Bulldozer of the NBA’s Restricted Area

By now, Harris has probably figured it out.

In fact, there is a high probability that this game will be the same with or without Crotty, because according to the offensive state shown by Jordan in this game, it is basically impossible to suppress it, let alone Crotty's physical time.

And now the good news is... Jordan spoiled his own point guard Harper.

Regardless of the severity of the injury or whether he can play in the final quarter, it will have an impact on the game.

Defensive point guard Ron Harper?

It highlights the importance of a "defensive" player in the Bulls' peripheral defense, and his condition is affected. The Lakers have further activated Kobe's battle line.

The two-line Lakers are at their peak offensively.

Therefore, Harris counts the last quarter as the time when he really has a bayonet with the Bulls. Counting the three quarters of the first game and this one, facts have proven that neither side can do a better job defensively, and the only way to win the game is Boost the offense.

…

The Lakers attack first at the beginning of the quarter.

Harper did have some minor problems, and he was past his physical peak. Phil Jackson used Steve Kerr to beat Harper, and it could be seen in the first round...

Campbell set up a high pick-and-roll, and Jordan, who was on defense, couldn't catch up. Cole, who was covering up, was a beat slower. Kobe failed to shoot around the screen, and Li Shengli made a tip-in. Counting the 2-point difference in the third quarter, One ball smoothed it out.

Back to the Bulls offense.

It's different from the Lakers' two lines, first outside and then inside.

The Bulls all let Jordan be the initiator of tactics, while Kobe, who was the main defender, was not only defending, but also learning, but he lacked a little defensive experience.

Kobe was shaken and Jordan broke through.

Nick made up the defense and Jordan distributed the ball.

The one who gets the pass is the new Cole!

When he was in the open space, his heart crossed, and he shot a three-pointer with a click. The Bulls were ahead by this 3-point lead.

All the Bulls generals applauded, but Jordan on the side was hesitant to speak, and he didn't speak for a long time.

…

The subsequent game was simply a frenzy of mutual attacks between the two sides.

The Lakers' two lines are indeed stable, and they usually start from Kobe's outside line.

Take action when the outside line is available. Li Shengli's inside line will provide a certain supply of rebounds. If he fails to score, he will basically leave it to the inside line to end the offense.

Of course, external connections don’t always have a chance.

When the outside line really can't open up the situation, Nick will switch to the inside line to take charge of passing the ball. Two chances, an organized and targeted offense is always better than one random hit.

As for the bull.

Because Longley and Dele rotated, either of them added Rodman. The two did not have strong offensive capabilities, so it was difficult to open Li Shengli's position. As a result, the Bulls still took more mid-to-long range shots, and Pippen was always there. The same goes for the new Cole who tries three-pointers.

…

Is this a gamble?

Harris frowned at this.

Compared with the inside defense, the Lakers' outside defense was torn to pieces because of Jordan. This has nothing to do with the defensive quality of their own players. It is really because Jordan's singles are too fucked up and gave Pippen and Cole the opportunity to shoot three-pointers.

Pippen averaged 5.2 three-pointers per game last season and hit 37.4% of his shots. Perhaps the average per game alone is of little value, but it proves that he does have the ability to make three-pointers and his hits are not low.

As for Cole.

Although he was a second-round pick in 1988, this guy was the league's three-point champion in 1990 and 1995. He was pulled out by Phil Jackson in order to digest Jordan's singles advantage and make stable long-distance shots.

How stable can Cole be?

Taking last season as an example, this guy made 92.9% of his free throws, 50.6% of his field goals, and an even more frightening 51.5% of his three-pointers.

Although he is not a starter for the Bulls, there is very little sample data for calculating percentages, but looking forward, this guy's previous season statistics are also very scary. In 8 seasons, he has shot 50% from the field in 5 seasons, and has exceeded 50% from the three-point range. 3 seasons.

It stands to reason that with such impressive statistics, he shouldn't even have a starter, but Cole has very strict requirements on the output environment, which is a bit similar to Li Shengli's old friend and veteran shooter Curry.

It's just that Curry is not as extreme as Cole, but extremes sometimes have benefits. At the end of this game...when both sides are gradually losing their physical fitness, Cole is the Bulls' killing knife.

…

"What the hell?"

"This Cole... Damn, what's going on with this guy?"

Li Shengli had a headache when he saw it, and there was an unexpected factor in Harris' arithmetic book.

He quickly called a timeout to let the outsiders reduce the pressure on Jordan. After all, the two sides played for a while and the shooting percentages were about the same, but the Bulls were shooting three-pointers.

…

"What the hell?"

"Jordan has also become more aggressive. His efficiency is roughly the same as ours, but Cole still has three-point opportunities."

It can be seen that Cole was a little slumped as soon as he was taken care of, but he also relieved Jordan's defensive pressure, and Jordan took over the baton and continued his singles.

…

At the same time, Li Shengli couldn't sit still.

