NBA: This Center Is So Stable

The first time, the second time.

Chapter 301 Visitors from the Basketball Association

Los Angeles, Staples Center!

This is the second day after the decisive battle. The Lakers, who returned to their home court, did not have the same atmosphere as before. A sense of weirdness was revealed in the air.

Perhaps it was Karl Malone’s passionate speech to the New York media after the game that played a role, or it could be that the situation between OK and the opponent was already as tense as fire and water.

Although the teammates did not smell the heavy smell of gunpowder from Kobe and O’Neal, the two of them went from ignoring each other to being alone.

To some extent.

The two of them isolated the entire Lakers team!

The conflict between OK and the opponent rose to the entire team. In the past, the two of them did not like each other, but now they have become cold to everyone.

These teammates who fought side by side in the past were like passers-by. Apart from sharing the same training ground with them, they had no connection with each other.

Both Kobe and O’Neal interpreted this matter perfectly. They were immersed in their own worlds, and focusing on training became the only common point between them.

This abnormal situation made the other members of the Lakers a little scared!

Especially the “mailman”, he thought that after his statement, OK would make some changes.

Or the two of them broke up completely, or they might get back together. These were all within his expectations.

But this situation was something he could not have expected. The two ignored each other. It was better to say that they were strangers who shared a training ground than teammates.

Even Fisher, Kobe’s best teammate in the team, was turned away by him.

This weirdness lasted for a long time until the news reached the ears of the Zen Master.

But Phil Jackson did not come up with a good solution to solve this problem. He only left one sentence: “We can’t intervene in this matter. Let them solve it themselves.”

It must be said that as a legendary coach, the Zen Master’s views are completely different from the concerns of the players.

The way he chose was to leave time and space for the two until the life-and-death battle came.

In addition to creating a space for OK to be alone, the Zen Master did not do anything extra.

The afternoon before the game day.

In the Staples Training Hall, the Zen Master gave other players a holiday early.

Not for anything else, just to create a space for OK to be alone.

He specially arranged for O’Neal to practice with Kobe, let O’Neal accompany Kobe to practice back-to-back, and Kobe accompanied O’Neal to practice strength.

It’s better to say that it’s venting than sparring.

Both of them played with each other in their respective areas of expertise, which was the purpose of the Zen Master.

Until sweating profusely, Kobe lowered his proud head.

“Shaq, I have only one goal in playing with you, to win the game and get the championship.”

Kobe no longer hides and speaks out his thoughts directly.

Seeing that the other party is so frank, O’Neal naturally opens his heart.

“Asshole, do you think I really want to play with you?”

The big shark opened his mouth with that familiar taste. Kobe was not angry when he saw the other party cursing, but just laughed it off.

“Haha, what a coincidence!”

“Win this championship, and from now on we are just strangers.”

The Zen Master standing in the VIP box watched this scene and breathed a sigh of relief.

Unlike what other Lakers players expected, the Zen Master who seemed to be indifferent to OK was the most concerned person in the team.

After so many years of getting along, to put it bluntly, the Zen Master has also integrated a set of his own understanding of the logic of getting along between Kobe and O’Neal.

That’s why the postman was so passionate in the post-match press conference, but the Zen Master didn’t stop him. It’s because the only thing between OK and the team now is a big fire that will completely illuminate them.

Either they stand in the public spotlight and die, or they make it clear that they have a relationship and end this ridiculous struggle, and go all out to prepare for the next game.

Such open and secret struggles have not only affected their competitive state, but also caused a shock to the atmosphere in the team.

Obviously, the final result is in line with the Zen Master’s expectations.

Whether it is Kobe or O’Neal, their obsession with the championship far exceeds the size of their contradictions.

On the other side.

In order to avoid acclimatization, the Knicks, who had arrived in Los Angeles early, checked into the hotel.

The Knicks are also making active preparations.

The victory in G5 made most people realize that it is not difficult to beat the Lakers. It is just a matter of doing the right thing at the right time and in the right place.

But in addition to that, the Knicks still have to focus on improving themselves. They are destined not to rely on the contradictions within the Lakers every time.

Even D’Antoni thought more deeply that the reason why the Lakers made this matter public in the decisive battle of G5 was probably part of the plan of the shrewd Zen Master.

The purpose is to let them relax their vigilance, so that they lose their attention in the next two games and completely lose their fighting power.

Arrogant soldiers will be defeated.

So D’Antoni was not careless at all, but actively prepared for the upcoming away challenge on the preparation day.

Delay will lead to changes. D’Antoni, as a two-time Italian champion coach, knows this well.

Since the Knicks already have an advantage in this round of the finals, the best result is to end the game in the sixth game and win the championship.

Otherwise, once the Lakers win the game, the opponent’s momentum will rise, and even the Knicks, who are playing at home, will probably lose their morale advantage.

At night.

Wang Song, who was still analyzing the game video with Nash, received a call from Falk’s office in New York.

In addition to notifying Wang Song of some brand endorsements during the offseason, he also informed Wang Song of an extremely important news.

“Wang Song, the Chinese Basketball Association asked me to bring you a message. They will come to Los Angeles in the next game to witness you win the championship.”

Basketball Association?

Wang Song’s first reaction to hearing this name was that he felt something was wrong.

Logically speaking, if the domestic officials planned to send someone to cheer for him, they should not come in the sixth game. It seems that in addition to the finals, the Basketball Association has other purposes.

“Okay, Mr. Falk, pay more attention to rest and don’t work too hard. You will have to work hard during the offseason. Please help me check more.”

After hanging up the phone, Nash looked at Wang Song, who was absent-minded, and stopped explaining the Lakers’ tactics.

“What’s wrong, Wang? We are the team that will end the Lakers dynasty soon. Why do you look so unhappy?”

Wang Song gave a forced smile.

He looked at Nash and suddenly asked, “Steve, if we play against each other in an international competition, will you show mercy?”

Nash shook his head decisively.

“To be kind to the enemy is to be cruel to yourself, not to mention… shouldn’t you show mercy to me?”

The bitter smile was wiped away by Nash’s cold joke, and Wang Song fell into deep thought.

(End of this chapter)