My Name is Kobe Bryant

Chapter 73 Confrontation

"Clyde, it seems that you have to show some real skills." Olajuwon recalled Kobe's breakthrough dunk just now, which was an obvious response.

"I know." Drexler passed Olajuwon's pass directly, held the ball directly, and dribbled the ball across the half.

Matt Maloney on the side opened his mouth wide, it was too much! Even my role as a dribble guard will be taken away?

Facing Bruce Bowen's defense, Drexler accelerated his breakthrough again, but Bowen didn't keep up.

Jumped up from mid-range and made a shot.

"Why? Why can't I keep up with my pace?" Bowen was puzzled. Drexler's absolute speed was not fast, but he was able to pass him.

"Aura, Bruce, you're tense under his aura." Bryant answered Bowen's murmur.

"No, I didn't." Bowen gritted his teeth. Although he didn't admit it, he knew clearly in his heart that it was true. His professional career and defensive skills are all experienced in European leagues. Facing the superstars of the NBA, he has a trace of panic in his heart.

This trace of panic faltered his defensive steps.

Can an undrafted pick guard against these superstars?

This is the question in Bowen's heart. Since he entered the starting lineup, no top players have played against him.

He also performed well against ordinary players, and his defense and three-pointers have made good contributions to the team.

But today's Drexler has torn off his mask, revealing a helpless face beneath it.

An undrafted player, a player who is not considered outstanding in the European League, how can he survive in the NBA? This is what the Los Angeles media questioned him.

"He sucks, he can't match my grandma's footsteps."

"Bowen doesn't deserve to be a starter in the NBA."

"Bruce may be the starter because of his good relationship with Kobe."

"Go back to Europe!"

Bowen lowered his head, and the words from the audience kept ringing in his ears.

Kobe shook his head. It seems that Drexler will teach Bowen a lesson today. But it is these hardships that can make them better. No one is born strong, I hope he can become more and more courageous like Ben.

Kobe didn't propose to switch defenses. He knew that this was Bowen's ordeal and opportunity. Defense has always been Bowen's job, and intervening will only make him more uncomfortable.

Then, let me boost morale on the offensive end!

This is Kobe's consistent rule. When teammates are down, then lead by example!

Mario Eli watched Kobe with the ball and swallowed nervously.

The first half was okay, but without the ball, teammates and coaches can accept that he can't catch up with Kobe.

How did Kobe start single-handedly with the ball in the second half? Can't you just keep running well?

It's embarrassing to fail in a duel! Can't we play a role together?

Kobe dribbled the ball in front of Mario Ellis, changed his rhythm, suddenly accelerated and made a large cross dribble breakthrough.

Mario Eli's weight advantage turned into a loophole for Kobe to attack him. Kobe's physical coordination ability is too good, and his excellent core strength allows him to quickly change speeds in disguise.

And Mario Eli's clumsy footsteps looked very lame in front of Kobe.

After Kobe broke through, he quickly pulled the ball back, and successfully collected the ball with a dribble behind his back.

Mario Elli couldn't hold back his feet and was swayed a few steps away, watching Kobe make a mid-range shot.

The next game in the third quarter became a personal show for Kobe and Drexler.

Kobe used rhythm and disguise to overwhelm Mario Eli, and Mario Eli had to admit that his legs were a little weak in front of Kobe, and his ankle was aching.

And Drexler is even simpler. He often creates excellent scoring opportunities with an acceleration or with the help of a pick-and-roll. He played at his peak and ignored Bruce Bowen's defense.

"Damn it, Bruce. Guard him!" O'Neal's mentality exploded, he couldn't catch the ball in the third quarter, and he had to wipe Bowen's ass from time to time.

Bowen remained silent, as if a layer of black mist had shrouded his body.

"Bruce, beat him aboveboard." Kobe said sternly, he was a little worried that Bowen would make an outside move. Drexler's running and jumping style of play is prone to irreparable damage, and that's something Kobe didn't see far.

"I see, I will." Bowen gritted his teeth.

The score staggered up in the third quarter, and the Lakers started to maintain the advantage generated in the second quarter.

And when the substitutes of the two sides played against each other, Houston replaced Barkley to lead the substitute this time.

The inside combination of Barkley and Willis has a strong offensive ability, and the Lakers' shooters feel slightly cold, resulting in the slight point difference being smoothed out.

72:72 tied. The two sides went off the same starting line and entered the final stage of the fourth quarter. Bryant scored 10 points on 4 of 6 in the third quarter. The total score quietly reached 33 points.

"Fack, Kobe, you're going to score 40 points in this game." O'Neill was a little surprised when he saw the statistics on the data table. Don't talk about rookies, any player scoring 40 points is something worth celebrating in this era.

"I care more about winning." Kobe panted, attacking with the ball a lot, changing speeds and shaking consumes a lot of energy, especially since he has to dodge Mario Eli's collision as much as possible, it is not easy to play such an efficiency.

Fortunately, Matt Maloney is just a spot-up shooter, and Kobe doesn't have to spend too much effort on defense.

Drexler made 6 of 9 in a single quarter, scoring 15 points, 2 rebounds and 1 assist in a single quarter. He blew up Bowen's defense. He seems to have returned to his youth, full of impact and accurate shots. Various scoring methods were used alternately, which made Bowen exhausted.

"Clyde, good job." Olajuwon patted this old friend on the back. Veterans like them usually only show such a state in the playoffs. As he gets older and turns 34, Clyde Drexler's performance can be said to be one less.

At the beginning of the fourth quarter, the Lakers sent PG Van Exel, SG Eddie Jones, SF Bruce Bowen, PF Rob Horry and C O'Neal.

Harris put Kobe on the sidelines to rest and prepare for the final decisive moment.

And Ben Wallace, who didn't match O'Neal, was also put off the field and replaced by Horry, who played well in this field.

Houston replaced Barkley and Olajuwon, and also let Drexler rest.

O'Neal has room to play, but he held back most of the game. Catch the ball and beat Olajuwon again and again.

The eager O'Neal's offense was interfered by Olajuwon, which did not achieve very good results.

On the contrary, Barkley and Olajuwon connected internally and externally and played a good performance. He shot from inside and outside, making successful hits again and again.

81:78 The Lakers trailed by 3 points with 8 minutes left in the game. The two sides replaced all starters at the same time.

The time for the decisive battle has come!

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