Kobe Bryant pointed to the seat on the other side with his right hand, "Let's have a drink?" ”

Chen Jiyuan didn't have any reason to refuse, and he didn't want to refuse. As long as Chen Jiyuan and Kobe Bryant are not on the same team, then they can still be good friends. It is absolutely impossible to talk about contradictions between Chen Jiyuan and Kobe. It's just that Chen Jiyuan will never be teammates with Kobe, and two strong people together will inevitably not have a good result. Chen Jiyuan didn't want to play as a junior brother under Kobe.

However, since Chen Jiyuan is not playing in Los Angeles now, there is naturally no contradiction between the two of them and Kobe, and even said that Chen Jiyuan still respects Kobe Bryant, after all, Kobe is the first quarterback in the post-Jordan era, and is also known as the person closest to the great god Jordan.

However, at this point, Chen Jiyuan has always felt that Kobe Bryant has not received a fair evaluation. Because Jordan is very fierce and strong, there is no controversy, and Jordan has indeed brought basketball to the world. However, Jordan is by no means unsurpassable. The reason why Jordan is so strong is not that it is still packaged by the league.

Kobe Bryant's strength, Chen Jiyuan has always decided that it can be comparable to Jordan, the reason why Kobe Bryant can't get as many honors as Jordan is because the overall strength of the NBA league is increasing. Therefore, Kobe's status is not as prominent as Jordan's, Chen Jiyuan feels that if Kobe is put in Jordan's era, it is estimated that Kobe can also get those honors. It's just that Kobe Bryant didn't have that opportunity.

Chen Jiyuan's conclusions are just his own conjectures, which have not been verified at all, and cannot be verified at all. In the end, Kobe Bryant is almost the same as Jordan, or worse, there is no way to get the test, after all, Jordan is no longer the courage of the year.

Chen Jiyuan and Kobe Bryant sat down together. For the current Kobe, there is no direct conflict of interest between Chen Jiyuan and him, because the biggest opponent of the Lakers now is known to everyone on the earth, it is the Celtics, one of the two giants in the league. Now the Celtics' Big Three is the combination that everyone in the league fears.

However, Chen Jiyuan knows that next year's Celtics are not to be afraid, that is because in next year's regular season, the Celtics' defensive leader, Kevin Garnett, will be injured, and the strength of the Celtics will be greatly reduced if any of the Big Three is missing. Without Ray Allen, the Celtics would have one of the most stable three-point shots, and the opponent's defensive range could be narrowed to a small range, which would be very disadvantageous for both Pierce and Garnett. Without Garnett, the Celtics' defense will be greatly reduced, and it can even be said that the Celtics' interior defense will immediately become a wide open. And next season's Celtics didn't even enter the Finals, because of the lack of Garnett and weak inside, so they were eliminated by the Magic, but the power of the two giants is also very strong, even if the Celtics are very incapacitated, they can still drag the game into the seventh game. However, in the end, it was not enough to withstand Howard's great power. The Magic came back from 2:3 down to win two sets in a row and successfully advanced to the Eastern Conference Finals. He had 23 points and 22 rebounds in Game 6.

It can be said that as long as Garnett is still injured next year, then the Lakers are very likely to win the championship. Because there is no team in the West that can threaten the Lakers, the strong teams of last season are instantly ** this season. The Hornets and Spurs both made first-round rounds, and the Nuggets reached the Western Conference Finals led by the likes of Purce and Anthony. It's just that compared with the Lakers, there is still a bit of a gap. Although this year's Nuggets are also quite strong.

Kobe Bryant first asked Chen Jiyuan, "Chen, you are also here to attend LeBron's party." ”

Chen Jiyuan nodded and said, "En." ”

Kobe Bryant smiled and said to Chen Jiyuan: "I watched the video of your game last year, although I didn't play against you in the playoffs, but I think you could have advanced to the second round." It's a pity. ”

Chen Jiyuan smiled and said innocently: "Lack of strength is not enough strength, I don't want to make any excuses." But, sooner or later, I'll be back on the stage of the finals and win that title again. ”

Kobe laughed, "Ambition, I like it." As he spoke, Kobe raised his wine glass, Chen Jiyuan also raised his wine glass, and after hitting it, both of them drank it all.

Chen Jiyuan smiled and said to Kobe: "What's the matter, Kobe? ”

Kobe Bryant was stunned and asked, "What?" ”

Chen Jiyuan said with a smile: "It's a taste of re-entering the finals." Isn't it cool. Entering the finals is another big step towards the championship. ”

Kobe Bryant also knows the correctness of what Chen Jiyuan said, there is a big trade, and then the combination that won the championship in the first year is only the combination of the Celtics Big Three last year, this kind of coincidence is rare in the entire history of the NBA.

Therefore, Kobe Bryant is still quite satisfied with the Lakers' table this year, after all, the Lakers just got Pau Gasol, the interior axis of the triangle offense, this year, and then reached the Finals, which is not bad. However, it is still a pity to miss out on the championship. Bryant was both satisfied and disappointed with this year's Finals. After all, it is only one step away from the most desired honor.

