Coach, I don't want to retire yet

Chapter 643 A mountain that can never be crossed!
After the timeout, the Lakers went on offense. With a new lineup, they replaced Jokic with Li Kaier, and their speed on the offensive end was definitely improved.

Considering Jokic's role on the offensive end of this game, Jokic was basically focusing on defense in this game. The effect of Li Kai's appearance on the defensive end remains to be seen, but the effect on the offensive end was indeed immediate.

McGrady was pushed to the center position, ready to use most of his energy on the defensive end and lead the offense.

But this person is McGrady!
Even if he smokes in the paint, the Bobcats have to find someone to provide him with an ashtray, unlike Jokic. Although Jokic is strong, there is basically no need to worry about handing him over to Duncan.

But it's different with McGrady. Duncan may not be able to manage McGrady alone, and he needs a little help from his teammates. If Duncan is really left alone to McGrady, people will always feel a little uneasy.

Since the 35-pointer that year, Mai Zijie seemed to be a singularity in Duncan's career, always giving people a strange and extremely powerful feeling.

No matter how dominant Duncan is, whether he can dominate everyone else in the league, when he is placed in front of McGrady, people always feel uneasy.

At this point, the Lakers' offense will get slightly better.

In addition, Li Kaier's outside offensive ability is slightly stronger than Jokic, and the Bobcats' defensive intensity in outside offense must also be increased. When the intensity is increased both inside and outside, the key defensive players will be a little easier, and Kobe will be a little easier.

So, this time, it is still Tabeet who will defend Kobe, defend Kobe alone. If Kobe does not call for a pick-and-roll, let Tabeet defend Kobe alone from now on.

If Kobe is willing to go one-on-one with Thabeet all the time, the Bobcats' defense won't actually be that difficult.

But it was obvious that Kobe had no intention of holding the ball and challenging Thabeet one-on-one.

In the Lakers' first attack, Antetokounmpo still held the ball. Kobe went around the baseline without the ball. With the help of McGrady, he blocked Thabeet and took away Duncan. However, when Duncan left the paint area, it was Jordan who switched defense.

It was not until this point that Antetokounmpo, who had completed a turnaround breakthrough on Rose, broke through and passed the ball to Kobe.

Kobe once again faces Jordan's defense!
Catch the ball!

drift!

Lean back!

Shake your wrist and attack!

Jordan was so focused on defense that he basically put his hands on Kobe's face!

Kobe's fade away has reached its peak!
Even after shooting, Kobe fell directly out of the three-point line with a bang!
Kobe's mid-range jump shot after catching the ball and fading away is extremely difficult. Any spectator who sees it will say that it is extremely difficult.

but!

A swipe!
The sound of the basketball entering the net is still so crisp!
At this moment, Kobe's offensive touch made Jordan's eyes widen.

He has had this state before, and now Kobe also has it!

"Beng!!! Kobe Bryant!!!"

"Kobe Bryant beats Michael Jordan once again!!!"

122 is better than 121!

The Lakers narrowed the gap to just 1 point.

At this time, there were only 6 minutes and 11 seconds left in the game.

Kobe's score from the Lakers made the atmosphere on the scene extremely tense again.

The Bobcats fans, who had originally relaxed a little, felt their hearts beating rapidly again. Rose's three-pointer did not bring them victory so easily.

In fact, the Bobcats also anticipated the Lakers' offense.

Because McGrady got to the basket, the Bobcats players did not actually use Thabeet to force Kobe forward. If Thabeet forced Kobe forward, Duncan would have less help and there would be less defensive force in front of Ricky, Ebanks and Antetokounmpo.

When Kobe doesn't have the ball, Thabeet stays by Kobe's side, which has both advantages and disadvantages. The good thing is that it can limit Kobe, but the bad thing is that the offense of other Lakers players is likely to be released.

The worst players on the Lakers court are all superstar players. Role players in the NBA can perform miracles on the court, let alone superstars, who are also superstar players brought up by Coach D.

Therefore, this choice of layers of defense is the correct one. Even if Kobe is in hot form, he can't really hit the target every time. There will always be problems.

If Kobe attacks like this, there will always be a time when he runs out of ammunition and is exhausted.

Two fists are no match for four hands. If the Lakers' offense relies entirely on Kobe, and the others have no offensive opportunities or touch, and Kobe loses his touch at the critical moment, then the Lakers lose.

This kind of defense is not based on one or two rounds, but on the whole game. It is a long-term strategy.

The Bobcats coaches and players also supported Du Kang's strategy.

So, although Kobe's attack was amazing, the reaction of the Bobcats players on the field was not that disappointing.

This is a loss they can accept.

As long as they can keep fighting, or even keep leading, victory will always be theirs!

