Chapter 1 The Key to Victory

Even if the Raptors resolutely adopted a double-teaming strategy against O'Neal, without a defensive center, the effect might not be as good as that of the Jazz back then.

Because the key to the Jazz's double-teaming strategy was that the Great White Bear, Ostertag, could use his size to limit O'Neal's receiving area as much as possible to outside the low post.

Once O'Neal received the ball in the low post, even the Jazz of that era could not stop this fathead.

Because, unlike wing players like Su Feng and Jordan, double-teaming O'Neal in the low post could easily result in him hammering in a 2+1.

Therefore, on the court, after O'Neal scored on two consecutive possessions, Davis decisively replaced him with "professional Hack-a-Shaq" Williams, partly to avoid Ben Wallace committing too many fouls and partly to mess with O'Neal's mentality.

Huh!?

Was there really such a thing as a "professional" Hack-a-Shaq?

Of course.

Before the game, in order to study how to "Hack-a-Shaq" reasonably, scientifically, and sustainably, Williams and his teammates conducted a large number of drills.

As one of the founders of the Bulls dynasty, Williams had always adhered to the professional philosophy of "taking it easy is healthier" after winning three championships with Jordan.

However, this season, under Jordan's constant trash-talking, Williams felt that he had rediscovered his youth and realized that...

His original intention had always been there.

On the court, after the Raptors made the substitution, the game continued.

Williams immediately showed what it meant to be a professional.

The moment O'Neal received the ball from his teammate, Williams, feeling that he could not compete with O'Neal in the low post, simply wrapped his arms around him.

It seemed that anyone could foul O'Neal.

But in reality, because O'Neal was exceptionally agile, it was easy for him to score on you with the ball if you didn't time your foul well.

Williams' timing was perfect.

Williams even deliberately found an angle where the referees could see his foul, in order to avoid the referee missing it.

On the court, because the Raptors hadn't reached their foul limit, and O'Neal didn't get a chance to attack the basket, the Lakers continued with their baseline inbound.

As a result, O'Neal, who was slightly distracted, received the pass, but his hesitation gave Su Feng a chance to double-team him.

Double-teaming O'Neal before he could get into the low post, at a distance from the basket, would maximize the Raptors' double-teaming strategy.

Because even O'Neal couldn't complete a one-on-two in that position.

After all, with Su Feng's harassment, O'Neal couldn't even dribble or post up in that position. He couldn't just elbow Su Feng away, could he?

Wake up, that would be an offensive foul.

Helpless, O'Neal, holding the ball with both hands, chose to pass the ball to Rice, who was standing on the perimeter.

Just as Rice was posing, preparing to punish the Raptors with a three-pointer, Su Feng, who had just been harassing O'Neal under the basket, quickly lunged in front of Rice.

With a well-chosen double-teaming location, Su Feng demonstrated his amazing ability to defend against two players.

Although Rice still managed to get off a shot in front of Su Feng, he was frightened by Su Feng's speed and his movements were slightly off.

Clang!

In the paint, Ben Wallace, no longer having to guard O'Neal, took a breath of fresh air and secured the rebound for the Raptors.

On the court, the Raptors launched a counterattack, with "Old Jordan" taking the lead. Kobe, the fastest Laker to retreat, was dumbfounded.

Watching Su Feng and McGrady racing down the court at the same time, along with Jordan dribbling the ball, Kobe wished he had shadow clones so he could defend against three players at once.

In the end, Kobe, torn between choices, decided to block Su Feng's fast-break route.

Jordan flicked the ball to the other side, and McGrady leaped high, completing an alley-oop dunk.

Slam!

8-10!

On TNT, Smith said, "The Raptors executed a textbook-perfect defensive counterattack. I think those who believe the league gave the Defensive Player of the Year award to Su just to promote him can shut up now.

Because if this version of Su doesn't deserve the Defensive Player of the Year, then I really can't think of anyone else in the league who does."

On CCTV, Zhang指导 said, "McGrady completed the alley-oop, but without Su Feng's defense, the Raptors' counterattack would have been impossible."

Su Junyang added with a smile, "That's why Su Feng was able to win the regular season MVP. His performance on both ends of the court this season has conquered everyone."

In front of the TV, Riley regretted it.

Why was he so eager to turn on the TV and watch the Finals?

At the Air Canada Centre, Carter, who had been replaced by Williams, noticed that McGrady had dunked twice tonight, and his body began to tremble uncontrollably.

On the bench, Davis, noticing Carter's strong desire to play, patted him on the shoulder with a smile, "Don't worry, Vince. I'll put you in soon."

On the court, "Zen Master," who liked to let his players adjust themselves, continued to meditate.

This time, "professional Hack-a-Shaq" Williams executed an even more exquisite hack.

In the low post, just as O'Neal turned to attack the basket, Williams, with quick eyes and hands, used all his strength to chop down O'Neal's offense with a "hand knife."

