rpbooks Chapter 291 Midfield Tribute
Chapter 291 Midfield Tribute
Chapter 291 Midfield Tribute
During the intermission, the 76ers officially arranged a tribute event for Kobe, so neither the Lakers nor the 76ers returned to the locker room.
Julius Irving and Iverson, who were sitting in the auditorium, came to the sidelines, preparing to express their messages to Kobe in the tribute session for a while.
The on-site host walked to the center of the venue, briefly introduced the purpose of this tribute, and then invited Julius Erwin to the center of the venue to speak.
Julius Erving's hair is all white, his height hasn't shrunk much, and he can still vaguely see the mighty figure of that year. Holding a microphone, he spoke directly: "Kobe, you have accomplished what many players want to accomplish-everything in your career. In a team, and played for 20 years!"
The fans at the scene contributed warm cheers.
"I don't know what it's like to play for the same captain for a long time. Maybe it's a little aesthetic fatigue, or maybe it's always proud. No matter what, you have contributed your great 20 years to the Lakers."
"Now, you have decided to start the next chapter of your life. This is a question that every professional player will eventually face. Presumably you have decided to leave the familiar arena and the basketball you love, but that is not worth worrying about. Life There is so much more to discover. Congratulations, you have had a long and great career!"
In the Wachovia Center Arena, there was applause similar to an awards ceremony!
Kobe stretched out his right hand, simply responded to the enthusiastic fans, and then looked at the next link.
"Son of Philadelphia" Allen Iverson no longer has a ditch hairstyle, and the unruly expression that often appeared on his face has disappeared, replaced by a slightly bloated face and a confusion of not knowing the future.He took the microphone and thought for a moment before speaking slowly.
"Kobe, we both entered the league in the same year. In the first few years, my development was better than yours, but later, I found that I was gradually unable to do what I wanted, but you were still able to face doubts and lead the Lakers to two championships. Either way, you deserve my respect."
Wachovia Center arena is very quiet, everyone is listening to what Iverson said.
"You are from Philadelphia, but I was selected by Philadelphia. From that day on, the two of us seemed to be rivals on the court. In the 01 Finals, I often thought in my heart-damn, why is Kobe so difficult to deal with?" ?All of this seems to have happened yesterday, but after thinking about it, it was already 15 years ago."
"The media called the rookies we entered the draft the golden generation. Me, Steve Nash, Ray Allen, all the players in the same class gradually left the league. Whenever I see the Lakers game, I see you Still wearing the Zijin Army's No. 24 jersey and fighting on the field, I will have a trance feeling, as if I am still a 76ers player, and I will play against you on the road or at home. But when I look in the mirror and see myself a little fat, I don't know. Realized that Allen Iverson was never going to be back on the basketball court."
"However, life is far more than basketball. There are still many unknown areas waiting for you! Kobe, you are the strongest opponent I have encountered in my career. I wish you can enjoy a new life after retirement."
Warm cheers broke out in the Wachovia Center Arena, not only for Kobe, but also for Iverson who gave an emotional speech.Son of Philadelphia, still loved by Philadelphia!
The on-site host said: "There are still many former 76ers players who want to express their respect to Kobe, but due to time constraints and busy family life, they were unable to come to the scene. But to pay respect to Kobe, I hope that I I can convey it on my behalf."
"This is all off-topic," the on-site host controlled the rhythm, "Next we invite the protagonist of the banquet—a teenager from Philadelphia, Virginia, Kobe Bean Bryant~!"
The on-site host's tail sound was very long, mixed with applause and cheers from the audience, which had a unique momentum.
Bryant held the microphone and waited for the cheers from the audience to come down.But the fans at the scene didn't want to stop at all, causing Kobe to stop talking twice.
After more than half a minute, the scene gradually quieted down.In order not to affect the progress of the game, Kobe picked up the microphone and said with a smile: "Thank you! Thank you! I never thought that Philadelphia would arrange such a ceremony for me, which made me a bit uncomfortable. After all these years, I came here The ones that receive the most are boos!"
There were familiar but different boos from the Wachovia Center Arena. This sound engraved in the memory made Kobe's eyes red instantly.
"Okay! Okay!" Kobe suppressed the sadness in his heart and said, "I was born in Philadelphia but never played here. This may be one of my regrets! If I run again, I hope you will use it. The No. [-] pick picks me." After speaking, Kobe first laughed.
Iverson knew that Kobe liked being a Lakers player very much. What he said was a joke at the moment, and he also smiled and applauded the joke.
Kobe used a smile to dilute the sadness, and then said: "Thank the 76ers for holding this tribute ceremony for me. Thank you Julius and Allen. It is already a great honor for you to take the time to watch my game. I can hear your words Telling me, I feel a strange and indescribable feeling."
"Tonight I spent more time preparing for the game than you guys did. Julius, you raised the dunk to the level of aesthetics and gave me a chance to win the dunk contest. Your game It also deeply affected me as an ordinary fan. My respect for you cannot be expressed in words.”
With a smile on his face, Julius Erving clapped back to Bryant.
Kobe waited until the applause fell, and said: "Allen, you may not know that when I first entered the league, I set my goal on you. At that time, I was full of thinking about 'I am the strongest player in the 96th class. , I want to prove to the team that missed me.', I just want to play a good performance against you. If it weren't for your excellent performance to push me, I wouldn't have made great progress so quickly."
"In 01, you couldn't limit me, but looking back, I couldn't really limit you. I thought the same as you at the time-Allen Iverson was really difficult. You are a great opponent. If Without you, I would not be able to complete these achievements that I have achieved!"
The fans at the scene contributed applause.
Xu Tian stood in front of the bench, clapped his hands slowly, and watched Kobe calmly waving.
The on-site host pinpointed the process and said: "Any happy time seems short, let me introduce you to this player who came to the Wachovia Center Arena again!"
"From Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, a graduate of Lower Merion High School, five-time championship winner, 6-foot-6 shooting guard number 24 - Kobe Bryant!"
(End of this chapter)