Chen Yu’s words made the Lakers’ team doctor, Steve Rambaldo, tense up as well.
He was dying to ask how Chen Yu could tell O’Neal had insufficient big toe dorsiflexion just by looking at the twisted, deformed digit without any X-rays.
So when Kupchek, who was standing beside him, shot him a questioning glance, Lombardo spoke up. "Chen, I don’t think the insufficient dorsiflexion is an issue, is it? Shaq’s mobility isn’t limited at all right now."
Chen Yu nodded in agreement. "You’re right. Given his current condition, his mobility certainly isn’t limited. I’m merely pointing out that insufficient dorsiflexion puts greater pressure on the arch of the foot, which creates a risk of sprains."
"And having a risk doesn’t mean a problem will actually occur."
Chen Yu had put it so definitively that Lombardo opened his mouth, but found he had nothing to say.
"So, is it serious, Chen?" O’Neal finally asked.
Chen Yu smiled and shook his head. "Not at all. It’s just simple inflammation. I’ll write you a prescription in a bit. Take the medicine as directed, and you’ll be able to make your return in about a week."
’Still just anti-inflammatories.’
’Except this time, I can use a Bronze Level healing effect on him.’
’I’d managed to farm two Bronze Level healing effects from the medicine I’d dispensed during the three-day free clinic.’
The All-Star Game was on the 11th, still 10 days away, which was more than enough time.
"That’s... great." The corner of O’Neal’s eye twitched. He looked like someone who wanted to be happy but couldn’t bring himself to smile.
Standing nearby, Kupchek heard the "one week" prognosis, and it suddenly clicked.
’Wait a minute, that’s not right at all.’
’The Lakers’ goal this time was to keep O’Neal out of the All-Star Game.’
’The more serious his condition, the better.’
’I should have just gone along with what Chen Yu was saying. Then it would have been perfectly logical to say O’Neal needed more time to rest. That would’ve given us a reason for him to miss the All-Star Game!’
’Instead, I got sidetracked by all that talk about sprain risks and let myself get spooked. I didn’t even realize what was happening until it was too late.’
’The kid must have done that on purpose!’
Kupchek looked over at Chen Yu. It suddenly occurred to him that Chen Yu must have deliberately mentioned the risk to his arch to scare him, then used that opportunity to make a diagnosis of only one week of recovery time.
Kupchek was a bit frustrated. ’This kid is sharp.’
Chen Yu, oblivious to Kupchek’s train of thought, glanced at O’Neal’s left foot again.
’It really is a potential issue.’
The foot is a balanced, integrated system. When the function of one part is compromised, the overall balance is disrupted. This increases the pressure on related areas, causing a cascade of problems.
’That’s why corrective surgery is the best option.’
’But the problem hasn’t fully manifested yet, and surgery is unrealistic in the middle of the season.’
"Shaq, be careful with your left foot. It’s going to cause problems down the line. For instance, you’ll be at a higher risk for arch sprains," Chen Yu cautioned.
"Got it." O’Neal sounded unenthusiastic, shooting Chen Yu a resentful glance. "Chen, your medical skills are just too good."
"Thank you."
Chen Yu offered a polite, professional smile. ’Trying to pull one over on me? Do they really think I can’t see through their act?’
’But I came here with a mission from Stern.’
’I would never clear a player with a genuine health problem to play, but since O’Neal is clearly fine, then he’s going to play. Simple as that.’
The next step was to go through the standard procedure: send O’Neal for X-rays and blood work.
Finally, he’d prescribe the medication, and the matter would be settled.
O’Neal could forget about sitting out this All-Star Game.
In fact, the mission Stern had given him was already as good as complete. His bottom line was simply to ensure that at least one member of the OK Duo would be able to play in the All-Star Game.
Meanwhile, the Lakers’ superstar Kobe Bryant arrived at the hospital, accompanied by his good friend, Rob Pelinka.
The two were more than just friends; their relationship had a professional dimension as well.
Kobe’s agent at the time was Arn Tellem, and Pelinka worked as the legal counsel for Tellem’s agency, slowly transitioning into becoming an agent himself.
Tellem had a company to run and was often busy, so Pelinka was responsible for handling Kobe’s daily affairs.
"Kobe, you need to be careful in there," Pelinka reminded him. "Chen is the head of the league’s health department. He has the final say on whether or not you can play."
Kobe, dark-skinned and lean with a short beard, had an expression of pure defiance on his face.
He was young, after all—he hadn’t even had his 23rd birthday yet.
"I know. I’m perfectly fine right now. Nothing’s wrong with me," Kobe said, patting his chest.
He had been dealing with some injuries lately, but as far as Kobe was concerned, they were all minor. If you could play, you weren’t injured.
And he was absolutely determined to play in this particular All-Star Game.
He’d already been selected as an All-Star twice and had won a championship the previous year, but it wasn’t enough. He wanted more honors: Regular Season MVP, Finals MVP, and All-Star Game MVP.
There was no way he’d agree to miss the All-Star Game over a few minor injuries.
Soon, the two of them reached the exam room.
Kupchek wore a pained expression. The O’Neal front was a lost cause. All that was left was Kobe.
Lombardo’s diagnosis of O’Neal’s big toe inflammation had been an exaggeration, but with inflammation, being "fully healed" and being "able to play" were two completely different concepts. It would have been perfectly reasonable to say he needed a month of rest—until after the All-Star Game.
Kobe, on the other hand, had legitimate injuries: a sprained left foot, a strained shoulder muscle, and tight hip flexors. The most troublesome of these was the sprained left foot, which he’d been playing on despite the injury.
’With those injuries, he’d need at least two weeks of rest, no matter how you slice it. That should keep him out of the All-Star Game, right?’

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