"I'd already placed Manu Ginobili very highly."
"But I never expected that I'd still underestimated him."
"He's a superstar, a superstar with unstoppable offensive ability."
"But now, during the rotation minutes, without Ginobili, the Lakers are just a ragtag bunch."
The corners of Popovich's mouth lifted slightly.
Kobe was coming in?
Even better.
He would have Parker go after Kobe.
Kobe had rested for only three minutes in the second quarter of this game.
Let's see how Kobe, who was about to play the entire game, could keep up after running laps with the French Speedster, then still have the energy to trade clutch baskets with my Duncan when it mattered.
Was Kobe coming in?
Harris was also torn at this moment.
This was Kobe's last chance to rotate out. Otherwise, he would have to play forty-five minutes.
If Kobe got three minutes of rest, then playing forty-two minutes would be entirely manageable for him.
But this was already the fourth quarter.
Without Kobe and Ginobili, the Lakers might get hit by a run that would immediately blow the gap wide open.
The Spurs absolutely had that kind of ability.
Once the hands of veterans like Kerr and Horry got hot, their threes would splash in with no logic whatsoever.
These three minutes were especially crucial.
How should he adjust?
"Coach, let me go in." Kobe knew exactly what Harris was hesitating over.
As a captain, whether he could hold the line or not, he had to lead from the front at a time like this!
Even though he knew that Duncan's clutch ability in the paint stood alone at the top.
No matter what, Kobe would never choose to rest at a time like this!
This was the Mamba Mentality!
Harris smiled faintly. He knew his disciple's personality.
That