Jim Bass Ambition

Chapter 226 The Blazing Showdown

The most difficult time, at any rate, was survived by the Timberwolves.

In the second half, Arenas reappeared and used a three-pointer as soon as he came up to express his anger at being forced to sit on the bench for 8 minutes in the first half.

Among the ten players on the field, apart from Nesterovic, Arenas had the most physical strength. Jermaine O'Neal played the entire first half, and Sprewell played in the second half of the second quarter. Duan cameo as a point guard consumes a lot of energy.

Arenas did my part and took on the heavy responsibility of the Timberwolves' offense.

The third quarter of the Lakers is notoriously sharp. The first half is usually based on running tactics to cultivate the team's touch. The big killer Kobe is in a state of recharging his energy, and the third quarter often the Lakers will suddenly increase their defense. Intensity, the offensive end increased Kobe's proportion, and many strong teams fell under the wave of the Lakers.Whether Arenas' good state can last as long as possible has become the key to the Timberwolves' game.

Seeing that Arenas felt hot, the Lakers immediately changed their tactics and played the routine in the second quarter, using pick-and-rolls between guards, using Kobe to single Arenas, causing damage.

However, after experiencing the embarrassment in the second quarter, Sanders was obviously prepared, handing Garnett to Nesterovic, and Jermaine O'Neal turned to match Malone.

Jermaine O'Neal was defending Malone in name, but in fact he focused a lot of attention on Kobe. Once Arenas missed, he immediately assisted in the defense.

The defensive pressure on Malone and Garnett dropped sharply, and there were some opportunities that were not available in the first half.

This is also a test of the Lakers' offensive options. Should they stick to the coach's arrangement and continue to force Kobe to kill Arenas, or adapt to the situation and let Garnett and Malone, who have less defensive pressure, complete the offense?
"The Timberwolves adjusted their defensive strategy, but I bet Kobe will still choose to attack by himself this round, $10." Jim sat in his office and watched the live broadcast of the game. If the team can return to Los Angeles with a total score of 3 to 1, for The following schedule will be very favorable. If they can continue to win the next home game, it means that the Lakers don't have to go anywhere for nearly a week in a row, and they can just sit at home and wait for work.

"I won't bet you, it's the obvious thing," Kupchak muttered.

Bzdelik has also moved to Los Angeles to watch the game with Jim and others. In his words, instead of spending a vacation doing nothing, it is better to get acquainted with the players he will work with next season as soon as possible.

"Mr. Bass is right. If other players are executing the offense, then the Timberwolves' defensive strategy has already worked. Sanders' idea is not to prevent this offense, but to try to protect Arenas. He has fouled three times already, let him mark Kobe one-on-one, he will easily get a fourth foul, which will be fatal for the Timberwolves." Bzdelik expressed his opinion.

However, in Kobe's eyes, it doesn't matter how many people defend. As long as he is determined to attack, even if it is a one-to-nine attack, he will force his shot.

Kobe took two steps, turned to the low post and turned his back, testing Arenas' defense.

Although Arenas is a point guard, his body is already very strong, and he is not particularly disadvantaged against Kobe. His position is biased towards the bottom line, blocking the angle of Kobe's back turn, and near the center line, Jermaine O'Neal is eyeing him , ready to make up defense at any time.

Kobe dribbled the ball with his left hand, turned around with his back and swayed, Arenas raised his hands high, and stood firm on his feet, without any sign of shaking.

With his left foot on the ground, after Kobe shook his shoulder, his body bounced back like a spring, and he turned to the middle. Arenas lost his defensive position, but Jermaine O'Neal has already rushed over. He averaged 2.8 blocks per game in the regular season Little Ao, Gai, will never allow anyone to invade his territory so easily.

However, Kobe's shooting action was still a false move. After pointing out Jermaine O'Neal, Kobe took a small step forward with his left foot, smashed the ball on the backboard, and took off quickly, before Arenas could react. Grabbed the rebound ball and dunked with both hands.

This series of dazzling operations silenced the center of the target.

"Incredible goal! Amazing performance from Kobe Bryant! This goal is the perfect combination of skill, judgment, physicality and guts! It seems that no one in the league can stop him Score!" Marv Albert exclaimed in the commentary booth.

"It's a pity that I retired 20 years ago, otherwise I really hope to play against him on the court." The partner with Marv Albert is the legendary center Bill Walton, although the university played brilliantly in USC record, but as a Trail Blazer and Celtic legend, he still treats the Lakers more as an old enemy.

Arenas picked up the basketball in frustration, smashed it hard on the floor, and handed it to Nesterovic to serve the baseline.

As soon as he received the ball, Kobe had already appeared in front of him, leading the defense, but handed Hassell to Billups.

Since leaving the team at the end of his rookie season, Arenas has basically not faced Kobe like this in the game.

Adjusting the rhythm with the dribble, looking for Kobe's flaws.

The center of gravity is too low!Take a gamble!
Seeing that Kobe adjusted his footsteps and prepared to grab Jermaine O'Neal's pick-and-roll, Arenas did not play his cards according to common sense. After receiving the ball, he directly made a quick three-pointer!
The basketball draws a wonderful parabola and hits the net hollow.

Kobe picked up his jersey.

Still walk the bottom line and use the screen to go low. This time Kobe didn’t make extra moves. After receiving the pass from Garnett, he cut directly to the basket, passed Arenas’ defense in one step, and evaded O’Neal in the air. The block, lightly landed a reverse basket.

After Arenas dribbled through half court, he handed the ball to the madman, but he quickly cut to the basket.

The madman stuffed the ball to Arenas from the gap between Kobe and Artest. Kobe reached out and fished for it but did not break the ball. Arenas had already taken off against Garnett. After the confrontation in the air, Scored the ball off balance and caused Garnett to foul.

Amid the shouts of "Hibachi! MVP!" from the audience, Arenas made a steady penalty and scored 9 consecutive points, narrowing the difference between the two sides to only 3 points.

But Fei Xia showed no sign of weakness, and this time he didn't need to cover up, anyway, it didn't matter whether it was Hassel or Arenas in front.

Bryant walked to the right and made a big breakthrough, and Hassel hurriedly slid to keep up.

Kobe stepped on the brake with his right foot, pulled the ball back with his right hand, and made a sharp change of direction.

Hassel hastily adjusted his center of gravity, with his left foot in front and his right foot behind.

Kobe did not continue to break through in the way he expected. Instead, he turned his back and shot a fallback jumper, throwing Hassell three steps away.

Without any suspense, hit steadily.

The first half of the third quarter almost turned into a personal confrontation between the two. Although this was something the coaches of both sides did not want to see, it was a feast for the eyes of the fans watching the game.

科比6投5中，独砍11分，而阿里纳斯更是8投6中，得到了15分。

(End of this chapter)