May 20, 2000, the Western Conference Finals kicked off first at the Lakers' home court, the Staples Center!
After the end of last season, the Lakers moved their home court from the Forum to the newly completed Staples Center, sharing the venue with the Clippers!
Compared to the Forum, the Staples Center could accommodate more fans and had more advanced facilities.
Before the game officially began, He Xi Meng exchanged greetings with a number of his former Lakers teammates as expected.
"Nicely done! Assists leader + First Team... Awesome!" Kobe couldn't help but mention the just-concluded regular season All-NBA selection as he and He Xi Meng exchanged a fist bump and chest bump.
"Likewise! You're Second Team + First Defensive Team, more impressive than me. I didn't even make the defensive team..."
"What are you saying! So, shall we swap?"
"Swap how?"
"Give me your First Team spot, and I'll give you my First Defensive Team spot!"
"Take it, take it! These are empty honors, like floating clouds. If you want them, take them all..."
He Xi Meng knew that Kobe was unhappy about He Xi Meng being selected to the First Team while he only made the Second Team. Kobe wanted He Xi Meng to confront him directly, which would ignite He Xi Meng's fighting spirit and Kobe's own as well!
But He Xi Meng didn't take the bait. Instead, he agreed with Kobe's suggestion, saying he could have all the honors Kobe wanted, indicating that he didn't care much about them. This, in turn, left Kobe somewhat speechless.
"Come on! Can't you have some sense of honor? Are these things something you can just give away to others? You should tell me, if you want them, then come and take them! Defeat me, and these honors are yours..."
Kobe couldn't stand He Xi Meng's attitude and proactively taught him how to retort.
He Xi Meng rubbed his chin, looking contemplative: "Hmm... you seem to have a talent for writing scripts... Shall I recommend some seasoned Hollywood screenwriters to help you improve?"
Kobe was completely speechless. He gave He Xi Meng a thumbs-up, uttered a threatening remark, and then turned to leave.
"You're not winning on my home court!"
He Xi Meng was accustomed to Kobe's trash talk on the court. In He Xi Meng's opinion, Kobe had a masochistic tendency deep down, especially on the court. If he wasn't torturing himself, he wasn't happy. This was a condition that needed treatment. Anyway, He Xi Meng would not indulge him. At least verbally, He Xi Meng never argued with him. Kobe was the type who got more energized the more they argued, so why would He Xi Meng seek trouble for himself? As for the game itself, he would play as he always did.
Fear? Non-existent. He Xi Meng was someone who dared to talk back to Michael Jordan, so why would he fear anyone else?
After sending Kobe away, He Xi Meng turned and greeted O'Neal.
"Without you, I'm lonely down low..." O'Neal complained to He Xi Meng, feigning sadness.
He Xi Meng understood O'Neal's personality and knew he loved to joke around, so he followed his line of thought and asked, "Didn't Harper pass you the ball?"
"He did, but it wasn't as comfortable as your passes!"
"I can't help that, Shaq. After all, I'm busy passing to Tim and David right now!"
"Is there any chance you could come back to the Lakers and team up with me and Kobe again?"
"Unlikely? Can you still call the shots on the Lakers these days?"
"Yes! Of course! How could I not?" O'Neal swayed his big head, thumping his chest "bang bang."
He Xi Meng looked at him without speaking.
O'Neal then understood He Xi Meng's meaning and lowered his voice: "Of course! Matters like player acquisitions still require the management's approval..."
He Xi Meng laughed heartily, patted O'Neal on the back, and everything was understood without words.
After chatting with Kobe and O'Neal, He Xi Meng also greeted Fox and Horry, and finally found Da Zhi, asking him how he was feeling.
Da Zhi admitted that the defensive intensity of the playoffs had exceeded his expectations, and he was currently working hard to adapt to it, which he believed would be fine.
He Xi Meng encouraged Da Zhi to relax, telling him that the playoffs were a playground for the strong. He should fight when needed and shoot when needed. Since he wasn't the team's core, he didn't need to bear too much psychological pressure; he just needed to play his role well...
After the pleasantries, the first game of the Western Conference Finals was about to begin.
David Robinson and O'Neal stood at the center circle. O'Neal won the tip-off and batted the ball to Harper, who brought it past half-court and passed it to Kobe on the other side.
Facing Mario Elie's defense, Kobe didn't choose to force a shot. Instead, he reliably passed the ball to O'Neal at the edge of the paint!
O'Neal in 2000 was still the undisputed leader of the Lakers. The first possession of the first game of the Western Conference Finals should rightfully belong to him. Unless O'Neal didn't ask for the ball or passed it out after receiving it.
David Robinson was guarding O'Neal.
AC Green sagged far off, trying to draw Duncan away and give O'Neal a one-on-one opportunity.
But Duncan didn't fall for it. His attention was entirely on O'Neal. As soon as O'Neal drove to the basket, Duncan would immediately slide over for help defense. Double-teaming O'Neal was the common strategy for all teams in the league this season, and the Spurs were no exception.
However, on this play, O'Neal's resolve to shoot was firm! He took a dribble with his back to the basket and took a step forward. Before Duncan's double-team arrived, he turned directly to the middle and threw up a fadeaway jumper! The spot was a little far for O'Neal, but his touch seemed good today. His first fadeaway was smoothly made, giving the Lakers, playing at home, a good start!
It was the Spurs' turn to attack. Out of respect, He Xi Meng also gave the first possession to David Robinson. David Robinson glanced back at O'Neal and inwardly wanted to refuse, but seeing Duncan obediently slip to the other side of the paint, leaving this side for David Robinson to go one-on-one against O'Neal, David Robinson gritted his teeth. After turning to the front with the ball, he faked a drive, then quickly gathered the ball and executed a quick stop-and-pop jump shot, intending to return O'Neal's favor with his mid-range shooting ability!
But the O'Neal of today was not the O'Neal of the future who couldn't jump. The O'Neal of today was strong but not fat, with excellent leaping ability and mobility! On this play, O'Neal's defense was very active. After being faked by David Robinson, he quickly recovered his balance and lunged to contest David Robinson's shot...
Fortune favored the persistent. O'Neal's effort paid off. David Robinson's favorite low-post jumper bounced off the rim!
After landing, O'Neal was very excited. He turned to secure the rebound, but to his surprise, as he turned, he saw Duncan riding on AC Green's shoulders, grabbing the ball with one hand and slamming it into his own team's basket...