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***
On the evening of June 7, 2004, with 1 minute and 21 seconds left in the third quarter, Karl Malone fell to the ground in pain after blocking Clay Lee's layup.
Phil Jackson, who was on the sidelines, was stunned for a moment.
As the team doctor checked him and shook his head slightly, the Kentucky Fried Chicken Old Man turned his head to the bench, not wanting the cameras to capture his dejected expression.
Malone, limping off the court, received applause from the New York fans.
With a significant lead, everyone had become "gentlemen."
Supported by others back to the bench, a sweating Malone had just sat down when he immediately whispered to the coaching staff:
"Let me rest for a while, my body is fine!"
Phil Jackson shook his head.
The fourth quarter was meaningless.
He had to accept the fact of a crushing defeat.
The Lakers had fallen apart.
Lee got an additional free throw.
As he stepped to the free-throw line, he turned to look at the Lakers' bench.
Malone's desire for the championship made him fight with all his might, but desire could not change the fact of his declining physical function.
In this series, Lee rarely moved around when attacking the rim because the Lakers' interior Defense was too slow.
Compared to the Detroit Pistons' more mobile interior combination, Malone and Shaq's Defense was only left with attitude.
Defending the low post might still rely on their physique, but for pick-and-rolls, they could only pray that Payton or Kobe squeezed through the screen.
"Shaq, playing against you is getting more and more boring!"
Lee dribbled the ball, taking the opportunity to tease the sweating big Shaq.
As he got older, Shaq, who was relatively slimmer two years ago, had gained another circle.
A big fatty weighing over 300 pounds running back and forth, and still able to persist until now while carrying the offense, Shaq's talent was indeed undeniable.
Beside the paint, Shaq, leaning on his knees, was breathing heavily.
Only after a deep breath did he turn his head and say:
"We only lost two road games. I will win the next three games! You've experienced this kind of schedule, and it will happen again soon!"
"You know, the referees won't always be on your side!"
The referee who had just passed the ball immediately glared at a somewhat flustered Shaq.
They had even given the Lakers some favorable calls.
55:90. As Lee made the additional free throw, Fisher, who received the ball at the baseline, did not attack again.
The 1.2 seconds flashed by, and the third quarter ended.
After realizing that the opponent was a paper tiger, Coach D'Antoni actively rotated players tonight, always maintaining an extremely aggressive Defense.
Players who came off the bench and got playing time in the Finals naturally gave their 120%, eager to show off everything they had learned.
Raja Bell committed 4 fouls in three quarters and wrestled with Kobe several times.
Tayshaun Prince also completed his task excellently.
His long arms made it particularly difficult for Kobe to initiate pick-androlls.
Throughout the game, the Knicks' Defensive intensity on the perimeter did not drop.
Everyone took turns giving resistance, and Kobe, who was double-teamed on pick-and-rolls, remained silent until the end of the third quarter.
Shaq, with his hands on his head, sat in his seat, no longer interested in infighting with Kobe.
He knew he had to win Game 3, otherwise the series would end quickly.
However, the schedule was not friendly.
With just over a day of rest, it would be difficult for the Lakers to make adjustments, and Malone's knee did not look optimistic.
Kobe asked to continue playing, but Phil Jackson just waved his hand.
He was not in the mood to output either.
Now he just wanted to get the injury report as soon as possible.
Malone, who had already returned to the locker room, could still play some role on offense, and the high-low post cooperation could also feed the ball to Shaq.
Although his mid-range jump shots were off in both games, Malone was still more reliable than Medvedenko.
This was the consensus of the Lakers' coaching staff.
On the Knicks' bench, Ewing, wearing a beige suit, was so fat he had no neck.
At this moment, he was smiling and bringing water to Lee.
Seeing his old friend not doing well, Gorilla was in a beautiful mood:
"They have no hope. Malone is injured and can't recover quickly. It seems we can go 16-0 again this year."
At nearly 41 years old, it would indeed be difficult for Malone to return quickly after his injury.
However, an old veteran actually doesn't have much impact.
The Lakers were simply terrible this season.
Rick Fox couldn't even play in garbage time anymore.
Unlike the young players on the Knicks who wanted to prove themselves, some Lakers players had significantly declined in skill.
Lee, draped in a towel, took the water bottle.
Noticing Kobe was still on the court, he shook his head slightly and said with certainty:
"We can indeed sweep them. They are weaker than I imagined. No wonder Tony Parker could even have a highlight performance."
