The game began with O'Neal and Joe Kleine meeting at center court for the tip-off. However, O'Neal, too eager to make an impression, exerted too much force too early. By the time he adjusted for the jump, the ball had already been tipped by Kleine to Cassell.
Well, that was an awkward start.
Cassell brought the ball across half-court, used a screen from a teammate, drove into the Lakers' three-point line, and then pulled up for a mid-range jumper.
It was a decent opportunity, but the ball bounced off the rim. It seemed Cassell's shooting touch wasn't quite there at the start.
O'Neal grabbed the rebound and handed it to Van Exel to advance the ball.
After bringing the ball across half-court, Van Exel didn't pass to O'Neal, who was extending his hand near the paint for the ball. Instead, he passed to Ceballos on the wing.
Ceballos faked out Horry with the ball. After closing in on Horry, he suddenly rose up for a shot from beyond the three-point line.
That wasn't a good shot opportunity! But Ceballos took it anyway. What could O'Neal do?
In the paint, O'Neal tried to fight for the offensive rebound, but the ball bounced too far out, benefiting Kleine instead.
Kleine passed the ball to Cassell, who, upon receiving it, suddenly picked up the pace to push for a fast break!
Van Exel closed in to contest and attempt a steal, but the referee called him for a defensive foul.
The Suns reorganized their offense. Cassell drove and tried to pass to Horry in the corner, but it resulted in a turnover, and the ball went to the Lakers.
O'Neal continued to position himself in the paint and demand the ball, but Van Exel still passed it to Ceballos on the perimeter. Ceballos ignored O'Neal's signals for the ball and chose to single-handedly drive on Horry, attacking the basket. Horry's defensive intensity was much higher than Ceballos had anticipated!
On this play, Horry stayed with him, and at the moment Ceballos shot, he lunged from behind and swatted the ball out of bounds.
The Lakers regrouped for their offense. Ceballos had missed consecutive shots and was getting frustrated. He took the ball from Van Exel again, intending to drive on Horry once more. Horry sidestepped, avoided Ceballos's back-down drive, and reached in to steal the ball.
In those two possessions, Horry had delivered a block and a steal, leaving Ceballos flustered.
Fortunately, after Horry's steal, he tried to push for a fast break himself but was stripped of the ball by Van Exel, who had sprinted over from the wing.
Van Exel passed to Ceballos, who drove straight to the basket and slammed it home with one hand!
As the 1992 Slam Dunk Contest champion, Ceballos's dunking ability was no mere reputation.
The game had been underway for over a minute, and Ceballos had finally broken the deadlock, giving the Lakers their first score of the game.
However, the Lakers' opening performance had coach Del Harris shaking his head. The off-court struggles were clearly affecting the Lakers' performance on the court.
Ceballos had no regard for shot selection, relentlessly attacking the basket with no organization or discipline. He completely disregarded head coach Del Harris's tactical arrangements. O'Neal had opportunities under the basket but couldn't get his hands on the ball.
Fortunately, the Suns were also playing chaotically. Cassell missed a jumper, Kleine failed to score on a drive against O'Neal and passed to Wesleyperson on the perimeter. Wesleyperson missed a long two-point shot. Kleine rebounded and passed back to Wesleyperson, who shot a three-pointer, which also missed.
This time, O'Neal didn't let the rebound get away and secured it. He turned and passed to Van Exel, who passed to Ceballos on the fast break. Ceballos was uncharacteristically selfless, trying to pass back to Eddie Jones, who was cutting in the middle. However, the pass was errant and was intercepted by AC Green!
AC Green threw a quick pass to Cassell near mid-court. Cassell drove to the basket, and Van Exel, unable to stop him, reached in to steal the ball. At that moment, the referee's whistle blew again!
Just 2 minutes and 36 seconds into the game, Van Exel had already accumulated two fouls.
"Simon!" Head coach Del Harris unhesitatingly called for He Simon from the bench.
"Am I supposed to go in already?" He Simon was taken aback. The happiness came a little too suddenly.
He Simon had originally planned to enter the game at the end of the first quarter along with Kobe. Unexpectedly, Van Exel's chaotic play at the start and his two quick fouls had given He Simon an early opportunity.
"Go get 'em, bro!" He Simon stood up and took off his jacket, revealing his number 4 jersey.
Kobe and Knight both extended their fists to cheer He Simon on.
He Simon, one of the Lakers' three rookies this year, became the first to enter the game!
He Simon quickly ran to head coach Del Harris and listened to his instructions: "Keep the ball moving, and make sure Shaq gets the ball!"
"Understood!"
He Simon high-fived the dejected Van Exel as he walked off and then quickly ran onto the court.
"And now, let's welcome the league's first Chinese player, Simon He..."
The arena DJ, with a long trailing sound, announced He Simon's entry. The Lakers fans in attendance erupted with enthusiastic applause and cheers!
In fact, many fans were unaware of He Simon's abilities; they only knew that the Lakers had signed a Chinese player. The applause and cheers were partly out of politeness and partly out of curiosity!
"Will a Chinese player truly not be a waste of the Lakers' valuable first-round pick this year?"
Facing the cheers and applause of tens of thousands of fans, He Simon showed no timidity. During Cassell's free throw, he flashed a professional smile and waved to the surrounding fans.
"Good kid! You've got guts, not the least bit nervous!" O'Neal, who had somehow snuck over to He Simon's side, said with a wide grin.
He Simon really wanted to tell him that no matter how crazy the crowd or intense the game, he had experienced it all. Could a mere regular-season game possibly scare him?
But these were thoughts He Simon could only keep to himself and not voice aloud.
"There's an old saying in China: 'Lose the battle, but not the spirit!' Whether we win the game or not is secondary; at least, in terms of morale, we can't back down..."
O'Neal listened and gave He Simon a thumbs-up, strongly agreeing with this ancient Chinese proverb.
"Besides, the game has just begun. We might not lose yet, right?"
"Naturally. I haven't even played my best yet!"
"Fantastic! Coach Harris specifically told me to make sure you can play your best... Are you ready?"
"Of course! I'm always ready to transform into Superman!" O'Neal said, flexing his powerful biceps.
During his time with the Magic, O'Neal had a nickname: "Superman."
Huh? Was the Magic team headquarters for superheroes? They seemed to be fond of cultivating superheroes.
The nickname "Superman" was indeed quite prevalent in Orlando.
He Simon sincerely felt that the nickname "Superman" was not as imposing, powerful, or unique as "The Big Shark."