vncnus Chapter 1145 Don't think you've got it all figured out!
Chapter 1145 Don't think you've got it all figured out!
How complex are these hand gestures?
Even LeBron James, who claims to be able to perform a set of unique moves with each of his teammates, was dazzled by the complexity and had no idea what the two were doing.
Skillful.
Durant himself didn't know what he was doing.
He overheard Lin Tian whispering to him, and then inexplicably cooperated with Lin Tian, following his movements and patting each other on the back, striking a few poses as if they were good buddies, encouraging and comforting each other.
As for basketball?
The basketball lay quietly on the floor between the two men, motionless.
"FUXX! Go defend! Charge! Don't let them waste any more time! FUXX! Are you all idiots? Can't you see these two bastards are deliberately stalling for time?"
George Karl is a seasoned veteran, but thankfully he's just a veteran and doesn't have any age-related ailments, otherwise he might have been driven to the brink of madness by his own players.
Similar time-wasting tactics, similar style of play, and the Lakers actually did it twice in a row?
Two instances of attrition and two instances of delay have resulted in at least 30 seconds of the match time being lost!
This is a complete waste of time, especially when the Celtics were just starting to gain momentum and begin to catch up. Being messed up by the Lakers like this can easily damage their mentality.
For example, although the Celtics immediately sent someone over to let Lin Tian bring the ball up, their defense then went wrong. The players were obviously complacent because they had just been tricked twice. When Durant broke through, Bass, who was helping to defend, was a little slow and failed to delay him in time.
Durant easily made a jump shot close to the basket, widening the gap again.
"Get your act together!" Duncan roared. "What are you all doing! Brandon, if you don't want to play, get off the court! You've forgotten such a basic help defense tactic? Push forward! What the hell are you hesitating for?"
"Yes, yes, I understand, boss. I won't do it again! I promise I won't do it again." Duncan's sudden roar startled Bass, who quickly nodded and admitted his mistake, saying that he was too slow.
"Alright, let's get our offense going!" James waited for Duncan to finish speaking before looking at his teammates and saying, "If we can't stop them this time, we'll try harder next time! We just need to stop them from scoring like that again!"
"On defense, we'll listen to Tim! We trust him! On offense, we won't hold the team back!"
"yes!"
The clear division of labor between the team's two leaders acted like a shot in the arm for the players, who quickly moved to the frontcourt to prepare for an attack.
If James' former teammates Nowitzki and Bosh saw this, they would definitely be jealous.
If LeBron James had been this selfless and altruistic during his Spurs and Mavericks eras, and hadn't engaged in any unnecessary scheming, the Mavericks would definitely have won that championship in 11.
Seeing James' actions, Duncan almost shed tears.
If Howard had this kind of awareness, would I have had to grovel and be disliked by him in the end, and then insist on being traded to leave the team?
Although he never told anyone, even now, whenever Duncan recalls the last two years he played with Howard, it still makes him feel nauseous.
Now, it seems that James is finally free from making Duncan put up with all that nonsense.
In the following minutes, led by James, who had fully awakened and understood what he wanted, and Duncan, who finally felt at ease and believed that all his sacrifices were worthwhile, the Celtics launched wave after wave of counterattacks.
On the Lakers' side, Lin Tian intentionally shifted the offensive focus towards Durant and Bynum, giving them more opportunities to shoot.
Consumed!
Both Duncan and James looked like they were going to play the entire second half and had no intention of resting. James was alright, though, as he's a well-known ironman and is currently at his peak.
But how old are you, Duncan? What is your physical condition, Duncan?
If he's already been fully ravaged right from the start, can he handle it?
Lin Tian, anyway, didn't believe it.
In the next few minutes, both sides were completely locked in a tense and grueling battle, with the gap between them remaining at around 7-8 to 10 points. The two sides engaged in one battle after another around this gap.
However, neither side could find a way to break the deadlock at this point, and neither was able to gain a further lead or close the gap.
The turning point finally came in the last three minutes of the game!
And it's a positive turning point for both sides!
First, Bynum's strong drive to the basket once again shook off Duncan, and then successfully drew Duncan's fifth foul!
