Chapter 151: Next Time, Kobe!
After the final buzzer, Lian Dao approached Kobe with a wry smile and extended his hand.
"You won this time, but that doesn't mean I'm admitting defeat," Lian Dao said, shaking Kobe's hand before pulling him into a hug.
Kobe, who had been laser-focused during the game, now relaxed, sharing a laugh with Lian Dao. "You've already done more than enough," Kobe said with a serious expression, patting Lian Dao on the back. "You were great out there."
Kobe had been thoroughly impressed by Lian Dao's performance: the relentless defense, the fearless drives to the hoop, the incredible hustle, and the way Lian Dao fought until his body gave out. Watching Lian Dao on the court, Kobe saw a reflection of his younger self—the same never-quit attitude.
But Lian Dao was further ahead than Kobe had been at his age. When Kobe was a rookie, he spent time struggling for minutes, fighting to get off the bench. But this kid, Lian Dao, was already leading his team, carrying them forward.
It reminded Kobe of watching Allen Iverson during his early years. Back when Kobe was still sitting on the Lakers' bench, Iverson was already leading the Sixers, putting up 30-point performances with ease. And now, in a strange twist, it was Kobe watching Lian Dao dominate, just as he once watched Iverson.
But Kobe knew Lian Dao was different—he had something special, something that even the "Answer" hadn't possessed.
Without a word, Kobe removed his jersey and scribbled his signature across it before handing it to Lian Dao. Seeing Lian Dao momentarily stunned, Kobe let out a smile.
"Speechless, huh?"
Lian Dao, snapping out of his surprise, beamed with excitement. He quickly took off his own jersey and signed it in both Chinese and English before handing it over.
Kobe examined the signature, his eyes lighting up. "Your Chinese signature is pretty cool."
Lian Dao grinned, then asked a question that had been on his mind. "How come I couldn't outscore you?"
Kobe shrugged, his expression turning thoughtful. "Does it matter? Sure, maybe it does to some people. But you had more points than me through three quarters. For me, that makes you a worthy opponent." Kobe's eyes gleamed with anticipation. "I look forward to the next time we face each other. Don't let me down."
Lian Dao understood what Kobe meant. He had scored 37 points in just three quarters, while Kobe had 34 points at the same point in the game. The competition between them had been fierce, and it wasn't over yet.
With a nod, Lian Dao responded with a playful smirk. "Next time, don't count on being so lucky."
The two exchanged jerseys, raising each other's shirts to their chests and posing for the cameras. The photographers on the sidelines frantically clicked their shutters, capturing the iconic moment between two stars, one seasoned and the other rising.
It felt like a symbolic passing of the torch, a moment of mutual respect and admiration.
The fans who hadn't yet left the arena erupted in applause, cheering for both Kobe and Lian Dao. Though they hadn't witnessed Lian Dao stay in Los Angeles, they had witnessed something just as memorable—the bond between two players they admired.
"Sickle, I hear you're a training freak. How about next summer—got time?" Kobe asked with a smirk.
Lian Dao let out a regretful sigh. "I'd love to, but probably not. I'll be playing in the 2010 World Championships, and those won't wrap up until mid-September. By then, my team's training camp will have already started."
He wasn't entirely happy about it, but Lian Dao knew he had a full schedule during the offseason, with commercial shoots and his commitment to the national team. After his stellar performance in the Asian Championships, Lian Dao's spot on the team for the World Championships was already secured.
Kobe nodded, understanding. "Right, I forgot about the World Championships. I probably won't be playing in those anymore—time to let the younger guys have it."
For Lian Dao, however, national pride was everything. Like Yao Ming before him, Lian Dao viewed representing his country as one of the highest honors. Kobe respected that. Watching Lian Dao's performance tonight had only solidified his impression of the young player. He could feel the pressure when going up against him, and training with someone as relentless as Lian Dao would undoubtedly push both of them to new heights.
For a workout junkie like Kobe, finding a suitable training partner was thrilling.
"Well, if not this summer, how about after next season?" Kobe suggested with his trademark intensity.
Lian Dao chuckled. "Yeah, I should have time after next season."
A thought crossed his mind, and Lian Dao hesitated for a moment before speaking. "Would it be okay if I brought a few guys with me? Don't worry, they're good. They won't slack off."
Kobe raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "Oh, you mean the guys from your training camp?"
"Yeah, those guys," Lian Dao confirmed, feeling a little awkward for asking. He knew Kobe's training camps were no joke, and he didn't want to impose.
Kobe shrugged with a smile. "If it's them, no problem."
He was well aware of the rising talent in Lian Dao's circle—guys like DeMar DeRozan, James Harden, Stephen Curry, and Klay Thompson. Most of them had made a name for themselves in the NCAA and were already stars in the making.
Plus, Kobe had a personal connection with Klay, having mentored him early in his career. The idea of training with these young guns excited Kobe, knowing it would be competitive and intense.
And with the 2011 NBA lockout looming, it looked like the next offseason would be longer than usual. The start of the 2011-2012 season was delayed until the end of December, leaving plenty of time for a serious training camp.
"Sounds like a plan," Kobe said, sealing the deal with a grin.
Despite the Knicks' loss to the Lakers, D'Antoni's expression was anything but angry. In fact, he seemed pleased.
To go toe-to-toe with the defending champions through three quarters without falling apart was a testament to the Knicks' growth. This was their first year of rebuilding, and they had already exceeded expectations, including D'Antoni's own.
"My players played exceptionally well. While our strength needs improvement, we've found a path forward," D'Antoni said passionately at the post-game press conference.
His words were a morale booster for the team and its fans.
When asked about Darko Milicic's extended minutes, Lian Dao stood by his teammate. "Milicic played great. He's a talent that's been overlooked by many. Believe me, he's worthy of that No. 2 pick."
D'Antoni, standing nearby, nodded in approval. For Milicic, it was a rare moment of recognition. He'd long been burdened by the weight of being labeled a bust, but today, for the first time, basketball felt less like a painful ordeal. For the first time, he felt he belonged.
After the Knicks' press conference, the focus shifted to the Lakers. Reporters wasted no time questioning Kobe about Ron Artest's poor performance in the first half.
"Every player has off nights, but Ron is a top-tier player. We always trust that he'll bounce back, and he did just that in the second half. Without his adjustment, they wouldn't have stopped double-teaming me," Kobe said confidently.
Artest had joined the Lakers just that summer, and though he had early struggles, his defensive contributions were becoming crucial. His perimeter defense took the pressure off Kobe, allowing the star to focus on delivering efficient offensive performances. This balance was key for the Lakers and would only become more critical as the playoffs loomed.
After the press conference, Lian Dao returned to the locker room. Most of the players had left, but Milicic was still there. Seeing Lian Dao, Milicic stood and spoke seriously.
"Sickle, thank you. I'll do my best to be the best teammate by your side."
Lian Dao smiled, clasped Milicic's hand, and pulled him into a hug. "We'll do it together. I believe you'll prove your worth."
Milicic nodded, his eyes reddening with emotion. Recognition meant everything to him. As the second overall pick, he'd spent three long years warming the bench, criticized as a bust. The scolding from coaches, ridicule from teammates, and mockery from fans had scarred him deeply.
Historically, Milicic's NBA journey had been filled with hardship. He would later join the Celtics in the 2012-13 season, but his NBA career ended abruptly after just one game. Disillusioned, he apologized to the world, saying, "I'm sorry, I don't want to play basketball anymore."
Tonight, however, felt different. For the first time in a long time, Milicic had hope.
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