Phil Jackson finally called his last timeout of the game.
But when play resumed, the Lakers' tactics remained unchanged.
Triangle Offense, movement, ball circulation.
In the end, the ball once again found its way into Kobe's hands.
This time, the man guarding him was the "Madman," Sprewell, another defensive stalwart renowned for his toughness and refusal to yield.
But Kobe's eyes had already burst into flames.
He glanced at the clock as the seconds ticked away.
He did not rush to attack. Instead, he used a series of between-the-legs dribbles to regulate his breathing and rhythm, his eyes locked tightly on the basket like those of an apex predator.
Sprewell was completely focused. He did not dare relax in the slightest. He knew this would be the shot that decided the championship.
When the clock reached the final 18 seconds, Kobe moved!
He suddenly accelerated to the right, and Sprewell immediately slid over to cut him off!
But just as their bodies were about to collide, Kobe dribbled behind his back, switching the ball from his right hand to his left, while planting hard and stepping back to the left!
The entire sequence flowed like water, brimming with explosive beauty!
Sprewell's reaction was already at its limit. He forcibly twisted his body and lunged at him again!
But Kobe's step-back had created half a body's worth of space!
And that half-step was enough!
Kobe rose from beyond the three-point line, leaning back ever so slightly in midair as he concentrated all his strength into his fingertips!
All summer long, he had sweated in the training gym, repeating this movement tens of thousands of times. At this moment, it became the most instinctive muscle memory!
The basketball left his fingertips with the resolve of a man staking everything on one shot,