Capítulo 120: A Total of 74 Points, the Kewang Combination is Born!
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The title of the historical "Iron King" is no joke.
In the two seasons when Kobe won the scoring title, his 46% shooting percentage seemed decent. However, his 10.2 free throws per game played a huge role. In a league where offensive possessions were fewer compared to the fast-paced small-ball era, 10 free throws per game was quite impressive, even compared to Harden's near 12 free throws per game.
At that time, only LeBron James and Allen Iverson could rival Kobe in free throws per game.
James and Iverson mainly relied on attacking the basket to draw fouls, so their free throws were more expected. But Kobe's offense was mainly mid-range, long-range shots, and post-up techniques, so it was intriguing that he also managed to get to the line so often.
But let's get back to the action.
Kobe missed a shot, and Stoudemire grabbed the rebound, passing to Nash, who sprinted toward the frontcourt.
After half a month of playing together, the Suns' "7-seconds or less" offense had matured, and they executed it smoothly.
However, the Lakers countered this with a lineup specifically tailored to match the Suns' fast, small-ball style. Their defense wasn't lagging behind either.
Nash passed to Shawn Marion, who sprinted into the paint. Just as Marion went for a layup, Wang Chong came out of nowhere, blocking the shot out of bounds with a big swat.
Marion, an athletic freak with a wingspan of 2.18 meters, was known for defending multiple positions. But Wang Chong, standing at 2.10 meters with a wingspan of 2.26 meters, overwhelmed him.
Suns ball from the sideline.
With the fast break stopped, the Suns had to set up in the half-court. Their go-to play was Nash running a pick-and-roll with Stoudemire, or letting Stoudemire attack from the midrange.
This time, Stoudemire faked a jumper, then drove past Odom for a layup.
4-0 Suns.
Kobe cut to the basket, receiving an assist from Odom to score.
4-2.
Nash countered with a signature pull-up mid-range shot after blowing past the Lakers' defense.
6-2 Suns.
Wang Chong responded with a mid-range jumper.
6-4.
...
The game started with a fast pace, with both teams trading buckets.
However, as time went on, the Suns realized something was off.
Why couldn't they outscore the Lakers?
Though Kobe started cold, he warmed up as the game progressed. Meanwhile, Joe Johnson, the Suns' primary shooting guard, struggled defensively. Joe was an All-Star and leader for the Hawks at his peak, but his defense couldn't match Kobe's scoring.
On the flip side, Wang Chong also thrived in the Suns' up-tempo style. Despite facing Shawn Marion, Wang Chong's versatility allowed him to make quick shots without giving Marion a chance to lock him down. He hit everything from mid-range to three-pointers, quickly gaining momentum.
By the end of the first quarter, the Lakers led 33-27.
Fans at the Suns' home court began to wonder—why were the Lakers outscoring them in their own fast-paced game?
Looking at the box score, it was clear: Kobe and Wang Chong had scored 12 and 15 points, respectively, accounting for more than half of the Lakers' points.
The Suns continued to battle in the second quarter, but Wang Chong took a breather. Even with Kobe leading the offense, the Lakers' bench stepped up. Odom and Butler combined for 19 points in the second quarter, helping the Lakers put up 30 points.
At halftime, the Lakers led 63-58.
During the break, Suns head coach Mike D'Antoni made adjustments, but nothing could prepare them for Wang Chong's dominance in the third quarter.
Rested and energized, Wang Chong returned to the court and immediately started firing. Standing at a 45-degree angle beyond the three-point line, he nailed a three-pointer with Marion a step too slow to contest.
With his 90 three-point rating and boosted badges like Hot Zone Hunter and Enter the Rhythm, Wang Chong's shooting was deadly. His consistent shooting forced Marion to step up, but Wang Chong simply blew by him for easy layups, showcasing his athleticism.
Three minutes into the third quarter, Wang Chong had already scored 7 points, expanding the Lakers' lead to double digits.
Nash was subbed back in, helping the Suns' offense run smoother, but they still couldn't contain Wang Chong.
At 7:34 into the third quarter, Kobe returned to the game, with Wang Chong continuing to create space for him. By the end of the third, Wang Chong had scored 17 points in the quarter alone, bringing his total to 36 for the game. The Lakers led 90-79.
In the fourth quarter, Wang Chong's minutes were limited due to fatigue, but his presence on the floor kept the Suns' defense honest. Though he only scored 4 points, Kobe stepped up, adding 11 points to seal the game.
When the final buzzer sounded, the Lakers had won 115-107, with Wang Chong and Kobe combining for 74 points—40 for Wang Chong and 34 for Kobe.
Stoudemire's 33 points and Marion's 27 weren't enough to save the Suns.
"Wang Chong scores 40+ in a single game, showing his scoring prowess!"
"The Lakers' new duo scores 74 points, defeating the Suns!"
This high-octane offensive game thrilled fans everywhere. Fast-paced and full of spectacular scoring, it was the kind of game that basketball enthusiasts live for.
While some fans enjoy defensive battles, the reality is, most prefer this kind of offensive spectacle. The commercial nature of the NBA ensures that as the pace quickens, the league becomes more exciting and marketable.
Though some fans will claim that Steph Curry revolutionized the game and ushered in the small-ball era, it's clear that teams like the Heat already started moving in that direction. Curry merely accelerated the change.
Back to the point.
The "Kewang combination" of Kobe and Wang Chong has continued to win games, gaining a growing fanbase. Fans in China especially love this duo—one being a Chinese-American and the other Kobe, who in the future would be said to have 1 billion fans in China.
Chinese fans have dubbed them the "Kewang combination," showing even more support than for the Yao-McGrady duo formed this season.
End of the chapter
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