chsdbacks Chapter 18 Who is the consensus?
Chapter 18 Who is the consensus?
The Timberwolves' home arena, Target Center, is located in downtown Minneapolis, less than 20 kilometers from the Lakers' former home arena. Perhaps in order to break away from the Lakers' former huge influence, the Timberwolves did not name their team after the city, but instead used the state as a prefix to their name.
But in terms of team name, the Lakers, whose name is inspired by "City of 10,000 Lakes," are clearly more like a Minneapolis team.
The Timberwolves are now built around Kevin Garnett. As the youngest team in the league, they have made the playoffs for three consecutive years and are currently ranked in the top four in the Western Conference. They have a great chance to continue to break their record for consecutive playoff appearances.
But of course, they are also eager to win a series and break their team's record of zero wins in a series so far.
Before the game started, Garnett represented the team in an interview with reporters, answering some questions. In the first half of the interview, there were some routine questions and answers such as "We will win," "We are confident," and "We will find a way to deal with O'Neal and Kobe." Then, one of the reporters steered the conversation to Lin Ze.
This is Su Qun.
He took on Lin Ze's job, so naturally he had to find a way to help Lin Ze build momentum. Creating some controversy or buzz with competitors was the best way to increase his visibility and generate discussion.
"What do you think of Lin? Have you made any specific arrangements for him? What do you think of his recent performance?"
"Lin? Who's that?" Garnett was hardly a good-natured person. He directly mocked with disdain, "Sorry, I don't know him. You can't just randomly pick a role player and ask me what he's like, right? That would kill me. I can't possibly know every role player in the world, can I?"
Then a reporter very "thoughtfully" said, "Kevin, you two are old acquaintances. You even faced off against each other back in Chicago."
This is Minnesota, and Garnett has no shortage of straight men.
"Oh?" Garnett exclaimed dramatically, "Really? I have absolutely no recollection of that. Let me think... Oh! I remember now! It was the Illinois State Finals in my senior year of high school, right? My team beat that kid's high school by a whopping 30 points, I think?"
"Does anyone have our technical statistics from back then? If I remember correctly, I taught that kid a good lesson."
「你拿下了39分25个篮板，还有7助攻5抢断6盖帽！」明尼苏达的记者们对于加内特的数据那也是如数家珍：「你们确实赢了他们几十分。」
"I hope I didn't give him nightmares."
At the same time, Lin Ze, who also wanted to generate some buzz and attention, was interviewed by reporters on behalf of the Lakers. Generally speaking, this job is done by O'Neal.
Lin Ze's situation was similar to that of the other side; the first half was uneventful and unremarkable. Just as Lin Ze was thinking about how to stir things up, a reporter had already begun relaying Garnett's words. The reporters on both sides were in real-time contact.
Oh? They've come to me willingly?
As a highly qualified individual, Lin Ze naturally had a certain degree of moral fastidiousness regarding provoking others.
Now that Garnett has delivered himself to our doorstep, that's perfect!
You started it!
"That's just how high school students are. After all, they can only live through high school. They haven't even experienced college life. What else can they reminisce about besides high school?"
"He never won a championship again after leaving high school. That Illinois high school championship was the highest level of championship honor he could ever achieve in his life."
"If he doesn't reminisce about his top-level championship, what is he going to reminisce about? His lottery wins? His first-round losses? Who did he lose to again? The Rockets, the Spurs, the SuperSonics? Every year is a fresh experience, but I think they can lose to a completely new team this year."
"Sooner or later, he'll lose 14 times in the first round and become the only player in NBA history to lose to every single opponent in his conference in the first round!"
Do you think the Timberwolves can't get past the first round?
"Of course not!" Lin Ze said, "It's because Garnett can't get past the first round. If the Timberwolves trade him, they still have a good chance."
"But he's widely considered the best in the entire league..."
"Stop, who agrees?" Lin Ze interrupted the reporter somewhat rudely.
"What I mean is..." The Minnesota reporter opened his mouth anxiously to try and find an excuse, but was interrupted by Lin Ze once again.
"I mean, who universally acknowledges him as the best?" At this point, Lin Ze even shouted, "Shaq, do you think Garnett is the best player in the entire league?"
"He might be a contender for the WNBA's best player; we could call him the Queen," O'Neal said without hesitation.
Lin Ze asked him for help, so of course he would help.
The reporter wanted to ask another question, but it was too late; other reporters had already seized the opportunity and moved on from the topic.
As for what the reporter actually wanted to say about what was best in the league, that's no longer important.
Lin Ze's direct and ruthless attack on Garnett naturally reached Garnett's ears.
Garnett was so angry his face turned black.
A mere role player dares to trash talk to me? He doesn't even deserve it!
"I won't respond to him anymore. I won't keep arguing with some nobody. See you in the game! I'm really looking forward to seeing how he'll be in three hours. I hope he won't be crying."
"I thought we could go two more rounds, but it's normal." After learning that Garnett had lowered his level, Lin Ze shrugged and said, "Missing a year of school just won't do. His vocabulary can only support him for one round; he can't even make it to the second."
"Oh, right!" Lin Ze suddenly clapped his hands and said with a smile, "If I remember correctly, Garnett wanted to go to college back then, right? He almost got into Illinois State University, and even went for a tryout. Why did he have to give it up in the end? I can't quite remember."
It's alright. It doesn't matter if Lin Ze can't remember clearly, the reporters will definitely remember, and Garnett himself remembers it quite clearly.
The grades are not good.
Garnett's grades were so bad that even if he went to college, he wouldn't be able to play basketball in his first year. He would have to cram for extra lessons to improve his grades, and it wouldn't be possible for him to play basketball until his sophomore year.
Yes, it's only a possibility.
After being "kindly" reminded by the reporter, Lin Ze shrugged again and said, "He made a smart choice. If he had gone to college, he might not have been able to play a single game even after graduating."
"Alright, gentlemen, please leave now." Jackson glanced at his watch, stood up, and said, "Our game is about to begin. How about we leave the locker room for now?"
Upon hearing Jackson's order to leave, the reporters naturally cooperated. Only by cooperating this time could they enter the locker room for interviews next time. So the reporters quickly left and closed the door.
Then Lin Ze saw Kobe staring at him.
"What's wrong? Is there something dirty on my face?"
"What's wrong with high school students?" Kobe looked at Lin Ze. "Did they offend you?"