In comparison, O'Neal was more open-minded, congratulations were congratulations, and envy was envy.
"Alas, little brother Xi Meng, if you hadn't left, we would have surely defended our title..."
O'Neal threw an arm around He Xi Meng and patted him hard on the back, almost making him gasp for air.
"Hey, Shaq, are you trying to kill me?"
"Oh, sorry, I got a little too emotional and hit you too hard! Sorry, I swear, I didn't mean to embarrass you at all..." O'Neal said, releasing He Xi Meng, but not forgetting to give him two more heavy pats on the shoulder...
He Xi Meng decided to retract his earlier assessment of O'Neal being "more open-minded." This "Big Shark" seemed open-minded, but his inner dissatisfaction was no less than Kobe's...
Aside from the OK combination, other Lakers players did not dare to openly show any dissatisfaction towards He Xi Meng.
Da Zhi did not get much playing time in the Western Conference Finals because the Lakers were in a tough battle. Coach Harris had to tighten the rotation, giving more stable playing time to Horry, Fox, and Fisher.
Due to his inferior defense compared to Horry and others, Da Zhi was benched in the later games.
However, for Da Zhi, who had just entered the league, it was fortunate enough to reach the Western Conference Finals stage with the team in his first season. Da Zhi gained a lot this season and grew very rapidly.
"Congratulations, Xi Meng, for leading the charge towards the championship again..."
"Thanks, Da Zhi, don't worry. As long as you establish yourself with the Lakers, you'll reach the Finals sooner or later!"
"I hope so! The Finals don't mean much to me right now. I think it's better to focus on improving my skills and gaining experience."
"That's the best way to think! One step at a time, one bite at a time. Didn't we all get beaten up in our rookie seasons?"
He Xi Meng wanted to comfort Da Zhi, but Da Zhi didn't seem to appreciate it.
"Your rookie season, you weren't beaten up, were you? I remember you were an important part of the Lakers' bench before the playoffs started?"
Da Zhi, you're so honest, it's hard for me to respond...
He Xi Meng gave an awkward smile and a meaningful glance at Da Zhi: "Alas, you only see the reward, not the struggle... In order to secure a stable bench spot with the Lakers back then, the effort I put in was no less than what you're putting in now..."
Da Zhi accepted He Xi Meng's explanation with a hint of doubt, because according to rumors about his season with the Lakers, He Xi Meng, although a mid-to-late first-round pick, showed talent comparable to lottery picks in his first professional season. He even got stable playing time off the bench for the Lakers earlier than Kobe. At that time, Kobe was still sharing playing time at shooting guard with Scott...
To prevent Da Zhi from delving deeper into this "difficult to answer" question, He Xi Meng quickly changed the subject to divert Da Zhi's attention.
"When will you report to the national team?"
Yes, the new national team had been assembled to compete in the 2000 Sydney Olympics. Head coach Zhang Bin had reserved two spots for He Xi Meng and Da Zhi, waiting for them to finish their playoff season before returning to China for joint training.
The Sydney Olympics would take place in mid-to-late September, so time was not an issue. The only issue was that He Xi Meng and Da Zhi would have ample time for rest this summer. According to the league's schedule, after the Olympics, they would return to the team for preseason training, preparing for the opening game of the new season...
But there was no other way. Originally, the domestic management was able to let Da Zhi play for the Lakers, with He Xi Meng vouching for him and Zhang Bin mediating, Da Zhi finally obtained his pass and successfully landed in the NBA. As per the agreement, except for injury, Da Zhi could not refuse any national team call-ups. Meanwhile, since the Basketball Association had no jurisdiction over He Xi Meng, and He Xi Meng was willing to vouch for Da Zhi, the Basketball Association also wanted to bind He Xi Meng, making him a registered player of the association.
Although He Xi Meng looked young, he had seen much of the world and knew clearly what he could agree to and what he could not. He Xi Meng would not give up this freedom.
Fighting for the country was a heartfelt wish for He Xi Meng. But to be driven by administrative orders, he would not accept it!
He Xi Meng was willing to help Da Zhi, but not to the extent of "selling his freedom."
Therefore, when Da Zhi went abroad to play, it was temporarily halted.
This matter originally had nothing to do with He Xi Meng. It was just that the Basketball Association, seeing the close relationship between He Xi Meng and Da Zhi, thought of binding He Xi Meng in this way. With many restrictions on Da Zhi, it was indeed difficult for him to take that step. But to delay Da Zhi's entry into the NBA league because of his own reasons, He Xi Meng felt guilty.
Just as the situation was at a stalemate, the Basketball Association appointed a new leader to negotiate. They changed their original strategy, not mentioning He Xi Meng registering with the association at all. They only asked He Xi Meng to verbally promise to play for the country for at least ten years, and they would give Da Zhi a certain "freedom of choice."
What was the Basketball Association worried about? Wasn't it worried that He Xi Meng would refuse to be called up and not play for the country?
Well, then, shouldn't they focus on the matter of playing for the country?
Playing for the country was about honor, and it was voluntary, not forced. The new leader was bold and made a sweeping decision: as long as He Xi Meng verbally agreed to this ten-year pact, they would no longer trouble Da Zhi!
"Starting from 1998, until the end of 2008, He Xi Meng, unless for confirmed injury reasons, shall not refuse national team call-ups for any reason..."
Alright, they even used a gentleman's agreement. Although the form was a bit casual, considering the situation, as He Xi Meng's fame and influence in the NBA grew, the Basketball Association was worried that He Xi Meng might refuse call-ups at any time due to commercial reasons, which was understandable.
After all, in fighting for the country, besides honor, they could offer nothing else. And He Xi Meng, as China's strongest active player, if he refused the Basketball Association's call-up, the leadership would have no explanation to give, both upwards and downwards. Because they had no administrative power over He Xi Meng. Now, they finally found an opportunity with Da Zhi to bind He Xi Meng, even if it was just a verbal agreement, it was better than nothing...
Of course, such a method was a bit forceful.
For He Xi Meng personally, as long as the Basketball Association didn't cause trouble and the coaching staff didn't cause trouble, he was willing to contribute by simply playing for the national team. Of course, as he said before, only world-class competitions, not Asian competitions.
And now, the 2000 Sydney Olympics were just around the corner, and it was time for He Xi Meng to fulfill his gentleman's promise and play for the country...