NBA, Yao Ming is back!

Chapter 83 Passing by God? Sorry, God isn't working today.

Long Beach.

In July, Long Beach is truly a place of blonde hair and long, wavy hair, a walking embodiment of hormones, and those long legs are a shame not to be riding a tricycle.

but.

None of this has anything to do with Yao Ming.

Because of the 97 Summer League.

Unlike decades later when there was a unified organization, now there are several fragmented leagues.

The main attractions are the three Long Beach Summer Professional Leagues. Here, you'll find handsome men and beautiful women, big waves on the beach, long legs in bikinis, sandy beaches, and a fresh, slightly fishy sea breeze.

This is the landmark here.

In addition, there is the Rocky Mountain Summer Championship.

And the Los Angeles Summer Pro League.

There's also the Atlanta Summer Games, which was originally scheduled to be held this year.

However, its lifespan is very short; the league only lasts a few years, and there are too few participating teams, so it's better to simply—

Don't do it.

There are only four teams in total.

play.

Same as before, let's play the rest of the Summer League.

Because of Yao Ming's influence... Stern suggested that the Atlanta Summer Games party should not have been held at all.

If that's the case, then only the original three major leagues remain, and Long Beach doesn't have many star players this time.

Philadelphia, with Stern's strong support, went to the Rocky Mountain Summer Championship this time.

Compared to this year's Chang'an Exploration, there are quite a few impressive people here.

First of all, number one draft pick Tim Duncan is here.

Secondly, since Atlanta isn't hosting the event this year, Boston is participating instead. Because there are more teams this year, it's essentially a East vs. West competition.

west--

1. San Antonio Spurs

2. Utah Jazz

3. Portland Trail Blazers

4. Phoenix Suns

5. King of Sacramento

6. Houston Rockets

7. Minnesota Timberwolves

They are divided into these seven teams.

east--

1. Philadelphia 76ers

2. Boston Celtics

3. Indiana Pacers

4. Cleveland Cavaliers

5. Atlanta Hawks

6. New York Knicks

7. Washington Wizards

There are also seven branches.

Each side plays four games, and the team with the highest winning percentage advances to the semifinals. The semifinals are then played in head-to-head matches to determine the finalists. The finals feature a final showdown between the Eastern and Western Conferences.

However, apart from the group stage, there is only one match in each group.

While there are championships and MVPs, compared to the NBA, they're only slightly better than nothing.

And there are almost no prizes, so everyone is really just playing in the summer league.

This is mainly a platform for first-year rookies to hone their skills and for fringe players to showcase themselves and secure an NBA contract.

Yao Ming realized that the Rocky Mountain region of this Summer League was much more interesting than Long Beach.

The people I want to face are all here.

How can we not get intimate and have a proper meeting?

Moreover, there aren't as many distractions here as in Boracay.

You can also focus on your mindset while playing.

You don't have to keep getting distracted by other balls.

Yao Ming's goal is to completely dominate this Rocky Mountain Summer League.

That's right, it's about blowing it up.

After all, the overall strength of the Summer League is relatively weak, consisting of fringe players, players on various marginal contracts, or temporary workers.

At most, it's a high-ranking draft pick who leads a team.

The rest.

That's simply not enough.

It's a pity.

The Chinese men's basketball team participated in the Summer League in 96, 97, and 98, but unfortunately it was in Long Beach, so they didn't have a chance to play against each other.

Salt Lake City.

Maurice Cheeks is the 76ers' head coach for this Summer League season.

Despite his short stature, Cheeks is a true NBA player. He was a Philadelphia rookie in 78 and played for the 76ers. Cheeks was selected to the All-Star team four times in a row and helped the team reach the NBA Finals three times in the 80s, including winning the championship in 1983.

Cheeks is the starting point guard for the 76ers and has been teammates with Dr. J, Julius Erving, and Moses Malone.

From 1983 to 1986, Cheeks was named to the All-Defensive First Team four times in a row.

Now you understand why he's here as a teaching assistant, Larry Brown.

It's his consistent defensive lineup.

It's not that he was an All-Star four times in a row.

Upon retirement, he was the league's all-time leader in steals and ranked fifth on the all-time assists list.

You can think of him as the previous version of Stockton.

