'Is this the Pacers' secret weapon?' Phil Jackson wondered.
He watched the triumphant Dunk King, Jones, on the court. 'They think they can beat us with dunks?'
He found that a bit far-fetched.
Phil Jackson was still trying to figure it out.
The Lakers methodically advanced the ball. Once they were in the frontcourt, the Pacers' defensive intensity and aggression were both high. Fisher passed the ball to O'Neal, who was posting up in the paint.
The great Shark went to work in the post against Tony Battie.
Tony Battie's strength was decent, but O'Neal possessed god-given power and was significantly heavier. With one ferocious bump, he shoved Battie aside and smoothly spun... O'Neal's coordination, agility, and explosiveness were all top-notch. Although he had clearly declined from his peak, he was still too much for any ordinary center to handle.
He turned, ready to leap up for a thunderous dunk.
