The world's best combo guard

Chapter 2 1 [Dynasty Collapse]


On May 2003, 5, Staples Center, the sixth game of the 16-2002 season playoffs Western Conference semifinals series, the Lakers played against the Spurs at home.

On the court, three-quarters of the game time has passed, 76:58, the Lakers, who fell behind by a big score of 2:3 in the series, have fallen behind the Spurs by a big score again in this game. Reversing the comeback is simply harder than reaching the sky.

"Oh, Phil gave up, he removed Shaq, Kobe Bryant was replaced..."

Halfway through the fourth quarter, Lakers head coach Phil Jackson withdrew his main force one after another, officially declaring his abandonment of the game. Che's journey this season is completely over, and the San Antonio people have broken the shadow of the reign of terror that has shrouded the entire league in the past three years!
As the most popular arena in the league in the past few seasons, it was completely silent at this moment.

The spotlight on the scene was given to the Lakers bench, "Peter Pan" Kobe Bryant's eyes were full of tears, and "Shark" O'Neal did not have the usual tricky expression at this time.

This pair of "ok combination" who has brutally ruled the entire league in the past few seasons showed unwillingness, disappointment, or more exhaustion on their faces at this moment.

"Although the ok combination is strong, we have to admit that they are too tired so far this season. They can't run anymore. In fact, not only the two of them, but the entire purple and gold team are too tired. "Three consecutive championships" Although it is a supreme honor, it also overdraws the entire team."

"It is indeed the case. This did not happen by accident. In fact, at the last moment of the Tianwangshan battle between the two teams, when Horry missed two consecutive three-pointers, we all clearly felt this."

"beep"

With the whistle of the referee, the game was completely over, and the series between the Lakers and the Spurs officially came to an end.

4: 2!

San Antonio Spurs became the final winner of this series!
Cheers always belong to the winners. For the San Antonio people, they have had enough of losing. Before that, they fell at the same opponent's feet in the playoffs for two consecutive seasons. If they fail again this season , then they will inadvertently create an extremely embarrassing record.

As the head star of the Silver Gray Legion, Tim Duncan led the team to the highest record in the league in the just-concluded regular season. He himself also won the regular season MVP. Therefore, he does not want to lead the team to repeat the same mistakes in the playoffs.

Now, obviously, Tim Duncan did it, and they finally completed their "revenge". Therefore, at this time, they can cheer heartily and enjoy the joy of victory unscrupulously.

On the other hand, the Los Angeles people, perhaps, it is time for them to reflect on it.

The Lakers this season have not been smooth since the beginning of the season. Shaq suffered from injuries and missed 15 games in the regular season. A player who can carry the entire team forward, averaging 30 points per game in the regular season is gorgeous enough.

However, as people have discussed before, they are not gods, and the luxury data of the regular season cannot be replicated in the more intense playoffs. When facing a game with higher defensive intensity, it is no longer so easy to score. If Shaq hadn't exploded at a critical moment in the first round, they might not even be able to pass the mediocre Timberwolves.

In addition, I have to mention that today's "ok combination" is no longer the "ok combination" that won the "three consecutive championships" before. Throughout the season, there have been various revelations about the conflict between the two There are so many layers, we don't know what the truth of the matter is, but it's clear that both of them should take it easy.

"What can I say, it turns out people saw it and we were out"

At the post-match press conference, Kobe said in frustration when faced with questions from reporters on the scene.

As for Shaquille O'Neal, he didn't say a word throughout the whole process, but everyone should understand that he and Kobe were equally frustrated.

"Obviously, we've lost, it's not good news, but for the Lakers, we're going to come back, it's just a loss, we have the most powerful duo in NBA history, we're going to rebuild the dynasty , isn't it?"

"Who knows? The team lineup will definitely be adjusted and strengthened during the offseason, but that is obviously not what we should discuss now. As for now, I think we may make a good vacation. We are too tired."

After the team coach Phil Jackson answered a few questions from reporters on the scene, the press conference was hastily declared over.

The Los Angeles Lakers have never lacked the attention of the news media. Even if the final championship of this season has not yet been contested, various predictions surrounding the Lakers' roster for next season appear every day.

Combined with what Phil Jackson said in the interview after losing in the semifinals, people are more willing to talk about the various actions of the Lakers in the transfer market during the offseason.

Especially for some diehard Lakers, they put forward their own suggestions to the Lakers management through various channels every day.

In this strange atmosphere, big-name players like Karl Malone and Gary Payton have been linked to the Lakers.

…………

For each team in the league, the annual NBA draft is always an event that they look forward to, especially for the management and fans of each team, because every year they can absorb some outstanding young people through the draft Talented players, these players are undoubtedly the future of the team, and compared to relying on the introduction of big-name stars at high prices, this method of reinforcement is more popular.

Of course, this reinforcement method of absorbing outstanding young players through the draft to enhance the strength of the team may not be suitable for all teams.

For example, for the Lakers who aim to make a comeback next season, what they need is immediate combat power, and what they need is players who can help the team immediately, not rookies who need to wait for a certain period of time. There is no lottery pick this season, not even the top 20 picks, and the highest pick is only the 24th in the first round.

Therefore, while fans of other teams in the league are looking forward to the upcoming draft, Lakers fans are not so strong in their expectations for the draft. Where will the big-name players end up choosing.

(End of this chapter)