The faces of Hill and the others beside him also showed smiles.
They had noticed this problem during video sessions.
If Parker had been more consistent, perhaps the Lakers would have fallen in the semifinals again.
During garbage time, Kobe obviously wanted to find his shooting touch, but the Knicks' rotation players had no intention of giving him a chance.
Instead, because Shaq was off the court, all Defensive resources were shifted to Kobe.
Kobe only scored 2 points from free throws in over three minutes.
Finally, Phil Jackson couldn't stand it anymore.
After a timeout, he directly benched Kobe.
Only then did the game enter a back-and-forth state.
Led by Derek Fisher, the Lakers finally produced some fluid offense.
No one on the bench, including the starters, greeted Kobe.
Everyone was distracted, feeling that the Lakers were about to break up.
Played 37 minutes, 5-of-14 shooting, 1-of-3 from three-point range, 5-of-5 from the free-throw line, 16 points, 4 rebounds, 5 assists, 2 steals, 4 turnovers.
But the assistant coaches glanced at Kobe's stats and secretly shook their heads.
The data shattered their only remaining illusion.
The skill gap was too wide.
Although he didn't care about the stats, Kobe also knew he played poorly.
He was double-teamed a lot, and a large amount of physical contact disrupted his offensive rhythm.
Facing Western Conference teams, Kobe had never encountered such Defense.
The feeling of a DPOY abandoning offense and sticking to him throughout the game also gave him a headache.
In the past, Phil Jackson would at least make a show of comforting him for a few words because the team needed Kobe, but this time, the Kentucky Fried Chicken Old Man said nothing, arms crossed, silently waiting for the game to end.
At Madison Square Garden, the happy New York fans celebrated the arrival of the championship in advance.
The fans holding "Knicks In Four" whiteboards in the back waved them repeatedly.
During timeouts, the director showed them on camera, and the surrounding fans all stood up, cheering excitedly.
The difference between the Finals and the regular season was that even in garbage time, the fans were exceptionally invested.
When the game ended, the Madison Square Garden was filled with joy.
They were two wins away from their 8th championship.
77:114. The Knicks won another game, making the series score 2:0.
The fans on both sides didn't care about the Lakers players walking towards the player tunnel.
Weaklings weren't worth mocking.
This year's opponent was terrible.
Mike D'Antoni looked at Phil Jackson, who was walking away quickly, feeling some sympathy for his opponent's injury, but he was impolite during the interview.
Stewart, a Black reporter on the sidelines, seemed to be affected by the passionate atmosphere and raised his voice, asking loudly:
"Mike, with two consecutive big wins, will the Knicks continue this hot streak in the upcoming road games?"
Mike D'Antoni chuckled, sounding very pleased.
He took the microphone and said loudly:
"110 points is not our limit. The series will end very soon!"
"No one on the Lakers can limit Lee. In the next game, we will continue this game strategy."
"I want to apologize to the New York fans. It will be difficult for us to return to Madison Square Garden this year!"
"âŠ"
Since New York and Los Angeles are far apart, the Lakers needed to fly back to their home court overnight.
They needed to adjust their status as soon as possible to prepare for Game 3 the day after tomorrow.
Shaq, who was rushing to catch his flight, did not say much at the press conference, only emphasizing that the Lakers would protect their home court.
Most sports media did not make things difficult for the core player.
Shaq played 34 minutes, shooting 10-of-18, 4-of-8 from the free-throw line, scoring 24 points, 10 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 steal, 1 block, and 3 turnovers.
He only rested for less than two minutes in three quarters, putting up an efficient double-double.
Everyone knew Shaq had given his best.
Lee, attending the press conference, once again enjoyed the flattery.
His 6th personal championship was beckoning him.
In the offseason, he would undoubtedly enter the discussion of the greatest of all time.
On the morning of June 8, the Knicks team also prepared to depart for Los Angeles.
If all went well, on Saturday, June 12, they would lift the o'brien cup at Staples Center.
James Dolan and the team management also traveled together.
Although the atmosphere for lifting the trophy on the road was a bit lacking, thinking about the scene of three consecutive road games back then, winning this time felt particularly satisfying.
The NBA also made moves, with ABC preparing for rehearsals, as everyone knew the series suspense was low, it just depended on whether the Lakers could play with honor.