They believe that victory will always belong to them!

Bobcats offense.

Antetokounmpo defends Rose.

Li Keer defends Beasley.

Ebanks defends Thabeet.

Kobe guarding Jordan.

McGrady defends Duncan.

Direct man-to-man combat!
The Bobcats didn't let Rose hold the ball, but Jordan held the ball.

After Jordan dribbled the ball across half court, he frowned as Kobe took a step back to defend him.

When Jokic was there, Kobe was forced to stick to him.

When Jokic went down, the Lakers' interior defense was not that high, so he was not allowed to break through and was asked to shoot instead.

This is a very correct choice.

But when has Jordan ever been so obedient?

If you take a step back, I won't be able to attack?
Jordan continued to move forward and Kobe continued to retreat, all the way to the free throw line, where Kobe finally stopped retreating.

Jordan also leaned sideways in front of Kobe.

Jordan held the ball and pressed to the free throw line, which caused the Lakers' defense to be drastically compressed.

Rickey, Ebanks, Antetokounmpo, McGrady, the last four guys can really circle the defense with their arms outstretched.

Therefore, if Jordan is the main attacker, then the Bobcats' offense will be very difficult. Jordan has no way to break through because the inside is tightly blocked.

But, this is the Bobcats, and Jordan is not the main attacker.

Therefore, Ebanks, Antetokounmpo and Ricky Lee did not dare to hide behind Kobe, but opened their arms to protect Kobe and prevent Jordan from breaking through.

Because, at this time, Beasley, Thabeet, Rose and other excellent three-point offensive players are all outside the three-point line on the weak side.

Thabeet and Beasley were in two 45-degree positions, while Rose led Antetokounmpo to cruise between the two baselines.

Duncan cooperated with Rose's running position.

Rose goes left and Duncan goes right.

Kobe had no protection behind him at all.

And Kobe didn't dare to retreat.

Facing Jordan's back-turning breakthrough, Kobe could only follow sideways from behind, sticking to him, and holding on, trying his best to prevent Jordan from speeding up. Jordan's back-turning breakthrough is indeed difficult to defend for Kobe now.

So Kobe didn't really plan to defend, he just wanted to limit and delay. Although the Bobcats have tried their best to empty the Lakers' defense, it will not be completely empty.

McGrady and Antetokounmpo are still around.

So, when Jordan breaks through Kobe, one of Antetokounmpo and McGrady will give up his or her defender to switch defense, and whoever is closer will be the one to defend.

It can only be said that although the Lakers' defensive rotation is not as fast as the Bobcats, the Lakers' defensive discipline and defensive ability are as good as the Bobcats.

It is difficult to score against a team like this.

but!

This is a bobcat!

This is also the reason why the defensive intensity of this game was so high. Before the game was over, both teams scored more than 120 points!

In this game, the offense of both teams was equally outstanding!

Antetokounmpo blocked Jordan, and Kobe immediately blocked the passing route between Rose and Jordan. Jordan threw the basketball in his hand to the three-point line without any hesitation!
Just take Antetokounmpo away.

"Nice pass!"

"Michael Jordan's timing of the pass was brilliant!!!"

In fact, it's not just the timing that's great, the route choice for the pass is also excellent.

He predicted in advance that the Lakers would block his passing route and chose the best passing route.

This forced Kobe to speed up and rush out frantically, because he couldn't let Rose take an open three-pointer!

then!

Rose received the pass outside the 30-degree three-point line on the right side, and after a fake shot, he dribbled past Kobe, took a step forward, pressed into the three-point line, and made a quick stop jump shot from mid-range!

Kobe turned around to continue blocking the shot, but could only watch Rose shoot the ball.

If Rose shot a three-pointer, Kobe would have a chance to block it from behind, but this time, Rose shot a mid-range shot.

A swipe!
Derrick Rose scored 2 points!
124 is better than 121!

The Bobcats once again narrowed the score to 3 points.

At this time, there were only 5 minutes and 50 seconds left in the game.

In this offense, the Bobcats played with great patience and finally coordinated well, and opportunities also emerged.

"The Bobcats' overall offense and strength are still strong!"

"If we look at the strength of both teams, the Bobcats should be the one with a better chance of winning now."

"But, at this point in the game, it's not about strength, nor whether the attack is an opportunity attack."

Yes, the Bobcats try to rely on cooperation to create opportunities before attacking, because they know they are stronger and don't need to gamble.

But for the Lakers, from the beginning of the game, Popovich was thinking about gambling, he was determined to gamble.

and so.

With 5 minutes and 40 seconds left in the game, just 10 seconds later, Kobe cut around the basket again, and after McGrady helped block Thabeet, he suddenly received the ball, and under the basket, against Duncan's defense, he suddenly turned around, drifted backward, and shot the ball out like a horse riding arrow!
The Bobcats fans and all the spectators at the scene were stunned. How could they be so reckless?
Beat Duncan under the basket like McGrady beat Duncan before?

