Rebirth of Hayes Cyclone

Chapter 337 [Kobe Awakens, Lynx Has No Solution]

In the game, Barkley commented that Kobe destroyed the chemistry of the entire Lakers team. Although he scored the highest score in the game, his role could not be compared with that of Hayes.

A notable feature of Hayes is his steady super-high level of performance. He is as stable as a straight line; while Kobe is a wavy line. He can score 81 points in a single game, but sometimes he can play in a certain game Fewer than 30 points on nearly 20 shots.

Kobe was a bit self-willed and arbitrary in the game.This has made Lakers coach Phil Jackson dissatisfied.

"I think Kobe should be more calm, read the game better, and trust his teammates." Jackson said at the press conference: "I don't deny that Kobe is a great player, the most offensive person in the league... But at the same time, we need to balance the inside offense, play more inside, and pass more. We have already told him that he can't beat five people alone. He can't be the first choice every time he attacks. Also need to play the role of attack bait, actively move the ball, like he did in the Western Conference finals."

The reporter then asked: "Are you saying that today's loss is because of Kobe?"

"I don't mean that. The main reason for the Lakers' loss is that the Bobcats' offense was too strong. Kobe played well, but he had to do more."

After the loss, Kobe also admitted that he destroyed the triangle offensive tactics in this game.

Kobe said: "He (Jackson) was right. I destroyed the team's offensive system. I did it on purpose because I felt that we needed to do something, because the tactics we adopted at the time were not effective. I tried hard. I want to try to save the situation, but sometimes it works, and sometimes it doesn't. When it works, that's fine, but when it doesn't, I take all criticism. Bobcats beat It was beautiful, we couldn't defend against their attack and I think that's the main reason for the loss."

Bryant wasn't offended whenever Jackson publicly criticized him.He said: "First of all, when you have worked with Jackson for so many years like me, we all understand that he often criticizes players publicly. This is his coaching style, and I will not feel bad about it."

D'Antoni and Billups are today's protagonists.The Bobcats' tactics completely restrained the Lakers. After Billups won the Finals MVP that year, he played brilliantly again today.

After D'Antoni praised the players, the reporters pointed the microphone at Billups, and one of them asked: "Mr. Billups, you played very well today, are you interested in competing with Hayes for the MVP of the Finals?" Huh? He already has the MVP of the regular season, this should be given to his teammates."

It is not difficult to see from the words that the reporter has already determined that the Bobcats will win the championship.

Billups said modestly: "We didn't think about competing for MVP, we just wanted to win the championship. Chuck didn't score much today, but his screens and points were just right, and he also grabbed a lot of offensive rebounds. His role on the field is irreplaceable."

The reporter interviewed Hayes again and asked him if he was satisfied with his performance today.

Hayes smiled and said: "Very satisfied. Today we easily won the first game of the finals. We made a good start. The number of points and the number of shots are tactical arrangements. I just need to do the tasks assigned by the coach."

Hayes said similar things many times, and Kobe listened to him and got a little inspiration.

'Believe in teammates.Can they do better than me when they are behind?Maybe I'm being overconfident. ' Kobe thought about how the Lakers played in the regular season.As long as multiple players score in double figures and the scoring points are scattered, it will be much easier to win.On the contrary, he got a high score, but the game was very fierce, and the winner was not decided until the end.He thought again of what Jackson said when he was angry. "If you don't change your style of play and continue to play alone, we will definitely lose this series. You better think about how Hayes plays."

Back at the hotel after the game, Kobe went to Jackson's room, and the master and apprentice had another conversation.

Kobe asked: "Phil, do you think I'm really not as good as Hayes?"

Jackson said seriously: "Your personal ability and talent are stronger than Hayes. His only advantage is basketball IQ. He knows what basketball is better than you. Basketball is a sport that pays attention to teams, so there are so many tactics. The starting point of Hayes has always been to serve the tactics. He has conveyed this message to everyone when he was interviewed. He will do what the tactical arrangements require him to do and do his best. You are just the opposite. You Often put aside tactics, even teammates serve you. How did you beat Hayes like this? You averaged 35 points per game, that was your best season, but except for those young people who can’t play basketball People adore you, who thinks you surpass Jordan? Wake up, many people say you are a superstar, but you are a player who has not won any MVP trophies except for the MVP of the All-Star Game! Your playing style is similar to that of Tracy McGrady. Without Hayes and Yao Ming, you can’t even make it to the playoffs. If you don’t have people like Gasol and Lamar Odom, at most you will be eliminated in the first round of the playoffs.”

Kobe smiled wryly and said, "Aren't you afraid that I will lose confidence if you hit me like this?"

