Post-game press conference.
A reporter asked Kobe about his comments on Zeng Zhen's performance.
Said Kobe: "Had been a very hard-working player and he played well tonight."
Because of his injury, Kobe was in a general mood and he didn't express much emotion.
The reporter asked, "Do you think he has what it takes to stay with the Lakers?"
Without thinking, Kirby said, "Of course."
Zeng Zhen worked hard enough and then proved tonight that his hard work pays off, a guy like that looks a little more reliable than Smash Parker.
After answering these two questions about Zeng Zhen, Kobe left the conference site with a cold face.
He's going to physical therapy.
All Kobe wants to do now is recover from his injury as quickly as possible so he can return to the court as soon as possible.
A reporter asked the Zen master about Zeng Zhen's contract, and the Zen master said, "That's Mitch's job, and I certainly welcome Zeng to stay with the team, but it's not entirely my decision."
Zen masters don't show all their attitudes to the media.
....
Zeng Zhen put on his backpack, got on the team bus, and put on his big headphones after finding his own exclusive seat.
Zeng Zhen had already checked the message from his agent Schwartz, and he knew that he had received an offer from both the Lakers and the Rockets.
Lakers offer is normal, but the Rockets suddenly also came to offer, Zeng Zhen is a little less understanding.
"Is it not considered an operational violation to negotiate with a player under contract?" Zeng Zhen replied to Schwartz.
"Sure, but that guy Murray doesn't care about that rule." Schwartz returned.
What the hell, one fight and you're tapped out?
Zeng Zhen was certainly happy to be recognized by others.
But Zeng Zhen pressed on to Houston.
There is enough exposure here in Los Angeles to favor his rapid rise to fame.
Now that he has strengths, all he needs is a good platform to show those strengths.
A place like Houston, if he was offered a guaranteed contract before today, he might have gone, but now that he has LA to choose from, of course he chooses to stay in LA.
Then, Murray's offer and behavior also made Zeng Zhen feel a little uncomfortable.
Murray is a man who doesn't play by the rules and then likes to play it smart.
Looking at a $4 million two year contract is bigger than the Lakers', but it's actually only $1 million for the first year that's guaranteed, with a team option for the second year, so if he doesn't play well, he'll be cut at any time, and it's only really costing $1 million, which is a lot less than the Lakers', so he won't lose money any way he screws it up.
On the contrary, the Lakers side was much more honest, and the first year was the same as the second.
"Disregard Houston, you go talk to Mitch and fight for the second year team option to be a personal option, that way I'll sign the contract, and if necessary, I can make concessions on the guaranteed amount as well." Zeng Zhenfa said.
"OK, I'll communicate." Schwartz returned.
Zeng Zhen does not go to drag things out, since he chose to play in the Lakers, he also said his conditions.
Most of the time, negotiation is a process of mutual conditioning and constant compromise on both sides.
Zeng Zhen was very confident in his current strength.
He's all about hanging tough, and given enough playing time and enough games played, he can raise his value a lot.
Zeng Zhen wasn't sure where this Curry's limit was, but he felt the All-Star should have capped it as well.
After all, the physical talent is there, and Curry should have a ceiling to be an All-Star, right?
In his first year Zeng Zhen didn't care how much he was paid, he wanted more opportunities to earn his next big contract.
With the Lakers, with Kobe injured and Smush Parker less trusted, this is his chance!
....
Schwartz quickly laid out Zeng Zhen's conditions in front of Kupchak.
Kupchak has actually been blown away by Zeng Zhen while watching the game.
If it was a post-game look at Zeng Zhen's stats, he probably wouldn't have thought it was all that impressive; after all, the NBA is littered with players capable of slashing 30+.
But watching the game, Kupchak knew the details; Zeng Zhen was blowing away those points in just over a quarter, and then he was scoring on a variety of long-range shots, and not just spot-ups, but the kind of shots that are in motion.
This type of shot requires a lot of individual ability from the player!
This means that Zeng Zhen has great individual ability.
Although Kupchak can not figure out why Zeng Zhen so strong in the previous team training seems mediocre, but happened in the NBA all kinds of strange things too much, what genius suddenly overnight decline, who suddenly talent awakening outbreak and so on.
Kobe's injury is driving Kupchak crazy.
The Lakers' record is now 15-16, and they're not even halfway through their winning percentage, which is still far from the top eight in the playoffs.
If the Lakers are not able to make the playoffs again this season, I'm afraid that Kobe will have to mess with him again in the summer.
Bass, the owner, has made it clear that Kobe is the centerpiece of the Lakers, and Kupchak's head hurts just thinking about it, so if he makes the owner unhappy, he'll have to get the hell out of there.
Zeng Zhen looked like a good immediate starter, and the team option was converted to an individual option, a condition that was a disguised boost to the guaranteed amount.
After a little thought, Kupchak compromised.
In Kupchak's opinion, it's the Lakers who need Zeng Zhen more now, not Zeng Zhen who needs the Lakers more.
...
Zeng Zhen received a text message from Schwartz after getting off the plane that the negotiations were successful and the contract would be changed tomorrow.
It also gave him extra relief.
