Four Hundred Thirty-One: There Are Not so Many Twists and Turns

This is the final battle.

This is true for Kobe and O'Neal.

They no longer have any way out.

If they fail to win this victory, the glory they have built before will collapse.

Therefore, Kobe and O'Neal showed unprecedented solidarity.

Starting from the second quarter.

The Lakers set off a bloody storm.

The Shark was invincible in the paint area. Although his body was no longer at its peak, his willpower reached an unprecedented level.

In the past, when he played, he would still be a little bit petty, and would deliberately look down on or even tease his opponents with a detached attitude.

But tonight, he even worked harder than when he faced Patrick Ewing, David Robinson, and Olajuwon.

Although his opponents were Mutombo, Ratliff, Anthony Mason, and Juwan Howard... These guys had never appeared on O'Neal's opponent list.

O'Neal got whatever he wanted.

Kobe Bryant kept delivering shells into the restricted area, and he frequently ran back and cut back, clearing the restricted area for O'Neal in his least favorite way.

O'Neal scored 18 points in the second quarter and completed 5 powerful dunks.

Kobe Bryant sent 5 assists in the second quarter and scored 6 points.

However.

The Lakers only entered the locker room with a 3-point lead of 55:52.

Fan Xi only got 6 points, 6 assists, 6 rebounds, 3 steals and 1 block in the first half.

Compared with the crazy output in the last game, Fan Xi's performance in this game can even be described as "pitiful".

However, in these two quarters, Reggie Miller, Sprewell, Grant Hill stood up one after another, and Stephen Jackson also performed well. The players in the paint area are also remarkable. Although they assist O'Neal in defense, no one's pace has regressed.

"No one can destroy the indestructible Los Angeles defense. No one's basketball dream can override my basketball dream."

Kobe Bryant stared at Fan Xi and told Fan Xi in a resolute tone.

This is his final declaration.

It is also his inner paranoia and pride.

Fan Xi has always known that Kobe Bryant is arrogant. Since the first time he dealt with him, Kobe Bryant has been such a person.

However, this is the first time he has announced his "basketball philosophy" to the public, and he told Fan Xi.

Fan Xi smiled.

They are very good friends, and can even be said to be very good brothers with different surnames.

However, Fan Xi shook his head and said to Kobe: "You are wrong."

Everyone's basketball dream is equally important.

Whether it is a child who loves basketball in a wheelchair, or a teenager who keeps jumping up on the concrete ground of the street to try to grab the basket, or a person who fights bravely in various professional leagues.

"You can't win this game!"

Kobe told Fan Xi decisively, and then turned and left.

Fan Xi did not speak, and he walked into his locker room in silence.

What was waiting for him in the locker room was the determined expressions of all the players.

OK on the Lakers side was killing all sides, but everyone on the Knicks side was fully involved.

After Fan Xi proved his super personal strength in the last game, he hoped that his teammates would stand out in this game, which is a symbolic meaning.

Moreover, this is the real advantage of the Knicks.

The Lakers are very strong. Their strength is the OK combination, and at most they can add Gary Payton.

Besides that? Their lineup is far worse than the three consecutive championships.

The Knicks are different. Many people say that the Knicks are old, weak, and disabled, but they all forget one fact: an old superstar is still a superstar, and an aging tiger can still bite the throat of a sheep.

Isaiah Thomas answered James Dolan's call in the middle of the locker room. James Dolan said in a rich voice: "If we sweep the Lakers tonight, I will take out five million US dollars to play with everyone in the offseason."

There are many generous bosses in the world.

James Dolan must be the first sequence.

In Chinese history, there is a saying: There must be brave men under heavy rewards.

James Dolan's words can indeed bring great promotion to the team.

However, everyone can reward their players. James Dolan gave $5 million to support the Knicks, and the Buss family also gave $6 million to support the Lakers.

In the final analysis, it is still a struggle of the players' inner willpower.

After James Dolan made the call, Reggie Miller stood up for the first time and gave a speech.

He talked about his basketball experience.

