Popovich moved backup center Veldou to the starting lineup to expend O'Neal!
David Robinson played power forward, and Duncan moved to small forward...
Duncan playing small forward? This was aimed at Fox's life!
In the backcourt, partnering with the "Little General" was shooting guard Denagero!
This Denagero was the future Clippers head coach. As a player, Denagero was 1.93 meters tall and played shooting guard, but his passing and playmaking abilities were quite good; he could be considered a combo guard. He had good outside shooting but defense was his weakness.
Pairing two pass-first guards with three big men, Popovich clearly didn't have a fixed plan for this Spurs team, and was in an exploratory and摸索 phase.
Hexi Meng saw through the strengths and weaknesses of the Spurs' unusual lineup at a glance.
The advantage was obvious: they could maximize their interior strength to contain O'Neal in the paint.
The disadvantage was also clear: with a larger lineup, mobility would become the biggest constraint.
On the Lakers' side, Coach Harris decided on a regular starting lineup.
Center O'Neal, power forward Horry, small forward Fox, shooting guard Eddie Jones, and point guard Hexi Meng.
Because of O'Neal, the Lakers' lineup was not considered small in the league.
But the Spurs, with their twin towers, and now Popovich adding a Peldou, instantly made the Lakers' lineup seem somewhat small...
Before the game officially started, Duncan stood near the center circle, his eyes wide, a sly smile on his face, and beckoned to Hexi Meng, signaling him to come over for a chat.
Seeing Duncan's demeanor, Hexi Meng had a bad premonition.
Duncan pointed at the Lakers' number 17, Fox, and asked, "Are you really going to have that kid defend me? That guy, besides having the same level of attractiveness as me, is not in the same league in terms of height and weight?"
"Huh?" Hexi Meng heard Duncan seriously compliment his looks and thought he had misheard.
"Excuse me? Can you say that again?" Hexi Meng fiddled with his ear, asking Duncan to repeat himself.
Duncan chuckled, "I know you heard me! Didn't you teach me this? The most important thing for a man is strength! A strong man is handsome even if he's not..."
"Uh... you really studied psychology... you're using all that hypnotic technique on yourself now..."
"Strength makes me confident, confidence makes me infinitely charming..."
"You got me!" Hexi Meng gave Duncan a thumbs-up, "As for being handsome, you just need to know it yourself..."
"Getting back to the point! That number 17..." Duncan gestured to Fox's height and physique, "So short, so scrawny, how can he guard me?"
"Fox is just a decoy!" Hexi Meng pointed to Campbell on the bench, "See that fat guy, number 41?"
"Saw him!" Duncan nodded. "Is he my real opponent?"
"No, no! That fat guy isn't as agile as you. If Harris had Campbell guard you, he'd probably get danced around to death!"
Duncan nodded seriously, without a trace of humility, "I think so too!"
"If I were Harris, I'd have Campbell guard David Robinson, and then have that guy..." Hexi Meng pointed to the Lakers' number 5, Horry, "...have him guard you! His footwork isn't inferior to yours, his strength is decent, and his defensive awareness is top-notch... he's just a bit shorter than you!"
"Hmm..." After hearing Hexi Meng's analysis, Duncan nodded thoughtfully, "I understand! I'll try my best to blow him out... By the way, what's his name again?"
"Robert! Robert Horry!" Hexi Meng did not hesitate to reveal Horry's name.
One in a purple and gold Lakers jersey, the other in a silver-gray Spurs uniform, two players from completely different teams stood at the center circle, pointing and gesturing...
One seemed to be stealing intelligence, the other seemed to be selling it; they stood there earnestly playing a game only they understood.
Finally, they embraced in greeting, each wishing the other "good luck" in the game...
Hexi Meng returned to the Lakers' huddle. O'Neal casually asked, "Is the Spurs' number one pick your friend?"
"Yes, we were former schoolmates..."
"Oh! That's right! You were both members of the Demon Deacons! Two years ago in the NCAA, it was you and Tim, Wake Forest's Mr. Fundamentals, who played Louisiana-Monroe University to the ground in the first round of the 64-team tournament... I watched that game live! Louisiana is also my alma mater! However, I attended Louisiana State University, which is a different campus from Monroe University..."
O'Neal suddenly recalled this past event, almost launching into a rambling monologue.
"Right, what were you guys talking about so seriously? College memories?"
"No! That guy said he was going to blow us out..."
"Uh..." O'Neal had expected that old schoolmates would talk about happy things, reminisce about college girlfriends... but Hexi Meng shattered O'Neal's pleasant college memories with one blow and ignited the "Big Shark's" desire to win!
"Don't worry! With me in the paint, I won't let that rookie get away with it!"
"Be careful, Shaq! Tim is pretty strong inside..."
"I know! I like to match up against strong rookies inside..."
"Hmm..." Hexi Meng nodded noncommittally, then gave another blessing to the back of the number 21 jersey, who was warming up opposite him, "Good luck..."
The game began. O'Neal and David Robinson stepped onto the center circle. O'Neal won the tip-off, and the Lakers, amidst the cheers of the crowd, began their first playoff possession of the year!
Facing Admiral Johnson, Hexi Meng steadily advanced past half-court, then called for Horry's high pick-and-roll, drawing David Robinson out to try and let O'Neal go one-on-one against Peldou!
As a result, the moment Hexi Meng's pass reached O'Neal, Duncan on the weak side abandoned Fox and immediately rotated back to help Peldou double-team O'Neal!
In other words, Popovich wanted to use a three-big-man strategy to ensure that whether David Robinson or Duncan was drawn out of the paint by the Lakers, one of them would always stay to assist Peldou in executing the double-team!
On the opening possession, O'Neal tried to take on two defenders, forcing his way against Peldou and Duncan. However, as he turned, Duncan stepped in to establish position, drawing an offensive foul!
In the league, there weren't many people who could withstand O'Neal's charge!
But Duncan fell to the ground expressionlessly, stood up expressionlessly with the help of his teammates, and brushed off his jersey as if he hadn't just been hit by O'Neal.