Although Su Feng's explosive performance in the Western Conference Finals had caused the Celtics' coaching staff to feel a bit hopeless when studying the Lakers...

To increase the cost of Su Feng's shots, the Celtics' defensive attention clearly tilted towards his side whenever he had the ball or was preparing to receive it.

However, what neither the Celtics nor the Lakers expected was...

Because the referees, under Stern's instructions, restarted the "Su Feng Rule" in the Finals...

The Celtics couldn't anticipate being able to increase the cost of Su Feng's shots as they usually did, and the Lakers' opening strategy was disrupted as well.

At this moment, Kobe stepped up to break the deadlock, fully demonstrating his ability to read the game. As Maple Emperor's (Feng Huang) right-hand man, he also successfully prevented Su Feng from expending too much energy in the opening stages due to forceful attacks.

In Su Feng's previous life, Michael Jordan was able to soar after getting Scottie Pippen precisely because, in the defensive standards of the 90s, even the God of Basketball needed someone to help him through the physical exhaustion during regulation time.

Earlier in the Western Conference Finals.

Don't think Kobe didn't have his moments of getting carried away.

But because Su Feng, without the "Su Feng Rule," was simply unstoppable by any known species on Earth, therefore...

Rather than saying that Kobe's performance in this year's Western Conference Finals was significantly worse than last year's, it's more accurate to say that, in order to win, Kobe chose to support Su Feng.

In the Western Conference Finals against the Warriors, Kobe's ability to step up at crucial moments was the best proof.

That is, with age, and increasing maturity...

Right now, for Kobe, victory is above all else.

On the court, after Parker scored two points for the Celtics with a floater.

In response, the Lakers set up a 1-2-2 formation, with Kobe posting up Ariza in the low post.

Judging from the Celtics' defensive strategy tonight, although Kobe's performance earlier had made him less dangerous than last year, the Celtics still respectfully sent Ariza, whom Miller-Karl considered the most effective at limiting Kobe, to defend him.

Because Ariza, at 203 centimeters tall with a wingspan of 218 centimeters, theoretically had a wider defensive area than Allen, who was sitting on the Celtics' bench.

And on the offensive end, Kobe also had to expend some energy to defend Ariza.

After all...

No matter how bad Iron Ariza (Tie Zha) is...

Stealing a three-pointer or two could still hurt the Lakers.

Also, because in terms of tactical emphasis, players like Kawhi Leonard, Gerald Wallace, and Tony Allen were prepared by the Celtics for Su Feng, in Karl and Bird's view, Ariza was undoubtedly the best choice to defend Kobe in this series.

So, the question now is.

How effective is Iron Ariza (Tie Zha) at defending Kobe?

The answer is that Ariza does a good job of limiting Kobe's outside shots and this "Black Mamba's" drives.

But, once the Lakers form the triangle and Kobe posts up in the low post.

The offensive and defensive situation of this matchup will immediately reverse.

In Su Feng's previous life, many people thought that most of Kobe's offenses were unreasonable.

However, this statement is clearly not objective enough.

Because if you compare Kobe's career records against Tony Allen, Ariza, and Wallace, you'll find that...

When facing different opponents, Kobe doesn't foolishly choose the same offensive methods.

In Su Feng's previous life, Kobe had a total of 21 encounters with Wallace in his career.

Because most of these encounters were concentrated during their peak periods, they are relatively valuable for reference.

In these 21 encounters, Kobe not only averaged 29 points per game, but his average shot attempts also reached an astonishing 24.8 times.

As everyone knows.

In a basketball game, whether you can limit a scorer's shots or increase the difficulty of his shots is far more important than a steal or a block.

Because if you can't limit the opponent's scorer at the source, your defense is not successful at all.

Admittedly, in Wallace's record against Kobe, these two weren't matched up every possession...

But the reason why Wallace, who is strong and athletic, always suffers in front of Kobe...

Is precisely because Kobe can always occupy the intellectual high ground when facing him.

See, what does it mean to have players who are faster and stronger than me, but not as smart?

And in the career 34 encounters with Tony Allen, you can clearly find that Kobe always uses the simplest and most direct way to complete the offense.

