The longest river

Chapter 134 The Rain Keeps Falling in Portland
Who is the guy who can stop Michael?
It's naturally Yang Shuai.

However, Miller clearly wouldn't do as he wished.

In the transition, Miller immediately used a screen to shake off Ryder and take a three-point shot.

That shot was beautiful from the positioning to the release, but unfortunately it didn't go in.

Ryder continued to call for the ball in the low post. This time, Jackson tried to help defend inside, but Ryder reacted quickly and directly turned and launched a two-point fadeaway jumper from the baseline.

The basketball went into the net again; he had a very good start to the game.

"Hey! Businessman player, are you afraid to guard me?"

Moreover, after scoring, Ryder immediately turned to Yang Shuai and started trash-talking her.

His arrogant demeanor is exactly as Garnett described.

Miller used Jermaine O'Neal's screen to create another three-point opportunity. This time, Wallace rushed out to intercept the ball, and Miller passed it to Jermaine O'Neal.

Jermaine O'Neal had an open mid-range opportunity, but instead of shooting, he turned and looked for Miller. Miller then set a pick-and-roll with O'Neal and took a mid-range shot.

The opportunity was still good, but unfortunately Miller's shot missed the rim again and bounced out of bounds.

Miller clapped his hands in frustration.

It's clear that even the best three-point shooters have nights when they lose their touch.

Returning to the defensive end, Miller opted to front Ryder when he was backing down.

However, since he is not in a good position due to his weight, he will inevitably have to use some hand movements to secure the position.

Ryder was equally aggressive, and the two players' actions became too forceful, ultimately leading to the referee blowing the whistle to indicate that Miller had committed a defensive foul.

Because he had already been awarded a 2+1 play, this foul brought Miller's personal foul count to two.

Seeing this, Bird had no choice but to substitute Miller with McGee.

A cheer erupted from the crowd. Miller was substituted after committing two fouls within the first two minutes. It would be difficult for the Trail Blazers not to win tonight!

After the camera lingered on Miller for a few seconds, it quickly switched to Yang Shuai.

Miller missed the Pacers' final game of last season, when they beat the Trail Blazers, due to injury.

The same two opposing teams, the same scene—it's hard not to bring back memories.

"You can guard Michael, but you might not be able to guard me."

After finally achieving his goal of competing against Yang Shuai, Ryder continued to make outrageous remarks.

"You know what? Being able to play basketball is the luckiest thing that's ever happened to you in your life!"

Yang Shuai thought this guy had some mental issues.

Ryder smiled without saying a word, and simply continued to reach out for the ball with his back turned.

Because Sabonis has the ability to shoot from the high post, the Trail Blazers have good spacing on offense, which was key to Ryder's ability to repeatedly back down Miller.

However, since it was Yang Shuai at this moment, the other Pacers players didn't seem inclined to help defend.

Ryder received the ball and immediately began backing down the ball.

It has to be said that Ryder's strength and ability to fight are quite impressive, which explains why Miller was so passive.

But Yang Shuai is not Miller. After gaining weight, he could handle Jordan, let alone a mere Ryder.

Moreover, Yang Shuai didn't lower his center of gravity for that ball; he just headed it head-on.

Anyone with a modicum of common sense would have returned the ball and started a tactical play after realizing they couldn't hold the ball any further, but Ryder didn't choose to do that.

Without any resistance, he opted for a jump step and a backward lean to shoot.

This play perfectly showcased his physical attributes as a dunk champion.

However, he completely underestimated Yang Shuai's defensive abilities.

Almost the instant he turned and jumped, Yang Shuai stepped up to block him, and then, after he leaned back and shot, Yang Shuai delivered a volleyball-style block that sent his shot flying into the stands.

There was a commotion in the place.

"Did you step in the shit that leaked from your own brain?"

After making the block, Yang Shuai couldn't help but retort.

However, no system notification sounded in his mind, and even Ryder looked puzzled.

"Negative energy from Isaiah Rider +448".

After a while, Ryder finally reacted with a furious expression, and even pushed Yang Shuai, only to be caught by the referee and given a technical foul.

Yang Shuai reached out his hand with a smile.

See, you asked me to guard against you, but now that I'm actually doing it, you're unhappy, aren't you?
Yang Shuai made the technical free throw, and the Pacers finally scored.

During the Trail Blazers' half-court offense, Wallace suddenly shook off Jermaine O'Neal and cut to the basket, receiving a high bounce pass from Sabonis and slamming it home with both hands.

Although this Trail Blazers team's record isn't that great, their talent is undeniable.

This dunk ignited the emotions of Portland fans, and cheers erupted throughout the arena.

7:1.

The Trail Blazers got off to a dream start.

In the Pacers' offense, Yang Shuai was playing the shooting guard position and was running Miller's plays.

He used Jermaine O'Neal's screen to create a three-point shooting opportunity.

No wonder Miller had such an easy time getting shots off earlier. Compared to his passable offense, Ryder's defense was exceptionally poor.

Jackson's well-timed pass arrived quickly, and Yang Shuai received the ball and decisively launched a three-pointer.

Except for the change of shooter from Miller to Yang Shuai, this offensive possession was no different from the first possession of the game.

But the result was completely different.

Yang Shuai's three-pointer came down with a swift and decisive strike.

What's even more terrifying than making the shot is that he didn't even touch the net.

The referee was stunned for a moment before signaling that the goal was valid and the game continued.

"You're a fucking piece of trash!"

Upon landing, looking at Ryder who had just run up to him, Yang Shuai chose the simplest and most direct form of trash talk this time.

"Negative energy from Isaiah Rider +478".

Indeed, sometimes you have to be simple and direct.

Seeing that Ryder was not in an advantageous position, the Trail Blazers turned to Wallace's low-post isolation play on the other side.

