The Lakers had just beaten the Timberwolves at home at the Great Western Forum on Dec. 8, and the two teams were set to meet again on Dec. 21 after a short 13-day hiatus.

Although the Lakers defeated the Timberwolves in the first two games, so far, the young team has been playing better and better, and after Stephen Marbury integrated into the team, he injected a breath of fresh blood into the team.

Stephen Marbury and Kevin Garnett's pick-and-roll linkage played a very wonderful effect. There have been a number of media comments that they believe that this young pair will be the next all-time blocking combination, just like Stockton and Malone.

Indeed, Marbury's ball sense and explosiveness are combined quite well, and the first step through the block is quite fast. In particular, he has both shooting ability and finishing ability under the basket, and after he was more integrated with the team than indulging in individual offense, he and Kevin Garnett's pick-and-roll created a lot of subtle combinations.

This is Kevin Garnett's second year, his body has gradually become fleshy, and he has adapted to the intensity of the American professional basketball game, compared to the poor performance of the first year, he began to emerge on both offensive and defensive ends in the second year, and his excellent height combined with all-round skills made up an excellent level power forward.

Kevin Garnett's registered height is 2.11 meters, but Bryant thinks that this guy is definitely hiding something, and he falsely reported his height in order to avoid playing center, and his real height is about 2.16 meters. A player of such height, with both perimeter-level speed and skill, has a shooting range that spans the entire three-point line and a defensive range that covers the entire three-point line.

Bryant knew that as long as Garnett was given an inside meat shield, Garnett, who played the sweeping role, played a top-tier defensive player's performance. On the offensive end, Kevin Garnett's blocking quality is not as high as he was later, and he is still a slightly weaker big man at the moment. Whether it is the choice of the position of the block and dismantle, or the choice of internal and external dismantling, there is a very large space to improve.

The current Kevin Garnett still needs 2 or 3 years of technical and physical growth as a high school draft player. He's still far from his prime, and the media thinks that by the time Garnett and Marbury mature, the Minnesota Timberwolves will metamorphose into a real powerhouse and shake off the perennial image of being a fish belly.

The Timberwolves entered the league in '89 and have a very poor record so far, not making the playoffs once. There are many reasons for this, such as poor draft vision, bad luck in the draw, and the fact that the cold climate makes it very difficult to retain good players, and all players aspire to a climate like Miami on the East Coast or Los Angeles on the West Coast.

"Damn, why are we here in this damn Minnesota in December!" As soon as they got off the plane, this time it was not only O'Neal, but all the players felt a chill in their hearts.

In December, the average temperature in Minnesota is -10 degrees Celsius to 2 degrees Celsius. This is a far cry from California's year-round warm temperatures, which can range from 15 to 22 degrees Celsius during the day and 5 to 10 degrees Celsius even at night, even in December winter.

Bryant shuddered, Minnesota borders Canada to the north, and the extreme north point of the continental United States (49 degrees 23 minutes north latitude) is in the state, so Minnesota is called the North Star State.

The Lakers landed in heavy snow, and the players who arrived from warm Los Angeles, California, even wore hoodies, tracksuits. This outfit is sure to feel extra chilly in Minnesota this season.

"Ahh O'Neill sneezed.

"Fake, damn the fat man is 5 meters away from me!" Kobe Bryant took out the mask in his backpack pocket and quickly put it on.

"It's just a sneeze!" O'Neill looked aggrieved.

Kobe Bryant ignored it, he didn't want to get the flu, and avoiding contact started with me.

The group hurriedly went to pick up their luggage, and then got on the bus to the hotel to rest.

Fortunately, the indoor environment such as buses and hotels are heated, which makes the Lakers players feel a lot better.

"My goodness, this timberwolf is going to spend half of his time in this place." Fisher had never been in such a cold place before joining MLS.

"It's so hard, no wonder I can't keep the superstar."

"They finally drafted Isiah Ryder in '93, stayed for three years, and then went to the Portland Trail Blazers this year."

"It's a good choice to play for Paul Allen, he's very generous with the players and he's willing to spend a lot of money on teaming." Campbell was left with saliva.

"The Trail Blazers are a team that takes money out, and there are a large number of high-quality players on the starting bench, and in terms of squad depth, we Lakers and Bulls can't compare."

"Don't go too far! Get ready for tomorrow's game. "Kirtlambis ended the rambling panel and drove every player back to the room.

...

At 10 p.m., the Lakers got on the bus and headed to the Target Center Arena.

Outside the car window, there was a white expanse of snow, and Minneapolis was covered in silver.

In such weather, players need to warm up carefully to avoid muscle cramps caused by hypothermia or more serious injuries.

Bryant ran a few laps around the arena before the game, and by this time the spectators had not yet entered the arena and had just run to the point of sweating, ready to stop for some stretching.

A player in a Timberwolves training uniform walks into the court.

"Yo, Stephen." Bryant smiled and greeted Marbury.

This warm smile seemed so terrible to Marbury!

Marbury recalled the image of himself almost crying when he was on the verge of collapse after the last game, and then Kobe Bryant handed himself a towel.

"You've improved a lot from the last one, keep up the good work, you'll catch up with me!"

This picture, this line is like a nightmare, how many times has Marbury woken up in his sleep.

One game after another, it's already three big brothers, can I win this one?

Kobe Bryant looked at the frightened Marbury, and he was also a little embarrassed, as if he had left a psychological shadow on the rookie of the same class. Did he go too far before, Kobe Bryant thought about it in his heart and felt that it was not too much, he was already very approachable, and even comforted him after the game.

I'm such a nice guy. Kobe Bryant sighed with emotion. In this game, continue to be a good person!

The schedule of the American professional basketball team is indeed very strange, just a month and a half, the Lakers and Senling Wolves have three games to play, and Marbury wants to vomit when he sees Kobe.

"Hey, Stephen. Aren't you warming up? Where are you going? Bryant couldn't help but be a little curious as he saw Marbury step by step retreating towards the players' tunnel.

"My stomach hurts a little, you're hot, you get hot first."