In just less than two quarters, Jiang Feng went from being an overlooked second-round pick to the most watched player in the locker room!
I believe that with his outstanding performance in the first half, the head coach will also increase Jiang Feng's playing time in the second half. Let's continue to use him!
Kobe licked his lips, looking forward to the second half of the game.
Although he doesn't agree with Jiang Feng's idea of the strongest duo in history, he has to admit that when Jiang Feng is on the court, he can really get a lot of easy offensive opportunities.
This has never happened before in my career of more than ten years!
"Now I will lay out the game strategy for the second half and announce the starting lineup for the second half."
Head coach Mike Brown said in a deep voice, took out his tactical board and scribbled on it.
The final summary is to play more inside and pass more passes to Kobe!
As for the starting lineup, there is no change from the opening game.
The players were all a little surprised. They never expected that Jiang Feng would continue to play as a substitute.
This is somewhat outrageous!
But since it's the coach's decision, it's hard to say anything.
Kobe raised his eyebrows slightly and his expression turned cold, but he didn't speak and just expressed his dissatisfaction with his eyes.
Not challenging the coach's authority in the locker room is a basic quality of a player.
What's more, Kobe was the one who had conflicts with O'Neal and Phil Jackson. After experiencing these things, he knew better how to maintain the unity of the team.
Compared with when he was young, Kobe has really matured a lot and has a leadership temperament.
He believes that even if Jiang Feng does not start, he will have more playing time in the second half.
...
The long intermission passed and the second half of the game began.
The starting players from both sides appeared.
"Huh? What does Mike Brown mean? After Jiang Feng came on the scene, the Lakers had a strong momentum of chasing points, but now they put him on the bench?"
Smith frowned and said, a little confused.
"I understand Mike Brown's approach very well. Even if Jiang Feng performs well, he is only a second-round pick and a substitute player after all! So he should just stay on the bench."
Buckley said.
"In three minutes of playing, he scored 2 points, 3 rebounds, 4 assists and 1 steal, and led the point-chasing frenzy. A player like this who changes the situation of the game will sit on the bench?"
"I can only say that Mike Brown's thinking is too rigid and he doesn't know how to adapt at all."
"If I were the coach, I would definitely let Jiang Feng start and maintain the momentum of chasing points."
Smith said coldly, very dissatisfied.
"It's a pity that you are not the coach! And how do you know that if Jiang Feng is on the bench, the Lakers will not maintain the momentum of chasing points?"
Barkley continues to express his opinions.
It's not about Jiang Feng, he really thinks so...
On the court.
Grizzlies offensive possession.
Conley passed the ball to Randolph in the penalty area, who pushed away the thin Ebanks, jumped up and dunked with both hands!
Randolph tensed his muscles, looked up to the sky and let out a roar.
The unhappiness accumulated in the first half was finally released.
While returning to defense, he made a provocative gesture of hooking his fingers toward the Lakers bench.
Obviously, this was for Jiang Feng.
"I'll beat you up when I come on stage!"
Jiang Feng shouted loudly, waving a towel.
"You go on the court first and then we talk! Second round pick!"
Randolph said provocatively, his attitude was very arrogant.
Lakers offense.
Fisher dribbled the ball past half court and passed the ball to Kobe, who was immediately double-teamed and forced to pass the ball.
Barnes received the basketball and shot a three-pointer against the defense.
Bang.
The basketball bounced out of the basket.
Randolph grabbed the rebound strongly.
The Grizzlies launched a counterattack.
After Rudy Gay dribbled the ball across half court, he stopped outside the three-point line and shot a chasing three-pointer.
The basketball drew a beautiful arc.
Uh-huh.
Hollow into the net!
A wave of 5:0 offensive climax, the Grizzlies once again opened the point difference to 14 points.
Kobe was anxious. After dribbling the ball past half court, he did not pass the ball despite being double-teamed by two players. Instead, he chose to force himself and shot with great reluctance.
Bang!
Blacksmithing.
The Grizzlies counterattacked again.
After Conley dribbled the ball past half court, he observed and found that there was no fast break opportunity, so he adjusted his rhythm to play positional warfare and passed the ball to the penalty area.
Randolph continued to challenge Ebanks, turned around and made a small hook, easily hitting the target.
16 points difference!
The Lakers' start to the third quarter was abysmal. The defense was unable to defend and the offense was an even mess. This was in sharp contrast to Jiang Feng's smooth offense on the court.
Kobe's expression was extremely cold, he frequently looked at the bench, and he was extremely unhappy with Mike Brown.
The audience also burst into violent boos to express their dissatisfaction with the Lakers.
"Jiang Feng! We want Jiang Feng!"
With a shout from a certain fan, the entire audience shouted along.
Many people were shocked.
Jiang Feng is already so popular in Los Angeles?
"Look! This is public opinion! The audience's eyes are sharp, and they all know the importance of Jiang Feng to the current Lakers team."
"Two minutes into the third quarter, the Lakers without Jiang Feng played like shit."
Smith shook his head and said.
"I believe Mike Brown's strategy will not be affected by the fans!"
"As the head coach, he will make his own decision."
Buckley said calmly.
On the court.
The Lakers' offense made another mistake. Fisher's pass was intercepted by Conley. The latter set off a fast break, dribbled into the penalty area and made an easy one-on-one layup.
18 points!
Watching Mike Brown standing on the sidelines indifferent.
Kobe finally couldn't help it anymore, and he gestured to the referee and called a timeout.
He is indeed unwilling to challenge the coach's authority, but that is without touching the bottom line.
Now Mike Brown's actions make Kobe extremely dissatisfied, so even if the conflict between the two completely breaks out, Jiang Feng must be allowed to appear on the stage to help the team win the game!
"Coach, let Jiang Feng play! We need him."
Kobe walked back to the bench and said coldly.
"I have my own plans."
Mike Brown also looked gloomy and felt very troubled.
Of course he was dissatisfied with Kobe's actions, but he didn't dare to blame Kobe because he knew very well that Kobe was the king of this team!
O'Neal had a conflict with Kobe and was traded away.
Mayfair had a conflict with Kobe and was fired.
These two are both contributors to the Lakers' three consecutive championships!
He, Mike Brown, had just arrived and was not qualified to shake Kobe.
"I said, the team needs Jiang Feng!"
Kobe said again, his tone became colder and full of murderous intent.
The other players remained silent and did not dare to breathe.
They could all clearly feel Kobe's anger.
"Coach, I was in very bad shape during today's game. Playing on the court is also a drag on everyone. I'm willing to sit on the bench and wave a towel."
Fisher stepped forward to smooth things over.
"Okay! Then let Jiang Feng replace you."
Mike Brown pondered for a moment and said, choosing to give in.
He also knew that Jiang Feng should be allowed to play, but maybe he was careful because he wanted to take advantage of Kobe.
I didn't expect Kobe to give him any face at all!
His tough attitude makes it difficult for him as a coach to step down.
If you persist, you will not only completely offend Kobe, but also the fans in Los Angeles. Then it will not be a matter of lack of prestige in this team, but that you will not be able to stay at all!
Jiang Feng watched all this and said nothing.
He knew that he was not qualified to speak out. This was obviously a game between Kobe and the head coach.
He is still little Karami, so he just needs to obey orders!
And he also knows that becoming a starting player or even a core player does not happen overnight. It takes time for these things to happen.
But the current situation of the Lakers is obviously inseparable from him.
This team really lacks a good point guard!
Just like the Clippers in the next 24 years, with or without James Harden, the team will have completely different capabilities.
beep.
The whistle blows.
The pause ends.
Jiang Feng reappears!
The whole audience cheered!