"Zen Master" rarely takes the initiative to call a timeout...

One can imagine the immense pressure the Lakers faced right from the start of the second quarter.

Moreover, unlike before, when O'Neal returned to the bench, "Zen Master" noticed that the big-headed fish actually wore a rare, serious expression.

So, here's the question.

Was O'Neal anxious because the Lakers had been overtaken by 5 points in an instant?

The answer is obviously no.

Because a 5-point deficit, with enough time on the clock, wouldn't make a player of O'Neal's caliber feel anxious.

"Jermaine, don't be nervous. Hold on for a few more minutes, and Shaq won't be able to threaten us."

On the Raptors' bench, just as the Lakers called a timeout and "Zen Master" was searching for countermeasures, Su Feng patted Little O'Neal, who looked a bit nervous while guarding O'Neal in the second quarter, on the shoulder and encouraged him.

And although Da Ben, who was recovering his stamina on the bench, felt that Su Feng was just fooling Little O'Neal...

After receiving encouragement from the team leader, Little O'Neal's expression visibly relaxed.

Oh, poor Jermaine, you're too young, too naive.

Having never experienced Feng Huang's (Su Feng's) tricks, you have no idea how good Feng Huang is with his words!

Jermaine, do you know that of the ten sentences spoken by the man standing in front of you, probably only zero point one is true!

As a veteran who grew up under Su Feng's schemes, no one in this league knows better than Da Ben how persuasive Su Feng's mouth can be.

But...

On the court, after the timeout, just as Da Ben was mourning for Little O'Neal, an unexpected scene unfolded.

CCTV, Zhang Zhidao said, "Wow, Little O'Neal is defending well today!"

Although Little O'Neal wasn't able to completely stop O'Neal under his strong attacks...

But in the second quarter, as time passed, from the perspective of defensive efficiency, Little O'Neal's performance was already enough to make Raptors fans proud.

Compared to the big-headed fish who made 5 of 7 shots in the first quarter, O'Neal's own shooting percentage actually fell back to 50% in the second quarter, without being subjected to the "Hack-a-Shaq" strategy or double-teams.

On the Raptors' bench, Da Ben became depressed.

There is no harm without comparison.

As the Toronto "Space Fortress," he really couldn't understand why Little O'Neal performed so much better than him when defending O'Neal.

This is not scientific at all!

Could it be...

Can Su Feng's inspirational pep talks really have the effect of defying fate?

But...

If Su Feng's pep talks were really that amazing, then why was he beaten so badly by O'Neal in the first quarter?

Sigh...

Reality isn't full of so many miraculous turnarounds.

It's just that the Lakers have been outsmarted by the Raptors.

In Su Feng's original timeline, because O'Neal was too unstoppable during this period, in order to deal with him, Bird and his Pacers, in Game 2 of the 99/00 Finals, showed the world what "insanity" meant.

In that game, O'Neal made 18 of 39 free throws.

Throughout the game, the big-headed fish was either preparing to shoot free throws or on his way to the free-throw line.

Therefore, this game was later known as the "Hack-a-Shaq textbook."

However...

In Su Feng's view, this game is both a positive and a negative example of "Hack-a-Shaq."

Because even though O'Neal missed 21 shots in that game, the Lakers had the last laugh.

Simply put, the "Hack-a-Shaq strategy" has always been a double-edged sword.

While it punishes O'Neal's poor free throws, it often punishes the team that uses this strategy.

And tonight's first quarter between the Lakers and the Raptors, and that classic game in Su Feng's memory, is the best example.

Therefore, how to properly use the "Hack-a-Shaq strategy" in this series against the Lakers has become the most researched topic for the Raptors before the game.

And judging from the development of tonight's game...

Undoubtedly...

Su Feng made the right bet.

As the actual commander of the Toronto Tactical Research Institute, no one knows the problems of the "Hack-a-Shaq strategy" better than Su Feng.

First of all, because the "Hack-a-Shaq strategy" frequently sends opponents to the free-throw line, this leads to the rhythm of the game being disrupted.

Secondly, after the rhythm of the game is disrupted, because fast breaks from free throws produce less than normal offense, the Raptors, even though they got more offensive possessions in the entire first quarter tonight, did not gain an actual advantage.

Because as a team built on the concept of defensive counterattacks and fast breaks, the Raptors, with their many outside players, cannot compare with the Lakers, who have O'Neal, in terms of strong offensive efficiency in positional warfare.

