This Forward is Not Serious

The two most direct impacts brought about by Kobe's retirement are that the Nets' strength has declined, and the second is that the title of Kobe's successor has begun to be taken seriously.

Prior to this, there were two people regarded by the media and fans as Kobe's successors.

One is Booker of the Suns, and the second is Tatum of the Celtics.

The Suns have had a poor record in the past few years, and now they are rebuilding with Trae Young, and they still lose to Tatum in terms of reputation.

Tatum's outstanding performance in the playoffs last season, and after Kobe Bryant announced his retirement again, Tatum's team has been vigorously promoting this title.

So basically, this title is now tied to Tatum.

This is why the league will arrange for the Nets to play the Celtics in the opening game.

Even in the words of fans on social media, Tatum has the same last name as the league president after all!

The game also attracted considerable attention.

Although the Nets' strength has declined, they are still the kings who have dominated the league for several years.

Moreover, Lin Ying is still here, and there will also be a championship ring award ceremony in the opening game. The attention of such a game will never be low.

With more than two hours left before the start of the game, there were already many reporters and fans waiting at the scene.

The first person to appear in the arena to warm up was a bit surprising. He was Tatum.

If his appearance wasn't easy to distinguish, people who didn't know would have thought he was pretending to be someone else.

Tatum warmed up for more than half an hour and did not leave the arena immediately after the warm-up. He sat directly on the sidelines to rest.

The reporter naturally would not miss such an opportunity and went up to interview him soon after he finished his warm-up.

Because of the aura of Kobe's successor, reporters naturally asked about Kobe's situation.

In addition to posting a status on social media this time, Kobe retired and then disappeared from public view.

Fans already know that Duncan worked as a mechanic in a car shop after retiring, but this time they really don't know where Kobe went.

"We have been training together in the summer, and Kobe still loves basketball."

Tatum quickly revealed Kobe's current situation.

"He taught me a lot and I will try to be the person he wants me to be."

As he spoke, Tatum took out an elbow pad from the bag beside him. It was a purple special elbow pad with the number 24 written on it.

"This season is special for me, I haven't been able to perform in the past, but I think it's time and this game is a great start for me and I'm ready."

After saying that, he put the elbow pads on his elbows, then got up and went on the court again to warm up, leaving a handsome figure.

The reporters behind him took out their cameras to capture this scene. The No. 24 purple elbow pads looked particularly dazzling at this moment.

…

With about an hour left before the game started, the Barclays Center was already packed and bustling.

Some people from the Nets also came to the venue to warm up, and Lin Ying was among them.

But after warming up for a while, Lin Ying stopped because he saw a familiar figure coming to the sidelines.

Kobe brought Vanessa and Gigi to watch the game.

In the past summer, Lin Ying and Kobe didn't meet much because of their focus on training. The last time they met was when Kobe came back from South Africa, which was two months apart.

They gave each other a big hug and then started chatting.

During the chat, Lin Ying also knew what Kobe was busy with this summer. Apart from spending time with his family, he spent the rest of his time focusing on youth training camps.

"Oh, by the way, I also practiced with that guy Tatum for two days. That guy has always liked me."

During the chat, Kobe didn't forget to smile and turn his head to look in Tatum's direction.

Only then did Lin Ying notice the elbow pads worn on Tatum's elbows.

He had more contact with Kobe and knew that Kobe would pay more attention to Booker because of his draft pick.

But it seems that Tatum wants the title of Kobe's successor more.

This is actually not surprising.

The NBA is a competitive league, but it is also a business league.

In order to expand their influence, many of them need to develop their own personalities and engage in publicity.

This is very similar to the situation in the American TV series "Black Robe" that he watched before. Many of the "superheroes" you think of are packaged.

Because these "superheroes" are no longer a single individual, but a large team.

Take James, the most classic example. In addition to playing games, he also shoots commercials, accepts endorsements, participates in offline activities, does live broadcasts, and even makes movies, etc.

In order to do this well, he must establish a perfect personality.

