What have you prepared? Are you ready to beat the Lakers, or ready to lose to the Lakers?
After his father's passing, Duncan became increasingly silent. Apart from a few close friends like He Xi Meng, Duncan couldn't be bothered to talk to anyone else, especially strangers.
And the media reporters, in Duncan's eyes, all belonged to the category of strangers.
"Tim, you shouldn't treat our media friends so coldly. They, like us, are all working hard for the Spurs..." Popovich jokingly chided Duncan.
"Okay, Coach!" Duncan readily agreed, as if agreeing to his own father.
A month ago, during Popovich's last visit to Duncan's father, William Duncan, William Duncan held Popovich's hand in front of Duncan and pleaded, "I hope you can take responsibility and ensure he is the same when he retires as he is today!"
In China, this is called entrusting one's child.
Popovich agreed to old Duncan's dying wish. Over the next decade and more of Duncan's career, Popovich fulfilled his promise, acting as both a father figure and a coach in Duncan's life, ensuring that Duncan retired with the same humility and diligence as he had in 2002...
In fact, He Xi Meng also received a similar request from old Duncan. However, old Duncan had asked Popovich to take on the father's role, while he asked He Xi Meng to become Duncan's lifelong close friend.
"Tim doesn't have many friends, and you are the one he trusts the most. I hope that when Tim faces difficulties, you can help him within your capabilities... I mainly mean, emotionally... This child is introverted, and I worry that when he encounters setbacks in life, he won't be able to escape the shadows... You are of similar age, so you should have more common topics..."
He Xi Meng never expected that that casual chat would be his last meeting with old Duncan.
Life is unpredictable. No one can foresee whether death or tomorrow will come first...
The death of old Duncan also made He Xi Meng miss his mother in China even more.
He Xi Meng had already decided that after this season, he would bring his mother to the United States no matter what. He wanted to spend as much time with her as possible...
May 18, 2002, Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals, was held at the home court of the San Antonio Spurs.
The Lakers' starting lineup was Shaquille O'Neal, Robert Horry, Derek Fisher, Kobe Bryant, and Smush Parker!
The Spurs' starting lineup was David Robinson, Tim Duncan, Manu Ginobili, Bruce Bowen, and He Xi Meng!
Bowen switched positions with Ginobili again, specifically to guard Kobe.
Before the game, as usual, it was time for the teammates to pay their respects and greet each other.
He Xi Meng was the busiest!
Because the Lakers were He Xi Meng's former team, from O'Neal and Kobe to Horry and Parker, they were all He Xi Meng's former teammates, and they had gotten along quite well!
Moreover, there was also He Xi Meng and Yao Ming's old friend and teammate on the Lakers: Wang Zhi Zhi!
Of course, Fisher was an exception.
When He Xi Meng was on the Lakers, he had always been highly wary of Fisher. It wasn't just concern about Fisher's lifestyle, but also concern that Fisher might play dirty to get ahead.
He Xi Meng knew that as a fellow 1996 draft pick, Fisher publicly stated it was an honor to be He Xi Meng's backup, but deep down, He Xi Meng knew Fisher's ambition was not small.
Therefore, He Xi Meng's relationship with Fisher on the Lakers was always lukewarm. Although Fisher, with his excellent social skills, successfully gained the approval of O'Neal and Kobe and became their "little brother," He Xi Meng maintained a rigid working relationship with him!
It was the same when greeting Lakers players. He Xi Meng could chat and laugh with Horry and Parker, but with Fisher, it was just a simple handshake and a "hello."
He Xi Meng could see the dissatisfaction, or perhaps a hint of resentment, in Fisher's eyes, but what did it matter?
He Xi Meng and Fisher were originally competing for the same position.
If they didn't like each other, then let's go head-to-head!
Who was afraid of whom?
After the round of greetings, the game was about to begin.
O'Neal and David Robinson stood at the center circle. O'Neal won the tip-off, and the Lakers got the first offensive opportunity.
Fisher brought the ball across half-court. As everyone wondered who he would give this first possession to, Fisher surprisingly faked a drive, stopped abruptly against He Xi Meng's defense, and shot!
Was Fisher going crazy?
Instead of passing the ball to his big brothers O'Neal and Kobe, he chose to go one-on-one against He Xi Meng?
He Xi Meng was a little stunned. He hadn't expected Fisher to be so bold, wanting to launch a surprise attack right away and put He Xi Meng in his place!
Fortunately, He Xi Meng didn't underestimate Fisher. He immediately pounced to contest the shot, successfully thwarting Fisher's surprise attempt!
Since Fisher's shot bounced quite far, Ginobili grabbed the rebound, secured the defensive board, and then threw a long pass to He Xi Meng, who was driving forward!
He Xi Meng wasn't sure if Fisher's shot had any taunting intent, but it didn't stop He Xi Meng from delivering a strong counterattack.
On this play, He Xi Meng saw Ginobili grab the rebound and immediately switched to his drive.
And Ginobili, catching sight of He Xi Meng sprinting, unhesitatingly threw a cross-court pass directly into He Xi Meng's hands!
Facing Fisher's determined close defense, He Xi Meng used a Manu Ginobili-style Eurostep, changing pace to create space from Fisher!
Fisher still didn't give up, twisting to cut inside, trying to steal the ball the moment He Xi Meng gathered it.
He Xi Meng was prepared and shifted the angle of his gather, successfully drawing a foul on Fisher.
And the moment the referee's whistle blew, He Xi Meng didn't give up possession. Using his hang time, he made a left-handed shot, a very awkward and difficult mid-air reverse layup!
He Xi Meng didn't have high hopes for this move; he simply didn't want to waste the fast-break opportunity.
But unexpectedly, the ball spun in the air and ultimately swished through the net!
That touch, that luck, was incredible!
The Spurs fans in the arena were also quite surprised: "Hey! He Xi Meng is really giving it his all on this shot..."
After landing, He Xi Meng took a moment to flex and stared down Fisher, saying fiercely, "Hmm? Is this what you wanted?"