On ABC's morning show, host Mike Tirico and guests Tolbert and Byron Scott reviewed last night's game and discussed the Lakers' injury issues.
Scott analyzed a Knicks' offense: after a "V-shaped" stance, a double screen on the high side, Lee moved horizontally and drove straight to the basket:
"The Lakers have made targeted adjustments. To compensate for slow inside help Defense, Devin George provided early help Defense."
In the footage, Devin George at the left baseline moved very early to the left near-baseline position, and when Lee broke through, he quickly rushed to the basket.
"But unfortunately, Clay Lee's speed was too fast, and the high-side delay had no effect. A reverse layup just evaded the Defense to complete the score."
"Actually, Lee had many options. Last night, Ron Artest shot poorly from beyond the arc. During rotation phases, Clay Lee would usually pass the ball to Raja Bell in such possessions."
"Raja Bell's performance, with 4-of-8 shooting from three-point range in a single game, reminded me of Rashad Lewis and Stephen Jackson."
"Players with shooting ability always increase their value playing alongside Clay Lee. After the Finals, Raja Bell will definitely sign a good contract."
Scott returned to his seat, and Tolbert, hearing these words, also said seriously:
"Perhaps this is the Knicks' winning secret: shooting ability, defensive-minded wing players, and big men who can handle the ball after a pick-and-roll."
"As long as these two configurations reach the league average, Clay Lee can win games with efficient offense."
Mike Tirico heard their words and suddenly asked curiously:
"Why haven't other teams in the league built the same roster structure? Someone must have discovered this team-building idea."
Byron Scott looked at them with a strange expression and said self-deprecatingly:
"Actually, when I was coaching the Nets, I tried to imitate this team-building idea. Unfortunately, we could only stop at the Eastern Conference Finals."
"Jason Kidd could elevate the team's Defense, and he could lead the team to efficient transition offense, but he couldn't efficiently handle a large amount of ball possession."
"Efficiency is crucial. When you face a strong inside team, your perimeter core must be efficient enough to win the game."
"Clay Lee is not omnipotent either. When rookie Pau Gasol and Ron Artest couldn't perform their duties, facing an inside player like Shaquille O'Neal, the Knicks would also lose."
Tolbert, hearing this, very naturally began to boast:
"Byron is right. More importantly, in NBA history, Clay Lee is unique."
"Perhaps everyone thinks his stats have declined a bit this season, but his efficiency rating is still 37.0."
"This value is only lower than Clay Lee's last season, still leading other stars."
"In the next 20 years, no one will perform like Lee. Clay Lee is the greatest of all time!"
The tactical analysis turned into a boasting session.
Host Mike Tirico watched them calmly praise Lee, and couldn't help but inwardly complain:
"Have you two been 'recharged' too?!"
ABC and ESPN directly provided loans, heavily praising Lee's dominance in their programs.
The title of "greatest of all time" had already been placed on Lee, only TNT was singing a different tune in their program.
Charles Barkley always found some angles to criticize Lee's stats:
"How many points did Clay Lee score last night from fast breaks? He got a lot of points just from the Lakers' turnovers."
"I saw many possessions in the game where the Lakers gave up on Defense, just watching Lee score on fast breaks."
"I won't question Lee's ability, but in this series, I don't want to discuss his stats!"
Kenny Smith immediately debunked his partner, jokingly saying:
"Could it be that the Lakers didn't give up on Defense, they just couldn't run anymore?"
"You can't expect Payton to perform on both ends of the court like he did when he was young. Karl Malone is almost 41, and he can't run all game."
"Lee frequently attacked the basket because he realized the Lakers' defensive problems. This is the Finals, scoring 40+ in two consecutive games, that's not an easy feat."
Playing 34 minutes, 15 of 22 from the field, 2 of 5 from three-point range, 9 of 9 from the free-throw line, 41 points, 5 rebounds, 11 assists, 3 steals, 1 block, and no turnovers.
The director kept showing Lee's stats, also marking the shot locations, with the paint area all red.
Ernie Johnson saw the two about to argue again and immediately interjected:
"We should talk about the Lakers' issues. We just got news that Karl Malone will not play in tomorrow night's game."
"How do you think Phil Jackson should adjust?"
The Lakers announced the injury, Charles Barkley looked at his two partners, then turned to the camera and said with a smile:
"There's no room for adjustment. Without a doubt, the Knicks will have another big win!"
