against the front

Chapter 269 Refusal to Work Overtime
"Kobe Bryant, three points, hit!"

When Kobe got rid of Tony Allen's defense and hit a jumper from outside the three-point line, Arco Arena fell into silence instantly, and the Lakers bench on the sidelines, from coach Phil Jackson to The water dispenser administrators sitting on the floor all rushed to the sidelines excitedly, shouting at Kobe who made a key three-pointer. At the same time, Charles Barkley, who was on the sidelines, was also excited stood up directly from the seat.

Although Kobe's three-pointer only helped the Lakers equalize the score, and after Kobe made a shot, he left the Kings with 0.8 seconds of time, but Kobe's behavior of forcing the Lakers to continue his life still made Barkley excited. , At the same time, it also made the Lakers' adrenaline soar instantly.

"Reggie Toyes called a timeout, but the time of 0.8 seconds really doesn't seem to be enough." Looking at Reggie Toyes who called a timeout and started to make the final attack, and holding Phil Jackson, who made the last defense on the tactical board, and Kenny Smith, who was on the commentary stand, also looked very helpless. In today's game, the Kings are very close to winning, but they are in the middle of the game. At the last moment, Kobe made a three-pointer and dragged into overtime.

Although in the history of the NBA, there is a precedent for a 0.4-second lore, but compared with the glimpse of 0.4 seconds, there are many examples of lore failures, because normally, 0.8 seconds is barely enough A shot has been made, and it's still the kind of shot that catches the ball without any adjustments at all.

Therefore, in Kenny Smith's view, Reggie Toyes called two timeouts in a row and arranged the last shot in a desperate tactic. It is likely that there will be no results. Instead of so much effort, it is better to calm down Come on, honestly play an overtime.

"Kenny, you have to believe that miracles exist, just like I have always believed that the Lakers can come back in this game." Looking at Kenny Smith, who was obviously negative, Barkley had a teasing expression on his face. I said one thing to him, but what Barkley said in his heart was another sentence, that is, miracles exist, but miracles don't happen often, because they can't be called miracles if they happen often.

"Andrew, after the timeout is over, Yan Hua is likely to serve the ball to the sideline, so your task is to go to the sideline and stare at him."

"Paul, you go guard Serge Ibaka."

"Ron, John Salmons is yours, keep an eye on him, lock him up!"

"Kobe, you go to defend Kevin Martin, he is likely to be the king's choice for the last shot, so you have to keep an eye on him, and you can't give him any chance to shoot, understand!"

"Derek, go and watch Jrue Holiday." Although there was only 0.8 seconds left before the end of the regular time, Phil Jackson did not dare to take it lightly, because in Phil Jackson's coaching career , I have seen too many lore and anti-lore. The famous 0.4-second lore was completed by Phil Jackson's team, so even if there is only 0.1 seconds left in the game, Phil Jackson will definitely There will be no carelessness.

In Phil Jackson's prediction, Reggie Toyes would never let go of the last 0.8 seconds, just like he won a championship for the Lakers by not giving up that 0.4 seconds back then.

As for the king's candidate for the last shot, from the groping in these few games and the observation of all the players on and off the king, Phil Jackson firmly believes that the king's last shot will definitely be Kevin Martin and John S. There are two Ermons. As for Yan Hua, with the Lakers' defensive attitude towards Yan Hua in these games, even if Reggie Troyce arranged for Yan Hua to execute the last shot, it is impossible for Yan Hua to find a smooth catch. ball chance.

Therefore, when arranging this defense, Phil Jackson replaced Odang with Ron Artest, targeting Kevin Martin and John Salmons. Yan Hua, the core, was thrown aside by Phil Jackson.

"Okay, guys, I won't say too much, as long as we defend against the King's offense, as long as we enter overtime, we will definitely be able to bring the victory back to Staples from here!" After completing all the defensive arrangements, Phil Jackson called all the players who were about to play to his side and encouraged them.

Today's game was very intense and very difficult, but this game has been played so far, it is more beneficial for the Lakers, because before that, the Kings have always been in the leading position , although the leading advantage is very small, the Kings have always occupied a weak advantage, and they are only one step away from victory, but they were equalized by Kobe at the last moment of the game abruptly, so in terms of mentality , the Kings will definitely be affected, and Phil Jackson also firmly believes that as long as it enters overtime, the balance of victory will begin to tilt in a direction that is beneficial to the Lakers.

"We must win! We must win! We must win!" After the encouragement of Phil Jackson, the Lakers players who were about to enter the game, under the leadership of Kobe, shouted the slogan of victory hoarsely, for themselves and their teammates Cheer up.

"Okay, let's play." Looking at the emotional players in front of him, Phil Jackson shouted again, and after Phil Jackson's voice fell, all the players on both sides who carried out the last attack, They began to appear one after another.

As Phil Jackson expected, in this attack, Reggie Troyes sent Kevin Martin again, removed Tony Allen, and Yan Hua stood obediently outside the sideline .

However, just when Phil Jackson felt that everything was under control, Serge Ibaka, who was walking towards the top of the arc, suddenly turned back and exchanged positions with Yan Hua.

It wasn't Yan Hua who came to serve the sideline ball!
Seeing this scene, Phil Jackson's face changed drastically, because Ibaka's sideline kick meant that Phil Jackson's arrangement just now was completely disrupted by the King.

Phil Jackson's mood that had just calmed down was turbulent again at this moment, but Phil Jackson has no chance to adjust, because the Lakers have no timeout now.

In desperation, Phil Jackson quickly rushed to the sidelines, yelling loudly at the Lakers players on the field, telling them to start adjusting their defensive positions. It's just to attract the Lakers' defensive attention and create shooting opportunities for others, but for a player like Yan Hua, as long as he stands on the court, you can't relax your defense against him, let alone ignore his existence.

