Next, he signaled Little O’Neal to ask for the ball in the low post. Little O’Neal stood with his back against Gan Guoyang, dribbled, then turned around preparing for a jump shot.
But Gan Guoyang blocked Little O’Neal’s jumping space tightly. After two attempts, he had no choice but to pass, resulting in a traveling violation.
His pivot foot moved. Little O’Neal’s post-play was too indecisive. Maybe anyone named O’Neal has psychological barriers when facing Ah Gan.
Kobe went over and punched Little O’Neal in the chest, saying, "What’s going on? You don’t usually perform like this! Do you really not know how to play post-up anymore? Even if you can’t make the shot, you have to take it!"
Little O’Neal looked a bit dejected. Compared to many years ago, he had matured quite a lot and now wore a headband.
When he first entered the NBA, he was still very skinny, but now he’s become very strong, one of the league’s best power forwards.
Yet facing Ah Gan, he forgot how to play basketball. Subsequently, in defense, Gan Guoyang took the ball again in the low post.
Kobe came to double-team, trying to steal the ball from behind. Gan Guoyang made a back pass to the basket, and Jordan received the ball and easily made a layup.
The power of Gan Gajiao initially showed its edge, but the two had not yet fully collaborated, and the double deity combo engine had yet to start.
Kobe didn’t only criticize Little O’Neal; he also tried to help his partner regain confidence. Kobe drove into the basket again to attract the defense.
This time, Kobe passed the ball through gaps between players to Little O’Neal, and Little O’Neal caught it and dunked with both hands to score!
"Good job, buddy, you have to score on Ah Gan, dunk over his head!"
The two both regarded Gan Guoyang as their idol, but their personalities were starkly different. Kobe was solely focused on surpassing and defeating Ah Gan.
But Little O’Neal saw Ah Gan as a father-like figure. Even this season, he often called Gan Guoyang to share his thoughts.
Facing off against Gan Guoyang on the court, Little O’Neal felt tremendous pressure, always afraid of performing poorly. Yet, the more he feared this, the worse he performed.
Afterward, Gan Guoyang took the ball at the high post, suddenly stopped and executed a jump shot, scoring again. In the second quarter, Gan Guoyang’s state was getting better and better.
If Little O’Neal cannot restrain Ah Gan in their matchup, then no matter how good the Trail Blazers’ defense system is, it is futile.
Matchup determines sixty percent or even more of the defense; if the matchup player fails, everything else is meaningless.
Carl also felt somewhat anxious. He usually had confidence in Little O’s defense. Before the game, his requirement for Little O was to keep Ah Gan’s shooting rate controlled at 50%, considering it a success.
But tonight, Gan Guoyang’s scoring wasn’t much because he took fewer shots, with his solo play success rate nearing eighty percent.
Don’t just see the overall defensive hustle. By the third quarter, when Ah Gan breaks through single-handedly, any defensive strategy is pointless.
The Trail Blazers’ original 7-point lead gradually vanished with the play of Ah Gan and Jordan, bringing both sides back to the same starting line.
At halftime, the two teams tied at 45:45. After an intense exchange, glory still subtly held the advantage. These two old guys were indeed formidable.
Meanwhile, the young players of the Trail Blazers need to break through mentally and psychologically.
On the way to the locker room, Kobe pinched Little O’Neal’s neck and said, "In the second half, you must take down Ah Gan. Or why not have a fight with Ah Gan? I heard Shaq overcame his fear of Ah Gan this way."
Little O’Neal looked at Kobe with fear and asked, "Would you dare?"
Kobe released his grip, swallowed, but did not answer.