111 Only Then Will You Understand

After the game, Kobe sat in the locker room without saying a word. He took off his jersey and prepared to find a top to warm himself up for the upcoming interviews with media reporters.

Phil Jackson walked in, looked at Kobe and nodded behind him.

Kobe was already used to the coach's action and knew what it meant. He frowned and said, "Going to the post-game press conference so early?"

"The media haven't even arrived yet."

Phil Jackson nodded and raised his eyebrows, pointed behind him and continued: "I don't think you need to wait here for the media reporters."

Kobe looked in the direction of Phil Jackson's finger. He knew that was the visiting team's locker room, and he could even hear the cheers of the crowd over there.

"So, all those media reporters went to interview the Trail Blazers, right?"

Phil Jackson reminded: "I should go interview Zhang Jun."

Kobe stood up unhappily and said, "I told you before that the team needs reinforcements. I have no reason to lose to a rookie."

In tonight's game, Kobe made 13 of 32 shots and scored 45 points, 8 rebounds and 4 assists. He used his personal ability to score points for almost the entire game, including 17 points in the fourth quarter.

If it weren't for Kobe, the Lakers would have lost this game tonight.

"By the way, what are the statistics of that rookie?"

Phil Jackson rarely records the statistics of opponent players, let alone the statistics of a rookie player, even if he is the No. 1 pick.

But tonight, Phil Jackson almost remembered Zhang Jun's statistics after every goal in the fourth quarter.

He said seriously: "13 of 22 shots, 2 of 6 three-pointers, 4 of 6 free throws, 32 points, 4 rebounds, 8 assists, 1 block and 1 turnover."

"By the way, he scored 14 points in the last quarter."

Kobe was silent in a rare moment, and Phil Jackson was also very surprised. Of course, he may not be surprised at the same point as Kobe. Phil Jackson was amazed by the kid's breakthrough.

"After the 1996 draft, I was holding back my energy and wanted to prove myself in the NBA. I was eager to make my NBA debut, but coach Del Harris directly DNPed me in the first game."

"While planning and worrying, I heard a piece of news that shocked me. Iverson scored 30 points, 2 rebounds and 6 assists in his debut, breaking the 27-year-old record of the No. 1 draft pick's debut set by Lakers star Kareem Abdul-Jabbar."

Kobe lowered his head and said suddenly.

"So now I've got a new record?"

Phil Jackson saw the fighting emotion in Kobe's eyes. He nodded affirmatively and said, "Yes, Zhang Jun broke the record set by Iverson after 11 years."

"This is a new record, it's on you."

Kobe stood up and walked straight to the post-game press conference. Phil Jackson reminded him behind him.

"I have given advice to old Bass, and they will bring you a helper soon."

Kobe said without looking back.

"I need to be real fast!"

.........

Trail Blazers locker room.

Nate McMillan handed the game ball to Zhang Jun.

"Congratulations, man, you broke Iverson's debut record tonight and helped the team win the game."

"This is yours."

Zhang Jun held the game ball and shook hands with Nate McMillan very gratefully.

Aldridge found a bucket of ice water from nowhere and poured it directly over Zhang Jun's head.

After all the screams, Luo Yin, Jarrett Jack, James Jones and others rushed over and cheered and celebrated together.

Zhang Jun smiled and high-fived his teammates. This is the team atmosphere he likes.

After Nate McMillan reminded the players that the next game's opponent was the Rockets, he handed over the locker room to the players.

As soon as he left, countless media poured into the Trail Blazers locker room.

Randolph originally wanted to teach Zhang Jun a lesson after the game, but saw such a scene and had no chance to do anything.

He still remembered how Zhang Jun scolded him on the court.

Randolph could only say arrogantly to Travis Outlaw: "This is an away game after all. I will make sure he remembers it well when I return to Portland in the next game."

Facing the interview with media reporters, Zhang Jun no longer looked as jerky as he did in the NCAA. He was very calm.

A media reporter excitedly told Zhang Jun that he broke the record set by Iverson and became the best-performing No. 1 pick in NBA history.

Zhang Jun said indifferently: "The most important thing in my mind is winning, followed by whether I have completed the coach's tactical arrangements, and finally personal data."

This answer naturally aroused praise from countless reporters around him.

However, a reporter reminded Zhang Jun: “After the game, NBA legend Scottie Pippen wrote on social media: Young people today don’t know how to respect their seniors. They must always respect their seniors. Remember who created such a comfortable playing environment and such an excellent league for them.”

In his previous life, Zhang Jun already knew that whenever Pippen ran out of money, he would wander around and talk about some jaw-dropping topics to attract others' attention.

Zhang Jun was not surprised at all that he could say such a thing.

"It's just that I didn't understand what he meant. Who does he want me to respect?"

The reporter reminded: "You almost knocked down Kobe on the court tonight. Scottie Pippen may feel that your ball did not show respect to the seniors."

Zhang Jun raised the reporter's microphone to his mouth and said seriously.

"I don't respect anyone on the court, including Kobe."

At the post-game press conference, a reporter repeated Scottie Pippen's statement on social media to Kobe.

Kobe bit the corner of his mouth and said: "I don't think Zhang Jun disrespected me with that ball. On the contrary, the fact that he tried his best to hit me alone is the greatest respect for me."

"I don't like him yet, but I like his playing attitude, but I have to remind him that I will return it next time."

............

The news of the Trail Blazers' first victory spread the next day, and Zhang Jun's personal performance once again made national headlines.

ESPN even opened a column to report on Zhang Jun's performance on the court. Among the top five goals of the day, Zhang Jun's goal that almost knocked down Kobe became the best of the day.

It's just that neither the Trail Blazers nor Zhang Jun were in the mood to enjoy ESPN's column report, and they also watched some replays of the top five goals of the day on their mobile phones.

They have more important things to do.

For the first time, Zhang Jun felt the cumbersome and tiring NBA game schedule. He suddenly understood why coach Nate McMillan suppressed his offense in the first three quarters of the last game.

In addition to Zhang Jun's need to conserve energy for the fourth quarter, there is also the reason why the NBA regular season is too intensive.

Zhang Jun does have the ability to be on full fire one night, but he does not have the ability to be on full fire for 82 consecutive games.

"The NBA regular season is a marathon."

"It's not whoever runs in front who wins, but whoever runs last."

"You will only understand this sentence if a core figure in the team is injured."