132: 076: The Complete Collapse of Michael’s Myth (Thanks to the generous reward from the family’s head of household!)_2 132: 076: The Complete Collapse of Michael’s Myth (Thanks to the generous reward from the family’s head of household!)_2 This time on the attack, O’Neal gently tossed the ball into the basket under the pincer movement of Webber and Kukoc.
Shaq wasn’t just about slam dunks in the paint; he could finish in various ways.
After scoring, he didn’t waste words with Webber but immediately got back on defense, not wanting to invite trouble.
In the second quarter of the game, O’Neal maintained restraint and held up the team’s offense.
The interior line composed of Chris Webber and Kukoc was no match for O’Neal.
If only the Bulls had Rodman at this moment, Shaq wouldn’t have been so rampant.
Jordan was still scoring consistently, but O’Neal’s threat left the Bulls unable to gain the upper hand.
However, the Bulls’ nightmare finally dissipated with a foul.
With six minutes into the second quarter, Pippen decisively chose to attack the basket even though O’Neal was in perfect position.
The experienced Horace Grant knew what Pippen was trying to do, intending to protect the basket for Shaq.
But the young Shaq, without thinking, went to teach Pippen a lesson.
He failed to reach the ball and accidentally grabbed Pippen’s arm, causing Pippen to crash heavily to the ground.
Shaq made Pippen pay a painful price for his reckless attack on the basket, but the referees made Shaq pay too.
They blew the whistle, saddling O’Neal with his third foul of the night!
“The Magic Team is in big trouble now.
Forget the second quarter, Shaquille’s playing time in the third will be squeezed because of this!” announced NBC commentator Mike Fratello, whose judgment was spot on.
At this moment, Brian Hill was already cursing the referees’ direct female relatives, as the third foul nearly erased Shaq’s playing time.
But there was nothing to be done; this was why the frontcourt needed to control fouls.
Because sometimes, even if it’s not your intention to foul, you might still be forced to carry the foul.
O’Neal had been quite restrained, not losing his cool against Webber’s tricks and Jordan’s trash talk, but this still couldn’t help him avoid fouling.
Shaq had never been a player adept at controlling fouls.
He had a record of fouling out in five consecutive games in his career, and he might have broken the record for six consecutive games if Pat Riley hadn’t kept him off the court after his fifth foul in the sixth game.
One of the limitations of a superstar center is they are prone to falling into foul trouble.
For forwards and guards, it’s rare to hear about them being tied down by fouls; on the contrary, they are often the main ones drawing fouls.
Therefore, the league finds it easier to promote forwards and guards.
Pippen made both free throws, expanding the lead to 5 points.
The Magic called a timeout, and O’Neal walked off the court cursing and swearing.
Predictably, he wouldn’t be playing again until halfway through the third quarter.
Having survived Shaq, Phil Jackson was also preparing to sub Jordan out to let him rest, as he hadn’t sat for a minute yet.
But after the timeout, Roger, who had scored 18 points in the first quarter and had stepped over Jordan, shook off the dust from his armor and re-entered the fight!
Jordan gritted his teeth and eventually turned to yell at Phil Jackson, “Cancel the substitution, Phil, I’m not tired!”
Not being tired was false, but Jordan couldn’t let Roger run wild on the court.
The team had finally taken a 5-point lead, and if he left the game, the Bulls would have no way to check Roger.
Pete Myers, who was ready to sub for Jordan, looked at the Zen Master.
This time, Phil Jackson didn’t let Jordan have his way: “Michael, sit down, it’s not your time to play yet.”
Michael Jordan’s stamina was unmatched, as everyone knew.
Throughout his career, not once did his average playing time in the playoffs fall below 40 minutes.
Yet his efficiency in the playoffs was still terrifyingly high.
But no matter how great the stamina, playing every single minute is just too exaggerated.
To ensure efficiency, fundamental rest is still needed.
Pippen patted Jordan’s shoulder: “It’s alright, buddy, rest for a bit.
I’ll handle that jackass!”
If this were the world of “Slam Dunk,” a fiery manga, Pippen would surely create a miracle.
He would use his never-say-die spirit to hold back the opposing team’s star player until the return of his own team’s star.
Unfortunately, this is reality.
Jordan had to return to the court after only a minute’s rest because if he didn’t come back, the Magic, under Roger’s leadership, would completely change the complexion of the game.
“Roger scored 3 out of 5 shots in the second quarter; his pick-and-roll plays with Horace Grant were in perfect sync, scoring 25 points just for the half!
Scottie Pippen tried his best, but it’s not easy to restrict a superstar scorer!”
At halftime, the Orlando Magic were leading the Bulls 59 to 51, an 8-point lead.
Roger scored only 7 points in the second quarter, but since the Bulls focused their defense on him, this opened up many opportunities for the Magic’s role players.
Among them, Horace Grant stood out, punishing the Bulls’ defense with his precise mid-range shots.
And the trick to his frequent mid-range success was simple: he treated each shot as a dagger plunged into Jordan’s heart!
The game’s viewership soared higher and higher, as every kind of fan could find enjoyment in this match.
Fans supporting Roger wanted to witness Jordan’s downfall.
Fans supporting Jordan were looking forward to their god turning the tide in the second half.
And even neutral fans, just out for a spectacle, would choose this high-scoring affair.