God of NBA point guards

Chapter 609
A hint of helplessness flashed in Jerry Buss's eyes. West was his old friend and now he resigned and left. This was both what he wanted to see and what he didn't want to see. His psychology was very contradictory.

However, Jim and Jenny Bass's eyes flashed with joy. Unlike their father, they did not have such a deep relationship with West. West's departure can free up a lot of space for them, and they will both get more. power.

Jerry Buss didn't say anything to save him, he just said: "Jerry, I have decided to build a statue for you and Erwin, Kareem, and Elgin at the Staples Center."

"Really? That would be awesome!"

Jerry West felt the surprise and immediately gave Jerry Buss a warm hug.

"Congratulations, Jerry."

Jim and Jenny Buss immediately sent their congratulations.

After it was over, Jerry Buss asked: "Jerry, do you have any suggestions for the Lakers? Looking at the momentum of tonight's game, it is difficult for us to have a chance."

After saying this, he sighed deeply and said: "I regretted missing the Iron Fist King that year. His first trial team was our Lakers, alas!"

Jim Buss and Jeannie Buss also had a look of reluctance on their faces. They knew very well that if the Lakers owned the Iron Fist King, with the ball market in Los Angeles and the love of Los Angeles people for the Iron Fist King, the Lakers' current market value would definitely double. Several times, missing the Iron Fist King caused heavy losses to their family.

It's embarrassing for Jerry West to bring up the subject, because it was he who missed out on King of Iron Fist.

He thought for a while and said: "The OK combination is still one of the best internal and external core combinations in the league. If you ignore the Iron Fist King and Ben Wallace, the OK combination is definitely the best combination in the league, even the best in the history of the league. Great combination.”

"Jerry, you mean this lineup can't be dismantled?" Jerry Buss asked.

Jerry West nodded and said: "Where can we find someone stronger than the OK team? Center, O'Neal is still the most powerful super center at the moment.

Shooting guard, in terms of overall strength, Kobe is basically the strongest. Iverson may be slightly stronger offensively, but his defense is far inferior.Moreover, Kobe will continue to improve, and his strength should not have reached his peak state yet. "

Jerry Buss and the other three nodded helplessly, expressing their approval of West's words.

Jerry West continued: "It's a pity that OK, like Jordan, met the Iron Fist King, and it was a stronger Iron Fist King with a stronger lineup around him.

This is a tragedy, but it’s not that the OK combination is not strong enough, but that there is only one winner. Unfortunately, we are the losers. "

"Then we have only one way to strengthen." Jim Bass said.

Jerry West nodded and said: "The best way is to poach the SuperSonics, weaken them, and strengthen us at the same time.

The Sonics are strong first with Iron Fist, then with Ben Wallace, and then with other players.

The King of Iron Fist's contract has ended. The possibility of him leaving Seattle is small, but not impossible. You can give it a try.

Ben Wallace, we don’t need him, but there are a lot of teams that want him.As for the others, it is relatively easy to dig them up. They all have championships, and their future contracts are the most important to them. "

"Then dig, join other teams to dig together." Jenny Buss said fiercely.

……

The next day, May 5th, the other three groups of competitions began.

The Nets easily defeated the Raptors at home, the Kings also defeated the Spurs at home, and the Celtics also defeated the Magic at home without any upsets.

On the 6th, the SuperSonics defeated the Lakers again at home. After winning their second consecutive home game, they moved to Los Angeles on the 7th.

That night, the Nets and Celtics also won two consecutive games, but the Kings capsized at home and were defeated by the Spurs.

On the evening of the 8th, the Lakers faced the SuperSonics at home, and the two sides launched a G3 battle.

This battle is a life and death battle for the Lakers. If they lose to the Sonics, they will get the match point, and the chance of a comeback is almost zero.

Therefore, the Lakers are almost working hard, especially O'Neal and Kobe. One is crazy about attacking at the basket, and the other is desperately defending Zhou Quan on the outside.

The league also showed its own attitude and did not want to see the Lakers be swept again, because the sweep would cause the league to lose a lot, and the loss of one less game would be 2000 to [-] million US dollars.

Ben got two fouls in the first 7 minutes of the first quarter and was replaced. The result was that O'Neal completely dominated the paint area on both ends of the offense and defense, played a super explosive offense, and also controlled the rebounds.

