So I am the god of basketball?

Under Meng Lang's changes, there are also Buckley's changes.

Last season, he gradually moved towards a "blue-collar" direction. In the first 5 games of this season, he became more blue-collar, averaging 15.5 points per game, which was lower than last season. The last time he averaged only about 15 points per game was during his rookie season in the 84-85 season.

But this is something that every aging star must experience.

When his energy cannot take care of the offensive and defensive ends, he must selectively give up one of them.

And most of the super giants, especially the "super giants" who have won the regular season MVP, will selectively give up their offense.

Because there are always others on the offensive end to help consume the ball, especially in such a talented team. Don't be afraid that no one will attack.

Another important point is:
Once someone gives up on the defensive end, it often puts huge defensive pressure on teammates. "4 against 5" is really hard. And it is easy to affect the status of teammates on the offensive end.

One more thing:
The offense is too sluggish.

Age itself is one of the important factors influencing the ups and downs of offensive status.

So Tim Duncan chose to use defense to support the team and win the "last championship."

When Barkley encountered a decline in form with the Rockets, he also changed his style of play first to make himself look like a blue-collar player.

It can be said that among the historical "super giants", there is only one person who chose to "bury" the entire team for the sake of his own data.

In fact, with that Lakers lineup, there is no shortage of scorers.

It's just that some people can't accept that their data performance has become "mediocre", because his whole life's playing style has been used to decorate his data. As long as the data looks good, it means he is still "at his peak."

Of course, it may also have a lot to do with someone not going to college.

After going to college and being influenced by the NCAA atmosphere, I can understand what "team" is and "how should I play in a team".

As a high school student, especially a high school student who has been wearing a crown on his head, the so-called team is "how to serve me well, play good data, and win the game."

If not, then he would rather not win.

This is how the ball has come in the past twenty years, otherwise he would not have become the player with the most teammates, the most coaches, and the most transactions in the NBA!

In fact, with the same cost to build a team around Jordan, Kobe, Shaquille O'Neal, etc., four championship rings are really within your grasp...

Barkley came to the Lakers for a championship ring.

After winning the championship ring, his mentality changed to "fight for another year, defend the title and then retire with success." His historical status has been almost determined. Under such circumstances, he is naturally the team's leader. "A brick" can be moved wherever it needs to be.

Barkley averaged 13.2 rebounds per game and was the team's "rebounding leader."

Big Ben ranked behind him with 9.8. Even though Big Ben's rebounds were so low, his efficiency was extremely terrifying. Because he grabbed the number of rebounds in about 28 minutes. In addition, Ben also averaged 7.6 points per game.

The numbers in the second season of his career are almost close to the numbers he had in his first season with the Pistons.

In fact, there are not many aspects of Ben's ability that need to be improved. For this reason, as long as his positioning is clear, it is very easy to produce "quasi-peak" data.

The two of them kept the Lakers rebounding.

Eddie Jones's average data per game this season has not increased significantly. His average data of 16.8 points, 4.4 rebounds and 5.4 assists per game have increased and decreased compared with last season. The main reason is that the part of the shot rights that Barkley gave up did not reach his. On hand. And in order to cooperate with Kobe, his shot rights dropped by 1 to 2 times.

However, his assist data has increased significantly, which is a new high in his career. The reason is that a large part of his passes to Meng Lang can be directly converted into assists.

Meng Lang's ability to catch the ball and shoot jumpers is among the best in the league.

At the same time, he also has the height and wingspan that all pitchers dream of.

This allows him to naturally avoid some interference.

This is why players like Klay Thompson and Porter are so accurate.

Just like what is written in Yao Ming's scouting report, it is a very unfair thing for a 2-meter-tall guy to shoot a jump shot in front of you...

Meng Lang is similar at the moment. When he comes out from the wing and raises his hand to shoot, it is difficult for any player with a different height to cause interference in time, especially when a mismatch occurs.

The same is true. Meng Lang has a lot of catch-and-shoot jumpers, which greatly improves Eddie Jones' assist success rate.

These people are on track, so even if Kobe "breaks down", the Lakers ship can still sail smoothly on their track.

There is just a clear gap in dominance compared to last season.

Last season, the Lakers' victory by 10 points against their opponent was considered a normal performance. If they win by more than 20 points, it is considered an extraordinary performance and a big win.

And this season, among the four games they won, the Lakers won the most points by about 4 points, and the others were all by about 12 points.

If something unexpected happens in the last few rounds, this point difference may become a 4-6-point win, or even a narrow victory by 2 points.

The biggest reason for this situation is naturally that there is really no one on the team's bench who can stand up. As a result, the bench is weak and the probability of X factors appearing on the bench during the game becomes smaller.

If Meng Lang hadn't given such a performance, I'm afraid the Lakers' start wouldn't have been so brilliant.

The only bad thing is that other teams in the league seem to see that the Lakers are more dependent on Meng Lang this season than last season, so some teams began to make tactical arrangements against Meng Lang.

To put it simply, it is to keep Meng Lang out of the Lakers' system as much as possible.

If Meng Lang still plays the same way as last season, it will be difficult for such tactics to work, because Meng Lang itself is a "tactic".

But Meng Lang's style of play has changed this season. Like other "super scorers", Meng Lang has also had several "high-scoring best games."

Meng Lang himself is not surprised, because in the future when basketball tactical concepts are more mature, after systematic analysis, it can be found:
Teams with "super scorers" already have these problems.

This is a problem that even Michael Jordan cannot avoid.

He scored 60+ points in a single game in the playoffs twice and lost both times!

Kobe also experienced the same thing.

There is no conflict between their style of play and the team's system.

But it is easy for opponents to isolate them from their teammates through defensive tactics.

However, history shows that often such "super scorers" are given a comprehensive "second boss", and they can often establish their own era.

