The Black Mamba Doesn't Even Need to Exert Himself?!

"Yes, exactly!"

Doug Collins hurriedly agreed. "Are you saying the Lakers don't even need the Black Mamba to exert himself to win this game, to defeat the Knicks, who seem to have already locked up a three-peat?! Is that a bit too exaggerated?"

"Hahaha!"

Elliot laughed. "Even we find it hard to believe when we say something like that.

"But that is the most accurate reflection of the current situation.

"Even if this is only the first quarter.

"It is enough to prove just how strong the Lakers are this year.

"After all, if they can drag the game into the final moments without Kobe exerting himself much and still hold a certain lead...

"Then when that time comes, when the Black Mamba truly exerts himself, the opponent will have almost no chance."

"That's exactly what I mean!"

Doug Collins agreed again.

When the home Lakers fans heard the two commentators' analysis,

they became even more excited, pumping their fists and cheering hysterically for every Lakers player.

The entire league had now almost reached a consensus.

As long as you could take down the Knicks, you would most likely win the championship.

In other words,

any team in the league that wanted to win the title first had to get past the Knicks and defeat the defending champions.

But the claim that the Black Mamba could win without even exerting himself was still a little too crazy.

That was absolutely impossible.

Soon,

the second quarter began.

The two sides first sent their benches to face off.

The Lakers had gone all in, building an impeccable five-star starting lineup.

That naturally meant their bench was rather average.

The Knicks' bench was not particularly strong either, but they had drafted Jimmy Butler, whom outsiders had not favored.

The team placed him on