And this is why Su Feng believes that the game between the Pacers and the Lakers is a negative example.

Because in that game, the Pacers, who had as many as 88 shots throughout the game, ended up losing to the Lakers, who only had 75 shots.

Theoretically, in basketball games, the side that gets more offensive possessions tends to have a greater advantage.

But this is not the case in actual games.

In short, to win this series against the Lakers, while effectively limiting O'Neal's performance, the Raptors must also play to their strengths.

And this is why the Raptors resolutely used Hack-a-Shaq in the first quarter, but allowed O'Neal to beat up Little O'Neal in the second quarter.

Because the effect the Raptors wanted had already been achieved.

Throughout the first quarter, because the pace of the game was slow, the players on both teams did not expend much energy.

But this normal consumption does not include O'Neal.

Because tonight's O'Neal, under the Raptors' multiple targeted attacks, has been accelerating his energy consumption in order to break the deadlock.

In the first quarter, he not only frequently came up to the high post to screen for his teammates, but also staged many famous scenes of overpowering two opponents at once in the second half of the first quarter.

As a result, under O'Neal's leadership, the Lakers seemed to be the leading side in the first quarter, but in reality, they had already entered the pocket formation that the Raptors had prepared for them in advance.

The Raptors' crazy Hack-a-Shaq at the beginning of the first quarter was to tell O'Neal that if you want to score, you have to give it your all.

And using Battier to play wrestling was to further force out O'Neal's limit.

Even at the expense of the game rhythm in the first quarter, the Raptors insisted on depleting O'Neal's energy.

And originally, according to "Zen Master's" pre-game plan, he intended to let O'Neal rest a bit in the second quarter.

Because basketball games consume a lot of energy instantly, even players with good stamina will experience technical deformation under such consumption.

But...

Since the Raptors' real killer move is their bench lineup, "Zen Master" has no choice but to accept it.

However, under the Raptors' targeted attacks, the shark's energy bar had already reached a state where he had to rest and recover.

So, Su Feng didn't fool Little O'Neal.

And Little O'Neal didn't complete a miraculous turnaround on this night under Su Feng's deception.

It's just that Da Ben was playing against a full-strength O'Neal, while Little O'Neal was playing against an O'Neal with depleted health.

In addition, the Raptors have been speeding up the pace in the second quarter, so do you know how tired O'Neal was tonight?

And more fatally...

After falling into the Raptors' trap, "Zen Master" no longer has the chance to correct his mistakes.

Because under the threat of the Raptors' wave of attacks, "Zen Master" doesn't dare to substitute O'Neal off the court.

Also, if it were against other opponents, that would be fine.

Because at worst, O'Neal could use his experience to recover while playing.

But against the Raptors...

Rest?

On the court, watching the Raptors players who just want to race with him, regardless of the consequences...

In the second quarter, O'Neal's biggest wish was probably to blow up this arena with ten thousand tons of explosives.

On the Raptors' bench, as the second quarter progressed, Rivers and D'Antoni could no longer find any adjectives to praise Davis and Su Feng, the mentor and disciple duo.

Because after successfully passing the Celtics, in this year's Finals, the values of these two young coaches have been refreshed once again.

As early as when they were studying the Lakers before the game, Rivers and D'Antoni each proposed three plans.

But compared to the tactics that Davis ultimately decided to adopt, these two no longer dare to mention the pile of nonsense they wrote.

This is simply the ultimate operation!

From beginning to end, the Raptors' tactics have been targeting O'Neal.

Statistically, O'Neal's numbers look very bright, but in reality, this shark has already been locked in a cage by the Raptors.

At the end of the first half, O'Neal, who had been working hard for the entire first half, was as tired as if he had played two games in a row.

And more than physical fatigue...

Falling behind in the score is probably what O'Neal can't figure out the most.

At the end of the half, the score between the two teams had been rewritten to 50 to 59.

In the second quarter, Carter contributed 16 points alone for the Raptors, while Su Feng also had 4 points in this quarter.

And originally, when O'Neal's stamina declined, the Lakers would generally use Kobe as the main offensive point.

But under Su Feng's defense, Kobe quickly put on the same mask that Su Feng wore when attacking tonight.

Come on! Let's hurt each other!

Heh...

Haven't beaten you for three days, and you're really trying to take over, huh?