Do you really think Duncan is Jordan?
With Duncan's height, he can easily block you, let alone under the basket!
This time, facing Kobe's sudden attack, Duncan really didn't expect it.

If he jumped up a little later to block the shot, it would be too late.

"Kobe's shooting arc is too high!!!"

The basketball flew past Duncan's fingers.

Finally, with a swish, it hit the target again!

124 is better than 123!

The Lakers bit the Bobcats again!
Kobe deliberately provokes people like this, hoping that the superstars of the Bobcats will be stimulated by him and attack with their personal abilities and gamble like him.

The Bobcats attacked, and this time, they still did not simply rely on individual offense.

The Bobcats' offense is still very patient.

The Lakers and Kobe Bryant wished each round could be ended in 10 seconds.

The Bobcats, on the other hand, would press the clock to 20 seconds or more, or even the buzzer, in almost every offensive possession.

In this attack, the Bobcats still pressed the clock to 21 seconds.

With 5 minutes and 19 seconds left in the game, Beasley's fake run without the ball finally fooled Li Kaier for a moment, and he received a jumping pass from Rose and made a mid-range jump shot in the free throw line corner.

126 is better than 123!

After Beasley scored, Kobe bit his jersey unwillingly.

If it were any other time, he would have started trash talking long ago.

But now, he has no reason to talk trash or be sarcastic.

Because he didn't dare to fight Sarah one-on-one with Thabit.

You don't even dare to fight Thabeet one-on-one, so what qualifications do you have to talk about our team play and cooperation?
If the Bobcats took chances on every attack, with the abilities of Thabeet, Beasley and Rose, Duncan and Jordan, would they miss the shot?
No matter how strong he is, the Lakers have no chance in this game, right?

The Bobcats did not make any mistakes, did not force attacks, and played solid cooperation. With the strength of the Bobcats players, it was indeed despairing.

This kind of despair becomes more and more desperate as time goes by.

Even Kobe felt this despair.

The Lakers hope the Bobcats are anxious.

However, under the command of Coach D, the Bobcats are not in a hurry and are taking steady steps.

"Kobe's mentality has changed!!!"

"Kobe is going to challenge Thabeet again!!!"

As long as he defeats Tabeet, he will have the right to talk trash. With the self-esteem of the super giants like the Bobcats, they will definitely not avoid the fight!
Only by pulling his opponent into the area where he is best at to duel, he will have a chance to win, and the Lakers will have a chance to win!

There is nothing wrong with Kobe's idea. It should be said that instead of dying slowly, Kobe found the only way to win the game.

Kobe's basketball IQ and adaptability are indeed outstanding.

So, Popovich, who was originally puzzled, at this moment, after seeing Kobe start to single out Thabeet again, was shocked, and then he immediately understood what Kobe was going to do.

"Kobe..."

Popovich clenched his hands nervously.

"Kobe..."

"Bryant..."

McGrady and Yao Ming looked worried.

Popovich, McGrady and Yao Ming quickly understood what Kobe was going to do, but for most people, it was impossible to feel Kobe's intentions at the first time, so many people were confused.

On the court, Kobe was playing one-on-one against Thabeet, and 15 seconds had already passed in this round.

Kobe remains determined!
Still no chance.

"Thabit is the mountain that Kobe must overcome in this game! It is also the mountain that the Lakers must overcome in this game!"

Soon, everyone understood why Kobe suddenly went to play against Thabeet again.

"Will it succeed?"

15 seconds!
16 seconds!
17 seconds!
"Kobe is stepping back!!!"

One step outside the three-point line!
Two steps outside the three-point line!!!

22 seconds!
23 seconds!
"Kobe suddenly shot!!!"

"Did Thabeet block it? Did Thabeet block it? The basketball was flying straight!!!"

The basketball was flying really straight, and its trajectory was very straight!
"It's going to go in! Kobe is going to succeed!!!"

then……

The basketball fell only 1 centimeter away from the basket. It did not hit the basket, but flew out of the court from under the basket, along the net.

"Three things not to touch..."

Kobe fans in the stands, in front of the TV, and on the Internet were all dumbfounded.

"Thabit, he still picked Kobe's shot!!!"

"Unbelievable!!! Thabeet blocked Kobe's sure shot!!!"

"This time Kobe saw the basket and didn't see the basket!!!"

"Incredible Thabeet, Incredible Coach D!"

"Thabit, Coach D, they are the mountains that Kobe Bryant and the Lakers will never be able to overcome in this finals!!!"

(End of this chapter)