"Charles, you can't speak like this." Although he knew that Barkley was joking, seeing Kobe's face turned ugly, Kenny Smith, who was beside him, hurried out to smooth things over.

"Oh, I apologize, but I'm really curious, and what's this Tang..."

"Tang Hao."

"Yes, this guy was injured without playing in a game. Could it be that you had played before he was injured?"

"Charles, you're blocked by news. Tang Hao scored 40 points in the finals at the Asian Games before, helping the Chinese team win the championship." Smith reminded.

"Really? Really?!" Barkley looked surprised.

Smith nodded.

"That's a great thing, but Kenny, wait, what you just said was the Asian Games? Asian competitions?"

Smith nodded again.

"Oh, my God! Asian game! Kenny, you are such an interesting guy. I believe you can get 40 points when you get there." Barkley said jokingly.

Smith was amused and laughed.

Kobe looked at the two guys singing and talking together, knowing that nothing was useless to say. He smiled and then suddenly said, "Charles, I know you guy likes to bet the most. How about we make a bet?"

"Betting, Kobe, you won't really bet with me with this kid, are you?" Barkley looked at Kobe in surprise.

"Is there anything wrong?" Kobe seemed very confident.

"Okay, I'll bet with you, I'm sure this guy won't get 10 points in the game." Barkley was also full of confidence.

"10 points? Charles, are you serious?" Kobe said and sat upright.

"10 points, Charles is the one who says he must do his word. 10 points is 10 points, and there is no room for negotiation."

"So, what are we betting on?" Kobe looked at Barkley with interest at this time.

"Yes, what are you betting on, Kenny, do you have any suggestions?" Barkley said and looked at Smith.

Kobe also looked at Smith.

Smith was silent for a while, then suddenly slapped his head and said, "Charles, do you remember the cover of the Sports Illustrated last time?"

"Oh~" Barkley recalled for a while, immediately showed a lustful smile, and then said, "Of course I remember that it was a sexy girl in three-point outfit, but her breasts were a little small, probably as big as mine."

Barkley's words immediately caused Smith and Kobe to laugh.

"In this way, whoever you loses, just wear that kind of clothes and perform a dunk in the studio?" Smith said.

"Oh! Oh! Oh! Kenny, your move is a bit ruthless." As soon as Smith finished speaking, Barkley couldn't help laughing.

Kobe was also a little stunned at this time. Smith's trick of harming people was so cruel that Kobe Barkley was kissing the donkey's butt.

"But the show's effect is full, I agree!" Barkley said as he slapped the table.

"So, Kobe, how are you?" Barkley said, looking at Kobe.

"I'm fine." Kobe was not showing any weakness either.

"Okay, then we'll look forward to Don's performance." Barkley said confidently.

After the bet between Kobe and Barkley was broadcast, it caused an uproar, and a large number of fans' eyes focused on Tang Hao.

The fans were divided into two groups at this time.

The wave that supports Kobe includes fans of Kobe and the Lakers, but more are fans of Tang Hao. They have witnessed Tang Hao create too many miracles. In addition, many of them have seen Tang Hao's performance in the Asian Games. Their emotions are indignant and expectant. Barkley's big mouth will definitely be slapped in the face this time.

The wave that supports Barkley is more of American fans. They don’t have much affection for Tang Hao, and Barkley’s rookie change theory is also some trends in the NBA in recent years. They firmly believe that even if there are players among these rookies who may become superstars, that person will definitely not be Tang Hao.

Tang Hao's injury recovery was much better than expected. His physical fitness was better than ordinary people. Before the last two games of the preseason, he had recovered almost the same.

However, out of protection, Scott did not arrange for Tang Hao to appear.

Tang Hao's debut was postponed to the opening match.

The Lakers' opener is the Rockets, which is a home game.

On this day, the attendance rate in the Los Angeles Arena reached more than 90%. This is not only the reason why Kobe and Barkley bet, but also because this is Kobe's first regular season appearance after a season off.

With more than half an hour left before the game started, the players of both sides had arrived at the stadium and began the final adaptive training before the game.

The reporters also appeared on the sidelines at this time, waiting for an opportunity to conduct the final interview with the players before the game.

Rockets center Howard was another focus of attention in this game. After the Lakers paid a huge price in the 2012-2013 seasons, the center chose to join the Houston Rockets after the contract expired in the second season.