Because Tony Allen is a famous NBA pest, even if he can't stick to you, he can annoy you to death, so old fans who have watched Kobe and Tony Allen matched up should know...

In front of Tony Allen, Kobe will shoot whenever he can.

In Su Feng's previous life, Tony Allen, who accompanied Kobe from his peak until his retirement, never really limited Kobe's shots in the game until Kobe's retirement season.

Of course, in front of Tony Allen, Kobe's overall shooting percentage in their 34 encounters was indeed only 41%.

But compared to Kevin Durant, who always has some good and bad games in front of Tony Allen, you can easily find that Kobe's scoring distribution when facing Tony Allen is relatively stable.

And as for Ariza...

In the career 26 encounters with Ariza, Kobe, who averaged 25.2 points and had an overall shooting percentage of nearly 45%, not only always avoids Ariza's strengths to complete his shots...

And just like tonight...

As long as he can initiate offense from the low post, Kobe will never give Iron Ariza (Tie Zha) a chance to "elbow him away."

CCTV, watching Kobe post up Ariza in the low post, Zhang指导 said with a smile: "The Lakers are playing it right, since Kawhi Leonard's side is defending so tightly now, then Kobe should go to the low post to charge a few times first!"

Indeed, in Kobe's career, unreasonable offense is one of his personal trademarks.

But even Su Feng had to admit...

Many of his offensive choices back then were learned from Kobe.

Bang!

In the low post, although Iron Ariza's (Tie Zha) strength is not as weak as it looks on the outside, when facing the "Philadelphia Mini Malone's" hard collisions...

Ariza's center of gravity was still opened up by Kobe in the next second.

Then, leg drive, hang time, turn around, fadeaway.

After Kobe's smooth combination of punches, the Staples Center instantly shouted the name of this "Mamba Snake"!

Swish!

"Good shot!

So that's why Kobe is the most indispensable player on this Lakers team besides Su Feng.

Because only he and Su Feng have this kind of game-deciding ability!" CCTV, Zhang指导 said excitedly.

On the court, the Celtics have possession.

Through diligent screens, Duncan created an outside shooting opportunity for Ariza.

But under the curse of millions of Lakers fans, Iron Ariza's (Tie Zha) shot made Su Feng instantly dream back to those years!

Damn it, Ariza!

If Iron Ariza (Tie Zha) hadn't bricked so many shots back then...

How could Su Feng have only won one assist title?

You know, Su Feng in Miami was recognized by the world as the most reasonable stage of his career.

But, if Ariza could be as accurate as Ray Allen...

How could his value only be this much?

Gu Dang!

On the court, Su Feng retreated to the basket, and with Garnett's active deference, secured the rebound for the Lakers.

However, because the Celtics retreated quickly, the Lakers were unable to form a fast break.

In the Celtics' half, Little Gasol still came up to the high post to play the triangle with Su and Kobe.

"Huo! Look at Kobe's strength!

He hasn't even exerted himself yet! Ariza can't even stand still!" CCTV, as a "famous Kobe cheerleader" who Kobe once specifically paid someone to translate his commentary for him to listen to, don't ask, ask, and Zhang指导 believes that Kobe's status is irreplaceable!

And in the low post, after Kobe gently shook his shoulder, Ariza, who took a step back like a frightened bird, instantly gave Kobe a chance to pull up in front of him.

Sideways, facing the basket.

Swish!

"Kobe is simply amazing today!" CCTV, Zhang指导 exclaimed.

In front of the TV, the Kobe haters, who had already planned to relentlessly criticize Kobe from the angle of "lying down to win" before the Finals started, suddenly fell silent.

"Don't worry, the game has only just begun!

If he keeps playing so recklessly, he'll definitely brick shots later!"

Staples Center, after Duncan chased back two points for the Celtics, it was the Lakers' turn to attack.

As a result, the Kobe haters were dismayed...

After Kobe passed Ariza in the low post...

He actually passed the ball!

Inside, Garnett, after a full 7 years, once again completed a dunk on the Finals stage!

On the sidelines, seeing this, Karl took the lead in calling a timeout.

During the timeout, Karl wanted to substitute Ariza.

