A Miracle That Shone Across the World

"Did you watch the NBA yesterday?! Kobe was insane!"

In 1998, at a high school in Shanghai, China, students excitedly discussed yesterday's game.

"Eleven points in 24 seconds! Holy crap! That's ridiculous."

"And 30 points in a single quarter! In the NBA's 51-year history, that's the highest-scoring playoff quarter ever!"

"Brother Wei! Kobe was way too good, wasn't he? I heard our national team even played against Kobe the year before last."

Liu Wei slapped the desk. "Now that you mention that game, I've got plenty to tell you! I watched it live! You have no idea how incredible 17-year-old Kobe already was back then!"

"Students! Today's essay topic is—Kobe Bryant, Never Give Up!" A young Chinese teacher adjusted his glasses and excitedly told his students about what had happened yesterday.

Down by 16 points, even he, a die-hard Kobe fan, couldn't bear to keep watching. Yet Kobe never gave up. Again and again, he fought on until he finally seized his chance and delivered the killing blow!

That kind of unyielding spirit was exactly what China championed at the moment!

A miracle!

A miracle that shone across the world!

This wasn't happening only in China and the United States. Even in Africa, a desert for sports, countless fans had been inspired by Kobe's game!

"Never give up! Until the end is decided, any one of us can be a dark horse!"—Jin Yong wrote in Ming Pao.

"I felt the vitality of life! This is the charm of basketball!"—President Bill Clinton publicly praised Kobe.

"Kobe's dribbling past defenders is as fast as mine!"—Ronaldo, already named World Player of the Year, lavished praise on the game.

"Kobe! The most talented superstar in history!"—Jack Nicholson was among the first to step forward and cheer Kobe on.

"I want to make this into