Lin Tian's tireless efforts to feed Bynum the ball finally paid off. In the next three minutes, Duncan, carrying five fouls, would be on the court, and the Lakers' determination and willingness to attack the paint would inevitably increase dramatically.
With five fouls, Duncan's defensive intensity and actions will inevitably be affected, resulting in a significant drop in defensive quality.
The Lakers' chance has arrived!
But less than 15 seconds later, Danny Green and Duncan executed a combination play on the baseline, with Danny Green receiving a pass from Duncan and pulling up for a three-pointer that went in!
This three-pointer was Green's second three-pointer in the fourth quarter, bringing his total to 13 points tonight!
In addition, Kobe only made 2 of 6 shots in the fourth quarter against his defense, and only made 4 of 12 shots in the whole game against him!
Green performed exceptionally well on both offense and defense tonight.
Karl's risky tactical change, bringing on Green at the last minute, can be considered a pretty brilliant last-minute substitution.
At this point, there were 2 minutes and 31 seconds left in the game!
After Green's three-pointer, the gap between the two sides was only 4 points!
104: 108!
The Lakers are being caught up.
Jackson remained seated on the sidelines, waving to the players on the court to signal Lin Tian and the others to continue.
Jackson had absolute trust in his players.
Especially considering that Lin Tian only took 3 shots in the entire fourth quarter.
This guy clearly hasn't fired yet!
Is it true that Bradley's defense prevented him from even getting a shot off, forcing him to rely on passing to his teammates to score?
Whether Lin Tian and Jackson believe it or not, even if you asked Bradley himself, he wouldn't believe it!
If I were that powerful, would I need to work as an assistant or sapper for others?
At least theoretically, that's what Bradley should be thinking.
But when Lin Tian dribbled the ball to the frontcourt, he found that this was not the case.
Judging from Bradley's behavior, he doesn't seem to think that Lin Tian's low scoring and low shot attempts are unnecessary or premature.
This guy clearly thinks it's all his doing.
Upon seeing Lin Tian approach, Bradley slammed his hand angrily on the floor, his eyes blazing with fury, and shouted, "Come on! Come on! I'm not afraid of you, Lin, come on!"
"As you wish!" Lin Tian didn't waste any more words with Bradley, but smiled and said, "I've always had a great interest in helping others fulfill their dreams!"
After Lin Tian finished speaking, he suddenly accelerated and charged at Bradley from the left. Bradley's reaction was also incredibly fast. He quickly moved to the side to try and block Lin Tian's attack, but before he could move even half a step to the left, Lin Tian had already disappeared.
Lin Tian dribbled behind his back and then moved laterally to Bradley's right side.
This dribbling and footwork was simply incredible. Bradley couldn't believe that anyone could be so fast. Before he could react, Lin Tian had already darted past him, leaving him completely out of the way.
Lin Tian fearlessly jumped towards Duncan as he drove to the basket, and Duncan's defensive actions became noticeably more cautious due to his five fouls.
With a loud thud, the two collided head-on in mid-air. Then, Lin Tian drew a small semi-circle with both hands, making the basketball dodge Duncan and come to Duncan's side. The basketball then flew towards the backboard, hit it once, and obediently went into the pocket.
"What a pity." After landing, Lin Tian looked at Duncan and said, "You can tolerate this, old man? I made the layup right next to your ear. Even if you had just turned your head slightly, you could have blocked it. But you just watched me finish the attack? Do you even want to win?"
"You think I don't know that if I actually shake my head, you bastard, you'll scream and fall to the floor pretending to be dead," Duncan snorted, indicating that he wasn't going to fall for it.
"Wrong. I'll find the backboard first, then put the ball in, and only then will I scream and fall to the floor pretending to be dead," Lin Tian chuckled. "Besides, don't you think you've got it backwards?"
"If you don't fall for it, if you don't play aggressively or defend, I'll keep attacking your paint until the game is over or the outcome is decided. What's the use of a Tim Duncan who's afraid to play defense? To be a mole?"
"If you ask me, you'd be better off getting a foul and leaving the game, then seeing if your guys can withstand our firepower. You're already a burden on the court!"
