"I don't know what you guys are thinking, did we get so arrogant just because we were up by twenty in the first quarter?"
The Long Nation broadcast platform was analyzing the Lakers-Cavaliers game, and only the Lakers players were being scolded.
Coach Phil Jackson was very angry, extremely angry!
He was especially disappointed with Vujacic.
"Human Cannon" was simply an embarrassment to the Lakers.
Coach Jackson was also angry with himself. They played so well in the first quarter, why were they so greedy and took out Gasol and Fisher?
Phil Jackson glanced at Gasol, thinking that if his stamina was as strong as Tang Long's, then the Lakers would truly be blessed.
"I'll say it again, this is the Staples Center, this is our home court. If you are willing to let others take the victory from us, then consider me as if I said nothing!"
The Lakers players all lowered their heads, including Kobe, who had a cold expression.
They had indeed been a bit careless when leading by more than twenty points.
At the critical moment, Kobe looked directly into Coach Jackson's eyes and said solemnly, "Phil, we will defend the honor of our home court!"
Coach Jackson nodded with satisfaction and began to plan the tactics for the third quarter.
...
"LeBron, want to try something thrilling?"
As the third quarter began, Tang Long found James, pointed to the Lakers' bench, and said, "I'll attract the attention of their players later, how about you do a self-pass and self-dunk?"
"Tang, don't you dare trick me!" James eyed Tang Long suspiciously. "Why don't you do it yourself? You are perfectly capable of it."
What James said was absolutely correct. The talent Tang Long had displayed had already become a league phenomenon!
He certainly couldn't replicate this kind of self-sufficient, transcendent ability.
"Hey... you guy, don't you want to show your mighty and dominant side in front of the audience?"
James smiled and said, "Of course I do, but why don't you do it yourself?"
"But I'm a center. If I do the job of your forwards, then what do you need forwards for?"
James pondered for a moment. "What you're saying seems to make some sense."
Of course, this was just something to ponder, and any deeper thought would not hold up to scrutiny.
However, Tang Long wasn't trying to trick James. As brothers, Tang Long wanted him to score a beautiful goal and completely crush the Lakers' morale.
As the referee's whistle blew, the Cavaliers charged. Tang Long caught the ball in the paint. He shouldered Gasol and moved to his right, exaggeratedly feigning a shot.
At this moment, Odom came to double-team Tang Long.
Larry Hughes followed to catch the ball on the right baseline, and Kobe also moved from the left to the right to defend Larry Hughes. At this time, only Fisher and Manuchar were left on the perimeter.
Tang Long forcefully pushed Gasol away and shouted, "Watch my aerial layup."
"Fuck! Get down here!"
Gasol cursed angrily.
If you're going to do a layup, why are you shouting?
As fast as lightning, Gasol and the other two had already surrounded him.
Good, you deserve it.
Gasol's face was already showing a look of excitement.
You shouted, and three of them are defending. Let's see how you handle this ball?
However, the next second, Gasol's expression froze.
The three of them were all focused on Tang Long's shot, as he had called it out. But who could have imagined that Tang Long would pass the ball to James, who had been waiting at the left elbow all along?
After James received the ball, Fisher was the only one near him. Just as Fisher reached out to steal the ball, James pushed it high with both hands and then took off at lightning speed towards the basket.
A scene that shocked the audience unfolded!
The ball hit the backboard, and James quickly circled around Fisher, then accelerated towards the paint.
One foot into the paint, he leaped up with momentum, grabbed the ball, and slammed it fiercely into the hoop!
...
"Awesome, hahaha, he did it himself!"
"And with Fisher in between, a bank shot over a defender, and a self-alley-oop dunk? I can only say awesome!"
Analyst Zhang and Yang Yi chimed in, laughing heartily. James's self-pass and self-dunk was simply invincible!
"James played a trick, using his own pass to himself."
"This is LeBron, always bringing unexpected plays to the fans in crucial moments!"
...
The Staples Center was now divided into two extremes.
Cavaliers fans were incredibly excited, while Lakers fans had dark expressions.
Staring blankly at the listless Lakers players on the court, it felt like both teams didn't know what to do.
Beeeep!
Coach Jackson quickly called a timeout.
It wasn't a big deal for the Cavaliers to score a basket, but the problem was that this basket had completely demoralized the Lakers, so a timeout was necessary.
So Phil Jackson didn't explain tactics to the players. He just called Kobe over, pointed at Kobe's chest, and said, "Kobe, this is your team. You have to lead your team to fight, to win victory! Let those damn guys see that you are the true king of this city!"
"Phil, I will. You can trust me with the game, I'll take over!"
Kobe nodded seriously.
This was the Staples Center, and no one could easily take away the victory that belonged to him from here!
"Brothers, can you tolerate the Cavaliers taking away the championship that should have been ours from us?"
Kobe scanned everyone and said sternly, "Look at me. If we admit that those damn guys are more qualified to win the championship than we are, it's equivalent to admitting that we are not as good as them!"
"Paul, do you have to admit that you're not as good as that Tang? Not as outstanding as him? You tremble with fear every time you meet him on the court?"
Gasol straightened his neck and stared into Kobe's eyes.
"Tell me, is it?"
"Kobe, of course not!"
Gasol roared and stood up.
"Then prove it to me!"
Gasol's eyes were red. Rarely did he deviate from his usual gentle demeanor, roaring like a beast, "Defeat them, the championship will always belong to us!"
Kobe then looked at the others. "What about you?"
"Take them down! Take down the Cavaliers!"
Odom threw his towel aside and stood up, roaring. Everyone else's eyes were red, their fighting spirit completely ignited!
The twenty-second timeout passed quickly. Tang Long was surprised to find that after the timeout, the Lakers' originally low morale had not only miraculously recovered but was even more vigorous than before!
He had vaguely heard two lines of their rallying cries earlier, and he never expected them to have such a significant effect once they entered the game!
[Detected 'Song of the Earth', do you wish to clear all points to exchange for the effect of 'Thunder Drumbeat'?]
[Song of the Earth: The roars of warriors echo through the heavens, and every warrior will feel the power of the Song of the Earth!]
[The drums rumble, the thunder strikes! Allied teammates bathed in the Song of the Earth will have all attributes increased by 10%.]