basket with his still fingers, leading the team to the finals and winning the championship.The carrot-like index finger, which was bandaged like a carrot, has almost become Kobe's symbol, which symbolizes courage, tenacity and invincibility.

This season, his mighty body has turned out to be frail.

After the news of Brandon Roy's serious knee injury came out, Kobe revealed to the outside world that the cartilage in his right knee was actually almost worn out.Due to his right knee injury, Bryant could only ride his bike on one side when his teammates competed with each other, and only participated in joint training before the game that he had to win.At certain points this season, Bryant has escaped injury control, such as the fifth game against the Hornets, he dragged a sprained left ankle shockingly inspired teammates, and the Lakers successfully advanced to the second round.But in the more competitive and intense Western Conference semifinals, injuries and physical strength turned him into another player. This player couldn't hit the inside and was forced to shoot from the outside.

This is Kobe now.His spirit is still tenacious. When the Lakers fell behind 2 to 3, only Kobe could laugh, "I don't know, I may be sick, my head is crazy, but I still think we can win this series. Isn't it a great thing to beat a team with Shaq, AI, and T-mac?"

However, his body is no longer strong enough to handle all challenges as before.

Just when Kobe sadly withdrew from the playoffs, the NBA announced the best defensive team of the season, and Kobe was selected for the first team.

This honor may embarrass him, because even hard-core Komi has to admit that Kobe’s defense this season is only eyes. In the first game of the playoffs, Kobe asked to defend Paul George. As a result, Paul George almost played the best performance of the season (although he always thought that the one who wore the same 24 jersey number as him was Tracy McGrady, which was a cold joke).

But when the real No. 1 and No. 11 teamed up and struck out with both fists, the Lakers could only swallow the consequences of a 4-game losing streak...

Coaches voted for Kobe for two reasons: First, these professionals are idiots.Second, they, like the fans, do not want to believe that Kobe will suddenly age.They and we, those who have watched Kobe through 14 seasons, believe that Kobe will be resurrected with full blood, and that even if he falls, he will stand up at the last moment and give his opponent a fatal blow like a hero in a Hollywood movie.Like us, they thought that Kobe would quit at the grandest moment and wither at the perfect moment like Jordan did.

Maybe it's not the worst of times.If there's any benefit to being eliminated in the second round, it's that the summer break will be a bit longer.Kobe should realize that his 33-year-old body, which is still aging rapidly, can no longer be created by his own temperament.

Fingers, knee joints, ankles... These places that have troubled him for several seasons should be treated and rested.After fully recovering his health, Kobe may perform a beautiful "carp punch" as everyone expected.

However, even if he gets rid of the injury, Kobe's physical fitness will probably not be as incredible as before.

As Ron saw, "In a sense, Kobe has now become a star who relies on his mind and experience to play. His physical fitness, which he was proud of before, can no longer take much advantage in the confrontation."

This is not to say that Kobe’s championship road has been cut off since then. At the age of 35, Jordan can still win the championship with a turnaround jumper. At the age of 38, Abdul-Jabbar won the finals MVP.

Just like these guys who are in the Toyota Center now, holding champagne and playing with the juniors who are more than 20 years younger than them to celebrate the victory...

And what everyone is looking forward to is the moment when they collectively jump up from the rocket flying into space and become the most dazzling stars.

Houston Win!
　"The last 5 minutes should have been when I took over the task," Kobe admitted rarely, "but I didn't."

　　
　
(End of this chapter)