NBA: Miracle Workers

Chapter 810 The Basketball Philosopher (Chapter without a main character)
On Thursday, October 6, 2011, NBA fans across the ocean eagerly awaited the latest program from CCTV Sports – NBA Frontline.

Kobe's arrival has changed more than just the CBA; even CCTV Sports has started chasing the hot topic. The future of this program is still uncertain, but the content of the first episode has already been decided.

After returning to China for a period of time, Kobe trained diligently and occasionally held fan events. Sina Sports provided full coverage of these events, and many celebrities also actively interacted with him on Weibo.

This situation would never happen in the United States. Even though Kobe was very strong and had a championship ring, he still couldn't escape being ridiculed.

The New York Times and the Washington Post, as major media outlets worldwide, wield immense influence. They rarely speak favorably of Kobe Bryant, and as well-known "Lee fans," their sports sections often revolve around him as a backdrop.

ESPN and TNT are the same. The former is the advocate of Excel basketball and can praise Li You to the skies every year, while the latter has a "big mouth" in the circle. Barkley can't wait to criticize Mamba every day.

Only Yahoo Sports is sometimes more objective; the Associated Press, Reuters, Fox News, CNN, and other media outlets are just jumping on the bandwagon, basically reporting whatever comes to mind.

After being relentlessly attacked online for over a decade, Kobe finally felt the "warmth of home" after coming to China. He has smiled more in the past few months than in the previous five years, and has become much more amiable.
At 19:30 p.m. that evening, the scene that fans had been waiting for unfolded once again. Standing next to hosts Yu Jia and Zhang Weiping, Kobe smiled at the camera and greeted the fans.
"Welcome to the best basketball program in the world!"

"."

As a well-known "Kobe hater," Zhang Weiping has recently demonstrated what it means to change one's tune. The old man seems to have developed amnesia, praising Kobe loudly in almost every interview.

At this moment, Yu Jia was still trying to control her expression, but Zhang Weiping was all smiles, taking the opportunity to boast:
"Look who we've invited to tonight's show! NBA superstar Kobe Bryant!"

"This is incredible! In this episode, we'll step into the lives of superstars and see how the Deadly Mamba works!"

Despite strong suspicions that the old man had a split personality, Yu Jia maintained the professionalism of a good host and introduced the man with a smile:

"We will look back together on Kobe's illustrious career and present a true picture of the superstar to our fans."

With the two working together in a coordinated manner, the director quickly played the prepared footage, from Kobe's childhood life in Italy to high school basketball in the United States. One scene made Kobe shake his head and laugh.

"I want to skip college and take my talent straight to the NBA!"

Seeing his younger self again, Kobe's expression was somewhat complicated. In fact, he had thought more than once whether he could better realize his talent if he had played two years in college.

Lee Yu is an outstanding player produced by the University of Connecticut, which is why many basketball commentators like him. Recently, the founder of the Big East Conference passed away, and in his final moments, he praised the GOAT (Greatest of All Time).
This is very normal in the American sports world. Basketball powerhouses are always respected, and Li You, who made the University of Connecticut a basketball powerhouse, has almost become a legend.

As a well-known "Kobe hater," Zhang Weiping actually understands Mamba better than some fans. The old man, seeing Kobe's expression, guessed what he was thinking and asked with a smile:
"If you could choose again, would you still make the same decision? Is skipping college basketball something you regret?"

Kobe, dressed in a tracksuit, sat backstage for a moment in thought, then shook his head and responded firmly:

"I will still choose to skip college and enter the NBA early. It's a good thing for me. Here, I can better hone my skills."

"Back then, I could compete against Michael Jordan, which was my lifelong dream. I achieved it, and it was like a dream trip for me."

The director then reviewed Kobe's career. Although he was not selected for the All-Star team in his first season, the Mamba began to shine in the following years, even winning the Slam Dunk Contest, and his commercial value also increased.

Everything seemed like a good start. Kobe and Shaq, who were gradually realizing their talents, became the "OK combination". In the 00 Western Conference Finals, Kobe reversed the Trail Blazers, which can be called the highlight of his career!
The thrilling alley-oop seems like it was just yesterday, and a young Kobe was laughing heartily in the video. But with the arrival of the Finals, everything changed.

The moment Kobe was shaken down, blocked, and hurdled—that iconic moment is still talked about by fans today. From that day on, Kobe became a background figure.

The Knicks completed their three-peat at the brand-new Staples Center. In five games, Lee Woo averaged 39.6 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 9.2 assists, with a field goal percentage of 50.4%.
Kobe's 51 points in Game 4 are still considered outrageous by today's standards. Seeing that painful moment from his memory, Kobe's eyes widened again.

