"Kobe, next time, I definitely won't lose to you!"
After the game, McGrady wore a rare serious expression, his words firm and forceful.
Although Kobe was the king of the NBA, McGrady felt that the gap between himself and Kobe was truly getting smaller and smaller.
Whether in terms of stats or performance, McGrady felt that he was only one clutch moment away from Kobe!
The Celtics ultimately lost this game because McGrady's stamina and experience in the closing moments were inferior to Kobe's.
Even though the Celtics' overall strength had crushed the Lakers', they were still overturned!
That kind of comeback was simply too humiliating for McGrady.
If McGrady had not been accustomed to consistently scoring around 27 points per game and rarely exploding for huge totals, he felt that he might not necessarily have lost this game!
He had clearly possessed the chance to defeat Kobe. Victory had been delivered right before his eyes, yet he had ultimately lost.
McGrady seemed to recall training with Kobe back in high school!
That bastard Kobe had been just as annoying back then! He was already an NBA superstar, yet when playing against a high schooler, he had shown absolutely no mercy!
Ridiculous!
McGrady decided that he needed to take on more of the team's tough scoring duties. Especially in clutch moments, he had to improve his stamina by another level!
Once he accomplished those things, he would definitely be able to defeat Kobe next time!
"I welcome your challenge, Tracy. And Merry Christmas." Kobe no longer wore the cold-blooded expression he had on the court. He smiled warmly and gave McGrady a hug.
Basketball was basketball, and life was life.
Beyond basketball, they were still brothers.
"Merry Christmas, you bastard, Kobe!"
"Vanessa?" When Kobe took an overnight flight back to