"I think... I think it’s unlikely they’ll give me a car. At most, they’ll give me a discount on buying one. Ah Gan wouldn’t attend these events; the appearance fee is way too low."
Little O’Neal still understands some things, but these concepts are buried in his mind, rarely brought out for reflection and use.
But Kobe has been thinking about these issues for a long time. Ah Gan, as his role model, is not just an inspiration on the basketball court.
After dropping Kobe off at home, the two waved goodbye, agreeing to meet at the airport at 9 AM the next morning for a flight to Minnesota.
After Kobe left, Little O’Neal gripped the steering wheel by the roadside, thinking for a while, trying to plan his own future like Kobe.
But after half a day of thinking, he had no answer because all he ever thought about was playing well and earning more to support his parents and siblings.
After all, he’s only 18, not well-versed in grand philosophies, and the more he thinks, the more his head hurts. He figured he could always follow Kobe in the future.
Ah Gan’s status as an idol is too high for Little O’Neal to even see the peak where Ah Gan stands.
Better to learn from friends nearby. It’s a decision that doesn’t require much thought but is very wise.
-----------------
In December, the weather became increasingly chilly.
The Trail Blazers encountered a snowstorm flying from Portland to Minnesota.
The plane was delayed at the airport, and they arrived at their destination finally at midnight.
Bird urged the players to get some rest and sleep early, as they were to have tactical training the next morning.
"I advise you all not to go out tonight, but if you must, just make sure to get up on time tomorrow and don’t be late. The usual rule applies—fine for being late."
Having been a player himself, Bird knows what players do in away cities, and often coaches can’t stop them. All he can do is warn and remind.
The team is currently doing well, and he wants to maintain this momentum. The schedule in December is relatively easy.
Of course, Bird understands that the Trail Blazers have a tradition of relaxing in December, around Christmas time.
They unwind from the tense November period, enjoy the holidays, and then, post-festivities, start ramping up again with the All-Star game as a milestone, maintaining their surge into the playoffs.
Bird feels that such traditions were feasible when the team was strong, but now, they have many issues to resolve and can’t afford to relax.
The Trail Blazers now have a more stable rotation and gradually solidifying tactical system, but their perimeter defense is lacking, and their turnover issue persists.
In November, they averaged 17 turnovers per game, among the highest in the League.
In comparison, the current League-leading Chicago Bulls average only 13 turnovers.
At the height of the Trail Blazers, they averaged only 12 turnovers, the fewest in the League.
Too many turnovers indicate unfamiliar tactics, lack of chemistry, young players, and issues in team systems.
Bird wants to find and fix these problems through continuous practice; otherwise, turnovers could doom the team.
Behind closed doors, players would have their plans. Some sleep quietly, others head out for fun.
Kobe originally intended to stay in and play video games, but a phone call gave him pause—it was Timberwolves player Kevin Garnett.
Garnett invited Kobe and Little O’Neal for a drink, saying it was their first NBA encounter, making it memorable.
Kobe, Garnett, and Little O’Neal are among the few high school players in the League, sharing a lot in common.
Garnett and Kobe met last year when the Timberwolves played against the 76ers in Philadelphia. After the game, Garnett returned to the locker room only to find someone sitting in his chair—a young stranger.
Garnett found it odd since locker rooms are generally not open to outsiders.
However, at any arena, it’s common for some staff or players’ kids to visit locker rooms to chat or get signatures from stars.
Garnett had performed well that night, the Timberwolves won, so his mood was good.
The young man greeted Garnett and said, "How did I do, KG? I’m Kobe."
Garnett had heard of Kobe Bryant, a prodigious high school player from Philadelphia and son of Joe Bryant, so no wonder he could enter the visiting team’s locker room.
Feigning ferocity, Garnett responded, "That’s my seat. Get off!"
Kobe stood but didn’t get upset; instead, he and Garnett joked around.
Garnett couldn’t help it, and the two young men became good friends, joking and laughing.
Later, when Kobe and Little O’Neal entered the draft, both were encouraged by Garnett’s experience.
Moses Malone’s example was too distant, Shawn Kemp was successful but not quite enough.
Kevin Garnett had made All-America headlines the year before they graduated and promptly found his footing with the Timberwolves.
Both admitted that Garnett served as a role model, giving them the courage to skip college and jump straight into the professional League.
Kobe and Little O’Neal could refuse an invitation from Van Exel, but it was hard to turn down Kevin Garnett.
The three found an inconspicuous little bar for a drink—hoping to avoid the media.
Being with peers is always joyful, even just chatting and casually drinking, because there’s no sense of restraint.
Garnett, one year older, cared for the two like a big brother, asking all sorts of questions about their League entry.
But no matter the question, the focus invariably pointed to one person—Ah Gan.
Kobe sensed this, suddenly understanding something, saying, "Kevin, are you restless tonight because you’ll face Ah Gan tomorrow and need some intel to sleep well?"
Garnett was sipping his drink, got startled, and choked, coughing several times.
"Cough, cough, cough! What the hell are you saying, Kobe? It’s my second year; I wasn’t nervous or scared even in my first year. Keep it up, or I’ll knock you out."
Kobe laughed at Garnett’s reaction. "Sure, it’s your second year, but it’ll be your first time facing Ah Gan. Good luck to you. He just scored 50 last game; this game... you could give it a try."
"Try what? I’m not going to provoke him. I’ll face Ah Gan with honor in the game."
Saying this, Garnett took another sip, as if disguising an emotional void.
Little O’Neal realized something and said to Garnett, "I’ll tell Ah Gan that Kevin Garnett plans to honorably score 50 points on you."
"Shit! Don’t say that! Aren’t we friends, brothers? As friends and brothers, just... tell me some tips. Jermaine, you must practice together often. Spill."
Little O’Neal said, "If you’ve read ’Forrest Gump’s Law,’ you should know how to handle it."
"That’s too broad; I want some details."
"Details? Details..."
Kobe interjected, "I know a tip for facing Ah Gan."
Garnett asked, "What tip? Come on, no games, Kobe."
Kobe said, "While up against Ah Gan, if you often say ’tomato,’ Ah Gan might go easy on you."
Garnett was puzzled, "What? Tomato? Is this some incantation or secret code?"
"It’s a code; each time you say ’tomato,’ it means we’re just playing casually; saying ’potato’ means ramp up the intensity."
Garnett was half convinced. This sounded like nonsense when he sought something useful, but the thought of facing Ah Gan made him somewhat take Kobe’s words to heart.
Before sleeping that night, he repeated, "Tomato, tomato, tomato."
What a strange code.