Cole made 5 consecutive three-pointers, hitting 3 at intervals, giving the Bulls a lead. After taking care of Cole, Jordan also took advantage of the situation and went crazy, and the entire Lakers' perimeter defense was in chaos.

Blocking Jordan, Cole can shoot someone to death.

If Jordan is not blocked, Jordan can still kill people.

Seeing this situation, Luke Longley, who was tortured to death, felt that his sacrifice was worth it, and Phil Jackson on the sidelines also smiled, very satisfied with the effect of this variable.

Cole was in the rotation in the last game.

It's just that Cole didn't feel good in the last game, but this time he completed the task he assigned very well, and Phil Jackson glanced at Harris in the direction of the Lakers...

Do you have a defensive Crotty in the Lakers?

Then our Bulls have Cole on the offensive end!

When the main players fought in an evenly matched game, Crotty made a contribution in the first game and the Lakers won. In the second game, Cole made a contribution and the Bulls almost won. The reason why Phil Jackson was so sure that the Bulls could win was because It's because he can't think of any other way Harris can solve it.

…

In fact, Harris is also anxious.

There are too many variables in the final quarter. Cole's existence is originally insignificant, but being stuck at this point in time is also a headache, especially since his touch is so hot, and the effect of the three three-pointers just now is to widen the point difference to 3 points. Look. It doesn't seem like much, but it is still crucial for the final quarter when every point is a must-win, especially after Jordan's offense picked up, Cole's opportunity appeared again.

What can be done now?

Harris calculated again. The Lakers' two-line offense cannot catch up with the Bulls' three-pointers. The way to regain the situation now is to cut off one line and replace Campbell with a big one to ensure rebounds and his own defense. takes more shots.

This approach has two requirements.

The first is that the combination of Li Shengli and Big Ben really wants to suppress Rodman on the backboard.

The second thing is that the only remaining thing, Kobe's external connection, must ensure that the efficiency does not decrease.

…

Follow this method to make substitutions and perform formation changes.

The pressure on Kobe soared.

In the past, it didn't matter if there were no opportunities from the outside. It was okay to allocate almost half of the attack time to Li Shengli's inside line. But now they can only attack from the outside line first.

Although the combination of Li Shengli and Big Ben has provided a little more offensive rebounds, if there are no opportunities, he has to play to create opportunities. The hits are definitely not as good as before. It can only be said that the efficiency is the same, but there is not much improvement.

On the other hand, the Bulls have become much more relaxed.

As soon as Cole, a big change, came on the scene, the game was thrown into chaos, and the Bulls kept suppressing the Lakers in the final quarter.

Of course, Cole is bound to Jordan, and even if he gets his thigh, it won't do anything to Cole, but Jordan has not yet reached his physical limit. Even if he plays in the final quarter, the total game time will only be 44 minutes, which is acceptable.

…

how so?

There wasn't even a chance to win a decisive victory.

Li Shengli and his Lakers teammates chewed on the Bulls for the first time, but they broke their teeth the second time. The stability of the Bulls' starting lineup is the foundation, and the slightest change will be greatly affected.

Bulls do.

The same goes for the Lakers.

The next game will still be difficult, for both sides!

…

Until the end of the game.

Harris missed a move in the final quarter and was caught off guard by Phil Jackson. The game ended at 103:109. The Bulls won by 6 points and avenged the G1 game.

Just like Jordan was disgusted by Crotty in the first game, Li Shengli felt the same way when he saw Cole.

"Damn it, bro, are you still saying I'm lucky? Let me say this, if it weren't for Cole tonight, there would be no need to worry about winning or losing. You lose and we win!" Li Shengli complained to Jordan.

"This is fair, isn't it? It's 1:1 and we're back to where we started!"

"Well, this is best. Don't say that I bullied you because of your age. Besides..." Li Shengli wanted to tell Jordan to stop praising others in the future, but based on the principles of science and reason, this can only be regarded as an accident. ah.

"Damn, bully me? Li, are you a little too confident?" Jordan scolded: "You have Crotty, I have Cole, you have seen these two games, there are no big changes, Winning or losing is only 50-50, so it’s too early for you to be confident.”

"But are you sure that your pure cumshot Cole will work?"

"Why doesn't it work?"

"Wait for Crotty. Crotty will tell Cole that he is not suitable for this era yet."

"Oh? Okay, can I go...celebrate now? You know, although the victory was very easy and not worthy of celebration at all, my teammates...well, let's not talk about it, they called me."

Jordan looked calm, shrugged, turned around and took two steps to the bench, but as soon as he left, he suddenly turned back and asked: "By the way, do you want to come with us? I don't mind having you in our celebration ceremony." opponent’s.”

"Damn, are you going to let me, the core of the Lakers, surrender to the enemy? And when I won the first game, I didn't seem to be as arrogant as you, right?" Li Shengli accused Jordan of being a hooligan, both on and off the court.

"It's normal. I'm used to being arrogant."

"Because no one can beat me, and if it does, I won't give those who beat me too many chances."