Run

Kobe finally arrived at the postgame press conference. Harris had not expected Kobe's performance in this game to draw much attention; he had simply intended to let the immature Kobe experience the Los Angeles spotlight, something Kobe had to go through.

But he had underestimated the Los Angeles media's ability to dig up stories. The moment Kobe sat down at the press table, cameras and microphones were thrust in front of him.

"I heard that you entered the NBA only because your parents forced you to give up a college degree. Is that true?"

"Mr. Bryant, what was going through your mind when you wagged your finger at Mutombo?"

"Mr. Bryant, there are rumors that you are Jordan's illegitimate son. Is that true?"

"Sir, what do you think of fellow rookie Allen Iverson? His season scoring average and single-game high are both better than yours."

Cameras and microphones crowded around Kobe. His expression remained calm. The questions were unpleasant, but to Kobe, they were nothing serious.

"My teammates and I played very well under the coach's direction tonight, and we won the game." His completely irrelevant answer was flawless. Kobe spoke at length while carefully avoiding every sensitive topic.

Harris let out a long sigh. Even he found those bizarre and tricky questions headache-inducing. Fortunately, Kobe handled them well.

"Security, please control the scene. One question at a time."

The chaotic scene was finally brought under control. Shaquille O'Neal was a little surprised. Kobe had only played a few games, yet although he had not attracted as many reporters as O'Neal himself, the number was already considerable.

The interview proceeded smoothly, and Kobe's mature, polished responses left a favorable impression on the Los Angeles media.

"Guys, the win is worth celebrating. But don't forget that we'll be facing the Mosaic Team in Houston the day after tomorrow. So tomorrow, we'll all come in to review film and prepare our tactics. Understood?" Harris said to the players after the game.

Like the Lakers, the Mosaic Team had yet to lose a game so far. They were one of only three undefeated teams, with the Chicago Bulls being the other.

After poaching Charles Barkley from the Suns this year, the Mosaic Team had formed a super Big Three. The sheer luxury of their roster was extremely rare even in history, enough to rival some of the powerhouse teams of later generations.

Their frontcourt pairing consisted of Hakeem Olajuwon, the Dream, and Charles Barkley, the Flying Pig.

Hakeem Olajuwon stood 2.13 meters tall and weighed 116 kilograms. In the 1984 draft, he was selected first overall ahead of Michael Jordan, Charles Barkley, and John Stockton. By 1986, he had already led his team to the Finals, where they narrowly lost to the Boston Celtics in six games.

Although he had nearly been traded during the 1992–93 season due to contract disputes, he remained in Houston. In the 1993–94 season, he became the first player in NBA history to win MVP, Defensive Player of the Year, and Finals MVP in the same season. During the two seasons after Jordan retired, the Rockets he led defeated Ewing's New York Knicks and Shaquille O'Neal's Orlando Magic to win back-to-back championships.

Over the four seasons before this one, Olajuwon had averaged nearly 27 points, 12 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 steals, and 3 blocks per game. His résumé was both impressive and luxurious, and in the playoffs during his two championship seasons, he put up dominant lines of 28.9+11+4 and 33+10.3+4.5, leading his team to the title.

He was the first of the Four Great Centers to claim a championship and was regarded by the media as the king of this era of centers. He possessed the offensive skills of a small forward, the greatest low-post footwork in history, and defense that stood above the entire league. He won Defensive Player of the Year in back-to-back seasons in '93 and '94.

It could be said that, in this era where centers ruled, Olajuwon was the god-king among the gods of the paint. No other big man could shake his position.

Charles Barkley, the Flying Pig, was officially listed at 1.98 meters and 113 kilograms. The fifth pick in the 1984 draft, he possessed extraordinary athletic gifts—his strength, speed, and leaping ability were all astonishing. He often delivered performances that seemed to soar through the sky and burrow through the earth. So far, he had won 1 MVP, made 10 All-Star teams, and earned 11 All-NBA selections.

Despite his smaller frame, his skills were more refined than those of most power forwards, and his post-up game had reached its peak. The league had not yet introduced a five-second back-to-the-basket rule, and Barkley's post-up game and athleticism allowed him to compensate for his lack of height, making him a Hall of Fame-level power forward.

Although Barkley's individual performance was excellent, his record as a team leader had been rather ordinary. He had achieved little team success in either Philadelphia or Phoenix, so at the age of thirty-three, he chose to join Olajuwon. He desperately wanted a championship ring.

The third superstar was Clyde Drexler, Olajuwon's second-in-command during his second championship run. At 2.01 meters and 95 kilograms, he possessed speed like thunder. His athleticism was often compared to Jordan's, and the Portland Trail Blazers, who held the second pick in 1984, had passed on Jordan precisely because Drexler was already there.

At his peak, Drexler put up 27 points, 8 rebounds, 6 assists, and 2.7 steals per game. He was highly capable on offense, defense, and as a playmaking connector, and beside Olajuwon, he was the perfect second option.

So far, he had made 9 All-Star teams and earned 5 All-NBA selections. His only weakness was his age. At thirty-four, Drexler's athleticism had already declined considerably. But his physical tools and basketball IQ still allowed him, even late in his career last season, to average 19 points, 7 rebounds, and 6 assists.

When your team had three superstars like that, it was difficult to lose. Olajuwon was also surrounded by a group of solid role players chasing a championship.

Their shooting guard was Mario Elie, the starting shooting guard for their two consecutive championships. He was an excellent defensive 3-and-D player and would even win another championship later with the Spurs.

Point guard Matt Maloney was an undrafted player who served as someone who could bring the ball up the court and shoot threes for the Rockets. He could make 1.9 three-pointers per game on 40.4% shooting.

On the bench sat Kevin Willis, an All-Star-caliber big man. He was a power forward capable of putting up 17+8 year after year.

That was the star-studded Mosaic Team. This year, they had their sights set on a third championship.

The Lakers players studied film from the Mosaic Team's previous six games together.

Slaughter.

That was the only word Kobe could think of to describe it. Olajuwon had even put up a dominant 39+9+2 performance against the Western Conference powerhouse Utah Jazz.

That game was also the Jazz's only loss. It had been Hakeem's personal showcase, as he made the Jazz frontcourt, even with Karl Malone, fade into insignificance.

Harris wore a grave expression. He felt that the current Lakers were not a match for this Mosaic Team. Shaquille O'Neal had been swept aside by Hakeem before, and the immature Lakers perimeter would find it difficult to gain any advantage against Drexler as well.

"Run!" In the silence, Kobe shouted that single word.

"What?"

"Run them to death." Kobe kept it brief.