One of the 'Four Beauties of Mexico'

Coach Gentry was also watching the Suns-Lakers game from last night. However, Gentry seemed less happy than Austin, Karim, and others.

"Knock knock knock!"

At this moment, someone knocked on the door. Lance, the manager, walked in and saw Gentry watching the thrilling game against the Lakers. He thought Gentry was enjoying the victory from last night.

But the next second, he noticed Gentry's furrowed brows.

"What's wrong?" Lance walked up, a bit puzzled. "Didn't we win? It was an incredibly magnificent victory last night, and Carlos had a breakout performance. It's all good news. Gentry, why the long face on Christmas Eve?"

"Well..." Gentry paused the video and said to Lance, "Carlos's individual performance is indeed impeccable. However, if you look closely at the game, you'll find significant flaws in the current Suns team."

"What?!"

"Defense."

Gentry said seriously, and Lance also focused his attention. Gentry continued, "This is not the usual problem we have. We play the run-and-gun tactic, sacrificing some defense for speed and accuracy, confusing the opponent in fast-paced attacks. That's not an issue."

"Although you say that..."

Gentry shook his head slightly. "But the defense is still far from enough. Apart from Carlos, our defense is really lacking. And Carlos has to contribute more on the offensive end. This makes our defense even worse. Especially on the front line, leaving aside Carlos's all-around defense, there is no one else. Facing non-top-tier front lines like Pau Gasol and Odom, we can hardly defend them. Last night's victory was only a narrow one. With this kind of defense, I don't know if we can win the next match, or if we'll have a chance in the playoffs when the defensive intensity increases. Maybe... there won't be a chance."

With these words, Lance also realized the problem. After thinking for a moment, he asked, "So, what are you thinking now?"

"How about George?" Gentry said.

"Huh?"

Asked suddenly, Lance was puzzled for a moment, then understood and said, "You want George to start? Act as a defensive player on the front line?"

"Yes..."

Gentry nodded without denying it.

"Can we do that?"

Lance shook his head. "George's performance is too inconsistent. If he starts, the offensive threat from our starting lineup will be reduced, and the 'run-and-gun' tactic won't be as effective."

"No, no, no!"

Gentry smiled faintly and asked, "Do you think a Suns team with at least Carlos, Curry, and Nash lacks offense? Not to mention Carter and Frye, who also have good shooting abilities."

"Well, yeah..."

"Yes, offense is not lacking. What we lack is a good defensive player. Currently, the rookie George, with good physical talents, is a trainable candidate."

Gentry said seriously.

Lance also nodded eventually and said, "So when do you plan to let him start?"

"I have this idea for now. As for when, it needs consideration. It also depends on George's progress and the overall situation of the team's offense."

"Okay!"

Lance nodded again, then smiled and said, "Gentry, don't work so hard tonight. Go back and reunite with your family. Let's not talk about work on Christmas Eve. Go home early. My wife and family are still waiting for me. I'll leave first."

"Well, I'll leave in a while."

...

Christmas Eve is meant for joy and harmony. People from all walks of life put aside their work-related concerns. They either go home to have a meal with their families, go out with friends to relax, or go out with their significant others.

As for Carlos...

He was flying to Los Angeles to meet his "Cindy."

Carlos arrived an hour earlier, bought some gifts and items from a nearby mall, and then booked a standard room in a five-star luxury hotel.

The hotel was located in the city center, surrounded by various amenities.

When he returned to the airport, it was exactly 5 p.m., and Cindy's call came in 10 minutes later.

"Hello, Carlos, I've passed the security check and am now waiting for you in front of a place called 'Fiery Spaghetti.' Have you arrived?"

"Yeah, what are you wearing?"

"I have a black sweater on top and a dark green skirt below."

"Okay, I'll be there soon."

Carlos, waiting around the exit, almost immediately spotted the 'Fiery Spaghetti' place and walked towards it. Soon, he locked onto a girl wearing a black sweater and a dark green skirt.

"Is it really Cindy?!"

Carlos showed surprise. Even from a distance of more than ten meters and seeing only a profile, the cold and frosty side face, the world's high-cold temperament, must be one of the 'Four Beauties of Mexico,' Cindy.

"Interesting."

Carlos smiled faintly. Although he had thought about it before, confirming it now still felt somewhat unbelievable! Of course, there was no time to dwell on this; Carlos walked straight towards her and shouted, "Cindy!"

Cindy turned her head and saw Carlos approaching. Then, she smiled, a smile that contrasted sharply with her previous cold appearance.

This smile was truly healing.

Seeing Carlos's face up close, she was more certain. The beautiful girl not far away was indeed one of the 'Four Beauties of Mexico,' Cindy. And now, she was Carlos's cousin!

Walking over, Carlos was about to say something when Cindy, with a wrinkled brow, complained, "Carlos, it's so cold. The weather in the United States is too cold!"

Seeing Cindy shivering, Carlos took off his coat and draped it over her. He smiled faintly, "It's because you're wearing too little, Cindy!"

"Not at all."

Cindy muttered but obediently wrapped herself tightly in the coat Carlos gave her.

"Let's go!"

Taking the luggage, Carlos hesitated for a moment, then took Cindy's freezing little hand and walked straight to a bubble tea shop, buying her a steaming cup of bubble tea.

"Here, the first cup of bubble tea for Cindy in winter."

"What?"

Cindy took it but didn't quite understand.

"Hehe."

Carlos shook his head, smiling, "We still have some way to go to the hotel. Have a sip of bubble tea to warm your hands; you won't feel so cold."

"Oh."

Cindy tilted her head slightly, looking at Carlos with a puzzled expression, "Hey, little white, what's gotten into you? How come you've become so caring?!"

"Really?"

Carlos smiled and thought, 'Isn't this just basic operation? It's just that the previous me was too naive.'