met free Chapter 36: Kobe's Praise! Exchanging Jerseys After the Game
Chapter 36: Kobe's Praise! Exchanging Jerseys After the Game
The celebration at Oracle Arena lasted for a full half hour without stopping.
As the buzzer sounded for the game-winning shot, and the basketball swished through the net, the entire arena erupted in a sea of yellow. Fans waved cans of yellow peaches and suona horns, shouting "MVP!" in a thick Northeastern accent, their chants of "Lin Hao is awesome!" mingling with the suona music, circling the arena's dome again and again, the vibrations making the floor tremble slightly.
The Warriors players went crazy, surrounding Lin Hao and piling him up like a mountain. Even the head coach rushed onto the court, patting Lin Hao on the back and grinning from ear to ear. It wasn't until the referees and staff came to separate the crowd that Lin Hao finally managed to climb out of the pile of teammates, sweat mixed with champagne dripping from his forehead, still clutching the half-empty can of yellow peaches in his hand.
Zhang Qingying, who was on the sidelines, had already rushed over the security fence and rushed to him with red eyes. Lin Hao smiled and pulled her into his arms, wiping her tears with his sleeve. His Northeastern accent was hoarse from just finishing a tough battle, but full of tenderness: "Why are you crying? We won, didn't we? I promised you, I would upset the Lakers, and I kept my word."
Zhang Qingying clutched his jersey, buried her face in his chest, and nodded, choking back tears, unable to utter a single word. Zhao Dabao and Harris were already hugging each other, Zhao Dabao's voice hoarse from shouting, and he kept giving a thumbs-up to the domestic live stream camera: "See that! Our Northeastern kid beat the OK duo! Anyone who says Haozi is just an internet celebrity, I'll be the first to argue with them!"
In the player tunnel, the Lakers players walked hurriedly towards the locker room with their heads down. O'Neal, his face ashen, slammed open the locker room door without a word, while Kobe stopped at the entrance of the tunnel, his gaze piercing through the noisy crowd and landing precisely on Lin Hao, who was walking towards the locker room.
"Lin Hao".
A deep shout instantly silenced the noisy passageway. Reporters and staff around held their breath, and cameras flashed as they focused on the two individuals.
Lin Hao turned around at the sound and saw Kobe standing not far away, his number 8 jersey still damp with sweat. His face had lost the coldness and ruthlessness he displayed on the court, leaving only calm. He released his arm from Zhang Qingying's, took two steps forward, and extended his hand: "Kobe, you had a great game today."
Kobe gripped his hand firmly, his eyes filled with undisguised admiration: "You deserved this victory for your performance today. That game-winning shot at the end was beautiful."
These words, coming from Kobe's mouth, carried immense weight. This proud Lakers leader would never easily offer such praise to an opponent, let alone a rookie just entering the league. The surrounding reporters erupted in a frenzy, their camera shutters clicking incessantly, eager not to miss this historic moment.
"I just did what I was supposed to do." Lin Hao smiled. "You're my idol, and it's an honor to compete against you."
Kobe raised an eyebrow, a rare smile playing on his lips. As he released his grip, he patted Kobe's shoulder and said, "I'll come to your locker room after the post-game press conference."
After saying that, he turned and walked into the Lakers' locker room, leaving behind a group of reporters looking at each other in bewilderment, and the Warriors' entourage erupting in cheers. Zhao Dabao sidled up to Lin Hao, his eyes wide: "Holy crap! Haozi, Kobe's coming to our locker room? This is the only thing any rookie in the entire league can do!"
Lin Hao felt a surge of emotion, but he remained calm and patted Zhao Dabao on the shoulder: "Don't make a fuss. Let's go back to the locker room and arrange the rest."
The post-match press conference turned into a personal showcase for Lin Hao.
In the past, no matter how explosive Lin Hao's statistics were, the reporters' questions would always revolve around "rising star" and "the benefits of the Chinese market." But today, all the reporters' questions were filled with awe and admiration.
The ESPN reporter stood up first, his tone full of sincerity: "Lin Hao, you scored 45 points today, hitting the game-winner against the Lakers and defeating the Kobe and Shaq duo head-on. What does this game mean to you?"
