When pride still matters

Chapter 392 Thank you

Chapter 392: Thank you
Los Angeles, Staples Center
Some games carry so much expectations that there's not enough content in one game to tell the full story behind it.

Kobe has waited too long.

Since being drafted by the Lakers in 1996, he has not become the magic hook of the new century with O'Neal as people expected. The inheritance of "you grow up with me and I will watch you grow old" has not happened. Excessive power is ugly and difficult to look at directly. It started with a sudden rape case as a breaking point, and lasted for a whole season of overt and covert fighting. In the end, O'Neal was eliminated and Kobe became the king of Los Angeles.

But how could the weight of the crown be something that Kobe could have imagined at the time? Over the past few years, the Lakers have never broken through the first round. Even if Kobe played a shocking scoring performance that could keep pace with Yu Fei, the team still could not succeed.

He took steps forward before retreating, forcing the management to take action by applying for trades, and finally gave him a team that was expected to compete for the championship.

Therefore, Kobe can endure the pain of his finger and maintain full attendance so far this season, allowing the Lakers to rank second in the Western Conference. Before competing for the championship, he must first get his hands on the MVP trophy.

Although there has never been any friction between Yu Fei's camp and Kobe's camp, once interests conflict, a battle will begin.

The Yu Fei camp's main attack on Kobe was "selfish" and "an inferior Jordan imitator."

Although Kobe Bryant relies on Nike, in recent years, due to James' growth not being as good as expected and Yu Fei's tendency to dominate the world, Nike's media power has no longer worked.

Jordan's support gave Kobe a little respite in the public opinion war, but the problem is still huge.

The Staples Center was packed that night.

"What about Fry? Isn't he the best?"

Behind Yu Fei is an empire. It’s not just about business, it’s about every aspect of society.

Therefore, Kobe's camp is at an absolute disadvantage in this public opinion war, making Jordan himself "can't stand it anymore."

In Yu Fei's impression, it was a similar scene every time he came to Los Angeles to play.

In terms of competing for MVP, there are several things that go against Kobe.

The venue was packed with people, and the front row was filled with stars.

The second is the winning rate against each other. In the first few meetings this season, the Sonics won all of them. This indirectly puts a requirement on Kobe's tonight. He must not only win, but also win beautifully. Otherwise, the judges will not ignore his previous losses just because he won the Sonics game.

Therefore, the impact of Yu Fei's transformation of the SuperSonics into the top four teams in the Western Conference is much greater than that of Kobe who teamed up with Kidd to return the Lakers to the first echelon of the Western Conference.

This is a rookie performance above the standard. However, when Kobe's current teammate Jermaine O'Neal had a scolding battle with Kwame Brown, he said something in desperation: "Beside Frye, he is like a dog." Can get better!”

The situation is unfavorable, so Kobe needs to win this game even more.

Finally, there is the story. Yu Fei has the best story. "Saving the Sonics" is a fairy tale-like gimmick that is more attractive than the rebirth of Kobe Bryant, who is half angel and half devil.

"Who didn't guide the way for those who came after me?" Jordan asked in turn. "If I hadn't been influenced by the way David Thompson played and some of the other guys who came before me, I wouldn't have the style of play you see. Same thing. The problem also applies to me and Kobe. This is the inheritance and evolution of basketball. Some people don’t understand this because they don’t know what respecting teachers is and they lack respect for history, but I tell you, You have to respect Kobe, he's the best player since 1998."

When McCallum published Yu Fei's article in "Sports Illustrated" and launched the MVP competition, Jordan came out to talk about Kobe, who has been in the spotlight recently.

The SuperSonics were second to last in the Western Conference last season. Before Marion arrived, the SuperSonics added Yu Fei, Durant and Kwame Brown compared to last season. Brown can be put aside. Who would believe that Durant would give Does supersonic speed bring significant bonuses? So far this season, Durant is averaging 14 points per game and shooting 47% from the field.

Before the warm-up, Yu Fei and Roy came to the midfield to greet the owner of the arena.

Yu Fei's bonus to the team is greater than that of Kobe.

Jordan pursed his lips, showed his trademark royal smile, and said with a little contempt: "I don't want to talk about a person who doesn't respect history."

Jordan affirmed Kobe's hard work to achieve excellence, and also refuted the argument that Kobe was just an imitator of himself. He also couldn't understand why the outside world made such a fuss and why they treated the "best" player in the post-Jordan era like this?

After seven years of accumulation, Yu Fei's many achievements have won him many believers.

"You don't stand a chance tonight."

Hearing what Kobe said, the 16-day-old Kobe was so moved that she milked herself hard before the game started. This is Kobe!
"Okay, then please win less." Yu Fei glanced at Kobe, Kidd and Xiao Ao with kind eyes, "Don't let us lose too miserably."

Xiao Ao smiled and nodded: "Don't worry, Da Fei, I won't embarrass you, but your starting center may not be the same."

