"If your goal is just to enjoy playing and you don't care about the team's record, then I think you can fully enjoy this comeback and savor the game. However, if you do consider the team's record and whether you win or lose, then I suggest you control your scoring urge and let the young guys charge ahead for you! After all, you're past the age where one man can do it all, and this league is no longer a league where one person can carry everything..."
He Xi Meng's words were blunt, but astute.
Michael Jordan was proud and arrogant, but at least he could tolerate being spoken to. Of course, whether he listened or not was a different matter. No one could sway Jordan's will, nor could anyone force him to do anything. He would only act when he truly wanted to.
The next day's game was uneventful.
To guard Jordan's position, Popovich deployed Ginobili.
A depleted Jordan versus Jordan in 18 minutes!
He Xi Meng found it quite amusing and encouraged Ginobili to perform well, hoping he could make Jordan stumble in San Antonio.
Heeding He Xi Meng's "incitement," Ginobili drove past Jordan for a layup upon entering the game, successfully enraging the old yet still formidable Jordan.
In the subsequent play, Jordan repeatedly isolated Ginobili, using his slow-paced post-up fadeaway jumper to score 31 points, 4 rebounds, and 3 assists against him, nearly overwhelming Ginobili!
Ginobili's comeback attempt failed, but he wasn't upset. Instead, he was thrilled to have registered 18 points, 8 rebounds, and 3 assists against Jordan.
It was evident that although Ginobili never explicitly stated who his idol was, he held Michael Jordan in high regard and was ecstatic to be matched up against him on the NBA stage.
With his dream fulfilled, what was a little defeat against his idol? It was an honor, not a disgrace!
After the game, Ginobili, with his flowing hair, requested a photo with Jordan and asked to swap jerseys.
Jordan hadn't held much of an opinion of Ginobili before, finding his playstyle a bit flashy and not steady enough. However, seeing that Ginobili seemed to be a fan, Jordan reluctantly agreed to Ginobili's request, gifting him his Wizards' number 23 jersey and signing it.
Ginobili, caught up in his joy, realized he still had his number 20 jersey in hand while Jordan had already walked away.
Ginobili wanted to chase after Jordan to give him his jersey, as they were supposed to swap, not just give.
But He Xi Meng stopped Ginobili, casually taking Ginobili's Spurs number 20 jersey and lying that he would see Jordan later and would hand over the jersey then.
Ginobili, overwhelmed by his gain, didn't suspect a thing He Xi Meng said. It wasn't until many years later, when Ginobili discussed this with Jordan, who had long since retired, that Jordan, bewildered, clearly stated he never received his jersey. He had given away many jerseys in his career, but recovered very few. At least, Ginobili's Spurs number 20 jersey was not among his collection.
It was then that Ginobili realized he had been tricked by He Xi Meng. At the time, He Xi Meng didn't want to hurt Ginobili's pride by telling him that Jordan hadn't forgotten to take his jersey, but rather that Jordan simply didn't want Ginobili's jersey...
And Ginobili's jersey naturally became one of He Xi Meng's many collectibles. He Xi Meng had collected jerseys from almost every phase of Ginobili's career. In addition to Ginobili's Spurs number 20 jersey, he also had Duncan's number 21 jersey. From Duncan's days at Wake Forest University, He Xi Meng had asked Duncan to send him a worn but freshly washed number 21 jersey from almost every season!
He didn't want new jerseys, nor did he want game-worn jerseys. He only wanted jerseys that had been worn but washed impeccably clean. They also had to be signed, with the date, location, and a message to He Xi Meng inscribed on them.
Hu Wei Dong had an excellent performance today! Throughout the game, he scored 17 points, grabbed 5 rebounds, and dished out 3 assists, his scoring output higher than Hamilton's and Brad Miller's, making him the second-highest scorer for the Wizards, second only to Jordan.
Today, Hamilton was limited by Bowen's defense, and his mid-range shooting percentage was abysmal.
Brad Miller, on the other hand, had to contend with the Spurs' twin towers plus their reserves, finding himself outnumbered and under immense defensive pressure, making it difficult for him to make an impact on offense.
Due to the promotional needs of the "China Derby," Hu Wei Dong received a tactical role second only to Jordan, Miller, and Hamilton. Old Hu also lived up to expectations, not wasting this good opportunity and shining briefly in San Antonio.
He Xi Meng, due to his overwhelming strength, was no longer considered for the "China Derby."
He Xi Meng's benchmark stars were already Kobe Bryant of the Lakers, Vince Carter of the Raptors, Tracy McGrady of the Magic, Allen Iverson of the 76ers, and Jason Kidd of the Nets...
In the current Wizards team, only Jordan could be compared to these players; even Hamilton wasn't qualified.
After seeing off the Wizards, the Spurs concluded the first month of the new season with a 13-game winning streak!
With averages of 26.7 points, 13 rebounds, 3.6 assists, and 3 blocks, Duncan was named the Western Conference Player of the Month for November.
The Eastern Conference Player of the Month was Jason Kidd of the Nets. Kidd's averages were 13.3 points, 9.6 assists, 7.6 rebounds, and 1.8 steals.
Had He Xi Meng been in the East, he could have easily replaced Kidd as the Player of the Month. He Xi Meng's average stats for November were 21 points, 10.3 assists, 3 rebounds, and 1.5 steals.
Apart from his rebound average being lower than Kidd's, his scoring and assists both surpassed Kidd's, solidifying his position as the league's top point guard.
As the regular season entered December, injuries began to mount across various teams.
In addition to Iverson, who was already sidelined with an injury, Carter, who had been playing through pain, also succumbed and started missing games.
Grant Hill of the Magic had the worst luck. Despite He Xi Meng's kind warning, Hill couldn't escape the curse of injuries. Hill's injury was to his ankle, and for a swingman, footwork was fundamental to their standing in the league.
Even though Hill heeded He Xi Meng's warning and voluntarily reduced his playing time, he still couldn't escape the injury jinx, becoming the first top star to be sidelined for the season due to injury.