Chapter 243 Change

Tang Tian saw Kobe's change in attitude and mostly guessed that there had been changes on the management side.

Vanessa was also a little confused when she heard this, but seeing Kobe's smile, she knew it was mostly a good thing.

"The second suggestion is about your playing style."

As soon as Tang Tian finished speaking, the smile on Kobe's face gradually faded.

If he could fully accept the first suggestion, then he wasn't so fond of Tang Tian's second suggestion.

He had been playing for almost 20 years, and Tang Tian was now telling him that there was something wrong with his playing style?

He was someone who had won five championships, while Tang Tian was just a second-year rookie.

"Your current playing style is not suitable for a 34-year-old you. Your ability and feel are still there, but no matter who it is, they have to accept getting old."

However, Tang Tian's next words made Kobe rethink.

Tang Tian wasn't questioning his playing style, but telling him a very cruel reality: he was getting old.

"If you don't make changes, then you will be the next Michael Jordan."

"Of course, I'm talking about Jordan during his time with the Wizards."

Tang Tian even played a bit of American humor.

But what he said was already very straightforward.

Jordan was Jordan, the God of Basketball, and he was the boss wherever he went. At 39 years old, he was still the boss with the Wizards, and still played in the exact same way as before.

Then, the Wizards failed to make the playoffs for two consecutive years.

If Kobe just wanted to be like Jordan, then Tang Tian's suggestion didn't really make sense.

Just like in his previous life, he wouldn't make the playoffs, would rack up data, and would even have a retirement tour, with a grand finale of 60 points.

But if Kobe still wanted to win, still had the Mamba Mentality, and still wanted to turn this seemingly rotten dead end into something alive, then he had to change.

The choice was Kobe's.

Kobe was silent.

He understood what Tang Tian meant.

Although he really wanted to win, he was as arrogant as Jordan.

"What kind of change are you talking about?"

After a moment of silence, Kobe said.

"Don't be nervous, I'm not asking you to be a role player, just asking you to appropriately give up some ball possession and play more off-ball."

Tang Tian said in a very relaxed manner.

Kobe relaxed a little when he heard this.

"Doesn't Howard want the ball? Then give him the ball more often. Don't think he's useless. He led a team to the Finals, after all. You determine the team's upper limit, but he determines the lower limit."

"Then play more off-ball, save more energy for critical moments. There are 48 minutes in a game, why treat every minute as if it's the last minute? If you can't win the game, what's the use of the Mamba Mentality?"

Vanessa's body tensed up when Tang Tian said this.

Tang Tian was really being bold!

She peeked at Kobe.

Kobe wasn't angry. He seemed to be thinking, thinking about what Tang Tian had said.

"Of course, like I said before, my first suggestion has to work. D'Antoni's tactical system has to run, otherwise you'll lose the game in the half-court, then my second suggestion is meaningless."

Tang Tian said finally.

Kobe was the Lakers' brand. The management would listen to what he said. Play a small-ball lineup, get Howard motivated, and Kobe play off-ball.

These were the only ways he could think of to solve the Lakers' dead end.

It was also the only way he could prevent what Vanessa said about persuading Kobe to play without injuries, which could lead to a season-ending injury.

As before, the decision was in Kobe's hands.

Kobe thought for a long time.

Just like when he usually trained alone in the training hall, lying on the floor of the arena, quietly thinking.

Vanessa knew that Kobe needed quiet at this time, and took her two daughters out of the restaurant.

Tang Tian also got up and went downstairs.

"Thank you."

Vanessa said to Tang Tian when she saw him coming down.

Tang Tian smiled and pointed to the Ferrari, jokingly saying, "With money, I have more energy to work."

Vanessa laughed when she heard this.

Others didn't know, but she knew that Tang Tian had a lot of endorsements and didn't really lack the money.

Kobe hadn't come down yet, and Gianna was clamoring to see Tang Tian play basketball.

Tang Tian took her to the outdoor basketball court next door.

After more than an hour, Tang Tian came back with Gianna.

Kobe hadn't come down yet, and it seemed that he hadn't made a decision yet.

Because he had a date with Olsen that night, Tang Tian didn't wait any longer. He said hello to Vanessa and then prepared to leave.

"No matter what the result is, thank you."

Vanessa said to Tang Tian before leaving.

What she meant by this was that she owed Tang Tian a favor.

Tang Tian wasn't too polite. There was no harm in owing someone a favor.

You might need it someday.

Vanessa had someone send the Ferrari directly to the airport for air freight.

Tang Tian, on the other hand, had the driver take him to the airport.

When he returned to San Antonio, it was almost 4 p.m.

The air-freighted Ferrari arrived almost at the same time.

Olsen's plane would arrive in half an hour.

He waited at the airport for half an hour, and then saw Olsen at the exit.

She was wearing sunglasses and a fleece coat, but underneath were tight leather pants, which showed off her figure.

When she saw Tang Tian, she took off her sunglasses and walked over quickly with a smile.

If she wasn't wearing high heels, she probably would have run.

"I missed you."

She greeted him with a passionate kiss.

They hadn't seen each other for several months.

When Tang Tian led Olsen into the Ferrari, Olsen was a little surprised.

"Did you finally think about improving your standard of living?"

"No, a friend gave it to me. I said I didn't want it, but they insisted on giving it to me," Tang Tian said.

Olsen couldn't help but laugh when she heard this.

She had never seen anyone who didn't want a Ferrari that someone had given them.

They were planning to spend Christmas outside this year, and Tang Tian had already booked a restaurant.

The two of them could just drive over to eat.

After eating, they took a stroll on the road, felt the Christmas atmosphere, and then went back to Tang Tian's apartment.

Looking at Tang Tian's bachelor apartment, Olsen suddenly felt a little sorry for him.

"You should move to a better place," Olsen said.

"No need, I'm not sure where I'll be next year, and moving is too much trouble. Besides, the scenery here is also very good."

"Scenery?"

Tang Tian nodded, then led Olsen to the window and pulled back the curtains.

Outside the window was the River Walk. At night, it was lit up with various lights, which was a different kind of scenery compared to the daytime.

"It's so beautiful," Olsen couldn't help but say.

Although she had been to San Antonio several times, this was the first time she had seen the view of the River Walk from this angle.

Just like she said, it was really beautiful.

As soon as Olsen finished speaking, she felt herself being hugged, and Tang Tian's hands were very restless.

"Hmm~ what are you doing?" Olsen's body went a little weak.

She had just experienced her first time, and her body was still very sensitive.

"New scenario development."

As Tang Tian spoke, he reached in and pressed her directly against the window.

The night was beautiful.

...