But Bird on the side reminded him that once Ariza was replaced by Tony Allen, the Celtics, who lacked outside firepower, would inevitably become smaller and smaller on offense.

This season, after more than half a season of running plays, the reason why the Celtics were able to advance all the way to the Finals was precisely because the arrival of Korver and Ariza filled the void left by Ray Allen's departure.

"But, you can't possibly let me replace Kyle (Korver) now, right?

Kobe is in good shape right now," Karl said helplessly.

"Replace Manu!

Since Trevor can't control Kobe, why not use Manu to trade points with Kobe?" After thinking for a while, Bird said.

Hearing this, Karl no longer hesitated and immediately called up Manu Ginobili.

After the timeout, the game continued.

Then the Kobe haters in front of the TV went wild.

Because as soon as he came on the court, Manu threw in a super-long three-pointer that caused the Celtics' entire fan base and coaching staff to have a cardiac arrest.

The Finals?

Sorry.

I, Ginobili, have my own style!

Even the end of the world can't change my playing style!

In the first quarter, the Celtics' proactive substitution had a pretty good effect.

Thanks to the steady performance of the GDP trio, they led 33-31 as the away team at the end of the first quarter.

On the Lakers' side, Kobe shot 4 of 6, scoring 13 points, 2 rebounds, and 3 assists for the Lakers, including free throws and three-pointers.

In order to preserve Su Feng's energy, the Lakers' starters tacitly took on more offensive responsibilities in the game.

In the second quarter, the Lakers replaced Adams, Middleton, Bogdanovic, Green, and Livingston.

And apart from Wallace, Tony Allen, and Korver, the Celtics' bench...

Their backup frontcourt seemed relatively weak.

The Green Shirts' backup center, Olynyk, was one of the few players in the Celtics' frontcourt who could play.

But this rookie who was traded to the Celtics...

Met his nemesis tonight.

That is...

Steven Adams, who doesn't budge even if "chickens fly and eggs break."

In Su Feng's previous life, as a famous NBA dirty player, Love had suffered a dark loss from Olynyk in the 14/15 season, with this guy breaking his left arm.

But in this game, before Olynyk could perform his freestyle combat skills...

During the scramble for rebounds, Adams' "who dares to come forward" rebound technique, personally taught by Big Ben, made Olynyk tremble with fear.

Good heavens!

Is this playing basketball or WWE?

In addition, in the game, although Olynyk always used some dirty moves to cover up the fact that he was slow laterally...

But he had no room to play against this group of players on the Lakers' second unit.

Because the Lakers' second unit's main offensive points were all guys who finished games with pull-up jumpers.

In his early years, Livingston, who considered himself to have extraordinary talent, now basically doesn't drive to the basket unless he has to, except for backdoor cuts.

And Middleton just pulls up and shoots, regardless of whether it goes in or not.

Among the Lakers' second unit, only Bogdanovic liked to drive to the basket and make plays.

However, when encountering this guy...

The Celtics, who lacked sufficient height on their bench, had no way to deal with him.

Because Bogdanovic is as tall as 203 centimeters, and this season's weight has reached 105 kilograms, only 4 kilograms lighter than the Celtics' backup center, Olynyk.

On the sidelines, on the Celtics' bench, Bird couldn't help but regret it at this moment.

However, as a generation of forced kings (bi wang)...

It was absolutely impossible for Bird to admit that he hadn't done a good job in the Celtics' frontcourt acquisition.

In the second quarter, after struggling until the main lineup gradually returned, the Celtics regained their footing.

On the Lakers' side, Su Feng, who wanted to take the lead and help the team pull away, never expected that "Schrödinger" would stand on Kobe's side this night.

On the court, after Su Feng missed two consecutive shots, Kobe immediately signaled Rondo to adjust the Lakers' offensive thinking.

"Huo! Kobe still has it!"

Outside, after Kobe suppressed the Celtics' momentum with a signature fadeaway three-pointer...

In front of the TV, the fans who had previously followed the Kobe haters in complaining changed their tune again, saying:

"The angel of Los Angeles has descended on the Staples Center tonight!"

…

ps: The most adorable angel in the eyes of the readers, the great Shui Duanqiao, has descended at this moment!