Link hasn't forgotten the first time he practiced with Kobe Bryant in the early hours of the morning.

At that time, it was during the All-Star Game. At the time, he was just an amazing underdraft. And Kobe Bryant, Shang still rules the league.

At the time, no one was comparing Link to Jordan.

At that time, Kobe Bryant could easily defeat Link in one-on-one.

At that time, Kobe Bryant still had room to coach Link.

But what about now?

Link is almost 30 years old, and he's gone from a milky draft failure to a superstar with three championship rings. And, at its peak.

And the superstar who ruled the league back then has retired at home.

This year, Kobe Bryant. Bryant was 38 years old.

Los Angeles in the early hours of the morning was the same feeling as Link felt when he first trained in the early hours of the morning.

Quiet, extremely quiet, the hustle and bustle of the Los Angeles metropolis on weekdays, only at this time will it briefly subside.

One of the benefits of this quiet state is that it allows you to hear your inner voice. At such times, the human mind is extremely clear.

So, Kobe and Link didn't speak to each other. They just silently looked out the window at the street, at the sky that was still pitch black, but could already see a glimmer of dawn.

Then, think about your own things separately.

Link and Bryant got off the bus at Venice Beach Stadium, a famous street court in Los Angeles that is always crowded during the day.

But at four o'clock in the morning, the venue was empty, in stark contrast to the hustle and bustle of the day.

Link took a deep breath, and in the sea breeze, even the air seemed to smell salty.

Golden beaches stretch along the road, dividing the horizon into two distinct worlds. On one side is the endless Pacific Ocean, with blue waters. On one side are lush tropical forests and the bustling streets of Los Angeles.

The sky-blue Venice Beach Stadium sits on this "dividing line".

Compared to the street courts that sit in the midst of reinforced concrete, the Venice Beach Stadium is clearly more desirable for Link.

He and Kobe Bryant looked at each other and smiled. In an instant, they were all in good spirits.

Link lifted the basketball and made a jumper from beyond the three-point line.

As Link has done countless times, the basketball hollows into the net.

Bryant picked up the basketball and ran to the other half, barely finishing a dunk.

Green trees, yellow sand, endless coast, beautiful sky blue courts, and an orange basketball ...... The happiness of the super-rich is sometimes so unpretentious.

"Come on, the warm-up is almost hot, let's start!"

After a few more minutes of play, Bryant slipped the ball to Link and then put on a defensive stance.

The meaning is clear, he wants to go head-to-head with Link!

"I don't dare fight you, if I break your bones, Vanessa will have to kill me." Link said no, but his body was honest.

He alternates between his left and right hands and dribbles slowly, ready to attack at any time.

"You think I'm really old? I didn't retire because I was old, I didn't want to play with you anymore. Come on! ”

As soon as Kobe Bryant's words fell, Link suddenly accelerated and rushed to the front of "Black Mamba".

Before Kobe could take a sideways step, Link quickly turned and floated past Kobe's eyes.

In just one step, Link passed the former nine-time NBA All-Defensive Team member.

Bryant turned around and prepared to chase back, but by this time, Link was already holding the ball and leaping high.

Kobe Bryant was a little surprised, jumped so early? Link should have jumped off the free throw line!

But soon, Bryant regained his composure.

The guy in front of him is Link. Is there anything he can't do?

In the air, Link completely stretched his body. After gliding some distance, slash the ball into the frame with one hand.

A tomahawk slam from the free-throw line, Link made it with ease.

"1 to 0, Corvo."

"It's only 1 to 0, go on!" Bryant could see that Link didn't mean to release the water at all.

But that's why Kobe Bryant likes this guy.

In the end, Bryant lost 4-21.

Link really didn't show mercy and slapped Kobe Bryant several times.

Kobe's few four goals were all difficult goals under tight defense.

After a round of bullfighting, both of them were already sweating profusely.

Bryant wasn't annoyed by the loss to Link, he happily picked up the basketball, sat on the sidelines, and looked up at the sky.

It's almost dawn.

"Thank you, Link. This is probably the last time I'll get up at four in the morning to play. ”

Bryant was very grateful, and Link came to Los Angeles the day before yesterday to accompany him to play at 4 a.m. for the last time.

"Cut, say thank you." Link waved his hand, and he also enjoyed playing with Kobe Bryant in the wee hours of the morning.

"Hehe, do you know why I asked you to stay with me?"

"Because I didn't make it to the finals this year, otherwise I would have been preparing for the championship parade right now." Link pouted.

"No, because I know that a madman like me can only be accompanied by a madman like you. Running to play basketball at four o'clock in the morning and fucking two neuropaths...... Hey, you're not reconciled, Link. You've won three championships, but you still want to win, right? ”

Chatting and chatting, Kobe Bryant shifted the conversation to the NBA.

Link looked at Kobe Bryant, not sure, but also not refuting.

"Ha, I knew it! So, in some ways, we're one kind of people, Link. Rest assured, your failures this season are only temporary. As long as you're there, the Grizzlies will always be in contention for the championship. It won't be long before you're back on your feet. ”

Bryant's eyes were so determined that he didn't look like he was joking.

Link looked at Kobe Bryant, a little surprised. In fact, even many Memphis fans themselves believe that it is very difficult for the Grizzlies to bounce back.

The Warriors' "Galaxy Battleship" is there, and the Grizzlies' current lineup can't be compared to it at all.

Even if the Grizzlies do bounce back, it won't be "long." Kobe Bryant went from three consecutive championships to two consecutive championships, but it took a full 7 years.

But Kobe didn't think his own story was worth reference for Link, and Bryant was right, they were all crazy.

But they also have a lot of differences.

"My daughter Gianna idolizes you, Link. Don't let him down, you're going to have to do a better job than I do. Well, now, don't blink. Look, the sun is out. ”

Bryant pointed to the sea level with his chin, and Link turned his head to see a faint light slowly rising from beneath the sea level.

Link stared at the beauty of the sunrise, completely frozen, and did not move for a long time.

The sunrise in Los Angeles after four o'clock in the morning, God knows how many times Kobe Bryant has seen this charm that is too beautiful to describe in words.

Perhaps, this is the reward for every time he gets up at 4 a.m. to train.

Gradually, the sky was illuminated by the sun, and the sun rising from the darkness became very dazzling.

It's like......

It's like a Memphis grizzly bear preparing to break through the clouds from the darkness!

Link clenched his fists, he was bound to let the grizzly bear fight his way out of the darkness!

Michael. In the middle of Jordan's two triple championships, there was a gap of one year.

As it turns out, this kind of thing is not something that no one has ever done.

Jordan can, why can't I?

"Thank you, Corvo." Link now knows why Kobe Bryant played at four o'clock in the morning for the last time and called himself.

"Cut, say thank you." Bryant smiled and returned what Link had just said.

"By the way, there's one more thing I'd like to ask you, Link. Rest assured, you won't be asked to play at four o'clock in the morning again, this time, it's a business partnership. ”

"Business cooperation?"

"Well, you're almost 30 years old, so it's time to get involved in more business things."

"What kind of business cooperation."

"Hmm..... It has to do with sports drinks. Let's talk about it slowly when we get back. ”

Hearing the word "sports drink", Link instantly understood.

Yes, the current Kobe Bryant is a rising new giant in the sports drink industry.