[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-the-golden-age-of-basketball":3,"chapter-the-golden-age-of-basketball-the-golden-age-of-basketball-chapter-1387":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"english","The Golden Age of Basketball",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},1444954,1896,"Chapter 1387 - 13: The Truth Is a Sharp Blade (Part 2)","the-golden-age-of-basketball-chapter-1387",1387,"\u003Cp>In this respect, the Bulls perform much better than the Trail Blazers; whenever a Trail Blazers player gets close to the basket within the three-second zone with the ball, they face tremendous obstacles.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, Van Exel, the streak shooter, immediately hits a three-pointer in an offensive play, his shot is fast and fierce, with Cole already defending to the utmost, almost fouling, yet still unable to stop him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Van Exel’s appearance was the right decision; Steve-Kerr has no advantage facing Van Exel, not even in height, perfect for a madman to break through.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Bulls remain stable and steady, Kobe continues to guard Pippen across the court, but Pippen easily crosses the half-court.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As he continues to organize the offense at the top of the arc, Little O’Neal suddenly comes out from the middle, teaming up with Kobe to trap Pippen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pippen is caught off guard by the double team, only manages to defend against the pressure, then passes to Kukoc who comes to assist.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unexpectedly, Riddle swoops in from the sideline, stealing the ball right from Kukoc’s hands!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A foul by the Trail Blazers, Kobe and Little O’Neal dash towards the front court, the ball is passed to Van Exel.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kobe has already reached under the basket, with Pippen closely following behind, Kobe waves to Van Exel, indicating there’s a fast break opportunity inside.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Van Exel just made a three-point shot, and for the next ball, he’s determined to shoot a three-pointer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sure enough, Van Exel advances himself, takes another shot from the left at 45 degrees, and it’s in again!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Van Exel scores 8 consecutive points by himself, helping the Trail Blazers quickly close the gap.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kobe still hasn’t had a chance for a fast-break dunk, but he immediately pours into defense, sticking tightly to Pippen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pippen, after being intercepted twice by Kobe, is quite annoyed; as Kobe approaches again, Pippen rolls his eyes at him, pushing Kobe away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Take a break, rookie, don’t get too eager.\" Pippen retorts, then walks off the court.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Bulls call for a timeout, Bird’s adjustment has come into effect, the new lineup’s vitality regains control.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Especially the recent defensive collaboration between Kobe, Little O’Neal, and Riddle, caught the Bulls off guard.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a short season’s grind, Kobe realizes defense is a team effort; when you can’t solve a problem yourself, call for support promptly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He has communicated well with Little O’Neal, and Riddle’s steals from behind are an expression of their tacit understanding, the three exchange high-fives as they exit.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Played very well; excellent defense, excellent threes. If Nick had passed that ball, I feel our performance would’ve been even better.\" Bird encourages the players while also reminding Van Exel.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though he scored, sometimes as a point guard, he’s quite selfish.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Moreover, the habit of shooting another three-pointer following a successful one can be easily targeted in the playoffs.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Van Exel grumbles, \"Three points are more than two.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bird acts as though he hasn’t heard, making no major adjustments, instead letting the players maintain their current state and tactics.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gan Guoyang remains seated off-court, but on the other side, Michael Jordan has already removed his warm-up jacket, ready to enter the game.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kobe, realizing Jordan is about to play, tells Riddle: \"Let’s switch, I’ll guard Jordan, you take on Pippen.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Riddle is glad not to match up against Jordan, but he still asks, \"Does the coach agree?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That’s not important, as long as you agree, leave him to me.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Riddle nods, though arrogant off-court, he knows his limits on the court.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Guarding Jordan one-on-one is second only to guarding Ah Gan in the League—it’s bearable not to defend him, but the constant mental assault is most crushing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unlike Gan Guoyang’s calculated all-out mental strikes, Jordan’s attacks are pervasive and intense, without much deep meaning, just to shame you and batter you.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This is one of Jordan’s joys in playing, similar to Ah Gan, both delight in tearing opponents apart.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kobe is unafraid, as both re-enter the court, Kobe fixes his gaze on Jordan, readying to guard this historically best shooting guard one-on-one.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet, before Kobe’s focus on Jordan, Jordan had fixed his own gaze on Kobe, volunteering to Jackson during the timeout to switch himself in, stating he wanted to defend Kobe.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because of countless articles before the game claiming, \"Kobe would be the next Michael Jordan,\" a statement Jordan disdains greatly, he wants to show Kobe a lesson, making it clear that the so-called second Jordan is pure nonsense.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The ball is in play, Jordan immediately uses agile positioning to get an outside look, receives a pass from Pippen, halts and jumps for a shot—it’s in!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kobe tries to follow Jordan’s strides but Jordan skillfully uses tactics and teammate covers to easily shake off Kobe’s defense.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gan Guoyang observes Kobe’s defense, scolds: \"Not having gone to college doesn’t do; the defense just tails the person, like a headless fly!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Next to him, Bird says: \"I didn’t even let him guard Jordan, such a high-minded fellow.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though Bird says this aloud, he doesn’t stop Kobe from marking Jordan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In Bird’s view, it makes little difference who guards Jordan; apart from Ah Gan, none in the Trail Blazers could truly limit Jordan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Given this, it might be better to let Kobe match up, temper his spirit, let him understand the gap, and be more down-to-earth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As offense and defense follow, it’s clear Kobe is no match for Jordan; the gap is holistic, especially in experience.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Originally, Jordan intended to have a casual exchange with Kobe, just to make a point, unexpectedly, Kobe’s three sentences thoroughly provoked Jordan.\u003C\u002Fp>",936,"2026-06-06T01:41:54.549Z",1,"novelbin.me","df94a3032e41b0e16a914101c179f37d412f4a17e3eb9b28e524d4fac17db9dc","the-golden-age-of-basketball-chapter-1388","the-golden-age-of-basketball-chapter-1386",2033,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthe-golden-age-of-basketball-cover.jpg"]