Chapter 166

There was a strange atmosphere inside the Lakers' private plane flying to Los Angeles.

An inexplicable sense of relaxation was mixed with a stifling vibe.

For many players, with Kobe sidelined by injury, losing to Miami was a relief; perhaps they could go on vacation a little earlier.

But at the same time, almost everyone was thinking in their hearts: Are we really going to lose just like this? We've already made it this far; we are only one step away from a three-peat dynasty.

Part of the reason for this situation was that the team leader played the footage of Kobe's final 3 minutes of the game on the cabin television.

Kobe had always been the spiritual symbol of the Lakers; whether you believed in him or rebelled against him, you were inevitably influenced by him.

His sportsmanship, in fact, influenced not only the teammates around him but also fans all over the world. When mentioning James, people think of the Chosen One—all-around, wise. When mentioning Kobe, most people associate him with "brick-laying," "selfishness," and, of course, the "paranoid spirit" that cannot be ignored.

Knowing there are tigers on the mountain, he heads toward the tiger mountain anyway.

Fan Xi actually really hoped his teammates would gain such inspiration; only by spontaneously boosting their spirits would they have a chance to fight the Heat to the death in the third game.

In the second game that had just passed, the Lakers had no fighting spirit to speak of. In fact, if the Lakers had played more aggressively and with more confidence, they at least wouldn't have been thrown into garbage time.

The Lakers had the strength to fight the Miami Heat; the Big Three were by no means invincible. As long as the Lakers were united as one and rediscovered their chemistry, they would at least have a chance to shatter the Heat's 4:1 dream.

"Jack."

As Fan Xi looked toward the pitch-black sky outside, Deng Liwei leaned over: "Tell me, do we really have no hope at all?"

Deng Liwei was in a contract year, and for him, this year's Finals were of great significance. He wanted to get his next contract with a starting salary of ten million; to achieve this, an outstanding performance in the Finals was a must.

Now that Kobe Bryant was injured and Miami was so dominant, the media was unanimously bearish on the Lakers. In this situation, Fan Xi became Deng Liwei's last straw; he knew that only Fan Xi had the answer to this question.

Fan Xi looked at the "hope hidden within disappointment" in Deng Liwei's eyes, and then he smiled. He said to Deng Liwei: "We are currently 1:1, we even have home-court advantage for one game, why would you feel there is no hope?"

Deng Liwei was stunned; this was an answer he hadn't expected.

"Just because we didn't play well in the last game? Just because the whole world is saying the Miami Heat are bound to win? Come on, Mike, we managed to make it to the NBA, who among us didn't fight our way through thousands of competitors? Have we received few cold shoulders in the past?"

"We didn't believe it when we were kids, now that we've earned piles of money, are we doubting ourselves instead?"

Fan Xi said to Deng Liwei in an optimistic tone.

Deng Liwei's "frustration" gradually faded under Fan Xi's words, and a powerful sense of determination formed in the bottom of his heart.

"No matter what, as long as you run to an open spot, I will pass you the ball. If you want to become the best shooter in the Finals, then run faster."

Fan Xi finally patted Deng Liwei on the shoulder; he gave Deng Liwei his guarantee.

Deng Liwei felt reassured instantly.

Not long after Deng Liwei returned to his seat, Lamar Odom came over. He said to Fan Xi: "Jack, my wife said to invite you to our house for dinner tomorrow..."

Fan Xi wondered what Odom was going to say.

It turned out he came to invite him to be a guest at the Kardashian house; what was this all about?

"Will Jenner be there?" Fan Xi asked subtly.

"Of course." Odom winked and made an expression that every man understands: "It was Kendall who asked her sister to invite you over, hehe, I really want to be brothers-in-law with you."

Fan Xi took the opportunity to put his hand on Odom's shoulder: "Lamar, did you find another woman in Miami? Why did you play so poorly in the second game? I heard that you're having a bit of trouble handling Khloe's inspections lately. You say, if she finds out you were in Miami..."

"No! No! No!" Odom shook his head like a rattle-drum. He said: "We're on the same side, Jack. I've been telling Khloe lately that I need to focus on preparing for the games and can't 'do my homework.' You know the women of the Kardashian family, their desires in that regard are very strong. Once they sit on you, they can suck you dry..."

When Odom said this, he couldn't help but shiver. "You'll know later."

It seemed Khloe was indeed putting a lot of psychological pressure on Odom.

"Then you need to play with more focus on the court; look at how many defensive assignments you missed today. If you play well on the court, I can help cover for you in the future. If you play like you did in the second game, the Kardashian family isn't stupid."

Fan Xi's words immediately made Odom pat his chest in guarantee: "Jack, don't worry, I will be fully focused in the future games. I've long been annoyed with those people in Miami; they treated me like trash back then, I hate them to death."

"By the way, Jack, once you enter the door of the Kardashian family, we must stand together and help each other."

Odom spoke of the Kardashian family as if it were a den of jackals and tigers. Fan Xi smiled faintly; he had never been afraid of any jackals or tigers. When sickness comes, treat it; when water comes, block it with earth. Although the American media kept saying the women of the Kardashian family were formidable, he just didn't believe in that evil.

He had full confidence in his own energy.

After Lamar Odom left.

Pau Gasol actually came over too.

Fan Xi felt a bit strange; this was like a leader holding individual meetings. Why were they all running over to talk to him, scrambling to be first?

Phil Jackson and Lao Wente in the front also noticed, and they were both curious. The two old men pricked up their ears, wanting to hear how Fan Xi would resolve this matter.

The cabin wasn't large, and Phil Jackson and Lao Wente weren't sitting far away. With their ears pressed against the seats, it was easy to hear the content of the conversation here.

Fan Xi's way of talking to Deng Liwei and Odom was completely different in method and direction. When talking to Deng Liwei, he talked about "interests," using data to motivate him. When talking to someone like Odom, who had achieved success and was free and lazy, he talked about his family, using his wife to coerce him and establish a common front.

Fan Xi's vastly different handling methods made the Zen Master and Lao Wente realize that although Fan Xi had never shown any leadership talent in the past.

And they were very curious about how Fan Xi would chat with Pau Gasol.

Furthermore, what would Pau Gasol chat about with Jack?

"Jack, in the next game, you can pass the ball to me more. I just watched the game video; if I act as a playmaker from the high post, you will save a lot of energy, and Chris Bosh's basketball IQ isn't enough to keep up with my rhythm."

Pau Gasol walked over, and it was actually to say this.

Fan Xi was slightly surprised.

"I've thought it through, I want to win." Pau Gasol clenched his fists. His face, which seemed like it would never grit its teeth, was full of determination. He said to Fan Xi: "I must do something for Kobe. Since he chose you, then I will help you with all my might just as I assisted him. Before boarding the plane, I received a text message from him."

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