98. Nobody's handling the ball? Then I'll reluctantly step up then!_2

Kobe guarded Zhang Yang, and it felt like a return to the year 2000. On offense, he had to guard Zhang Yang's fast breaks like he guarded the "Little Flying Squirrel" in the Western Conference Finals that year. On defense during half-court play, he had to guard Zhang Yang's movement like he guarded Reggie Miller in the Finals.

Combining both was manageable, just a bit more fatiguing, but the key point was the investment-to-return ratio in defense wasn't proportional!

The "Little Flying Squirrel" was the offensive engine for the Trail Blazers, and Reggie Miller was the Pacers' top perimeter scorer. Yet, Zhang Yang was just a substitute!

Kobe's resolute decision to abandon targeted defense left Zhang Yang feeling regretful, as he could no longer help his teammates by attracting Kobe's defensive attention.