But you can’t really blame Russell. His physical talent isn’t great to begin with, and he needs the ball in his hands to play. A lot of times, the ball is in Kobe’s hands for the Lakers, which makes him always feel quite stifled.
After Russell dribbled past halfcourt, Kobe called for the ball on the right side of the free throw line.
Russell obediently passed the ball to Kobe.
After Kobe’s major injury, coupled with age, his physical talent has declined significantly. His jump shots and fadeaways are often contested, which has somewhat affected his efficiency.
When the core consistently plays in a highly inefficient manner, it’s hard for the team’s record to be good.
Kobe got the ball outside the three-point line on the right side, while Clarkson and Russell stayed wide on either side.
The Lakers currently don’t have a 3-and-D player, and their guards all need the ball.
Both Clarkson and Russell are reliant on the ball, and it’s painful for them to play off-ball, but they can only watch Kobe take shots at this point.
Kobe faced Harris’s defense and accelerated to the right after a feint.
Kobe’s explosiveness is no longer what it used to be. He’s not that fast, and Harris made a proper judgment and quickly blocked him.
Kobe then changed direction to the left, barely managed to position himself, and charged in.
Jokic raised both arms under the basket to interfere with Kobe.
Kobe didn’t clash with Jokic but chose a Euro step, consolidated the ball, and pivoted from the left side to the right.
He bypassed Jokic and, while airborne, floated the ball in.
Zeng Xingyang was a step late in his help defense. By the time he arrived, Kobe had already taken the shot.
Kobe’s layup was a bit of a mishap, but at least it went in.
Barkley shouted, "Kobe broke through, and he completely passed the defense with that Euro step under the basket."
Smith said, "You can tell, Kobe really wants to win this home game."
O’Neal said, "I know Kobe. He saw the Nuggets take down the Warriors in the last game, so he wants to beat the Nuggets now."
Miller said, "Could it be interpreted : the Nuggets beat the Warriors, and if the Lakers beat the Nuggets, it’s like the Lakers also beat the Warriors."
O’Neal said, "According to Kobe’s logic, you could see it that way. Hahaha!!"
O’Neal indeed knows Kobe well. Kobe is clenching his teeth and determined to take down the Nuggets today.
The main reason is that the Nuggets have been in the spotlight lately because they actually took down the Warriors!!
After scoring, Kobe shouted to Zeng Xingyang, "Rookie, don’t pass the ball later. Show me your one-on-one skills."
Zeng Xingyang didn’t pay attention to Kobe’s provocation.
Zeng Xingyang is very aware of where his strengths lie; he has his own rhythm.
The Nuggets’ offense.
Nelson brought the ball past halfcourt and passed it to Jokic.
Zeng Xingyang came over for a handoff pass.
As soon as he got the ball, Zeng Xingyang drew a double team from Kobe and Hibbert in the paint.
Jokic rolled down, and Zeng Xingyang decisively made a high pass to Jokic.
In stride, Jokic received the ball, held off Randall for an advantage, and made the layup.
Randall, after all, is just a power forward. Compared to Jokic, he’s obviously smaller in size.
Jokic executed the play without much pressure.
The Lakers’ double team didn’t pose too much defensive threat to Zeng Xingyang; his pass was effortless.
Once again, Russell dribbled past halfcourt and then passed to Kobe.
This time, Zeng Xingyang directly defended Kobe.
Hibbert wanted to provide a screen, but Kobe waved it off; he wanted to go one-on-one.
Zeng Xingyang dared not relax; he spread his arms watching Kobe.
Kobe was extremely focused, probing back and forth.
Now, compared to Kobe, Zeng Xingyang has a clear physical advantage, so Zeng Xingyang is also wary of engaging in physical confrontation with Kobe.
Kobe’s offensive style is very straightforward. He doesn’t do flashy dribbles, exploding with one dribble to the left.
Zeng Xingyang reacted swiftly, quickly judging Kobe’s offensive intent, sliding over to block him.
