A Performance for Vanessa

"Those old guys absolutely couldn't be underestimated!" Kobe watched Houston's series against the Timberwolves. Houston had kept the Timberwolves firmly under control almost every game!

Even when they were behind on the scoreboard, Houston's veterans showed no trace of nervousness or panic. There was always a star who stepped up and pulled them back into the game.

It could be said that, aside from Garnett, every other Timberwolves player was worlds apart from those seasoned veterans! Their grasp of playoff intensity and their mentality simply weren't on the same level.

This was a textbook series. Although the Timberwolves had made the playoffs for three straight years, they still looked extremely immature against Houston's old guns.

"The Timberwolves are only one group of quality role players away from taking off."

That was Kobe's assessment of the Timberwolves.

The Wolf King had already become a league superstar, while Marbury and Tom Gugliotta were also All-Star-caliber players. What they lacked was a group of quality role players.

As long as they could add a solid batch of role players, they would have what it took to contend for a championship!

The Timberwolves of the future might become the Lakers' greatest rival.

Of course, that depended on players being willing to go to freezing Minnesota, and on the Timberwolves' stingy owner being willing to offer role players high salaries.

"Hakeem and Barkley definitely still have gas left in the tank!"

"Drexler is still a capable starting forward."

"Pippen is still in his prime!"

"Add in one of the best benches in the league, and they won't be easy to beat."

"Good evening, ladies and gentlemen! This is the NBA Western Conference Semifinals, brought to you by ABC—the Lakers versus the Houston Rockets!"

"At the Lakers' home court! Los Angeles's arena is already packed with