Doug didn't just take Danny out on the court. He also went after James and Paul with dirty plays several times.
Paul was extremely careful about protecting himself, though. He'd rather miss a shot than go toe-to-toe with Doug.
James had landed on Doug's foot twice, spraining his ankle both times.
Most players would need to sit out at least a game or two after spraining an ankle.
But everyone knew James was built different.
After spraining his ankle, he tightened his laces on the sideline, stomped hard on the floor a couple of times, then jumped right back into the game as if nothing had happened.
So Doug's dirty trick hadn't worked. Still, it made Paul and James hesitate whenever they attacked.
They were afraid Doug would go after them again.
That was also why neither of them had been playing as well in the last two games.
Whenever they faced Doug, they seemed a little hesitant.
That was proof that Doug's dirty trick had worked after all.
His goal wasn't just to injure people. He wanted to make his opponents wary by hurting them. That way, whenever they saw him on the court, a shadow would fall over their minds, and their offensive efficiency would plummet.
Paul and James both cared too much about winning this championship to play without holding back.
James wanted to cement his place as the second-greatest player in history. He desperately wanted this championship.
Paul needed no explanation. This might be his only chance to win a championship in his entire career, so naturally he was even more cautious.
Because they had so much at stake, both of them were holding back.
They were both wary when facing Doug.
If that Old Six injured them, they might miss out on the championship.
But