Chapter 224 I Don't Know, Nor Do I Care

Although the Lakers are strong because they leave opponents with a deadly multiple-choice question, which of the two poisons known as "O.K." to take, taking Kobe out and playing entirely around Shaquille O'Neal is still a universally applied tactic.

In the era of zone defense, O'Neal couldn't demand the ball and attack as freely as he used to, even if the person defending him was Gadzuric, he faced many restrictions in getting to the deepest position.

Because of his bug-like physique, O'Neal experienced the phenomenon of "reverse star treatment." To promote perimeter stars, the league might instruct referees to be protective when calling fouls, yet in O'Neal's case, they feared his power was too overwhelming, hence he was heavily restricted for many years.

Therefore, it wasn't realistic to rely on strong post plays for every possession, but just by standing under the basket, O'Neal was a threat, and every move he made pulled on the Bucks' defense.