Author: Feng Yuanhua

97:105

In the end, the Sonics lost.

Although the point difference is not very big, the Lakers firmly grasped the advantage during the game.

Especially in the second half, O'Neal made 4 of 6 free throws, which directly caused the SuperSonics to give up their shark-killing tactics.

And O'Neal, who has been wreaking havoc on the court, has no solution.

15 of 28 shots were made by O'Neal under constant double-teaming by the SuperSonics.

In the end, O'Neal scored 37 points, 14 rebounds, 3 assists and 4 blocks, strong and comprehensive data.

Throughout the game, the SuperSonics had been trying to find ways to get O'Neal out of the paint, even resorting to shark-cutting tactics.

But the final effect is just like that.

When the shark-cutting tactic didn't work, O'Neal couldn't beat him, so he just stayed under the basket.

Of course, O'Neal had 6 offensive rebounds among his 14 rebounds, which shows his strong strength.

And those 4 blocks simply prevented the Sonics from attacking the basket.

Not only O'Neal, Kobe also played very well.

He made 7 of 17 shots and scored 23 points, 6 rebounds and 2 assists. His performance was quite satisfactory.

However, compared to his performance of 27 points per game in the playoffs, Wang Hao's defense is pretty good.

As for the Sonics, only four players scored in double figures.

Wang Hao had 27 points, 5 rebounds and 3 assists, while Gary Payton had 21 points, 4 rebounds and 8 assists.

Apart from the two, only Wen Baker had 14 points and Lewis had 12 points.

Perhaps in the playoffs, with the overall improvement of defense, the SuperSonics' substitutes are a little tired.

During the regular season, the Sonics' bench firepower was still very helpful to the team.

But in the playoffs, the effect was greatly reduced.

There is no way, we have entered the playoffs, every team is relying on the main force, it is really difficult for the substitutes to perform.

Even Wang Hao's current playing time is about 38 minutes, which is more than 40 minutes.

After losing the game, I had to accept the ridicule from the media reporters. I have to say that it was really unlucky.

"Wang, you used the shark-killing tactic in the game. Are you unethical?"

"immoral?"

Wang Hao said somewhat speechlessly: "I saw during the game when Ruben and I appeared outside the three-point line.

Is it unethical for the Lakers to keep their eyes on me, but then pass on Ruben?

Why can't I get the same shooting space as Ruben? Is this the Lakers discriminating against me?"

Upon hearing this, the reporters at the scene were stunned. Can they still explain it this way?

"Sports competition is nothing more than targeting the opponent's strengths and weaknesses in order to win.

Shaq's free throw shooting is exactly his weakness, and it's natural for his opponents to target him."

As a result, the reporter was still unwilling to give in: "But this way of constantly interrupting the game and making free throws is a devastating blow to a wonderful game."

"There's nothing we can do about it, unless the league cancels free throws, or Shaq practices free throws.

As for the excitement of the hitting game, if that is the case, we should cancel the confrontation and cancel the defense, so that we can play a wonderful offensive game."

…

Just one day later, the second game of the Western Conference semifinals between the Lakers and the SuperSonics started again.

The SuperSonics immediately closed the training facility before the game and no one was allowed to go out or outsiders to come in.

In order to deal with the Lakers, Paul Westphal racked his brains and tried every means.

Especially on defense, guarding O'Neal and guarding Kobe.

44:55

That's right, at halftime, the Sonics were already 11 points behind, which was not a small difference.

More importantly, they looked so helpless defensively, especially when defending O'Neal.

20 points and 12 rebounds, these are O'Neal's half-game statistics, which are simply terrifying.

This is O'Neal at his peak!

Even Wang Hao was extremely shocked. He knew that O'Neal was very good and had watched O'Neal's games.

But most of the videos are combined with some data.

When the entire NBA history is put in front of you and all kinds of incredible statistics are placed there, O'Neal seems to be like that.

However, only by truly being in this era and personally participating in the game can he gain a comprehensive understanding.

Now, at the age of 28, at his peak, what kind of unsolvable existence is O'Neal?

Redefine the rules of the NBA, move Duncan to the power forward position, and make the shark-cutting tactic popular...

"Mr. Paul, maybe we need to change our thinking!"

At the end of the half-time game, when returning to the locker room, Wang Hao deliberately walked slowly, waiting for Paul Westphal.

When he heard Wang Hao's words, Paul Westphal was stunned and could not recover for a while.

For this game, he and the entire coaching staff almost racked their brains, but there was still nothing they could do.

Of course, it doesn't mean that O'Neal really can't pay more, it's just because of the lineup.

The current lineup, especially the inside line, is simply unable to compete with O'Neal, cannot defend him, and cannot kill O'Neal in offense.

This is the biggest problem.

"Let's go, let me go back to the locker room first, the game isn't over yet!"

Field quickly stood up and led everyone back to the locker room to let Wang Hao and Paul Westphal have a private chat.

It is indeed difficult for a coach to accept being accused of tactics by a player or a rookie.

Fortunately, Paul Westphal is not a very extreme coach and has an inexplicable persistence in his own tactics.

Having been a player and then a head coach, Paul Westphal has a deep understanding of this.

Sometimes, from the perspective of a player, you may be able to see things that the head coach cannot.

"Wang, what do you think?"

Wang Hao said: "It's not my idea, but the game between the Kings and Lakers. Maybe we can learn from it."

In the first round of the playoffs, the Kings were able to win two home games and drag the Lakers into a life-or-death battle.

Of course, Paul Westphal could not be unaware of this situation. He had studied those two games.

"You mean confrontation?"

That's right, Paul Westphal knows how the Kings win. If they can't guard O'Neal, they have to fight against each other.

However, as a player from ancient times, although he is not that persistent, he still believes that defense wins championships.

Wang Hao said quickly: "In my opinion, it is more appropriate to say it is speeding up. After all, we will not give up defense."

"Speed ​​up?"

It's not that the SuperSonics have never tried this kind of game. In fact, they have very high requirements for offensive and defensive transitions.

However, it is just a transition between offense and defense. Once they fall into a positional battle, their rhythm will slow down.

And what Wang Hao wants to do is this.

Blindly emphasizing defense at all times actually caused the Sonics to fall into the Lakers' game rhythm.

The purpose of increasing the speed is to get rid of this rhythm and allow both teams to run.
Chapter completed!