"X-Factor": George Crosses Up Artest! The two were old rivals, having faced each other in both the regular season and the Finals.
They knew each other well. After exchanging a few simple words, both focused on offense.
Kobe knew just how powerful Su Yan's defense was.
He would not let down his guard in the slightest. He probed repeatedly, reading Su Yan's defense and watching his footwork and positioning.
When he saw Su Yan plant his right foot forward, he attacked that lead foot and decisively accelerated to the right.
Su Yan reacted quickly as well, sliding laterally to keep completely in step as the two charged into the paint together.
Kobe deliberately initiated contact against Su Yan while on the move.
Even if he could not knock him back, he had to deliver hard contact to feel out the defender's center of gravity.
After driving into the right low post, he saw that he still had not torn through Su Yan's defense.
He decisively bumped into him again, then used the force to spin into a face-up position near the basket.
Had he shaken off Su Yan?
Yes, he had indeed shaken him off laterally.
But it lasted for only a split second. Kobe had just gathered the ball.
Su Yan caught up again and appeared in front of him, extending his long arms to provide maximum defensive pressure.
For that instant, Kobe had no scoring opportunity.
But he was not in a hurry. As usual, he held the basketball high, creating the illusion that he was really about to shoot.
Su Yan was not slow to react.
Kobe was also extremely patient. He repeatedly held the ball high, constantly testing him with motions as though he were about to jump and attack.
Seeing Su Yan remain unmoved, after