Going from a non-guaranteed player to a guaranteed player has made him feel more at home with the Lakers.
...
The weather in Los Angeles in January is still a little cold, and as a seaside city, Zeng Zhen felt the biting sea breeze after getting off the airplane.
Los Angeles is the entertainment capital of the United States, with a very high per capita income and a city where many wealthy people choose to live, with a wide variety of luxury cars parked in the airport parking lot.
But Zeng Zhen's car is not a luxury car, an ordinary Chevrolet used sedan.
Before today, Zeng Zhen is still always worried about when he will be laid off, when he will change another city to live, the car for him is just a means of transportation, he does not have the money or energy to study those things.
Like the car, and unlike other NBA players, Zeng Zhen's home isn't in some rich villa area, certainly not a slum; Zeng Zhen lives in a mostly middle-class apartment complex.
This place is safe and secure and not too expensive.
The total height of the apartment was 14 floors, and Zeng Zhen lived on the 5th floor. Zeng Zhen did not live by himself, but rented a room in someone else's home.
After exiting the elevator, Zeng Zhen was using the key to open the door when a beautiful and familiar figure happened to run out from the stairway.
This is Zeng Zhen's landlord, Zhao Xue.
Zhao Xue is 25 years old this year, height of 1 meter 75, long legs pavilion, although it can not say that the country is beautiful, but it is also the type of clear and elegant.
Zhao Xue's long hair was like a waterfall, falling naturally over her shoulders as if each strand of hair was radiating luster.
The demeanor is lithe and elegant, with a curvy figure, just the right amount of breasts and a slim waist, showing the competent softness of a working woman.
Zhao Xue is a second-generation immigrant who has two younger sisters, one 18 and one 16, and originally her family was not exactly middle class, but they lived pretty well.
But Zhao Xue's parents were killed in a shooting accident.
Criminals with guns don't have any property, resulting in no compensation either.
Zhao Xue's parents also left only a four-bedroom apartment as an inheritance to the three sisters.
The two younger sisters are still studying, as the eldest sister Zhao Xue also early shoulder the burden of life at home.
Fortunately, Zhao Xue herself is also competitive, in the case of college dropout, she still in a chain of hotels to become a hotel manager, responsible for the management of one of the hotels.
Both of her younger sisters are also very competitive, the second Jo Na got into UCLA, and the third Jo Yu, who is in high school, has grades that look like she's headed for an Ivy League school as well.
Even though Zhao Xue's income is not bad anymore, the three sisters still have a big burden living in the United States, and they can see the pressure increasing in the future.
Especially with two younger sisters still in school, going to college in the U.S. is really going to be the same as carrying a mortgage at home.
Zeng Zhen also admired her; this landlord was capable and responsible.
"Sister Snow, you're off work so late too."
Zeng Zhen came back when it was already three o'clock in the morning, this time the rest of the place is dark, this Zhao Xue dared to climb the stairs by herself, she has a lot of courage.
"Uh, where's the late shift, you just got back too?" Zhao Xue put on a smile as a matter of professional habit.
When you work in the service industry, you always have to learn to smile.
Zeng Zhen is an NBA player, and the two of them have mutual friends. Their good conversation and status make Zhao Xue feel comfortable with Zeng Zhen renting her home.
It gave her no need to worry about security, and celebrities always cared more about their reputation than ordinary people.
Of course there is also a sizable 1500 USD/month rent from Zeng Zhen in there as well, enough to help her share a lot of stress.
The reason why Zeng Zhen stayed at someone else's home was also an expedient arrangement, when he was cut and came to Los Angeles on fire.
Staying in a hotel day after day would be too expensive, and he didn't know how long he'd be able to stay, and it wouldn't be cost-effective to rent a long term rental apartment.
It just so happens that a friend knows Zhao Xue, so she's staying here for the time being.
"Yeah, playing a road game today, just got back from Houston." Zeng Zhen said.
"I really envy your job, you can fly around, us office workers just stay in one place everyday." Zhao Xue said as she followed Zeng Zhen through the door.
Taking over the burden of life too early has put a lot of pressure on Zhao Xue, who would like to travel around, but practical life just doesn't allow it.
"It's just a matter of going from this hotel to that one, and you have to worry about being laid off from time to time, so how can you have the heart to go." Zeng Zhen also said with a sigh.
Before as a stray player, Zeng Zhen went to the away game can not have much heart to go out to play, he only has the game and training in mind.
Every day is wrapped in a huge physical and mental stress, which is sometimes similar to Zhao Xue.
After getting Kupchak's guaranteed contract assurance tonight, Zeng Zhen settled down a little bit inside.
"I'm going to eat some noodles, do you want some?" Zhao Xue put down her own small backpack and then said to Zeng Zhen who had just sat on the sofa.
Zhao Xue was older than Zeng Zhen, and she had always treated Zeng Zhen as her younger brother.
Zhao Xue turned toward the kitchen.
Zhao Xue had just gotten off work and was still wearing her OL outfit at this point.
Unconsciously, Zeng Zhen's attention looked at Zhao Xue's buttocks.
It's quite round and curvy.