And James is not alone. Even Kobe will use "Los Angeles at four in the morning" for marketing and promote the "Mamba Mentality".

Now that Kobe has retired for the second time, it’s no surprise that Tatum was the first to grab him.

Moreover, Tatum's parents are also very foresighted. When Tatum was a child, they went to look for various basketball stars to take photos. They really took the photos wherever possible and put them up, so that they were prepared.

Lin Ying looked back, then smiled.

Although it is necessary for the NBA to do marketing to enhance personal influence, basketball relies on strength after all.

Otherwise, even if the title cannot be more true, it will be in vain if you always fall behind at critical moments.

He would like to see the big difference between Tatum's performance tonight wearing this elbow pad and last season's playoffs.

After the small talk here, Kobe went back to his seat.

Then after a while, Tatum ran to Kobe to say hello with a smile on his face.

Kobe also greeted him with a smile.

Kobe was serious most of the time on the court, but very polite most of the time off the court.

After briefly greeting Tatum, he then looked towards Lin Ying.

Although he has retired again, he still regards himself as a member of the Nets after his wonderful experience last season.

Halfway through the on-site warm-up, the staff began to enter the venue to prepare for the award ceremony that was about to begin.

The fans at the scene can’t wait and everyone is ready.

It was at this time that Lin Ying also met the team owner Prokhorov again.

If he was just a little sad two years ago, he looks gloomy now, which is extremely out of place for the award ceremony in front of him.

People who are not very familiar with him may think it has something to do with the Nets' poor prospects this season, but people who know him can guess that it is probably something else.

"I heard he was ready to sell the team."

At this moment, Jokic, who was beside Lin Ying, turned his head and whispered.

"It has nothing to do with business."

Perhaps because he was afraid that Lin Ying wouldn't understand, the little fat man turned around and added in a low voice.

Lin Ying quickly understood.

Jokic goes back to Serbia every summer, and it seems he must have heard something.

The Nets can now make a lot of money for Prokhorov every year, and there is no reason to sell from a financial perspective.

But not everything in this world can be solved by money, especially when a Russian oligarch is investing in American sports.

However, the Nets' strength has declined, and the boss may need to make substitutions. This wave of turmoil is indeed a bit big.

Before Lin Ying could think about it, the award ceremony on the field had already begun.

Although he was worried, Prokhorov changed his smile when the award ceremony began.

He still loves basketball, otherwise he would just be absent.

The award ceremony officially began, with Prokhorov awarding championship rings to the team management, coaching staff, and then players.

This year he was also extra generous. Rings for key personnel were expensive. In addition, everyone from management to arena employees had rings.

This seems to also verify what Jokic said.

Because of love, I will always try my best before leaving.

As if to further prove this point, Prokhorov, who has always been serious about words, took the initiative to hug Lin Ying when he presented the award, and said, "Thank you for your continuous efforts."

After hearing this, Lin Ying's emotions were inevitably a little complicated.

Although I only meet this boss two or three times a year, to be honest, there are few bosses in the league who can invest as much as Prokhorov without interfering in management.

He had thanked everyone in his acceptance speech before, but he had not thanked this boss alone.

"Thank you for your continued trust."

Lin Ying said slightly apologetically.

Prokhorov was stunned for a moment, then smiled from the bottom of his heart, as if his sadness had suddenly disappeared, and reached out to pat Lin Ying's shoulder.

Although it is not stated clearly, it is tacitly understood.

After Lin Ying, Kobe was the second to receive a championship ring.

From this we can see that the Nets are very positive about Kobe's contribution last season.

After the ring presentation, the flag was unveiled.

When the fifth championship banner was unveiled, the scene was filled with deafening cheers from Nets fans.

Winning four consecutive championships this season is naturally the most perfect, but that is more of an icing on the cake. Now is their most glorious moment.

Because it only took them 6 years to do all this. Except for that ancient era when there were only a handful of NBA teams, only Jordan's Bulls could match it!

ESPN has started to say that the league will usher in the era of James, but now, this is the era of the Nets!