"..."
After the news that Karl Malone would not play in Game 3 was announced, the commentators naturally made one-sided predictions.
Although this veteran, like Payton, performed poorly on offense and didn't contribute much on Defense, the Lakers' rotation was even worse.
While Kobe refused interviews, Payton told the Los Angeles Times media before the afternoon practice session:
"The series has just begun. We know how to play in adversity!"
"Everyone is hungry for the championship. I hope the fans can give the team more support in tomorrow night's game!"
In Game 2, Payton was 2 of 8, scoring 4 points, 4 rebounds, 4 assists, and 2 turnovers.
Hearing this veteran appeal for fan support, several sports reporters remained silent.
Lakers fans had already broken down, with some young people on the internet starting to criticize the veterans.
Such performance naturally did not gain fan approval.
Knowing his performance was poor, after saying some nice words, Payton turned and left.
No one else from the Lakers accepted interviews.
The Kentucky Fried Chicken Old Man stated that this was the Lakers' secret practice.
After flying to Los Angeles in the afternoon, the Knicks arrived at the hotel to check in and did not encounter any special treatment.
Compared to some of the more volatile Detroit fans, Lakers fans seemed to have lost too much.
Instead, many of Lee's fans came with player cards to support the Knicks.
On the afternoon of June 9th, when they arrived at the Staples Center early for warm-ups, a large number of sports reporters surrounded Lee.
Many believed the Knicks would definitely win tonight's 7 PM game.
Recently, the NBA announced that it would revise some rules next season and also add clauses for talented players.
Sports media who received the news knew this was related to Clay Lee.
The abolition of Handcheck was something James Dolan had proposed, but the league had not given a definitive answer at the time.
Now, this rule seemed set to be officially implemented next season.
An ESPN reporter was very concerned about this issue and proactively asked Lee:
"Clay, if the Handcheck rule is abolished, will this affect you? I mean, will you set a new scoring high next season?"
Lee, dressed in his training uniform, was in a good mood after a workout.
Hearing this question, he immediately joked:
"I never consider scoring. For me, it's the simplest thing, and it has nothing to do with the rules."
"If the referees strictly enforce the rules, perhaps many players will improve. For fans, this is a good thing, as they can enjoy more exciting games."
"As for a new scoring high? If the Knicks need me to score to win, then I will do my best. This should depend on our opponent."
Everyone on the Knicks was shooting warm-ups in the Staples Center.
Many sports reporters subconsciously looked at them, and then the same thought emerged in their minds:
"It seems no one is their opponent!"
The Yahoo Sports reporter was more concerned about tonight's game and seized the opportunity to quickly ask:
"Lee, coming to the Lakers' home court, do you feel any pressure? You know, the last time you played here, the Knicks didn't get a win."
"No, no pressure at all. I feel great."
"The Knicks will still win by a large margin. Of course, we might encounter some minor difficulties, but at the appropriate time, I will take over the game and end the suspense!"
Lee winked at everyone, then put on a secretive expression and whispered:
"We might increase the rotation in the first half. Don't forget to take some good photos of me in the 3rd quarter!"
"You all know, I like to exert myself in the second half!"
The Los Angeles Times reporter, standing behind the crowd, watched everyone laughing together and immediately felt a bit annoyed.
The opponent had revealed their cards, a blatant humiliation!
Although trailing 0-2 in the series, Staples Center was still packed for that night's game, with 19,000 New York fans arriving early.
Celebrities sat in the front row, and the live director frequently focused the camera on Magic Johnson.
Dressed casually, Magic Johnson didn't display his signature smile as usual.
Instead, he greeted the Lakers with a serious expression.
Jerry Buss, sitting next to Magic Johnson, also wasn't smiling; the first two games had been too significant of losses.
Aside from some fans with a mysterious confidence who believed the Lakers could come back from two games down to win four straight, anyone with eyes could see the difference between the two teams.
Nicholson sat in his exclusive seat, and the lively pre-game ceremony didn't change his mood.
During the final warm-up, he kept shouting towards Lee:
"You have no chance! We're going to win 3 straight!"
Kobe didn't make any grand declarations before the game, but he was also fuming.
With the home-court advantage, he firmly believed he could bounce back!
After the game started at 7 PM, Medvedenko, who was in the starting lineup, performed exceptionally well, which allowed the Lakers to overcome their previous slow starts.
