svetikya Chapter 13 Shaq, you've been underestimated!
Chapter 13 Shaq, you've been underestimated!
Jordan and Pippen were jealous of Kukoc and teamed up to bully him, while also disliking and hating each other. Pippen always wanted a multi-million dollar annual salary, Rodman was an unruly and rebellious troublemaker, and General Manager Krause always wanted to trade Pippen for something in return. Jackson wanted Krause to get out, Krause wanted to punch Jackson in the nose, and Jordan smashed Krause's office to pieces at least three times.
Owner Reinsdorf publicly stated, "I would regret giving Jordan $3000 million."
The conflict didn't even begin with the second three-peat. During the first three-peat, Jordan didn't want Pippen; he wanted his North Carolina junior, Joe Wolf. But Krause not only didn't choose him, but also chose Pippen and Grant in succession, which made these two Jordan's enemies from the moment they joined the team.
Then, despite Jordan's fierce opposition, Krause traded Jordan's good friend Oakley for Cartwright, which was another trade that infuriated Jordan.
What made things even worse for the two was that these trades and drafts proved Krause was brilliant and Jordan was a blind idiot.
For example, in 96, both Kukoc and Rodman had some injuries. Jordan hoped that Krause would bring in his good friend Oakley or the strong Anthony Mason Jr., while Jackson hoped that Krause would bring in a mature, stable, and experienced veteran to fill the gap.
Then?
Krause brought in Lin Ze, who was neither a friend of Jordan nor an experienced veteran...
This is why Lin Ze dislikes him; he inexplicably got himself involved in the Bull's palace intrigue.
Just as Tian Feng knew he would die if Yuan Shao lost the Battle of Guandu, Krause repeatedly defied Jordan's team, yet the team continued to improve, making a harmonious relationship between the two impossible.
It's still a miracle that such a team could achieve two three-peat championships.
It's true, no one could have done it. In the entire history of the league, only Jordan could have forced a bunch of scoundrels who were not on good terms to come together and play basketball, through his tyrannical rule.
However, that was all in the past.
The current Bulls are the worst team in the league.
Starting center Elton Brand, a Duke graduate, is a recognized super talent, but he is just a rookie who has not played a single game. If we expect him to save the team, it will take at least 2-3 years.
Kukoc, the starting power forward, was once highly anticipated, but he has now proven that he can only play a supporting role and be a helper.
Shooting guard Ron Artest is all muscle and boundless energy, but he's also a rookie who hasn't played a single game.
As for the other two starters, Hopkins and Hawkins, they are both nearing the end of their careers. If it weren't for the team rebuilding, their abilities would not be sufficient to make them starters.
"It's riddled with holes." Before the game started, Jackson couldn't help but sigh again.
"Then how about we crush them until they're riddled with holes?" Lin Ze asked, standing right next to Jackson.
"It could be even more brutal. It would be even better if we could beat that rookie number one draft pick so badly that he loses confidence and retires!" Jackson nodded and offered a more constructive idea.
"It's a pity Klaus didn't come," Lin Ze sighed. He really wanted to give his team a good beating in front of Klaus.
"He'll show up when we go to Chicago!" Jackson said. "Then we'll glue his eyelids shut so he can't even blink as he watches us crush his team!"
……
After a brief warm-up, the 10 starting players from both sides took to the field.
The Lakers, at the height of their power, faced off against the Bulls, who were in decline.
"Beep beep!"
With a whistle from the referee, O'Neal easily snatched possession of the ball from rookie Brand for the first possession of the night.
Then O'Neal swiftly moved to the basket, completely overshadowing Brand, who was only 2.03 meters tall and clearly more suited to the power forward position. Kobe's passing skills were far superior to Harper's and Rice's; with a casual lob, O'Neal comfortably caught the ball and then suddenly slammed it backward. Brand couldn't withstand it. As he screamed and stumbled backward, O'Neal had already pulled up and slammed the ball into the basket!
"Welcome to the NBA rookie world!" Shaquille O'Neal exclaimed excitedly after his dunk, striding back on defense.
The Bulls' offense still revolved around their nominal leader, Kukoc, facing off against Lin Ze. Kukoc faked two times beyond the three-point line but couldn't find space, so he had to bend down to pass the ball and forcefully accelerate past Lin Ze from one side.
Lin Ze immediately moved his feet, blocking Kukoc's inside cut angle while also forcing him towards the baseline.
All of this was done very discreetly, so when Kukoc reached the edge of the three-second zone and was about to jump and release his shot, he found that there was a huge black pillar in front of him.
With a loud "smack," Kukoc was blocked by O'Neal. Kobe immediately accelerated forward after getting the ball, and after a few quick drives to the frontcourt, facing a double-team from Artest and Hawkins, Kobe showed no intention of slowing down. After a series of sharp changes of direction, he suddenly took a step and spun around, dodging the two defenders, and made a stylish layup!
"O'Neal is still ferocious! He's still the unstoppable shark!" Hearn's voice rang out again. "And Kobe's progress has once again amazed us! I think starting this year, no one will call him Jordan's successor anymore, but simply: Kobe Bryant!"
The Lakers started the game with incredible momentum tonight!
Three minutes into the game, O'Neal's low-post move finally drew Kukoc's help defense, and the big guy immediately passed the ball to Lin Ze.
Lin Ze caught the ball and, just like in the preseason, made a clean shot!
"Shaq! You're underestimated!" After scoring, Lin Ze said excitedly, "I've never seen you on any list of 'Top Ten Best Playmakers' or 'Top Five Best Inside Passers'."
"They are so disrespectful to you!"
"Excellent!" O'Neal said, "We need to earn their respect! We need to show them my abilities!"
"Your playmaking ability is in no way inferior to Garnett's!"
"What kind of spineless coward dares to be compared to you?"
"You're right, Lin!" O'Neal shouted excitedly. Then Kukoc passed the ball to Brand, who tried to post up O'Neal, but he clearly chose the wrong approach.
Brand's strengths are his shooting range and agile footwork, but can he post up against O'Neal?
He's at a disadvantage in height, weight, strength, and experience. How can he possibly win?
Not to mention Lin Ze immediately collapsed and retreated to defend, and Brand was immediately in trouble. He lacked experience and the ability to pass the ball. After being double-teamed, he immediately panicked. O'Neal slapped the ball down and it was directly stolen.