He didn't perform at his expected level at all.
As a result, he wasn't angry, but instead avoided it by biting his nails.
Kobe recalled Roger's words in his mind: "After Shaq met you, he realized what an excellent teammate I am. One day, you'll feel the same. After meeting LeBron, this terrible helper, you'll realize Shaq wasn't so bad."
Shaquille O'Neal never loses his composure under pressure.
Kobe wanted to explode, but he was no longer the locker room dynamite that ranted at everything and everyone.
He tried to calm his emotions by taking a deep breath before speaking.
"LeBron, calm down. Roger's voice, the fans' voice, they're all bullshit, just meant to distract you. They hate you, hate your talent, hate your focus, hate your breakthroughs. But many also love you, for the same reasons. So don't let those voices interfere with you, man, play your own game, OK?"
Kobe finally spoke to James, but his tone was blunt, completely different from usual.
