Chapter 154: Some Rejoice, Others Lament

“No suspense here. Let’s turn our attention to the Lakers’ game,” Barkley remarked.

By the sixth minute of the fourth quarter, the Magic had pulled their starters, and the Clippers followed suit.

In this game, He Xinghui played 28 minutes, shooting 10 for 19 from the field, hitting 3 of 8 from beyond the arc, and making 2 of 3 free throws, tallying a total of 25 points.

Not dazzling, but certainly impressive.

If he could maintain this scoring output consistently, and slightly improve his assists and rebounds, he would undeniably be a true superstar.

Gasol played 30 minutes, going 11 for 20 from the field, perfect from the line with 4 of 4, amassing 26 points along with 11 rebounds.

The shooting percentage for a center or power forward isn’t extraordinary—most centers in the league can achieve similar accuracy; Caman, for instance, holds a 54% shooting rate this season.

Gasol’s excellence lies in maintaining that shooting rate despite a high volume of attempts.

Other centers’ lower percentages are often because they take fewer shots, waiting for better opportunities.

Gasol, however, created many comfortable shooting chances through his own skill and the support of teammates.

If Caman were given such ball control, he wouldn’t be able to convert those opportunities into points.

The Clippers’ twin stars delivered outstanding performances, prompting Barkley to shift focus to the Lakers.

After all, the media has been drawing constant comparisons between the Clippers and the Lakers.

The scene switched to the Lakers’ game, which had also reached the fourth quarter with seven minutes remaining.

Unlike the Clippers, who had rested their starters early, the Lakers and Hornets were still locked in a fierce battle.

The score difference was within four points, and surprisingly, the Lakers were trailing.

Seeing this, Barkley grinned broadly and taunted, “Didn’t the media and Lakers fans say they came out on top in the trade? Because I’m not seeing it.”

Smith chuckled at the remark and sarcastically added, “The Lakers gave up Kwame Brown just to get Brand, and this is what they get? Just this?”

“Forget it, Kenny, they already disappointed us when they formed their ‘Big Four’ last time. We have to get used to it,” Barkley recalled, continuing to mock the Lakers.

It must be said, the Lakers have leveraged their Los Angeles home advantage to gain significant benefits in various trades.

Yet, even with those opportunities, they fail to make good use of them.

What good is giving them Brand on a silver platter if they’re still struggling to contend with a team outside the playoffs?

After a brief venting, Barkley and Smith held back, wary of alienating Lakers fans.

Instead of more jabs, they proceeded to analyze the Lakers’ problems.

“Kobe’s posting up, but—oh, he’s double-teamed. Kobe kicks it out, the ball reaches Brand, but PJ Brown quickly recovers on defense. Brand tries to power through Brown…”

“Although the shot went in, the process was very tough, relying on Brand’s individual skill rather than any real synergy with Kobe. Brand is 8 for 18 from the field; this efficiency shows that this approach isn’t working.”

“Kobe’s post-ups are near the paint, so the opposing big men can double-team him without worrying about leaving their assignments.”

Barkley’s last comment hit part of the truth.

Kobe and Brand don’t mesh well; even Shaquille O’Neal wasn’t the perfect fit for him, though Shaq’s dominance used to overshadow such issues.

The ideal frontcourt partner for Kobe should be Kevin Love—someone who can shoot threes, rebound, and play both inside and out.

In the end, the Lakers narrowly edged out the Hornets by two points.

Their victory came thanks to Kobe’s late-game surge, driving repeatedly into the paint for fadeaway jumpers and drawing fouls.

Though the performance was unsightly, at least they won.

After the final shot, Kobe bent over, head bowed, hands on his knees—his thoughts a mystery.

Naturally, the press captured this moment.

That single image alone could inspire numerous intriguing stories.

...

Postgame, the press conference commenced.

Representing the Lakers, Kobe and Brand appeared together.

“Kobe, this game was tough for you guys. Where do you think the problem lies?” a reporter asked.

“We won,” Kobe replied.

“But the process wasn’t easy.”

“But we won,” Kobe smiled, having borrowed He Xinghui’s tactic for handling reporters.

The reporters bristled inwardly, vowing to unleash full firepower the next time Kobe loses, showing no mercy.

“Before the game, you said you were eyeing the championship. Do you still feel that way?”

“Of course.”

Kobe stubbornly insisted, unwilling to be proven wrong now.

“The analyst also believes you can win the championship but promised to retire if he doesn't. What about you? Do you think you can win the championship, and would you retire if you don’t?”

The reporter tried to provoke him.

