Chapter 736: Simp Defense
68 to 63.
Lakers possession.
Kobe posted up, and after receiving the ball, he did not hesitate.
He suddenly turned.
Battier and DeAndre Jordan double teamed him.
Kobe passed the ball to the middle.
It was a very reasonable play.
Camby easily scored a layup after getting the ball.
68 to 63.
Marcus Camby had never been an offensive player, and as he aged, his offensive ability and desire declined even further.
Now, he basically only got easy baskets from Kobe every game.
Knicks offensive possession.
Chen Yan actively dribbled the ball past half court.
Usually, during certain stretches of Knicks games, Chen Yan would act as the team's point guard.
David West set a screen, and Chen Yan used it to move to the right.
Barnes did not switch defensively.
Although he circled around very quickly, a defensive gap still appeared.
Chen Yan seized that brief opportunity and accelerated toward the basket.
Barnes quickly followed, but Chen Yan had already gained a half step advantage.
Chen Yan was very fast.
He executed a quick layup in the paint, flicking it in with his right hand.
The movement was fluid, giving Barnes no chance for a chase down block.
70 to 63.
After scoring, Chen Yan ran into the group of photographers because of his momentum.
Barnes casually pulled him up.
Their relationship was decent.
Barnes had once been known as Chen Yan's personal bodyguard, but after a while, he realized that Chen Yan's comprehensive fighting ability did not require protection at all.
Sometimes, if Barnes rushed in himself, he was more likely to become a hindrance.
"That was a nice play."
Barnes patted Chen Yan on the backside.
Chen Yan smiled at Barnes but did not speak.
Barnes was different from ordinary players.
He knew Chen Yan's temper inside and out.
To contain Chen Yan, one could not provoke him.
Otherwise, once Chen Yan exploded, disaster would strike.
So throughout this game, Barnes was very careful.
He avoided provoking Chen Yan with words or gestures, and sometimes even praised him.
Barnes summarized this as the simp defense method.
Lakers offensive possession.
The Knicks suddenly started a full court press.
This was Nelson's idea.
He hoped to use some tactical changes at this critical point in the 3rd quarter to overwhelm the Lakers.
Old Fish Fisher was very experienced.
Seeing this formation, he immediately protected the ball with a side turn, then half turned and passed the ball to Kobe.
Kobe continuously changed direction near midcourt, shaking off Battier's press.
Kobe saw Battier out of position and immediately accelerated toward the basket.
Chen Yan shrank in from the wing.
Kobe calculated his steps precisely and jumped to meet Chen Yan.
After hanging in the air, Kobe turned his body and chose to pass.
Garnett cut into the lane.
David West had been too focused on Chen Yan against Kobe and lost his man.
Garnett received the ball and took 1 step into the paint.
Then he jumped with both feet.
Chen Yan had just landed and quickly retreated 2 steps.
It was not that he was afraid of becoming part of Garnett's highlight.
Garnett had already jumped to the highest point on this play, and it was pointless for Chen Yan to go up again.
He might even give the opponent a 3 point play.
Slam.
Garnett's dunk was very crisp.
70 to 65.
After the dunk, he roared provocatively toward the camera.
The arena erupted.
To the fans, this was a provocation aimed at Chen Yan.
They loved seeing Chen Yan get challenged.
Barnes saw this and immediately felt that things were bad.
Great.
Garnett's roar had made all his previous simp defense useless.
Sure enough.
On the next possession, Chen Yan directly demanded the ball in the elbow area.
After getting the ball, he immediately went into a strong post up.
It was all toughness.
Barnes was not soft, but after taking those 2 bumps, he felt a faint pain in his chest.
Kobe came over from the other side, but Chen Yan remained forceful, executing a lightning quick spin and forcing his way through the gap between them.
Chen Yan leaped, and after midair contact, he drew a foul from Garnett.
The fans in the arena, the viewers in front of their televisions, and the commentators could all see that Chen Yan was playing with anger on this possession.
Garnett, of course, saw it too.
But he was not afraid of Chen Yan.
After landing, Garnett pointed at Chen Yan's nose and said, "I will not let you score in front of me."
Barnes was speechless.
He did not know what had gotten into Garnett's head.
Chen Yan ignored him and stepped to the free throw line with a poker face.
Barnes knew very well that when Chen Yan showed that expression, he was truly angry.
"Fuck Chen!"
"Fuck Chen!"
The moment Chen Yan released the free throw, the fans in the arena added fuel to the fire.
Barnes wanted to die.
What kind of people were around him?
At this moment, Kobe walked over and patted Barnes.
"Switch with me. I will guard Chen."
Kobe also saw that Chen Yan was getting angry.
In this situation, it would be better for him to lead the defense personally.
Swish.
Swish.
Both free throws went in steadily.
72 to 65.
Although Chen Yan was angry, his mind was calm, and his hands were steady.
Lakers offensive possession.
Garnett actively called for the ball.
He was playing very excitedly during this stretch.
Garnett, like Kobe, was a player who refused to age or give up.
After getting the ball, Garnett started to play tough.
His post up skills were quite good, and David West looked a little strained.
The Knicks perimeter defense did not collapse.
After Garnett confirmed there was no help defense, he turned and faded away.
Clang.
The basketball hit the front rim and bounced out.
DeAndre Jordan grabbed the rebound with 1 hand and immediately threw it up the court.
The pass was a little too strong, landing about 1 meter in front of Chen Yan.
Old Fish Fisher saw this and immediately rushed forward, attempting to steal the ball.
Chen Yan was 1 step faster.
He grabbed the ball with 1 hand and wrapped it behind his back.
A stylish behind the back dribble left Old Fish behind.
Facing Kobe's defense, Chen Yan showcased his Phantom Steps.
First, he stepped to Kobe's left, then quickly raised the ball and jumped to Kobe's right.
A 1 handed dunk ended the play.
74 to 65.
The lead was nearly in double digits.
The Lakers did not call a timeout.
Kobe dribbled the ball past half court to organize the offense.
Mike Brown trusted Kobe.
In fact, this was a major reason why he was able to become the Lakers head coach.
Mike Brown was probably the coach in the league who trusted his team's star player the most.
After Kobe crossed half court, he called for a pick and roll.
Garnett rolled down, and David West cleverly positioned himself between Kobe and Garnett, cutting off the passing lane.
Kobe did not force it.
He quickly turned and passed to Old Fish Fisher at the top of the arc.
Since the start of the 2nd quarter, Kobe had reduced his individual attacks.
He wanted to save his stamina for the final quarter showdown.
He was no longer the impulsive and aggressive number 8 Kobe Bryant.
Now, Kobe played more with experience, and reasonable stamina distribution was a crucial part of winning games.
Fisher quickly passed to Camby on the baseline.
Camby took a difficult mid range shot.
It went in.
74 to 67.
Before the Lakers fans could even celebrate, the Knicks quickly inbounded the ball.
Barea led the charge, driving near the 3 point line before making a lateral pass.
The trailing Chen Yan did not adjust.
He took a difficult 3 pointer.
Swish.
77 to 67.
With the difference reaching 10 points, Mike Brown called a timeout.
.....
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