Legendary star

Chapter 111 The Transformed Lakers

In the third game of the Spurs-Lakers series, the protagonist of the first quarter was neither O'Neal nor Tim Duncan, but the Lakers' second-in-command Kobe Bryant. Kobe, who averaged 16 points in the previous two games, was only In the first quarter of this game, he made 15 of 8 shots and 2 of 2 free throws. He scored 20 points in a single quarter.

But Mayfair Jackson was not satisfied with Kobe's performance, because Kobe was too obsessed with singles in the first quarter, but Kobe's strong singles ability in this game also gave Phil Jackson some other ideas.

O'Neal's dominance at the basket is unmatched, even stronger than Jordan, but O'Neal's weaknesses are also very obvious, the threat range is too small, and the offensive methods are too few. This is a player who can't play when he leaves the paint. Compared with Jordan's almost covering all areas within the three-point line and having a variety of offensive methods, O'Neal is still much worse, which is why the Lakers have always been inferior to the Bulls in May Jackson's mind.

Whether it is the triangle formed by Jordan Pippen and Grant in the first three consecutive rounds, or the triangle formed by Jordan Pippen Haber in the last three consecutive rounds, it is not comparable to the Lakers' O'Neal Kobe Glen Rice. First of all, the triangle offense. Terminator, O'Neal's offensive deterrence is significantly different from Jordan's. This is why the Lakers will play passively whenever they encounter the Spurs. The two insiders of the Spurs are too strong. Under the attack of the two of them , O'Neal's deterrence is greatly reduced, and Jordan will never appear in this situation.Originally, with O'Neal's ability, he could crush the opponent very simply and rudely, end the offense, and passing the ball will always be his second choice, but under the pincer attack of Duncan and David Robinson, O'Neal can only pass the ball.

Another important reason is that the Lakers lack a Pippen. Originally, Mayfair Jackson wanted to train Kobe to become the next Pippen. It’s the ability to connect teams that is even more different. It’s not that Kobe doesn’t have this kind of talent, but that Kobe has always resisted this change from Mayfair Jackson in his heart. How could a player who aims to surpass Jordan be willing to be a fool? Peng, it can also be seen from this game that Mayfair Jackson's transformation of Kobe this season has completely failed.Although the triangle offense encourages singles, a player who is not invincible in singles and is obsessed with singles will never be able to support a tactic like the triangle offense.At the same time, the other corner of the Lakers' triangle offense, Glenn Rice, has never been able to integrate into the triangle offense. It's not that there is a problem with his ability, but that his golf quotient is really not as good as Kobe and O'Neal.

In order to implement the triangle offense as soon as possible with the Lakers this season, Mayfair Jackson brought his beloved disciple Ron Harper from the Bulls. As an important player for the Bulls in the last three consecutive games, Harper is very familiar with the triangle offense. The current Haber can't take on the organizational tasks of the Lakers, and the former defensive champion has now become a defensive loophole.It can be said that the Lakers this season are far from meeting Mayfair Jackson's psychological expectations. The gap between the Lakers and the Bulls is not as simple as Pippen.

After the start of the second quarter, Kobe's situation improved. When Ron Harper took over the ball, Kobe's chances of singles with the ball also plummeted. The Lakers' first offensive choice returned to O'Neal, but Under the crazy attack of the Spurs on O'Neal, Kobe still got a lot of opportunities.

Under such circumstances, Mayfair Jackson also had some other ideas. In the current triangle offense of the Lakers, O'Neal is the terminator and Kobe is the supporter. In fact, in the Lakers' triangle offense, O'Neal is the most suitable supporter. , O'Neal's offensive ability is strong, and his coping ability is also top-notch. You must know that the original triangle tactics were formulated for insiders like O'Neal.And Kobe's ability in this game also has the conditions to become a terminator. Looking at the situation on the court, an improved version of the triangle offense suitable for the Lakers gradually emerged in front of him. After handing over the on-the-spot command to his assistant coach, Mayfair Jackson picked up a tactical board and began to write and draw on it.

"We need to change our tactics in the second half..." During the halftime break, in the locker room of the visiting team at the Alamo Stadium, Mayfair Jackson held a tactical board in his hand and explained the new tactics to the Lakers players.In the new tactic, O'Neal's role will change from a mere terminator to a coordinator. First, O'Neal singles inside, attracts double-teams, and then distributes the ball. In the new tactic, O'Neal also plays pick-and-roll with his teammates as teammates. Especially Kobe's singles create opportunities and space.

In the new tactic, Kobe's task has also changed. First of all, Kobe will lose the possession of the ball. Instead of going to the inside to tear up space, Kobe's new task is to run continuously. Chances for singles.

After the start of the third quarter, after a short period of confusion, the Lakers gradually adapted to the team's tactical changes, and the team's rotation became more and more smooth.

"Greg, the Lakers' tactics seem to be different from the first half." Spurs assistant coach Mike Budenholzer said while looking at O'Neal on the court.

"En." Popovich nodded with concern on his face. After the Lakers changed their tactics, the Spurs also experienced a short period of discomfort. In the past, the Lakers first played singles by Kobe, then attracted double-teams, and finally passed the ball. Give it to Glen Rice or O'Neal, and O'Neal will end the game, but now the Lakers use O'Neal to play singles, attracting David Robinson and Duncan's double-teams, and then distribute the ball to Kobe or Holly.

In the previous Lakers, Kobe's finishing ability was not as good as that of O'Neal, so the Spurs never double-teamed Kobe, but directly double-teamed O'Neal. In addition, Meng Xu could always lock Glen Rice, so the Lakers' triangle offense only needs to meet The Spurs just wouldn't work.The tactics used by the Lakers in the second half, although they only switched the roles of Kobe and O'Neal, the result was completely different. As long as O'Neal holds the ball, it is impossible for the Spurs not to double-team O'Neal. Li will be in an open state, and with Kobe's explosion in this game, Meng Xu can't handle him now.

The Spurs, who were able to play evenly with the Lakers in the first half and even slightly suppressed the Lakers, were completely suppressed by the Lakers shortly after the start of the third quarter.

"That's it, that's it." Seeing the great success brought about by this change, Mayfair Jackson was too excited. He finally found the key to the success of the Lakers. If O'Neal and Kobe can maintain their current state, surpass The Bulls of the year are also a possibility.

(End of this chapter)