In ancient times it would have been the good kind to have.
"Really don't want it? What I made is delicious." Zhao Xue suddenly turned back to meet Zeng Zhen's gaze.
"No, no need to be so troublesome." As if Zeng Zhen felt as if he had been caught in the act, he hurriedly picked up his book bag and winded his way to his room.
"This guy." Zhao Xue shook her head helplessly, and the fact that Zeng Zhen didn't eat her cooking also made her a bit lost.
......
"Clang, give the mission, pursue Zhao Xue, reach sibling love, mission reward "Mystery Card" one."
"Silly system, I'm not interested in sibling love, besides, this has nothing to do with becoming a ball champion, right?" Zeng Zhen said with displeasure, this system was a bit offline, it wasn't just about the field of basketball and wanted to interfere in his life.
"Ballon d'Or isn't just on the pitch, it's also off the pitch."
"There are ballers off the court?"
"Chamberlain."
Hearing this from the system, Zeng Zhen was speechless, it seemed that Zhang 20,000's nickname was also completely blown.
"OK, it's just that I don't want to be like him." Zeng Jin said decently.
After saying this, Zeng Zhen also felt that he was being a little hypocritical, he did have a little crush on Zhao Xue.
Zeng Zhen also admired her commitment and ability, but he just hadn't thought of falling in love with her yet.
"Oh, do you find that believable on its own?"
"I don't want to take this mission."
"This quest is an automatic pickup, do it or don't do it, there is a reward for doing it."
Zeng Zhen ignored it and turned off the system.
Lay down on the bed.
Zeng Zhen fell into a deep sleep.
It's a spring dream with Zhao Xue ....
....
"Zeng Zhen smiles faintly, explodes for 30 points to gain Zen master's trust!
"Little Demon King Zeng Zhen's strong one-upmanship of Big Yao. You can't be left alone in the China Derby.
"Super God Zeng Zhen Eclipses Yao Mai!
"It's okay if Kobe retires, there's still Zeng Zhen!
"Insider Power: Zeng Zhen agrees to a guaranteed contract with the Lakers.
.....
After Zeng Zhen got up and went online, he saw that his performance last night had made the headlines of many media outlets.
Especially in the domestic media, but also write a big book about last night's "China Derby" spectacle.
The relevant professional forums in China also analyzed Zeng Zhen's match frame by frame.
Most people still recognize Zeng Zhen's potential and strength, and think he has a chance to get a foothold in the NBA now.
This one game has changed many people's minds about Zeng Zhen.
Zeng Zhen also browsed the forum for a while, and soon he stopped browsing.
"Brother Zhen, come out for lunch." The voice of Zhao Na, the second sister of the Zhao family, rang out.
Zeng Zhen doesn't stay here every day because he has to play away games.
Jo Na sometimes watched Zeng Zhen come back, and the next day they would all stop by and cook his meal together.
Of course, the main thing is that Zeng Zhen himself treats people kindly, usually have something to do with them is to help, he and the three sisters of the relationship is very good.
"Okay, coming." Zeng Zhen turned off his computer and quickly walked out.
Lunch is what Joana made.
Zhao Na was 18 years old, she was slightly shorter than her big sister Zhao Xue, probably just about 170, overall she looked softer, but the huge in front of her body was particularly prominent, Zeng Zhen visually estimated her size to be around E. Zhao Na had the best body of the three sisters.
With her sister busy with work, Jo Na would take care of the housework at home and was very proficient in cooking those.
Zhao Na made three dishes for lunch, scrambled eggs with tomatoes, stir-fried beef with radish, and eggplant casserole, all of which sold quite well.
The third sister, Zhao Yu, was at school for lunch and not at home.
"Brother Zhen, this morning I took a look at the domestic news, so many headlines praising you you, you're awesome." Zhao Na said adoringly.
"Hey, last night's game was a good game, so there's more complimentary news, the media is like that, when they play well, they blow it up to the sky, and when they don't play well, they're scolded as a dog." Zeng Zhen modestly said.
"That's awesome too, next time my sister and I want to go see you play live too." Zhao Na said.
"Of course, anytime, I have three family tickets here to watch the game at home, when Sister Xue and Jade have time, you guys come together, and then I'll take you to see Kobe and let him sign your jersey." Zeng Zhen said generously.
"Yay Kirby, thank you brother Zhen, you're really too nice." Jo Na said happily.
Unlike her big sister who doesn't watch basketball games, Jo Na loves to watch basketball games, and growing up in Los Angeles, she idolized Kobe.
At that time, when she learned that Zeng Zhen was playing for the Lakers, she was more than welcome to share a room with him.
Zhao Na and Zeng Zhen were about the same age, and Zhao Xue could tell that Zhao Na somewhat liked Zeng Zhen.
Zeng Zhen was tall and big and a star, so it wasn't surprising that her sister liked it.
It just somehow made Zhao Xue a little uncomfortable.
"Less talking during dinner." Zhao Xue tapped her chopsticks, reminding Zhao Na of the rules.
"I know." Zhao Na stopped talking after whispering.
Zhao Xue was so prestigious in her family that her two younger sisters hardly dared to disobey her.