"Grant, what happened?" Michael Jordan frowned.
He had not been satisfied with Hill's performance in the first quarter, but he was no longer the Jordan who cursed at his teammates and even slapped them across the face. Brother Jordan was far more tactful now.
"Kobe's defense... forget it, that was on me. I'll be more careful from here on out." Hill was also deeply dissatisfied with his own performance.
Kobe's defense had startled him!
Hill had dominated the league for years, yet he had never encountered a defender like Kobe.
Most of Hill's usual matchups were small forwards, and in this era, there were very few star small forwards!
Most of them were straightforward, rough bruisers!
They had no real skill!
Grant possessed overwhelming physical gifts and outstanding technique as well, which had made playing the small forward position far too easy for him.
This was an era when small forwards were dying out.
Hill had grown accustomed to facing role players. Then, all of a sudden, the defensive intensity had been raised to the level of Kobe, one of the greatest perimeter defenders in history. Hill could not adapt!
Kobe's defense had its own distinct traits!
He was incredibly tenacious! No matter how Hill shook him off, Kobe would stick to him again the very next instant!
On top of that, Hill was taller than Kobe and had a higher center of gravity, leaving him no way to get past Kobe with changes of direction.
Kobe's defensive anticipation was even more terrifying!
Time and again, he had blocked Hill's path. Either Hill was forced to pick up his dribble, or he committed an offensive foul!
That kind of defense had left Hill afraid to even exert himself!
"Michael, you know how intense Kobe's defense is." Rodman stepped forward and