Although Kobe's jump shot felt ordinary, he consistently drew fouls, helping his team score continuously.
Shaquille O'Neal, on the other hand, wasn't rushing to attack.
He focused more on passing the ball, allowing Devin George to score.
Receiving two early fouls didn't affect the New York Knicks' defensive intensity.
Coach D'Antoni began substitutions with 3 minutes and 42 seconds left in the first quarter.
In the second quarter, the New York Knicks didn't bring their starters back in early. Aside from Lee entering the game sooner, the main lineup gradually returned only in the latter half of the quarter.
At halftime, the score was 54-48, with the Lakers trailing by only 6 points.
The single-digit deficit excited Kobe, who repeatedly pumped his fists as he walked towards the player tunnel, seemingly psyching himself up.
5-of-13 shooting, 1-of-3 from beyond the arc, 6-of-7 from the free-throw line, 17 points, 2 rebounds, 1 assist, 2 turnovers.
Kobe, who had the team's highest score, was in excellent form tonight, having started his scoring mode early.
Although trailing, Staples Center was now boiling.
At the commentary desk, Doug Rivers also began praising Kobe's performance:
"Constantly attacking the rim, Kobe Bryant is playing with aggression. The Lakers need this kind of performance from him."
"Head Coach Phil Jackson made timely adjustments. If they maintain this state in the second half, they'll have a chance to overtake the score."
Michaels, however, didn't boast.
The officiating was noticeably different from before, and he was somewhat concerned about Shaquille O'Neal's free throws:
"4-of-8 from the field in the first half, 1-of-4 from the free-throw line. Shaquille O'Neal failed to maintain his previous efficient free-throw performance. The New York Knicks might adopt a different Defense strategy in the second half."
The two analyzed without mentioning the New York Knicks' lead, as the Lakers fans watching on TV needed encouragement.
After the second half began, cheers once again filled the Staples Center.
The Lakers had the first possession. Payton, receiving the ball on the baseline, saw that Lee was no longer aggressively pressing, and he breathed a sigh of relief.
The pressure significantly reduced upon returning home.
Kobe, who had performed well in the first half, proactively came to the right wing's three-point line to receive the ball early as Payton dribbled past half-court.
After passing the ball, Payton led Lee to the left wing to "watch the show."
Medvedenko also stopped near the left baseline, while O'Neal immediately moved up to set a screen.
As Kobe approached the three-point line, Devin George quickly cut from right to left along the baseline, creating offensive space for the two of them.
As Kobe used the screen to accelerate and drive with the ball in his right hand, Pau Gasol quickly rolled down alongside Shaquille O'Neal.
Ron Artest didn't try to steal the ball from behind.
Instead, he diligently squeezed in alongside Kobe to disrupt him.
Kobe, leaning into his defender, continuously accelerated.
After taking three big steps, he rose from the lower right of the rim, glided through the air, faked a shot, and then passed.
He passed the ball from the lower left of the rim.
Shaquille O'Neal, receiving the ball in the paint, threw the ball into the rim against Pau Gasol's interference, pushing his defender away.
54-50, the Lakers narrowed the gap.
Shaquille O'Neal, having made the shot, excitedly took large strides, and cheers echoed throughout the arena.
After delivering a beautiful assist, Kobe also punched the air and roared, then proactively took on Lee's Defense.
He constantly engaged in physical contact, occasionally reaching for the ball to disrupt him.
If he was shaken off by a step, Kobe immediately reached out to pull, attempting to disrupt Lee's offensive rhythm.
Near mid-court, Lee, dribbling with his left hand, suddenly spun quickly.
Kobe, who had just caught up on Defense, didn't have time to adjust his center of gravity and was again shaken off by half a step.
The moment he switched to his right hand, Lee immediately lowered his shoulder and accelerated, overpowering his way across half-court.
On the New York Knicks' side, as Lee approached the three-point line, Ron Artest and Hill on the left and right wings began to move towards the corners.
Kurt Thomas, near the left baseline, slowly moved towards the top of the key, constantly observing Lee's movements.
Against Kobe's Defense, Lee accelerated fiercely, then suddenly dribbled behind his back near the three-point line.
After a sudden stop, he slightly raised his center of gravity.
As Kobe slid backward, Lee again changed direction between his legs, stopped and started quickly, and accelerated a second time with the ball in his right hand.