Lin Ying's heart was also filled with emotions at this moment.

There are factors that Prokhorov is about to leave, and there are also factors that are like a dream in front of him.

There were actually two seasons between Jordan's two consecutive championships. He didn't play in one season and was defeated by the Magic in the other season, which is equivalent to 6 championships in 8 years.

But now, he has a chance to transcend all of this.

Although it is difficult for him, at least, he has a chance, a chance to do all this before Prokhorov leaves.

Yes, it's nothing if Durant leaves, and it's nothing if the Nets' strength declines seriously!

In the first two seasons, he basically just stopped playing, but this season, let him do everything that seems impossible!

That must be very exciting!

The opening ceremony ended, and the starters from both sides came on stage one after another.

For the Celtics, Walker, Smart, Tatum, Sabonis, DeAndre Jordan.

For the Nets, Rose, Crabbe, PJ Tucker, Lin Ying, Jokic.

Lu changed his formation directly!

He directly pushed Gay, who was in poor form in the preseason, to the bench and switched to Tucker as the starter!

This change can be said to be a bit unexpected, and many people even felt that they were fooled by Lu in the preseason.

Of course, how effective this change of formation will be will only be known after playing the game.

"beep!"

As soon as the whistle sounded on the court, Jordan jumped high and pushed the ball back to the Celtics half. The Nets' opening game of the new season officially began!

On the Celtics' first attack, Tatum reached the frontcourt and leaned on Tucker to ask for the ball.

It can be seen that his desire to attack tonight is very strong.

The Nets did not use double attacks. After Bradley and Ariza left the team, Tucker is now the Nets' best defensive role player.

Tatum's singles with his back to the basket, and his fadeaway jumper after a few hits.

Although what he said in the pre-game interview was watery, it can be seen that he has been studying Kobe's game videos this summer, which is more and more like Kobe.

However, he seemed to have underestimated Tucker's defensive ability. He was seriously interfered by Tucker when he took action.

He was forced to raise the arc for a difficult shot, still very much like Kobe Bryant.

"Dang!"

It's just that he seems to be just similar in appearance. The last shot of the ball was obviously not as calm as Kobe's, and the basketball also hit the frame and came out.

Jokic easily picked off the defensive rebound, and the Nets immediately launched a defensive counterattack.

However, what happened next was a bit unexpected. Crabbe made a low-level mistake when receiving the ball during the fast break and the ball went out of bounds.

This scene caused a lot of excitement in the scene.

Lu's opening adjustments were obviously effective. At least Tucker's defense was much better than Gay's.

But the Nets' problems this season are obviously not limited to Gay.

The live camera immediately showed Crabbe. Crabbe glanced at the championship banner above his head and felt that he was under great pressure.

Not everyone who comes to the Champions League can play better than before, and Crabbe obviously does not fall into this category.

But just as he was retreating, he felt someone tap his shoulder. He looked back and saw that it was Lin Ying.

"Don't take it too seriously and stay focused."

Lin Ying is not Jordan, and he will not continue to put pressure on his teammates.

Crabbe was obviously flattered, but when he turned to see Jokic and Rose smiling at him, he seemed to truly appreciate the atmosphere of the Nets.

He nodded vigorously.

In the Celtics' offense, Tatum continues to take over.

This time he changed from carrying the basket to facing the basket.

Facing the basket was not his strong point, but this time his footwork was quite good. After a sudden stop, he turned around and shot and got rid of Tucker's defense.

"boom!"

The basketball bounced into the net bag after hitting the frame.

Tatum should have trained his face-to-the-basket skills in a targeted manner this summer.

After scoring, Tatum also raised his arms excitedly, revealing his conspicuous No. 24 purple elbow pads.

The outside world is paying attention to James and Lin Ying, but he wants to make everyone cheer for his existence as he said in the pre-game interview!

The live footage showed Kobe. After being reminded by Vanessa on the side, Kobe looked up and then reached out to give Tatum some encouraging applause.

Although, his expression didn't change much.