Howard was caught by a beautiful reporter when he appeared on the sidelines.

"Hey, Dwight, long time no see."

"Hey." Howard said with a smile.

"This is your first time back to Los Angeles in the new season. Do you have any thoughts?"

"Yes, I worked in this city two years ago. Although it was not the first time I came back here, every time I came back, I reminded a lot of things I had in the past."

"Have you ever greeted Kobe?"

"Yes, I can." Howard's smile disappeared when he said this. He didn't get along very well with Kobe at the beginning. Kobe's persistence and strictness in the game made him feel very crazy.

"Okay, let's talk about something pleasant. Have you heard of the rookie bets? Howard's face changed and he asked after a different topic.

"Yes, I know, it was a Barkley-style bet, they said they wanted to wear three-point dunks, man, that's all the eye-catching scenes." Howard couldn't help laughing when talking about the bet.

"Who do you think will win this bet?"

"Do you have to answer?" Howard said with a smile.

"No, but I want to know your answer." The beauty smiled charmingly.

"Well, I think we're going to see Kobe's performance this time."

"Really? Do you think Kobe will lose? Why?" asked the beautiful reporter in surprise.

"Bryant is a paranoid guy, and the Lakers coaching staff are the same. I don't think they will deliberately create tactics for that little guy because of a bet." Howard saw it thoroughly.

"Yes, what you said is not unreasonable. The last question, do you think you can win?"

"Of course, we are full of confidence now, and our goal this season is to win the championship." Howard was very confident.

After the reporter interviewed Howard, the referee and assistant referee had already arrived at the sidelines, and the opening match was about to begin.

The lights at the scene suddenly went out.

Tang Hao was standing between Wesley Johnson and Nick Young at this time.

This is his first time attending the team's opening ceremony.

There are two types of opening ceremony for NBA. One is to only introduce the home team members, and the other is to introduce both teams. The Lakers belong to the latter.

After a host's opening remark, the Rockets players were first introduced.

The reactions of the fans on the scene were quite average. It was not until the introduction of Howard that the fans on the scene reached a turning point.

When Howard's name was pronounced, a overwhelming boo sound came from the scene.

It can be seen that although two years have passed, fans' resentment towards Howard has not decreased at all.

The Rockets' final appearance was "bearded" James Harden, whose appearance welcomed a burst of cheers from the fans on the scene.

As an All-Star player, MVP is still very popular in NBA.

After the Rockets players were introduced, the lights at the scene dimmed again.

At the same time, around the large circular LED screen at the top of the stadium, accompanied by streaming light, two large circular curtains slowly landed.

The bloody background music also sounded.

After the curtain fell, the Lakers' highlights were projected on it.

With the exciting background music and exciting highlights, the Lakers' opening ceremony made people feel adrenaline rising.

Tang Hao also looked up at the curtain at this time. The most highlights were Kobe, which was specially re-made by the Lakers in the new season.

After the highlights were finished, the lights on the spot started. After reading a brief opening remark, the host began the player introduction session.

One after another, Lakers players were introduced. When Johnson was introduced, Tang Hao also turned around and prepared.

"He used to be a professional boxer, but now, he is our No. 7 rookie, he comes from China, he is Tang~hao~"

Along with a burst of exclusive music, Tang Hao's name was pronounced.

A burst of warm cheers came from the scene.

Kobe and the Lakers management’s expectations for Tang Hao are also the expectations of Lakers fans. They look forward to Tang Hao becoming the player who will lead the Lakers back to the top.

Tang Hao waved his hand to signal to the fans, and then slapped his teammates one by one.

After Tang Hao, other Lakers players were introduced one by one. When the players were introduced to the end, the host's voice suddenly increased.

"He is the 16th All-Star All-Star Game, the 4th NBA All-Star Game Most Valuable Player, the 2th NBA Finals Most Valuable Player Award, he has brought 5 championship trophys to the city, he has played for 18 years, he is an irreplaceable symbol of the city, he is our hero, he is Kobe Bryant!!"

Accompanied by the host's loud shouts, there were a burst of cheers like overwhelmingly.

"Boy! Kobe!"

Kobe's name was shouted in unison, and his momentum was shocking.
To be continued...