Even a man as strong as O'Neal couldn't help but widen his eyes.

What the f...

You've swollen my arm, bro!

See, that's what you call professional Hack-a-Shaq.

Professional Hack-a-Shaq is, if you're not ruthless when you strike, you'll just be ridden on and ravaged by O'Neal.

Beep!

Williams, picking up his second personal foul, successfully sent O'Neal to the free-throw line.

Compared to O'Neal's efficient low-post offense, turning his guaranteed two points into free throws at the moment he attacks...

It had to be said that Williams had indeed put a lot of effort into how to Hack-a-Shaq.

On the court, as O'Neal stepped up to the free-throw line, Canadian fans at the Air Canada Centre booed in unison.

Before the game, knowing that the Raptors would definitely Hack-a-Shaq, O'Neal had specifically practiced his free throws.

But...

O'Neal airballed his first free throw.

In Su Feng's original timeline, O'Neal's free throws in the playoffs were even worse than in the regular season.

Especially in the 98/99 and 99/00 seasons, O'Neal's free-throw percentage in the playoffs didn't even reach 47%.

Because the intensity of the playoffs was higher, it easily led to players' techniques becoming distorted during the game.

And O'Neal, who was already terrible at free throws, found it even harder to shoot accurately after all the physical battles.

Tonight was crucial for O'Neal, who was making his second Finals appearance.

After all, he was 27 years old and no longer young.

Also, when ESPN ranked O'Neal as the top of the new big four centers, many experts cited O'Neal's playoff sweeps as evidence against him.

Therefore, in terms of desire to win, O'Neal's desire to win was definitely no less than Su Feng's and Jordan's.

However, O'Neal's free throws were his Achilles' heel.

After taking three calm, deep breaths, O'Neal finally shot the ball for his second free throw.

And then...

Clang!

As everyone knows, the only difference between two missed free throws and a turnover in a basketball game is that you successfully caused an opponent to pick up a foul.

However, what did it matter if Williams, the "professional Hack-a-Shaq," fouled out?

If one of him fell, there were thousands upon thousands of him on the Raptors' bench!

On the court, Ben Wallace grabbed the rebound and passed the ball to Jordan, who launched another transition offense.

And now, the Raptors were showing their true colors.

During the opening probing stage, the Raptors' fast breaks were still somewhat conservative, but after the opening probing was over, the Raptors were determined to run all night long.

In Su Feng's previous life, even with O'Neal's amazing power, the Lakers couldn't rely on him to solve every offensive possession.

Because if you really let this fathead grind forty or fifty times, he might collapse before the Raptors could figure out a way to deal with him.

At his peak, O'Neal's playing time in the Finals was often maxed out, but in reality, he spent a lot of time on the court playing and resting.

The Raptors were determined to focus on consuming O'Neal's stamina tonight.

During the transition, O'Neal's weight made it impossible for him to get back every time.

Also, in order to conserve energy, O'Neal rarely actively ventured out to the perimeter in Jackson's tactics.

So, this time, noticing that O'Neal was still retreating, Jordan passed the ball directly to McGrady.

Clang!

Although McGrady's three-point attempt missed, O'Neal, who had just returned to the Lakers' defensive zone, had to run back to the Raptors' half again...

For the Raptors, it didn't matter if these transition fast-break three-pointers didn't go in, but for the Lakers, if they kept running with the Raptors...

On the Lakers' bench, Jackson was in a state of anxiety.

Even though "Zen Master" admitted that he wasn't as good as John Davis in terms of on-the-spot adaptability, he knew that if they kept playing like this, even if "Zen Master's" adaptability was slow...

The Lakers were doomed.

Beep!

On the court, "professional Hack-a-Shaq" Williams fouled O'Neal again as he prepared to force his way inside.

This time, although Williams didn't stop O'Neal from getting off a shot, O'Neal, who had just made a round trip, unfortunately missed the "and-one" opportunity.

O'Neal quickly adjusted his breathing during the free throws.

Because basketball games require a lot of instantaneous energy, even professional players need to catch their breath after running back and forth several times.

But, perhaps because the adjustment time was too long, O'Neal's two free throws...

Still missed.

And worse than missing the free throws was the Raptors' damned transition offense...

It was here again!

If you've practiced sprinting and long-distance running, you can probably understand O'Neal's feelings at this moment.

Many times, many naive kids think that running 1000 meters after sprinting 100 meters at full speed won't be as tiring, but...

Believe it or not, in terms of energy expenditure, sometimes sprinting 100 meters at full speed isn't much easier than running 1000 meters.

Therefore, for O'Neal, who had just regulated his breathing, having to retreat immediately was almost like taking his life.

And continuing to run back and forth with the Raptors when he hadn't had enough rest would undoubtedly further increase O'Neal's energy expenditure.

