Pope of Basketball.

Summary

The chapter discusses the rarity of players scoring over 50 points in NBA Finals games, highlighting Michael Jordan's 55-point performance in 1993, which tied Rick Barry's 1967 record. Jerry West also scored over 50 points in the 1969 Finals. Yao Ming recently became the fourth player to achieve this feat and is noted for his offensive versatility against the Magic. Analysts like Charles Barkley and Kenny Smith praised Yao's skills, contrasting them with Shaquille O'Neal's struggles due to free-throw shooting. The Lakers dominated the Magic, winning 133 to 75, with Yao being the standout player, attracting significant media attention. Post-game interviews revealed Yao's humility and Yang Rui's bold statements about the Lakers' dominance and his future departure from the team, hinting at the challenges faced by opponents. The chapter concludes with Magic players acknowledging Yao's defensive and offensive prowess.

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