Yu Jia could understand Kobe's feelings at this point. If you only watched the highlights, Li You did seem more like the villain, wantonly humiliating his opponents and mercilessly attacking any Lakers player on the court.

The Lakers' dazzling style of play completely disappeared in the Finals, and the original championship members taught the Lakers' "rookies" a lesson.

"The first Finals may not be a pleasant memory, Kobe. Looking back at that game now, what would you like to say to your past self?"

Upon hearing Yu Jia's question, Kobe, regaining his composure, lost his smile. This marked the beginning of his suffering. Reflecting on the events of the following 10 years, the Mamba revealed his true feelings:
"I would say to my younger self not to care about what others think, but to follow my inner instincts, which is what I should have done back then."

"Basketball is more than just winning and losing. Statistics and honors? Looking back, they're not actually that important."

This episode is basically a recap of Kobe's highlight performances, but most of the footage from the Finals wasn't very good. Facing the same opponents, the Mamba's performance got worse and worse.

Perhaps influenced by them, Kobe was no longer as competitive as before, and under their guidance, he shared more of his insights on basketball.

In addition, Mamba also took the opportunity to promote his "spiritual victory method". Zhang Weiping actively guided him, and the old man seemed to become a "Kobe fan" and even took the initiative to help Kobe supplement his explanation.

Kobe, who felt respected in an environment he had never experienced before in the United States, generously shared his insights:

“In the United States, almost everyone admires the championship and everyone wants to be a winner, but in my opinion, this is a distorted basketball environment.”

"The process of striving and surpassing yourself is actually more important than the championship. The championship doesn't mean anything. As long as you find inner satisfaction in the process, you can gain more from this sport!"

"Persistence and courage are more important when facing challenges. This is what I mean by the Mamba Mentality. In the United States, many people have misunderstood my original meaning."

"."

The two-hour program gave fans across the ocean a deep understanding of Kobe. Apart from not winning games and having some flaws in his private life, the Mamba can be considered an inspirational idol!
Even Zhang Weiping, a staunch critic of Kobe Bryant, has switched sides, giving the CBA high praise during their final discussion:
"Kobe's arrival has greatly increased the visibility of our league, allowing our fans to see an NBA superstar play right at our doorstep, which is truly an amazing thing!"

"Leaving aside the championship, Kobe's positive attitude alone deserves our respect." At the end of the program, Kobe interacted actively with his teammates in Guangdong, creating a harmonious atmosphere. Fans on social media were deeply moved, feeling that after so many years of supporting him, they could finally hold their heads high.
While some were happy, others were unhappy. Marbury saw Kobe, who hadn't played a single game, being praised to the skies, and then, recalling Kobe's treatment in the United States, he felt a surge of resentment.

Marbury didn't complain on Weibo because he knew he'd be attacked by Kobe's die-hard fans. Feeling wronged, he quickly updated his Twitter with multiple posts, culminating in a scathing attack on Kobe:

"A loser in America who deceives naive fans across the ocean will inevitably face repercussions in the end!"

-

On Saturday, October 8, bloodshed began to occur during the "Occupy Wall Street" protests, prompting the New York Police Department to officially intervene and carry out numerous expulsions and arrests.

The number of protesters is increasing. Steve Jobs recently passed away, and some young people are even taking the opportunity to smash Apple products to express their dissatisfaction with the wealthy.

Protests also broke out in Washington, D.C., and Obama even had lunch with the demonstrators at a restaurant, during which he took the opportunity to accept their advice, stating that the financial sector does indeed need better regulation.

However, the president's behavior infuriated many Wall Street figures. Obama did not say such things when he came to New York a few days ago to raise funds and campaign for votes!
Despite the protests, life goes on, and more onlookers are starting to focus on Kim Kardashian's wedding. Although it was held two months ago, that doesn't stop Kim Kardashian from having another one on her reality TV show.
Mainstream media ignored the protests, only mentioning them briefly without extensive coverage. This was not a good thing for the White House and was not worth reporting extensively.

ESPN's morning program reported on the storm Kobe Bryant stirred up across the ocean, leaving most fans confused and even some commentators bewildered, leading to a flurry of reactions on Twitter:
Why is Kobe so respected?

"He should go to college and study philosophy, which would be more suitable for Kobe who hasn't achieved anything in basketball."

"Chinese fans have been deceived; Kobe only says honors aren't important because he doesn't have a championship."

Players still playing basketball to earn money are envious of Mamba's treatment after reading the reports, and more and more players are choosing to go overseas to work. Players like Deron Williams, who made the choice early, have already played their first game.

