Su Xi sat courtside, watching the game with rapt attention.
Before the game started, both Yao Ming and Kobe came over to greet him with a high-five.
But the Los Angeles fans booed Su Xi.
The boos made no sense.
'Aren't the Spurs supposed to be your opponents?'
'Shouldn't you be booing the Spurs?'
'I'm a spectator, too. Am I supposed to be the enemy here?'
The game started quickly.
This was the first time this season Su Xi was watching a premier Western Conference matchup live as a spectator.
Watching up close as a spectator allowed him to see much more.
The Spurs' teamwork was precise. Every play was meticulously planned, and their execution was seamless.
The Lakers weren't quite as precise, but the core roles of Yao Ming and Kobe were crystal clear. They were like two great anchors, setting the team's course.
From the start, both teams were locked in a fierce, tight contest.
It was a back-and-forth battle.
The game was a hard-fought, neck-and-neck affair.
