Martial Saint Big Ben Takes On Hill!

"B. J. Armstrong scored the Hornets' only basket in four possessions, shooting over Little Fish!"

"That basket was crucial! The Hornets' bench nearly got blown away by the surging Lakers reserves in one devastating run."

"Without Wilkens' offensive system, and without the help of Hill and Jordan, Rider's offensive threat seemed unable to break through Stephen Jackson's defense!"

"The Lakers' 'Martial Saint,' Stephen Jackson! A twenty-seventh overall pick! He had become an iron-blooded defensive gate! Last year, he shut down Europe's Magic Johnson, Toni Kukoc! This year, he had shut down an All-Star like Rider!"

"And Ben Wallace! This power forward had lightning-quick feet and defensive coverage spanning every area inside the three-point line. The two of them had built an ironclad defensive wall for the Lakers!"

"This was the Lakers' reserve unit that had demolished the entire league this season!"

Luxury—only Kobe knew just how luxurious this lineup truly was.

Especially after being tempered by the Finals, they could crush the Hornets' elite bench unit without even needing Dell Curry or Fox to take the court.

This Lakers bench unit was not even worse than the starting lineups of some fringe playoff teams!

Especially after adding Manu Ginobili this year, giving them a spearhead capable of slicing through defenses like Kobe, the Lakers' bench had risen to another level.

"Coach, put me in." Hill had only rested for two minutes, but he had no choice but to ask to return.

He could not possibly send the thirty-six-year-old Michael Jordan out there in his place.

"Alright." Phil Jackson gave Hill an approving look. This player's basketball IQ and emotional intelligence were truly exceptional!

Phil Jackson had just been about to send Hill in when Hill took the initiative himself.

Phil Jackson felt that Hill was the easiest star player he