Needless to say, Michael Jordan, Kobe's "weakened version of Jordan" entered the finals for three consecutive years after having Pau Gasol and won a "two consecutive championships."

You must know that "two consecutive championships" is the limit of the Heat's "top three"!

LeBron, Wade and Bosh have just won a "two consecutive championships", which is enough to prove how buggy a team with a "super scorer" as its core is. Also, if Meng Lang continues the way he played last season, it will greatly affect the growth of his teammates. Originally, there was a problem of "natural mutual restraint" between Jones and Kobe.

Therefore, the Lakers still have to continue their current style of play and team allocation, so that the Lakers can truly grow.

The road to defending a title is never easy.

Moreover, the opportunity now is so good. You can deal with Kobe at will, and the "little snake" has no confidence to fight back.

Kobe's impatience is visible to the naked eye, but some things just get worse the more he is anxious.

Take that for example. For inexperienced people, the more anxious they are, the less likely they are to get in.

So does Kobe.

All his impatience turned into nonsensical attacks, and finally turned into the pleasant sound of iron.

The future "No. 1 Iron King in History" expanded his domain.

On November 11, the Lakers lost to the Seattle SuperSonics.

The Sonics, who have reorganized their "two-person team", rely on the performance of Payton and Mourning to become even more solid than last season.

After all, Mourning's defensive ability is definitely much better than Camby's.

With Payton's assist, Mourning's ability to serve without the ball also showed very well.

Let's put it this way, in addition to his ability to break through with the ball, Mourning's own abilities are actually more suitable for this Sonics team.

Moreover, the Sonics are a team that relies on defense to fight back. Compared with the frame protection and basket defense capabilities that Mourning can provide to this team, Kemp's singles with the ball is not so incompetent. Or missing.

The Sonics are currently ranked first in the Western Conference as evidenced by this.

The SuperSonics' strong defense gave Kobe a lot of trouble tonight.

9 of 1 shots and 4 turnovers, this is the score sheet Kobe handed over in this game.

Kobe, with his explosive mentality, didn't even make his only free throw. ——Kobe has killer qualities, but it takes time to accumulate.

And one of the main reasons for his accumulation of killer qualities is that he dares to take action.

This can be seen from the fact that he made three consecutive shots against the Jazz in the playoffs.

He only has one characteristic now, and I don't know if it is considered an advantage, and that is... he dares to shoot!

After losing this away game, on the plane back, Meng Lang said to Kobe as usual: "The good news is that at least you can't play a worse game!"

These words made Kobe look up, his snake-like eyes staring at Meng Lang.

But Meng Lang's performance was:
45分7篮板6助攻2抢断1盖帽。

You couldn't ask for more from him.

And Kobe didn't intend to talk back, he didn't have the confidence.

Meng Lang was now very aware of Kobe's "stubbornness" in appearance, so he continued: "Why, don't tell me, you can perform worse!"

Kobe could only close his eyes helplessly, and then cursed in his heart:
Just wait, sooner or later I will perform so well that you will be speechless!
The only good news during this period is that McGrady's performance has also been very ups and downs. The huge exposure caused him to hit the "rookie wall" prematurely. Every opponent the Bulls encountered, the defensive arrangements were hard on him. Work hard.

In the past half month, McGrady has only scored in double figures in two games, and the other games have been in single digits.

He and Kobe were originally the "high school twins" who attracted much attention, but now they have become "brothers in difficulty" who "the elder brother never laughs at the second brother".

But what made Kobe feel bad was that early the next morning, he saw media headlines that read:

“触底反弹。21分5篮板6助攻2抢断1盖帽，芝加哥备受期待的新人特雷西打出了职业生涯最强一战，这个新秀有无限可能！”

He actually broke out!

This time the constant pressure was put on Kobe.

But what the Lakers have to face next is a high-profile tough battle. They are going to face none other than the Philadelphia 76ers, who have two top picks!
At the same time, this game is of extraordinary significance to Kobe. After all, his high school was in Philadelphia, and he was a true "Son of Philadelphia" back then.

It's a pity that the "Son of Philadelphia" back then was booed by the crowd when he returned to Philadelphia. The first time he experienced this kind of thing, Kobe was filled with astonishment.

But this is also the reason why he works hard to perform every time he meets the Philadelphia 76ers.

Now, having returned to Philadelphia after an extremely poor performance in the last game, he is even more eager to bottom out.

What should I do?

Kobe's self-confidence is endless, but he is not an extremely arrogant person. I have said before that he will also learn from other people's experiences to improve himself.

His story with Wade is proof of that.

But now he is very clear that it is impossible for him alone to change the current situation immediately. He must get help from people who have experienced it.

Just like...

"Meng, do you have time? I want to talk to you!"

The training session just ended the day before the game. Kobe took the initiative to find Meng Lang and his attitude was very relaxed.

Now Meng Lang may be the only one who can save him...

Another point is that I have been hurt by this person too many times, so I am not afraid of bowing my head this time.

Meng Lang was a little surprised by Kobe's humbly asking for advice...

"Honestly, there's really no period in my career like you are right now."

However, he did not immediately turn into a teacher and point out Kobe's problems. Instead, he seized the opportunity and made a harsh statement.

Kobe was speechless, but he also knew that Meng Lang's attitude showed that he actually had a way to help him get out of his current predicament.

He didn't want to continue to have such a bad performance that he blamed himself, so he could only endure it and wait for Meng Lang to have enough.

He still knew Meng Lang, and Meng Lang did have a way to help him. When he was satisfied, he said seriously to Kobe:
"The method is actually very simple. Everyone knows that you want to take action, so you must first let your opponent know that your choice is not just to take action!"

"Think about what your idol magician would do!" (End of Chapter)