Chapter 241： Life is endless, progress is endless

Different from the slightly crowded urban pattern of New York, there are few high-rise buildings in Los Angeles, and the rich are more willing to live in the suburbs far away from the city center, or even in satellite cities. wealthy town.

There is also an interesting old story here. In January 1983, a fire broke out in Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s mansion, which is also located in this small town. The mansion covering an area of ​​2,200 square meters and a total value of 2.5 million US dollars was turned into ruins. Let Kareem's collection of more than 3,000 jazz records and countless basketball memorabilia are all reduced to ashes.

Afterwards, the insurance company only paid Kareem $1.5 million.

However, this seems to be a tragic past, but it has changed because of the fans. Fans across the United States have sent countless letters of condolences to Abdul-Jabbar, which moved Abdul-Jabbar and changed his life, which was previously isolated from the outside world.

Hence the Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, now known to fans, who would celebrate with his teammates, cheer on his teammates on the field from the bench, and play the violin between timeouts on the field.

Off the field, he created a jazz brand, he can make movies, he also shot commercials for American Airlines, he finally had more contact with the world, eased his relationship with his parents, and his relationship with his wife and children improved He began to truly fulfill his father's responsibilities and obligations, and even had his first autobiography.

This also indirectly affected his career. Originally planning to retire after 15 seasons, he played until the age of 40 and became the scoring leader in NBA history.

You know, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar was a very withdrawn person before. Except on the court, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar hardly interacted with others off the court, did not participate in any gatherings and parties, and did not even have any communication with his teammates in the locker room, even from 1971- In 1973, he had not been interviewed by even a single media for three years, and even almost cut off ties with his parents.

Everything that changed was the fire, so even though he lost what he had left behind, he was always grateful for the fire.

So he still chose the address here, which can be regarded as a commemoration of the old days and the new life.

It just took Zuo Li several hours to come here.

So when Zuo Li rang the doorbell of the mansion, it happened to be lunch time, and Kareem's lunch had just arrived on the table.

"So, let me see who is visiting me at noon."

Kareem went through a circle of names in his mind, but there was no answer. Today is Christmas Eve, and people of their age basically choose to stay at home and be with their families.

His children happened to be away, and his wife also went to the city to buy what he needed tomorrow, so Jabbar Shishiran rode his beloved little motorcycle all the way to the door.

Usually, he asked the nanny at home to bring people in, but today he was in a good mood, and he seemed to have a faint feeling that something good would happen.

So when he opened the door and saw Zuo Li's smiling face, he wondered if his hunch was a little too accurate.

Especially when he saw the basketball in Zuo Li's hand.

"I take the liberty to visit, Mr. Kareem, I hope I didn't disturb your holiday spirit." Zuo Li said with a slight bow and a smile.

"Ah, of course not, you are Zuo Li, I recognize you, hahaha, I'm glad you can come, although I don't know how you got here, but... welcome!" Jabbar stepped aside to clear the passage.

On the way back, Abdul-Jabbar pushed his beloved little motorcycle. The original normal-sized motorcycle was more like a toy in front of the two giants, but the two were obviously not concerned about the motorcycle.

"I knew from the beginning that you were that guy's disciple, and I knew we would meet one day." Kareem looked ahead, seeming to be caught up in memories.

"That's an incredible guy, you know, I've always been very conceited about my physical talent. Growing up, no one I met was my opponent. I could easily crush them, not even Need my stunt, yes, that is the biggest impression people have of me, 'Sky Hook'."

"Until I meet that guy."

"That was when I was in high school. The first time I met him on the street. At that time, he was playing against a group of people who were taller and stronger than him. It was incredible. He defeated them very easily. It was easier than I thought. , he just needs one or two moves to get them dizzy and fly up to get the ball in the rim with ease."

"You know, I was in high school in New York back then with almost no opponents, so I challenged, and..." Kareem paused, seeming to recall the game.

"I lost."

"It was the first game where I gave it my all and still got beat, and it's one of the games I remember the most, even my first NBA title didn't have as much impact on me as he did on me, and that was the first time I realized that , there are people outside people, and there are days outside the sky.”

"Do you know this feeling?" Kareem turned to Zuo Li and asked.

"Of course." Zuo Li shrugged.

"Forget it, I've heard your story, it's been smooth sailing, and I've hardly ever lost."

Zuo Li shrugged and did not refute. This life seems to be like this, but Zuo Li has experienced too many failures.

"Anyway, I became friends with that guy. Although it's not everything, I always thought he was a real genius. It's just a pity that we took different paths. When he gave up his career, I still regret it."

"But you're all legends, aren't you."

"Maybe." Abdul-Jabbar sighed. In high school, he was still very autistic and didn't know how to communicate with people. His friendship with the goat was made on the court game by game. After that, he moved to Los Angeles. It was two big men again. In that era of underdeveloped information, there were not too many news exchanges.

In the end, only the basketball was left.

That's right, the ball was originally given to the goat by Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.

The reason is that the goat is his only opponent who loses more and wins less, and because the goat is also his friend.

It's hard to be friends with someone who is withdrawn, but once you do, it's a lifetime thing.

"It's really nice to be able to see the ball now." Abdul-Jabbar took the ball in Zuoli's hand and put it in his hand, as if feeling its weight.

"That McCourt guy..."

"I've already left That's it..." Kareem sighed, and then adjusted his mood. At his age, he can basically see everything.

"Okay, no nonsense, I don't believe you came here all the way from New York on vacation to see this old guy, tell me, what do you want."

"Become stronger!"

"Huh? Are you not strong enough? In this batch of rookies, none of them are good enough for you."

"This, humility makes people progress, although I also think so." Zuo Li scratched his head: "But it's not enough!"

"Isn't it enough? Your kid is not too ambitious."

"Life is endless, progress is endless!"

"Hahahaha, good! No wonder you are valued by goats, that's right, that's what a basketball player should do, a little achievement is enough, after all, it won't become a big climate, the original Michael Jordan was better than Others are more domineering!"