LeBron James, who has kept a low profile, has stopped making statements, only posting pictures quietly and routinely showing off his muscles every day, and his hashtags are increasing.

Durant has returned to Oklahoma City and has recorded triple-doubles in consecutive amateur league games, thrilling Thunder fans.

Besides these two highly anticipated young players, the newly crowned MVP Derrick Rose has returned to the spotlight. However, Rose didn't post any photos; instead, he immediately criticized the luxury tax adjustments.
"Such rules are unfair to young players. We have almost lost the possibility of winning consecutive championships. No one will continue to pursue championships while facing huge luxury taxes and penalties."

"."

Although Rose's point was valid, basketball commentators were unconvinced. Stephen A. Smith mocked the young man on Twitter, posting several sarcastic updates:
"Derrick Rose should be thinking about how to get through the Eastern Conference playoffs. If he keeps losing, Garnett will definitely thank you."

Labor negotiations are ongoing, with David Stern believing that 85% of the total work is complete. However, a new point of contention has emerged with the board of directors, as the Lakers disagree with the luxury tax proposal, arguing that it would kill off their dynasty.

The Los Angeles Times also sided with the Buss family in this matter, offering a sharp critique of the plan proposed by Lee Yu-ho and the players' union:

"Lee is trying to block the next dynasty team, perhaps he's worried about the Lakers' resurgence."

The San Antonio Express-News, however, actively supported the new regulations, with several columnists believing they would benefit small-market teams like the Spurs. Contrary to many, Tim Duncan unexpectedly spoke out at this time.
“I support luxury tax penalties, so-called dynasty teams aren’t that important, basketball doesn’t mean championships, we can maintain a healthy mindset through this sport.”

From his "fishing" days to now, Duncan has given his first newspaper interview, talking about what he's been doing these past few months. With a serious expression, Duncan explained:

"Over the course of several months, I found inner peace through meditation. It was a completely new experience, unlike basketball games. Meditation gave me a feeling of connection with the universe."

"."

If the article hadn't been published in a newspaper that everyone sees regularly, San Antonio fans might have even questioned their own existence. Was this really the Duncan they knew? Where did that "winning big man" go?

Kobe began to focus on spreading the Mamba Mentality, and Duncan began to explore inner peace. These two Finals regulars have become like this, leaving basketball commentators speechless.

-

On Monday, October 10th, the Wall Street Journal launched a new round of gossip, this time focusing on Mitt Romney, the Republican Party candidate.

Just last week, the presidential candidate traveled to New York and successfully secured the endorsement of Guy Molinari, a senior Elephant Party member from Staten Island.

Billionaire investor Paul Singer also held a grand fundraising event for Mitt Romney and donated $100 million directly to the “Restore Our Future” super PAC.

As a board member of the YT Alliance, the Elephant Party, Paul Singh has been actively involved in political activism. However, he lost face this time at the fundraising event, as Lee Yu himself did not attend, only donated $10, and did not express any support.
In response, an unnamed source said that Paul Singer was somewhat embarrassed at the dinner, as Lee Yu had explicitly refused when he recently sought support for same-sex marriage, and the two sides seemed to be completely incompatible.

The Wall Street Journal dug deeper, revealing that on Twitter, Paul Singer had always wanted a voice, but investors led by Li You firmly opposed it, and a conflict of interest had long existed between the two sides.

Interestingly, the article concludes by mentioning that Paul Singer believes Li You and Scarlett's eldest son should receive YT education, and he actively campaigned for this with his compatriots in previous years, suggesting that there may have been conflicts between the two sides even earlier.

The Wall Street Journal, which focuses on gossip about Lee Yoo, always manages to find unexpected sources of information, even including his recent trip with Georgina to a horse farm in New Jersey.
These juicy tidbits captivated New York's gossip-loving public, and Carmelo Anthony, who hadn't been actively attending union meetings lately, pulled off a surprising move by actively recruiting on social media:
"Before the luxury tax penalties arrive, I think we can accomplish something great!"

Carmelo Anthony posted a photo of himself and Deron Williams from a gathering in Manhattan two months prior. With Kevin Garnett poised to join the team, this recruitment clearly indicates an attempt to form a "Big Three."
Deron Williams, who is still playing in Turkey, didn't respond, but Kevin Garnett responded actively. Unlike the two "basketball philosophers," Garnett just wants to win, and he even actively made promises on Twitter:

"Don't talk to me about the future or the rules, nobody wants to win the championship more than me!"

"."

(End of this chapter)