Chapter 1359 - 25: Friends_3

He exploited the trust of a friend and trapped him, leading the friend into a lion’s den where he was destroyed in a match.

This game might turn out to be the turning point in Kevin Garnett’s career, completely shattering his confidence.

And then? Then his performance got worse and worse, the once rising star started to dim, followed by injuries, he dropped out of the rotation, and year by year performed worse.

Eventually, when his contract ended, the Timberwolves weren’t willing to renew at a high price, and he had to leave, go to another team as a substitute, until no one was interested.

He couldn’t get a game in America, so he went to Europe to play ball and earn money, becoming a basketball vagabond, his stardom completely fallen.

Kobe had seen examples like this; his father was more or less such a player. A promising future, but in the brutal NBA, it’s easy for one choice, one rise and fall, to completely change one’s fate.

Kobe’s mind wandered, which caused him not to perform well in the second half, immediately making two turnovers.

Bird quickly benched him, seeing Kobe’s dismal face, and scolded: "What are you thinking about? Turnovers? Why another turnover!"

Kobe pursed his lips and said, "Sorry, I’m not in the zone tonight."

"As a professional player, you have to force yourself to be in the zone every night. If you ever know you’re not in the zone, tell me, and I’ll let you sleep at the hotel."

Bird didn’t know what these young people were thinking; they were all laughing before the game, but by mid-game, leading by so much, they became lost.

"What the hell are young people thinking these days? Xie Te, Xie Te!"

Bird was in a bad mood today, starting with Riddle being late in the morning, he’d been scolding people all day.

It might have to do with Minnesota’s cold weather, or maybe... with Kevin McHale.

Since arriving in Minnesota, he was hesitating whether to call Kevin McHale, say hello and chat for a bit.

But in the end, he didn’t make the call, and when he came to the Target Center, he didn’t visit the Timberwolves either, afraid of running into Kevin.

Their relationship had always been lukewarm, neither close nor distant. Clearly great partners on the court, yet off the court always a layer apart.

After retiring, when they started missing each other, it was hard to take that step to say hello and shake hands.

In the final stages of the fourth quarter, the game was already without suspense, Bird substituted the main players.

Gan Guoyang tallied 44 points, 17 rebounds, 11 assists, 3 steals, and 4 blocks, totally dominating the game.

After coming off, Bird patted Gan Guoyang, saying: "Take it easy, kiddo, it’s only the beginning of December."

Gan Guoyang said: "I didn’t mean to; I got into the rhythm as I played, might as well crush them."

Bird could understand, some games are indeed like this; once you get into the rhythm, no one can stop you.

Moreover, Gan Guoyang had mastered both inside and outside play in terms of offensive choices and skills, making it incredibly difficult to defend him.

Kobe and Little O’Neal got a chance to play in the final stages, but both appeared listless and just played out the last few minutes.

The game ended, 104:89, with the Trail Blazers securing a 15-point victory over the Timberwolves on the road, extending their winning streak to six games.

Most of the fans at the Target Center left early; the Timberwolves lost, but witnessing Ah Gan’s excellent performance was worthwhile.

Kevin Garnett left the bench with his head hanging, all seen by Kobe, who was thinking about how to explain to Garnett after the game.

Back in the locker room, Kobe took the initiative to be honest with Gan Guoyang, saying: "Sonny, did Kevin curse at you during the game? He said ’damn it,’ but he didn’t mean it that way. I tricked him by saying if he called you ’tomato,’ you would go easy on him."

Kobe told Gan Guoyang about the three of them drinking and chatting yesterday, and how he deceived Garnett.

Sitting on the bench changing clothes, Gan Guoyang listened to Kobe but showed no reaction.

When Kobe finished, Gan Guoyang simply nodded and said: "Alright, got it."

Kobe was at a loss, staring blankly at Gan Guoyang, wanting to hear his thoughts.

Gan Guoyang said: "What are you standing here for? Go do what you need to do."

"Don’t you have anything to say?"

"Say what? Am I supposed to apologize to Kevin Garnett? Say sorry, I misunderstood, you weren’t cursing at me, you were begging for mercy, I shouldn’t have scored so much over you~ What the hell’s going on in your heads? This is the NBA, this is a competition, it’s work. His job was to stop me, and if he can’t do it, that’s his problem, not mine. Why do I need to explain? I seriously did my job, and did it exceptionally well, I’m really happy."

"As for you tricking him, that’s your issue. Towards the end, I sensed something off, Kevin didn’t seem like he was provoking me. But so what? Should I go easy on him, give him a few points against me? F**k you, I’m not part of your games. If you’re afraid of losing this friend, go explain it to him, tell him you played him. But remember, on the court if you can’t do it, it has nothing to do with anything else."

Kobe was utterly scolded by Gan Guoyang, looking quite gloomy, but he pursed his lips and endured it all.

Garnett was attending a press conference, while Kobe and Little O’Neal waited for him outside the press hall, waiting for the interview to end.

When Garnett came out, Kobe walked up to him, and Garnett spread his arms for an embrace.

"Hey! I got beaten bad tonight, man!" Garnett seemed fine, revealing a bright smile.

Feeling guilty, Kobe said: "Sorry, brother, I tricked you, it was a joke, but I..."

Garnett hugged Kobe and said: "Man! It’s nothing, really. I was outmatched. I really shouldn’t have called ’tomato’, right? I surrendered, but I got beaten worse. This taught me a lesson, that surrender often leads to an even worse fate."

Kobe looked at Garnett in disbelief, not expecting him to say something so logical.

However, Garnett quickly added: "Ah Gan told me during the game, he realized I wasn’t cursing, but still beat me real bad. I’ll remember it forever."

This match did indeed become a turning point in Garnett’s career, but not downwards, upwards. He got stronger motivation to strive harder, to surpass those difficult to surpass.

After this game, the Trail Blazers were on to the next destination.

Bird stood near the bus, waiting for everyone to get on so they could go to the airport.

As the coach, he often did head counts to prevent lateness or early departures.

These detailed tasks could enhance a coach’s prestige, which Bird valued greatly.

Until the last person was on the bus and the luggage was loaded, Bird also got ready to board and set off.

"Hey, Larry!" someone suddenly called from behind.

Bird turned around and saw Kevin McHale.

As he approached, both masked awkward expressions, like long-separated lovers reuniting.

Bird licked his lips and said: "Hey, Kevin, uh... tonight’s game was good."

"Good for you guys, we got beat really bad, really bad."

Both laughed but fell silent after, unable to find words.

McHale stepped up to pat Bird on the shoulder, saying: "Good luck, Larry, see you next time."

Bird nodded: "See you in Portland, remember to come when we play away."

"Definitely."

"Goodbye."

"Goodbye."

Sitting in the bus seat, Bird waved out the window at McHale, who waved back.

As they set off, Bird felt much more at ease, exhaling deeply, feeling more relieved than even a win.