Chapter 10

The game between the Lakers and the Chicago Bulls is a back-to-back game.

So, Fan Xi and Lamar Odom didn't return home, but stayed in a luxury hotel next to the Staples Center.

It's just that Fan Xi went to sleep when he returned to the room and went to the Staples Center to practice the next morning, while Lamar Odom went to participate in a money-making activity with the Kardashian family women; it is estimated that he would not appear in the arena until about 3 o'clock in the afternoon.

Fan Xi is a very hardworking and focused person.

He constantly integrated Reggie Miller's touch into his ball-handling movement jump shots, using all kinds of high-difficulty movements.

However, the effect of the improvement wasn't as great as imagined, but it was already much better than Fan Xi's previous one.

"It's breathing."

After Fan Xi missed consecutive turn-around jump shots, a low voice came from behind him; he turned his head and found Kobe appearing behind him, leaning on crutches and wearing functional shoes.

Kobe Bryant.

The No. 1 star in the league today.

Although LeBron James's fame is getting bigger and bigger, and he is more comprehensive. There are signs of completely surpassing him.

But at this moment and this season, Kobe Bryant is still the league's top face star. He won the Finals MVP in the past two seasons.

Although due to age and years of injuries, his state this season, including his average scoring, is inferior to previous seasons. But... before LeBron James wins his championship, he will always be half a step behind Kobe.

Seeing that it was Kobe Bryant, Fan Xi was still a little excited.

Since joining the Lakers for so many days, this was the first time he chatted with Kobe.

Kobe has a cold personality; even in the locker room, he is not the one who talks the most. On the training ground, he at most goes to teach those guys who don't work hard.

Like Fan Xi, this silent and hardworking little transparent, his attention is hard to put here.

"I watched that game, it was very exciting, I appreciate you very much. I'm just very surprised, why didn't you sign a long-term contract with the team, but continued to take a 10-day short-term contract."

Kobe Bryant continued to say to Fan Xi.

Fan Xi shrugged his shoulders, not telling lies in front of a real Bodhisattva. "Because I think I can get more."

Fan Xi has a cautious arrogance.

Kobe's iceberg-like face showed a smile, just like the morning sun on a snow-capped mountain.

"I guessed it."

Kobe said.

"Your momentum in that game was very strong, your shooting feeling is very much like that killer Reggie Miller. The words you said to Steve Blake, I also saw on TV. You, me, and Michael Jordan are the same kind of people, we all like to establish imaginary enemies and then kill them!"

Kobe saw through all of Fan Xi's intentions.

Just as Kobe said, they are the same kind of people, and what Fan Xi is doing now is exactly what Kobe did back then.

Kobe back then was also very arrogant; he would challenge the then Jordan successor Jerry Stackhouse before the draft, he would make the team's then No. 1 guard Eddie Jones unable to get off the stage on the Lakers' training ground, and he would even let Karl Malone, who came to screen for him, stand aside at the All-Star game where big names gathered, don't hinder his one-on-one with Jordan.

"Our opponent tonight is the Chicago Bulls."

"They are very powerful this season and are very likely to become the Eastern Conference champions. Thibodeau built a very iron-blooded defensive strong team with Derrick Rose as the core. After I was absent, the team lacked an important perimeter offensive arrow."

Kobe continued: "Steve seems to have deliberately made you embarrassed, he wants you to face Derrick Rose tonight. The whole world knows how terrifying Rose is, are you afraid?"

Derrick Rose, the 2008 No. 1 pick. Before the draft, he surpassed geniuses like OJ Mayo and Michael Beasley, and led the team to the finals as a single core in his freshman year of NCAA. The record in his freshman year of NCAA was second only to Carmelo Anthony's freshman year when he led Syracuse University to win the NCAA championship.

However, Derrick Rose now seems to have a higher ceiling.

His physical talent is unique, his speed is extremely fast, his explosive power is extremely strong, and his jumping ability can also be called full-level... he is the LeBron James at the point guard position, one of the strongest talents in the league today.

Most importantly, he doesn't have the "hot-headed" situation of other talented players. Under the system specifically built for him by Thibodeau, he played at an MVP level this year. And now, he is far from reaching his peak.