When Yu Fei returned to the backcourt, he said to the people around him: "I feel like Kobe is going to be on full fire tonight."

"Is this the perception of fans?" Roy asked.

Yu Fei joked: "He is the most powerful player in the post-Jordan era. Do you think he will accept his MVP season being swept by a major competitor?"

"So," Marion asked, "who is the strongest player in the Frye era?"

Yu Fei and Roy both looked at Marion with burning eyes.

"What's wrong?" Marion asked.

Yu Fei said: "Rashad should have been traded earlier." "Indeed." Roy nodded, "The transaction happened too late."

Is there really anyone in this world who doesn't like Shawn Marion? He is the best wing all-rounder, versatile in offense and defense, does not steal the limelight, does all the dirty work, and has a sweet mouth. Although he is ugly, with these advantages, he is completely worthy of a Charles Barkley. Law ⑴.

⑴ "He is so handsome. If you had a net worth of hundreds of millions, you would be handsome too." - Charles Barkley.

After the warm-up, the DJ introduced the starting lineup of both teams.

The Sonics' starting lineup is relatively fixed, and after the trade, the Lakers also established the starting lineup that suits them best.

Kidd, Kobe, Walton, Jr. and Jeff Foster.

The only adjustment they can make is to replace Foster after Bynum returns from injury.

For the Lakers, the most surprising thing about that deal was that after losing weight, Ou played well at the fourth position. In the few games he played for the Lakers, he averaged 16 points, 7 rebounds, 2 assists and 2 blocks per game. Time allowed Lakers fans to forget the pain of losing Odom.

Compared to Odom, Odom's only problem is durability.

With a jump ball at the beginning, Foster won the ball for the Lakers.

Roy followed the pre-game plan and let Kidd go to double-team Kobe. Unexpectedly, Kidd had an open three-pointer.

"Are you still letting him shoot?" Roy asked Yu Fei.

Yu Fei said: "My suggestion is not to give big vacancies."

Kidd during the Nets era was indeed not very accurate, but he was by no means the kind of person who just rested on his laurels until he died. As he got older, he also knew that he must have a certain outside shooting threat in order to play an effective role in the organization. Talent. In the past few years, Kidd's outside shooting percentage has steadily increased, and it is no longer suitable to let go as before.

Roy, who was hit by Kidd for a three-pointer, wanted to regain the field and attack with the ball.

Today's Kidd's lateral movement speed has decreased, and his defense is not as tough as before, but he is more cunning.

Roy's breakthrough fell into the Lakers' trap. Walton suddenly appeared and double-teamed with Kidd to force Roy's mistake.

The Lakers switched from defense to offense. Kidd swatted the ball vigorously and looked at all three directions. Yu Fei quickly ran back to the frontcourt and blocked Kidd directly.

But Kidd had no intention of going head-to-head with Yu Fei, and quickly found Kobe who was following up, and the latter hit a jumper.

5 is better than 0
The biggest difference between this 08 Lakers and the 08 Lakers with Gasol is that the axis of the triangle offense has shifted from the inside to the outside.

In terms of organizational ability, no matter how strong Dajia's inside support ability is, he cannot compare with a point guard master like Kidd. The current Lakers are a bit like the Bulls' second dynasty, but the problem is that their inside men are not Luke Longley and others.

With Ou and Foster, plus the injured Bynum, the depth of the frontcourt is not inferior to any team.

The Lakers' current problem is the third position. Luke Walton is not a championship-level starter at the third position. However, is there any perfect team in the world?
Yu Fei was about to ask, but saw Kwame Brown leaning on Xiao Ao confidently.

Judging from the current positions, Brown is the center and Ou is the power forward, which is a mismatch.

But is this really a misplacement? From the outside, the two men were about the same size.

Yu Fei decided to watch another round.

Roy then lobbed the ball to Brown.

This is a pure grudge game. Xiao Ao may still be able to use water to defend against others. To defend against Brown, he is afraid that he will use up all his energy to protect the sword at night.

It's impossible to score
Yu Fei only watched for one second and knew that Brown was going to be in trouble, so he threw himself at the basket and prepared to grab the offensive rebound.

When he first entered the NBA, Brown still looked like Chris Webber, but over the years he has transformed into a blue-collar post, and the spirituality he had in high school has long since disappeared. Now he is just a functional post with weak singles skills, and he can beat O'Brien. In the end, you can only take random shots.

"boom!"

Of course such a shot is impossible to hit, but...
O'Brien and Brown stared wide-eyed as a figure No. 44 passed by in the air, and saw the man stretching his long arms to rebound the ball.

The ball was back in Brown's hands.

Brown yelled, squeezed away Xiaoao, and scored from the basket.

"Do you really think you can guard me?" Brown waved his fist and said loudly, "I just want Da Fei to pick up a rebound!"

"I thank you"

Yu Fei rolled his eyes and ran away.

(End of this chapter)