Called by Kobe as the "worst teammate," Smash Parker dribbled the ball to the frontcourt with the intention to direct his teammates before passing the ball to Kobe.
However, with just one look from Kobe, he had no choice but to obediently pass the ball.
Regarding his grievances with Kobe, Smash Parker once shared an incident where he sincerely asked Kobe about technique and received the response, "Get the hell out of my face," and subsequently earned the title of "Kobe’s worst point guard teammate who doesn’t deserve to play in the NBA."
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He didn’t even know what he did to offend Kobe.
As for the "worst teammate" label, he denied it, believing that his average of 11.5 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 3.3 assists with a field goal percentage of 44.7% and a three-point shot rate of 36.5% might not compare to Kobe but weren’t the worst among Kobe’s teammates.
Su Wan’s assessnt of Parker was,
A victim of Kobe’s poor imitation of Michael Jordan’s leadership style.
During this period, a phrase he often repeated in team practices was:
"You better think about your future plans!" (What the hell kind of basketball are you playing?)
To push his teammates to improve, he would even go to their houses and knock on their doors at 5 AM.
Especially during Kobe’s first two years leading the team alone, particularly the first season without a playoff appearance, his personality had twisted to an extre to prove his leadership abilities. Not only did he push himself, but he also adopted Jordan’s high-pressure tactics toward his teammates to force collective improvent.
Thus, it wasn’t just Parker he viewed as garbage; in his eyes, the entire Lakers team was garbage.
The only difference, those who were willing to listen to him and keep up with his pace were "industrious garbage"; those unwilling to force themselves in his way were "hopeless garbage."
Parker was the hopeless garbage.
Was my teaching also always at your disposal for questions, or not, depending on your mood?
Either pay attention and learn the techniques without missing a single session, or get lost and don’t treat this as so kind of "hobby class."
However, Parker couldn’t understand this at all.
Kobe handled the ball facing Artest.
Their body contact in that instant gave off not the feeling of a confrontation but as if two beasts were battling.
With every contact, the sound of muscles clashing could be heard.
Artest’s notorious "Death Wrap" would usually be very aggressive; he was exceedingly confident in his cross movents. Tonight, his defense against Kobe needed to be further intensified.
However, facing Artest’s oppressive defense, Kobe was able to effortlessly adjust his footwork and offensive form.
Not just Artest, even Rick Carlisle was caught off guard.
Although Artest had almost missed a season, his physical condition hadn’t declined. On days without Pacers gas, Su Wan would grab him for grueling personal defense drills, and his defensive instincts never faded.
Whether defending LeBron Jas with exceptional physicality or other scoring talents, he was able to limit their movent effectively with the ball.
So far, Kobe was the first to remain composed under his oppressive defense.
Kobe was actually quite surprised.
Having bulked up for most of last season and slimd down over the sumr, he felt as if a shackle had been removed, and his core strength was better, allowing him to move freely against any opposition.
After a month of adjustnts and adaptation, he had found his rhythm on offense.
Especially his form this month; regardless of the defender, he didn’t feel any pressure.
Yet tonight, facing Artest, he felt that breaking free was a tough task.
He wanted to tell Artest, "I, Kobe, acknowledge you as the season’s strongest defender!"
After pulling back the ball and changing steps, repeatedly faking movents in front, he finally tricked Artest into pausing, and Kobe burst past him.
But imdiately, he faced a help defense from Su Wan.
Just that mont of interruption allowed Artest to catch up, and the two of them pinned Kobe just a step away from the free throw line.
But Kobe remained Kobe; under such circumstances, he stubbornly bore down against the extended arms of Su Wan and Artest, jumped forcefully, and took the shot directly.
Was that utterly brainless?
Su Wan was stunned for a mont when he saw Kobe shoot.
His impression of Kobe during this period was vague; he knew only that the last and this season were Kobe’s crazy shooting periods, but he didn’t expect him to dare to shoot like that.
However, when he turned to look at the rebound, he understood why.
Little O’Neal had just stepped out from the inside line the mont Su Wan’s help defense was in place, fearing being outmaneuvered by Kobe so he could serve as a third defensive line, blocking any gaps tily.
What is this "Three Heroes Battle Lu Bu" scene?
This turned the Lakers’ situation under the basket into a "2v1" scenario.
The original version of the "Assist Theory" in play—it’s here!
As another representative of this playing style, Su Wan knew very clearly that, theoretically, there’s nothing wrong with this strategy.
In practice, it worked quite well for him.
As for why the Lakers’ execution of this strategy was so poor, he saw the reason.
Even with a nurical advantage, Foster still managed to secure the rebound.
Not winning the rebound in a "2v1" situation indoors is just helpless.
This scene, cut into a GIF, would beco irrefutable evidence of "Kobe’s reckless shooting" in so fans’ mouths in the future.
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