Author: Feng Yuanhua

12:7

When the game reached 5 minutes and 11 seconds, Phil Jackson did not dare to delay any longer and finally called the first timeout.

In previous games, the SuperSonics played very smoothly.

Looking back at the Lakers, in fact, some of their tactics failed to work out, especially they couldn't give the ball to O'Neal.

Don't look at O'Neal's 4 points. In fact, most of the time, he couldn't even touch the ball.

The SuperSonics double-teamed him and then quickly switched defenses, leaving the Lakers helpless to a large extent.

They don't get a chance to get a completely open shot at all. It looks like it's open, but in fact the defense has already arrived.

However, as long as the ball is given to O'Neal, O'Neal's efficiency is still as efficient as ever.

Even if O'Neal doesn't get the ball, there's still Kobe!

Although Kobe only scored 2 points on 1 of 3 shots, Phil Jackson still believed in him.

A player of this level, you can keep your trust in him.

The reason why Phil Jackson chose to time out was purely because of defense. There was something wrong with the Lakers' defense.

Michael Reed and Rashard Lewis combined for 8 of 12 points on 4-of-7 shooting.

Don't underestimate these 8 points, you know, this is a very easy shot to open the ball.

And the 57% shooting rate is enough to support the SuperSonics in defeating all opponents, including the Lakers.

"Shaq, I need to double-team King at this time and force him to pass the ball instead of waiting for the Sonics to get open.

There are others, please get involved, communicate well with each other, and when it’s time to replace someone, do it!”

…

In the end, Phil Jackson still did not choose to let O'Neal leave the inside, he would not do so.

His approach is also very simple, that is, he requires his players to defend more actively, even if it is 3 on 4.

On the other side, O'Neal is not unable to leave the inside, as long as he comes back quickly enough when the opponent attacks the inside.

At this time, he can work with Kobe to double-team Wang Hao, who is holding the ball, and force him to pass the ball in advance.

Everything was arranged and the referee's whistle sounded.

The Lakers' offense is still the same, passing the ball to O'Neal.

However, Wang Hao took it back in time, completely cutting off Robert Holly's thoughts of passing the ball.

Robert Holley did not dare to force the pass, so he could only pass the ball to Fisher on the baseline.

Fisher didn't miss the opportunity and shot directly.

However, at this moment, Wang Hao, who had been on the inside just now, had already swooped over.

Seeing Wang Hao approaching, blocking out the sky and the sun, Fisher suddenly panicked, which actually affected his action.

"Bang!"

The basketball bounced out of the frame, and almost at the same time, P.J. Brown, Lewis, and Gary Payton directly surrounded O'Neal.

If one person can't beat him, then three people will do it together.

Lewis protected the rebound and returned to the Sonics' offensive round. This time, the Lakers' defense really changed.

Wang Hao's side had just attracted the defense. This time O'Neal no longer just watched, but pounced directly.

Fortunately, his reaction was quick enough and he took the ball out immediately without giving O'Neal a chance to double-team.

However, there was chaos here and there was no chance to continue the tactics. Wang Hao simply chose to do it himself.

Lewis helped with the pick-and-roll. Faced with the dismantling offense, the Lakers decisively chose to make substitutions.

Robert Holly was a little slow and was directly broken by Wang Hao, but O'Neal had already come to help defend.

Wang Hao simply chose a mid-range jump shot, and the basketball fell steadily into the basket.

Facing O'Neal, even he didn't dare to hit the basket casually.

Fortunately, he was in good condition today, and he hit the target easily the first time he took a shot.

14:7

However, in the Lakers' offense, O'Neal no longer waited stupidly to be double-teamed inside.

He took the initiative to move to the high post and gave Kobe a pick-and-roll. Kobe gave the ball to O'Neal who cut inside.

PJ Brown tried his best to defend, but unfortunately, there was nothing he could do.

Facing O'Neal's air cut, he almost pulled and pulled, and finally stopped O'Neal's dunk.

But the problem is, O'Neal can't just dunk.

The moment he was grabbed, O'Neal made a very light hook and directly hooked the ball into the basket.

Not only did he fail to defend it, but he also incurred a foul and an additional penalty.

PJ Brown looked helpless. He really couldn't believe it. Why would there be such a monster?

As a professional basketball player and an inside player, he is already a monster in the eyes of many people.

However, what he never expected was that monsters in other people's eyes would one day encounter monsters.

It also had to be O'Neal's free throw, which was quite solid.

The basketball bounced out of the frame, and the score difference was still 5 points.

"Wang, Gary, change your tactics."

At this moment, Paul Westphal had left the bench and shouted to the players on the court.

He also made a gesture, which was another tactical gesture. The Sonics wanted to change their style of play.

Regardless of the fact that the ball was scored in the last round, in fact, the Sonics' tactics failed.

Being able to score goals is purely due to Wang Hao's personal ability.

Wang Hao's personal ability is worthy of belief, but if he wants to win, the team must work together.

In fact, the tactics have not changed much and are still based around a few pitchers.

But don't forget, the Sonics' most reliable pitcher has never been Michael Reed, nor Lewis.

But Wang Hao, this is the big killer.

Sure enough, this time, Gary Payton dropped directly to the low post, looking like he was going to beat Fisher alone.

Seeing this scene, O'Neal did not hesitate. Although there was a substitution, he still had to double-team when he should.

However, at this moment, Gary Payton took a moment to observe and threw the ball beyond the three-point line.

But it was at this time that Wang Hao used a double screen from PJ Brown and Michael Reed to find an opportunity.

Reagan Fox reacted quickly when changing defense, but was blocked by PJ Brown and was still slow.

Michael Redd blocks Kobe Bryant, PJ Brown blocks Reagan Foxx, who will guard Wang Hao?

From outside the three-point line at the top of the arc, Wang Hao shot with great determination.

"Whoosh!"

There is no surprise. As the top three-point shooter in the NBA, it is not easy for such a person to shoot.

17:9

Seeing this scene, Phil Jackson frowned and looked at the other side of the bench unconsciously.

There, it happened to be Seattle's bench.

I always thought that he was not very optimistic about Paul Westphal, the head coach, because he was too mediocre.

In fact, the two had met as early as the 1992-1993 season, when the Bulls were in their first three-peat championship dynasty.

Paul Westphal was still a rookie coach at the time, and Phil Jackson was somewhat disdainful of this rookie coach.

Because in his opinion, the Suns team at that time was actually the result of Cotton Fitzsimmons.

It was this old coach who single-handedly built the Suns.

It's just that, unfortunately for Cotton Fitzsimmons, although the Suns are very strong, they always fall short.

However, after Paul Westphal became the head coach, the Suns successfully introduced Charles Barkley.

Also that season, the Suns reached the Finals.

I thought this was the beginning of a powerful Suns team, but I never expected that this would be its peak.

Now looking at Paul Westphal, Phil Jackson suddenly felt that he had underestimated this guy.

This guy's tactical guidance ability is very good, and he even predicted his strategy.

Do you need to adjust your tactics?
To be continued...