The SuperSonics used a shark-cutting tactic against O'Neal, but it was useless. O'Neal was very lucky tonight. He made 6 of 4 free throws in the first quarter. The Sonics did not take advantage of the fouls, but instead incurred several fouls.

Zhou Quan didn't get whistled a few times, but neither did Kobe. His defensive moves were frightening, and he resorted to a unique fighting style of defense at home.

Under Kobe's defense, he did not play a very efficient offense, and even his organization was greatly affected.

After the first quarter, the two teams scored 23:25, with the Lakers leading by 2 points.

O'Neal scored 16 points with consecutive free throws and a shooting percentage of 62.5%. Zhou Quan scored 12 points with a shooting percentage of only 54.5%.

In terms of rebounds, the Lakers have two more.

As soon as Ben came on the court in the second quarter, he was called for a pushing foul while grabbing a rebound. Three fouls severely tied his hands and feet.

Zhou Quan is not angry. He understands the league's position very well. It is understandable that he wants to play one or two more games in order to make money, but he still has to fight for what he has to fight for.

Kobe defended him in a fighting style, and in turn, he defended Kobe, making 7 of 0 shots in the first half and zero blocks.

At the same time, on the offensive end, he used his strong confrontation ability and more comprehensive and mature skills to crush Kobe. Although his offensive efficiency was indeed affected, he was still able to score continuously and lead the team to hold on to the score.

After halftime, 45:49, the Lakers led by 4 points.

Barkley said excitedly: "For the first time in three years, the Lakers are leading the SuperSonics in the playoffs. This is a signal, a signal to win.

The Lakers have a great advantage in rebounding and low-post offense. After winning two home games, they will have a chance in this series. "

Kenny Smith said: "But the Lakers' outside offense is still far inferior to the SuperSonics, and they are only 4 points behind the Lakers in rebounding and low-post offense. If O'Neal's physical fitness cannot allow him to continue to be efficient in the second half, then the SuperSonics will have a chance It's coming.

Now the two teams rely on O'Neal and Iron Fist King to score points. Kobe can't help O'Neal on the offensive end, and others in the SuperSonics can't help Iron Fist King.

Kobe is indeed very advantageous at home. The home whistle is obvious and the defensive actions are very large. The Iron Fist King should have been bruised and bruised. "

Barkley said disdainfully: "Which team doesn't have a home whistle? Doesn't the SuperSonics have one? The Sharks never got more than ten free throws in Seattle. He could have gotten twenty free throws per game."

"That's impossible," Kenny Smith laughed.

"Very few, really almost no more than ten times in the playoffs," Barkley insisted.Kenny Smith stopped talking about this topic, and the home whistle really had nothing to say, it was all the same, just in different degrees.

He changed the topic and said: "Because Kobe limited the Iron Fist King, the Sonics did not get open opportunities on the outside. Their shooting was poor, and they had no offensive ability inside. Basically, the Sonics' offense was the Iron Fist King." One person carries it. Charles, what kind of adjustments do you think King of Iron Fist will make in the second half?"

Barkley thought for a moment and said, "He could kill Kobe with his fists."

"Pfft, haha..." Both of them laughed.

In the visiting team's locker room, Zhou Quan decided on one thing. His style of play in the third quarter was to hand over the ball to Arenas, while he would play without the ball and play the second position.

The reason for this is, of course, to resolve Kobe's restrictions on him.

In both states, with and without the ball, of course, his mobility is better in the off-ball state, especially in the penalty area. His mobility is the best in league history. This is his confidence.

He is confident that he can get rid of Kobe Bryant without the ball. At this time, a passer will pass the ball to his hands.

Shamond Williams can also play point guard, but his talent is not as good as Arenas. Arenas has strong offensive attributes and is more threatening with the ball. Although he is only a rookie, his ability to pull the defense is stronger than Williams. Sri Lanka.

Of course, McMillan only supported Zhou Quan's decision and agreed without a second thought.

Shortly after, the third quarter of the second half began.

As for the Lakers, the OK combination continues to play.

Kobe didn't rest for a second in the first half, and O'Neal only rested for 1 minute in the second quarter.

Devin George is at the third position, Horry is at the fourth position, and Lynch Hunter is at the first position.

