646: 227: Shaq’s blood became the fuel for Roger’s burning anger (Seeking monthly tickets!)_2 646: 227: Shaq’s blood became the fuel for Roger’s burning anger (Seeking monthly tickets!)_2 Kobe’s strong ability to force shots was particularly restraining for Bowen.
And Kobe’s offensive instincts were again particularly effective against the restless Pierce.
Snow could defend Kobe, but his offense was too poor, so he could only be used in rotation, not for long periods.
Using Snow for an extended time would make Roger an even more targeted victim on the offensive end.
In the end, Lenny Wilkens had no choice but to resort to this helpless strategy, having Roger take charge of both offense and defense.
In the fourth quarter, while defending Kobe, Roger also had to sort out the offense.
On the other side, on the Lakers’ bench, Kobe was in a good mood.
Tonight, he had proven that he was a player on par with Roger.
Don’t ever try leaning that trash on me again!
Shaq’s mood, however, was very foul; tonight, he had basically been Roger’s personal backdrop.
So Shaq told the team’s head coach, Kurt Rambis, a member of the Lakers’ Showtime era of the 80s, “We need to work the ball inside more!”
He wanted to vent his anger on the offensive end and, in addition, Shaq had that mindset—if Roger dared to challenge him again, he would surely make him bleed!
This year, “Silver Fox” Harris was fired shortly after the season started due to his record and excessive favoritism toward Kobe.
Kurt Rambis took his place but didn’t perform any better than Harris had.
This was Kurt Rambis’s first year at the helm, so he was severely lacking in coaching experience.
And unlike Harris, who favored Kobe, Kurt Rambis favored everyone.
Simply put, he was not a very assertive head coach and was easily led by the players.
So when Shaq spoke up, Kurt Rambis immediately nodded in agreement, “You’re right, we need to work the inside more.
They’ll definitely adjust their defense against Kobe, so there will be fewer opportunities on the perimeter!
Kobe, you take on Roger in the fourth quarter, and let Shaq handle the offense!”
Kobe had no objections, after all, defending Roger was a good opportunity to showcase his own strength.
Defending Pierce with his deadpan face didn’t even give a sense of achievement.
Even though the coach had tasked him with leading the offensive efforts, in clutch moments, that fat guy would need him.
As the fourth quarter began, the Lakers immediately worked the ball inside.
Shaq turned and sunk a short hook shot, regaining 2 points.
Immediately after, Kobe began to hound Roger.
Temporarily passing the offensive duties to Pierce, Pierce used his strong body to push past Glenn Rice and storm towards the basket, but his finish against Shaq couldn’t make it through.
The pressure and resistance Shaq provided in the air was too much, and Pierce couldn’t understand how Roger made it look so easy.
“This isn’t the place for you, idiot!” Shaq’s successful defense gave him a much-needed moment of vindication after nearly being smoked by Roger on defense all day.
Pierce’s mentality began to crumble.
Not only was his defense exploited by Kobe’s drilled performance, but now his proudest offensive moves were also proving ineffective.
The Lakers immediately counterattacked.
Glenn Rice intended to fast break but was entangled by Bowen, who forced him to slow down the advance.
As the offense was dragged into the half-court, Big Ben started to tirelessly front, preventing Shaq from getting the ball.
Shaq signaled to Kobe, and Fisher passed the ball to number 8.
Yes, just as Kobe had said, the fat guy would need him.
Roger spread his arms wide, focusing his gaze.
Kobe held the ball, threatening from all three positions, looking for a weak spot.
As Kobe prepared to break left, he saw Roger shift a step, so he immediately dribbled to the right.
But as he dribbled, Roger quickly adjusted his steps, moving swiftly to continue blocking Kobe’s path.
Kobe hoped to see Roger reach for a steal and then seize the opportunity to turn around.
But Roger didn’t chase after stats; he simply maintained his position in front of Kobe.
Suppressing the urge to gamble on steals or block shots is very difficult, as anyone who’s played 2K knows— even in a game, you can’t help but press the steal button, always feeling like a gamble will surely result in a successful steal.
Roger completely restrained this impulse, never going for a steal unless the opportunity was perfect.
Kobe couldn’t shake Roger off and was forced to settle for a contested fadeaway shot on the spot.
However, Roger’s timing on the block was just right, not giving Kobe the space to shoot, forcing Kobe to adjust his arc.
As expected, after adjusting the arc, the shot fell short, hitting the rim and then being grabbed by Kurt Thomas.
Kobe, who had been invincible for three quarters, was defended by Roger right from the start of the fourth!
On the transition to offense, Roger, having completed his defensive duties, immediately called for the ball to get involved in the offense.
After Pierce’s failed attempt, Roger knew the fourth quarter was truly up to him.
Against Kobe’s defense, Roger certainly couldn’t bulldoze through with just his body as he had before.
Kobe, in his third NBA season, had made great strides in his physical confrontation abilities.
Roger called for a screen and broke through.
Kobe quickly cut him off but still allowed Roger half a body’s space.
With just that half-body of space, Roger drifted for a shot and scored.
The Hawks continued to lead!
“Even with Kobe defending Roger, the Lakers still have no way to pin him down!
Roger can guard Kobe, break through against Kobe, and that’s the difference between a superstar and a rookie!” Bob Costas was ecstatic.
He had a feeling that tonight, Roger would pull off a dazzling double kill.
It wasn’t enough that Shaq had embarrassed himself; Kobe also had to join in!
Indeed, as the fourth quarter progressed, Roger thoroughly shattered Kobe’s filter.