Lin Hao sat in the center of the press conference table, twirling a pen in his hand, his tone calm yet brimming with confidence: "This means that every word I've said before wasn't empty talk. Some people say I'm just an internet celebrity, that my vote-winning performance was rigged, that I don't deserve to stand on an NBA court. But I've always said that on the basketball court, the ball speaks for itself. Today's game is my answer to all the doubters."
As soon as he finished speaking, applause erupted from the audience. Immediately afterward, a domestic reporter stood up and asked, "After this match, your popularity in China has reached its peak. Is there anything you'd like to say to your fans back home?"
"First of all, thank you to all the fans in China for your support, whether you stayed up late watching on your screens or came to cheer me on in person." Lin Hao's eyes softened, and his tone became solemn. "I want to tell everyone that Chinese players can also compete with the world's top stars in the NBA and even defeat dynasty teams with game-winning shots. Chinese basketball will one day stand at the top of the world. I will continue to strive towards this goal."
As soon as he finished speaking, the entire arena erupted in applause. Even the Warriors' head coach, sitting next to him, couldn't help but clap along.
Meanwhile, at the Lakers' press conference, Kobe only answered three questions, two of which mentioned Lin Hao.
When a reporter tried to stir things up by asking if he had underestimated his opponent, allowing Lin Hao to score 45 points and secure the game-winning shot, Kobe Bryant coldly retorted, "I didn't underestimate him. I used all my strength to defend him, but he still made the shots he was supposed to make. Lin Hao isn't some internet celebrity rookie; he's the most talented and hardest-working player among the league's new generation. He deserves today's victory and all the praise."
This statement, transmitted via live stream, instantly spread throughout the United States and across the entire internet.
As soon as Lin Hao returned to the Warriors' locker room after the press conference ended, he heard a commotion at the door.
He looked up and saw Kobe standing at the locker room door, holding a neatly folded Lakers #8 jersey, already dressed in casual clothes. The entire Warriors locker room fell silent instantly. The players stopped what they were doing and looked at the core of the Lakers dynasty as he walked into the opponent's locker room.
It's important to know that in NBA history, unless it's a tribute at the end of a series, it's extremely rare for a star player to voluntarily walk into the opponent's locker room, let alone a legendary star as aloof as Kobe.
Reporters swarmed the entrance like madmen, cameras blocking the locker room doorway. Lin Hao immediately went to greet him, while Kobe had already reached out and handed him his jersey.
"This is the jersey I wore in today's game, it's signed." Kobe looked at him, his eyes full of sincerity. "Lin Hao, you are a respectable opponent. This jersey is for you."
The front of the jersey features the gleaming number 8, while the signature on the back is bold and powerful. Next to it is a line of small print: "To Lin Hao, the future of the league belongs to you."
Lin Hao's heart skipped a beat. He took the heavy jersey with both hands, immediately turned around and took out his own Warriors jersey, number 6, which he was wearing that day, from the locker. It was also signed, and he handed it to Kobe with both hands: "Kobe, thank you for your recognition. This jersey of mine is also for you. I hope there will be more opportunities to compete with you on the same court in the future."
The moment the two players exchanged jerseys, the sound of camera shutters clicking almost lifted the roof off the locker room.
Kobe took the jersey, glanced at the autograph, looked up at the surrounding media, took the microphone, and said, word by word, "Let me say this: Lin Hao is the most talented player of the new generation in the league. Those who say he's just an internet celebrity, those who say he doesn't deserve to stand on the All-Star stage, shut up. His strength, his clutch gene, deserve everything he has now. He has a place in the future of this league."
These words struck everyone like a thunderclap.
The most aloof and legendary shooting guard in the United States gave a rookie Chinese player the highest level of recognition in front of the entire American media.
The locker room erupted in enthusiastic applause, and the Warriors players whistled. Zhao Dabao, standing to the side, was so excited that he kept rubbing his hands together, tears welling up in his eyes.
After Kobe finished speaking, he bumped fists with Lin Hao, his gaze sweeping over the table full of canned yellow peaches in the locker room. He couldn't help but raise an eyebrow and ask with a smile, "Is this your secret weapon for winning?"