"I was born disabled. I even limped when I was eight years old. My sister encouraged me since I was young. She took me to the basketball court. She humiliated me and stimulated me with constant failures. My dream back then was to defeat her."

"But I never did it. By the time I could really beat her, it was no longer important to beat her. I had more opponents in school, but I never won any championship."

"After entering the league, I continued to strengthen my body and improve my shooting. I polished myself day after day and made myself better. But there are always people better than me. I always grow up in failure and setbacks."

"In the era of the four centers, I was a supporting role. In the Jordan era, I was a supporting role. In the OK Dynasty era, I was a supporting role. Finally, when they were all gone, I finally had a little chance. Ron Artest's fist destroyed everything."

"Joining the Knicks is a shameful thing in my heart. I feel that I surrendered to the damn fate. I prayed for Jack Fan's help and prayed that he would take me to the championship podium."

"But tonight, I completely changed my mind. There has never been a savior. When we step onto the court, we are the ones who can decide our fate. There may be setbacks of this or that kind. There may be people who are stronger than us, but, so what?"

"The test paper of life cannot be filled in by others."

"Tonight, I will write the best answer of my career."

Reggie Miller said seriously.

He did not call on the players, he did not give anyone a chicken blood. He just told his own story.

Then, he quietly returned to the bench.

If it were usual, this would be a bit embarrassing.

But after that, Grant Hill stood up: "I am the most failed Jordan successor..."

Grant Hill is a tragic figure. At that time, the whole league was waiting for him to become the outside ruler. All the opportunities were available, talent, popularity, image, commercial value...all destroyed by his fragile knees and cruciate ligaments.

Grant Hill spoke for a long time.

Then it was Anthony Mason.

The Knicks had a tea party.

Not awkward at all.

On the Los Angeles Lakers side, Kobe Bryant stared at every player like an eagle, and he wanted everyone to fight for their own glory like him.

He stimulated his teammates, no one should be a coward, no one should be a laughing stock.

The Lakers players also had fierce eyes and were full of fighting spirit.

After Kobe's mobilization, Phil Jackson arranged a new tactic, which was still based on the OK combination. More changes were on the defensive end. Phil Jackson insisted on strictly guarding Fan Xi, but at the same time, it was necessary to double-team other players.

He hoped that the players would move completely and thoroughly, and use willpower to stimulate the enthusiasm of defense.

Phil Jackson's words were effective.

As long as you can't defend to death, defend to death.

Los Angeles reached such a consensus.

Beep!

The whistle sounded.

The game continued.

The second half of the game returned, the Lakers continued, while the Knicks had Ratliff, Juwan Howard, Grant Hill, Reggie Miller, and Van Xi.

The Lakers launched a new attack.

Gu 艚

Kobe Bryant challenged Van Xi, Van Xi blocked Kobe, Kobe used a beautiful emergency stop fake, and a difficult fadeaway jump shot to hit 2 points.

"Kobe has reached the extreme of an outside offensive player."

Allen Iverson said in amazement: "He has surpassed Jordan in terms of technology. He is just not as physically fit as Jordan."

This sentence made Stephen Marbury and Kevin Garnett disagree.

But in fact, Michael Jordan in front of the TV had the same idea.

Jordan knew that Kobe Bryant would never surpass himself in his life. Physical talent, court pattern... are natural barriers that cannot be changed later.

However, Jordan also clearly understood that Kobe Bryant's skills have reached perfection. Although they originated from him, they are indeed superior to him in some aspects.

Van Xi crossed the half court with the ball and handed it to Grant Hill.

Hill used his skills to surpass Fox's defense. After his peak explosive power disappeared, he could still pass Fox.

When Cook came to help defend, he passed to Juwan Howard.

Juwan Howard made a quick jump shot. Although Kobe flew over frantically, he did not change the second player of the Michigan Five Tigers to hit the basketball... Swish!

The basketball fell into the net.

The Knicks still kept the score close.

"The Knicks' signings this season are too strong. Jack Fan is simply turning decay into magic." Garnett exclaimed: "Originally, these players were basically useless, but tonight, at such a critical moment, they were all so confident."

"This is Jack's personality charm." Ben Wallace took over the conversation and praised Fan Xi.