"If I say this to make you understand how basketball is played, it's better than us being swept by the Bobcats in the Finals. You have to see the open teammates around you, instead of always thinking that the shot is good and I can make it. On Hayes averaged more points per game than you this season. The Bobcats introduced a lot of new players this season. In order to speed up the team's run-in, he can reduce the number of shots he didn't have. Have you noticed one of Hayes? As a habit, when the Bobcats are replaced by marginal players from the outside, Hayes will attack the inside, attract the opponent's defensive focus to the inside, and then pass the ball out to let those players who may not have a chance to play on other teams play. When there is a rookie on the inside, he will play outside. He is always willing to be a bait. How do you do it? No matter what tactics or weaknesses the opponent plays, you always play the same way. The Lakers lineup is no worse than the Bobcats , our substitute is even better!" Jackson sighed lightly, and said with a smile: "I know you have a strong desire to win and don't want to lose, but there are better ways than doing it alone. What you do in the national team is Yes, sometimes a star does not have to be the core of the offense. Haven’t you heard what outsiders say? Kobe is not alone, the Lakers are not losing. You have to learn to be bait on the court, change your way of thinking and play, while you still have time to change .”

Jackson said what Kobe cares most about - time!
As of the end of the first game of the Finals yesterday, the 30-year-old Kobe has played 1118 NBA games in his career.At this age, Michael Jordan played 340 fewer games than Kobe.

When Bryant went straight from high school to pro with the Los Angeles Lakers in 1996, people marveled at his jumping ability, as well as an innate passion and basketball talent rarely seen in 17-year-olds.
Then-Executive Vice President of the Lakers Jerry West marveled at the results of Bryant's rookie test, which was the best test result he had ever seen.

After 13 years and 1118 games, Bryant is still one of the best basketball players in the world.It's just that there is a long-standing question that has not yet been answered: Behind those dazzling statistics, how helpful is Kobe to the team?

Since 2002, the Lakers have not won another championship trophy. As a recognized giant team in the league, such a long waiting time makes them and the fans somewhat anxious.Bryant, who turns 8 in August, is like a fine-tuned Ferrari that, despite proper maintenance, has been in the driver's seat for too many years.

A horizontal comparison may explain some problems.Kobe has now played 340 more games than Michael Jordan of the same age at the time. Apart from helping the Lakers win three consecutive championships early in his career, he has never proved himself to be a qualified leader.And the window belonging to Kobe's career is slowly closing over time. His explosive power and speed are not as good as before. How many years can he be better?As he grows older, the championship will be farther and farther away from Kobe.

Not just Kobe, Gasol, Odom, Butler, Fisher and others are all old.Bobcats leader Hayes is only 26 years old, and there are a group of young and outstanding teenagers.The Lakers can compete with the Bobcats only in the past two years.

"What should I do? I'll listen to you for the next game." Kobe looked at Jackson with the desire for victory in his eyes.

"I'm going to let you play point guard again in the next game. Derek (Fisher) can't guard Billups and can only rely on you. In offense, you have to reduce shooting, strengthen breakthrough points, and attack the inside. Lope Z is not as good as Paul (Gasol), and Hayes' height is impossible to guard Andrew (Bynum) all the time. Paul pulls to the high post to support the offense, Caron holds the ball and uses the screen to attack, it is difficult for Lopez after the pick-and-roll To defend Butler, the Bobcats can only let Hayes defend, then it will be much easier for you to break into the paint or shoot or pass."

Kobe nodded.He vowed to stay calm and play team basketball.

On June 6, the two sides had their second contest at the Time Warner Arena.

At the beginning of the game, the Lakers focused their offense more on the inside, taking advantage of the inside's height advantage.In this game, the Bobcats tried their best to provoke Kobe again, but Kobe controlled his emotions very well. He gave more opportunities to his teammates from the beginning of the game, and even chose to pass the ball when he already had the opportunity to attack. .At the end of the half, Kobe scored only 4 points on 3 of 11 shots. He strictly controlled the number of attacks and received good results.After Kobe's mobilization, several teammates around him gave full play to their strengths, and the Lakers led the Bobcats by 5 points at halftime.

If a true MVP can make the players around him better, then Bryant's performance today really showed the demeanor of a leader.He did not blindly fall into individual singles like the previous game, but paid more attention to passing and teammate cooperation at critical moments.However, the Bobcats lineup is more complete than the Lakers.It is impossible for Kobe to play the whole court as a point guard.When Fisher played, Billups stood up again. He made four three-pointers in the third quarter and made three breakthroughs to cause fouls by the Lakers inside players. He scored 18 points in a single quarter and helped the Bobcats overtake the score. .

It doesn't help that Kobe is back on the court again.The Bobcats' offense is too strong. 110 to 102, Bobcats two consecutive victories!

Billups once again became the key to the Bobcats win!The audience scored 33 points, 4 rebounds and 5 assists.

(End of this chapter)