Kobe, who had intended to rush forward on Defense, could only adjust his center of gravity again, instinctively sliding backward and to the right.
As their bodies collided at the free-throw line, Lee suddenly brought the ball around in a wide circle, just squeezing past Kobe's left side.
Kobe, still trying to twist his body to block, had no time to make a defensive move.
In motion, Lee performed a pull-up jumper, switching to his left hand, and drifting backward to the left, he tossed the ball towards the rim.
Lee completed the extremely awkward motion smoothly.
O'Neal under the basket could only watch the ball arc perfectly into the rim.
56-50, Clay Lee easily responded.
"Boo!"
As if a bad premonition had set in, the boos in the Staples Center grew louder.
When the Lakers attacked again, Kobe tried to repeat the same play, but Ron Artest suddenly followed him out to the three-point line to steal the ball, disrupting the catch.
After a half-turn, he switched to his left hand.
Payton, shielding the ball with his body, quickly moved to the left wing.
Shaquille O'Neal under the basket immediately directed Medvedenko to come up and screen.
Medvedenko, who had performed well in the first half, quickly moved to the three-point line on the left wing and set a screen.
Payton tried to shake off his defender, but Lee, who was prepared, agilely squeezed past the screen and, without much defensive action, stuck tightly to Payton's side.
Kurt Thomas also faked a double-team, stepping while constantly watching Medvedenko's movements.
The cautious Payton delivered a bounce pass early.
Medvedenko, receiving the ball at the free-throw line, didn't choose to shoot but instead put the ball down with his right hand and drove forward.
Kurt Thomas quickly slid to double-team, giving body contact in the paint and raising his left arm, making no further unnecessary movements.
The contested floater ultimately hit the rim and bounced out.
Pau Gasol was fiercely pushed by Shaquille O'Neal and couldn't secure the rebound, instead tipping the ball out to the perimeter.
Lee reacted quickly, getting in front of Payton and controlling the ball in the paint.
He wasn't in a hurry to attack, instead slowly dribbling across half-court.
"Defense!"
Unable to complete the offense, the Lakers fans began to shout in unison again, with defensive cheers echoing throughout the Staples Center.
Payton maintained a defensive distance, occasionally glancing behind him.
Devin George, retreating to the right wing, hesitated.
Seeing Ron Artest stand still, he finally stopped his steps.
Lee, dribbling with his left hand, also observed the Defense when he reached the logo.
As soon as both sides settled, without being double-teamed, he immediately lowered his center of gravity, leaned in, and accelerated.
The moment Payton stuck to him, Lee quickly dribbled between his legs.
As his opponent twisted to adjust his Defense and reset his feet, Lee completed another crossover between his legs.
After two consecutive beautiful crossovers to evade the Defense, the Lakers fans gasped:
"Oh!"
Lee accelerated and drove with the ball in his left hand.
Payton, who had lost his defensive position, quickly made a subtle pull.
Just as he reached the three-point line, Lee leaned forward, and as his left foot stepped forward, his left hand suddenly dribbled the ball hard on the spot.
A sudden stop caused Payton, who was desperately sliding, to instantly lose his defensive position.
Due to inertia, he ended up in front of Lee, wanting to jump and block, but his body wouldn't obey, and he could only stand rooted to the spot.
After the sudden stop, Lee calmly stepped back, returning beyond the three-point line, and quickly shot from the top of the arc!
"Swish!" The three-pointer swished through the net.
59-50, seeing the nearly double-digit deficit, boos once again echoed throughout the arena.
The Lakers fans behind the rim had already begun to cover their faces the moment Clay Lee shot, and a sense of frustration uncontrollably began to well up from their hearts.
"Shit!"
Payton frustratingly slapped his thigh.
Lee's seemingly complex dribbling moves were incredibly fast.
He completed the offense in less than 4 seconds.
Including over seven seconds of dribbling, one possession didn't exceed 12 seconds.
His simple and brutal individual drive sent the ball into the rim.
Head Coach Phil Jackson on the sidelines looked anxious, loudly reminding his players to double-team in time.
In a crucial moment, Kobe demanded the ball with even greater resolve, not waiting to cross half-court before taking possession.
Upon reaching the right wing, he again directed Shaq to set a screen.
Taking advantage of his teammates setting up, Kobe immediately dribbled between his legs, switched to his left hand, and squeezed past Shaq.