During the halftime break, watching the huge amount of defensive misses that Kobe provided him tonight, Su Feng couldn't even remember when was the last time he farmed misses so happily.

To be honest, if it wasn't to save enough stamina to do more things in the game...

Su Feng really wouldn't want to let others guard Kobe.

Because in the system's judgment, Kobe provided him with as much as 18,000 points for offensive misses and 3,600 points for defensive misses, so for Su Feng, every time he scored in front of Kobe, his heart was bleeding!

And if he can't defend Kobe, then it would be adding insult to injury.

Therefore, whenever he guards Kobe, Su Feng has given it his all tonight.

…

After a short halftime break, in the third quarter, both teams put on their starting lineups from the first quarter.

As a result...

O'Neal, who had finally recovered a bit of energy, became depressed again.

Because thinking that the Raptors would no longer "Hack-a-Shaq," he was continuously taken care of by Da Ben as soon as the third quarter started.

Although the "Hack-a-Shaq strategy" is a double-edged sword, as long as it can be used reasonably at the right time and its role is fully utilized, then for the Raptors, this is the best strategy they can use to deal with the Lakers.

Unlike the second quarter, as soon as the third quarter started, because the Raptors had already established a lead, the most important thing was to consolidate their lead and expand it.

Therefore, in Su Feng and Davis's view, taking the "Hack-a-Shaq strategy" at this time is definitely the most appropriate time.

As for continuing to speed up and try to widen the gap?

No...

Because in basketball games, the players' touch and offensive state are uncontrollable, so instead of taking risks, the Raptors chose a strategy that is almost unsolvable.

That is, continue to lower O'Neal's health.

As soon as the third quarter started, under the Raptors' continuous persecution, in order to seek a chance of survival in the restricted area, O'Neal had no choice but to increase his amount of exercise.

Think about it, with O'Neal's astonishing weight, he not only has to frequently set screens for his teammates when attacking...

Also, in the low post, in order to avoid being fouled and interrupted when attacking, he has to try his best to get the best position...

Honestly, the predicament O'Neal is facing tonight, even Michael Jordan in his prime, has probably never had.

On the other side, while bleeding in his heart, Su Feng was also steadily providing output for the Raptors.

On the Lakers' bench, "Zen Master" was a little desperate.

Because he knew very well that as long as O'Neal's health entered the Raptors' one-wave-kill line...

Then the Lakers will inevitably collapse.

And all of this...

What "Zen Master" couldn't figure out the most was Su Feng's omnipresent influence.

As a coach who had hugged Michael Jordan's thighs and won five NBA championships, in Jackson's view, technically speaking, apart from his fadeaway jumper, Su Feng still had a big gap compared to Jordan.

But...

In some ways, the dominance that Su Feng showed in the game made Jackson no longer want to face him.

Just like in the future, many stars will shudder when they mention Jimmy Butler's name...

The type of player that Su Feng is, improves the combat effectiveness and cohesion of the entire team.

According to statistics, Su Feng has a total of 24 points so far, while O'Neal has 28 points.

But...

Don't forget Su Feng's omnipresent figure on the defensive end.

Moreover, these 24 points that Su Feng scored...

Were scored under Kobe's strict defense.

Therefore, even if he doesn't want to admit it, in Jackson's view, Su Feng is already the NBA's No. 1 player this season.

In fact, as early as the end of the first half, the shrewd Jackson had already seen Davis's cunning tactical intentions tonight.

But just like the Celtics who fell at the door of the Eastern Conference Finals...

It's not that Auerbach didn't want to make changes and didn't have countermeasures.

It's that Su Feng forced them...

They couldn't cope.

"He's only 22 years old..."

In front of the TV, almost simultaneously, Riley and Jackson, who was on the scene, let out the same sigh.

And at the Air Canada Centre, with 4 minutes and 11 seconds left in the third quarter, with Carter's re-entry, the Raptors' one-wave kill also arrived as scheduled.

Consume, operate, repeatedly consume, and take away in one wave.

On June 7, 2000...

The Raptors once again showed the world their despairing power!

…

ps: Thank you for your concern, everyone! I would also like to report here that A Qiao is now not running on the treadmill, but walking appropriately, because the current stage of weight loss mainly depends on diet and rest adjustment.

Also, Qiao also wants to swim! But it's so cold, do you want to hear pig noises?