Cassell makes two of two free throws, helping the Suns tie the score.
2:2, the game has truly just begun.
Heximone brings the ball up past half court. Facing Ceballos stretching out his hand for the ball on the wing, Heximone shakes his head. Instead, he calls for O'Neal's high pick-and-roll, uses his body to fend off Cassell's defense, and cuts into the Suns' interior!
The Suns know full well that Heximone's final choice isn't to drive to the basket, but to pass to O'Neal rolling down the middle. Yet, Heximone uses a change of pace, suddenly turning back and moving upward. Amidst the crowd, he still finds an opportunity for a bounce pass, accurately delivering it into O'Neal's hands as he rolls. O'Neal catches the ball and soars, hanging on to Joe Kleine, completing a powerful two-handed dunk!
Heximone records his first career assist, officially beginning his player career!
"Wow! Shaq's dunk is so satisfying to watch!"
"Completely unstoppable momentum!"
"Satisfying! So satisfying!"
...
"The fourth pick's pass is also spot on!"
"Both tricky and precise!"
"This coordination is a pleasure to watch!"
"The Lakers should have played like this long ago..."
On the court, O'Neal finally gets the chance to attack the rim, allowing him to vent his frustration!
After his rim attack, O'Neal turns and high-fives Heximone in celebration!
The Suns' Joe Kleine fails to block, and is even called for an offensive foul by O'Neal, leaving him frustrated.
However, fortunately, O'Neal's free throws are as unreliable as ever. The additional free throw bounces off the rim.
Joe Kleine grabs the defensive rebound and passes to Cassell. This time, Cassell passes to Horry, who drives one-on-one against Ceballos. Ceballos rises to the occasion, blocking Horry's shot!
Heximone, with quick instincts, grabs the loose ball and drives it himself! Cassell tries to steal, but Heximone shakes him off with a sudden turn!
Heximone has a clear path to the basket, but he doesn't accelerate. Instead, he maintains his rhythm, patiently waiting for O'Neal to get into position!
O'Neal establishes position at the edge of the paint. Heximone lobs the ball into the post, allowing O'Neal to go one-on-one!
Joe Kleine alone can't contain O'Neal. AC Green steps up to double-team, creating a defensive lapse for the Suns!
Heximone uses an off-ball screen from Eddie Jones to get open on the wing. O'Neal repays the favor, passing back to Heximone!
Heximone has a chance to shoot, but he chooses to take an extra beat, drawing the simultaneous defensive pressure of Cassell and Pearson. Then, he makes a cross-court pass back to Eddie Jones, who had just set the off-ball screen for him!
Eddie Jones catches the ball and shoots, hitting a three-pointer!
After making the three, Eddie Jones smiles and points at Heximone, acknowledging Heximone's selfless, excellent pass!
Heximone records his second assist of the game!
"This guy can really hold his own!"
On the bench, Kobe sees Heximone have an opportunity to shoot but not take it, and pouts with a look of disdain. If it were him, hmph...
The game continues. Heximone's patience is even greater than Kobe imagined!
In the next half of the quarter, Heximone dishes out another excellent assist to O'Neal and a cutting assist to Eddie Jones. As for Ceballos and Campbell, Heximone avoids passing to them if possible...
Although Heximone is generous, he also holds grudges. Now that bridges have been burned, there's no need to force a smile.
It isn't until the end of the first quarter that Heximone, after receiving a pass back from O'Neal, hits his first career field goal from the top of the arc.
It's a beautiful three-pointer! He drains it with his first attempt, giving Heximone's career a great start!
With Heximone orchestrating, the Lakers lead the Suns 26:20, holding a 6-point advantage at the end of the first quarter!
Heximone records 3 points, 4 assists, and 1 rebound, with no turnovers!
As Heximone steps off the court, he receives a pat on the shoulder and encouragement from head coach Harris: "Good job!"
In terms of individual stats and team contribution, Heximone's performance in the first quarter is on par with starting point guard Van Exel...
Van Exel, the "Madman," sits silently on the bench, lost in thought. His already dark face now appears to shine with a dark glow...
Kobe and Knight also stand up to high-five Heximone in celebration.
Kobe did not get a chance to play in the first quarter. At the end of the first quarter, veteran Scott replaced Eddie Jones! This deeply frustrates Kobe.
Heximone knows Kobe's temperament and advises him, "Don't worry, your time will come..."
At the start of the second quarter, Coach Harris fields a lineup of O'Neal, Cory Blount, Eddie Jones, Scott, and Van Exel!
With a lineup of one big man and four smaller players, Kobe still doesn't get any playing time.
In this lineup, Heximone assumes O'Neal will be the offensive focus. However, Eddie Jones immediately attempts a three-pointer, which bounces off the rim!
On the Suns' side, Finley, who came off the bench, answers with a mid-range jump shot.
Turning the ball over, Scott attempts another three-pointer, also missing!
The Suns' Tisdale drives hard in the paint and misses his layup, but center Danny Manning follows up for the putback!
The score gap narrows further to 2 points.
On the Lakers' third offensive possession, Van Exel sees that both Eddie Jones and Scott have missed their shots, so he decides to pull up from three-point range himself, but misses again...
O'Neal in the paint is utterly frustrated!
"So Coach Harris's 'one big, four small' strategy wasn't for me, but for those four? They're responsible for reckless shooting, and I'm responsible for rebounding? And it would be fine if I could actually grab the rebounds. The ball bounces so far out, beyond the paint, how am I supposed to get boards?"
Recalling that in the first quarter, with Heximone's assistance, O'Neal easily scored 8 points, grabbed 5 rebounds, and had 2 assists. Comparing that to the hard, exhausting work he's doing now, O'Neal feels like rolling his eyes.
The game continues, and Coach Harris makes successive adjustments to the bench personnel.
Cory Blount is subbed out, and Sean Rooks comes in.
Eddie Jones is subbed out, and Ceballos comes in.
Campbell checks in, and O'Neal checks out.
...
On the opposing Suns, Nash has already had the opportunity for his career debut, yet Kobe is still rigidly held on the bench by the coach!
What is going on? Judging by this trend, Kobe's chance of playing in this game seems slim...
In the second quarter, Van Exel gets another foul. Grumbling and unwilling, he heads off the court. Replacing Van Exel is not Kobe, but Heximone...
With Heximone entering the game this time, the on-court lineup is center Campbell, power forward Cory Blount, small forward Ceballos, and shooting guard Scott.
Well... among the four, only Cory Blount is on the same wavelength as Heximone.
Heximone decides to slightly adjust his playstyle...