"Your trick won't work on me, Lin." Duncan glanced at Lin Tian, his tone firm.
"Whether it works or not, you know perfectly well," Lin Tian shrugged. "Anyway, I'm going to keep attacking the paint. You don't really think you can stop me with your bunch of nobodies on the perimeter, do you?"
"Me too!" James stood beside Duncan at this moment and said with unwavering determination, "Tim and I are on the same side."
"You?" Lin Tian sneered, "You think you can defend against me?"
"I can't stop him." This time, James was quite straightforward, shaking his head to indicate he was no match for him, but his gaze remained firm: "But I only have two fouls! I'll be right next to Tim, and you'll keep charging in? Great!"
"I'll take Tim's place and drag you down from the sky again and again, throwing you to the ground!"
"That's terrifying!" Lin Tian exclaimed, his eyes widening dramatically. "You're not serious, are you?"
"Of course I'm serious!"
"You've got guts!" Lin Tian gave him a thumbs up and said, "If you really dare to do it and can do it, I respect you as a true hero!"
"Next round, I'll still charge in and fight. I'm waiting for you to bring me down from the sky!"
Lin Tian has never known what it means to admit defeat in his entire life.
Faced with James's threat, Lin Tian acted even tougher, giving off a "come at me if you dare" vibe.
The guy even licked his lips, looking excited about what was to come. That expression made James swallow hard.
Then, I remembered Lin Tian's impressive record.
Let's not even mention Lin Tian's record in the NBA; it's just that his KO of Tyson in the octagon in the UFC was truly shocking.
104: 110!
There are 2 minutes and 15 seconds left in the game.
Lin Tian's layup once again solidified the team's advantage.
"We need to step up our game!" After exchanging trash talk with Duncan and James, Lin Tian turned to his teammates and said, "Otherwise, they'll really think they have a chance to turn the game around and win."
"Understood!" The team members rubbed their hands together, eager to get started; they didn't want to be looked down upon.
The Celtics' offense still revolves around James dribbling the ball up the court. With their current lineup consisting of two stars plus three role players, ball possession naturally concentrates heavily in the hands of James and Duncan.
Facing Durant's defense, James once again chose to force his way through, taking big strides to push past the defense and rush into the paint. After attracting a lot of the Lakers' defensive attention, James suddenly passed the ball.
Green, who had just made a three-pointer, got the basketball and immediately pulled up for another three-pointer.
But this time Kobe didn't give him a chance. He rushed to Green immediately and spread his arms to interfere with his shot.
Kobe had a tough time being defended by Green tonight, and Green just hit a crucial three-pointer for him. He was also eager to regain his pride.
Therefore, his movement speed and defensive focus have been pushed to the limit at this moment. He cannot allow Green to make another three-pointer in front of him.
But who would have thought that Green, who usually only shoots spot-up three-pointers on the court, would actually pull off a shooting fake this time, then move to the side and fake the ball again.
Kobe fell for it!
Desperate to get revenge, Kobe lost his balance and jumped.
Throughout his entire career, Green has probably had very few opportunities like this to use dribbling and fakes to shake off opponents and score, but he didn't let this opportunity slip by.
He waited for Kobe to jump, then jumped over Kobe, casually tossed the ball into the air, and released a three-pointer.
The basketball started to slide down when it was still 800 meters from the basket, and unsurprisingly, it missed the target completely, but the referee's whistle blew.
Three free throws! Green got three free throws at the most crucial moment!
"NICE!" James was the first to rush to Green's side, slapping him on the chest and shouting excitedly, "Great job! Well done, Danny!"
"Calm down and make the free throw." Duncan chuckled and ruffled Green's hair. "Then, figure out how you're going to greet the Boston fans' cheers, hero?"
"I'll make the free throw." Green nodded firmly, indicating that he was very confident and not afraid at all.
The Celtics players and bench celebrated. If Green made all three free throws, they would narrow the gap to three points, which would be a difference they could close in one possession.
There are still almost 2 minutes left in the game, there's definitely enough time!
For the Celtics, it's not too late!