The assists are even weaker.

Moreover, his defense is even stronger.

He later served as the head coach of several NBA teams and was skilled at communicating with players. Therefore, as soon as he saw Yao Ming, he immediately came over and said, "Hello, Yao, you are really tall."

You said he'd never met Yao Ming before, how could he recognize him at a glance?

Is Yao Ming's height easy to recognize?

Besides Bradley, there's Yao Ming; his height is unparalleled in the NBA.

Bradley, on the other hand, has a Western appearance.

The only person in the East who is that tall is Yao Ming.

There's no need to put in the effort to find it.

You know it's him without even looking at the photo.

You can spot it at a glance even if you're standing 100 meters away.

Yao Ming felt that the first impression of this person was that he was very good at talking, which explained why Iverson specifically thanked him when he received the MVP award.

Of course, Iverson's gratitude at that time did not mean he would still be grateful when he was about to leave.

They are all Allen Iverson, but they are not the same Allen Iverson.

Just like relationships, a girl liking you today doesn't mean she'll like you tomorrow.

"Do you have any goals for coming here this time, Yao? You know, after all, you're a high draft pick, we should give you special consideration."

I thought that saying this would make any rookie player extremely grateful.

To everyone's surprise, this tall Eastern man actually started by saying...

"It's okay, just do it your way, Coach."

"I can hit it however I want."

But these words left Cheeks speechless.

Is there another way to answer like this?

Hearing himself say that, he shouldn't immediately act as if the whole team should revolve around him, or be grateful or arrogant and domineering...

It can't be this one.

Now that you've said that, Cheeks can't continue with many of his words.

But during the impromptu training, he discovered that they weren't joking.

That's really something, it hits exactly where you point it.

It's just the Summer League; Yao Ming just wants to get a feel for things.

Which top player will go all out in the Summer League?

Of course not without.

For example, that little blacksmith in Los Angeles.

That's just the kind of person he is.

But the most important thing is to adapt, to adapt to the rhythm of the NBA, which is a bit like going to preschool.

From the Summer League to the preseason, then to the main tournament, and finally to the playoffs, it's a process of continuous adaptation.

The success of the American league is undeniable, and its well-defined tiered system is a major strength.

Especially during the main competition.

The first team we faced was Washington... Bullets.

Oh no, it was officially renamed the Wizards in May of this year.

Although the name was changed, the tragedy will continue into the 21st century.

Because of the Dwight Howard scandal, they lost all their draft picks in 96, and then again because of…

In order to acquire Webber, they traded away their two future first-round picks.

The result of this operation was that they remained in a state of... for the entire period after 95.

The awkward situation of having no one to train them.

Therefore, without a first-round draft pick, they could only send a last-round pick, along with this group of fringe players, to play.

But you know what, this was a last-round pick.

He's quite famous; you can see there are quite a few people calling his name from the sidelines.

This person is none other than [someone else].

These are the so-called "Four Heavenly Kings" of Rock Park in the 90s.

Some of them played exceptionally well, such as Stephon Marbury, who went on to become an All-Star and the leader of an NBA team.

There are also players who are only average, but still capable of playing. One such player is Alston, who is also an old acquaintance of Yao Ming.

There are also those who are completely unable to adapt to the NBA.

For example, Sam God.

There are also those who can't even get a job in a talent show.

But that doesn't stop him. He has a lot of fans, after all, he plays basketball in a flashy style. People say that watching him play is more interesting than watching girls take off their clothes.

However, he is very strong in the CBA. Compared to the NBA's 32% three-point shooting percentage, he can be said to be able to easily dominate in the CBA.

A typical king of crushing noobs.

But jokes aside, to be honest, his dribbling skills are indeed very strong. His Sam Gold dribbling style is famous all over the world, and many people have paid to learn from him.

It can be said that this is only in terms of ball control skills.

Even NBA players are convinced.

However, if he doesn't change his playing style at all, and can't learn to play streetball on a streetball court and formal basketball on a formal court, then he will find it very difficult to make it in the NBA.

There are rules for catching the ball in streetball, and there are rules for regular basketball.

They both play basketball.

But they weren't playing basketball.

Marbury and Alston are the best examples.

No matter how glamorous you are in Rock Park.

