480: 179: This is really unfortunate (asking for monthly votes!)_3 480: 179: This is really unfortunate (asking for monthly votes!)_3 In ’97, Karl Malone and Greg Ostertag managed to limit Shaq’s shooting percentage to below 50% during the West semifinals.
So, it was predictable that Karl Malone and Mutombo made it extremely difficult for Shaq to get anywhere.
Of course, being inefficient isn’t the same as destroying the game.
‘Destroying the game,’ as Magic put it, was when O’Neal kept making crazy shots despite struggling with his inside attacks.
Looking at the stats, O’Neal only shot 9 times because shots after being fouled aren’t counted in the shooting statistics.
So, the actual situation was that O’Neal took a lot of inefficient low-post singles in the first half and was unwilling to pass the ball.
People remembered the third quarter of last year’s finals in Game 4, when O’Neal also went crazy, shooting recklessly and ultimately allowing the SuperSonics to close the gap to single digits.
Luckily, O’Neal returned to normal in the fourth quarter, and Magic narrowly won the game.
But today, O’Neal continued this performance for an entire half.
On the last attack of the second quarter, Roger found an open spot and raised his hand for the ball.
Shaq also secured a position and raised his hand for the ball.
But Harper did not feed the ball to the low post again and decisively passed it to Roger.
Roger, facing Bryon Russell rushing up to defend, faked a shot to throw off his opponent, then calmly waited for him to pass by before taking a three-point shot.
Mutombo and Karl Malone almost instantly blocked O’Neal out of the paint, securing the best rebounding position.
But no rebound was needed as the basketball spun directly into the net, Roger’s three-pointer putting Magic ahead by 4 points at halftime.
Eventually, the ball ended up back in Roger’s hands.
Well, at first glance, Shaq’s actions didn’t seem to cause much harm to the team, as Magic was still ahead.
But look at the Jazz Team’s shooting percentage.
When all their perimeter players were locked down to less than 43%, you definitely wouldn’t be happy with a halftime tie.
O’Neal wasted the defensive efforts of Harper and Wilkins.
By halftime, Mutombo received unanimous praise, “This is a highlight of Dikembe’s career.
Nobody has ever made Shaq look so embarrassed!
Before the game, Shaq used Gary Payton as an example, belittling the best defensive player.
Now, he’s paying the price for his arrogance!”
But the players from Jazz Team couldn’t feel happy, after all, they couldn’t suppress the real MVP.
In the second half, Magic Team intentionally played more for Roger.
Even if O’Neal secured a position, the ball wasn’t always given to him.
Not getting the ball often led to Shaq’s low spirits, greatly reducing his enthusiasm for defense and rebounding.
But Roger’s steady output in the second half ultimately won the game for the team, scoring 34 points with 6 assists and 4 rebounds.
After the game, O’Neal looked at his own stats of 17 points and 12 rebounds, feeling no joy of victory.
He had only one thought—end these damn finals soon and then, become Roger’s opponent.
That was what he most wanted to do right now.
After the game, when speaking to reporters, Roger didn’t even bother to mention “that idiot” O’Neal.
He just mockingly said,
“I don’t understand why Karl thinks he’s lucky.
He’s playing an extra round of games and will end up with nothing.”
“Well, I can understand their joy of reaching the finals for the first time.
But this is this damn, regretful world.
Of course, I have regrets, too.
I regret having never lifted the championship trophy at home.
Because facing us, no one has ever extended the finals to a sixth game.
That’s really fucking regrettable.”