"A Ruben Paterson 2.0?" Lin Tian muttered, standing next to Kobe. "Does anyone here like comics? Are there any superheroes or villains nicknamed 'Snake Catcher'?"
No one dared to speak.
At this moment, who would dare to speak up and mock Kobe like that?
Apart from Lin Tian, everyone else at this moment unanimously chose to stay away.
Stay away from this place of trouble, stay away from this battlefield of carnage.
"Give me the ball next time!" Kobe said expressionlessly, but his tone was enough to scare a 3-4 year old to tears.
His tone was icy cold, like the wailing of ghosts and wolves.
"That's what I was waiting for you to say." Lin Tian nodded in satisfaction, then deliberately turned back and said, "You can't possibly be unable to handle him, can you? Tonight, you seemed to be only making 1 out of 10 shots against his defense?"
"Just give me the ball! I'll lead you to victory!" Kobe said, then ignored Lin Tian and went to find his own spot.
Lin Tian looked at Kobe's retreating figure and confirmed it.
Green is doomed tonight!
No matter how successfully Green defended Kobe before tonight, he got a good lesson from Kobe in the last two minutes of the game.
Barring any unforeseen circumstances, tonight is definitely a sure thing!
Green, being a shooter at the free-throw line, certainly wouldn't falter at this moment. He swiftly and decisively made all three free throws, narrowing the gap between the two sides to 3 points.
Then the Lakers gave the ball directly to Kobe, letting him push the ball up the court and organize the offense.
Or to put it another way: Let him go and take revenge!
The Lakers team worked together seamlessly to create space for Kobe, giving him opportunities to go one-on-one with Green.
Then, the accident happened.
When Kobe was backing down Green, he was clearly out of control due to anger. One of his elbows was raised too high and almost hit Green's neck.
Even though this is Staples Center, the referee cannot turn a blind eye to such behavior as directly elbowing someone above the shoulder.
After a whistle blew.
"Offensive foul!"
At the most crucial moment, the referee made an absolutely critical decision!
This was also Kobe's fifth foul; he committed two fouls in 20 seconds!
"Roar! Roar! Roar! Roar!" Green, who had been knocked down by Kobe's elbow, roared excitedly to the sky. Lying on the floor, he kept howling like a wolf, which was in stark contrast to Kobe's "ghostly wailing" just now.
Lin Tian didn't try to provoke Kobe anymore. Instead, he couldn't help but glance at the completely enraged Kobe and silently sighed, "This really is an accident."
"This guy, he actually can't beat Danny Green."
"Who says I can't beat him!" Kobe suddenly turned around and stared at Lin Tian.
Ok?
Wasn't I just muttering to myself? I accidentally said it out loud, and Kobe happened to hear it?
That's kind of embarrassing.
But Lin Tian clearly wouldn't apologize. Instead, he looked at Kobe and said, "You'd better not let him make any more three-pointers, and don't send him to the free-throw line again."
"Otherwise, if you get fouled three times in one minute, then ejected and completely outplayed, that kind of thing would probably be trending on social media for a whole month."
"That's so embarrassing."
"He won't score a single point tonight! And I won't be ejected for fouls." Kobe said firmly, "There is no Kobe terminator in this world."
"Who said there weren't?" Lin Tian snorted, pointing at himself, "I think I'm the Kobe terminator. Let me count how many times I've taken you down in the Finals. Wait, 00 was the first time, 01 was the second..."
"Shut up!" Kobe snapped. "Defense first!"
"If we lose tonight, we'll all be a laughingstock!"
"But you're definitely the biggest joke."
Lin Tian shrugged and then looked back at the Celtics' offensive line.
The last minute or so of the match was indeed much more difficult than I had imagined.
For the Celtics' offense, James still chose to drive to the basket himself. His stamina has always been unfathomable, so even though he played the entire second half, he was still unstoppable when he charged forward at this point.
At the very least, Durant still couldn't stop him.
The weight difference between the two is still too obvious.
Driving to the basket and drawing help defense, James delivered a low handoff to Duncan, who had been briefly left open on the other side. (End of Chapter)