On November 3, 1996, the Los Angeles Lakers would sit at home and face a challenge from the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Back home, everything has changed. Enthusiastic fans, VIP seats with big names, and the league's most popular cheerleading girl.
Michael Udin and Kobe came to Staples early and started training, although they didn't know if they could get a chance in this game.
"Kevin Garnett will debut today. Many media have put you both on the same page. Some people even say that he is your template. You have to work harder today!", Kobe always very bad with Michael Udin news.
Kevin Garnett is about the same height as me. He averaged 10 points and 6 rebounds in his rookie season last year.
Kevin Garnett is currently on the rise, but I'm not easy to beat, you know what kind of person I am, brother! ", Michael Udin is still confident in his abilities.
"I heard that Kevin Garnett's mouth is very strong. He is always blabbering. At the basketball level, I don't really care about the match between the two of you. I especially want to know that you two spray trash. Who is stronger, haha!", Kobe laughed with the mentality of witnessing excitement and not being afraid of anything, and when he finished speaking, he rushed to dunk.
Journalists also pitch guns on the sidelines. The Los Angeles Lakers are the giants in the league. More than three times as many reporters came to the Lakers home court than they were from Phoenix in the last game.
"Wow! Hardworking kids!
After you came to the team, it was hard for me to be the first to be there again! ", Elden Campbell appreciates the persistence of Michael Udin and Kobe because he himself is such a person.
Shark O'Neal was still the last one to come into the arena, compared to the other players, he wasn't that eager to warm up.
For the game against the Minnesota Timberwolves, Delmar Harris had no particular set-up for Shaquille O'Neal who was at his peak, scary at times. As long as he handed the ball to him, he would have a high probability of giving back the win.
Los Angeles Lakers fans were willing to spend a lot, many people came to the location wearing Shark O'Neal T-shirts.
Lakers biggest fan and number one Jack Nicholson, as usual arrived and sat in his exclusive seat ahead of schedule.
"Hey big guy! Teach me a lesson today for Kevin Garnett!", Jack Nicholson sat behind Michael Udin
"Oh my God! Jack, are you talking to me?", Michael Udin flattered.
"Haha, this young man, I know you are Odin!
Your dunk is beautiful, it's a soft three-pointer, work hard, the Lakers have it for you! "
Jack Nicholson is always there for the Lakers home games.
Anyone who has watched the Los Angeles Lakers play against the Phoenix Suns will definitely make Michael Udin.
"Furthermore, you may find that I have more advantages!
If Coach Harris sends me out, I promise you'll be the one to beat Kevin Garnett"
Michael Udin was never humble when others praised himself, he would only signal to ask for more effort.
"When he came to Staples for the first time last year, I told him to be careful not to be violated by others.
This kid actually said that my film was a bad one, and only middle-aged and elderly women would want to see my film! ", Back then, Jack Nicholson never dreamed that he would be sprayed by a rookie high school student.
"I swear that he really pissed me off when he commented on your film, and I'm going to make him pay the price!"
Even though Michael Udin doesn't have the skills to flatter, Jack Nicholson is still happy to hear that.
Coach Delmar Harris came onto the field with a smile on his face. No one would frown if he could train a big killer like Shark O'Neal.
Seeing Jack Nicholson, the Lakers' biggest fan, Delmar Harris walked over to prepare to say a few words. After all, this is the former Los Angeles Lakers head coach's pre-game routine.
"Jack, you are very dedicated. I don't think many people like the game of basketball as much as you do!"
Delmar Harris had to say something polite when he saw Jack Nicholson. As a totem-like character on the Los Angeles Lakers home court,
Jack Nicholson rose from his seat and hugged Delmar Harris warmly.
"I watched the game against the Suns! The sharks are really ferocious, and our two new players are also very good. Odin just promised me that he will take care of Kevin Garnett today!
I also like Kobe, but he doesn't talk much like Odin! "
Jack Nicholson often gives advice on team skills and tactics, but the former Lakers head coach just laughs at this.
"Odin is a young man who speaks and dares to do. I'm really looking forward to seeing this young man play basketball." Delmar Harris also admires Michael Udin
"I heard you praising me behind my back!", Seeing trainers Harris and Jack Nicholson chatting there, a large shark, who loves the spotlight, rushed over.
"You look so handsome in your yellow Jersey!", Jack Nicholson made no secret of his love for Shark O'Neal.
Shaquille O'Neal really enjoys this feeling, she likes to make friends with big names like Jack Nicholson.
At this time, Kobe kept shooting, he wanted to get as many points as possible in as little playing time as possible.
The Minnesota Timberwolves players also walked out of the dressing room, Michael Udin could clearly feel that when away players came to Staples, their eyes would always flash something special.
In this league, everything about the Los Angeles Lakers seems so special.
Even the characters sitting in the comments are better than the other teams. The two who came to the scene to explain today were the two artillery masters, Magic Johnson and Wilt Chamberlain.