Many people say that now is the twilight of the Kobe era, followed by the LeBron James era, and then the era of Derrick Rose and Kevin Durant ruling the NBA.

This is probably the core of the three generations of the NBA.

"I'm not afraid, I'm very excited." Fan Xi said very seriously: "I think I can continue to make a name for myself tonight. Steve Blake and the others will regret their decision; they shouldn't have let me get such an opportunity. Although they think it's a trap."

"Then work hard, Jack. Phil will also come to the arena tonight, but he won't manage the tactics; he will watch the game with me, and we will adjust the current lineup. I hope you are really as you said, seizing this opportunity."

Kobe Bryant gave Fan Xi a reminder. And then said a sentence: "No matter how intense your stop-and-go movements, turning movements, or step-back movements are, you must keep your breathing even. This heart does not move!"

Kobe gave Fan Xi a lesson.

Fan Xi's subsequent shooting training was consciously adjusted.

Sure enough!

When he adjusted his breathing, his shooting percentage continued to rise.

It is worthy of being the experience of the No. 1 iron king in the league today.

In terms of the number of "forced shots", Kobe Bryant is definitely the first in history. He has a famous quote: Only two people are defending me, this is a good opportunity.

So, the insights he passed on are very, very useful to Fan Xi.

Swish!

Swish!

Swish!

Fan Xi practiced more and more smoothly, although he didn't know how much shooting percentage this kind of ball-handling jump shot could have in actual combat. But Fan Xi felt... at least it initially possessed a threat.

Given time, exceeding Reggie Miller shouldn't be a problem.

While Fan Xi was sweating profusely in training.

Kobe Bryant met Phil Jackson in the player tunnel.

Phil Jackson had been paying attention to Fan Xi, although he was about to have one of his testicles removed, he was very concerned about the younger players.

His old partner Wente also strongly recommended him to him.

Even making him make up his mind to make some changes before the trade window closed.

Just like all defending teams, the Lakers have inevitably appeared to be distracted this season; the players who have won two consecutive championships, although they are still shouting about winning the third championship and achieving a dynasty.

But in reality, their thirst for the championship has dropped rapidly.

This is why there have been so few dynasty teams over the years. Because, often in the later stages, what needs to be fought is oneself, the team needs innovation, and needs fresh blood to pour in.

Lao Wente thinks highly of Fan Xi.

Although Fan Xi only performed well in one game.

Kobe Bryant also said that he saw the style of a killer in Fan Xi, and when he saw the video of Fan Xi's college games, and the video of him touring the United States with the famous streetball league.

He realized... the backcourt partner he had been striving to find for so many years had finally arrived.

Most importantly, this guy is also so diligent, so confident, so murderous, simply too much to his taste.

"He said he is very excited now, he said he will shine tonight, even if he is facing the strongest point guard of the new generation." Kobe said to Phil Jackson.

Phil Jackson raised his eyebrows, thought for a long time, and then asked Kobe: "Do you think he has this ability?"

"His strength is definitely not as good as Derrick Rose's, but I always feel that he can do some shocking things." Kobe said.

"Then let's wait and see."

The Zen Master walked in leaning on a crutch, and Kobe walked back leaning on a crutch.

In the long player tunnel, the two walked staggeringly, the lights on both sides stretched their figures, and in the long and empty corridor, it looked exceptionally deep.

As if predicting that their era was about to pass.

There must be newcomers to take over their legacy.

Fan Xi is one of the new teams they are observing.

Of course, at this moment, they didn't look at Fan Xi as a core successor. Instead, they looked at Fan Xi as a supporting player for the future. Just like in 1996, the Lakers chose Kobe and incidentally called Derek Fisher. Fisher has been assisting Kobe and has been accompanying the Lakers through ups and downs. Fan Xi is hoped to play the role of the "new Fisher".

…

In the locker room before the game, Steve Blake performed a clumsy performance, saying that he had a bad stomach today, and even got a doctor's certificate.

Lao Wente had to agree to his leave.

This was his conspiracy.