Kobe Bryant smiled and said: "It's okay, I can't say I'm satisfied, but at least it's much better than walking in place before." ”

The previous Lakers have always relied on double stars to support, relying on the two stars of Kobe and Odom to support, that is, a Cheng Dù who is a playoff game every year, which is of course unbearable for a person like Kobe Bryant who is so competitive, after all, Kobe doesn't want to end his career with the three championships under the leadership of O'Neal. Kobe's pursuit is the same as Chen Jiyuan's, that is, he pursues the championship as a leader. Go get the championship. At this point, Chen Jiyuan admires Kobe Bryant even more. I guess it's a mutual appreciation between the same kind of people.

Originally, there was also a scandal between Chen Jiyuan and the Lakers, but soon the Lakers officially refuted the rumors. Kupski has repeatedly explained to the outside world that there has been no substantive contact between Chen Jiyuan and the Lakers.

In fact, Kupchak was completely talking nonsense with his eyes open, at that time, Kupchak had already had substantial contact with Chen Jiyuan under the order of Old Bass, however, Chen Jiyuan refused the Lakers' invitation because of Kobe's existence, but later, after the meeting between Old Bass and Chen Jiyuan, Old Bass had to let Chen Jiyuan stay and not say too much. However, Chen Jiyuan knew that Kobe Bryant would never hand over the identity of the boss lightly, so Chen Jiyuan also expressed his meaning at that time, as long as Kobe Bryant was still in the Lakers, then Chen Jiyuan would never go to the Lakers. And if it were to trade Kobe, it would be obviously unrealistic, first of all, even if Buss Sr. wanted to trade Kobe, his son Jim Buss would jump out and strongly oppose it. It's not that Jim Bass has any special feelings for Kobe. It's because Jim Buss and the old Bass pursue different things, the old Bass pursues championships, honors, Lakers honors, and Los Angeles honors. Anything stands in the way of this honor, then old Bass will settle the matter, and it will be solved mercilessly. Just like the big shark back then, the contradiction between O'Neal and Kobe Bryant hindered the old Bass's plan and hindered Los Angeles' plan to dominate. Therefore, Old Bass made a seemingly stupid deal very decisively and sent away the big shark O'Neill. You must know that O'Neal at that time was still one of the strongest players in the league, and he was still the strongest center in the league. Sending away the team's star player, the star who built a dynasty for the team, and the big shark who won three consecutive Finals MVP games is not something we can imagine if we know the results. For the judgment of the old Bass at that time, Chen Jiyuan was quite admired.

Unlike old Bass, Jim Bass values money more. If he could win the championship within what Jim Bass could tolerate, then Jim Bass would be happy to do so, but if it took too much money, then Jim Bass would choose to save money. Jim Buss would later opt to offer Bryant a two-year, $48.5 million contract extension. It's not about winning championships, it's about making money, because Bryant's greatest value to the Lakers is, in Jim Buss's eyes, to attract attention and attract fans. You must know that as long as Kobe Bryant is still with the Lakers for one day, then the Lakers can make a lot of money by relying on Kobe's savings, so the 2-year contract of nearly $50 million is actually not a loss at all. If the old Bass presides over the work, Chen Jiyuan thinks that the old Bass will choose to talk to Kobe, let Kobe take a salary cut, and then make concessions for the Lakers to introduce big names, and also for the sake of the championship, otherwise, the old Bass will trade Kobe Bryant. I really don't know what else old Bass wouldn't dare to do.

At that time, Chen Jiyuan was sure that he would not go to the Lakers, because of this, Kobe Bryant was the cash cow of the Lakers, and Kobe Bryant became an iconic figure of the Lakers. No one imagined Kobe Bryant playing in another team's jersey. Even Chen Jiyuan has never thought about this kind of thing, and it seems that Kobe Bryant's end of his career with the Lakers has become a matter of course.

As for what old Bass told him not to talk about things so deadly, no one knows.

And there are two people who know the answer to this question. One is the elder Bass himself. The other person, a somewhat unexpected character, is not Jim Bass, the son of Buss Sr., nor Phil Jackson, the head coach of the team. It's Kupchak, who doesn't seem to have such a close relationship with Old Bass.

Old Buss is a powerful old man, how can he not see the all-out battle within his family for the Lakers.

Phil Jackson and Jeanne Bass were in a gang. Jim Bass and Kupchak are in a group.

This is what it looks like on the bright side. How could old Bass not be clear about this situation, everyone thought that old Bass was old and confused, so they would do something to ask Phil Jackson to continue to compete for power with Jim Bass. But, in fact, the old Bass knows best in his heart where things will go. So, Kupchak seems to be in league with Jim Bass, but in fact, Kupchak is in line with Old Bass, or to put it simply, the reason why Kupchak and Jim Bass are on the side is because Old Bass signaled, and Old Bass also knew that his years were numbered. And the assets of the Lakers, compared to the girls' Jenny Buss and Phil Jackson, the old Buss is more inclined to call the Lakers Jim Buss. And the last time he came to find Chen Jiyuan, Old Bas was also accompanied by Kupchak alone. This is also an indirect proof.

