"I didn't expect the NCAA Final Four game between the Kentucky Wildcats and Duke University to be held at Staples Center!"
In Los Angeles, USA, at the famous Staples Center!
Kenny Smith from TNT Television, standing courtside, looked around the arena.
As the dual home court for both the Los Angeles Lakers and the Los Angeles Clippers, the arena is not only a pilgrimage site for basketball fans but also holds the glorious history of countless NBA games.
Because both Los Angeles teams performed poorly this season, they are highly likely to have high draft picks.
And both the Kentucky Wildcats and the Duke Blue Devils feature numerous young talents.
It's possible that one of these players will be the core player for either team next season.
With this intense hype, plus the public support for Jinwoo from two Lakers legends and LeBron James, the NCAA officials decisively contacted the Los Angeles Lakers management.
They wanted to use Staples Center as the venue for this crucial Final Four game.
Lakers owner Jeanie Buss naturally raised both hands in agreement.
Originally, the Lakers management wanted to keep a low profile and not attend Jinwoo's games in person before March Madness ended.
But now, the Kentucky Wildcats' game was directly brought to their doorstep by the NCAA officials.
Jeanie Buss felt that this was simply a hint from God!
"In the first concluded Final Four game in the upper bracket, Villanova University eliminated Michigan State University to be the first to advance to this year's NCAA Tournament championship final."
"Today, the two powerhouse teams from the lower bracket will compete at Staples Center for the final spot in the championship!"
Charles Barkley on the commentary team added, "Since the Sweet Sixteen, no one has truly favored the Kentucky Wildcats to make it this far!"
"Even yesterday, on the nationwide support rankings, the Duke Blue Devils had a terrifying 95\% chance of advancing to the championship final!"
In other words, fewer than 5\% of fans across the entire United States believed the Kentucky Wildcats would advance to the championship final.
"Everyone is looking forward to the Duke Blue Devils reaching the championship final again after three years, to battle Villanova University for the ultimate title!"
After the two commentators finished speaking, the fans in Staples Center became restless.
As the live broadcast camera cut in, LeBron James and his teammate Kevin Love were seen arriving in the stands.
"MVP!"
"MVP!"
"MVP!"
A little later, the cheers from the fans reached a crescendo.
Los Angeles Lakers legends Kobe Bryant and Magic Johnson appeared in Lakers jerseys in the courtside audience.
"LeBron, you guys are here too!"
Kobe waved to the fans as he sat down next to James. "Which team are you here to support today?"
"I'm backing the Kentucky Wildcats to make it to the championship final!"
James, wearing sunglasses, didn't hesitate. "I see unlimited potential in Jinwoo; he is destined to become a generational superstar!"
"LeBron, would you be willing to team up with Jinwoo?"
Magic Johnson, smiling, but with a deeper meaning in his words, asked, "Or rather... as a fully free agent this summer, would you consider the Los Angeles Lakers?"
"That... I haven't thought about it yet!"
James adjusted his sunglasses. "But you know, you are my idol since childhood, Kobe Bryant is my good brother, and Jinwoo is an incredibly talented young man..."
Hearing James's intentionally vague words, Magic Johnson laughed heartily and did not pursue the topic further.
"Jinwoo, did you see that? Sitting over there are Kobe Bryant and Magic Johnson!"
At the same time, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (SGA), who was warming up on the court, excitedly came over to Jinwoo. "Kobe and Magic Johnson are actually watching me play?"
When a new generation of stars talks about Kobe Bryant: a cross-time conversation.
"Who is your favorite player?"
When a reporter posed this question to Alexander, who had just won the regular season MVP , his answer sent a shiver through countless fans: "Kobe Bryant, he's been my favorite player since I was a kid."
This sentence was like a stone thrown into a calm lake, creating ripples.
Who would have thought that this superstar, who is dominating the league today, had never seen his idol in person? (Historical context: Kobe retired in 2016; SGA entered the draft in 2018).
"We live in two different eras!"
Alexander, in an interview, had a hint of regret in his eyes: "I never had the chance to meet him, but for boys all over the world, Kobe's influence is eternal."
"His competitive spirit, his attitude towards the game... I hope one day I can be a player like him!"
Alexander's words stunned the media reporters present.
Upon reflection, it was indeed true; when Kobe retired in 2016, Alexander was still honing his skills in high school leagues.
But why, in our impression, did Kobe and Alexander seem to have played against each other?
This is probably the most moving and also the most cruel aspect of basketball.
"Seeing you so happy, why don't you let the Los Angeles Lakers draft you!"
Jinwoo's attention wasn't solely on Kobe and Magic Johnson; instead, two beautiful women not far from them caught his eye.
And those two were none other than two famous figures of the Kardashian Family—Kendall Jenner and Kylie Jenner.
Just by sitting there, the two had already become the most captivating scenery at Staples Center.
"Although I really like Kobe Bryant, I don't like the Los Angeles Lakers!"
As Jinwoo was marveling at the beauty of the sisters, Alexander, beside him, made a surprising statement.
"SGA, are you serious?"
Alexander's surprising words made Jinwoo immediately look back at him: "Your idol is Kobe Bryant, but you don't like the Los Angeles Lakers?"
"I know you might not believe it, but it's true!"
Alexander ignored Jinwoo's surprised gaze and turned his head to participate in shooting practice: "If I have the chance, I really want to stand against them and defeat them!"
"You will definitely have that chance!"
Jinwoo gave Alexander a meaningful look.
No wonder Jerry West was able to snatch Alexander at the 11th pick in the 2018 draft; it turns out there was already a competitive history or anti-Lakers sentiment brewing.
But upon closer thought, Jinwoo discovered something was amiss.
Due to his sudden emergence, the Kentucky Wildcats, originally projected as a Sweet Sixteen team, became a Final Four team, and might even make it to the championship final and lift the ultimate trophy.
In this way, Alexander, who was originally selected with the 11th pick in the first round, is very likely to see a significant improvement in his draft position.
Perhaps, old man Jerry West will find it difficult to pull off another draft steal.
By extension, Alexander's future might undergo drastic changes.
It's not just Alexander's future that will change.
Once his draft position moves up, the entire 2018 draft will become completely different.
Deandre Ayton, Luka Doncic, Trae Young, Marvin Bagley, and so on.
Perhaps the fate of all 2018 rookies will undergo drastic changes!
"This is more interesting!"
The more Jinwoo thought about it, the more excited he became; if everything followed the original plot, it would be too boring.
Only this unknown future would be the true meaning of his existence!