The second quarter started, and after a brief rest, Qin Yue and Kobe returned to the game, each launching a low post showdown in their respective zones.

This season, Kobe, paired with Gasol as part of the "Mrs. Kobe" bond...

Although his average score per game has inevitably dropped to 27.8 points due to fewer attempts, his true shooting percentage has increased to a career-high of 58%.

By the standards of the small-ball era of later generations, Kobe's efficiency is certainly not very high.

But compared to later stars, Kobe's astonishing output and his killer instinct when in form can only be described as abnormal.

Even until his retirement battle, Kobe could still throw 50 times.

Was it Kobe's impressive 60 points for the Lakers that was shocking at that time?

No.

It was his ability to shoot at will despite having suffered multiple major injuries.

This ability meant that Kobe could always step up anytime on the court to flip a coin for the Lakers.

Staples Center, it's the Lakers' offensive rotation.

By positioning, Qin Yue was pulled out of the zone, giving Kobe the chance to post up Ah Tai in the low post.

Contrary to the stereotype of "four bricked shots out of three attempts," peak Kobe had a nearly 60% success rate in post-ups.①

(①: This data comes from future Kobe's retirement game and the league's compiled turnaround jumper hit rates since 2001, as shown in the figure.)

Qin Yue knew very well that even Ah Tai had difficulty restricting Kobe once he landed in the low post.

Because during this period, Kobe's post-up ability far surpassed any other perimeter players.

Gasol's arrival further amplified this advantage of Kobe.

Since Gasol could retreat to the high post to facilitate, the Lakers often used triangle offense strategies to create post-up opportunities for Kobe in games.

Of course...

Even with Kobe's excellent back strength, frequent post-ups could wear him down.

Otherwise...

Kobe wouldn't have to make those unreasonable shots that lower his overall shooting percentage.

Therefore, when noticing Kobe was ready to engage him in this low post battle, Qin Yue unhesitatingly chose to accept.

In the low post, masterfully using his footwork, Kobe faked Ah Tai with a pivot, turned, and made a fadeaway jumper.

On the retreat, Kobe intentionally gestured a "1" to Qin Yue, indicating his 1-0 lead.

Upon seeing this, Qin Yue swiftly vented his anger at Kobe all over Odom.

This was the fury Odom had to bear on behalf of Kobe.

After all, the Lakers couldn't use Kobe to defend against Qin Yue in the low post.

If they actually used Kobe to defend Qin Yue, it wouldn't be courage; it'd be suicide.

It's like Qin Yue wouldn't defend Kobe either.

Because that would mean the 211cm tall, 124kg Qin Yue would be giving Kobe a small-vs-large mismatch.

In the Lakers zone, facing Qin Yue's aggressive and unreasonable offense, Odom, who vowed to fight tonight for Kolker Kardashian, gave it his all.

And then...

He was shoved aside by Qin Yue and enjoyed a perfect view of Qin Yue's spectacular tomahawk dunk.

After scoring, Qin Yue made a "2" gesture toward Kobe.

At this moment, Kobe stormed forward in frustration, saying, "Why is it '2'?"

In response, Qin Yue calmly stated, "Because my finishing move is a dunk."

Kobe protested, "That's not fair! Dunks and shots are both two points."

Qin Yue leisurely replied, "Alright then, since you insist, I don't mind conceding, 1 to 1 it is."

Kobe: "..."

What do you mean, you conceded?

Compared to his rookie season, Qin Yue's ability to mess with people's mentality has significantly improved.

On the court, after Kobe revised their score to 2 to 1 in his favor, it was the Warriors' turn to attack.

This time, however, Gasol and Odom double-teamed Qin Yue in the low post.

This was a double-team that greatly frustrated Qin Yue.

Although he eventually assisted Biedrins in scoring...

On the retreat, Qin Yue persistently complained to Kobe, "You guys despicably used the double team tactic on me, this should count as my score."

In the next second, Kobe laughed and said, "Alright then, since you insist, I don't mind conceding, 2 to 2 it is."

Qin Yue: "..."

Do I damn look like I need your concession?

Even though Qin Yue isn't arrogant enough to call himself a post-up master and fadeaway expert like The Dream - Olajuwon or Michael Jordan...

He has absolute confidence in winning this low post showdown.

This confidence stems from his mismatched advantage over Odom in the low post.

If on the perimeter, Odom can still use his agility and intense defense to avoid Qin Yue creating a mismatch advantage, in the low post...

No matter how determined Odom is, he can only endure.

And Qin Yue isn't simply bullying Odom with brute force.

For example, in the offensive rotation where Qin Yue changed their score to 3 to 2 in his favor.

In the low post, after faking Odom with a shoulder fake, Qin Yue quickly turned and executed a graceful fadeaway so perfect that even Kobe couldn't find fault with it, sending the basketball beautifully through the hoop.

With this, the low post showdown came to an end.

Because next, as both sides gradually adjusted to each other's offense...

Whether it was Kobe or Qin Yue, they would encounter double-teaming the moment they received the ball.

Moreover, with both sides finding their rhythm in outside shooting, it indirectly influenced the course of the game.

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