On the court, the Raptors had multiple players breaking quickly.

After using a look to deceive Kobe, Su Feng, who had slipped to the high post, caught the ball and shot it.

This season, after spending so long in the gutter, Jordan liked to pass the ball to Su Feng, mainly because Su Feng didn't like to choke.

Swish!

Assist in hand, and a three-pointer too!

8-13.

In the Lakers' paint, O'Neal, who had just retreated, felt exhausted and unloved.

Four consecutive missed free throws, plus running back and forth, O'Neal was physically and mentally exhausted at this moment.

When it was the Lakers' turn to attack, Harper, seeing that O'Neal needed to rest for a moment, quickly passed the ball to Kobe.

After his transformation into a super scorer at the start of the game, Kobe was now torn between choices in order to win the game.

Oh well!

How could he, the great Magic Johnson of Los Angeles, be so petty?

Su, Tracy, Vince...

You all just wait!

This season, in addition to "Zen Master's" arrival liberating O'Neal, Kobe's obsession with passing was also the reason the Lakers were able to reach the Finals.

In the early stages of his career, Kobe, who wasn't skilled enough in posting up, still had many flaws, but now, wearing the Magic Johnson coat...

In a five-on-five situation, even Su Feng couldn't predict his offensive route.

On the perimeter, when Rice received Kobe's no-look pass, Lakers fans instantly reached a climax in front of the TV.

On the Raptors' bench, John Davis had already begun to pray.

There was no other way.

Davis knew that with Kobe playing so well, the Raptors had no choice but to pray that the other Lakers players wouldn't make their shots.

As a result, Rice, perhaps influenced by Davis's "curse," shot an airball.

Su Feng, who caught Rice's "pass" on the baseline, silently gave this Lakers player a big thumbs up.

That's my Laker!

Sure enough, as long as you're an opponent of the Lakers, you can always trust the Lakers' "other players."

In Su Feng's previous life, Rice, who had been transformed into a spot-up shooter in the 98/99 season, had never been able to regain his accuracy that season because he had missed training during the lockout.

So, opportunity only favors the prepared mind.

Because of historical changes, this Lakers team made it to the Finals a year earlier, but how could their preparation for this season exceed that of the Raptors?

Compared to the fathead who stirred up a storm in the 99/00 season, O'Neal's stamina and form were still lacking.

And compared to the championship role player who shot over 60% from three-point range in the 99/00 Finals, Rice was just an unadulterated blacksmith.

At the Air Canada Centre, under the Raptors' wave after wave of attacks, the score was quickly stretched to 15-25.

There were still 4 minutes left in the first quarter.

On the Lakers' bench, Jackson, who had finally called a timeout, felt that the Raptors and Lakers were not on the same level in terms of energy reserves.

And what worried Jackson even more was...

After this timeout, the Raptors made a wave of "three up, three down."

Smith, Carter, and Nash replaced Jordan, McGrady, and Williams, respectively.

It wasn't just energy reserves.

In terms of bench depth, this Raptors team was far above the Lakers.

At that moment, looking at the Lakers' bench, "Zen Master" suddenly felt a sense of despair.

Young Lewis and Wang Zhizhi still needed time to level up.

And Fisher, who was well-versed in "Machiavellianism," could be brought on to play, but...

On the court, just after "Zen Master" made the decision to replace veteran Harper with Fisher, he soon regretted it...

Because unlike veteran Harper, who was good at defense and could switch onto opposing shooting guards, who was Fisher, with his height of "185" centimeters, going to scare?

Tonight, the Raptors hadn't been exploiting the mismatch advantage of their point guards against Harper because Harper, who was 193 centimeters tall, was still experienced despite his age, having been selected to two All-Defensive teams.

But Fisher?

At the Air Canada Centre, with Nash's help, Su Feng, who repeatedly switched onto Fisher, used his ruthless iron elbows to shatter Fisher's "leg-hugging dream."

Unable to attack, unable to defend, and forced to be consumed by the Raptors.

At the end of the first quarter, the score had been changed to 20-34.

On the Lakers' bench, during the break, Kobe, after glancing at the stats on the scoreboard, remained silent under his towel.

14 points, 2 rebounds, 1 block, 1 steal.

Recalling Su Feng's stats in the first quarter, Kobe felt that he had been invisibly distanced by his high school classmate.

On the Raptors' bench, Su Feng, who was enjoying a massage from his teammates, fell into silence after glancing at the stats on the scoreboard.

6 points, 3 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 steal.

Recalling Kobe's stats in the first quarter, Su Feng realized that no matter how hard he tried, Kobe could always catch up to him.

And, if Kobe continued to be so fixated...

Then this version of Kobe would only become more difficult to deal with.

"Indeed, my efforts are far from enough!"

On the Lakers' and Raptors' benches, Su Feng and Kobe simultaneously felt this way on this day.

...