Chapter 777 - 243: Dare to Duel with Me? (Part 2)

There are two players who started confronting each other even before the game began—Zhang Hao and Rodman!

Before the game started, they were already positioning against each other. Pippen felt fortunate that the Zen Master assigned Rodman to defend Zhang Hao. Watching those two guys elbowing together...

The Christmas battles from the previous two live broadcasts have ended. Time Warner Cable Sports, TNT, American Cable TV Station, and Fox Sports have all switched their live coverage to the Bulls vs. Lakers game.

At 7 PM, the referee blew the whistle right on time to start the game, tossing the ball into the air. O’Neal quickly leapt up and easily won the tip-off, with the Lakers taking the first offensive!

As soon as O’Neal touched the ball, Zhang Hao immediately used his elbow to try and push Rodman away. But Rodman’s lower body strength was incredibly powerful, like he was rooted to the floor, and Zhang Hao couldn’t move him, getting stuck against Rodman instead!

Rodman directly faced Zhang Hao’s arm with his face, prompting Zhang Hao to quickly withdraw his elbow. Starting the game by elbowing someone in the face would definitely be called as a foul.

With Zhang Hao slowed down, he lost the chance for a fast break. Meanwhile, Langley and Jordan blocked O’Neal in the middle, stopping the Lakers’ two most aggressive fast break threats at the start.

But on the other side, Barkley made a fast break and Pippen couldn’t stop him! When Kenny Anderson lobbed the ball towards Barkley, Pippen tried to intercept, only to be bumped away by Barkley’s hip. Barkley secured the ball and charged into the paint, and Ron Harper hurriedly got out of the way. Barkley jumped high and slammed the ball into the basket with both hands!

So aggressive! And so fierce!

The Bulls players, having studied all of the Lakers’ December games and some from November, were quite surprised.

Most of the time, Barkley just feasts off easy chances and relies on his instinct for offensive rebounds. He hadn’t dunked in a while and it was rare to see him try to muscle through opponents to score...

Not only were the Bulls players surprised, but so were the Lakers players! However, their source of surprise differed from the Bulls.

Ron Harper picked up the ball and passed it from the baseline, with Pippen advancing it.

The Bulls’ defense just now aimed to completely shut down the Lakers’ initial fast break, with Jordan even involved in blocking O’Neal. Plus, Rodman created obstacles for Zhang Hao, directly neutralizing the two points they considered the biggest fast break threats.

Barkley was too aggressive, the impact from Barkley’s shoulder left Pippen almost breathless, sensing a slight feeling of unease...

Upon crossing half-court, Pippen cleared his mind, deciding to focus on executing this attack first.

After reaching beyond the three-point line, Jordan ran towards the baseline, not fast, while Doug Christie followed steadily. Once Jordan reached the baseline, Luke Longley moved up, while Doug Christie immediately spun around from the perimeter to defend from behind Luke Longley, and O’Neal extended his arms to prevent Pippen from making a direct pass to the paint. Yet, rather than cutting along the baseline, Jordan reversed direction and headed towards the free-throw line.

The Lakers players were highly active tonight. O’Neal, who normally stayed close to the collision zone against other opponents, followed Jordan out of his comfort area. O’Neal’s athleticism truly stood out; as Jordan accelerated and changed direction, O’Neal kept up!

Then Ron Harper cut in from the right side of the three-second zone, prompting Pippen to pass. As Jordan ran out from the free-throw line drawing O’Neal out, Pippen threw the pass to the simultaneously cutting Ron Harper!

Rodman, who rushed back to the left side of the three-second zone, immediately moved to defend Ron Harper, while Doug Christie also turned and pressed forward. Ron Harper lobbed the ball toward Luke Longley on the left side of the three-second zone, who jumped and adjusted the ball in mid-air, scoring an alley-oop... a beautiful triangle offense!

The triangle offense involves a ball handler, a pivot, and a scorer, each with simple tasks to accomplish, while role players handle the messy tasks.

Everyone, including the fans present, thought the Bulls would hand their first opening attack to Jordan. Instead, Jordan was the one doing the dirty work and creating space for his teammates!

Last season, Lakers players who faced the Bulls felt that the Bulls played much slower this year than last year!

It’s not about deliberately slowing the pace; intentional pace control is evident. Instead, the Bulls genuinely played at a slower method.

Patient and stable!

Turning defense to offense, the Lakers went on the attack.

As soon as Zhang Hao reached the front court, Rodman stuck to him.

Strong, possessing great defensive awareness, with excellent mobility and judgment, and unmatched intensity... plus, full of small maneuvers!

Although Zhang Hao had a decent speed advantage, he couldn’t manage to accelerate effectively against Rodman.

Zhang Hao directly holding the ball for a solo burst, he decided to abandon this plan; when attempting the fast break earlier, he clearly realized he couldn’t push Rodman away, not even with elbows. Rodman’s lower body is like a solid weight.

If that’s the case, then I’ll simply space out properly, keeping Rodman occupied is a great help for our offense.

After Kenny Anderson arrived at the front court facing Jordan’s defense, he protected the ball, waiting for O’Neal to position himself. But O’Neal didn’t move, not because he didn’t want to, but because Barkley waved at him... Barkley settled into the position Zhang Hao typically backs into during regular play—the mid-range left baseline, leaning against Pippen!

Pippen found himself pinned by Barkley at this spot, quickly lowering his center of gravity upon seeing Barkley asking for the ball.

No chance to front him; the power gap is too vast. With Barkley pressing down with an arm, Pippen stood no chance.