After a strong start to the new season, the Spurs continued to play at home, welcoming the challenge from the Warriors!
The Warriors are still in a rebuilding phase, with their core being He Xi Meng's college opponent from Wake Forest University, one of the key players for the University of North Carolina, Antoine Jamison!
Antoine Jamison was selected by the Raptors as the fourth overall pick in the first round of the 1998 NBA draft. Subsequently, the Raptors and the Warriors made a trade: Antoine Jamison went to the Warriors, and Carter went to the Raptors! The two former North Carolina teammates swapped positions in such a dramatic fashion.
Jamison is a very good wing forward, with strong tactical execution, sharp offense, and steady defense. He can play inside and out, and is proficient on both ends of the court.
The Warriors once considered Jamison as their franchise star, but Jamison's biggest problem was his lack of superstar temperament and his introverted personality, which destined him to be a second or third option, but never the undisputed leader of a team.
Before the game started, Jamison took the initiative to walk over to the Spurs' side to greet He Xi Meng and Duncan.
Having played in the NCAA in North Carolina, Jamison felt a natural connection with these two Spurs players.
"Antoine, you're doing well with the Warriors lately!"
In 1996, Jamison, like He Xi Meng, was a freshman. However, He Xi Meng participated in the 1996 NBA draft after his freshman year, while Jamison waited until the end of his junior year, in 1998, to enter the draft.
He Xi Meng spoke to Jamison with a tone of seniority, which was not out of place.
During their NCAA days, Jamison's North Carolina Tar Heels were defeated by He Xi Meng's Wake Forest Demon Deacons. In the NBA, He Xi Meng had already completed his rookie season, signed a mid-level contract, and received numerous accolades.
In the 1996-1997 season, he was named Sixth Man of the Year and selected to the All-Rookie First Team.
In the 1997-1998 season, he was selected to start in the All-Star Game, won the Three-Point Contest during All-Star Weekend, and was named to the All-NBA Third Team.
In the 1998-1999 season, he was selected to the All-NBA Third Team and named the NBA Finals MVP.
...
Currently, He Xi Meng's experience, accolades, and fame completely overshadowed Jamison. He Xi Meng's willingness to speak with Jamison as an old friend was already a show of respect. Whatever tone He Xi Meng used, Jamison had to listen quietly.
Of course, He Xi Meng had no intention of making things difficult for Jamison. He simply wanted to test the waters with his tone to see if what he was about to say was appropriate.
Jamison was indeed a straightforward person. He did not feel offended by He Xi Meng's presumptuous tone. Instead, he humbly replied, "Just so-so, I still need to work hard and continue to learn from you two..."
For a Black player, humility is the greatest virtue.
Seeing Jamison's teachable attitude, He Xi Meng's "teacher's pet" complex immediately kicked in, and he couldn't help but offer some advice: "Antoine, your talent is undeniable. If you play well, you will definitely secure a place in the league! However, if you want to go further and achieve greater honors and status, you must display stronger leadership abilities! Play more like a leader..."
"A leader?"
"Yes! You can learn from your good friend Carter! His leadership ability is much stronger than yours!"
"What about Tim?" Jamison asked, pointing to Duncan next to He Xi Meng.
"Tim is different! Tim's talent is even higher than yours. Even if he is silent and reserved, and doesn't lead others, he is a natural-born leader! His strength commands the respect of all his teammates..."
"Xi Meng, if you keep praising me like this, I'll get embarrassed..." Duncan said, feigning shyness, but showing no actual embarrassment on his face.
"Don't interrupt, Tim, I'm talking to Antoine about important matters!"
"Oh! Yes, important matters! Antoine, you'd better take Xi Meng's words seriously. He rarely offers advice to others, but whenever he does, it brings them significant benefits... at least, that's how it's been for me..."
"Alright! Tim, I've heard a few things about Xi Meng's accomplishments, and I won't take his words lightly..."
"That's for the best!"
"Let's get back to our previous topic! It's not that I'm intentionally praising Tim, but because Tim is an interior player. Top-tier interior players are rare and hard to replace in the league. Therefore, Tim doesn't need to say or do much in the locker room; he is already an absolute leader for the Spurs! But you are not! You are a swingman. The league is never short of swingmen! In fact, excellent swingmen are a dime a dozen. Therefore, you not only need to hone your individual skills but also force yourself to improve your leadership abilities! You must try to unite your teammates, rally them around you, build the team around you as the core, and execute the tactics... As far as I know, the Warriors are currently considering this. And you'd better not miss this opportunity..."
"Thank you, Xi Meng!" Jamison replied, deep in thought about He Xi Meng's words, as he returned to his team.
Duncan watched Jamison's retreating back with some confusion, "Why did you give Antoine advice? As far as I know, you two didn't seem to have any prior interaction?"
"Indeed, there was no interaction!" He Xi Meng confirmed. "Jamison is an honest person with talent. I like such honest people. Besides, I merely offered him a couple of casual remarks, which hardly counts as advice."
"Those couple of remarks of yours might potentially change someone's playing style and destiny..."
"Difficult. It's hard to change a river, harder to change one's nature."
"Is that another ancient Chinese proverb?"
"Congratulations, you're already jumping to conclusions!"
"Don't give me false praise, help me explain the meaning of that sentence?"
"First, take your mischievous hand off my head, and then I'll explain...
"My apologies, I'm used to patting other people's heads back home..."
Duncan said, reluctantly taking his hand off He Xi Meng's head.
"The meaning of the proverb 'It's hard to change a river, harder to change one's nature' is that one's fundamental nature is very difficult to alter. When applied to players, it means a player's playing style is very difficult to change..."
"Actually, I already guessed the meaning of that sentence!"
Duncan said, then extended his mischievous hand again, stroking He Xi Meng's head before quickly retracting his large hand, despite He Xi Meng's protests, and looking like he had successfully pulled off a trick as he quickly returned to his own half of the court...