Author: Feng Yuanhua

The Sonics' first offense was naturally led by Gary Payton, who decisively chose a pick-and-roll.

As for the other people, naturally they all opened up.

Wang Hao and Lewis stood in the two bottom corners respectively, and the two insiders also stood outside the three-second zone on both sides of the basket.

A very standard 14-position position is to open up the space in the high position.

This tactic is actually the most suitable for one-on-one combat.

Of course, Kobe's one-on-one defense is very good. It would be very unwise to challenge one another in this situation.

In addition to singles, pick-and-roll is also a very good choice, especially when it is certain that O'Neal will not come out.

This is not just 2 against 1.

Horace took the initiative to mention the high position. For a moment, O'Neal really hesitated.

Does he want to go out with you?

However, after thinking about it carefully, he still didn't do it. After all, he still had to protect the basket.

It’s impossible to leave this matter to AC Green?

In fact, this is also Phil Jackson's choice. Rather than attacking the basket, he would rather play in the mid-range.

Moreover, O'Neal doesn't really stay under the basket, he also walks out appropriately.

Although the radiation area is limited, the three-second zone is still guaranteed, which forces Gary Payton to shoot farther out.

Two-pointers from mid-to-long range cannot kill anyone. After all, the shooting rate at this position is very embarrassing.

In terms of shooting percentage, it is lower than a two-pointer from close range. In terms of efficiency, it is not as good as a three-pointer.

Taking advantage of Horace's pick-and-roll, Gary Payton took two steps forward and unexpectedly made a decisive shot in O'Neal's radiation area.

"Whoosh!"

After all, he is one of the best guards in the NBA. Although he is not good at offensiveness, he is stable enough.

2:0

The Lakers were not in a hurry, it was just a goal.

O'Neal will not change his established defensive strategy just because of a goal, unless the Sonics can score goals all the time.

Back on the offensive end, Ron Harper still handed the ball to Kobe and let the OK combination lead the offense.

O'Neal moved quickly, moving from one side of the basket to the other, and then immediately got stuck.

It has to be said that with his body being at least a bit bigger than others, he is quite advantageous in his position.

But this time, Kobe was no longer in a daze, but quickly passed the ball out and handed it to O'Neal.

I have to say that the timing was chosen very well.

If the pass is passed too early, O'Neal's position is not the best; if the pass is passed late, Horace has already stepped forward, or the double-team is already in place.

It's not that Kobe can't pass the ball, it's just a matter of whether he is willing or not.

After O'Neal got the ball, he did not attack immediately. Instead, he made adjustments first and observed his opponent.

Once the Sonics choose to double-team, he can immediately pass the ball out.

O'Neal averages 3 to 4 assists per game, and his passing is still guaranteed.

Therefore, attacking a double team at this time is actually a very stupid behavior, and the Sonics will naturally not do it.

However, Wang Hao is also moving inside consciously.

You don't have to double-team immediately, but you have to be ready to double-team at any time to put pressure on O'Neal.

Why Wang Hao?

Of course it's not the three-pointer that bullies Kobe.

In fact, Kobe's three-pointers are not bad, with a 31% shooting rate and an average of 2.2 shots per game, second only to Glen Rice.

He even took more shots in the first round of the playoffs.

However, compared to his average of about 20 shots per game, this ratio is very low.

In short, compared to Kobe's breakthrough, letting him shoot in the mid-to-long range is a good choice.

It is estimated that O'Neal also knew that Kobe's three-pointers were unreliable, so he simply chose to do it himself.

O'Neal dribbled the ball and then pushed it in. Horace organized with great determination.

I have to say that from a few meters away, Wang Hao could still hear the sound of muscles clashing, which was really a bit scary.

In one-on-one defense, Horace will definitely not be able to guard O'Neal.

However, just as O'Neal was attacking inside, the double-teams were already following.

Wen Beike and Wang Hao contracted almost at the same time.

O'Neal is not a fool. He already suffered a loss in the last round and it is impossible for him to suffer again.

He did not insist on dunking inside, but chose to take an early shot, a small hook that was half a basket.

Even though he is a big guy, when this little hook shot is released, the touch is really soft.

Experienced people will know at a glance that this ball is there.

2:2

The opening tactics of both sides were successful, so naturally they will not change easily, but will continue.

In the next two offenses, Gary Payton made 1 of 2 shots, which was a very good efficiency.

2 out of 3 in this position is already a perfect start.

Of course, suddenly there was no concession here either, as Glenn Rice made a layup through an air cut.

There is no way, Lewis's height is there, and he obviously can't keep up with Glen Rice in terms of speed.

Moreover, there was obviously a problem with his defensive position. Because he was afraid of Glen Rice's three-pointer, he followed too closely.

After all, he is a second-year rookie and has little experience.

Then O'Neal forced a foul, but O'Neal's free throws were still very trustworthy, making 1 of 2 free throws.

4:5

It's another offensive possession, this time, Kobe's defensive choices have obviously changed.

Instead of squeezing past the pick-and-roll man, he took the initiative to let go and go around from behind.

To put it bluntly, Gary Payton's 2 of 3 mid- and long-range shots forced the Lakers to change their defense.

As for releasing a three-pointer like this?

There is nothing you can do about it. Sometimes, defense is an advantage in making choices.

Moreover, this is only the opening stage of the game, you have to try everything to see how your opponent is doing.

Gary Payton was naturally rude and took a three-pointer directly. Unfortunately, it bounced out of the frame.

Not just this one, but also the next attack.

4:7

No way, Gary Payton took a lot of three-pointers because of Wang Hao's influence, and his shooting percentage was just like that.

His three-point shot is more to make his opponents afraid, and not to completely let go of his three-point shot, so that he can have better breakthrough space.

Just like Wang Hao chose to believe in Kobe's three-pointer, the Lakers did the same.

"Gary, give the ball to Wang!"

Paul Westphal didn't waste any time, immediately stood up from the bench and adjusted the arrangement on the court.

Obviously, he did not deny the tactics he used in the opening game, but chose to change his main attack point.

There is no way to drop O'Neal out of the three-second zone. This is a problem that every team facing O'Neal must face.

If O'Neal is not dropped out of the three-second zone, there will be no attack at the basket, which is very fatal.

What's more, mobilizing O'Neal on a large scale is more likely to wear down his physical fitness.

Physical issues are O'Neal's biggest weakness.

That is to say, O'Neal is at his peak now. In two years' time, this problem will be very obvious.

No, even O'Neal couldn't stand the constant physical confrontation with him after repeatedly hitting the inside.

After receiving the ball this time, he actually turned back to Kobe and chose to play a pick-and-roll.
Chapter completed!