After accompanying Kobe to vent his emotions, He Ximeng, carrying his ball bag, escaped back to his sweet apartment.
Kayla couldn't attend He Ximeng's professional career's first game today because her school had a new play that needed rehearsal. This left He Ximeng quite disappointed.
However, Kayla had already learned about the game's outcome and He Ximeng's outstanding performance in the game through the news.
As compensation and a reward, Kayla decided to agree to a "ridiculous request" He Ximeng had previously made.
He Ximeng, disregarding the fatigue and exhaustion from playing, unlocked a new move...
The next day, Kayla continued to her classes, feeling refreshed, while He Ximeng arrived at the stadium with two dark circles under his eyes.
There was no game today, but there was regular training.
Head coach Del Harris reviewed the previous day's game with the entire team.
Criticisms were given where deserved, and praise where due.
Van Exel's performance yesterday was like crap, and Harris reprimanded him without mercy.
Ceballos's performance yesterday was like a lone wolf, disorganized and undisciplined, and he was also singled out by Harris.
Although He Ximeng received praise from the head coach at yesterday's press conference, in today's team summary meeting, Coach Harris subtly offered criticism! After reviewing the game footage from yesterday, Harris discovered that He Ximeng had a few passes he should have made but didn't... Of course, this was mainly when Ceballos or Campbell had an opportunity.
Shaquille O'Neal frowned, wanting to explain a few things for He Ximeng, but He Ximeng stopped him with a look.
He Ximeng humbly accepted the head coach's criticism in front of the whole team. Whether he would change... only time would tell.
The Lakers' training intensity was not high today, focusing mainly on tactical integration.
As the head coach, Harris was still working hard, hoping to mediate the animosity between O'Neal and Ceballos!
As one of Ceballos's old teammates, Campbell's attitude began to waver. He was no longer as resistant to O'Neal as he was during pre-game practice. After all, as a fellow big man, Campbell could best appreciate O'Neal's dominance in the paint.
Van Exel was still stubborn. After a poor performance in the first game, he only wanted to prove himself in the upcoming games. As for passing to O'Neal... he would pass, of course, but under equal conditions, he would still choose Ceballos...
The Lakers' second game was still at home, facing a challenge from the Timberwolves!
The Timberwolves' core player this season was small forward Tom Gugliotta!
Although Kevin Garnett had already displayed extraordinary talent, he was not yet the team's core.
Stephon Marbury was injured in the opening game and could only watch from the sidelines for this match.
Before the game, Marbury, dressed in a gray suit, walked dejectedly to the home team's bench and greeted He Ximeng and Kobe.
As fellow rookies this year, they were not strangers. Especially He Ximeng, Marbury and he were both players from the Atlantic Coast Conference, and they had a life-or-death duel in the conference finals.
Of course, at the end of the duel, with the help of "Mr. Fundamentals" Tim Duncan, He Ximeng successfully defeated Marbury.
After the game, Marbury made a bold statement, saying they would decide the victor again in the final four.
But He Ximeng never saw Marbury again even after reaching the finals... well, Georgia Tech seemingly fell in the Sweet Sixteen...
Of course, NCAA records seemingly did not affect Marbury's final draft position. He was still selected by the Milwaukee Bucks with the fourth pick in the first round and then traded to the Timberwolves.
However, injured before even getting started, Marbury got injured in his very first game of the new season, a bad omen for his career...
"It's a shame I can't compete against you today..."
Marbury extended his right fist and bumped it with He Ximeng's.
"That's good! I remember you started last game, right? I was still a substitute. Even if you could play in this game, I don't expect to see you, nor will we match up!"
"Even so, I really wanted to defeat you on this stage!"
"What are you saying... there aren't thirty, at least twenty rookies who have come from the NCAA to the NBA, right? If everyone were as vengeful as you, I'd be swamped..."
"I'm different from others..."
"In my eyes, you're all the same!"
"We have another matchup next month, I definitely won't be absent!"
"Actually, I don't really care if you're absent... but I do hope you can recover from your injury as soon as possible!"
After a tense exchange, Marbury bumped fists with He Ximeng again and returned to the Timberwolves' bench, feeling even more dejected.
Kobe watched Marbury's retreating back, squinting, and said, "That guy is no pushover, you'd better be careful!"
"Stephen? Indeed, he's not weak. He's just a bit cold and has a bad temper. If he doesn't seriously reflect and change, his future path might not be smooth..."
"Huh?" Kobe stared at He Ximeng with suspicion, "Are you sure you're not speaking metaphorically? A bit cold, a bit of a bad temper... Why do I feel like you're talking about me?"
"You... you'd better learn my humility and not go down a dead-end path... Be forgiving where you can be forgiving..."
"Are you mistaking the target? I'm still working hard to get into the starting lineup. You're teaching me to be forgiving? Have you taught the wrong person?"
"It's about being prepared and preventing problems before they arise..."
"Hmph... Pedantic..."
After warming up, the game was about to begin.
The Timberwolves' starting lineup for this game: Center - Ratko Vranković, Power Forward - Kevin Garnett, Small Forward - Tom Gugliotta, Shooting Guard - Darrick Martin, Point Guard - Anthony Peeler!
The Lakers' starting lineup for this game remained: Center - Shaquille O'Neal, Power Forward - Derek Fisher, Small Forward - Cedric Ceballos, Shooting Guard - Eddie Jones, Point Guard - Nick Van Exel.
Perhaps due to the coach's criticism yesterday, as soon as the game started, Ceballos controlled his desire to shoot. In the first quarter, he only took one shot in nine minutes, a stark contrast to the previous game! Not only did he not force shots, but he also actively connected with O'Neal and Eddie Jones, dishing out 2 assists in the quarter, much to Coach Harris's relief!
Nick Van Exel didn't repeat his mistakes from the previous game either. He picked up fouls right away and was benched... Therefore, He Ximeng didn't get an opportunity to check in.
After 9 minutes and 02 seconds, Harris initiated a rotation, and Kobe finally made his professional debut!