Shaquille O'Neal also deliberately ran to greet the two Lakers seniors, actually Michael Udin also wanted to say a few words, but no matter how thick his face was, he couldn't speak with his current identity.
Michael Udin took the time to observe Kevin Garnett again, Michael Udin felt that he seemed much stronger than him, which might be the reason for his black appearance.
Soon the game started. Early in the game, Lakers center Shaquille O'Neal led the team. The center was transferred to power forward Elden Campbell to become an inside partner. Cedric Ceballos, who has a somewhat unbalanced mentality, became the small forward, Eddie Jones and Nick Van Exel joining in at the back.
Minnesota Timberwolves center Stojko vrankovic started the game. This 2.18 yards from Croatia is actually a quasi-starter. In those days, each team would prepare two of them to scare people
Kevin Garnett has firmly occupied the position of starting power forward for the Minnesota Timberwolves. Although not a big center for the opponent, this Kevin Garnett-type power forward needs a solid meat shield on his side. .
Tom Gugliota was the Minnesota Timberwolves' early minor forward. He has a good mid-range shot and is also 2.08 meters tall.
The Minnesota Timberwolves' back line is a little weaker. Terry and Doug West were already downhill veterans.
Early in the game, Shaquille O'Neal showed an unrivaled talent for jump ball. Be it the height of the vertical jump or the speed of the projectile, the Shark performed better than Croatia's Stojko Vrankovich.
In the sports station session, the talent gap between the two was even more obvious. In the crowd's first goal, Shark O'Neal immediately pushed Stojko Vrankovic higher into the basket, which was terrible. Frame abuse with one hand scoring, referee blowing the whistle, two effective throws and one free throw.
O'Neill's great shark saw the poor European worm stumbling and stood still, and took a dominant step straight towards the camera!
This unique opening immediately ignited the enthusiasm of the audience. Many spectators didn't even get to eat a mouthful of hot popcorn, simply because they were too excited to stand up and splash it on the floor!
The Los Angeles Lakers' benches hadn't warmed up before they stood up and waved a towel for the new boss's brusque appearance!
Standing in the box, Jerry West and Kupchak saw old Bath standing in the middle, smiling contentedly.
"I just retired, and the Lakers signed an amazing super center, which is very satisfying for me.
I love Jerry West. He allowed the Los Angeles Lakers to complete reconstruction in two months. He is truly a magician in team management. "
Magic Johnson in the comments was very happy with a big smile.
"Shaquille O'Neal's tantrum style is great, but he's looking fatter again. Is it because our Lakers jerseys are fat?
But in the basket he is absolutely invincible, watching his slam dunk, I was like seeing myself when I was younger! ", If Shaquille O'Neal knew that Wilt Chamberlain said this, he would not be angry, but would be honored.
Wilt Chamberlain was the type to brag about everything, but when people found out that this was from Wilt Chamberlain, people would say the last sentence, oh, it's Chamberlain, Then it must be true!
The Lakers celebrities are all in awe of Shark O'Neal's arrival!
What a great Sharks O'Neal dunk, what a bad free throw. Shaquille O'Neal's free-throw shot stumbled into the basket for the first free throw at home.
The arrival of Shaquille O'Neal really made the Los Angeles Lakers fans spoil their eyes.
The Minnesota Timberwolves offensively, with O'Neal and Elden Campbell guarding the basket, were neither stupid enough to challenge their prevention inside.
As a tool man, Stojko Vrankovic was constantly setting sails for his team-mates from the start. He also wanted to make himself useful in addition to Shaquille O'Neal's strength, but also some shining points.
Facts prove that Stojko Vrankovic's pick-and-roll is very effective. In a process of repeated pick-and-roll, he ended up creating shooting space for Tom Gugliota, the little prince in the shot.
Cedric Ceballos was blocked by Stojko Vrankovic, and Tom Gugliota took it. The ball hits the mid-range steadily!
The Minnesota Timberwolves weren't intimidated by the Los Angeles Lakers' opening momentum. They really put coach Phillip Sanders' tactical intent into action, and this set of pick-and-roll mid-range shooting tactics also had an immediate effect.
Offensive and defensive side, Shaquille O'Neal killed the basket again, Stojko Vrankovic had no choice but to foul Shaquille O'Neal to the free throw line.
Two free throws are made, which are acceptable.
Stojko Vrankovic's pick and roll hit again, and Elden Campbell could only watch Kevin Garnett's high jump succeed.
The Minnesota Timberwolves were unable to limit Shaquille O'Neal's offense into the basket, and Tom Gugliota, feeling fully exposed, also caused big problems for the Los Angeles Lakers defense.
When Stojko Vrankovic is substituted with two fouls, Stojko Vrankovic can also face Cedric Ceballos for the points.
At the end of the first quarter, the Los Angeles Lakers looked good, but they trailed the Minnesota Timberwolves 20-23. If Shaquille O'Neal can make a few more free throws, then the score difference will be reduced.