Healthy basketball, starting from eating the old Lakers F4

Chapter 55: Generous O’Neal, Kobe Bryant’s transformation
November 11, New Orleans Arena.

The Lakers started with five consecutive victories, and finally encountered Waterloo here, ushering in their first regular season defeat.

Originally, the Lakers could still play against the Hornets. Unexpectedly, Kobe suddenly relapsed and developed symptoms of right shoulder pain.

Since his right shoulder was hit and dislocated during a visit to Oakland to challenge the Golden State Warriors in December last year, Kobe's right shoulder injury has become a recurring problem in Kobe's career and he has been unable to get rid of it.

Kobe's right hand is Kobe's shooting hand, and the injury to his right shoulder has seriously affected Kobe's shooting form and feel.

However, Kobe is an extremely strong and paranoid person.

Even if his right shoulder is sore, Kobe still has to prove that he can make the ball and lead the team to victory.

于是乎，第一节5投2中，第二节4投0中，9次出手竟然只有4分进账。

Zen Master noticed that Kobe was not in good condition and asked about Kobe's condition. After Kobe returned to the locker room for simple treatment, he quickly returned to the sidelines and expressed to Zen Master his eagerness to play.

The Zen master couldn't beat Kobe, so he could only send Kobe on the field, and then Kobe came up and made a 7-for-2 shot and 4-for-2 free throws.

At first glance, 7 points on 6 shots, the efficiency is a bit low, but it's not too bad.

In fact, counting the two possessions consumed by free throws, Kobe's true situation is an undercover performance of "9-for-3 shooting".

Originally, the point difference between the Lakers and the Hornets was only seven or eight points. If you really want to chase points, it is still possible to catch up.

But just because Kobe "I would rather go 30 for 0 than 9 for 0", he forcibly proved that he could overcome the impact of injuries, and then nothing happened.

The Lakers just finished playing against the Spurs last night. Veterans like Payton and Malone are exhausted. Everyone has no time to waste energy with Kobe tonight.

Zen Master also had to think about the next game, so before the third quarter was over, he withdrew the main players such as Payton, Malone, and Grant early.

Only Dunn, Fisher, Wharton Jr., and Brian Russell continued to study with Kobe, the prince.

After the third quarter, the point difference was stretched to 17 points, and Kobe didn't ask to continue playing after he left the field.

He just covered his head with a towel, lowered his head, and sat on the bench without saying a word, as if he was sulking at himself.

It can only be said that this is Kobe!

Some players performed poorly, and it was usually after the game that the news of the injury came out.

However, after Kobe was injured, he used his picturesque blacksmithing skills to confirm that he was indeed injured.

"The Los Angeles Lakers defeated New Orleans by 89 points and ushered in their first regular season loss"

"Kobe Bryant scored only 16 points on 4 of 10 shooting, becoming the main culprit for the Los Angeles Lakers' loss"

"Kobe Dunn scored 41 points together, but Shaq was absent, Peyton Malone was weak and weak"

"Shaq is absent from injury, Kobe's shoulder injury relapses, the Los Angeles Lakers usher in the biggest test"

"The Los Angeles Lakers can't live without Shaq, just like the Chicago Bulls can't live without Michael"

"The Los Angeles Lakers should consider strengthening the inside line, the team needs a big man"

Because of the back-to-back schedule, the Lakers had an extra day of rest in New Orleans after beating the Hornets.

Early the next morning, after receiving a news summary from his agent, O'Neill laughed like a pig in his hotel room.

As a teammate, O'Neal shouldn't have gloated after Kobe was injured.

But there was nothing he could do. After seeing the text message, O'Neal couldn't help but want to laugh.

Originally, Bryant only played one or two games because of the back-to-back schedule, and the shooter felt the physical impact.

Now that his right shoulder is injured, is this going to be a series of seven or eight games?
O'Neal knows Kobe's personality, and Kobe will definitely play with injuries.

Even though the team doctor and Zen Master may want Kobe to rest for a while, according to Kobe's temper, he can only take a break at most.

This also means that in the next few games, Kobe's performance will be relatively sluggish.

The worse Kobe's performance is, the more stable his position with the Lakers will be.

"This guy Du En really didn't lie to me! The Lakers need me so much!"

O'Neal, who was in a good mood and thoughtful, quickly called his teammates who lived in the next room of the hotel one by one, informing them to have dinner together at noon.