Wallace attempted a turnaround jump shot fake to shake off Jermaine O'Neal, but it failed.

Bird's development of Jermaine O'Neal this season has been very targeted and effective. Wallace's difficult fadeaway jumper at the end missed the rim.

Davis turned around and secured the defensive rebound.

However, the Trail Blazers' center positioned himself on the perimeter, and their quick transition defense prevented the Pacers from launching fast breaks.

Both sides continued to move to their positions.

Yang Shuai created a three-point opportunity on his first run, proving he wasn't wrong to call Ryder a piece of trash.

However, as soon as he received the ball this time, Wallace pounced on him.

Seeing this, O'Neal tried to set a screen, but Yang Shuai signaled him to spread out and use his size to exploit the gap.

A change of direction and acceleration to initiate a three-pointer followed by a step-back.

Wallace, as a power forward, was quick to move laterally and made a desperate move to disrupt Yang Shuai's shot.

However, Yang Shuai's shot was decisive, and the ball flew over his head toward the basket.

"Shh!"

The basketball swished through the net once again!

Yang Shuai was in excellent form tonight.

7 square meters.

With Yang Shuai hitting consecutive three-pointers, the Pacers quickly tied the score.

At a crucial moment, Sabonis stepped up for the Trail Blazers, scoring with a back-to-the-basket layup against Davis in the low post.

Although he is only a sophomore like Yang Shuai, Sabonis had a 54.5% field goal percentage in his rookie season, making him the most consistent player on the team.

Furthermore, on the defensive end, at the signal from head coach P.J. Carlesimo on the sidelines, Wallace and Ryder began to double-team Yang Shuai.

However, while retreating from the double team, Yang Shuai lobbed the ball high to Jermaine O'Neal.

Just like when he learned defensive techniques from Robertson, Yang Shuai has also sought advice from Mark Jackson in private ever since he witnessed his passing skills.

The ball was successfully delivered to Jermaine O'Neal.

However, Jermaine O'Neal's reaction was the same as before. He had an open shot but didn't shoot. Instead, he held the ball and turned around to look for Yang Shuai.

Seeing this, Yang Shuai accelerated past Wallace and Ryder's defense, received a handoff pass from O'Neal, and drove straight into the paint.

After seeing Sabonis return to defend the basket, he directly challenged the opponent and made a layup off the backboard, drawing a foul in the process.

With his current weight and 80cm driving ability, he's not so easy to defend when he really goes for a drive.

However, Yang Shuai did not celebrate after scoring the basket, but instead gestured for Jermaine O'Neal to come to him.

"Shoot when the opportunity arises, you hear me?"

Bird used Jermaine O'Neal for the sake of spacing on the court. If O'Neal didn't shoot, he couldn't create spacing, and there was no point in him staying on the court.

Jermaine O'Neal nodded.

Yang Shuai felt that he hadn't listened to him, so he directly pulled his head in front of his own.

"If you want something, you have to fight for it, you have to grab it. This is not a place for humility, understand?!"

After saying that, Yang Shuai reached out and punched Jermaine O'Neal in the chest.

Jermaine O'Neal nodded firmly.

Only now did he begin to understand what Yang Shuai had told him before the season even started.

Yang Shuai went to the free throw line and calmly made the shot despite the boos from the fans.

9:10.

The Pacers have taken the lead.

Yang Shuai scored all of the Pacers' points in the opening minutes.

The scene was in an uproar, and a sense of déjà vu began to uncontrollably flood their minds.

Go, Trail Blazers!

Amidst the unease, the fans in the stadium began chanting in unison to cheer on their home team.

The Trail Blazers executed a very good play, with Robinson posting up and then passing to Wallace, who suddenly cut in from the weak side. Wallace received the ball, pulled up for a mid-range jumper, and made it.

Although Wallace was also a sophomore, he had played two years of college before entering the league, so his skill level was much better than that of high school player Jermaine O'Neal.

This basket put the Trail Blazers back in the lead, and the ensuing defensive chants from the crowd were deafening.

Yang Shuai was double-teamed before he even received the ball this time.

Jackson reacted quickly, passing the ball directly to Jermaine O'Neal ahead of time.

This time, Jermaine O'Neal received the ball without hesitation and went straight for it.

"Shh!"

The basketball went in without a hitch.

Under Bird's guidance, he has developed a certain level of ability in mid-range shooting and defense this season.

"Yes, that's it!"

Yang Shuai retreated on defense and immediately high-fived Jermaine O'Neal.

Knowing Jermaine O'Neal's personality, he could understand why O'Neal didn't choose to shoot himself. It was simply because he felt he was a rookie and didn't dare to take the shot, so he wanted to let the other players on the team take the lead.

Once this mindset is overcome even once, the problem will naturally be solved.

Moreover, after Jermaine O'Neal made his decisive shot, the Pacers' morale on the defensive end improved, and they successfully defended against a wave of Trail Blazers' half-court offense.

Jackson immediately advanced quickly after receiving the ball.

He realized that the position was difficult to defend and therefore accelerated his attack.

This sudden change in pace caught the Trail Blazers off guard, and they were noticeably slower in retreating on defense.

Just then, Jackson passed the ball to Yang Shuai, who had just arrived at the frontcourt.

Yang Shuai faked a drive, forcing Rider to take a big step back, and then immediately launched another three-pointer.

The hearts of the fans at the scene jumped into their throats.

Last season, the Pacers at least had Brown to keep Young in check, but this season the Pacers' head coach is Bird, who will not only not stop him, but will even encourage Young to play this kind of game.

"Shh!"

With a crisp sound, Yang Shuai's three-pointer came down in a flash.

He had already scored 13 points in less than half a quarter!
(End of this chapter)