However, Kobe clearly overestimated his rapport with Odom.

At this moment, what Kobe wanted to convey to Odom with a glance was to have Odom be wary of Qin Yue.

But from Odom's perspective, he thought Kobe meant for him to take a swing in the upcoming possession too.

So, relying on the permission he assumed from Kobe, just after crossing half-court, Odom confidently demanded the ball from Fisher.

Moreover, he held up four fingers in a demonstrative manner, clearly implying:

Clear out! I'm going for a solo play!

Seeing this, even Kobe himself was at a loss, wondering where Odom got such confidence from.

Because...

The opponent Odom was about to face one-on-one, was Qin Yue.

A top contender for NBA's Defensive Player of the Year this season.

However, to Kobe's surprise... disregarding everything, Odom really dribbled through Qin Yue's defense and charged solo to the Warriors' basket completing an unbelievable slick layup.

"Did he have this kind of ferocity when we played against each other before?"

On the court, the moment Odom finished his offensive play, Qin Yue also looked bewildered.

Though Qin Yue was indeed preserving energy for defense tonight, it didn't mean he wasn't defending seriously just now.

Because facing such a bold opponent commanding a one-on-one challenge, Qin Yue would always give enough respect.

But just now, that Odom, was he even Odom? That was clearly a larger-than-life Magician!

From dribbling rhythm to acceleration, every part of Odom's play was impeccable.

Indeed, this was a more textbook than textbook demonstration of a frontline drive play!

Of course.

The perfect solo play by Odom also unexpectedly achieved one effect.

That is, it successfully ignited the burning jealousy in the chest of a particularly envious person...

In the blink of an eye, unable to tolerate it any longer, this person briskly reached the Lakers' half-court and demanded the ball from Davis.

Then, facing the prepared Odom, this person made a single-handed Jordan-like probing move, immediately picking up speed.

At that instant, in Odom's perspective...

It was like watching a tank speeding on an F1 track.

At the moment when it seemed certain this person would break through the defense, Odom attempted to stop him with a foul.

But the opponent didn't give Odom the chance and, after swiftly breezing past Odom's defense, charged irresistibly towards the Lakers' basket, completing a strongly retaliatory windmill dunk above Chris Mim's head!

On TNT TV Station, Barkley exclaimed: "My God... if tonight was a dunk contest, I'd definitely score this dunk from the Messiah a 10!"

Smith beside him echoed: "A windmill slam through! Did he completely ignore the opponent's defender during the dunk?"

Mim ended up taking the blame.

Because if not for Odom's perfect solo play just now... how could this guy have wasted his precious energy on retaliation at the start?

But at that moment, Mim wasn't fighting alone.

Under the basket, watching that slam over Mim then hanging onto the rim arrogantly, the entire Staples Center erupted in sharp boos.

But even so, still unwilling to back down, this person chose not to retreat.

The next second, right in front of nearly twenty thousand Lakers fans, this person put his left hand by his ear, as if to listen.

On the sidelines, famous Lakers fan Nicholson voiced his displeasure: "Hey, you damn bastard, are you declaring war on Los Angeles?"

Upon hearing this, this person glared at Nicholson and replied: "Shut up, the war started long ago, you drug-addled womanizer with a scrambled brain!"

Undoubtedly, facing this retaliatory response, even Chris Mim was starting to burn with anger.

Because this is Los Angeles, this is Staples Center, where fourteen championship banners and legendary jerseys hang from the dome.

At this moment, against such an arrogant opposition, any cowardice, weakness, or submission by the Lakers' players would disgrace the jerseys they wear, would disrespect these shirts filled with honor.

In the NBA, even the least remarkable of Lakers players would never choose to kneel before anyone at such a moment.

And on the Warriors' bench, witnessing this scene, Murphy looked confused and turned to Little Deng Liwei, "Mike... if Messiah wants to rack up high scores tonight, then logically, shouldn't he avoid angering the opponents on the court?"

Looking back at Murphy, Little Deng Liwei said: "What's the point of high scores that come easily? A true hero, must face the opponent's anger head-on and enjoy the opponent's powerless rage post-game from a perfect scoring performance."

Yes, the war had already begun.

On the court, after Fisher dribbled past half-court, as the master of Staples Center, Kobe elbowed past Artest and hit a pull-up jumper.

And since the referees didn't call a technical foul for the other guy hanging on the rim, Kobe naturally offered a standard throat-slash gesture in return.

On TNT TV Station, Barkley suddenly felt his previously cooled blood... boiling once more, "Kobe Bryant has presented his throat-slash to the Bay Area's Messiah, what sort of response will the Messiah offer?"

What kind of response?

On the court, after using force to push Odom aside, facing Mim's completely over-the-line defensive action, one could see him successfully make a shot before being thrown out of bounds!

Immediately afterward, rising quickly, he returned Kobe's throat-slash gesture right back at him.

On TNT TV Station, Smith burst into laughter: "This is the NBA game we've been wanting to see! Broadcasting this regular-season game to all of America is, without a doubt, the smartest decision the league has made this year!"

The smartest decision?

In fact, it might have been Stern's most regrettable decision.

Because the nature of this match-up... went against Stern's principle of not wanting the NBA to corrupt young minds.

But does it matter?

Will those who grew up watching Teletubbies never go astray?

Basketball is a sport that requires fierceness.

Because its rules determine that losing fierceness, it will only become boring and dull.

At that moment, Mark rushed to console Stern: "David... I think you need not worry, since children of the past grew up watching Michael play, why should we worry about future children?"

After a brief pause, Mark added: "Besides, in this match, Kobe and Messiah are just competing within the game, not directly fighting like in the past.

Should we stifle the players' personalities just to avoid corrupting children?"

Upon hearing this, Stern was instantly woke up, saying, "I think you're right, Mark."

Mark was undoubtedly right.

Because no matter how much Adam Silver may earn for the NBA in the future, expand any number of territories, twenty years from now, the declining viewership will remind you of how crucial the sport's fierceness and personality are.

Staples Center.

Just as Kobe Bryant aggressively charged toward the Warriors' half-court.

The next second, Qin Yue, who personally blocked Kobe's Euro step layup, initiated a fast break advancing into the Lakers' territory, only to be jointly floored by Chris Mim and Lamar Odom.

This was the first foul call made by the referees tonight.

The referees' judgment from the start till now determined that they wouldn't be the protagonists of this ensuing battle.

Thus, after briefly grumbling at Odom and Mim for their feeble takedown, Qin Yue promptly went to the free-throw line.

Amid the overwhelming boos, he made both free throws.

Now, Kwame Brown believed it.

What Qin Yue told him before the game wasn't boasting.

Because even Larry Bird, in Brown's eyes at this moment, is fit only to be called a physically weaker version of Qin Yue...

...

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