Carl nodded but did not make it clear, only saying, "I know, I’ll decide based on the situation on the court."
Kobe was very dissatisfied and said, "Rick! Look at this, what has the team become without me? I’m ready, I should start tonight."
Carl pursed his lips, thought for a moment, and said, "Hmm... I still need to decide based on the situation when I want you to play."
Kobe smiled helplessly and said, "What’s going on, Rick? I was the starter, I’m not a rookie, I’m recovered, and I should be back in the game."
Carl scratched his face and finally said, "Actually, theoretically, you should be observed for one more game, and then back to starting next game. So, this game I can only decide based on the situation. The medical team says it’d be best for you to rest unless the team truly needs you."
"The team really does need me now; we’ve been losing non-stop recently. How bad could the defense on the perimeter be?"
Kobe spoke frankly, and the Trail Blazers’ perimeter defense has indeed been poor lately.
Carl still didn’t budge, always feeling like he wanted to bargain with Kobe.
Kobe finally realized this and asked, "Hey, Coach, are you trying to negotiate conditions with me? Just say what you want, don’t dilly dally."
Carl should be doing this for the first time, so he was somewhat embarrassed when Kobe saw through him.
He said somewhat awkwardly, "Uh... I do have a condition that I hope you can fulfill. If so, I will let you play earlier tonight, and not wait until the next game."
"Go ahead, Coach. How many points do you want me to score?"
"No, no, I want you to... motivate Gan."
"Motivate Gan? What do you mean?"
"Don’t you think Gan has been playing too... too relaxed lately? I need..."
"I got it! That’s not hard, just leave it to me! I thought you’d have some demands but this is what I’m good at!"
Kobe was full of confidence, patting his chest to guarantee he would complete the task.
Carl didn’t expect Kobe to agree so readily, he thought in desperation one might as well try it.
Although this method seems unreliable, what if it works?
Larry said, a coach needs to understand not only tactics but also motivation and cohesion.
Carl was coaching for the first time and had much room for improvement in human handling; tonight, he just wanted to give it a try.
In this game, not only was Kobe returning, but the previously injured Sabonis was also back in the lineup.
But Carl still didn’t let Sabonis start, instead allowing Little O’neal to continue starting and put Sabonis on the bench.
Sabonis’s knee situation, starting him, meant his defensive impact was already less than that of Little O’neal.
Kobe was also sitting on the bench, waiting for the opportunity to re-enter the court.
During the two weeks he rested, he didn’t idly sit by, but trained his left hand desperately.
For this reason, he even reduced his dates with Vanessa, in his view becoming as strong as Gan was more important.
Before the game, while both sides were warming up at half-court, Kobe stood on the free-throw line, continually hitting several left-handed shots, all successful.
Gan Guoyang came over and praised Kobe, saying he had practiced well during this time, not wasting time due to wrist injury.
Kobe said coldly, "Sonny, do you know why the team couldn’t continuously win lately, losing one game and winning another so embarrassingly?"
Gan Guoyang said, "Why? Don’t tell me, it’s because of your absence, that’s why we lost."
"No, it’s not because I was absent, it’s because of you. Because you, Sonny, you can no longer score 50 or 60 points a game to lead the team to victory."
"You told me that to win, you need to score more, but now you can’t do it, Sonny."
Gan Guoyang’s face slightly darkened, "Are you trying to provoke me? Using reverse psychology? Or do you want to challenge me?"
"None of that, I’m just stating a fact. You’re about to live only in the praises found in books, Sonny."