After the game ended, Kobe, looking unconvinced, confronted He Xi Meng: "If you have the guts, don't use the wheel battle next game! I'll crush you!"
He Xi Meng wasn't falling for it, shamelessly retorting, "If you have the guts, try a three-on-one next game! Let's see who crushes whom?"
"Your thick skin is getting thicker!"
"You flatter me! I'm just seeing through worldly affairs and the game more and more... As long as it brings exciting games to the fans, whose points are not points?"
"How can that be the same? Can your way of scoring be the same as Vince's, or Yao Ming's?" Kobe retorted.
"What does it matter if they're different? If I want them to dunk, won't they obediently dunk? If the team is compared to an army, as the commander, shouldn't the highest level of strategy be to mobilize everyone in the army for my own use? Must the commander foolishly swing a saber and fight people in every battle?"
"Uh..." This analogy of an army and its commander completely stunned Kobe.
At first glance, the analogy seemed fitting.
But upon further thought, something felt subtly wrong.
However, if asked where exactly it was wrong, Kobe couldn't articulate it. He could only end the argument with He Xi Meng resentfully and turn to greet Carter.
With Carter, Kobe very amicably congratulated him on his victory in this game.
Carter reciprocated, praising Kobe as the most outstanding player from either team in this match.
You are well, I am well, everyone is well.
The league is like a martial world, and Kobe and Carter, as two of the league's four great shooting guards, maintained mutual respect and decorum. Giving face to the other was giving face to oneself.
After the Christmas classic ended, He Xi Meng hastily left the team to spend Christmas with Kayla.
This Christmas, Kayla did not return to her parents' home but came to Boston to spend a joyous night with He Xi Meng.
Kayla had been watching the Yellow-Green battle from the VIP box earlier.
After the game, Kayla was not entirely satisfied with He Xi Meng's performance.
"Why didn't you score 40 points like Kobe or Vince?" Kayla asked He Xi Meng. "I know you have the ability, and the Lakers' defense isn't that strong."
"Of course I could score 40 points, but after scoring 40 points, where would I have the energy left to play Christmas games with you?" He Xi Meng retorted teasingly.
Although Kayla knew He Xi Meng was speaking insincerely, flattering and appeasing her, she still enjoyed the feeling of being doted on by He Xi Meng.
"So that's how it is! Alright, then tell me, how do you plan to play Christmas games with me?" Kayla asked back, her eyes full of charm.
He Xi Meng chuckled and said, "I asked Fox to borrow a few sets of armor and silk robes from the Spartacus set... Our Christmas theme this year is Spartacus versus the female slave masters..."
Kayla's eyes widened, a hint of a foolish smile mixed with her surprise. "Fox is no good either! He corrupted you..."
In the parking lot of the North End Garden Arena, Fox, dressed in a suit, sneezed violently.
"What's going on, did I catch a cold? Oh, no! I have an audition for a new play tomorrow, I can't get sick now..."
So far this season, Fox has had very few playing opportunities. Comparatively, Fox's contributions have been more on the training ground, helping the coaching staff with the rookies.
Head coach Kerr knew that Fox's heart wasn't entirely on the basketball court, so he didn't have many demands of Fox.
Whenever Fox asked for leave, Kerr would approve it immediately, allowing Fox to move between Hollywood and the NBA arena.
Fox originally didn't plan to attend this Christmas classic. Through He Xi Meng, Fox had secured an audition opportunity for a new play in Hollywood.
But just yesterday, Fox received a call from He Xi Meng asking him to arrange for someone to go to the Spartacus set to retrieve some prop costumes and have them delivered to Boston.
Fox knew the Spartacus set! It was a big production that had just started filming a while ago. When Fox heard that He Xi Meng could borrow the prop costumes, he immediately realized that He Xi Meng must be very familiar with the director or producer of the show...
"Why would I need to arrange for someone? Of course, I'll go pick them up myself... What if I can meet the director and even recommend myself for a small emerging role?"
He Xi Meng hadn't expected Fox to make this trip himself, but unexpectedly, Fox had overthought it and personally delivered this package.
In the end, Fox actually landed a role as a Roman general in the Spartacus production. Although it was a minor role, it allowed Fox to indulge in a period drama, making the errand worthwhile.
He Xi Meng didn't expend too much energy in this year's Christmas classic, but in the post-game Christmas games, as the "warrior," He Xi Meng contributed a lot of his hard-earned stamina.
As a result, in the few games from the Christmas classic to the New Year, He Xi Meng appeared somewhat listless.
Fortunately, He Xi Meng's impression on the fans this season was that of a primary playmaker and facilitator, with scoring as a secondary focus.
So, when fans saw He Xi Meng's listless demeanor, they assumed it was due to his lack of offensive desire, and didn't attribute it to He Xi Meng having too much fun off the court...
Following that, in January, the All-Star voting entered a fierce competition phase.
He Xi Meng continued to play casually, but it didn't prevent him from surpassing the season's favorites, Kobe and Carter, in the All-Star fan vote, maintaining his position as the top vote-getter!
With a massive base of Chinese fans, He Xi Meng was almost unbeatable in the All-Star voting segment.
As long as He Xi Meng met the qualifying standard for the All-Stars, no one could shake his position as the top vote-getter. Not even the dominant Kobe this season, nor the emerging young star LeBron James, could do it!
In today's ballot count, Kobe received 2.27 million votes, ranking third in the league, just behind He Xi Meng and Yao Ming.
Carter received 2.25 million votes, ranking fourth in the league.
James received 2.20 million votes, ranking fifth in the league.
Yao Ming received 2.34 million votes, ranking second in the league.
He Xi Meng received 2.43 million votes, ranking first in the league.
As for the subsequent All-Star starting lineup, although the league changed the voting rules, intending to prevent Chinese players from becoming All-Star starters through fan support.
However, they only managed to block players like Da Zhi and Lao Hu.
He Xi Meng was completely unstoppable, and even Yao Ming couldn't be stopped this season, directly defeating O'Neal to become the Eastern Conference All-Star starting center!