"Shaq's face-up jumper... don't even think about it, it's definitely going wide..."
He Ximeng quickly shouted, "Shaq! Shaq! I'm open on this side..."
O'Neal naturally knew He Ximeng was open. If Kevin Johnson was coming to steal his shot, He Ximeng's side must have an opportunity. But O'Neal had just made a hook shot, his confidence was sky-high. Although it was interrupted by Kevin Johnson, the ball was a little far from the basket...
"Hey! Simon, you messed up my shooting rhythm..." O'Neal complained to He Ximeng as he reluctantly passed the ball back.
He Ximeng was speechless, thinking, with your discus-throwing style of shooting, what rhythm are you even talking about...
Though he thought this, he couldn't say it out loud.
To appease O'Neal's dissatisfaction, He Ximeng pretended to receive the ball outside the three-point line and shoot, drawing Kevin Johnson back on defense. Then, he lowered his head and drove straight to the basket. After drawing the double-team from McDyess, he dished it back to O'Neal with a low-hand pass!
This play had become second nature for the Lakers!
O'Neal had already anticipated He Ximeng's drive when he saw him penetrate. He deliberately pushed McDyess forward, creating space for himself to receive the pass and then throw down a thunderous dunk...
McDyess didn't react immediately and moved forward to block according to the force O'Neal applied. He Ximeng then perfectly passed the ball to O'Neal. O'Neal caught it, spun, and slammed it home with both hands for another two points!
"Isn't dunking better?" He Ximeng high-fived O'Neal while retreating on defense.
O'Neal avoided the question, slyly saying, "Are you looking down on my face-up jumper, kid? Don't think I don't know..."
"Uh..." He Ximeng was momentarily speechless. It's not just me who looks down on your jumper, is it? Ask the other Lakers players, ask the other NBA players... No, all the players not on the Lakers hope you try that face-up jumper against them...
He Ximeng put in considerable effort to successfully prevent O'Neal's wild shots, keeping the Lakers' initial rhythm intact.
Turning around, Kevin Johnson drove one-on-one against He Ximeng. After drawing Eddie Jones' help defense, he passed to Kidd outside the three-point line.
Kidd received the pass and attempted an outside shot, but it didn't go as planned, bouncing off the rim!
Fortunately, McDyess in the paint immediately grabbed the offensive rebound. He then faked out O'Neal's block attempt and dunked it, putting the Suns on the scoreboard!
On the Lakers' possession, He Ximeng wanted to find O'Neal again. After all, O'Neal was brave enough to shoot facing the basket, indicating he had plenty of energy!
However, on the Suns' side, Kevin Johnson tried to stick close to He Ximeng, preventing him from passing to O'Neal.
He Ximeng played along, pulling Kevin Johnson out past the three-point line. Then, he faked a drive and executed a behind-the-back dribble, feigning a three-point attempt. After drawing the defender, he dribbled in again!
Kidd immediately rotated back to double-team He Ximeng. He Ximeng then passed the ball to Eddie Jones, who had pulled out to the wing.
Eddie Jones took the three-point shot but missed again!
However, Fox secured the offensive rebound and immediately passed it back to Eddie Jones!
Kidd had already recovered defensively. Eddie Jones, without space to shoot, passed it to He Ximeng without holding on. He Ximeng didn't hesitate, driving the ball straight inside to O'Neal!
O'Neal hadn't even had time to react; the ball had circulated through his teammates and was now in his hands!
Acting on instinct, O'Neal caught the ball, spun, and slammed it home with one hand!
The Lakers' first three offensive possessions were all completed by O'Neal!
Seeing this, Suns head coach Colangelo grimly called a timeout. He needed to adjust his players' defensive positioning; this couldn't continue, the paint was being destroyed by the Big Shark!
On the Lakers' side, Coach Harris welcomed the starting players with enthusiastic applause!
In these initial three possessions, the Lakers had showcased their strengths to the fullest, working together to get the ball to O'Neal, perfectly aligning with the coaching staff's intentions!
"Excellent job! Keep this rhythm going! Maximize our advantage in the paint..."
Harris had good intentions, but He Ximeng estimated that since Colangelo had called a timeout, the Suns would certainly not let the Lakers continue scoring so easily. The most likely adjustment would be to heavily defend the paint and shut down O'Neal first...
As for the Suns' potential adjustments... He Ximeng quickly analyzed while drinking water: The biggest possibility was to move Robinson back to the low post! Because McDyess alone in the low post was no match for O'Neal! Only with Robinson back, forming a double-team with McDyess, could they possibly contain O'Neal in the low post. Then, Horry would have opportunities! No matter who Colangelo sent to double-team Horry, on the Suns' already short starting lineup, Horry would become an unstoppable scoring threat... Yes, very good, the Lakers had found their next target!
After the timeout, just before heading back onto the court, He Ximeng patted Horry's back and whispered, "Robert, be ready to shoot..."
Horry was taken aback: Didn't the head coach just say to keep feeding O'Neal?
But He Ximeng offered no explanation and went back onto the court to play defense.
Among the big men, Horry was known for his high basketball IQ. Although he had doubts about He Ximeng's whispered reminder, he patiently settled down. Regardless of whether he had a shooting opportunity, being prepared was never wrong.
On the Suns' next possession, Kevin Johnson and Robinson executed a pick-and-roll. Robinson then rolled to the basket and received the pass for a layup!
However, Horry defended very actively. After switching onto Kevin Johnson, he immediately rotated back to assist He Ximeng. As Robinson forced a layup against He Ximeng, Horry came from his back-left side and blocked Robinson's shot!
He Ximeng conveniently grabbed the rebound and intended to initiate a fast break.
But as he accelerated, he was met with a strong challenge from Kidd!
He Ximeng was mentally prepared for the playoff-intensity defense.
Therefore, Kidd's plan to use physical contact to shake He Ximeng and steal the ball was foreseen by He Ximeng!
The moment Kidd got close, He Ximeng stopped abruptly, back dribbled, turned around, and changed direction...
With a set of solid fundamental ball-handling moves, He Ximeng successfully avoided Kidd's steal and used the change of direction to regain momentum!
Kidd's basketball IQ was undeniable. He knew that once he was beaten by He Ximeng, the path ahead would essentially be clear. So, he made a decisive foul, using a foul to disrupt He Ximeng's drive.
There was no other choice; it was a legal move. Kidd was leveraging the power of the rules.