"The NBA league office announced that Ron Artest has been automatically suspended for one game without pay and fined $35,000 for his Flagrant 2 foul."
"The Lakers announced the latest update: starting forward Link's status is listed as doubtful..."
"Team reporter Dan Wojnarowski revealed that Link will undergo further evaluation but will travel with the team to Toronto."
"..."
After examination, the soft tissue around the bruised area was swollen, with minor internal bleeding.
The team doctor's advice was clear: rest for a week.
The Lakers were facing a three-game road trip.
Philadelphia, New York, and Toronto.
Link looked at the schedule without speaking.
The team's current record was safe. Rationally speaking, there was no need to take risks.
"It's also an opportunity. You can try observing," the Zen Master seemed to see through his thoughts.
"Use your eyes, use your brain. Look at our offensive sets, see how opponents adjust their defensive strategies. This is valuable experience."
So, Link packed a few extra suits in his luggage.
He traveled with the team, but his role shifted from player to spectator.
First stop: Philadelphia.
The Wachovia Center was filled with complex emotions toward Kobe.
Kobe was a child of Philadelphia. There was love for him here, but even more hate.
When Kobe was introduced, the boos were deafening.
Sitting behind the visitor's bench, Link could clearly feel the hostility.
With Link absent, the Lakers started Luke Walton.
The team's offensive flow became noticeably stagnant. The opponent could double-team Kobe more boldly and pack the paint more decisively.
Odom was forced to shoulder more playmaking duties, but the results were mediocre.
Vujacic and Farmar tried to provide firepower, but their shot selection under higher defensive pressure seemed reckless.
The game was ugly.
Kobe faced a frantic siege from the 76ers defense.
He still managed 38 points but needed 32 shots to get there.
The Lakers as a team shot a dismal 5-for-22 from three-point range.
In the end, the Lakers lost on the road, 92-98.
Second stop: New York.
Madison Square Garden. The Mecca of Basketball.
Even with the Knicks in a chaotic dark period, the lights and noise here were unique.
During pre-game warmups, Link received a call from Isabella.
"Free after the game? I know a nice Italian place. The chef is a friend."
So, after the game, Link quietly slipped away to a quiet restaurant in Midtown.
The team's PR staff had specifically warned him: "Watch out for paparazzi! Don't get photographed!"
Isabella was already there. She seemed to have just finished work, her makeup exquisite but her face showing signs of fatigue.
"How is it?" She motioned for Link to sit carefully. "Does it hurt?"
"Much better," Link smiled. "Better than when I took the hit."
Isabella looked at him seriously. "I saw the foul on the news. It looked scary!"
Link shook his head. "It's okay. Can't avoid it on a basketball court."
Isabella fell silent for a moment, then said, "Being careful is always good."
Her voice lowered, her eyes full of sincerity. "You have to protect yourself. Don't let someone else's mistake ruin your career."
"I understand." Link looked into Isabella's eyes, feeling a warmth spread through his chest.
The food arrived, and they moved on to other topics.
Isabella talked about the preparations for her LA Fashion Week show. Link shared the strange feeling of watching the game from the sidelines.
Dinner didn't last long.
As they left, the cold New York wind swept through the streets.
Isabella naturally took his arm. "Heal up well, Mr. Prophet. You look pretty good in a suit too."
Back at the hotel, the restlessness Link felt from sitting out had inexplicably settled down quite a bit.
In that night's game, the Lakers faced the chaotic Knicks but still struggled.
Lacking a consistent perimeter threat, the Knicks packed the paint recklessly. Every point Kobe scored was a grind. Bynum was constantly harassed under the basket and even picked up a technical foul.
Relying on Kobe's desperate fadeaway jumper in the final moments, the Lakers escaped with an 88-87 victory.
But the Lakers' problems were becoming exposed: a lack of structure on offense, over-reliance on Kobe's isolation, and insufficient defensive intensity and consistency to hold onto leads.
After the game, the Zen Master bluntly stated it was one of the ugliest games the Lakers had played all season.
Third stop: Toronto.
Air Canada Centre.
The basketball atmosphere here was incredibly intense. The city poured immense emotion into the Raptors.
Plus, last season, Kobe had dropped an otherworldly 81 points on the Raptors. The young Raptors players held a grudge and refused to back down.
From the tip-off, they brought the intensity.
Chris Bosh and T.J. Ford led the team running at breakneck speed.
The Lakers, exhausted from the continuous road travel, had heavy legs and couldn't keep up with the transition offense at all.
The Lakers fell behind in the first quarter and chased the whole game, but always fell just short.
Kobe couldn't replicate the miracle of an 81-point comeback.
He scored 41 points on 13-of-29 shooting, but it was empty stats in a loss. Odom had a near triple-double but also committed 7 turnovers.
103-115, Lakers lost on the road.
The three-game road trip ended with one win and two losses.
On the flight back to Los Angeles, everyone was silent.
The Lakers had played five straight road games. From California in the far west to Philadelphia in the east, then up to Toronto in the north.
Even Kobe looked tired, not just physically, but mentally.
On the plane, Link leaned against the window and opened the in-flight tablet.
If the team doctor cleared him, he would return for the next game.
Although it was technically an "away" game.
But this time, they were playing the crosstown Clippers.
The Clippers and Lakers shared the Staples Center as their home court. Whenever the Clippers were the home team, they would cover up the Lakers' retired jerseys and championship banners.
The two teams received vastly different treatment in Los Angeles.
One was the aristocratic dynasty, the other... not so popular.
In fact, there were often more Lakers fans at Clippers home games.
But this led to the Clippers playing like their lives depended on it every time they faced the Lakers.
In the future, they would target the Lakers at every turn. Link recalled events from his past life. Any player the Lakers were interested in, the Clippers would bid high for, regardless of whether they needed him. Just to spite the Lakers.
Link shook his head and refocused on the screen in front of him.
The tablet began playing tape of the Clippers.
The Clippers played a fundamental, steady style this season.
One name caught Link's attention.
Corey Maggette...
Maggette had explosive athleticism and elite physical talent. Known as "Bad Porn" (for his ugly but effective game) or simply for his incredibly muscular build. His impact was pure force. His defense was also stifling.
Link had struggled against him last season, averaging only 9.6 points on 37.4% shooting in their matchups. Far below his season average.
Maggette, on the other hand, averaged 17.6 points on 44.8% shooting against the Lakers.
But Link was not the same player he used to be. This would be his first time facing the Clippers this season.
He was bound to give them a "surprise"!