Ron Artest had reined in his defensive movements a bit and couldn't chase back in time, while Shaq accelerated down the court, drawing Pau Gasol's Defense away.
In a fleeting opportunity, after two big dribbles, Kobe suddenly stopped short a step inside the three-point line and quickly pulled up for a jump shot!
"Swish!" The long two-pointer went in steadily.
59:52, Kobe, having made the shot, showed a fierce expression, raised his right arm, and celebrated with another fist pump.
This performance also gave the Los Angeles Lakers fans in attendance hope, and everyone cheered loudly for Kobe.
While the opponent was still posing, the New York Knicks suddenly inbounded the ball quickly from the baseline, and Lee took the ball and charged.
Payton and Kobe had a miscommunication.
Seeing Lee about to cross mid-court, Kobe gritted his teeth and chased after him.
Shaq accelerated across half-court, retreated to near the paint in time, and then turned around only to find Pau Gasol still at mid-court.
Lee, dribbling with his left hand, accelerated diagonally, ignoring Kobe who was chasing him, quickly crossed mid-court, and then suddenly stopped short as the opponent came alongside him.
He quickly dribbled between his legs.
The moment Kobe went for a steal, Lee smoothly changed direction in front of his body, and with the ball in his left hand, accelerated again.
Kobe, having swiped at air, hurried to chase back.
In the blink of an eye, the two tangled, approaching the three-point line.
While moving, Lee suddenly raised his center of gravity, pushed off with his feet, and took a large step back horizontally.
Beyond the three-point line, near the left sideline, Lee gathered the ball and faked, and Kobe, who had been shaken off, immediately lunged from his side to defend.
Only realizing his defensive misjudgment after flying into the air, Kobe flew past him.
Using the time difference, Lee adjusted slightly and shot again!
Pau Gasol, who had just run to the logo, simply raised both arms and celebrated prematurely.
As the basketball swished through the net, the boos almost broke through the Staples Center.
"He got it! ClayâLee!!"
"OMG!"
At the commentary table, Michaels was also stunned, exclaiming "Oh my God" several times, still finding it unbelievable.
62:52, the score difference reached double digits, and Phil Jackson immediately called a timeout.
He had to break this offensive momentum.
Doug Rivers seemed to have enjoyed the show.
Instead of defending the Los Angeles Lakers, he happily quipped:
"The Detroit Pistons failed to respond in time in the Eastern Conference Finals and ultimately lost the crucial home game."
"Now, it's the Los Angeles Lakers' moment of truth!"
Phil Jackson held the clipboard, gesturing and explaining, but Kobe glared, seething, still annoyed by his recent Defense.
Faint cheers could be heard in the Staples Center, which also made Kobe a little jealous.
Away from home, no fans had ever cheered for him.
After the timeout, they returned to the court.
Kobe couldn't recall what the Head Coach had said, but it didn't matter to him.
All he needed to do was attack.
As Payton quickly dribbled across half-court, the New York Knicks suddenly changed their defensive strategy: Clay Lee shrank inside the three-point line, and the three players on the perimeter vaguely surrounded the paint.
Suddenly playing a 3-2 zone Defense for a possession, Kobe on the right wing didn't notice these changes and eagerly demanded the ball.
Although Payton was shouting a warning, Kobe, upon receiving the ball, only wanted to respond as quickly as possible.
Taking advantage of Ron Artest not pressing up, he immediately put the ball down with his right hand and drove forward.
It was only when Kobe dribbled to the right block that he realized the situation was not right.
Kurt Thomas had stepped up early for a help-side double-team, and Ron Artest also suddenly increased his defensive intensity, cooperating with his teammates to block passing lanes.
With a tall player raising his hands in front and a defender going for a steal to his side, Kobe, who suddenly stopped dribbling, couldn't find Medvedenko open under the basket in time.
He ultimately protected the ball, turned, and passed it back to the perimeter.
Payton began to move early to receive the pass, but Lee, who was already prepared, perfectly anticipated Kobe's passing lane.
The Los Angeles Lakers fans in attendance gasped as they saw Kobe pass the ball into Lee's arms.
Payton didn't even have time to foul.
Lee, having completed the steal, suddenly dribbled the ball forward, then accelerated with all his might, instantly shaking off the Defense.
The fans' boos had no effect.
It was a 1-on-0 fast break.
