Chapter 178: The Floor’s a Bit Slippery.
During the pre-game warm-up, the broadcast cut to close-ups of Han Sen and Kobe, along with their playoff stats this season.
Kobe: averaging 31.5 points, 4.2 rebounds, 4.3 assists, with a 48% field goal percentage and 34% from three.
Han Sen: averaging 29.4 points, 4.5 rebounds, 5.1 assists, shooting 47.7% overall and 39.4% from three.
In the early 2000s, the league saw an era of dominant shooting guards, but over time, the position began to decline like that of the center.
This shift was partly due to an increase in scoring point guards who took on what was traditionally a shooting guard's role.
Additionally, small forwards proved to be more efficient scorers, so NBA coaches began preferring 3-and-D players at the shooting guard position.
Han Sen stands out as the only young player with the potential to carry on the legacy of the shooting guard position.
This showdown between top shooting guards is a rarity in the modern era.
Over at the commentator's table, the 'Big Three' are already seated.
"Shaq, we can go to Hollywood Boulevard in the early hours," Barkley said, already in celebratory mode.
"Are you worried about embarrassing yourself if you run during the day?" Shaq retorted.