Bulldozer of the NBA’s Restricted Area

The game on the court is still going on, but there are people in the Lakers who are gearing up and eager to try. Rodman is the most enthusiastic one, and it even allows him to regain the feeling of those years in the Pistons, while Crotty did not say a word. Just staring at Sprewell.

The NBA has always been full of flamboyant and arrogant alternative players, and Sprewell is one of them.

But it cannot be denied that this guy played really well. He was in the same class as Li Shengli and entered the league with the 24th overall pick in 1992. His peak season was with the Warriors in the 1996-97 season, averaging 24.2 points, 4.6 rebounds, 6.3 assists and 1.7 steals per game. Made the All-NBA First Team and the Second Team Defensively.

Putting aside his personality, Sprewell, who is both offensive and defensive, is enough to be among the league's first-tier players, and is stronger than Kobe at the same stage. Although the two have maintained about the same efficiency, Crotty can still see... Kobe I suffered a little loss, because Sprewell’s trash talk and petty actions were too much.

…

"Crottey, for a moment... you going up, or am I going up?" Rodman raised his eyebrows anxiously.

"Just wait!" Crotty said in a deep voice: "If Sprewell's efficiency does not drop, Coach Harris will replace me and I will deal with him."

"Yes, you are no worse than him. It should be said that you fight a little harder than him." Rodman touched his head.

Sprewell's 'choke door' is indeed notorious, but the Warriors were training at the time and no one saved the video. But Crotty was different. The game was broadcast live at the time, which shocked the whole world. The league's 'Headgate' has made its owner, Larry Johnson, almost autistic.

"No, fighting is not the purpose. It only means that I am not afraid of anyone's provocation. It also means that I can do my best to ensure that everyone's will to play well is not interfered by any factors." Crotty glanced at Rodman. Pointing to Sprewell on the court, he said: "This man...can't continue, Kobe will be affected by him."

…

On the field at this time...

Before 6 minutes of the first quarter, Kobe and Sprewell maintained almost the same efficiency, but a watershed did appear after 6 minutes. Sprewell did not improve efficiency, but Kobe appeared when he was single-handedly harassed. efficiency declined.

Good people bully others, and good horses are ridden by good people.

Sprewell felt that Kobe's resistance was not strong, so he happily increased the intensity of the harassment, using both his hands and feet, while Kobe's face became increasingly livid.

He scored 6 points in the first half, but in the last minute of the second half, his total score increased to 7 points thanks to 1 of 2 free throws.

Although 7 points in a single quarter seems like a lot, the problem is that the Lakers' offense starts from the outside line. Kobe only scored 1 point in the second half when Kobe took a high proportion of shots. This result is really underwhelming. The most intuitive result is that the Knicks achieved a small advantage of 3 points during this period.

…

During the transition from defense to offense, Barkley chased Li Shengli, not worried about his current disadvantage at all. After all, he and Li Shengli were not the main attackers in the first quarter.

"Lee, do you want your Crotty to come up and help? I think Kobe can't stand it anymore."

"No rush, let's talk about it after this quarter." Li Shengli went down to the low post, and Ewing immediately rushed up. At this time...it was still the outside line led by Kobe who tried several waves of advancement to no avail. When it came to Kobe's hands, he hit Sprewell from behind at the top of the key.

Compared with before, Kobe's skills are definitely more comprehensive.

After pushing Sprewell with his back, he wanted to turn his back and rush to the basket, but Sprewell retreated in time, clearly saw the direction of Kobe's dash, and determined that Kobe was going to make an emergency stop to take action, and immediately made another move. He got it and hit Kobe's waist with his right hip while Kobe was taking off.

This one... the fadeaway jumper was directly converted into a forward jumper.

The shot was not high and the shot point was far forward, almost giving away a shot. However, Sprewell was not polite at all and knocked the ball out of Kobe's hand with a snap, and Kobe fell to the floor.

Although the Knicks finally made the save and Fox took the shot, the missed rebound was taken by Ewing who was sitting in the penalty area. However, the Lakers' timely defense did not allow the Knicks to play a fast break rhythm.

The only one who was livid was Kobe, and Sprewell didn't forget to make a throat-cutting gesture.

…

At this time, it was basically the last possession of the first quarter.

The Knicks went to three guards. Sprewell's was the Knicks' main firepower. Of course, it was Sprewell who played the game. But this time... the offense and defense were swapped, with Kobe Bryant defending and Sprewell playing. attack.

In fact, before the ball was in place, the offense and defense had already begun. When Sprewell broke away from Kobe's defense without the ball, he made a sudden stop and ran back, and then used his knee to hit Kobe's leg. Kobe's speed was slowed down. , Sprewell immediately rushed inside after receiving the ball, stopped and made a hit.

To be honest, Stockton is a leader when it comes to kneeling people when breaking away from the defense and is highly concealed, but this does not mean that others cannot do it.

Obviously Sprewell also uses it, but he is different from Stockton.

Stockton never taunts people, but after Sprewell scored, he cursed at Kobe in a low voice. This situation lasted for the entire quarter.

Although no one could hear it clearly, it was obvious from the expression and mouth shape that the words were not good. People who made Kobe angry almost went crazy, and after this round... there was not enough time to attack anymore. The Knicks first Leading the Lakers by 5 points.

Knicks lead by 5 points?

This result made the fans at Madison Garden Arena very happy. After all, their opponent in this game could be the Lakers in their heyday. The whole audience loudly shouted the name of Sprewell, who performed best in the first quarter. Kobe Bryant I am so angry.

…

"Are you okay?" Li Shengli patted Kobe on the shoulder.

"It's okay, I just feel disgusting." Kobe frowned and said, "I've said it a long time ago, there must be something wrong with this guy. Regardless of offense and defense, he uses dirty tricks to hit me every time. Unless he is playing in a misplaced position or going around a screen, I am very weak in singles. It’s hard to hit, these bad moves are too subtle.”

"Is this called concealment? Then you have never been molested by Stockton!" Li Shengli sat back on the bench with Kobe, first gestured to Harris, then glanced at Crotty and whispered : "Crotty, you will teach this man a lesson later."

"okay, I get it."

Li Shengli, Kobe and Crotty looked at each other, and the general had been working together for so long. Harris understood Li Shengli's thoughts very well, and it was also his thoughts, which coincided with each other.

Trailing by 5 points in the first quarter?

Although the combination of Li Shengli and Barkley temporarily suppressed the Knicks in terms of frontcourt data, the Knicks' three guards did switch offense and defense a little faster, making up for some rebound disadvantages.

After the two offset each other, there was a small problem with the outside connection. Kobe was severely limited at this point and was a bit overwhelmed by Sprewell's dirty tricks.

Of course Harris is not in a hurry.

The Lakers' current lineup can send people to block Sprewell on the original basis, and the best candidate is Crotty without even thinking about it. More importantly... Harris plans to trade Crotty for Fox. .

The Knicks are three guards!

The Lakers can also use three guards.

This is really not an imitation, but a small advantage in minimizing the Knicks' three guards and speeding up offensive and defensive transitions. From another point of view, Crotty can also switch defenses with Kobe, further compressing the Knicks' outside advantage in positional battles. .