But Kidd was not easy to deal with! In terms of one-on-one defense, Kidd was basically on the same level as Payton, representing the pinnacle of defensive ability for point guards in the league's history!
Payton's defense could reduce the scoring efficiency of a prime Jordan. Kidd, on the other hand, could defend from the 1 to the 4 position, from Kobe and LeBron all the way to Durant, and very effectively at that!
Height, strength, speed, skill, and experience – Kidd lacked none of them!
Facing such a defender, it was a headache for anyone to go one-on-one!
Originally, with the help of his teammates, whether it was pick-and-rolls or offensive plays, they could weaken Kidd's individual defense as much as possible. Now, in this play, He Ximeng was pushed to the forefront, in a difficult situation!
He Ximeng's first choice was to use his "butterfly through flowers" move, faking to dizzy Kidd and then seizing the opportunity to drive into the paint!
As a result, this move was not very effective against Kidd.
Just as elite scorers don't aim at the basket with their eyes, elite defenders don't judge their opponent's next move with their eyes.
Often, it's muscle memory, a kind of instinct!
Kidd wasn't fooled by fakes, and his defensive fundamentals were solid. He Ximeng couldn't find space to break through. If he chose to force his way in, he would undoubtedly be contained by Kidd, leading to an aerial confrontation... In the previous play, He Ximeng had a slight advantage in the air with his run-up, but in a direct confrontation, He Ximeng wasn't too confident...
Since breaking through was unsuccessful, He Ximeng decisively chose a step-back after a behind-the-back dribble!
Kidd seemed prepared, immediately reaching out to disrupt He Ximeng's shooting motion, but he didn't jump directly!
He was so crafty! One move, two preparations! It was too difficult to trick Kidd...
He Ximeng gritted his teeth and chose to perform consecutive behind-the-back dribbles and step-backs, his eyes scanning the open spaces on both sides of Kidd, as if contemplating whether to go right or left...
Whether it was He Ximeng's gaze that had an effect, or Kidd's final prediction was wrong!
Seeing the consecutive behind-the-back dribbles, He Ximeng, who had already taken three steps back and was about to take even more, almost reaching the logo circle, Kidd believed He Ximeng would drive in the next moment, so he crouched even lower...
This was the opportunity!
He Ximeng waited for this moment, suddenly gathered the ball, and quickly shot!
A super-long three-pointer!
Due to the misprediction, Kidd's reaction was about 0.1 seconds slower than normal...
It was this 0.1 second that allowed the basketball to narrowly avoid Kidd's lunging fingers as He Ximeng shot...
The ball then traced an elegant arc and swished through the net!
"Wow..." The Lakers fans in the arena erupted again, "Three-point King! Three-point King! Three-point King!..."
Someone started it, and the chant for He Ximeng's victory in the three-point contest echoed throughout the Great Western Forum arena!
Kidd was not convinced and turned around, intending to return He Ximeng's three-point shot.
However, Kidd's three-point touch didn't seem as excellent as He Ximeng's. The ball bounced off the rim. Kidd wanted to go for the offensive rebound, but how could Eddie Jones let him? Unable to secure it, he immediately tipped the ball out past the three-point line!
Kevin Johnson and He Ximeng reached the landing spot simultaneously, but He Ximeng, with his height advantage, snatched the rebound into his arms.
The Lakers fans in the arena chanted "One more play!" again, but He Ximeng ignored their requests, pushing the ball quickly on the fast break and signaling his teammates on the wings to advance quickly!
Fox on the left, Eddie Jones on the right!
As Fox started, he was positioned further out and thus entered the Suns' paint early. With the ball delivered as he arrived, He Ximeng made a beautiful bounce pass, precisely landing in Fox's hands!
Fox received the ball and went up for a layup, attempting a delicate scoop shot!
Unexpectedly, Robinson, who was chasing him from behind, was very aggressive and flew in, swatting Fox's sure-fire shot onto the backboard!
Fortunately, after the ball bounced back, it landed directly in the path of He Ximeng, who was trailing behind. He Ximeng leaped up, using Robinson's "tip-in assist" to catch the ball with both hands and deliver a two-handed dunk!
"The brutal Simon is back!"
The Lakers fans in the arena never imagined that He Ximeng, whose playing style was usually gentle, would deliver two consecutive dunks after returning in the second half!
One one-handed slam dunk + one two-handed put-back dunk!
Wasn't this one of the favorite scoring moves of Kobe, the other of the Lakers' twin stars?
"Where is the brutal Kobe?"
Uh, Kobe was still sitting on the bench, wrapped in a white towel, cheering He Ximeng on...
Although unwilling, Kobe had to admit that He Ximeng's second put-back dunk was perfectly timed!
Too early was too fast, a second too late was too slow. At that precise moment, he exerted force, jumped, caught the ball, and dunked, all in one fluid motion...
Even if it were him, Kobe would have to admit that he could only achieve He Ximeng's current level of precision and flair!
This play also showed that He Ximeng's dunking skills were actually quite good!
"But this guy usually pretends to be just a pure shooter who only hits threes..."
Kobe applauded and cheered for He Ximeng, while internally complaining about He Ximeng playing the role of a weakling to fool his opponents.
The Suns players, and all the Suns fans watching the live broadcast on television, were also complaining, just like Kobe.
Thanks to He Ximeng's sudden two dunks and a three-pointer, the Lakers started the second half with a 7:2 scoring run, successfully extending their lead!
The Suns' offense didn't keep up, and they couldn't maintain the score. When it was their turn, the Suns tried to stifle the Lakers' offense with defense, resorting to double-teams to contain He Ximeng's scoring. Unexpectedly, He Ximeng knew when to press and when to let go. With his hot shooting hand, he decisively gave up his own offense, drawing the Suns' defensive attention, and then chose to lob the ball to O'Neal in the paint...
Without any hesitation or lingering.
If one had to categorize him, He Ximeng at this stage was a relatively traditional point guard, prioritizing organization, teamwork, and winning... Personal scoring was secondary, as long as it wasn't too low...
Moreover, in the current Lakers lineup, O'Neal was the most stable scoring option!
No matter how hot He Ximeng's shooting hand was, could it be hotter than O'Neal's inside dunks?
As the on-court commander, He Ximeng's mind remained clear at all times.
He Ximeng's sudden change of pace caught the Suns off guard, and O'Neal took advantage by scoring two quick baskets in the paint.
Later, the Suns adjusted their rhythm again, tightening their defense. He Ximeng then timely shifted the offensive focus, transferring the ball to Eddie Jones...
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