Three-Pointers 6 of 6

Ke Fan posed another question:

"Then who do you think can step up?"

Yang Yi answered without hesitation: "The Lakers' three-point shooting has been a big problem since last season and continues into this season. Pope is inconsistent. Caruso and Kuzma are okay with an occasional shot, but if you want to rely on their three-pointers as a regular weapon, they're still a bit short."

"Schroder's three-point shooting isn't reliable either."

"So, the ones who can step up are Schroder, if he can drive to the basket, and the second is Wang Yi."

"But it's tough for Wang Yi too. He's had two explosive games in a row, so the Suns will definitely prepare some targeted defensive strategies for him in advance."

"It's unlikely he'll explode again in this game."

Ke Fan chuckled:

"What if, I'm just saying what if, Wang Yi really explodes again?"

Yang Yi replied: "If he does explode, it means he can still play at a high level despite the opponent's targeted defense. He'll likely enter the team's rotation. He'll become a stable scoring option off the bench."

Ke Fan countered: "Is it impossible for him to become a starter?"

Yang Yi smiled and shook his head:

"It's unlikely in the short term. As a substitute, he faces the opponent's reserves, which is when he can potentially play at an extremely high level."

"Conversely, if you put him straight into the starting lineup to face the opponent's starters, he might not be able to deliver that explosive performance."

"Think about it, a player who hasn't played much in two years, suddenly thrust into a starting role – is his body ready? Is his mind ready? Is his competitive form ready? These are all unknowns."

At 9:30 PM, the game began.

This was the final game of the Lakers' five-game homestand.

The fans had entered the stands early.

And today, the legendary actor Jack Nicholson was also in attendance.

He had previously starred in The Shining and One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest, and had won an Oscar for Best Actor.

He was also the most famous Lakers fan.

He attended most of the Lakers' games throughout the season.

At this moment, he was once again sitting in his VIP seat, number 124, in the front row.

This was a seat he had long-term reserved.

From here, he could watch the game up close and also vent his frustrations at the referees, thus applying pressure on them.

At this moment, his gaze fell upon Wang Yi, who was wearing the number 1 jersey.

He had followed the Lakers for over 50 years, witnessing their ups and downs during that time.

This season, with James getting older and his scoring dropping to an average of only 20.1 points, and Thick Eyebrows often injured, the Lakers' ranking wasn't high.

It seemed the Lakers were entering another period of decline.

However, after the past two games, he seemed to see a glimmer of hope.

And this glimmer of hope was brought by this Easterner.

The Lakers' poor performance this season, injuries, and LeBron's decline were certainly two main reasons.

But the Lakers' terrible three-point shooting percentage was also a significant factor.

If the Lakers could solve their problems from beyond the arc, their performance could still be anticipated.

Now, this Easterner might become an important player in changing the Lakers' performance from three-point range.

Of course, these were all Jack Nicholson's internal thoughts.

Whether this Easterner could shoulder this responsibility would require watching a few more games to determine.

As the game started, the Lakers' starting lineup was:

James, Schroder, Drummond, Pope, and Caruso.

The Suns' starting lineup also had no major changes.

Right at the beginning, James handed the ball to Schroder, letting him initiate the offense.

If Schroder could get going, the defensive pressure on James would be significantly reduced.

Schroder drove to the basket for two points.

Next, James hit a three-pointer.

A 5-0 start, it seemed the beginning was going smoothly today.

However, the situation on the court changed abruptly.

The Suns' Booker hit two consecutive three-pointers, and Paul made a mid-range shot.

At the same time, the Suns, just like in the first round last year, were playing a zone defense.

To break the zone defense, one way is to hit three-pointers, and the other is to counter-attack.

The Lakers failed to counter-attack twice in a row.

As for three-pointers, the perimeter players continued their usual shooting touch – ice cold!

Aside from the first three-pointer James made, the other starters missed three consecutive shots from beyond the arc.

The rim was almost bent out of shape.

Turning back, the Suns' Booker was about to explode in the first quarter.

In just five minutes, he hit four three-pointers, 4-for-4!

In four minutes, the score became 5-14.

A 9-point difference.

The Lakers quickly called a timeout.

In the Tencent NBA Live Broadcast Room, Meina was stomping her feet anxiously.

She was genuinely stomping her feet.

When the camera wasn't on her, she frowned repeatedly and said silently:

"What kind of game is this!"

Ke Fan shook his head repeatedly:

"History is always surprisingly similar. Is the first quarter of last year's Game 6 going to be replayed?"

Yang Yi also shook his head repeatedly:

"In the first quarter of last year's Game 6, Devin Booker was 6-for-6 from three-point range, scoring 22 points. Today, in 4 minutes, he's already 4-for-4 from three, dropping 12 points. He's dominating the entire Lakers team. This scoring explosiveness is truly outrageous."

"Looking at the game's momentum, it's clearly going to develop like last year."

Ke Fan said: "Now it's up to Vogel to make adjustments. Will he bring in Wang Yi?"

Yang Yi thought for a moment and shook his head:

"Not that soon. Wang Yi should be in the rotation today, but he won't come out this quickly."

In fact, it was just as he said.

After the timeout, the Lakers did not put Wang Yi on the court.

Coach Vogel simply had Pope chase Booker, while also having other players help double-team Booker.

But the Lakers' offensive problems were still not resolved.

The Suns continued to play zone defense, forcing the Lakers to shoot three-pointers.

The Lakers' three-point shots were still erratic and off-target.

James was forced to resort to driving to the basket early.

But with the opponent's defense packed near the basket, his driving efficiency was greatly reduced.

After all, he's old, not like before, where he could drive in regardless of how many people were there and just fly up for a rim-rattling dunk.

Now, after James drives in, he can basically only manage a layup or a fadeaway jump shot after turning.

Although he did make two shots.

But the Suns' Booker had a scorching hot hand.

Even with Pope chasing him and other players double-teaming him.

He continuously hit two unreasonable three-pointers.

He was 6-for-6 from three-point range!

Combined with his drives to the basket.

He had already scored a total of 20 points.

He was truly on track to replicate last year's Game 6 performance.

Halfway through the first quarter, the Lakers were already trailing by 15 points.

Vogel quickly called another timeout.

If they fell behind by 20 points, it would be very difficult to catch up.

As the Lakers players walked off the court, their expressions were solemn.

Especially James.

He remembered last year's Game 6 again.

His memory far surpassed that of ordinary people, which brought him many advantages.

For example, he could remember every play the opponent ran;

He could remember what each of their gestures meant.

But it also brought him distress.

He found it difficult to forget past painful moments.

These painful moments would always replay in his mind, over and over.

And every detail seemed to transport him back to that moment.