Kobe's Tactics: Taking G1!

The second half began, and it was still an offensive shootout between the Lakers and the Jazz.

The Jazz continued to run their two-man game between Malone and Richmond. Despite boasting the most luxurious Big Three in the league, the Jazz could only rely on pick-and-rolls against the Lakers!

Kobe did not dare abandon Stockton to defend Richmond. Malone and Richmond had found their rhythm, while Stockton was practically invisible. If Kobe went to shut down the hot-handed Richmond, an unshackled Stockton might lead the Jazz to blossom on all fronts!

But the Lakers' tactics quietly shifted.

In the first half, Kobe had handled the ball, drawing double-teams before passing to create offensive opportunities.

In the second half, Eddie Jones and Horry initiated the offense!

Eddie Jones used his height advantage to organize the offense against Stockton!

Horry pulled out to the perimeter and facilitated from the high post, forcing Malone to reluctantly come out with him.

They had only one purpose! To support Kobe as he played off the ball!

"Damn it! How could Kobe give up the ball?" Stockton's eyes widened in disbelief!

Kobe's ball-handling offense had clearly worked very well in the first half!

Unlike the Spurs' defense against Kobe, the Jazz defenders were taller, longer, and stronger. Kobe could choose to force up shots against the Spurs' double-teams, but against the Jazz's double-teams, he could only pass.

This was exactly the effect Jerry Sloan wanted!

He would rather let Kobe create countless wide-open opportunities with his passing than let Kobe go off himself.

Jerry Sloan was confident that as long as Kobe did not erupt and O'Neal could not get a high volume of shots, they could win the game!

It was a candy-coated bomb!

Letting Kobe create so many shooting opportunities seemed wonderful, but it