Therefore, the reason why Old Bass didn't let Chen Jiyuan talk to death is that the second person who knows the answer is the general manager of the Lakers - Kupchak.

Of course, Chen Jiyuan couldn't guess this, and Chen Jiyuan didn't have time to do these things, he was tired from practicing every day. How can you bother with the Lakers' affairs.

While Kobe Bryant expressed that he was satisfied with the management's operation, he also said: "It's just a little slow to start moving." If I had listened to me and pulled you out of the Cavaliers early, I might have made it to the Finals. And we're going to win a lot of championships as well. When you left the Mavericks, if we had cleaned you up, we would have made it to the Finals that year. And the championship is also possible. It's a pity that Jim Bass guy won't let Andrew go. ”

Chen Jiyuan can't agree with Kobe's statement, nor can he oppose it, and he can't say very strongly that you and I can't coexist on the same team. Isn't that Chi Guoguo's slap in the face?

Chen Jiyuan said: "Andrew is also a very good center, and has great potential, how can the Lakers let it go so lightly." ”

Bryant also knew that it was precisely because Chen Jiyuan said that the reason was right, and he also knew that it was based on this consideration that the Lakers resolutely listed Bynum as not for sale.

Chen Jiyuan smiled and said to Kobe Bryant: "By the way, Kobe, are you confident in next year's championship?" This year's Lakers haven't made any major reinforcements, do you think they can beat the Celtics next year? ”

Regarding this question, Kobe Bryant pretended to smile mysteriously and whispered: "Well, you can just look at it." ”

Chen Jiyuan thought helplessly, Damn, Lao Tzu is a man who knows history well, what kind of mystery is he pretending to be with me.

Chen Jiyuan knows that even if the Lakers face the Celtics next year, they have a good chance of winning. The biggest reason for the Lakers' defeat this year is that the front line was turned upside down by Pierce alone. Vujacic and Radmanovic were blown out by Pierce alone.

And next year, Phil Jackson discovers a treasure that isn't a treasure - Trevor Ariza.

The Lakers traded Brian Cook and Maurice Evans from the Magic for Ariza last year, November 2007. However, in January this year, Ariza broke his right foot and was on the injury list, and he did not return until May. Ariza doesn't play much this year, but next season he will gradually become the main small forward. This is one of Bryant's sources of confidence. Bryant is aware of Ariza's defense. It's not top-level, but it's a lot better than Vujacic and Rademanovic.

And the second reason is Bynum, who Chen Jiyuan and Kobe Bryant were talking about just now. Bynum was unable to play in the Finals this year due to injury, which also weakened the strength of the Lakers.

However, Bryant's greatest confidence is Ariza's defense, and Bryant feels that Ariza can limit Pierce on a certain distance, and he is confident that he can beat Ray Allen. Bryant has never lacked something called confidence. In this way, Kobe Bryant feels that the Lakers still have a great hope of winning, after all, the Celtics have now taken a rather important role. James Posey's departure is a big blow to the Celtics, and Tony Allen is also leaving. The departure of the two-dimensional defensive titan weakens the strength of the Celtics self-evidently.

Kobe's confidence is not unfounded, but unfortunately, what Kobe didn't expect is that next year's Lakers will not meet the Celtics on the stage of the finals, and Garnett's injury is an uncontrollable factor and an unpredictable factor. However, this factor helped the Magic reach the Finals. However, at the same time, this factor has also made another championship for the Lakers.

Chen Jiyuan looked at Kobe Bryant's smile, and he really couldn't bear it, Chen Jiyuan smiled and said: "Kobe, I know what you're talking about, don't you just mean Ariza?" You've been training with Ariza a lot this holiday, right? ”

Kobe Bryant was instantly petrified when he heard Chen Jiyuan's words. The reason why I was so surprised was because of Chen Jiyuan's last sentence, 'You haven't trained with Ariza this holiday, right?' How did you guess this, he and Ariza were obviously unassuming in Los Angeles, and the training venue was not Staples Arena. How did Chen Jiyuan know this?

Of course, Chen Jiyuan knew what Kobe Bryant was surprised about, and said with a smile: "This year, Pierce did whatever he wanted on the front line, how can a person like you admit defeat lightly." When you find that Ariza's defense is good, you will not let go of this opportunity this holiday. Will definitely pull Ariza to practice, and then next season, let Ariza play when defending Pierce. Maybe Ariza can play a role without practice, but how can you be so satisfied with such a competitive spirit, and I am the same for this, and it is precisely because I am also such a person that I guessed that you would ask Ariza to practice. ”

Kobe Bryant listened to Chen Jiyuan's explanation, and he regretted it more and more, and at the same time he was very happy. I can meet such a person who understands his mind so well.

Kobe Bryant said: "I regretted it more and more when I didn't trade you over." If only you could come to Los Angeles. Would you like to? Chen, I think, they're willing to pay a lot of chips. As long as you nod your head, Mickey will definitely be able to do it. How about you, Chen, come to Los Angeles and join forces with me? ”

Chen Jiyuan could see that Kobe Bryant really wanted to invite Chen Jiyuan to Los Angeles.