For the Sonics, Ben Wallace had four fouls, Campbell had one foul, Bowen had three fouls, Zhou Quan had two fouls, and Arenas had one foul.

McMillan's defensive requirement for Ben Wallace is to hold on tight and the fouls will be handled by Campbell and others.

The game started with the SuperSonics attacking first.

"Ouch, Arenas has the ball, but Zhou Quan plays without the ball?" Zhang Lili said in surprise.

"Can King of Iron Fist play without the ball?" Yu Jia exclaimed.

Zhang Lili laughed and said: "You young people may not know that Zhou Quan's ability to play without the ball is very strong, not weaker than Jordan. You will see it later."

Yu Jia really didn't know that when Zhou Quan was with the Pistons in 92 and 93, he occasionally played without the ball in the playoffs against the Bulls, with the Smiling Assassin playing the point guard. After that, he rarely played without the ball. At that time, he was only in his early ten years and had never seen those games.

The Lakers were also surprised. Kobe saw Zhou Quan running away and quickly chased after him, while Phil Jackson frowned on the sidelines.

He must be aware of the Iron Fist King's ability to play without the ball. Back then, Jordan couldn't catch up with the Iron Fist King without the ball, and was often thrown away by the Iron Fist King in the penalty area.

"Kobe, be careful he gets rid of you through the penalty area." He immediately turned on the speaker and shouted loudly.

"Through the penalty area?" Kobe was startled.

At this time, Zhou Quan happened to enter the penalty area from the right elbow area and fell into the sea of ​​several inside players from both sides.

Kobe hurriedly chased after him, but Zhou Quan's two consecutive extremely dexterous changes of direction not only disturbed the positions of the inside players on both sides, but also made Kobe dizzy and completely thrown away.

At this time, Zhou Quan ran from behind O'Neal to the left wing and extended his hand to Arenas at the top of the key.

He was completely unfamiliar with the Iron Fist King's ability to play without the ball, and had not had this in previous team training. Arenas' pass was a little slow, but he was a point guard after all, so he still passed it in.

Zhou Quan caught the ball one step away from the left midfielder. Without any adjustment, he just shot a jump shot. The rhythm was so fast that Kobe, who had just emerged from the crowd, had no time to pounce.

"brush!"

Splashes appeared and two points were hit.

"Clap clap clap..."

Staples Center also burst into loud applause.

Kenny Smith lamented: "The King of Iron Fist's off-ball movement skills are amazing. He is definitely the best among the best, even better than Michael Jordan."

Barkley said disdainfully: "No matter how strong he is, he can't play the second position. He can only enjoy it occasionally. He is too short."

Kenny Smith looked weird and said: "Charles, you can play the fourth position, why can't the King of Iron Fist play the second position?"

Buckley was startled, then laughed angrily and cursed: "Damn it Kenny, can you please don't involve me?"

"Haha..." Kenny Smith laughed suddenly.

Barkley glared at Smith and said dissatisfiedly: "The people of Los Angeles actually applauded their opponents. No wonder the Lakers are swept every year. They are already the same as the New Yorkers."

"Pfft!" Kenny Smith laughed.

47:49, the Lakers attack.

Kobe held the ball and attacked on the right wing. He first used Horry's pick and roll to temporarily get rid of Zhou Quan. When he reached the right midfielder, Zhou Quan caught up with him.

At this time, O'Neal took two steps for the second pick-and-roll. Kobe shot in from O'Neal, and Zhou Quan was blocked by O'Neal on the right waist.

Kobe made a leaping layup, dodged Ben's block, flew in front of the basket, and hit the ball with his backhand lever.

"Oh hoo!"

Staples Center burst into huge cheers for Kobe's difficult goal.

"Beautiful! Not only was Kobe's goal beautiful, but the tactics used in this offense were very good. The continuous pick-and-roll finally allowed Kobe to get rid of the Iron Fist King, and the Lakers transformed into the Jazz." Barkley said excitedly.

"Just now, Kobe didn't take a shot himself, but passed it back to O'Neal behind him. O'Neal definitely dunked the ball. This offense is really wonderful. If the Lakers can continue to play this kind of offense, they really hope to win." Kenny Smith said.

(End of this chapter)