CHAPTER 659: CHAPTER 318: JAMES WAS FRIGHTENED

On paper, they seem to strengthen the Lakers, but it looks intimidating.

But in reality, for the Lakers, it’s more disadvantage than advantage.

Back when Payton joined the Lakers, they played the triangle offense.

A point guard in the triangle offense has only three tasks: ball transport, passing, and spacing.

Fisher excelled at this, but Payton wasn’t as skilled.

Payton was good at orchestrating with the ball, driving, and dishing.

Aside from defense, Payton wasn’t more suited to the Lakers than Fisher in any other aspect.

However, because of his reputation, Payton had to start for that Lakers team.

The same goes for Deron.

The Lakers’ ball handling was focused on James and Kobe, especially James.

The point guard best suited for James is someone like Delavadova, a 3D player with solid defense and a reliable three-pointer.

But Deron was good at playing pick and roll with the ball, and he really struggled playing off the ball.

And more importantly, his defense was a concern; even at his peak, his lateral movement among guards was considered slow, which is why despite being called "Eat, Sleep, Beat Paul" by fans, he and Paul mostly had mutual eruptions in their matchups.

Not to mention his lateral movement was further weak due to knee injuries.

But because of his reputation and the condition the Lakers offered him to join, he also had to start for the Lakers.

Irving didn’t need a pick-and-roll to play against him.

Hansen’s words to Kobe last night were nothing but bluff, yet Kobe’s words were true; he really focused on defending Hansen from the start.

But now, he had no choice but to switch to defending Irving.

It certainly couldn’t be Deron defending Hansen; Deron was casually passed by Irving, so defending Hansen was even worse.

Seeing James coming in front of him, Hansen excitedly perked up.

Malone arranged for him to defend Kobe tonight because Malone felt letting Kobe get into rhythm was more dangerous than James scoring.

Unable to match up with James defensively, but now they’re matched up offensively.

Signaling for isolation with one hand, Hansen gave James a smile reserved for an old teammate.

Pump fake, dribbling cross-over, stop-jump shot fake, pivot stutter step.

James, with his tech-aided quick reactions, was swift, but his weight was a factor, and Hansen’s every fake could directly turn into a shot, making it impossible for James not to jump.

Hence, in the fans’ eyes, while James was only really tricked at the end, he was playing the fool like a monkey, jumping up and down.

The crowd got restless.

James turned to Kobe with a pleading look.

I can’t defend him!

Back in the Christmas showdown, he thought he could, but reality slapped him hard.

Kobe ignored James’s look.

James struggled with Hansen, so would he do better with Irving?

Irving was faster than Hansen, and James would struggle even more against him.

James felt displeased but dared not explode, venting on the offensive end, charging hard after a pick-and-roll and drawing a foul from TT to get to the free-throw line.

Malone, after seeing Jokic fail to defend, had already let TT switch to guarding Mozgov.

But when tech-enhanced James powers forward, unless you’ve got someone like Howard under the basket, it’s still tough to stop.

No choice but during James’s free throws, Malone called Hansen over.

Once Hansen returned and stood beside the free-throw line, facing James, he gave another old teammate smile.

This sight made James feel a chill.

His instinct told him nothing good would happen again.

James made one out of two free throws, keeping the Lakers close.

Hansen continued to play against James and, before the Lakers’ weak-side defense could close in, chose to drive, change direction, then stop for a mid-range shot.

James tried hard to block it but couldn’t reach.

However, the basketball bounced off the front rim.

In mid-air, seeing this, James breathed a sigh of relief.

At least Hansen didn’t score consecutively over him.

Soon his eyes widened again.

Because he saw Hansen suddenly emerge into his field of view.

Wasn’t Hansen just taking the shot?!

James was full of disbelief.

In his disbelieving gaze, Hansen snatched the offensive rebound and scored with a layup before the Lakers’ defense could regroup.

James’s tech-enhancements still had an effect; if it were before, Hansen would have had full shooting space with his attack.

But at Hansen’s level, whether the ball would go in was clear to him at the moment of release.

So he grabbed the initiative to complete a second attack.

"Stay focused, LeBron." Kobe came over to remind James.

Defending Hansen required full concentration; James had a chance to get a second defensive effort earlier.

James puffed his cheeks.

But he dared not retort; after all, Kobe was strict with his teammates and even stricter with himself.

He could only vent on the offensive side.

Tonight, offensively he played very...

Wait, why is Hansen defending him?!

That uneasy feeling from Hansen’s smile on the free-throw line earlier was instantly confirmed.

He knew Hansen was up to no good!

He didn’t say a word, directly tossing the ball to Kobe, then stood with hands on hips on the weak side.

Though he didn’t dare rebut Kobe, it’s impossible for him not to feel a bit resentful.

After all, he had already defended vigorously, and almost succeeded.

Kobe signaled for isolation, targeting Tucker.

Kobe didn’t know James’s thoughts; to him, with Hansen switching to defend James, he needed to stand up and score.

"Kobe sure talks big; the guy supposed to be defending me is him, yet he makes you defend me."

James didn’t say a word.

But he didn’t object either.

Kobe’s strong drive past Tucker into the paint scored with a foul from Tucker.

After scoring, Kobe clenched his fist in a fierce celebration, inciting a frenzy at Staples Center.

Just as he said before the finals, he’d give it his all to win this time.

That determination made him play more resolutely than in previous series.

"Tsk, tsk, he makes you defend the toughest, then makes you attack the toughest, he’s the real smart one."

Hansen couldn’t help but shake his head, as an old teammate who battled together, he truly felt it’s not worth it for James.

James still said nothing.

But his brows furrowed.

Kobe hit the additional free throw.

The game was tied at 14.

Hansen continued with the ball.

He called for Jokic’s screen.

But before Jokic could come up, he suddenly crossed over and went past James.

James, affected by Hansen’s constant psychological tactics, showed signs of zoning out defensively.

By the time he snapped back, Hansen was accelerating in for a drive.

Seeing it was too late to catch up, James abandoned the chase.

Jokic’s response at this moment fully demonstrated his high basketball IQ; halfway through his run, seeing Hansen suddenly drive, he instinctively boxed Mozgov out.

Now, only Los Angeles air separated Hansen from the basket.

"Bang!"

Hansen soared into the air, with a gliding tomahawk slam dunked the ball heavily into the basket.

The arena buzzed with excitement.

After the switch with James defending Hansen, Hansen scored 6 consecutive points!

Especially the last dunk; James was completely caught off guard.

After landing, Hansen didn’t do his usual hands spread to James but turned to look at Kobe hustling toward basket help:

"Kobe, I told you! When LeBron can’t score, he doesn’t defend well!"

Hansen’s voice was loud enough for not just Kobe but James to hear.

He was momentarily stunned.

No, but he did defend!

It’s just that Hansen was too crafty, with psychological games and pretending to call screens – what could he do!

But he didn’t have a chance to speak as he saw Kobe shooting him a death glare.

James’s heart tightened.

He could sense that Kobe now had an urge to give him a "cut".