"Sure enough, the Lakers' true strength was still a fair distance from teams on the Spurs' level." Barkley shook his head. It wasn't that he thought poorly of the Lakers; once the Spurs adjusted and targeted them, the Lakers' players immediately showed their true colors.
Yao Ming, who had looked set to post a triple-double in his debut during the first half, was brutally shut down by Duncan.
Stephen Jackson was also contained by Horry, who knew him well.
Tony Parker repeatedly drove into the paint and scored.
Once the pace slowed, the Spurs' rebounding advantage became apparent! If Kobe hadn't repeatedly charged into the paint to snatch rebounds, the Lakers' interior might have been torn apart by the Spurs' second-chance offense."
The Spurs' string of offensive runs left the Lakers scrambling.
"The Lakers' flaws are far too obvious! They hid those flaws in all sorts of ways during the first half. But those flaws never disappeared! Popovich tore away the Lakers' shield, and behind it was nothing but holes!"
"Perhaps the Lakers could still play brilliant basketball against weaker teams this season. But once they faced elite teams, their flaws would keep them under control!"
Did Kobe know that?
Of course he did.
This season would never be that easy. The Lakers' run-and-gun system still needed Yao Ming to develop before it could truly take shape.
"No! The Lakers still have Kobe!"
"Kobe is turning it on!"
Kobe first faced Steve Smith and drilled a deep pull-up three!
Then he used a Buddha fake to shake Steve Smith, drove to the basket, and hit an exaggerated reverse layup over Duncan's fingertips.
Then he ran a handoff with Yao Ming at the high post, burst into the paint, and threw down a vicious dunk!
"Here he comes! Did Kobe's accommodating