Fan Xi looked at his performance calmly on the sidelines; this guy even winked at Fan Xi after getting the permission to rest.

Looking like he was going to watch Fan Xi make a fool of himself.

Fan Xi didn't pay attention to him.

Lao Wente arranged the lineup; the Lakers' starting lineup tonight was Derek Fisher, Matt Barnes, Ron Artest, Pau Gasol, and Andrew Bynum.

When Kobe couldn't appear on the court, this was the Lakers' strongest lineup.

However, can it contend with the whirlwind Bulls that swept the East this year?

The Chicago Bulls' starting lineup was: Derrick Rose, Bogans, Deng, Boozer, and Noah.

This lineup was both offensive and defensive, and the combination of throwing and breaking was very smooth.

Head coach Thibodeau spent a lot of effort on this, and he was very likely to win the Coach of the Year award because of his outstanding contribution on the tactical end this year.

Beep!

The whistle sounded quickly.

Fan Xi sat at the very end of the bench, but the live TV gave him a shot at the opening.

Because the Kardashian sisters sitting in the VIP seats were cheering for him, and these people brought the camera team in with great fanfare.

Honestly, although they are not people with a good reputation in public opinion, they are really good to Fan Xi, with the love of treating a little brother. And, they do have very strong media attention.

TNT broadcast this focal battle nationwide.

Originally, people wanted to see the duel between Derrick Rose, the leader of the new generation, and Kobe Bryant, who killed his way out of the twilight of the gods.

But now, Kobe Bryant is injured.

The commentators couldn't change the scheduled broadcast games, so they had to say some digressions.

Kenny Smith was a hero of the Rockets' championship back then; he was the wise assistant beside Olajuwon, helping the team win two championship trophies in 95-96.

He didn't have as much prejudice against Fan Xi as Charles Barkley. Honestly, as a three-point shooter, he was very appreciative of the magical performance Fan Xi had that night.

He often argued with Charles Barkley, sometimes for the effect of the show, sometimes seriously.

Because in their professional careers, Barkley was a superstar, but he didn't have a championship, even if he ran to Houston to hug thighs later, because he met Jordan's comeback, so he didn't have a championship for life. While Kenny Smith was a role player, he had a championship ring.

This is like two extremes of a balance, they are evenly matched.

"Really can't believe it, the women of the Kardashian family are so interested in Jack Fan, who has just emerged. What can they get from Jack?"

Kenny Smith said very puzzled: "They seem to be shouting for justice for Fan Xi, they hope Fan gets a chance to play."

"This is why women are short-sighted, they only stare at those handsome men. That Chinese teenager does look good, if he develops in Hollywood, I might buy the movie tickets he participates in, but the premise is definitely not any horror movie, I don't like those things."

Barkley said sarcastically.

He mocked Fan Xi as soon as he opened his mouth.

This made the Los Angeles fans in front of the TV very dissatisfied, because Fan Xi's magical performance that night was still fresh in their memory, and they hoped Fan Xi could stand up and give Charles Barkley two big mouths; he was really making wild remarks.

However, the Lakers fans were more worried about the team's chemical reaction for a period of time.

Kobe Bryant was not there, and the Lakers' backcourt was a mess.

Although their frontcourt Artest and Matt Barnes were both defensive tough guys.

But honestly, Artest, who won the championship ring, had indeed regressed very seriously. His lateral movement was terrible, and he couldn't catch up with Luol Deng at all.

Matt Barnes tried hard to defend.

But Derrick Rose breaking through Fisher's clumsy defense was like using a finger to gently insert into tofu.

The Lakers' backcourt was a mess.

They were even more passive on the offensive end.

Lacking Kobe Bryant's powerful attack, their perimeter collectively went cold, just like a disabled person who lost the ability to take care of themselves.

Even more outrageous things happened in the paint.

Although Bynum was called the hope of the Lakers' revival, he only had the body of a super center, not the mind and basketball wisdom of a super center.

He actually floated outside the three-point line and threw two three-pointers.

This feat of transcending the era made Lao Wente have to request a timeout.

Then, he thought of Fan Xi.

In fact, there were already many voices in the arena shouting: We need Fan! We need Fan!