Kobe collided with Zeng Xingyang.
Even now, Kobe’s power is still strong, but it doesn’t suppress Zeng Xingyang. He attempted a behind-the-back dribble, but Zeng Xingyang’s hand interference disrupted the rhythm.
Kobe’s body also lost balance, and he quickly tried to consolidate and pass the ball out.
But Zeng Xingyang’s long arms swung again.
Kobe lost balance and fell, but the referee didn’t blow the whistle.
"Xingyang’s defense is too domineering; he just robbed Kobe directly."
"Kobe is at a disadvantage."
The domestic fans were thrilled to see this.
It’s known in their eyes that Kobe is a very strong entity, but now Zeng Xingyang has restricted him one-on-one.
Kobe quickly got up and hurried to pressure Zeng Xingyang, who had just controlled the ball.
Zeng Xingyang passed the ball to Jokic, then moved to position himself.
Jokic dribbled past halfcourt and passed to Harris.
After driving in with the ball, he dished it out to Nelson.
Nelson then transferred the ball to Jokic at the top of the arc.
Zeng Xingyang faked a cut to receive a handoff from Jokic, but it was actually an inner cut, shaking off Clarkson’s defense.
Jokic took the opportunity to make a bounce pass, leading Zeng Xingyang to step into the air.
Zeng Xingyang charged in, while Hibbert’s help defense was a bit slow.
Zeng Xingyang jumped up for a layup, steadily finishing the play.
Russell dribbled past halfcourt, once more giving the ball to Kobe.
This time, Kobe’s attempt to change direction against Zeng Xingyang was unsuccessful.
Seeing the opportunity, Hibbert moved up for a screen, blocking Zeng Xingyang.
Jokic’s help defense was bypassed with a low-handed crossover by Kobe.
Jokic, not yet very agile, found it difficult to contain someone like Kobe with such great pacing.
Though he passed him, Kobe’s absolute speed wasn’t quick.
Kobe drove to the basket, stepping into the air preparing for a dunk.
After navigating Hibbert’s screen, Zeng Xingyang chased Kobe from behind, jumping up for the block.
Kobe caught sight of Zeng Xingyang but wasn’t fazed, aiming for the quickest finish.
But what happened next was a shock to Kobe.
He realized that as he was about to dunk, Zeng Xingyang’s hand was already there.
Zeng Xingyang’s lengthy arms, like Spider-Man, covered all of Kobe’s shot space.
In this way, both Kobe and the ball were forcefully blocked down by Zeng Xingyang.
Kobe fell out of bounds, and the ball bounced off him to go out of bounds.
"OMG, Zeng Xingyang accomplished a death lock on Kobe!"
"The block was clean."
The referee awarded the ball to the Nuggets.
After the block, Zeng Xingyang didn’t wag his finger at Kobe on the ground but instead went to check if he was injured.
After all, the guy’s age is catching up, and his body’s more fragile.
Zeng Xingyang has always respected Kobe’s spirit towards basketball.
Respect is there, but the hot pot that must be served can’t be missed.
"Kobe, are you alright? Do you need an ambulance?"
After standing up, Kobe waved his hand, then looked angrily at Zeng Xingyang.
This rookie’s words are really infuriating.
What nonsense about calling an ambulance!
The Lakers’ fans at the baseline gasped at Zeng Xingyang catching up and blocking Kobe.
Their mouths could fit eggs inside.
Even though they knew this 7th pick was stronger than their second overall pick, they couldn’t have imagined the defensive prowess to be so overwhelming.
Zeng Xingyang used just one block to showcase his grotesque defensive capabilities.
Fans believe that if it were the younger version of Kobe, he might have used a super up-and-under to dodge it.
But the current Kobe can no longer do that.
It’s conceivable the level of defensive intensity surrounding Kobe for the rest of the game.
Fans are a bit worried that Kobe’s frame might not withstand Zeng Xingyang’s abuses.
The Lakers fans are quietly cursing at the management...