Watching Kobe bask in the spotlight, O'Neal sat on the bench feeling bitter.
Even after the OK Dynasty had broken apart, Kobe's influence continued to rise steadily.
As for himself, after leaving the Lakers, even with averages of 30.8 points, 14.6 rebounds, 5.1 assists, 0.7 steals, 2.5 blocks, and 3.3 turnovers per game, he could only sit on the bench.
A substitute averaging 31+15+5+3?
It would be the biggest joke in the world if word got out.
He should have been the protagonist!
He should have been the center of everyone's attention!
But now, the spotlight had moved away from him, and the feeling made him extremely uncomfortable.
"Was this the price of leaving the Lakers?" O'Neal suddenly began to wonder whether leaving the Lakers had been a terrible decision.
"Was Houston's market just too small?" O'Neal suddenly felt that his declining influence was due to the market. Only New York and Los Angeles had the biggest markets and drew the most attention from fans.
"Yao Ming and Alonzo Mourning are at center court!"
"The 2002-2003 All-Star Game has officially begun!"
Amid the cheers of Philadelphia fans, the referee tossed the ball high into the air.
Mourning easily won the tip-off.
Allen Iverson brought the ball up!
The All-Star Games of recent years had changed drastically from the past.
Ever since Kobe entered the league, whenever Kobe and Jordan met in an All-Star Game, they almost always had to decide who was better.
These two fiercely competitive players had raised the intensity of All-Star competition by an entire level.
It was no longer just a pure exhibition!
Most players pursued victory as much as possible!
Of course, there were still exceptions. For example, the laid-back one who listened to Popovich and coasted whenever the All-Star Game came around.
But most