But as the ga progressed, the Lakers exposed another problem:
Their bench rotation lacked strength.
On the Nuggets’ side, they had J.R. Smith, the "Nervous Saber"!
What was even more fatal was that J.R. Smith’s performance tonight was really good, hitting consecutive three-point shots.
The charm of the three-pointer beca apparent at that mont; although the Lakers had a higher overall shooting percentage inside, Smith kept filling the gap with three-pointers.
By halfti, the Nuggets led with a score of 53 to 48, ahead by 5 points.
However, Phil Jackson, the "Zen Master," remained calm, watching J.R. Smith dominate on the court, yet not showing any sign of worry.
Indeed, there’s sothing to be said for the cunning of age.
The Nuggets, who had turned the tables at halfti thanks to J.R. Smith, also lost the ga in the second half because of him.
In the first half, Smith kept firing and hitting three-pointers, with an exaggerated 6 shots and 5 makes. But as the ga moved into the second half, his three-point shooting rate plumted to only 1 make out of 5 attempts.
Now, the Nuggets couldn’t match the Lakers’ scoring pace from the inside.
At the end of the ga, with a score of 106 to 96, the Lakers still managed to win the first ga of the series without much danger.
But, according to the external dia, the suspense of the Western Conference Finals was more significant than the Eastern.
Not to ntion the outside shooting, the Nuggets were hotter than the Lakers.
The Lakers were entirely dependent on Kobe.
Ariza had transford into an excellent "3D player" this season.
But he was no match for Carlo Anthony; the responsibility of defending "Sweet lon" still had to be handed to Kobe. He couldn’t switch to defend Baron Davis, or Fisher would have to guard the Nuggets’ two.
Just about anyone, like J.R. Smith, could turn him into a sieve.
Ariza spent the whole ga focusing on help defense, mainly assisting Kobe.
From this, it’s clear that all the pressure of the Lakers’ outside offense and defense was on Kobe.
If the Nuggets’ outside attacks had been a bit more intense, they could have had a chance to win this ga.
Like the Magic Team!
Facing the Pacers, they really didn’t stand a chance.
Both the team’s "engine" and "scoring king" were tightly restricted.
These experts were not wrong, the Nuggets indeed broke the deadlock with fierce outside offense in the second ga of the Western Conference Finals, defeating the Lakers with an 11-point difference of 107 to 96, snatching a ho victory from Staples Center.
Next, the Nuggets would have 2 ho gas. If they seized that, they could return to Staples with a 3-1 lead.
Barkley said, "The Nuggets have great potential!"
With that one sentence, Denver fans almost carried trains overnight to Barkley’s house, lining up to take turns beating up the bastard.
Could you just die if you don’t speak?
Don’t you know how toxic your mouth is?
The series in the Western Conference Finals was tied at 1-1.
Over in the Eastern Conference, the battle reignited.
The third ga of the series, with Orlando Magic as the ho team.
Since leaving in ’96, Shaquille O’Neal had returned here yearly for a long ti. After his recent excursions east, his returns to Orlando beca occasional, but none of those tis felt as satisfying as this one, not by a tenth!
With a 2-0 lead, the next two gas were on the Magic’s ho court.
aning he could very likely end the Magic’s second Finals run in front of their fans!
Fourteen years ago, he led the team to make its first breakthrough, bringing the Magic to the Finals stage.
Now, it was up to him to end the Magic’s second chance at entering the Finals!
All this...
It was destiny’s arrangent!
It proved that Howard was no match for him, only able to bring the team to the Eastern Conference Finals; it also proved that for the Magic to get into the Finals, they relied on Shaquille O’Neal.
This was their punishnt for not giving a $20 million a year contract back then!
Upon reflection, having punished the Magic, and next, they’d have to punish the Lakers, Shaquille O’Neal felt even more exhilarated!
He must admit, joining the Pacers last sumr was the most correct decision of his career, even more so than when he joined the Lakers.
Yes...
That’s what he believed now!
What did he achieve with the Lakers?
He led them to three consecutive championships!
But what did he get?
In the sumr of ’04, discarded at the peak of his career by Old Bass, not even being offered a top-salary "retirent contract"!
What he contributed and what he received...
It simply wasn’t proportional!
And now...
Just after joining the Pacers for a season, he got the chance to punch the Magic and kick the Lakers, making those "traitors" pay for their deeds. Now tell , how could this not be the best choice?
When facing the dia, he was all snark: "This is just the managent of the Magic Team and the dia of this city. In ’92, they obtained the greatest five of history but didn’t know how to treasure it. Twelve years later in ’04, they missed the best opportunity again! God had ti and again sent them the cornerstone to beco a powerhouse, but they always missed out. What else is there to say? This is Orlando; the only thing people think of is Disney. Of course, there will also be my famous dish!"
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