The longest river

Chapter 63 Not Afraid of Brothers' Suffering
After the game, Yang Shuai and Scott returned to the locker room chatting and laughing.

After playing such a thrilling match, all the pent-up emotions from before were released at once.

Moreover, system notifications kept ringing in his mind, alerting him to the persistent negative energy emanating from Eddie Johnson.

If Yang Shuai enters the rotation, then he will be displacing Johnson.

This is actually why Johnson targeted Yang Shuai so much before.

After he returned to the locker room and finished showering, Ma Long came over and called him, telling him to get ready to attend the post-match press conference.

Unlike the unofficial press conference during the preseason, this was a proper post-game press conference.

Before attending the press conference, Yang Shuai specially wore a pair of Reebok slippers.

Moreover, when he arrived at the press conference, he chose to sit near the edge and then exposed his feet.

This unique behavior prompted some reporters to take photos.

For them, they attend at least a hundred such press conferences a season, and the content of each one is pretty much the same.

Finding the highlights at these press conferences became a major focus of their work, as it determined whether their post-conference writings would attract readers and directly impacted their salaries.

Yang Shuai's behavior, which they had never seen before, was the highlight in their eyes.

Moreover, they also sensed a youthful energy unique to high school students from Yang Shuai, something a "mature" NBA player would never do.

They only turned their attention back to the press conference once it officially began.

After securing their first win of the season and ending a three-game losing streak, reporters had many questions to ask.

"Ewing played a great game, but we need to improve our defense. We can't expect to play like that every night. Defense is what helps us win games."

Brown emphasized the team's defensive issues.

"This is just a victory. We still have a lot to do and a long way to go to reach our goal. We must not let our guard down."

Miller, on the other hand, demonstrated his competitiveness and drive.

The atmosphere at the press conference was somewhat serious.

Or this is what the Pacers' post-game press conference usually looks like.

It wasn't until the microphone was handed to Yang Shuai that a reporter asked about his slippers.

Did you forget to change your shoes after showering?

"No, I like these Reebok slippers. They allow my feet to relax as much as possible after the game (stretches his toes)."

After Yang Shuai finished speaking, a burst of laughter immediately erupted from the audience.

Yang Shuai's advertisement is too awkward.

But how well can you expect a high school student to do?

At least from a behavioral perspective, it's quite remarkable that Yang Shuai thought of taking the opportunity to promote the brand he endorses during his first press conference.

Moreover, this change made the originally serious press conference much more relaxed.

Reporters were also willing to ask Yang Shuai more questions.

Yang Shuai suddenly became the star of the press conference.

"Mav Abbott once said that Indiana's 13th pick was 'the worst choice,' and he was commentating on the game tonight. Was your performance tonight a response to him?"

When a reporter asked this question, Miller coughed.

This question seems trivial, but it actually contains a hidden pitfall.

Albert is notoriously difficult to deal with. If Yang Shuai confronts him head-on, he will be relentlessly attacked and his reputation will be severely damaged.

Miller's cough drew the attention of reporters, and he picked up the water in front of him, took a sip, and then moistened his throat.

However, Yang Shuai's first reaction was...

Who is Mav Albert?
It's all because the era before he transmigrated was too different from the 90s. He doesn't really recognize many of today's celebrities; the only ones he knows are from the original owner's memories.

Moreover, the internet was just starting out at that time, so he couldn't get more information through the internet.

Of course, he wasn't stupid enough to think that Miller's cough was because of a sore throat; he could understand such an obvious hint.

"My performance is to help the team win. You know, our goal is to win the championship, and that has never changed (thanks to my fellow LeBron fans)."

Yang Shuai's response made Miller take notice.

Although Yang Shuai is young, he has a strong learning ability.

After the press conference, Yang Shuai and Miller went back to the locker room one after the other.

"Thank you," Yang Shuai said, turning around to thank the other person.

Although he could have handled it without Miller's reminder, Miller was indeed helping him.

"You're lucky tonight. If Oakley hadn't been taken down by you, he probably would have fought you right there and then. He's a freestyle fighting expert," Miller warned.

Oakley was Jordan's "bodyguard" back in the day, and getting into fights on the court was commonplace for him.

"Then I'll try to do the same next time." Yang Shuai nodded seriously.

Miller was taken aback, then laughed at Yang Shuai's words.

Yang Shuai also laughed.

Clearly, tonight's game thawed the ice between the two.

The next day, Yang Shuai's name was once again in the headlines of major media outlets. Scoring 20 points in his fourth career game is nothing special for a lottery pick.

