The two most direct impacts brought about by Kobe's retirement are that the Nets' strength has declined, and the second is that the title of Kobe's successor has begun to be taken seriously.

Before this, there were two people who were regarded by the media and fans as Kobe's successors.

One is Booker of the Suns, and the other is Tatum of the Celtics.

The Suns have not had a good record in the past few years, and now they are rebuilding with Trae Young, and they still lose to Tatum in terms of reputation.

Tatum performed well in the playoffs last season, and after Kobe Bryant announced his retirement again, Tatum's team has been vigorously promoting this title.

So basically, this title is now tied to Tatum.

This is why the league arranged for the Nets to play the Celtics in the opening game.

Even in the words of fans on social media, Tatum has the same last name as the league president after all!

The game also attracted considerable attention.

Although the Nets' strength has declined, they are still the kings who have dominated the league for several years.

Moreover, Lin Ying is still here, and there will also be a championship ring award ceremony in the opening game. The attention of such a game will definitely not be low.

With more than two hours left before the start of the game, there were already many reporters and fans waiting at the scene.

The first person to appear in the arena for warm-ups was a bit surprising, he was Tatum.

If his appearance wasn't so easy to distinguish, people who didn't know would have thought he was pretending to be someone else.

Tatum warmed up for more than half an hour and did not leave the arena immediately after the warm-up. He sat directly on the sidelines to rest.

The reporter naturally would not miss such an opportunity and went up to interview him soon after he finished his warm-up.

Because of the aura of Kobe's successor, reporters naturally asked about Kobe's situation.

Kobe's retirement this time except for a status on social media, and then disappeared from public view.

Fans already know that Duncan worked as a mechanic in a car shop after retiring, but this time they really don’t know where Kobe went.

"We have been training together in the summer, and Kobe still loves basketball."

Tatum quickly revealed Kobe's current situation.

"He taught me a lot and I will try to be the person he wants me to be."

As he spoke, Tatum took out an elbow pad from the bag beside him. It was a purple special elbow pad with the number 24 written on it.

"This season is very special for me. I haven't been able to perform well in the past, but I think it's time. This game is a great start for me. I'm ready."

After saying that, he put the elbow pads on his elbows, then got up and went on the court again to warm up, leaving a handsome figure.

The reporters behind him took out their cameras to capture this scene. The No. 24 purple elbow pads looked particularly dazzling at this moment.

…

With about an hour left before the game started, the Barclays Center was already crowded and bustling.

Some people from the Nets also came to the court to warm up, and Lin Ying was among them.

But after warming up for a while, Lin Ying stopped because he saw a familiar figure coming to the sidelines.

Kobe brought Vanessa and Gigi to watch the game.

Focusing on training this past summer, Lin Ying and Kobe didn't meet much. The last time they met was when Kobe came back from South Africa, which was two months apart.

They gave each other a big hug and then started chatting.

During the chat, Lin Ying also knew what Kobe was busy with this summer. Apart from spending time with his family, he spent the rest of his time focusing on youth training camps.

"Oh, by the way, I also practiced with that guy Tatum for two days. That guy has always liked me."

During the chat, Kobe didn't forget to smile and turn his head to look in Tatum's direction.

Only then did Lin Ying notice the elbow pads worn on Tatum's elbows.

He had more contact with Kobe and knew that Kobe would pay more attention to Booker because of his draft pick.

But it seems that Tatum wants the title of Kobe's successor more.

This is actually not surprising.

The NBA is a competitive league, but it is also a business league.

In order to expand their influence, many of them need to develop their own personalities and engage in publicity.

This is very similar to the situation in the American TV series "The Black Robe" that he watched before. Many of the "superheroes" you think of are packaged.

Because these "superheroes" are no longer a single individual, but a large team.

Take James, the most classic example. In addition to playing games, he also shoots commercials, accepts endorsements, participates in offline activities, does live broadcasts, and even makes movies, etc.

In order to do this well, he must establish a perfect personality.

And James is not an exception. Even Kobe Bryant will use "Los Angeles at four o'clock in the morning" for marketing and promote the "Mamba Mentality".

Now that Kobe has retired for the second time, it’s not surprising that Tatum is the first to honor him.

Moreover, Tatum's parents are also very foresighted. When Tatum was a child, they went to look for various basketball stars to take photos. They really took the photos wherever possible and put them up, so that they were prepared.

Lin Ying withdrew his gaze and then smiled.

Although it is necessary for the NBA to do marketing to enhance personal influence, basketball relies on strength after all.

Otherwise, even if the title cannot be more true, it will be in vain if you always fall behind at critical moments.

He would like to see if Tatum's performance is significantly different from last season's playoffs when he wears this elbow pad tonight.

After the small talk here, Kobe went back to his seat.

Then after waiting for a while, Tatum ran to Kobe to say hello with a smile on his face.

Kobe also greeted him with a smile.

Kobe was serious most of the time on the court, but very polite most of the time off the court.

After briefly greeting Tatum, he then looked towards Lin Ying.

Although he has retired again, he still regards himself as a member of the Nets due to his wonderful experience last season.

Halfway through the on-site warm-up, the staff began to enter the venue to prepare for the award ceremony that was about to begin.

The fans at the scene can’t wait and everyone is ready.

It was at this time that Lin Ying also met the team owner Prokhorov again.

If he was just a little sad two years ago, now he looks gloomy, and he seems extremely out of place with the award ceremony in front of him.

People who are not very familiar with him may think it has something to do with the Nets' poor prospects this season, but those who know him can guess that it is probably something else.

"I heard he was ready to sell the team."

At this moment, Jokic, who was beside Lin Ying, turned his head and whispered.

"It has nothing to do with business."

Perhaps because he was afraid that Lin Ying wouldn't understand, the little fat man turned around and added in a low voice.

Lin Ying quickly understood.

Jokic returns to Serbia every summer, and it seems he must have heard something.

The Nets can now make a lot of money for Prokhorov every year, and there is no reason to sell from an economic point of view.

But not everything in this world can be solved by money, especially when a Russian oligarch is investing in American sports.

However, the Nets' strength has declined, and the boss may need to make substitutions. This wave of turmoil is indeed a bit big.

Before Lin Ying could think about it, the award ceremony had already begun.

Although he was worried, Prokhorov changed his smile when the award ceremony began.

He still loves basketball, otherwise he would just be absent.

The awards ceremony officially began, with Prokhorov awarding championship rings to the team management, coaching staff, and then the players.

This year he was also extra generous. The rings for key personnel were expensive. In addition, everyone from the management to the arena employees had rings.

This seems to also verify what Jokic said.

Because of love, I will always try my best before leaving.

As if to further prove this point, Prokhorov, who has always been serious about words, took the initiative to hug Lin Ying when he presented the award, and said, "Thank you for your continuous efforts."

After hearing this, Lin Ying's emotions were inevitably a little complicated.

Although I only meet this boss two or three times a year, to be honest, there are few bosses in the league who can invest as much as Prokhorov does and don't interfere in management.

He had thanked everyone in his acceptance speech before, but he had not thanked this boss alone.

"Thank you for your continued trust."

Lin Ying said slightly apologetically.

Prokhorov was stunned for a moment, then smiled from the bottom of his heart, as if his sadness had disappeared, and reached out to pat Lin Ying on the shoulder.

Although it is not stated clearly, it is tacitly understood.
To be continued...