Champion Creed
Chapter 758 - 758 258 For the legends of Atlanta you must have the utmost respect asking for monthly tickets!_3

758: 258: For the legends of Atlanta, you must have the utmost respect (asking for monthly tickets!)_3 758: 258: For the legends of Atlanta, you must have the utmost respect (asking for monthly tickets!)_3 Los Angeles fans cheered ecstatically; no matter what, the score of 3 to 0 would definitely not be repeated.

The most critical thing was, they now had the opportunity to completely shred the Hawks’ evil plan of a perfect playoff record!

They had the chance to see the arrogant and insolent Roger bow his head in defeat in Los Angeles!

There could be no better scene worth the price of admission!

The cheers in the Staples Center grew louder and louder, with hundreds of signs reading “Fight to the last Laker” waving in the stands, and those words were sure to pump up the Lakers players who were leading by 11 points.

This was the power of home court.

The pressure on the Hawks as the visiting team was mounting.

Marv Albert shook his head, “Roger was right, the basket is the same height of 305 centimeters in every stadium.

But tonight, the people guarding the Staples Center’s 305-centimeter basket are much stronger than in the first two games.”

The Lakers were in a great position, and Phil Jackson was already thinking about the possibility of making the series 3 to 2 in Los Angeles.

On the Hawks’ bench, however, the atmosphere was incredibly calm.

Lenny Wilkens glanced at Roger and Pippen; Roger and Pippen looked at each other and then nodded.

They didn’t even need to speak; they knew what they had to do in the fourth quarter.

That was the joy of working with experienced people; you didn’t even have to pat their back — one look and they knew exactly how to coordinate with you.

And so, in the fourth quarter, everything changed.

The Hawks changed their defensive strategy in the fourth quarter, starting to press with all their might in a Pat Riley style of defense, trying hard to force the Lakers into making passing mistakes.

This was the Hawks’ fixed strategy when they were behind by a big margin, as there was no quicker way to score than fast breaks.

The reason for using this tactic only when significantly behind was because it was very physically demanding.

And Lenny Wilkens, the African American coach, didn’t like the plantation strategy; he didn’t like to wear his players out.

Therefore, under normal circumstances, he wouldn’t be so aggressive.

But when it came to do-or-die moments, the Hawks would pull out this kind of defense, unleashing their talons.

Pippen’s role as the “fill-in man” was highlighted to the extreme under this defensive strategy, his presence all over the court.

Help defense, intercepting passes, blocking shots, precise rotations…

Pippen fully displayed his qualities as one of the best defensive wing players of the ’90s.

His physical abilities had declined, but his defensive instincts remained sharp.

A bull terrier might get slower, but its nose doesn’t get blocked.

Bill Walton praised Pippen by saying, “When Scottie is on the court, it’s like the Hawks have six defenders!”

Not only on defense, but whenever there was a chance for a fast break, the bewitched Pippen would also make the correct pass, helping the Hawks to hit the Lakers’ basket time and again with ease.

Pippen was fully present in the fourth quarter; he filled the gaps like crazy on defense, hit those damned mid-range shots on offense, and was selflessly composed and mistake-free on the break.

Last game, Pippen was mercilessly beaten by Kobe’s one-on-one play in overtime.

In the final moments, he was even humiliatingly removed from guarding Kobe by his coach.

Scottie Pippen was in such a sorry state then, like a child left behind by time.

But tonight, he reminded everyone that he was once considered a superstar.

Pippen’s active play was making the Hawks’ pressing defense effective.

O’Neal was having trouble receiving the ball in the fourth quarter; it could be lost before even reaching his hands.

Kobe was restricted by the pressure, making it difficult to find opportunities for one-on-one plays.

The Lakers made too many mistakes in the fourth quarter, and gradually, the point difference was effectively reduced.

With 2 minutes and 12 seconds left before the end of the game, Pippen was still full of energy, pressing Ron Harper together with Pierce.

Harper, caught in their pincer attack, tried to pass the ball out, but even at 198 centimeters, he had no vision between these two.

The Hawks might prefer the inside line, but they were definitely giants on the outside.

In the end, Harper could only jump and pass, aiming for the inside lane to Shaq.

However, this all-too-obvious pass was disrupted by Big Ben, who had suddenly moved in front.

Big Ben’s real weapon for catching sharks was disrupting passes intended for Shaq; he was one of those rare centers who excelled in both top-level steals and blocks.

Duncan and Mutombo might block a lot, but they were average at disrupting passes.

Garnett was strong at disrupting passes but didn’t block as well as Big Ben.

The only one comparable to Big Ben in this area was the perfect center Olajuwon.

Big Ben’s favorite was this aggressive and oppressive style of defense, so when the whole team played pressing strategies, Big Ben was in his element, perfectly coordinating with his teammates and fully displaying his abilities.

“The Hawks have once again forced a Lakers turnover by playing to the extreme with pressure.

The Lakers’ rhythm has been completely disrupted in the fourth quarter.

Can they complete the comeback!?”

Roger picked up the basketball and immediately launched a counterattack.

He quickly advanced beyond the three-point line, tossing the ball high up in the air, directly passing an alley-oop to Pippen.

But Kobe timed his jump, ready to intercept Pippen’s alley-oop slam in midair.

Blocking an alley-oop is very difficult, but not impossible.

Kobe had already sealed off the basket, Pippen had nowhere to escape.

But Pippen lightly tapped the ball in mid-air after catching it, passing it out again, the target being Roger who had cut in immediately after passing.

Roger caught the ball and scored with a slam dunk, and this play brought the Hawks from an 11-point deficit to a 1-point lead!