"We've already made a comeback once, why can't we make a second one?" O'Neal stated at the post-game press conference, trying to instill a bit of fighting spirit in his teammates.
Regarding his abysmal 6-for-18 free throw performance today, O'Neal angrily declared, "My free throw percentage can't stay at 30% forever. If you've got the guts, keep fouling me. I'll make you pay a heavy price..."
When the media relayed O'Neal's threat to Popovich, Popovich smiled and accepted.
"Alright, Shaq, an enhanced version of the hack-a-Shaq tactic awaits you!"
O'Neal hadn't expected Popovich to be so defiant. His backside tightened, and he turned to the Zen Master for help.
The Zen Master frowned and, after a long pause, replied to O'Neal in a drawn-out manner.
"Shaquille, this is all about belief! As long as you have the belief to win, you won't be afraid of people intentionally fouling you! Once you're not afraid, you'll be able to calmly sink those free throws..."
"So, according to you, his poor free throw shooting is because he's scared?"
"Exactly!"
"But what am I afraid of?"
"You'll have to ask your heart!"
"My heart? Here?" O'Neal cocked his head, pointing to his chest.
"Not here! Here!" The Zen Master moved O'Neal's finger from his heart to the spot just above his temple.
O'Neal was a bit bewildered, not understanding what his free throw struggles had to do with his brain.
Seizing the moment of O'Neal's daze, the Zen Master secretly let out a sigh of relief and quickly slipped away. 138 Read Network
"The hack-a-Shaq tactic targets Shaq's weakness – his poor free throws... It's not easy to counter..."
Having extricated himself from O'Neal, the Zen Master promptly convened his assistant coaching staff for a meeting to strategize a counter. However, if the hack-a-Shaq tactic were easily countered, it wouldn't be called the hack-a-Shaq tactic.
Game 6, a do-or-die game for the Lakers.
The Spurs kept their promise and continued to hack Shaq.
O'Neal also consulted his inner self. Although he didn't find a definitive answer, he did manage to improve his free throw percentage from 30% to 50%!
The referees were a bit too involved, and Yao Ming, still lacking experience, unfortunately fouled out for the second time!
However, David Robinson, with his wealth of experience, battled with the referees and O'Neal, successfully holding on until the final moments of the game and preventing Duncan from having to guard O'Neal at the center position.
With one minute left in the game, the score was tied at 109:109!
Popovich called a timeout, but instead of dictating a rigid strategy, he granted He Xi Meng and Duncan considerable freedom of decision.
"You or me?" He Xi Meng looked up and asked Duncan.
"I'd like to try!" At this critical juncture, Duncan neither rushed the offense nor passed the buck.
"Alright! I'll try to draw a double-team on the perimeter. After you set a screen for me, I'll fake a step-back three. You move to this spot, and I'll lob the ball in this direction..."
The two main stars of the Spurs, having received authorization from their head coach, devised an offensive plan themselves and prepared to execute it.
After the timeout, the Lakers fell into the trap as expected. Kobe and Horry both lunged at He Xi Meng, who was stepping back. He Xi Meng seized the opportunity and lobbed the ball to Duncan, who was behind Horry. Duncan caught the ball, took one dribble, ignored O'Neal's sliding defense, leaped up, and slammed it down with one hand!
At the crucial moment, Duncan displayed the aura of the league's best power forward, directly overpowering the league's best center!
He Xi Meng hadn't expected Duncan's final move to be such an incredibly dominant tomahawk dunk; it was truly awesome!
After being dunked on by Duncan, the Big Fella was momentarily dazed.
"Who am I? Where am I? Is this even my home court?"
The Los Angeles fans in the arena fell silent! The last time O'Neal had been so embarrassed was probably at the beginning of the season, also against the Spurs, when he was unfortunately blocked three times by the Spurs' rookie center Yao Ming...
At this moment, Yao Ming, who had already fouled out, was cheerfully waving a white towel from the Spurs' bench, cheering on the incredibly dominant Duncan!
Phil Jackson quickly called a timeout to stabilize his team's morale!
Although Duncan's slam dunk was only worth two points, it was a significant blow to the Lakers' morale!
In the decisive moments, sometimes it all comes down to sheer will!
"Hey guys, forget that last play! Believe me, it was only two points! We have enough time to come back. We're only one basket away from tying the score! So, it's not a hopeless situation yet! We are the champions, this is our home court. Focus on executing this next offensive possession. We have the opportunity and the strength to defend our home court... Kobe, can you still attack the basket?"
Phil Jackson suddenly turned to Kobe and asked.
"Of course, absolutely no problem!" Kobe replied firmly, though he was breathing heavily.
"Very good!" Phil then instructed Horry, "Robert, you'll set a screen for Kobe at the high post. Make sure to stop Bowen and create an opportunity for Kobe to drive!"
"Shaq! Be mindful of the clock. Don't crowd the paint too early! Keep an eye on David and don't let him slide over to interfere with Kobe!"
"If, and I stress, *if* Shaq can't stop David immediately! Kobe, you can also consider lobbing the ball to Shaq behind David... like this!" Phil said, drawing an arc on the tactical board.
This play bore a striking resemblance to the Spurs' previous strategy!
However, the Spurs' strategy involved He Xi Meng as the primary scoring option from three-point range. If the Lakers didn't bite, He Xi Meng wouldn't hesitate to shoot a three himself. If the Lakers did bite, He Xi Meng would switch to passing, assisting Duncan.
The Lakers' current strategy revolved around Kobe attacking the basket as the primary scoring option. If the Spurs didn't provide help defense, or if their help defense was late, Kobe would go for the shot himself. If the Spurs' help defense was effective, Kobe would switch to passing, assisting O'Neal on the other side.
Of course, both these strategies had very strict prerequisites.
First, the primary scoring option must possess enough threat to create chaos.
Second, the quality of the screen must be high enough! If the screen falters, the entire play will fall apart.
Third, the secondary scoring option must be skilled enough! The timing must be precise, the scoring method must be a kill shot, and there should be no hesitation.
The Spurs achieved all three of these points, which is why their previous offensive possession was successful...