“I’ll keep trying until I can’t play anymore.”

Kobe was not falling for the trap.

Nonetheless, compared to He Xinghui’s confident response, Kobe’s answer seemed less forceful, giving the impression that he might be just paying lip service, harboring doubts about actually winning a title.

After Kobe, the microphone turned to Brand.

“Elton, are you satisfied with your performance tonight?”

“Not really. I still need to gel more with my new teammates.”

Brand dared not claim satisfaction. He shot 9 for 20, with free throws adding up to 22 points and 9 rebounds.

He took more shots than he did with the Clippers but scored fewer points and had a lower efficiency.

Before reporters could question his underperformance, he nervously explained himself.

The pressure on Brand had been immense since moving from the Clippers to the Lakers.

Some Clippers fans had already mocked him online, accusing him of making a foolish move only to become a secondary option again.

If he doesn’t win a championship alongside Kobe, this blemish will never wash away.

Citing a lack of chemistry was a perfect excuse.

But the reporters weren’t done.

“But with the Clippers, Gasol and teammates clicked perfectly, delivering spectacular performances. Why don’t you have the same chemistry issues?”

Brand fell silent, sensing the answer.

The truth was that the Clippers’ teamwork was smoother.

Cassell’s playmaking, He Xinghui drawing defenders—anyone could easily integrate.

But with the Lakers, the point guard didn’t perform like a point guard, nor the shooting guard like a shooting guard.

Brand couldn’t get an easy look in the paint and had to rely on brute force.

“I don’t want to compare. I just want to help the Lakers win more games, that’s all,” Brand said.

Only one game in, Brand refused to dismiss the Lakers’ roster outright.

He believed that with Phil Jackson’s talent, the issues would be resolved.

Just as Brand was about to lose his composure under the reporters’ pressure, Phil Jackson stepped forward and absorbed the onslaught.

With his rich experience, Jackson responded gracefully.

Still, it couldn’t change the fact that the Lakers lacked chemistry.

That was enough for the media to spin stories.

The Lakers’ only way to escape media harassment was to win games.

...

Meanwhile, the Clippers’ press conference was underway.

Dunleavy, He Xinghui, and Gasol appeared together.

“Paul, how do you feel about your first game with the Clippers?” a reporter asked.

“I’m happy. There are many excellent teammates here, making it very easy to play. Especially He—he’s a huge offensive threat and draws a lot of defensive attention, helping the team,” Gasol replied with a smile, praising He Xinghui.

“Are you implying your teammates in Memphis weren’t as good?” a provocative reporter questioned.

Gasol was momentarily taken aback; he had never faced such disrespectful questions in Memphis.

These kinds of queries are easy to offend, so reporters usually avoid them.

Gasol was an unwitting target.

Because He Xinghui often sparred with reporters, journalists covering the Clippers tended to be confrontational and sharp in their questions.

Gasol, having joined the Clippers, naturally became one of their adversaries.

Fortunately, Gasol was a veteran.

He paused briefly before answering, “My teammates in Memphis were, of course, very good and helped me a lot. But the Clippers have a superstar; He’s stronger than most players. When two strong players unite, it naturally becomes easier.”

He avoided comparing former teammates to ordinary Clippers players, which could be controversial.

Instead, he affirmed that He Xinghui’s impact was undeniable.

“What motivated you to leave your old team and come to the Clippers as the second option?”

Other players might have resented the label of ‘number two,’ but Gasol didn’t mind.

On one hand, he respected He Xinghui’s abilities.

In just his first season, He had posted superstar numbers with limitless potential ahead.

On the other hand, he understood that moving to a big city and a championship-contending team inevitably required sacrifices.

“Of course, the championship,” Gasol stated.

“Do you believe the Clippers can win the championship?”

“We will work hard towards that goal.”

Gasol answered the following questions with seasoned tact, avoiding reporters’ traps.

Then the spotlight shifted to He Xinghui.

“Some say you pushed Brand out. Is that true?”

“It is,” He Xinghui answered as bluntly as ever.

Gasol’s eyes widened in disbelief, unable to understand why He would admit it outright when there were countless ways to deflect.

Seeing the stunned reporters, Gasol couldn’t help but admire He Xinghui’s boldness.

He had never seen reporters pause so long before.

“Disgusting. Do you think it’s honorable to push out the former team leader?” a reporter, thinking he had found a way to attack He Xinghui, stood up excitedly and unleashed a barrage of criticism.

After he spoke, the other reporters fixed their gaze on He, eager to hear his response and hoping for more explosive remarks.