Chapter 624 [Normal performance, the general trend has gone]
After losing two games in a row, the Lakers players were very depressed but not unacceptable.
Habits come naturally, and Lakers players, including O'Neal, are used to losing. This season, neither the old players nor the newly joined Lakers have championship experience, including veteran Ron Harper.
Harper joined the Lakers not because the head coach wanted him to provide the team with Finals experience, but because the team urgently needed to strengthen its outside lineup and could not find a better defender than Harper in the free market.
The head coach's on-the-spot response is poor and the players need to make adjustments on the court. The conference finals have become a "hump" for the Lakers. No matter which team wants to cross this hurdle for the first time and enter the finals, it will be more difficult than in the future.
It’s much harder to get in. At this time, how can the coach doze off on the sidelines?
"Zen Master" Phil Jackson is now a true Zen Master, giving fans the feeling that he is dozing off on the sidelines. When the Sonics hit their offensive climax, his timing for calling timeout is often half a beat too late, and no changes can be seen on the court after adjustments.
The media commented that the Lakers relied on star players playing alone, or even singles with OK combinations, and could not see other tactics. In the first two games, Kobe was exhausted on the defensive end and took fewer shots, while O'Neal was not accurate in free throws. It was difficult for both of them.
In 2000, Kobe was not strong enough to pose a threat to Yang Jian, and was suppressed miserably. This was Kobe's fourth playoff trip, and his shooting percentage had never reached 45%. Against the SuperSonics
In the series, his shooting percentage was less than 40%.
Both sides have two All-Stars, role players compete, and the SuperSonics beat the Lakers. The Sonics' overall strength is stronger than last season. Not only Mason can play, but several second-year rookies have also been trained to play in the playoffs.
.
The Sonics have more players who can break through with the ball than the Lakers, have more three-point shooting points than the Lakers, and have excellent wing defense. The only place where the Sonics are weaker than the Lakers is that they actually only have the center position.
The SuperSonics' lineup is like the Pistons in 2004. The role players are not well-known or powerful, and the media mistakenly regards them as grassroots. The Pistons do not have an MVP-level player like Yang Jian to lead them, and their performance is relatively ugly. The Sonics are league offensive.
The most powerful team attracts a large number of fans.
On the other hand, the Lakers did not have much dominance in the playoffs in 2000, and neither did the parallel world. They lost three games to the Trail Blazers, two games to the Pacers, and nearly overturned the Kings in the first round with a score of 3-2.
The g3 Lakers have a home whistle and are much tougher on the defensive end. Players can use their hands to a certain extent when defending.
However, this advantage is not enough for the Lakers to defeat the Sonics.
O'Neal practiced free throws and his free throw shooting percentage improved, but he was unable to drive the team's offense. Other Lakers players' shooting percentages were not high and they were blocked.
Kobe played 34 minutes, making 4 of 13 shots, 1 of 3 three-pointers, 8 of 9 free throws, and scored 17 points, 5 rebounds, and 4 assists. He also had 6 turnovers and 6 fouls. He could only foul if he couldn't guard Yang Jian.
Several times, the pulling of people and thugs was so obvious that the referee had no choice but to call it off.
After last season's playoffs, Yang Jian has gained experience. He dropped the basketball when he was pulled, and fell down when he was hit or hit after jumping.
Regardless of whether Yang Jian dropped the ball or fell down, if the referee does not call a defensive foul, it will be considered as a mistake or the defender completed the steal or blocked the shot.
What would the fans think after watching such a scene? This is a nationally broadcast game. If a star's attack is blocked, there will be a slow-motion replay. Yang Jian did not rush to get up and sit on the ground for a while. Audiences around the world will know that the referee is a black whistle.
Yang Jian once again played the entire game, making 10 of 21 shots, 2 of 8 three-pointers, and 7 of 8 free throws. He scored 29 points, 5 rebounds, 6 assists, and 5 steals. Four of his steals were successful when defending against Kobe Bryant, and one was a steal.
Assist in defense.
Five members of the SuperSonics team scored in double figures, defeating the Lakers 96-88 and leading 3-0 with a total score.
O'Neal made 12 of 20 shots, 7 of 12 free throws, and scored 31 points, 20 rebounds, and 3 assists. He still failed to lead the team to a victory. His teammates did not support him enough, and his scoring efficiency was too low.
