Kobe went crazy double-teaming Roger, but Roger seized the opportunity to accelerate, weaving through their gap, tearing apart the perimeter defense.
Theo Ratliff was held back tightly by Stoudemire, while Karl Malone returned to the basket to try to stop Roger.
He could not accept such an ending; he could not accept that his career would end in Roger's shadow. He wanted to mimic what he did to Baby-Faced Assassin in 1991, even if it meant losing the game, he wanted to leave Roger with a lasting memory.
Facing Roger charging into the paint, Malone jumped up, trying to throw an elbow in the air.
However, his decayed body could no longer support the thoughts in his mind. Roger firmly pinned Malone with one arm, while his other arm seized the ball and fiercely slammed it into the hoop.
When his most favorable weapon couldn't unleash its power, Karl Malone knew his career was completely over.
Vanishing with humiliation under Roger's gaze.
