Champion Creed
Chapter 748 - 748 255 He really farted in Shaq's face making him doubt his life asking for monthly votes!_5

748: 255: He really farted in Shaq’s face, making him doubt his life (asking for monthly votes!)_5 748: 255: He really farted in Shaq’s face, making him doubt his life (asking for monthly votes!)_5 If Kobe were tasked with defending Roger, Pierce’s position would definitely explode again.

The terrifying aspect of the Hawks’ lineup compared to that dynasty Bulls team lies in the fact that Pippen’s role has been split into two.

Alongside Jordan, Pippen was responsible not only for assisting in defense but also for sharing the scoring pressure.

This often led to Pippen’s limited ability to dissipate scoring pressure during the playoffs.

But with the Hawks, Pippen only had to focus on defense, while Pierce handled the scoring pressure, thereby providing potent support for Roger.

Although Pierce didn’t score much today, he occupied the Lakers’ best perimeter defensive resources, which in itself is a form of constraint, isn’t it?

Phil Jackson truly wished all dual-guard combinations would vanish from this world!

The situation was clear now; the Hawks had difficulty in containing the crossfire between Kobe and Shaq.

Similarly, since the Lakers couldn’t use Kobe to guard Roger, they also struggled to contain Roger’s firepower.

Paul Pierce picked up his fifth foul in the fourth quarter with four minutes left due to helping defend against O’Neal.

However, as the game had entered a critical juncture, Lenny Wilkens didn’t swap him out for protection but merely reminded Pierce to be cautious about his movements on defense.

Both teams continued tensely until less than a minute and a half remained in the fourth quarter.

At that moment, trailing by 2 points, Roger took the ball on the offense.

He first maneuvered around Big Ben’s screen, planning to exploit Shaq’s inability to defend this play.

However, the Lakers were very experienced at countering this tactic.

Seeing Big Ben set to screen, Robert Horry proactively stepped up to defend the pick-and-roll offense, allowing Shaq to comfortably guard the basket below.

But Roger still shot after circling the screen, challenging Horry; Horry’s block was hesitant, an opportunity Roger could exploit.

Yet, just as Roger shot, the ball was blocked from the side.

“Kobe Bryant, a timely help side block, destroying a three-pointer that might have changed the game!

I still have to remind everyone, no matter how you perceive Kobe Bryant, this guy has already been named to the all-defensive second team this season!

He and Roger are the two best defending guards of the season!”

In Marv Albert’s exclamation, Lenny Wilkens’ hairs stood on end.

The constraint Pierce placed on Kobe was weakening!

Pierce only scored 2 points in the fourth quarter, missing several shots.

This convinced Kobe that Pierce was no longer a threat, making it inconsequential to occasionally leave him unguarded.

This meant that the Lakers’ strategy was truly beginning to take effect; Pierce’s position had been neutralized, and now the Lakers could focus all their efforts on Roger!

Fortunately, the basketball was knocked out of bounds, so possession remained with the Hawks.

Roger glanced at Pierce; he was dripping with sweat and his movements seemed somewhat unnatural.

“Hey, you okay?”

“I’m fine,” Pierce clenched his fists.

He was going to burst!

But what could he do?

Run off the court to relieve himself during the most critical moment of the game?

But he really couldn’t take it anymore; his sphincter muscles were enduring the toughest test since he had bowels, which was also why he had only one field goal in the fourth quarter.

“Get it together, don’t let that bastard Kobe ride over you,” Roger noticed nothing unusual, just thought Pierce was too tired.

“Of course not, of course!”

Pierce’s mind raced, embroiled in intense mental struggle.

Maybe I’ll pretend I’m injured?

Anything to decently head back to the locker room and address the issue.

But even if he faked an injury to leave, Pierce would still be absent during a critical moment of the game.

No, he couldn’t disappear at this time.

It was just a 2-point difference to tie the game; how could he leave at such a moment?

Pierce started stacking buffs on himself, recalling that he was stabbed 13 times.

In the past, the incident only brought fear to Pierce.

But now it served as a source of strength for Pierce.

Remembering that he was stabbed 13 times yet quickly returned and played a full 82-game season made him feel that nothing could stop him.

The game continued, the Hawks’ 2 points crucial.

It was about whether the series would be 2-0 or tied at 1-1.

Roger held the ball on offense, and to avoid drawing out Robert Horry, Roger didn’t call for a screen.

Considering Big Ben’s unique talent, Lakers players almost ignored him; setting a screen would only bring more defenders in front of Roger.

Roger juggled the ball left and right to find the rhythm, changed direction swiftly, and surged forward to attack.

Glenn Rice, as usual, swiftly double-teamed, this forward, not known for his defense, had maintained focus on the defensive end throughout the game.

As Glenn Rice and Harper closed in, Roger immediately spun, planning to break through beside the two.

But as soon as Roger turned around, he saw that Lakers’ number 8 standing in front of him!

Kobe had let go of Pierce again, focusing on confronting Roger!

Luckily, Roger was aware of Pierce’s position and quickly passed the ball upon seeing Kobe.

Pierce was tense; he had no faith in his shots.

So after catching the ball, he didn’t shoot but charged directly towards the basket!

He wouldn’t disappear in the fourth quarter; he wouldn’t let the Eastern Conference finals Game 7 scenario happen again.

He had to contribute in the fourth quarter!

O’Neal knew that Pierce had already been fouled five times, so he didn’t attempt to block but stepped out of the restricted area, aiming to draw an offensive foul on Pierce.

As Shaq planted his feet, Pierce also jumped towards Shaq, colliding with him fiercely.