After Phil Jackson yelled, the Lakers players on the field quickly adjusted their defensive positions, Paul Gasol blocked Ibaka from the sideline, and Bynum always stood in a tight position. In front of Hua, Yan Hua was defended around the front, and the rest of the players also performed their duties, according to Phil Jackson's arrangement just now, to defend their respective opponents.

Compared with the flustered Phil Jackson, Reggie Troyce standing on the sidelines with his hands folded looks much calmer, but under Reggie Troyce's calm expression, his hands are in the dark He squeezed his brand new suit hard.

Although he was very confident in his arrangement and arrangement, Reggie Toyes was still very nervous when all the players of the two teams were in position and ready to start the last 0.8 seconds of the game.

And the Kings players on the field are now all gathered in this area between the free throw line and the top of the arc. This is the most conventional and also the best catch and shoot tactic. When the referee blows the whistle to start the game , they will quickly scatter around.

It is precisely because of the suddenness of this tactic that this tactic is a very big test for the defensive side, because before all the offensive players move, no one can judge where they will go. Running in one direction, and at the same time, this tactic is not conducive to the defender's staring at his own defensive object, especially in this situation where man-to-man defensive tactics are required.

Just as Reggie Troyce and Phil Jackson clenched their fists at the same time, and the audience and fans inside and outside the court were staring at the court with bated breath, the referee on duty blew the serve whistle, After the whistle sounded, Serge Ibaka had 5 seconds to send this sideline kick, and this ball will also determine whether today's game ends here or will continue.

When Serge Ibaka raised the basketball above his head, the Kings players who had gathered at the free throw line and the top of the arc quickly dispersed, and John Salmons went directly to the center circle Running in the direction of the court, Kevin Martin ran to the near corner, as for Zhu Holiday, he ran directly to the other side of the court, and Yan Hua headed for the basket .

Just as the Lakers players on the field were scattered away with their respective defensive targets, Serge Ibaka was also ready for the final pass, and he tried twice from the left and right, confusing Pau Gasol After a while, Serge Ibaka threw the basketball in his hand fiercely.

Just when almost everyone thought that Serge Ibaka would pass the basketball to Kevin Martin, who was closest to the bottom corner, or John Salmons, who had already reached the area above the top of the arc , After the referee blew the whistle, Yan Hua, who led Bynum towards the basket, quickly stopped and turned back towards the free throw line.

"Not good!" Phil Jackson, who was standing on the sidelines, immediately knew who was going to execute the last shot after seeing Yan Hua's running position.

Yan Hua, who returned to the free throw line from the basket, did not think about it at all after receiving the pass from Serge Ibaka, nor did he have any chance to adjust. Instead, he immediately took off on the spot and hooked The basketball was thrown in the direction of the basket.

After the basketball was dropped, the time on the timer just returned to zero, but at this moment, the game has not yet settled.

At this moment, almost all eyes from the commentary seats, bench seats, press seats, Arco Arena, and in front of the TV were all focused on the basketball thrown by Yan Hua.

"Swipe." There was a sound, and the basketball thrown by Yan Hua with the hook drew a very high arc, and then went into the net hollowly.

"Skyhook, skyhook, Yan Hua killed the Lakers with a skyhook, lore! Lore!" When Yan Hua threw the basketball into the net, Kenny Smith in the commentary immediately lost his mind. With a negative and decadent expression, he slapped the table in front of him and roared wildly into the microphone.

On the court, Yan Hua, who landed before the basketball hit, did not celebrate wildly, but opened his arms to accept the cheers, shouts, and worship of the audience, and at the same time said softly: "Refused to work overtime!"

Just when Yan Hua wanted to quietly enjoy the cheers of the audience, the Kings players on and off the court rushed towards Yan Hua in a swarm, roaring and screaming, and started the battle after the victory. celebrate.

They have reasons to celebrate, and they also have reasons to be crazy, because this is not an ordinary victory, because after winning this game, the Kings got the match point of the entire series.

In the seven-match four-win series, the Kings, who had already led 3-1 by a big score, undoubtedly saw the hope of reaching the finals, and everyone in the Kings, except Tony Allen, the rest Everyone has not touched the floor of the finals yet.

And as long as they can make persistent efforts in the remaining games, they will complete a milestone in their careers. All players who enter the NBA dream of the finals and even the championship.

"It's over." Looking at the Kings players who were celebrating wildly on the court, and the Arco Arena where the cheers were louder and louder, Charles Barkley and Kenny Smith stood up from the commentary booth almost at the same time , said these three words in unison, and at the same time patted his palm with a smile on his face.

This applause is not only to congratulate the king who won the victory, but also to the Lakers players on the losing side. Their performance in today's game deserves the applause, especially when they scored 35 points in the game. Kobe Bryant scored 16 points in a single quarter.

But for Kobe, what he needs is not applause, but victory. After losing this away game, the Lakers are in a very dangerous situation in this round of the series. Although the series is not over yet, the Lakers are undoubtedly now. Standing on the edge of a cliff, if you are not careful, you will not be able to realize your desire to reach the finals and defend the championship.

Looking at the Kings players who were celebrating crazily on the field, Kobe licked his lips and walked towards the player tunnel.

Compared with the warm and jubilant Arco Arena, Kobe's lonely back looks so out of place.

But this is basketball, this is the NBA, there are winners, there will be losers, some people enjoy the applause and cheers, and some people have to bear the loneliness of failure.

Similarly, the waves behind the Yangtze River push forward the waves ahead. Whenever a new star rises, an old star will start to die. Just like the lions on the grassland, the ascension of the new lion king also means the abdication of the old lion king, or even, die!

(End of this chapter)