"My God!"
"Blake Su scored 18 in one quarter, and Kobe scored 17. This is the playoffs, yet they're putting up points like it's nothing. That's ridiculous!"
"Hey, isn't the even crazier part that Blake Su, a rookie, is matching the 'league's No. 1 player' on offense?!"
"Blake Su really is that strong!"
"Hiss!"
"Blake Su is just insane!"
"..."
The stands were buzzing, and almost every noisy discussion was full of praise for Blake Su.
With the home crowd roaring, the brief break between quarters came to an end, and the second quarter began.
Since the first quarter had basically been a personal scoring duel between Blake Su and Kobe, both sides adjusted their second-quarter rotations.
The Suns kept starters Curry and Nash on the floor, while the Lakers kept starters Fisher and Pau Gasol out there.
Blake Su and George, one handling the offensive load and the other taking on the defensive assignment, rested along with Kobe and Artest.
As for why Frye and Bynum were resting too?
The reason was simple. Even though it looked as if neither of them had done much, as interior players, they had been battling physically every single moment.
Both had been doing everything they could to fight for good position.
Unfortunately, Blake Su and Kobe had both gone off. They not only scored a lot, they scored efficiently, which made Frye and Bynum look as if they had not contributed much at all.
Back to the game.
In the bench rotation, the Lakers had Pau Gasol and Fisher alongside Odom, Shannon Brown, and Matt Barnes.
That lineup was already stronger than the starting lineup of some weaker teams.
"The Lakers' bench is just too deep."
Jon Barry blurted it out almost instinctively.
And that was exactly how it played out.
Over a 4-minute, 15-second rotation stretch, the Lakers' bench pressed the Suns the entire way, turning a 3-point lead into a 9-point lead.
"Sigh..."
On the Suns' bench, Alvin Gentry shook his head helplessly. This was a hard limitation caused by the gap in roster depth. There was only so much he could do, so he could only hope that his well-rested starters would return and launch a strong counterattack.
"Clang!"
After Odom missed a three from the outside.
"Beep, beep!"
Alvin Gentry called a timeout and brought the starters back in.
"They're back!"
"Blake Su and Kobe are both back. Is their scoring duel going to continue?!"
The fans were full of anticipation.
And Blake Su and Kobe, both of whom had gone wild, naturally did not disappoint. After returning from the second-quarter rest, both were still in good form.
In the latter half of the second quarter, Blake Su scored 10 points, while Kobe scored 9.
However, Blake Su shot 66.7 percent, while Kobe shot only 50 percent. Blake Su was much more efficient, which meant his 10 points were worth more than Kobe's 9.
And yet, by halftime, the Suns were still down by 9.
"What's going on?!"
At the commentary desk, Jon Barry asked.
"Hmm..."
Mark Jackson thought for a moment and said, "Actually, it's understandable. Blake Su's individual performance is indeed better than Kobe's.
But Kobe scoring 9 points on 50 percent shooting isn't bad either.
And in this kind of situation, the performance of the players outside the core leaders matters. With their championship foundation, the Lakers' supporting cast has been much better than the Suns'.
So even if Blake Su is playing slightly better than Kobe, it still isn't enough to keep the team from falling behind."
"I see."
Jon Barry nodded thoughtfully, then said, "So by that logic, the Lakers are unbeatable and the Suns can't win?"
"Of course not."
Mark Jackson shook his head and smiled. "Of course there's a way to win. Didn't the Suns win the last game?"
"Oh? You mean...?"
Jon Barry played along slowly, as if he had already guessed.
"Yes."
Mark Jackson continued, "For the Suns to win, first, Blake Su has to play well. That's a given.
Second, Blake Su, or the Suns players as a whole, have to limit Kobe's offense. They need to limit him hard and make him slump the way he did in Game 1.
Only then can they win.
Of course, situations on the court change constantly. What I'm saying only applies to the way tonight's game is developing, and even then, it's not guaranteed."
"Exactly."
"But... no one can say for sure just how much they can limit Kobe."
During halftime, the two commentators analyzed the game seriously, building up even more anticipation for the second half.
At the same time, in the Suns' locker room, head coach Alvin Gentry naturally realized the same problem. He gathered the players together and said, "Guys.
We have to limit Kobe's offense.
Even though his efficiency in the second quarter was slightly worse than Blake Su's, that still isn't enough. We don't have their depth, so limiting him to that level isn't enough."
As he spoke, he looked at Blake Su and said in a firm voice, "Blake Su, you know this. Even though George is our second-best defensive point, he can't stop Kobe.
So in the second half, the team needs you. We need you to keep putting pressure on them offensively while suppressing Kobe on the defensive end.
Not just trading baskets with him."
"Understood."
Blake Su nodded.
Even if the coach had not said it, he had already planned to go after Kobe in the second half. Ever since he obtained [Gary Payton Defense], Blake Su had set his sights on Kobe of the Lakers.
"Good."
Seeing the determination and confidence in Blake Su's eyes, Alvin Gentry felt slightly more at ease. Then he turned to everyone and said, "A 9-point gap, two quarters left.
The outcome is still far from decided. Keep fighting!"
"Yeah!"
Everyone raised their fists and shouted.
With one series win already in hand, the Suns were full of confidence, full of energy, and burning with fighting spirit.
Soon, halftime ended.
The second half began.
The teams switched sides and resumed play.
The Lakers, holding a 9-point lead, had possession.
"Thud, thud, thud!"
Kobe slowly brought the ball up and stopped at the top of the arc. George looked as if he had followed him there, but Blake Su had already stepped up first.
"Step!"
He stood in front of Kobe.
"Is it time?"
Kobe smiled faintly, and a fierce fighting spirit suddenly surged through him. It had been a long time since he had felt such intense battle intent toward a rookie.
The last time was when he himself was a rookie.
"It's time."
Blake Su also smiled faintly, staring at Kobe, his pitch-black eyes flashing with a dark gleam.
Looking at the "Black Mamba" in front of him, Blake Su had already steeled himself. He was ready to use every method he had to stop him.
"Come on!"
Kobe growled. His pupils suddenly tightened, his feet paused, and then he burst forward.
...
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