Starting from the last bus in the NBA

Chapter 191 The Unsolvable O'Neill
In addition to foul tactics, Paul Westphal has exhausted all methods, but unfortunately, the effect is mediocre.

Paul Westphal still wanted to save face. After hesitating again and again, he still chose to win.

In the second half of the second quarter, when the main players of both sides returned to the field again, he finally made a decision.

Gerani replaced Hores, on the one hand to allow Hores to have more rest time, and on the other hand to kill the shark tactics.

The Lakers were attacking, and Fisher, just after halftime after receiving the ball, was preparing to call his teammates to play tactics.

"Di!"

Who would have imagined that before the words were spoken, the referee's whistle had already sounded.

At first, I was a little confused, and then, when I saw the referee pointing to O'Neill, I seemed to understand again.

Shark hacking tactics!

The game was played well and was about to play a well-arranged tactic, but it suddenly disappeared.

I have to say, this feeling is very uncomfortable.

However, the Lakers have gradually adapted to this situation, although they are still helpless.

The Shark also had a dazed face, walking to the free throw line in a daze.

"Bang!"

No surprises, no need to look at the result, just look at O'Neal's shot, you know the ball is gone.

Obviously in the game, when using the small hook, it can have a soft feel.

But at this point, at the free throw line without confrontation, O'Neal's shooting became very stiff.

Stiffness is not the problem, the problem is not being able to cast.

Fortunately, O'Neal adjusted in time, and his luck was not bad, and he successfully hit the second free throw.

One of two free throws was an acceptable result for the Lakers.

After all, even if an attack is completed, it will be 2 points, and it may not be successful.

For supersonic speed, it is not unacceptable.

As long as they successfully score in the next attack, they can recover the point difference by 1 point.

By the way, there are only 5 minutes and 16 seconds left in the second quarter, and the score between the two sides is 43:49.

The Supersonic offense is still a pick-and-roll tactic, O'Neal still shrinks inside, Gary Payton breaks through and points, and Gerani scores a layup.

This is a bit of a surprise. Originally, he only played to contribute to fouls, but he didn't expect to be able to play a role in offense.

The Lakers sent the baseline ball, and the referee's whistle sounded again.

That's right, Gerani had put his arms around O'Neal and loudly reminded the referee that he had fouled.

No way, O'Neal can only go to the free throw line again.

At the same time, the Staples Center boos once again sounded, it seems to mock the Sonics.

Wang Hao didn't know what other people were thinking, but he didn't care at all.

It's not embarrassing to win.

What's more, the real reason for the shark-killing tactics is not the Sonics itself, but O'Neal.

If O'Neal can improve his free throws, is he still afraid of other teams' shark-killing tactics?
There is no need to exaggerate too much, as long as there is a hit rate of more than 50%, or even 60%, it is enough.

To practice free throws to 80%, or even more than 90%, requires not only hard work, but also talent.

However, if only 60% is required, it doesn’t even need to be so high. It should be said that anyone can do it.

As a professional player, shouldn't this be taken for granted?

Since O'Neal can't do it, he and his team will be punished.

"Bang, bang..."

Two crisp voices sounded, and there was a slight surprise, and O'Neal missed both free throws.

Unexpectedly, after all, O'Neal's free throw percentage in the playoffs was less than 45%.

Such an opportunity, the Sonics will naturally not let go.

It's still a pick and roll, but this time it's Wang Hao who picks and rolls for Gary Payton.

Jaylen Rose's speed can't keep up with Gary Payton at all, Kobe can only help.

In this way, Wang Hao was vacated, and Gary Payton's pass immediately caught up.

Xiaoyu Fisher tried his best to defend, but unfortunately, Wang Hao's three-pointer was still a shot through the heart.

48:49
On the sidelines, after watching the Sonics score, Phil Jackson immediately added a timeout and replaced O'Neal.

No way, the supersonic has made up his mind to kill the shark.

At this time, unless O'Neal can punish the opponent with his free throws, otherwise, he is just a burden on the court.

The big shark ended up with a dark face, and his appearance was extremely uncomfortable.

It's no wonder that anyone who is punished like this will probably not be in a good mood.

Kobe and Glen Rice came off the bench, which made Kobe very happy. Now he is the first offensive point.

However, in the face of Wang Hao's defense, Kobe felt something was wrong, it was a bit difficult to play!
Regarding Kobe's defense, Wang Hao resolutely chose the method of putting one end at the other, but strangling the middle.

The so-called putting one end at the other is to empty Kobe's three-pointer and then allow him to go inside.

To make a three-point shot empty is to bet on Kobe's three-point shooting percentage to see if he dares to shoot.

As for the inside, with the help of Horace and Vin Baker, even Kobe couldn't score every time.

If O'Neal was present, Horace and Wen Baker would not dare to make up defenses recklessly.

Even if Kobe is defended, it is very likely that O'Neal will grab the offensive rebound, which is not worth the loss.

Now, however, O'Neill is off.

Look at who the insiders of the Lakers are, the old AC Green, and Robert Holly, who can only make small moves and lore.

In front of Horace and Wen Baker, you let Robert Hawley play a little trick?
And what Wang Hao needs to do is to block Kobe with all his strength in the middle distance.

Outside the three-point line, facing a wide open again, Kobe would naturally not be polite and threw it directly.

It's a pity that a player who can only make less than one three-pointer per game, how can he shoot casually.

The basketball bounced out of the frame, and Horace overwhelmed AC Green to protect the rebound.

Without O'Neal to deter the inside line, Wen Baker finally played a role and made a strong hit at the basket.

50:49
When O'Neal was sent off, the Sonics were finally able to overtake the game, the first time in the game.

This is O'Neal, who has unimaginable deterrence on both offense and defense.

This is why the Sonics insisted on dropping O'Neal out of the paint, otherwise they wouldn't be able to play at all.

Taking advantage of the more than 2 minutes when O'Neal was off the court, the Sonics tried their best to expand their advantage.

It's a pity that there is no O'Neal, and there is Kobe.

Kobe directly deducted the pass button. Although this approach is extreme, the problem is that they can score.

First stepping on the three-point line, facing Wang Hao's defense, he scored a long two-pointer, and then rushed inside to fight for a foul.

In the last 2 minutes, O'Neal returned to the game and once again showed the unsolvable mode.

56:56
At the end of the half game, the two sides tied at 56.

On the way back to the locker room, Paul Westphal frowned, seemingly helpless.

Not only him, but also Wang Hao.

The supersonic speed has performed perfectly, but it still feels a little bit worse, and it's a bit short of breath.

The defense of Kobe and Glen Rice is still limited to Gary Payton and Wang Hao.

And O'Neal inside, even if it is a double-team, can't completely restrict him.

(End of this chapter)