In the NBA, there are NBA-style playing methods.

If you can't find this playing style, you won't be able to stay.

For those green dollars from the NBA.

Even the best streetball player has to rely on honest practice.

It can't be fancy at all.

If this guy doesn't change at all, then it's only natural that he'll be laid off.

and……

The most important thing isn't that, it's because of him and another player who didn't make it to the NBA, Kareem Ryder.

There are no baskets!

A guard without a basket is like a girl without breasts.

It looks nice but is useless.

Even in the CBA.

This guy doesn't have a shooting package either.

Their three-point shooting percentage is around 20% per game.

Twenty percent! Twenty percent of CBA players shoot three-pointers – that's a terrifying number!

Back then, the three-point line in the CBA was only 6.25 meters.

As for how to deal with this kind of person, the NBA has already provided the best answer.

Yao Ming can just copy it.

This guy just entered the NBA and is still resentful that he was only a second-round pick; he's at the point where his ambitions are sky-high.

He has never been beaten up in the NBA.

Of course, he thought he was the Bull Demon King.

He's also a rookie this year.

Looking at this tall Asian guy, he's ranked second overall in the draft. Is it just because he's tall...?

I'm going to make an example of you because I'm short.

This proves I can beat you big guys to a pulp.

That's definitely the case in the streetball scene.

It is indeed possible.

But this is the NBA.

There is a difference between wooden floors and cement floors.

However, he is only 21 years old now, so it's normal for him to be arrogant. The Summer League is a good opportunity for him to unleash his full potential.

Choosing this so-called streetball king is actually... just testing the waters.

After all, Stephon Marbury, whom the Huskies drafted last year, played quite well. Although the NBA management believes it's difficult for someone over 1.8 meters tall to make a name for themselves, since Marbury has already achieved success, giving him a try wouldn't hurt.

Anyway, he's just a second-round pick.

Should I choose a husky or a highland wolf?

It all depends on luck.

"If Stephen, that lone wolf, can be the fourth pick, why can't I?"

So, this is the first game where we're actually wearing NBA team uniforms, regardless of whether it's the Summer League or not.

He was determined to make a name for himself.

Shake this big guy over.

They're messing with this runner-up pick.

That was the first shot that made him famous in the NBA!

what?

Yao Ming realized that this guy was going to single him out.

Happy.

They're using me to establish their authority.

it is good!

Then I'll see how you compare to Little Ma back in the day.

……

China Sports Channel.

"The Wizards' leader is Sam Gold, a very famous figure in the American streetball scene, on par with last year's fourth overall pick, Stephon Marbury. This is his first NBA game, let's see how he plays in a professional game."

"We also hope that Yao Ming can withstand the challenge from the streetball king and deliver a satisfactory performance in his first summer league game."

Wei Ping, the "Black Lu Dan," does indeed have a good understanding of the local basketball culture. Even before the internet was widespread, he could casually recount this information…

Zhang Heli is indeed quite capable.

This match was also broadcast live on China Sports Channel.

The Summer League will be used as a test; if they perform well, they'll be broadcast more; if they perform poorly, they'll be broadcast less.

The same pattern followed when domestic players later joined the NBA.

Many domestic players are also watching this match closely.

I want to see Yao Ming's first Summer League game.

And that's when we ran into this famous guy.

How exactly will they fight?

Can we win?

Wasn't it said that his fame was the same as Marbury's?

Marbury put up nearly 16 points and 8 rebounds last year, and everyone said he was a potential future All-Star player.

With that reputation, Yao Ming, is he in danger?

Liu Wei became somewhat worried upon seeing this.

Unfortunately, these people don't have access to advanced information services, so few of them know the other NBA players, let alone streetball legends like Locke.

It all depends on the commentator's words.

Didn't Teacher Li easily create a pleasant atmosphere all by himself?

The viewing experience for everyone will also improve.

Kill two birds with one stone.

Bang bang bang bang bang.

That basketball was dribbled really well, beautiful and flashy, quickly energizing the atmosphere.

Moreover, he dribbles extremely low, making it almost impossible to steal the ball.

No wonder he's known for making stealing the ball from you; you need to make sure your palms are in close contact with the ground.

He truly deserves to be a top scorer in the CBA.