Lee, charging into the paint, jumped with both feet, switched hands under his legs in mid-air, extended his body, gripped the ball with his right hand, and forcefully slammed it into the basket!
"Boom!" The fast-break dunk was successful!
64:52, watching Lee twist his neck and make a relaxed gesture under the basket, some fans couldn't hold back, and the shouts of abuse grew louder.
Phil Jackson was almost infuriated by Kobe's turnover.
He forcefully suppressed his anger, glaring and reminding Payton to pass the ball inside.
Lee didn't put too much defensive pressure on Payton.
As he came to the left wing, as the opponent lobbed the ball to Shaq in the low post, Lee moved along with the ball towards the baseline.
The moment Shaq received the ball, Lee immediately went for a hard steal.
As the referee blew the whistle, Shaq, still holding the basketball, casually tossed the ball away.
Seeing the referee point to the free-throw line, Coach D'Antoni on the sidelines immediately leaned over to the side referee and complained a couple of times.
"That's definitely a stupid choice, Shaq, a baseline play suits you better!"
"Shut up!"
Lee spoke sarcastically from beyond the three-point line.
Kurt Thomas and others also muttered "missed free throw," and Hill, standing next to the paint, turned his head and quipped:
"I swear! This is our fast break opportunity!"
Shaq, who received the pass from the referee, gestured for a long time.
Amidst the New York Knicks' complaints, his first free throw clanked off the rim.
Wiping non-existent sweat from his forehead, a nervous Shaq sped up his free-throw rhythm, but the basketball still bounced off the rim.
"Shit!"
Pau Gasol grabbed the rebound and immediately passed the ball to Lee on the right wing.
After receiving the ball, Lee turned and led forward.
Payton tried to step up and delay, but found the basketball had already flown behind him.
"Oh!"
A nutmeg!
The Los Angeles Lakers fans gasped again.
Several people sitting in the front row instinctively leaned back as they watched Lee accelerate fiercely along the sideline.
Payton didn't touch Lee's body, and by the time he wanted to chase back, Lee was already back on the court, dribbling with his right hand and crossing half-court.
Although Shaq tried hard to retreat on Defense, he really couldn't get back in time.
He could only hope Kobe would give Lee a hard foul.
Kobe, holding his breath and chasing hard, jumped high as he retreated to the basket.
Even a clay figure has three parts fire.
At this moment, he just wanted to pull Lee down.
Lee, intentionally slowing down, jumped with both feet as he approached the paint, and suddenly twisted his body in mid-air.
Kobe, who jumped too early to block, collided with Lee but couldn't pull him down in time.
Instead, he lost some balance, and although he pulled with his right hand before landing, it didn't have much effect.
"Screech!"
The moment the referee blew the whistle, Lee, having rotated 180 degrees in the air, came directly in front of the basket and lightly tossed the ball into the hoop with his right hand.
"Wow!"
The spectacular goal immediately made the New York Knicks fans behind him cheer wildly, and for a moment, the boos diminished by more than half.
Kobe, who fell to the floor from overexertion, could only stare intently at Lee.
"The next game will be garbage time. Tonight, I really plan to score 50 points!"
Lee dropped that remark and slowly walked towards the free-throw line.
Kobe, who was pulled up by his teammates from the floor, was furious.
"MVP! MVP! MVP!"
Despite their small numbers, the New York fans who came to the Staples Center shouted at the top of their lungs, creating a home-court atmosphere.
As Lee made the extra free throw, the MVP chants even grew louder, and some mischief-makers switched sides.
67:52, Phil Jackson called another timeout.
Lee had scored 13 consecutive points, and the Los Angeles Lakers' bench fell silent again.
The atmosphere at Staples Center was a bit off.
The Los Angeles Lakers showed signs of collapsing, and some fans, completely losing it, cursed indiscriminately.
The mischief-makers cheered along with the New York fans behind them, everyone shouting "Knicks In Four" in unison.
Coach D'Antoni was now all smiles, embracing the players coming off the court.
On the bench, the atmosphere crew also came forward to high-five and celebrate.
"Good job!"
Hearing Coach D'Antoni shout this while embracing Lee, several assistant coaches felt somewhat conflicted.
Ewing was still hyping up Pau Gasol, but Mike Malone, holding the clipboard, had some thoughts bubbling up in his mind:
"Give the ball to the core playerâis this the strategy of a famous Head Coach?!"
.....
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