Only four players from the Lakers scored in double figures. The third scoring point was Harper, who scored 12 points, 4 rebounds and 4 assists, and made 1 of 5 shots from beyond the three-point line. Fisher scored 10 points and 2 assists.
The Lakers' worst performer was Glen Rice, who made 1 of 8 shots, 0 of 5 three-pointers, and 2 of 3 free throws in 33 minutes. He only scored 4 points, 2 rebounds, and 1 assist.
Both Bruce Bowen and Mobley were very successful in defending Rice. Rice couldn't break through, and he didn't have enough speed to get rid of the defense by running without the ball. His shots were all directed at people.
Except for O'Neal, only Brian Shaw's shooting percentage reached 50%, but he only scored 2 points on 1 of 2 shots.
On the SuperSonics side, Payton's performance was also very average. He played 43 minutes, making 3 of 8 shots, 2 of 5 three-pointers, 4 of 4 free throws, and scored 12 points, 3 rebounds, and 3 assists.
If Payton could produce the average numbers he had during the regular season, the two teams wouldn't be anxious until the end.
Center Brad Miller once again received high praise and has secured his starting position this season. He made 6 of 10 shots in 27 minutes, scored 12 points, 6 rebounds, 2 assists, and committed 5 fouls.
Miller's strength cannot be compared with O'Neal, but he can play an obvious tactical role. 10 of his 12 points were obtained from high-post mid-range shots, and only one was a cut and dunk after a pick-and-roll.
Mason also performed well. He came off the bench recently and played 27 minutes. He made 4 of 7 shots, 2 of 2 free throws, and scored 10 points, 7 rebounds and 1 assist.
After a day's rest, the two sides started to fight in G4. The Lakers players' mentality was already in trouble and they were under too much pressure.
If they lose again, they will be swept out again. O'Neal is the person who least wants to be swept. Everyone says that he is the number one center currently active. He also just won the MVP. It would be too embarrassing to be swept again.
The SuperSonics made tactical adjustments and began to double-team O'Neal. Rashard Lewis came off the bench, and Mason became the starting power forward. When O'Neal received the ball in the low post, Mason immediately came up to double-team, leaving AC Green open.
This change made the Lakers very uncomfortable, and they were forced to shift the focus of their offense to the outside. Even O'Neal couldn't get to the basket and score easily under the attack of the two SuperSonics insiders.
As for AC Green, he has reached the age where he is about to retire. His explosiveness is not good and his shooting is not accurate. His scoring method mainly relies on picking up misses from the basket. He can become a starter because he has rich game experience and can strengthen defense.
AC Green is an iron man. He has been abstinent for 38 years. He has suffered from a chronic disease of continuous hiccups for many years, but he still insists on playing. He once had two front teeth knocked out during a game and did not rest, setting an uninterrupted record of playing 1,192 consecutive games.
This season, AC Green started 82 games as the team's main power forward, averaging 5 points and 5.9 rebounds per game. Although the data declined seriously, AC Green made a very big contribution to the team on the defensive end. This season
His defensive efficiency reached a career-best 99.
Today, Kobe took more shots and felt good, providing offensive firepower.
But the Lakers still couldn't guard Yang Jian, and O'Neal's full defense against the pick-and-roll was not effective. If he stood too far outside, he would be passed by Yang Jian with the ball. There are not many guards who can keep up with Yang Jian's speed, and the big man can't.
Maybe keep up with his change of direction.
Yang Jian doesn't have to rush to the basket for a layup. He takes a few misplaced shots and takes a shot with space. He can hit the big man and score a mid-range shot. If the big man doesn't guard him, he can hit a three-pointer just one meter away from the three-point line.
.
Kobe's shooting percentage of 50% is considered an explosion, while Yang Jian's shooting percentage of 50% is normal performance. If he did not shoot many three-pointers in every game, his shooting percentage could remain above 60%.
Yang Jian started the game by himself, hitting 5 three-pointers and many mid-range shots in the first half. In the second half, he attracted double-teams and scored, driving the SuperSonics perimeter players to explode collectively. Others caught the ball and shot three-pointers at a higher rate.
Also very high.
At the end of the three quarters, the SuperSonics led 94 to 70 by 24 points, and the Lakers' situation was over...