As for why he didn't knock on the door but chose to call instead, it was naturally because he was afraid that he wouldn't be able to find anyone.

A man's strength is like water in a sponge, there will always be some squeezing.

Even if the back-to-back schedule has already exhausted the players, there will always be someone who can cheer up, regain their glory, and then stay up all night and fight until dawn.

It can only be said that playing basketball is not only hard work with sweat and strength, but also a beautiful life that people yearn for and love.

O'Neal was also there and prepared an oyster feast for everyone for lunch.

Before coming to New Orleans, Duane thought that there would be a lot of New Orleans grilled chicken wings in New Orleans, but in fact there were none, not even KFC.

New Orleans local cuisine is mainly seafood such as crayfish and oysters. The more famous ones are fried shrimp, fried chicken, fried crab cakes and fried crocodile meat, as well as grilled oysters, roast beef, grilled fish, and grilled shrimp. barbecue.

What O'Neill prepared for everyone this time is the most famous charcoal-grilled oysters in New Orleans.

As the saying goes, the mouth of others is soft, but the hands of others are short.

Originally, other players in the Lakers team, because O'Neal had the team's highest salary, but was paid to recuperate, but the team lost last night, so there will still be some complaints.

However, as the team boss, O'Neal did not play on the court, but he did not do nothing.

It can be seen from today's meal that O'Neal still has teammates in his heart and treats everyone as brothers.

He is considerate and generous, doesn't throw temper tantrums, and doesn't play hard to drag his teammates down. Where can I find such a boss?
One bite of one oyster, dazzle is over!

Even Payton and Malone, who are not short of money, are quite convinced by O'Neal, who is now elegant and easy-going and spends money like water.

In this way, except for Kobe who went his own way, O'Neal reunited the Lakers locker room with a meal, and the haze of defeat was swept away.

However, the Lakers' defeat did not end so quickly.

On November 11, the Lakers were a guest in Memphis, the last stop of the Devils.

Because Kobe insisted on playing, but his personal state was deeply affected by injuries, and the Lakers' inside line was relatively weak.

Facing the Grizzlies with Gasol, the Lakers once fell into a disadvantage and were beaten by the Grizzlies.

And because Kobe's offensive efficiency is low, but he wants to rely on his personal strength to kill the game.

The result was similar to the previous game. After three and a half quarters, the game was killed by Kobe again.

The Lakers lost to the Grizzlies, who scored 95, with 105 in the game, and lost again away.

It is worth mentioning that Kobe scored a game-high 23 points in just 21 shots and made 10 free throws.

Because the second half of the fourth quarter was reduced to garbage time, the Grizzlies boss Gasol only scored 22 points, which was not too high.

The Lakers ranked second in scoring here is Duane who scored 16 points.

Continuous away games, coupled with Kobe's failure to play according to tactics, left Duan at a loss.

Originally, Dunn had already planned to reduce the possession of the ball, reduce scoring data, and use the triangle offensive system to strive for more double-double data.

But under the influence of Kobe, sometimes the team had to need Duane to score, and sometimes Duane had the touch but couldn't catch the ball, so the more he played, the more confused he became.

Fortunately, after returning to Los Angeles, everything is better.

On November 11, Carter brought the Raptors to the Staples Center to send warmth.

He made 22 of 7 shots and 6 of 1 three-pointers, playing harder than Kobe.

Kobe caused the team to lose two games in a row because of his own selfish ideas. He was also scolded by Zen Master and had some of his ball rights reduced.

Kobe was naturally unconvinced, so he redoubled his efforts on the defensive end.

"As long as my opponent is as tough as me, I can defeat my opponent with my rich blacksmithing experience!"

Kobe gradually realized the key to winning, and Carter became the first victim.

The reasonable division that reduces offense and focuses on defense is still a bit scary.

Driven by Kobe's example, even though Malone was the only Lakers player to score 20 points, in the end it was still 79-94, and the Lakers beat the Raptors by 15 points at home.

And Duane also won a double-double of 17 points and 11 assists because he resumed his familiar role as the center of the triangle offense.

With the defeat of the Raptors, the entire Lakers team regained the feeling of winning.

At this time, the Eastern powerhouse Detroit Pistons suddenly came to Los Angeles!

There is no doubt that the next battle will be worth looking forward to...

(End of this chapter)