He Ximeng, after completing a high pick-and-roll with Corliss Williamson, didn't pass back to the middle but instead gave the ball to Kobe on the wing.
Kobe received the pass, faked, and drew Alan Houston's weight forward. He drove again, penetrating the Knicks' paint and scoring with a layup.
On the way back, Kobe excitedly high-fived He Ximeng in celebration.
For Kobe now, every offensive possession was precious.
Due to his position, he had to share playing time with Byron Scott. Although Kobe proved himself superior to Scott during summer training camp, it wasn't enough to displace Scott and claim his playing time.
Consequently, Kobe's average minutes per game were less than ten, and his average field goal attempts were fewer than three.
If he missed, there was no immediate chance for redemption.
Therefore, Kobe was reluctant to take mid-range jump shots, and his recent scoring had all come from drives to the basket.
Turning around, Alan Houston attempted to isolate Kobe and score back, but Kobe's defensive ability and intensity far exceeded Houston's expectations. Kobe stuck to him like glue, and though he didn't get a block, he successfully forced Houston into a missed mid-range shot.
After securing the defensive rebound, Campbell passed not to He Ximeng, but to Ceballos.
It seemed He Ximeng's favoritism towards Kobe and Corliss Williamson was already causing discontent among the veteran players.
Ah, power struggles were the most troublesome issue within a team.
If the coaching staff couldn't resolve this, it would significantly impact the team's fighting strength.
He Ximeng knew the "logo man" wouldn't stand idly by. After all the effort and sacrificing half the team that summer to lure Shaquille O'Neal from the Magic, how could he allow Ceballos to drive O'Neal away?
For now, he could only endure it.
Ceballos pushed the ball upcourt himself and scored on a mid-range jump shot against John Wallace. Ceballos's shooting touch seemed good today.
Turning around, John Wallace tried to return the favor to Ceballos with a drive and layup, but was blocked by Campbell.
Corliss Williamson grabbed the defensive rebound and immediately passed it to He Ximeng, who took the ball and pushed for a fast break.
John Starks pressed closely, attempting to bump He Ximeng and force a steal. To his surprise, He Ximeng's core strength was no less than Starks'. Starks' initial push failed, and as he prepared to exert more force, He Ximeng suddenly stopped, executed a behind-the-back dribble, switched the ball to his left hand, and without breaking stride, delivered a slick one-handed pass to Kobe, who was trailing in the middle!
Kobe, presented with such a prime opportunity, wouldn't pass it up!
Catching the ball, he took off and slammed it through the hoop with a powerful tomahawk dunk.
At the end of the first quarter, the Lakers led the Knicks by 4 points, 24-20.
Kobe had scored 4 points on 2-of-2 shooting in the quarter.
He Ximeng had scored 3 points and dished out 3 assists on 1-of-1 shooting.
At the start of the second quarter, it was supposed to be He Ximeng's rotation time. However, Coach Harris benched him, bringing in Nick Van Exel.
What was this move? Was it to compensate for He Ximeng taking Van Exel's minutes in the first quarter?
Kobe and Corliss Williamson remained on the court, but they couldn't establish any chemistry with Van Exel.
Kobe attempted another turnaround mid-range jumper, but the ball rimmed out. Beyond that, there was no other notable contribution.
Two and a half minutes later, Kobe was substituted out for Eddie Jones.
Coach Harris then began substituting in the rest of the starting lineup!
Eddie Jones replaced Kobe, Elden Campbell replaced Corliss Williamson, Shaquille O'Neal replaced Greg Foster, and Ceballos remained in the game…
"Ximeng!" Coach Harris suddenly called out He Ximeng's name.
During the second quarter's rotation, Harris had played Van Exel. Now that the rotation was over and it was time to return to the starting lineup, Harris, surprisingly, remembered He Ximeng… he pulled Van Exel and paired He Ximeng with the other four starters!
Van Exel walked off the court looking resentful, not even high-fiving He Ximeng.
"Let's go!" Kobe extended his fist and met He Ximeng's.
Shaquille O'Neal winked at He Ximeng, "Pass the ball well! I'll be waiting under the basket…"
Coach Harris was indeed a coach who played by his own rules. His lineup adjustments were dizzying.
Frankly, such adjustments had both advantages and disadvantages.
The advantage was the ability to swap players' minutes at any time based on their form, ensuring the team maintained a high overall level of competitiveness.
The disadvantage was that the players themselves didn't know who they would be paired with or when they would play, making them prone to emotional fluctuations.
Fortunately, despite his youthful appearance, He Ximeng possessed a seasoned heart.
Coach Harris's minor test wouldn't affect He Ximeng's mindset.
Upon entering the game with the starting lineup, He Ximeng wasn't overly excited or timid. He played his game as usual!
When he had the ball on the perimeter, he directed Eddie Jones to the left corner and called for O'Neal to come up to the high post…
The paint was already crowded. Even if He Ximeng passed the ball to O'Neal, he couldn't get close to the basket. It was better to disrupt the Knicks' defensive rhythm and have O'Neal draw Ewing to the high post…
He Ximeng isolated Patrick Ewing, faked, and then accelerated past him, smoothly driving into the paint!
During the drive, He Ximeng deliberately focused the attention of O'Neal cutting down the middle, making all the Knicks players believe that He Ximeng's primary option was to pass to O'Neal in the middle, and his second option was to drive himself…
Therefore, Ewing focused on defending He Ximeng's pass to the middle, and Charles Oakley, positioned under the basket, slid over, ready to block.
As a result, He Ximeng neither passed nor drove. Instead, he penetrated from the right side of the basket and exited from the left, then opportunistically passed to Eddie Jones, who was waiting in the left corner…
Eddie Jones initially thought he was just a pawn, meant to create space for He Ximeng. He never expected to be He Ximeng's primary offensive choice!
Slightly overwhelmed, Eddie Jones caught the ball and shot, sinking another three-pointer, not wasting He Ximeng's thoughtful play!
As O'Neal retreated, he grumbled to He Ximeng, "If you're not going to pass to me, can you at least not ask me to set screens up high? It's tiring…"
"It's not that I won't pass! It's that I can't pass! Your threat under the basket is too great. Ewing guards you like he's guarding Wilt Chamberlain, giving no space to pass… Only when you move can you disrupt the Knicks' defense, and then we'll have a chance to get shots off… Like Eddie's shot just now, it's all thanks to you…"
Hearing He Ximeng's explanation, which contained a good deal of flattery, O'Neal's mood immediately brightened.
"The Knicks' defense is indeed very tough… I'll reluctantly exert a bit more energy then…"
"That's the spirit! You're our team's superstar… If you don't take on this responsibility, who can?"
"Okay… let's play like this then…"