Brown was furious with Wei Guo, while Mutombo grinned from ear to ear on the sidelines.
Mutombo, who had just entered the league...
He once challenged Jordan by telling him to close his eyes and shoot free throws after a foul, and Jordan actually made the shots with his eyes closed.
"Keep a close eye on the rookie, this is my rookie gift to you."
Mutombo still remembers Jordan's words to this day.
This is also one of Jordan's most memorable moments...
Today, O'Neal provoked Wei Guo by making him shoot free throws with his back to the basket, and Wei Guo actually did so, making both of his free throws in a row.
Which is harder, a free throw with your back to the basket or a free throw with your eyes closed? Even Shaquille O'Neal's grandmother knows... After Shaquille O'Neal started shooting free throws with his back to the basket, Michael Jordan's free throws with his eyes closed were no longer a memorable moment.
......
The first half has ended.
41:42!!
The 76ers are still down by 1 point. The team only scored 41 points in the first half, but that doesn't stop Wei Guo from having 19 points. In addition to scoring, Wei Guo also has 13 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 steal and 4 blocks!
Back in the locker room, Brown angrily slammed the tactical board on the floor.
"Wei Guo, do you even know this is the Christmas Day game, broadcast live across the entire world?!"
Brown, who was known for his meticulous approach, simply couldn't stand Wei Guo's reckless behavior.
Wei Guo said, "I know... so what if it's broadcast live across the entire internet?"
"All the fans are watching."
Brown snapped, "You actually took a free throw with your back to the basket?"
"But I didn't miss the penalty."
Wei Guo shrugged, looking completely indifferent.
It wasn't the Christmas Day game, and Wei Guo wouldn't even be shooting free throws with his back to the basket. He wasted a shooting rune just to show off, and he was even upset about it. Who is Brown trying to impress with that angry look?
Mutombo said, "Coach, that's the confidence only a superstar has. Even Jordan once closed his eyes to shoot a free throw."
"Can..."
Brown was about to say that it was Jordan, but how could Wei Guo be compared to Jordan?
Fortunately, he stopped himself in time. In terms of rookie season alone, Wei Guo was already a level above Jordan. In this season's MVP rankings, Iverson was only ranked seventh, while Wei Guo was ranked first.
In other words...
The league believes that Wei Guo is the leader of the team in the current situation.
"I'm not blaming you."
Brown's voice softened, "I just hope you can take the game seriously."
"knew."
Wei Guo didn't say anything, walked to the sofa in the corner, and lay down to rest.
The home team locker room.
Jackson said, "We are stronger than we thought, but one person can't decide the outcome of the game."
"We should treat this game as a preview of the finals."
Kobe said, "The 76ers are currently ranked first in the East, and barring any unforeseen circumstances, they will make it to the Finals this year."
O'Neal scored only 11 points in the first half.
Kobe Bryant was the Lakers' best performer, scoring 17 points on 6-of-13 shooting.
"Kobe was right."
Jackson also said, "The 76ers are our biggest rival!"
O'Neal was frustrated; this was the first time he had ever been thwarted under the basket, despite his dominance on the court.
Wei Guo was all smiles and jokes, which made O'Neal even more frustrated. He was the one who should be the one being playful and funny, but Wei Guo had stolen all the limelight.
and...
Wei Guo's two back-to-the-basket free throws in the first half will definitely become iconic moments.
Shaquille O'Neal suddenly became a background character in iconic moments like Dikembe Mutombo, and this happened during the peak of his career. When has Shaq ever suffered such humiliation?!
......
The second half is the decisive moment!
Lakers on offense.
Kobe drove to the basket, made a behind-the-back pass in mid-air, and the ball ended up in O'Neal's hands.
"Bang!!!"
O'Neal used his massive frame to push past Wei Guo and slammed the ball down with both hands!
If it were someone else...
After completing a powerful dunk, O'Neal might have given Wei Guo a push, but when facing Wei Guo, O'Neal hesitated and did not make such a provocative move.
41:44!!
The 76ers are down by 3 points.
Shaquille O'Neal has the arrogance of a superstar, and it's not unrealistic for Wei Guo to try and prevent O'Neal from scoring a single point.
"Um..."
Jackson muttered, "O'Neal is angry."
The 76ers are on offense, and Iverson makes a pull-up jumper!
Then...
O'Neal received the ball near the free-throw line, turned over Wei Guo, used his left arm to push Wei Guo away, and then made a small floater with his right hand.
"Whoosh!!!"
The basketball went in again!
43:46!!
O'Neal got really hot. Coleman's layup was blocked by O'Neal, and Kobe got the ball and dunked it on a fast break!
The Lakers scored frequently...
45:57!!
In five minutes, the Lakers went on a 15-4 run.
"pause!"
Brown immediately called a timeout.
......
The 76ers' bench.
Brown said, "Weiguo, you can use your three-point advantage; Shaq can't guard you beyond the three-point line."
The past five minutes.
The 76ers' offense was a mess, with only Iverson scoring 4 points thanks to his outstanding individual ability, while the others, including Wei Guo, failed to score.
Wait until Brown has laid out the tactics.
Wei Guo said, "Everyone should take the shot boldly when they have the chance, and I'll grab the rebounds for you!"
Brown, "???"
......
The timeout has ended, and the 76ers are on offense.
Obviously...
Coleman and his teammates listened to Brown more, and whenever they had an opportunity, they passed the ball to Wei Guo.
Wei Guo has the ball in mid-range.
O'Neal guarded him closely, saying, "I won't let you score so easily again!"
"Scoring with a shot is bullying you..."
After Wei Guo finished speaking,
The moment the basketball hit the ground, Wei Guo broke through O'Neal's left side, slapped the ball together with both hands, made a shooting fake, and then quickly shook off O'Neal with a step.
"Bang!!!"
Wei Guo jumped from the spot and delivered a powerful two-handed dunk to O'Neal!
47:57!!
The conflict between Wei Guo and Brown was, strictly speaking, between Brown and Wei Guo.
At the beginning of the season...
When Wei Guo liked to shoot three-pointers, Brown told him to play in the paint. Now that Wei Guo is listening to the coach and has started playing in the paint, Brown has told him to move to the outside and shoot three-pointers!
Doesn't Brown know that Wei Guo likes to attack the opponent's strongest point?
One-on-one against Nash under the basket...
A three-pointer over O'Neal...
What's the fun in playing ball like that?
"So this doesn't count as bullying you, right?"
After scoring, Wei Guo didn't forget to ask O'Neal for advice.
O'Neal said sternly, "Young man, don't be so arrogant!"
"Um???"
Wei Guo frowned and said sternly, "What kind of young man isn't impetuous?"
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