After grabbing the ball, take a look at Samaki Walker’s defense, feel the defense with a bump.
No double team came, suddenly accelerate, turn around and head to the baseline, adjust steps, dribble, rise, a big hook shot!
Many young fans in Los Angeles would not expect to see the shadow of the Sky Hook in the 2002 playoffs.
Unfortunately, it wasn’t from a Lakers player.
Jabbar’s posture is as elegant as ever, the ball draws a high arc, two points scored.
With this shot made, applause erupted from the fans present, as if returning to the days of the Great Western Forum.
44:38, this shot temporarily eased the crisis for Glory Team, and the two sides went back and forth several times without scoring.
The referee’s whistle blew frequently, as this was the first game of the playoffs, they needed to set the tone for the game’s standards.
Referees always hope for an intense game but not too savage, especially with someone dangerous like Ah Gan present.
Although Gan Guoyang hasn’t fought in years, his reputation still circulates among the referees.
Especially tonight, these three young referees who have just passed their ten-year tenure may not be able to hold back if something really goes wrong.
The Lakers’ offense is difficult tonight, as O’Neal dominates the paint but struggles from the outside.
Without outside shooting power, O’Neal appears isolated; his efficient scoring inside fails to translate into more value.
This is certainly related to Glory’s defense; Gan Guoyang isn’t specifically guarding O’Neal. When he’s on the court, he pays close attention to disrupting the Lakers’ passing lanes and disturbing outside shots within his area.
Any shooter faces Gan Guoyang’s defensive rush, and their shots are affected.
After scoring drought for some time, Gan Guoyang knows it’s almost time for him to rest, and the time is coming up.
O’Neal finally grabs a rebound inside and scores a dunk, but Gan Guoyang immediately performs a hand-off with Arenas at the top of the arc, receives the ball, and shoots another three-pointer—scored!
An arrow piercing the Lakers’ net, 47:40, maintaining a 7-point difference.
Phil Jackson feels headaches; this is just the first half—is Ah Gan’s touch that good?
What to do for the second half?
Then Glory Team fouls on defense, and Gan Guoyang takes a rest.
With Gan Guoyang, who’s on fire, now off, Van Exel comes up.
Meanwhile, McGrady returns to the court and immediately uses a breakthrough layup, banks in a shot causing a foul, giving life to the Lakers.
Free throw scored, 47:43, the gap further narrowed.
But after two possessions, Van Exel sways with his elusive footwork again, rushes inside, floater scored, and causes Holi’s foul.
Retaliating with a 2+1.
Van Exel, this guy doesn’t follow conventional paths; he likes to shoot from further during free throws.
Others are sticking close to the free-throw line; the closer, the more accurate.
This guy stands farther away, bearing the style of Wilt Chamberlain back then.
Chamberlain’s free throw issues were even more serious than O’Neal’s.
Back then, to resolve free throw issues, he tried every possible way.
Including using the chamber pot stance, single-handed free throws, scooping from the sea, etc.
Legend has it that he even dunked during high school free throws, leading to NCAA and NBA bans on dunking free throws.
However, this legend is quite controversial; some say they’ve witnessed it firsthand, but more believe it’s only a rumor, not possible for anyone to dunk from the free throw line without a running start.
Just like the myth of the goat’s double dunk, it became a tale passed on by many.
However, shooting from farther away during free throws was indeed one of Chamberlain’s attempts, which he continued upon joining the Lakers.
Van Exel’s free throws are much better than Chamberlain’s; the free throw scored, and Glory Team maintained their lead.
Van Exel became the Lakers’ biggest headache in this game; his offensive firepower was too strong.
50:43, still half of the second quarter left, and Glory had already scored 50 points.
Though they also conceded 43 points, their scoring efficiency is quite terrifying. Jackson wonders if the Glory Team players took stimulants these days?
They indeed played exceptionally well, shooting accurately, making no mistakes, responding timely, and defending tenaciously.
Jackson is still patient, waiting for Glory Team to make mistakes.
O’Neal, who easily secured the ball in the first half, was stable as a mountain.
Low post catch, turn, facing Miller, hook shot, scored.
Then, Gerald Wallace forced a defensive foul on McGrady during offense.
But both free throws missed; he had few shooting opportunities tonight, so naturally, his touch was cold.
The Lakers seized this chance: Richmond’s corner three missed, but O’Neal grabbed the offensive rebound, powerful dunk—scored!
50:47, Lakers chased within 3 points, and Old Tang checked the timeout count, held back.
As a result, another turnover occurred on offense, Lakers slowed down, still passed to O’Neal.
O’Neal catches, flat hook shot, scored again! Successive points, trailing by only 1 point.
Staples Center is in a frenzy, Old Tang continues to hold back; Van Exel’s breakthrough gets blocked by O’Neal—now it’s Shark time.
But then O’Neal gets too excited, colliding, foul called from Brad Miller.
Jackson is furious; this was a chance to overtake, but the referee blew it.
Alright, a technical foul, Van Exel’s free throw made, Glory Team breathes a sigh of relief again.