Chapter 51 - [Finished again! The perfect start! 】
After the game, all the media unanimously optimistic about the Lakers winning the championship, some experts believe that the Pacers are difficult to win a game, not only was the O’Neal suppressed by the inside, the outside attack was also a mess.
The Pacers star Reggie Miller played 41 minutes in the first game, 1 of 16 shots, 3 of 3 3-pointers, 5 of 5 free throws, 7 points, 2 rebounds and 4 assists, clearly an undercover.
In Guo Xu ’s previous life, even after 18 years, there are still many old and weak Miller on the Internet, saying that he is a legendary star, the best pitcher in history, Jordan ’s lifetime enemy and the like …
As the “enemy of Jordan’s life”, Miller was selected as an All-Star five times in his career, with only one start. The personal honors are the three best three teams, and there are no other big honors such as mvp, championship, best defense, and scoring king.
Jordan’s honour was only one-fifth of the finish of Miller, this guy has only played two Eastern Conference finals, one finals. In his 18-year career, he averaged 18.1 points, 3 rebounds, and 3 assists. He shot 39.5% of his three-pointers and shot 1.8 three-pointers in 4.7 attempts. His three-point shooting percentage in the playoffs is even lower, only 39%, and 2.2 shots in 5.7 shots.
The real reason why Miller is famous is his bad. He is unobtrusive, speaks rubbish, and has quarrels with the referees, star players, and team seniors. The ubiquitous language makes him a “public enemy” in the hearts of fans.
Such a person is the boss, as a role model, where can the Pacers players go better?
In the second game they stared at Kobe. Kobe Bryant is full of tenacity, and both offensive and defensive ends are dead. As long as the OK team is there, the Pacers have no chance.
In this game, Kobe Bryant was injured and left the field 9 minutes after playing. He sprained his ankle when he hit a jumper.
Guo Xu knew that Kobe’s injury was not an accident, but that Jaylen Rose deliberately stepped on the foot. Rose talked about this in 2012, admitting that he intentionally hurt Kobe. He said: “If you let me decide, he should not be able to play the entire series, so that I have a championship ring, I did it deliberately at that time, you can’t say it was an accident.”
As a bystander, Guo Xu felt that Rose’s behavior was disgusting. At this time he swears in his heart that he will never “actively” attack his opponent on the basketball court in the future. It would be hard to say if the opponent started first.
Without Kobe, the Lakers still won. O’Neal played 46 minutes, made 11 of 18 shots, made 39 free throws and made 18 free throws in NBA history. He scored 40 points, 24 rebounds, 4 assists and 4 blocks. The Pacers graduated from the inside with six commits and one five commits.
The outside Harper seemed to suddenly regain his youth, playing 37 minutes, 8 of 12 shots, 2 of 1 three-pointers, 4 of 5 free throws, 21 points, 3 rebounds and 6 assists.
Guo Xu is very depressed for this. Harper is the rhythm of starting the position next season.
Kobe had a minor foot injury and failed to participate in the third game. The Lakers lost to the Pacers away.
After the game, coach Phil Jackson revealed that Kobe requested the coaching staff to send him to the court before the third game, but his ankle was so painful that he could only rely on the strength of his toes. Jackson felt that this was pure death, and it was very likely to increase the injury , So let him truce.
Before the fourth game, although Kobe’s foot injury did not heal, he continued to take the initiative to ask for competition. Jackson decided to take a risk this time. If the Pacers draw two games in a row, it will make the game variable.
Pacers center Rick Schmidz scored four consecutive goals after the opening. The Pacers quickly took the lead and opened a 10-point gap at the end of the first quarter.
Bryant was obviously affected by a foot injury, he only scored 6 points in the first half. And Kobe and O’Neal are in a foul crisis, the two were blown for the third time 5 minutes before the end of the second quarter.
However, the Pacers failed to use this opportunity to further expand their lead. Kobe Bryant recovered 10 points in the third quarter, leading the Lakers to overtake the score.
In the fourth quarter, O’Neill contributed 14 points. Pacers star Reggie Miller scored 13 points. The two sides drew into overtime. One minute after the start of overtime, the Lakers’ big trouble came and O’Neill made 6 offenses.
Live broadcast game commentators are not optimistic about the Lakers, at the critical moment, Kobe Bryant with the injury but took the team.
Jackson changed his tactics decisively at this time, not playing triangle offense, gave the ball to Kobe, and then opened the space as much as possible.
Kobe did not disappoint the “Zen Master”. He scored three jumpers in two minutes. The Lakers scored 16 points in overtime and 8 points came from Kobe. Miller missed a three-pointer at the last minute, the Lakers won 120 to 118 away and scored the match point.
Kobe Bryant scored 28 points on 14 of 27 shots and O’Neal scored 36 points and 21 rebounds.
The whistle at the end of the game sounded, the excited O’Neill ran into the court, embraced Kobe enthusiastically, and took him back to the locker room. At this time, fans watching the live broadcast through the screen can feel that the two of them have a good relationship.
At the press conference, O’Neill referred to Kobe as “my tall little brother” and was very excited.
Kobe Bryant’s painful performance to turn the tide, also touched Phil Jackson. “Zen Master” has seen the strength of the greatest shooting guard in history. It is difficult for the average player in the second position to praise this coach, but Bryant’s brave play makes Jackson have to admire.
O’Neal is the team’s leader, but Kobe is more attractive to fans after this game. He officially grew from a star to a superstar. This season he was selected as the second team of the best team and the first team of the best defensive team. People affirmed him.
In the next two games, Kobe continued to play with injuries, and his shooting percentage was not high, but he has tried his best. Especially in the sixth game, although he only made 8 of 27 shots, UU read www.uukanshu.com but grabbed 10 rebounds and scored 26 points, 10 rebounds and 4 assists.
O’Neal still played horror, scoring 41 points, 12 rebounds and 4 blocks, but only 12 of 3 free throws were not good-looking. The entire series ruled the penalty area.
The Lakers defeated the Pacers 4-2, and the players won the championship trophy at home.
Facing the Pacers’ 224CM center Rick Schmidz who was selected to the All-Star in 1998, O’Neal was completely crushed, averaging 38 points, 16.7 rebounds and 2.7 blocks per game. He was elected FMVP without suspense.
In the history of NBA, O’Neal has ranked second in this series. The first is Michael Jordan in the 1993 finals. He averaged 41 points, 8.5 rebounds and 6.3 assists in six games, and scored the total in the fifth game. The second-highest 55 points in the final history.
After watching the game together at Guo Xu ’s restaurant, Hapi said excitedly: “The Lakers actually won 4-2. You ’ve actually hit it again. It does n’t matter if other teams do n’t want you to try it out. I bet the Lakers must Sign you! “
Announced that Lake asked: “How much annual salary can he get?”
Hapi smiled: “The first season is definitely not high. Before the tax of 300,000, it is difficult for him to enter the first round. Even the first round of the second round can only get the basic salary. If he signs a two-year rookie contract, the second year will be Higher, and then he will become a restricted free agent. If he plays well, other teams can get a high salary and dig people. “
The labor agreement in this era is different, and it is a bit unfair to the people who are in the top of the second round. After 2005, the salary of the second round of rookies also has a big gap.
Guo Xu doesn’t care about salary. It’s already nice to be able to play side by side with OK. Many players have no championship rings in their lifetime. He can hold his thighs to win the rookie season. That will be the perfect start.