The lower the level of the game.

This only makes him seem superior.

After Yao Ming received the ball, he had just passed it to his own open guard and was about to get into position when his own point guard had already passed the ball to Sam Gold.

They just gave the other side a layup, making it 2-0.

"Sam—God—"

The crowd erupted in enthusiastic cheers.

Then, on their own offense, a fringe player tried to make a fancy layup, but it was blocked by the rim.

bang——

Summer League is Summer League.

Everyone is desperately trying to impress others in order to secure a contract.

Passing the ball is unlikely.

Therefore, taller players often don't perform as well as shorter players in the Summer League.

To put it simply, they can't control the ball on their own; they need to be fed the ball.

Yao Ming could tell that Cheeks didn't seem to want it either. It seemed he was setting up a specific tactic for him.

I understood immediately.

They neither shrugged nor complained.

He figured it out.

This implies a consideration of oneself.

After all, he was the first genuine Asian player.

It's still a high-profile show.

I definitely need to take a good look at it.

Of course, it also implies that one sees oneself as a blue-collar worker.

Therefore, there is no need to devise offensive tactics for yourself.

But regardless of which one.

None of this hinders Yao Ming's efforts.

"Sam God—!"

In the blink of an eye, Philadelphia was thrashed 9-0.

Sam Gold scored 7 out of those 9 points.

No wonder he's a master at crushing noobs.

They really know how to beat up weaklings.

Seeing this situation, Yao Ming stopped relying on his teammates. On the offensive end, he no longer needed them to pass the ball and instead focused on grabbing rebounds.

then.

One by one.

On the heads of these marginalized people.

Slam the basketball into the hoop.

Having long arms is so comfortable.

If I were still the Tyrannosaurus Rex version of myself.

That means many balls can't be completed so easily and effortlessly.

In addition, my current physical condition, developed using NBA-level methods since childhood, far surpasses my former self.

Within my own height range.

Besides the future Wenban Amazon.

There are really not many people who are more athletic than me!

Clang! Another ball.

"It's going to kill me!"

They scored four points in a row.

Help the team break the deadlock.

The atmosphere at the scene immediately became lively.

As everyone has noticed, Yao Ming and Sam Gold have started a feud.

This is the kind of format that people love to watch in this era.

What brotherhood?

We want to see a samurai duel!

Sam Gold also noticed that this number 11 was completely unfazed by his reputation as the king of receiving the ball.

People nearby started making a fuss.

"Gaode! Hit him! Break his legs!"

Hey, you know what, these streetball players are such show-offs. When he saw this, he actually gave the audience an OK sign.

"Hey big guy, don't say I'm bullying you. Remember my name: Rock Park, the one who beats God."

This is really...

It's something to look forward to.

It's almost impossible to defend against someone that tall.

Would you choose to switch defense?

Switching positions?

I'll only change the house, not the defense!

Yao Ming waved his hand, indicating that he would come in person.

Oh, not going to switch? That's bold, but... not smart enough.

Cheeks also sat up slightly, wanting to see how the match would continue.

Or Yao Ming, how should we continue?

Will he give him a good elbow like Lambiel did?

Otherwise, he really will shake you off your balance.

Streetball players may lack teamwork and shooting ability, but they dribble past opponents.

Absolutely a pro.

As one of the four great defenders of the Locke School, he was a top-notch player among top players.

Such a large-scale defense against small-scale attacks is too strained in terms of inertia and center of gravity.

If you elbow him, even if it's a foul, it's still a sign of toughness.

It can also earn you points on your own merits.

They're blue-collar workers.

If you can be energetic and skilled, a little dirtiness doesn't matter.

Yes, it's the kind of energy that comes from strong muscles.

Strong blue-collar workers shouldn't be too clean.

If Yao Ming knew that Larry Brown had instructed Cheeks to closely observe his performance on the blue-collar level, he would definitely give him a piece of his mind.

What blue-collar worker?

Who are blue-collar workers?

Your whole family must be blue-collar workers!

After saying that, Sam God rushed over.

They were trying to knock me over.

Ha ha.

I've faced Stephon Marbury before.

I have experience.

I was Alston's teammate.

I have a solution.

So what if you're good at dribbling?

So what if we get past God?