If you add the fact that it was won against a strong team like the Knicks, then it can only be considered decent at best.

But if this rookie is the first high school perimeter player in NBA history, and also an Asian player, then that's a whole different story.

Yang Shuai is making history!
This time, Vaccaro didn't even need to do anything behind the scenes.

Moreover, all of these reports mentioned Yang Shuai wearing Reebok slippers.

The image of a talented and conscientious newcomer leaps off the page.

Some fans have already unconsciously started to wonder: Will a yellow whirlwind really sweep through the league?

After their game against the Knicks, the Pacers continue their six-game road trip, with the next four games all in the Western Conference, starting with the Timberwolves.

Upon arriving in Minnesota, Yang Shuai had just checked into his hotel when Garnett picked him up in a Land Rover.

The car was huge, even bigger than the used Johnson Hummer he used to ride in, and much more comfortable.

"Did you buy a car? What kind of car did you buy?" Garnett asked impatiently as soon as Yang Shuai got into the car.

"They explained to me that it snows frequently in winter in Minnesota, and ordinary cars can easily get stuck in the snow." And before Yang Shuai could answer, he began to introduce his car.

And his big mouth never stopped the whole way.

Garnett isn't the kind of person Pierce who likes to talk non-stop, and Yang Shuai could completely sense that Garnett was quite lonely in Minnesota.

Garnett took Yang Shuai to his place.

Instead of renting an apartment in the city, he rented a large villa in the suburbs.

And it wasn't just him; his aunt Betty was also involved.

Garnett hired her as his housekeeper, who was also responsible for taking care of his meals and daily life.

It has to be said that Garnett knows how to enjoy life better than Yang Shuai.

After they started eating, Garnett began talking about how great the house's location was.

It's right across from a shopping mall, and you can get directly onto the highway from here, making it very convenient to go to the training center or stadium.

“By the way, do you remember Sam Mitchell?” Garnett said, forking a piece of steak.

Yang Shuai nodded.

“He mentioned you when he was talking to me. You have no idea how happy it is to hear from you in Minnesota.” Garnett said, then put a steak in his mouth and chewed vigorously.

"It seems you get along well with him." Yang Shuai's prediction has come true.

Right after Yang Shuai finished speaking, Garnett swallowed the meat in his mouth, and his previous relaxed expression disappeared, replaced by a worried look.

"Are you having a bad time with the Timberwolves?" Yang Shuai asked, looking puzzled.

"Don't mention it."

Garnett then threw away his knife and fork.

His initial thoughts when he first joined the Timberwolves were similar to Yang Shuai's, but in reality, he can only play as a substitute now.

Because there were two people ahead of him in line.

One is Tom Gugliotta, the 6th overall pick in the 1992 draft, who, like Garnett, is an all-around power forward.

他上赛季在森林狼队场均能贡献14.4分7.2板4.5助攻2抢断1盖帽，场均出手2.8次三分并且有31.8%的命中率。

Garnett can do everything now, and he can do it better.

Another person with even greater fame is Kristen Laettner, who squeezed Shaquille O'Neal out of the "Dream Team" back then.

莱特纳是森林狼在1992年选中的探花秀，发挥也一直很稳定，基本上维持在18分8板3助攻1抢断1盖帽这样的数据水平。

These two men are like two mountains weighing on Garnett's head; it will be difficult for Garnett to get over them in a short time.

In addition, the veteran players also targeted him in every way, and he had arguments with them more than once.

If it weren't for Mitchell's mediation, he probably would have already started a fight with them.

"I think they'll eventually trade one of them away," he analyzed.

The pressure on the Timberwolves to select Garnett with the 5th pick was no less than that on the Pacers to select him with the 13th pick.

Moreover, the Timberwolves are a rebuilding team.

Therefore, whether from the perspective of nurturing talent or dispelling doubts, the Timberwolves' management will do that.

"I hope so."

As the saying goes, those involved are often confused, while bystanders see things clearly. After Yang Shuai's analysis, Garnett suddenly felt that his future prospects were much clearer.

"By the way, how are you doing in Indiana?" Garnett then inquired about Yang Shuai.

His question instantly shifted the worry to Yang Shuai's face.

The biggest difference between the Pacers and the Timberwolves is that one is a championship contender, while the other is a rebuilding team.

It will be even harder for him to secure a starting position with the Pacers in his rookie season than for Garnett.

"Things are moving in a positive direction." Yang Shuai smiled.

After chatting with Garnett for a while and learning that he wasn't the only one having a bad start, his mood improved considerably.

(End of this chapter)