Link's scheme to sow discord seemingly hadn't worked, but Link didn't believe Kobe was entirely unaffected.
Sure enough, after O'Neal scored three consecutive times in the low post, and the Staples Center erupted with deafening MVP chants, Kobe couldn't bear the loneliness anymore. Under Michael Jordan's defense, he attempted a forceful drive, lowering his shoulder and kicking off the ground with power. He managed to brush past half a body length. On the other side of the basket, Haywood, who was fronting The Big Shark, quickly turned around to contest Kobe, but he was half a beat too slow...
"Oh, that's a bit of a pity."
"Kobe's layup rattled in and out of the rim..."
"Shaq looks a bit dissatisfied right now, as if he's blaming Kobe for not Passing just now."
Kenny Smith and Charles Barkley said in the TNT Broadcast Booth.
On the court, O'Neal indeed spread his hands toward Kobe and said, "Kobe, you should have passed that just now."
But Kobe didn't explain anything, instead shouting at O'Neal, "Shaq, get back on defense!"
A look of even greater displeasure appeared on O'Neal's face. Regarding his former little brother, O'Neal knew his personality all too well. In Kobe's view, there was nothing wrong with his offensive choice; he had already beaten Michael Jordan for position, and Haywood's help defense hadn't arrived in time. In most cases, that shot would have gone in.
The Los Angeles Lakers' timely retreat forced the Wizards into a half-court set. Kobe, a nine-time All-Defensive First Team selection, didn't let Link push the tempo, even though Link's transition offense and defense capabilities had visibly improved over the past half month.
In the half-court set, Michael Jordan used Off-Ball Movement as Laettner set a screen for him. Devin George got hung up, leaving Michael Jordan open. But at that moment, Link noticed that Kobe's defensive attention was entirely on his Passing lane. With a "whoosh," Link suddenly accelerated, attacking Kobe's right shoulder while using a screen from Haywood.
At this time, Kobe hadn't yet become teammates with Gary Payton and hadn't truly mastered the "Puppy Footwork." The Puppy Footwork uses small steps to squeeze through screens. Haywood's solid screen caught Kobe, and Link reached the free-throw line. O'Neal, squatting in the paint, took a symbolic half-step out, reaching out to intimidate him. But clearly, Link didn't fall for it. With a "swish," Link's Mid-range Shooting found the mark.
6 to 6, the two sides were tied. All 6 of the Los Angeles Lakers' points came from O'Neal. For the Wizards' 6 points, Link had 2 points and 1 assist, while Michael Jordan had 4 points. It was precisely because of those first two Passing choices that Kobe would immediately try to jump Link's Passing lanes.
"Good shot!"
"Link... this kid is getting smarter and smarter. He knows very well that a lazy Shaq isn't actually going to roll out of the paint," Barkley said in the TNT Broadcast Booth with a hint of mockery and banter.
"Kobe, I anticipated your anticipation." After scoring, Link didn't forget to tease Kobe while heading back on defense.
"Hmph," Kobe snorted coldly.
On the Los Angeles Lakers' offense, O'Neal called for the ball deep in the low post, compressing the Washington Wizards' defense as much as possible. Once again, he got the ball deep, but this time the Washington Wizards' Laettner chose to double-team. O'Neal kicked the ball out to Samaki Walker under the basket.
As the league's premier Center today and the most dominant Center in NBA history, O'Neal's Passing ability was extremely strong. After Samaki Walker received the ball, he faced a rapidly turning Laettner and forced a layup, drawing a foul.
Over the next three possessions, the Wizards employed a double-team on O'Neal, while the other players rotated on defense.
When O'Neal looked to pass, Link moved early to cover Samaki Walker. O'Neal didn't just throw the ball away carelessly; he held it with one hand, waiting until Samaki Walker was at a safe distance before giving him the ball.
Laettner also immediately switched to face Devin George. Why didn't O'Neal give the ball directly to Devin George? Because Hamilton was also moving with him. Whether O'Neal gave it to Devin George or Fisher, it was impossible to create a wide-open shot.
Such tacit defensive rotation was also one of the highlights of the Wizards' new season. Simple ball movement could no longer dismantle the Wizards' defense—except for the bench, of course. There was no helping it; currently, the Washington Wizards' bench... was simply too terrible (female voice)...
Standing 206cm tall and weighing 112kg, the Los Angeles Lakers' Power Forward Samaki Walker had a strong physique. Although his low-post technique was crude, he had a mismatch now, and there was no reason not to punish it. However, he really couldn't punish Link. After backing him down a couple of times and pushing Link into the deep low post, he went up for a face-up shot. Link seized the opportunity and, with a "thwack," completed a strip.
For three consecutive possessions, the Los Angeles Lakers looked for Samaki Walker. Although Link didn't strip the ball every time, he managed to stop him every single time.
"Chief, have you noticed... Link... his Interior Defense is much, much stronger than Christie's," Larry Drew said.
"Mm-hmm," Doug Collins nodded.
Link, registered in the NBA as a "Point Guard/Shooting Guard," indeed had much stronger Interior Defense than perimeter defense. As long as it wasn't a powerful Power Forward or the weight and strength gap wasn't too massive, he could defend quite well.
Simply put, besides "post defense," Link's help-side sweeping, rim protection, and rebounding had all reached the level of a Power Forward.
"If that's the case, we could have Link swing to the Power Forward position during certain periods. That way, we could actually limit Shaq and Kobe somewhat..." Larry Drew said.
"Yes, that's a good suggestion, but not right now... If Link really plays the Power Forward, I'm worried he'll get into foul trouble," Doug Collins said, frowning.
The OK combination were no pushovers. They knew perfectly well how important Link was to the Wizards. If Link were to guard the rim, they would just relentlessly attack the basket to knock Link out of the game, and then the game would basically lose all suspense.
The Wizards initiated transition plays through successful defense. Against the Los Angeles Lakers' retreat, the Wizards' efficiency wasn't great, but Link was able to catch a mismatch against Devin George on the fast break...
In the first half of the game, Link faced Devin George five times in random matchups and surprisingly took a transition Three-Point Shot every single time. What made Devin George call it even more exaggerated was that this damn rookie actually dared to shoot from two steps beyond the three-point line.
At the same time, what gave Devin George a headache was that Link actually went 3-for-5.
As the first half ended, the score was 51 to 50. The Wizards, who weren't favored by the outside media before the game, were actually leading by 1 point.
Media reporters wanted to interview Kobe during the halftime break, but Kobe, who only had 5 shot attempts in the first half, going 2-for-5 with 4-for-5 from the free-throw line, completely ignored the reporters and walked straight toward the locker room.
This scene gave the team's head coach, The Zen Master, a major headache. Sigh...
Although this OK combination was gifted with extraordinary talent, both of them were individuals unwilling to play second fiddle.
"Alright then, I have to get them to set aside their prejudices for a while, otherwise, tonight's game..."