He Ximeng had no choice. After advancing past half-court, he called for Horry's high pick-and-roll and then attempted a drive and kick, passing the ball back to Horry for a shot. But Harper's defense was solid, denying Horry any shooting space. Horry then passed to Eddie Jones, who faked Michael Jordan but couldn't get past him. Jones's driving opportunity was poor, so he passed it back to Fox on the wing who was waiting for the ball.
Seeing the ball circulated around for a long time without finding a good shooting opportunity.
He Ximeng used a baseline cut followed by a long-distance run, utilizing the crowded paint to shake off Rodman and sprint to the weak-side corner where Fox was. As he ran, he gestured for the ball.
Since joining the Lakers this season, Fox hadn't quite found his place. Despite starting, he constantly faced the threat of Kobe Bryant, knowing his starting position could be lost at any moment. In reality, Fox was a well-rounded player; he could shoot threes, break down defenses with the ball, pass, and wasn't a bad defender. Otherwise, "Logo Man" wouldn't have traded him from the Celtics.
However, in terms of how to best utilize him, Fox still needed to integrate with the Lakers' system.
Most of the time, Fox stayed on the weak side, creating space for He Ximeng on the strong side.
If the strong-side offense stalled, the ball would be transferred through Eddie Jones at the top of the arc or Horry near the free-throw line. Upon receiving the pass, Fox would either shoot or drive, having multiple options.
On this play, Fox didn't shoot immediately. He initially intended to drive and find an opportunity to attack the rim.
Seeing He Ximeng circle around the paint, moving from the strong side to the weak-side corner, Fox immediately understood He Ximeng's intention.
After receiving the pass, Fox set a stationary screen, helping to impede Rodman, who was chasing He Ximeng. This gave He Ximeng time to adjust and shoot calmly from the left corner.
By the time the anxious Rodman shoved Fox aside, he could only watch as He Ximeng, after adjusting his stance, calmly shot from the left corner at the zero-degree angle.
The ball arced beautifully and hit nothing but net.
With a clever pass and a screen, Fox assisted He Ximeng on an off-ball three-pointer.
The Bulls started the game by focusing on Jordan, while the Lakers initially intended to run their offense through Eddie Jones. However, when Jones wasn't hitting, He Ximeng stepped up to hold off the Bulls' firepower.
After Jordan, Kukoc continued to run pick-and-rolls near the paint with Luc Longley, who scored.
Following He Ximeng, the Lakers tried to find their second scoring option, but Eddie Jones still missed, Horry missed, and Fox missed. However, Campbell scored again under the basket.
The Bulls gradually widened the score difference again.
Seeing the situation, Harris decisively brought in Kobe Bryant, replacing Fox.
With Shaquille O'Neal out, Kobe was the best fit to coordinate with He Ximeng.
After Kobe entered the game, Harris didn't have him guard Jordan at shooting guard, as he worried Jordan might cool Kobe's shooting touch.
Therefore, Harris kept Eddie Jones at shooting guard to draw attention from Jordan, and Kobe directly moved to small forward to guard Kukoc.
Kukoc, at 2.08 meters, was a standard power forward. Playing small forward, his mobility was somewhat limited.
Harris aimed to exploit Kukoc's lack of mobility by getting Kobe moving.
Kobe's first possession after entering the game was an off-ball screen and a backdoor cut. After receiving a clever pass from He Ximeng, he hit a pull-up jumper in the mid-range.
Kobe's second possession was a solo drive. He feigned a three-point shot, then lowered his head and drove into the paint. Facing a rotating Luc Longley, he forced a layup with a tough finish.
Kobe's third possession again involved an off-ball screen, shaking off Kukoc. He received a pass from He Ximeng in the low post on the right side. Upon catching the ball, Kobe immediately went into a pull-up jumper motion, faking out Harper, who switched onto him. He then took one dribble, stopped, turned, and hit a fadeaway jumper.
Last season, when facing Jordan against the Bulls, Kobe still appeared nervous and raw, even missing his signature fadeaway jumper repeatedly.
In this game, Kobe's mentality was clearly much more mature and composed.
Going three for three to start, Kobe helped the Lakers tie the score before the first quarter's rotation time.
Subsequently, Coach Harris took out He Ximeng, Eddie Jones, and Horry, leaving Campbell to support Kobe, along with Van Exel, Fox, and Corey Blount.
Van Exel immediately took a shot upon entering, breaking Kobe's hot streak and causing him to miss two shots in the final two minutes of the first quarter, bringing his shooting percentage down from 100% to 60%.
At the start of the second quarter, Harris opted to take Kobe out, letting Fox partner with Van Exel, along with John Barry.
Kobe was then reserved for the starting lineup with He Ximeng.
This adjustment avoided the conflict over shot attempts between Kobe and Van Exel, making the Lakers' offense flow a bit better. However, it wasn't without its drawbacks, as the defensive intensity plummeted. Although the Lakers seemed to be playing well on the court, they were still trailing the Bulls.
In the latter half of the second quarter, the starting lineup returned. However, Fox was replaced by Kobe.
He Ximeng, Kobe, and Horry executed several beautiful give-and-go plays before halftime. He Ximeng hit two three-pointers, Kobe hit one, and Horry hit one.
The Lakers went on a 12-6 run against the Bulls, successfully reversing the score to lead by one point, 51-50, at halftime.
During halftime, Coach Harris lavished praise on the performance of the "twin stars."
With Shaquille O'Neal out and Eddie Jones off his game, it was He Ximeng and Kobe who carried the Lakers' offense in the first half.
The Lakers planned to continue building their offense around the twin stars in the second half, but the Bulls counterattacked.
The Bulls' counterattack was first evident on the defensive end, as they intensified their defensive pressure. They were willing to send the twin stars to the free-throw line rather than give them easy shots.
Kobe, in particular, faced strong resistance from the Bulls on several drives. He was hit by Kukoc, leaving his arm red, and once Rodman knocked him out of bounds.
He Ximeng also didn't fare much better. On one pass, Jordan deliberately hit his hand along with the ball. On another occasion, after faking out Harper, Harper leaped for a second time and swatted at him.
Despite their decent free-throw percentages – He Ximeng was 7-for-7, and Kobe was 6-for-9 – this intermittent offense was extremely draining on the players' stamina. More critically, it shattered the team's offensive rhythm into pieces.
Meanwhile, the Bulls' rookie three-point king, Kure, with Michael Jordan's playmaking, hit three consecutive three-pointers, helping the Bulls build a nearly double-digit lead.
Ultimately, without Shaquille O'Neal, the Lakers' twin stars couldn't overcome Michael Jordan, who was without Scottie Pippen.