Lin Hao smiled, picked up a jar, unscrewed the lid, and handed it to him: "Absolutely! It's a specialty of Northeast China—canned yellow peaches, a cure-all. Want to try some?"
Kobe didn't stand on ceremony, took a sip, his eyes lit up, and he held up the can to the camera: "Looks like I've found the secret to Lin Hao's game-winning shot."
The entire audience burst into laughter, and the tense atmosphere of rivalry completely transformed into a warm feeling of heroes appreciating each other.
After Kobe's departure, the Warriors' locker room celebrations reached new heights. And this iconic jersey exchange scene has spread globally at lightning speed.
On Twitter, the hashtags #KobePraisesLinHao and #LinHaoExchangeJerseys immediately topped the trending charts, with related terms occupying six of the top ten spots. The highlight reel of this game broke NBA regular season viewership records within just one hour of its release, and its total online viewership exceeded 100 million.
Previously, all the American media outlets that mocked Lin Hao as a "farce in the Chinese market" and a "viral ticket king" have collectively changed their tune.
ESPN's front-page headline: "45-point game-winner against the Lakers! Lin Hao proves he's not just an internet celebrity, he's a future superstar of the league!"
Sports Illustrated: "Kobe Bryant personally praises this Chinese rookie, who is making NBA history!"
TNT commentator Kenny Smith stated on the show, "I was wrong before, and I apologize to Lin Hao. He is the most terrifying new generation player in this league, bar none."
The domestic internet has completely descended into a frenzy.
The top ten trending topics on Weibo were all related to Lin Hao. The hashtags #LinHaoGameWinnerLakers# and #KobePraisesLinHao# garnered over 10 billion views in just a few hours. Major sports platforms and short video platforms were filled with highlights of the game and Lin Hao's game-winning shot, with netizens' comments flooding the screen.
Just as the entire internet was celebrating, Lin Hao made a decision in the locker room, in front of all the media, that shocked everyone.
Holding up the Kobe-signed No. 8 jersey, he addressed the camera solemnly: "Here, I'd like to announce something. This Kobe-signed game jersey will be auctioned off publicly, and all proceeds will be donated to the newly established Spark Youth Basketball Training Camp in my hometown to support basketball-loving children from impoverished families and contribute to the development of youth basketball in China."
As soon as he finished speaking, the entire room fell silent for half a second, followed by thunderous applause.
Zhao Dabao, standing at the door, instantly teared up. He knew better than anyone how valuable this jersey was. It was a jersey Kobe Bryant personally wore and signed during his prime, a gift he had given to Lin Hao and publicly endorsed—its auction price would be astronomical. But Lin Hao didn't even blink; he decided to donate it all to support youth basketball development in his hometown.
This is Lin Hao, who has never forgotten where he came from and has never forgotten his original passion for playing basketball.
Domestic netizens were instantly moved by this decision. The comments section was filled with praise, with some saying, "This is a true idol; not only has he reached the top of the world, but he's also thinking about paving the way for Chinese basketball!" and "His vision is off the charts! This is what Chinese players should be like!"
Meanwhile, Harris has received countless calls from brands, with each endorsement offer higher than the last. Lin Hao's commercial value has skyrocketed after this game, directly placing him among the NBA's most commercially valuable guards.
As night deepened, the lights at Oracle Arena gradually dimmed, and the revelers slowly dispersed.
Lin Hao sat in front of his locker in the locker room, holding his autographed Kobe jersey in his hand, with a half-finished can of peaches beside him. Zhang Qingying sat beside him, gently leaning on his shoulder, looking into the light in his eyes, and whispered, "You looked so handsome today."
Lin Hao smiled, carefully folded the jersey, put it in the storage box, turned to look at her, his eyes full of determination: "This is just the beginning. Next, there's the end of the regular season, the playoffs, and a long road ahead."
His gaze drifted out the window, and in the Auckland night, he seemed to see his hometown thousands of miles away, and the children in the Spark Youth Training Camp, holding basketballs and with light in their eyes.
That thought in his mind has never changed.