Allen Iverson said: "There is no such thing as turning decay into magic. They are magical themselves."

The game continued.

Kobe was killing in the third quarter, but O'Neal helped him. O'Neal restrained the defense in various ways and kept passing the basketball out of the restricted area.

They are really close.

The OK combination is undefendable.

That's why many people say that the Lakers, who have won three consecutive championships, have a higher chance of winning against the Bulls, who have won three consecutive championships.

Van Hey also agrees with this statement. Jordan is strong, Pippen is strong, and Rodman is also strong... But the OK combination is really undefendable.

As a pair of inside and outside line partners, two top figures in the league, as long as they are close, the Bulls have little chance of destroying them.

The Knicks did not destroy the OK combination, they were just playing their own basketball and practicing their own basketball philosophy.

Grant Hill launched an offensive at his position.

Reggie Miller made shots in his best area.

Juwan Howard worked diligently.

Ratliff tried his best.

Van Hey also kept connecting. He was not really out of the game, watching four teammates fight one-on-one. On the contrary, he was using a no-ball approach to create the best offensive opportunities for his teammates.

The Knicks entered the realm of harmony and nature.

The Lakers played a tough style, constantly drilling through and constantly igniting bombs.

The third quarter was over.

81:78.

The Lakers still lead by 3 points.

They did not go any further.

Staples Center fell into endless anxiety.

Fan Xi has always been restrained tonight, and his physical strength is now extremely abundant.

In contrast, Kobe and O'Neal are no longer so full, and they have lost a lot of energy.

But at this time, Phil Jackson no longer dared to put them on the bench.

They could only continue to sit at the gambling table.

Once they leave the court, the Knicks' counterattack will be fierce and ruthless.

Fortunately, the OK combination has a strong fighting spirit tonight.

Beep!

The fourth quarter begins.

Both sides did not break away from the rhythm of the previous three quarters.

Allen Iverson said in the stands: "If they continue to play like this, even if the OK combination gets 80 points, they will still lose."

"An era is finally over."

He was very sorry.

He once had a peak duel with the Lakers.

Stephen Marbury and Kevin Garnett were also very sorry. They fought the Lakers to the end this season.

Before the third game of the finals, they all thought that if the Timberwolves entered the finals, they would play better than the Lakers.

But now, they are no longer so confident.

With 3 minutes left in the game, the Knicks overtook the game.

Reggie Miller tied the score with a three-pointer.

This was his seventh score in this game.

With 2 minutes and 41 seconds left in the game, Grant Hill jumped up in the air to block Shaquille O'Neal. Although he was knocked to the ground by the huge recoil, he waved his fist proudly when he saw Van Xi rushing to the front court with O'Neal's basketball.

Anthony Mason followed Van Xi's steps and hit a mid-range shot.

The Knicks overtook the score.

Then, Kobe Bryant broke into the penalty area, he jumped up and dunked, but Mutombo appeared in front of him, he used his huge palm like a dead tree to slap the black mamba's basketball away, and then he shook his fingers.

Kobe's strength was running out.

Reggie Miller picked up the basketball and passed it to Van Xi, who rushed in and jumped up to complete a dunk.

Overtook by 4 points.

There were 2 minutes and 15 seconds left in the game.

Phil Jackson looked up at the big screen and then at the championship banner hanging above the Staples Center.

At this moment, he felt powerless.

The OK combination suffered a series of setbacks.

The Knicks did not even use the hack-a-shark tactic against O'Neal.

They played very politely.

They played very cleanly.

But, they controlled the situation.

At this moment, Phil Jackson realized that the Lakers dynasty was truly destroyed by the Knicks.

Perhaps, he would feel that it was a mistake to introduce two former superstars, Karl Malone and Gary Payton.

Perhaps, he would think that the Lakers should have studied the Knicks in advance.

Perhaps...

There are many perhapss in life.

But the Lakers are finished.

There is no reversal.

There are not so many reversals in the real world.

The Knicks steadily expanded the score.

Lakers fans and Lakers players are like elephants thrown into a meat grinder...

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