N-A-A Chapter 32 You're no good at fighting, and you're even worse at insults?
Chapter 32 You're no good at fighting, and you're even worse at insults?
Who wouldn't want to see the answer on the court, challenging the behemoth Shaq, and a showdown with his arch-rival Kobe?
Of course, now we have to add Lin Ze.
Lin Ze: I'm also from the '96 generation!
Although the current 76ers team is not the same tenacious team that fought its way to the Finals in seven games in 01 and broke the Lakers' undefeated streak.
However, the basic framework has already been completed.
Under Larry Brown's guidance, Iverson was finally freed from playing point guard and instead moved to shooting guard, a position that allowed him to unleash his offensive firepower.
The team's point guard is Eric Snow, a mature, steady, calm, rational player who can control the game, pass the ball, and has excellent defensive abilities.
The starting small forward is Lynch George, and the two big men are shot block leader Theo Ratliff and Troy Hill.
What can I say about this lineup?
A standard, Iverson-style lineup.
1 attacker, 4 defenders; 1 star, 4 blue-collar workers.
Apart from Iverson, the other four are all pure role players, all of whom started their careers on defense and have almost no independent offensive capabilities.
After a long period of adjustments and refinement, Brown determined that this was the best lineup for Iverson, one that could maximize his firepower and unleash his full potential.
Now, it's time for this lineup to produce results and achieve success.
As for why this lineup hasn't produced any results yet?
Because they need to add a better, more reliable defender to the team. They need someone who is actually on defense, not just padding stats, to truly take shape.
So, in this 76ers team, besides Iverson, who hardly plays any defense, who else is a stat padder?
Ratliff!
This guy's defensive stats are really impressive.
But his defensive performance was truly no different from being a garbage can.
You don't even need to look at any particularly advanced data or watch his matches. Just reading out a few of the most basic, direct, and simple data is enough to tell what kind of person this guy is.
职业生涯场均2.4次盖帽，巅峰期曾经连续4个赛季场均盖帽超过3次，总计6个赛季盖帽超过3次，生涯最高曾在开拓者队送出过4.1次的场均盖帽。
Then, this shot-blocking maniac never even made the All-Defensive First Team once in his entire career, let alone the Defensive Player of the Year award!
He only received two second-team defensive assignments throughout his entire career.
This is enough to show how much his block numbers are inflated.
Anyone who has watched his games would not think he has good defense.
A good defender always aims to hold off the opponent, denying them space and opportunities to shoot, compressing all their routes, reducing their shooting percentage, and preventing them from getting a shot off.
And what about Ratliffe?
He is a germaphobe on the defensive end and hates contact and physical contact. He will even deliberately give his opponent space on defense to lure them into shooting, and then he will try to block their shot.
With his excellent physical attributes and size, Ratliff used this defensive style that left all coaches in despair, averaging 3-4 blocks per game.
The problem is that every time he blocks a shot, the opponent gets at least 3-4 easier shots than before.
On the defensive end, calling him a complete cancer wouldn't be an exaggeration.
"This guy's blocks are like Iverson's steals—all show and no substance. You'd be better off worried about being blocked by him than about being crushed by the Statue of Liberty." That was Jackson's assessment of Ratliff before the game started.
When someone's defense is comparable to Allen Iverson's, then the level of their defense becomes irrelevant.
It's like if someone tries to out-dunk Duncan, even if they win, what's the big deal?
Ratliff's blocks and Iverson's steals truly showcased their brilliance, like two equally outstanding individuals.
One is a gambling tycoon who will rush out to try to steal the ball whenever he feels he has a chance, averaging 2.6 steals per game this season, but he has missed countless matchups, resulting in the team being forced to defend 4 against 5 for a short period of time.
One is a shot blocker who deliberately creates space for opponents to shoot and then looks for opportunities to block their shots. He has 3.5 blocks this season, but has been caught out by opponents countless times by easy shots.
Lin Ze's opponent tonight is Ratliff!
Because he dislikes confrontation and hand-to-hand combat, Ratliff weighs only 101 kilograms, a full 10 kilograms lighter than his partner Hill.
Facing a behemoth like O'Neal, how could you possibly match up against Ratliff, who doesn't engage in physical contact and allows shots?
O'Neal would probably be willing to kiss Brown's butt as a way of expressing his gratitude.
Therefore, this became Lin Ze's opportunity!
The highly anticipated match, coupled with a shot-blocking king whose true nature is still largely unknown.
The Chosen Ones' Explosive Battle!
Destroy him and pave the way for your All-Star starting position!
While they were thinking, both teams' players had already taken to the field.
Ratliff and O'Neal stood in the center circle to prepare for the jump ball, while Kobe, before the game even started, raised his elbow and hit Iverson.
Allen Iverson, currently one of the top three most popular superstars in the league, is undoubtedly a step above Kobe Bryant in terms of star power, and his terrible temper and personality are also a step above Kobe's.
Kobe elbowed him, and the little guy's face immediately changed. He pinched Kobe hard while cursing a string of slang that Lin Ze couldn't understand at all.
But clearly, Kobe understood that stuff. He opened his mouth a few times to try and interject, but Iverson's speaking speed was just too fast, like a rapid-fire rap, making Kobe's face turn red before he could get a word in edgewise.
This guy is not only terrible at fighting, but he's also completely incapable of swearing...
"Want me to spray this shorty for you?" Lin Ze felt sorry for Kobe and offered his help.
"No need!" Kobe said firmly, glaring at Iverson, opening his mouth to speak: "I..."
"Fuck you, nigger! If you weren't in Los Angeles, you might be a shitty All-Star. If you were in Charlotte, you wouldn't even be able to get inside a girl, let alone be an All-Star..."
Unfortunately, before Kobe could even speak, Iverson's second rap verse had already begun!
Fortunately, the game finally started at this moment, and the referee's whistle saved Kobe and made Iverson temporarily stop trash talking.
O'Neal easily secured the first offensive possession for his team once again. Kobe, who had been sprayed with spittle, immediately dribbled up the court, but unfortunately, he was being guarded by Snow, not Iverson.
"Can't you handle me, you softie? Come on, trash!" Kobe finally got his chance to retaliate.