Jim Bass Ambition

Chapter 251
"The Pacers' weak forward defense and low athletic ability were exposed in these two games. Robert Hawley and Al Harrington's weight and style of play are more like three positions. The disadvantage is too great when they are serious insiders like Te or Nene. If they can't support O'Neal, the Pacers may be in danger." Jack Ramsey commented.

No matter when, the inside line is always the most important position in basketball. As a person who has experienced it, Jim knows how much the Lakers after the three-peat championship in the previous life, including Yao Ming’s Rockets, suffered because of the weakness of the power forward position. The former Holly He is a good space-type fourth position, but when his athletic ability declines, he can only be used as a surprise soldier. As for Medvedenko, Mad Dog Madsen and his ilk, if they are not in the Lakers, no one will know them at all .Yao Ming's Rockets, power forwards from Cato to Taylor, from Juwan Howard to Swift, from Padgett to Ryan Bowen, none of them can be counted on. The Mavericks in the playoffs The Jazz are also known for their sharp attacking power forwards. After finally waiting for Scola and Landry, Yao Mai was also knocked down by injuries.

Last season, the Pacers had Anthony Mason. Although the offense was lame, Mason was tough enough on the defensive end. This time it was replaced by Hawley and Harrington. Garnett played well and played against the Western Conference Finals. Sid Wallace's intensity was not at the same level at all.

O'Neal only rested for 2 minutes off the court, and had to be replaced before his butt was hot. Without Optimus Prime inside, the Pacers had a tendency to collapse both offensively and defensively.

The one who was replaced was Al Harrington, who played almost 15 minutes straight from the first quarter without a break, and the opponents were Garnett and Nene, monsters with animal-level physical fitness , Harrington's stamina bar had bottomed out, and he took a glass of Gatorade and poured it down immediately after the game.

Seeing O'Neill return to the court, the Zen Master responded immediately, and also replaced Campbell with Ostertag.

The Pacers formed a weird twin-tower lineup. O'Neal and Jeff Foster, two players with no range, were on the court at the same time. Nene also came in to fight with Foster. The two Roshans filled the crowded inner lanes without even a foothold.

Byron Russell became the only player on the Pacers wing with the ability to handle the ball.

When Jordan retired for the first time, Russell had just entered the league, full of spirits, he called Jordan and said, "Why are you quitting the league? I understand, you are afraid of me, I can blow you up, don't let me See you in your jersey again."

Later, Jordan came back, and when he was facing the Jazz, he said to Russell, "Remember what you said two years ago? Now your chance is here."

Everyone knows what happened later, and Russell became the greatest background board.

However, Russell has always believed that Jordan made the goal because of the foul first, and luck, and if he is given another chance, he can beat Jordan.

As for the Lakers kid in front of him who is 5 centimeters shorter than Jordan, there is nothing to be afraid of.

Payton has not rested, paddling on the court; O'Neal did not get into a good position, the ball was handed over to Russell, and there were 7 seconds left to attack, Russell was going to force Wade alone, after two steps , Turn back and prepare to turn over and jump.

In Wade's eyes, it's all in slow motion.

With a hand knife, Russell's shot was cut off. Wade picked up the basketball, chased the wind and electricity, overtook all the way, and scored with one hand.

When returning to defense, Wade passed by Russell and said something.

"Afraid of Chicagoans?"

Russell's face was livid.

"I believe this is not what coach Rick Carlisle wants to see. After O'Neal came on the court, he didn't even touch the ball in one round. In the end, it was handed over to the role player for singles and ended in a mistake. At the moment of chasing points, the ball must be In the hands of the most assured players on the court, many times, the stars are more open to the defense than the role players."

Jack Ramsey was right, Carlisle was already hopping on the sidelines.

Payton regained possession of the ball, organized the offense, and after directing a run, distributed the ball to O'Neal.

The Shark faced Ostertag and missed the hook forcibly, but Jeff Foster reacted quickly, grabbed the offensive rebound, and returned the ball to O'Neal. The Shark took advantage of Ostertag's lack of reaction, The small throw was hit.

Nene was inexperienced and stared at the ball when grabbing a rebound, while Foster walked an arc the moment O'Neal shot, squeezing Nene and occupying a favorable position for rebounding. He can grab nearly 16.5 rebounds in 7 minutes per game, including 2.6 offensive rebounds, which is extremely efficient and is his housekeeping skill.

Relying on Foster's continuous rebounding, the Pacers have a tendency to chase points, but with the return of Garnett and Kobe, the Lakers sent the most impactful Wade-Kobe-Artest-Garnett- Ostertag's lineup, defense and rebounds are guaranteed, the iconic fast break is played again, and the Pacers' momentum that has just improved is once again extinguished.

"Reggie Miller faced Kobe's defense and missed a three-pointer. The ball was too difficult...Garnett grabbed the defensive rebound and made it to Wade very quickly. He threw it into the sky --Indescribable goal! From Kobe Bryant's high-altitude bombing! From Garnett's rebound to the completion of the alley-oop, the Lakers took less than four seconds, which reminds me of the old days Showtime!" Mike Breen's voice was thrilled.

As Payton missed a three-pointer at the halftime buzzer, the second quarter ended and the Lakers had led by 53 points 37-16.

In the second half, the waves were calm, the Lakers firmly controlled the situation, did not waste any chances, and kept the lead until the end, finally leaving the victory to Staples.

108 to 81, a bigger victory than the first game, and this time there is no such episode as O'Neal was sent off midway.

The three Lakers scored 20 points, Kobe had 23 points, 5 rebounds and 7 assists, and Garnett had 21 points and 17 rebounds. This half of the credit is due to Ostertag's position, although the Great Pyrenees only scored 31 points and 4 rebounds in 3 minutes. Statistics, but his good positioning ability allows Garnett to easily receive a lot of backcourt rebounds.Wade also scored 20 points. This prospect has shown a high degree of maturity and immediate combat power. The media's tone has changed from an older and shorter rookie to the next Steve Francis.

"The next Steve Francis? You'd better let Dwayne go and let him grow up in a low-key way."

Many people think that this is Jim being humble and protecting his rookie.

(End of this chapter)