As a Kobe hater, he was actually teammates with Kobe!

Kobe-style assists essentially break up the opponent's defensive formation.

Zhou Ze accelerated to the basket and although he missed the layup, he pushed Howard away, creating a brief "vacuum state" under the basket. This was undoubtedly a good offensive opportunity for Shannon Brown, who was good at fighting in chaos and had excellent physical fitness.

Most players who have low basketball IQ, lack technical proficiency, and explosive physical fitness are more suitable for chaotic battles.

...

...

Zhou Ze held the ball outside the three-point line, and with the help of Old Fish's pick-and-roll, he once again faced Nelson. He followed the same method, took a step with his back to the basket, turned around, and used his body to force his way through the defense. But the difference was that this time after reaching the basket, Howard took a step up and appeared in Zhou Ze's breakthrough route.

Without slowing down, he seemed to be about to rush towards Howard, but after completely attracting Howard's defense, he suddenly made a ground pass without looking at anyone to Byram behind Howard. The latter received the ball and dunked it successfully, 16 to 25, and the Lakers led by 9 points.

After the dunk, Byram did not forget to talk trash to Howard.

"Man, that was a pretty good dunk," Byram said.

However, Howard ignored Byram and glanced at Zhou Ze. In Howard's mind, Byram was not yet qualified to engage in trash talk with him.

But Zhou Ze is different.

Howard looked at Zhou Ze with a look that was not only filled with anger but also with envy and jealousy...

In previous encounters, this damn bastard always called himself a "blue-collar worker" who only knew how to eat cake.

The problem was that at that time, he played with the same blue-collar style as himself, and his ability to catch the ball under the basket was not as good as his.

But now if he says that he is just a blue-collar worker who can eat cake, it is really hard to refute.

How did this damn guy train?

Last year, his ball-handling ability was on par with mine, but now he can even play pick-and-roll with the ball!

Even if the defender is Nelson, who is weak in defense, it is not easy for a player with a height of 208cm to launch an offense from outside the three-point line.

"You blue-collar inside player who only knows how to dunk, what are you looking at?" Zhou Ze said with a frown after noticing Howard's gaze.

Howard, not knowing what to say, turned his head away.

...

...

The Lakers used Zhou Ze's ball-holding pick-and-roll as the starting point of their offense, making it very difficult for the Orlando Magic.

Zhou Ze is different from ordinary guards. Not only does he have a height of 208cm and a wingspan of 227cm, he also has explosive speed. Once he breaks free from the defense and increases his speed, he is like an unstoppable beast.

Although the Magic's lineup is stronger on paper, the current Byram is unable to limit Howard's crazy rebounding.

But the rhythm of the game was always led by the Lakers.

This is the power of "Moneyball" and "Digital Basketball".

The magic ball style of play helps to improve the team's bottom line. After all, there are only two ways to finish: three-point shooting and breaking through to the basket to cause damage.

Howard eats a cake.

The Lakers either responded with a three-pointer or scored at the basket.

Both are efficient ways to score.

Remember, 3>2!

Although the Money Ball style of play is unlikely to reach the top in the playoffs, it is definitely sufficient in the regular season.

...

...

The game was 3 minutes and 11 seconds into the third quarter.

Facing the mismatched Zhou Ze, he did not choose to press with his back this time. Instead, he leaned forward to dribble and accelerate the breakthrough. After rushing to the basket, "Beep!", the referee whistle sounded, causing Howard to commit a defensive foul.

This made Kobe, who was wearing a suit and tie off the court, stand up and applaud, his face full of smiles, and his white teeth were clearly visible.

"good."

"This kid's ability to read the game has improved again."

Kobe said with a look of relief.

"Yeah." The assistant coach next to him nodded.

This time, Nelson had prepared to defend against the post-up play. If Zhou Ze chose to post up, the opponent would fall backwards, which could easily be called an offensive foul by the referee. Zhou Ze was able to judge this mainly because he saw the opponent's foot position, which showed a clear squatting movement. He lowered his center of gravity and used all his strength to defend, which resulted in him leaving both sides half-covered.

"Zhou, I remember your change of direction is often listed in the NBA's top ten plays. Why don't you use it today?" Nelson looked at Zhou Ze standing at the free throw line and asked with feigned curiosity.

"Dude, do you think I'm as stupid as Dwight?" Zhou Ze deliberately said loudly.

Howard, who was called out, was slightly startled.

Nelson's mouth twitched as well.

During Kobe's absence, Zhou Ze did show off his drastic change of direction in every game. But there's a prerequisite for this: the defender's center of gravity is low. Not only will you be unable to pass him, but you'll also be easily intercepted, even by someone like Nelson, who isn't good at defending.

"Shh!"

"Shh!"

Made both free throws.

53 to 64, the Lakers lead by 11 points.

After making the free throw, Zhou Ze ran backwards while smiling at Howard, "Are you jealous? A blue-collar inside player who only knows how to dunk!"

Howard couldn't help but bite his back teeth hard.

In the next round, Howard took the initiative to ask for the ball in the low post, and he wanted to force Andrew Byram.

Byram was speechless.

I didn't provoke you, why are you trying to pick on me?

Howard caught the ball in the low post and then dropped his shoulders to face the basket. This was Howard's three-pronged attack. Once he got the ball, he could attack the basket. Otherwise, he could only use a rigid hook shot. At his peak, Howard developed a relatively stable small hook shot near the basket, truly securing his position as the league's top center.

But he doesn't have this ability now.

This is a scene that the Lakers coaching staff would like to see.

Byram is the Lakers' defensive meat shield tonight, which is also to protect Zhou Ze's physical strength, reduce the confrontation under the basket, and maintain good muscle memory.

Howard relied on his explosive power to push Byram away for half a step, but he did not reach his "sweet spot" and it was difficult for him to continue to move towards the basket.

He could only try his luck blindly, but he was really lucky and actually got in.

55:64.

Howard, who had once again narrowed the gap to single digits, couldn't help but glance at Zhou Ze with pride.

As if to say: "I am not just good at eating cakes!"

...

...

The Lakers' offense and defense switched. Zhou Ze received the ball from Old Fish outside the three-point line and was about to force a breakthrough on Grant Hill, but found that Howard used his mobility to complete the switch in a short time.

"Do you dare to fight me alone?"

"Or, you only dare to bully the weak and fear the strong!"

Howard started trash talking with Zhou Ze.

But when it comes to trash talk, Zhou Ze is at the top level.

"Dwight, kneel down!" Zhou Ze said harshly, as if scolding a stray dog.