NBA, Yao Ming is back!

Chapter 85 Young people are full of energy!

Nearly a quadruple-double? 30+15+10+8, phenomenal stats, the Sharks remain unstoppable in the Summer League!

Summer League debut: 30 points! But it was just 30 rebounds!

"Insane Bricklaying Creates Amazing Rebound Count!"

These reports show that domestic media are focusing on promoting data. Clearly, the disconnect between media professionals and the public is about to begin.

This data is indeed alarming.

It's not uncommon to see more rebounds than points, but this many more rebounds than points...

I've never seen it in China anyway.

That means, apart from Dennis Rodman, there probably aren't many others left.

Young people and traditional media have different focuses.

Thirty rebounds is certainly an exaggeration, but what's more important is that final shot that sealed the victory...

No matter how good the data looks, you can just glance at it and move on, but cool moves are what really matter.

That's the real key to attracting young people.

Look at the basketball courts in various residential communities across the country.

Handsome!

He's so damn handsome!

Is this even human?!

How can someone almost 2.3 meters tall do this kind of movement?

Wow, big guys can play basketball like this? This is eye-opening!

I've decided to go to the court and give it a try today! Nobody can stop me!

Driven by young people themselves.

Sam Gaode's breakthrough has become a hot topic in China these past two days.

Of course, back in China at that time, people didn't have that kind of rapid access to information. So, in China, it was called—"Great Shark Breakthrough."

This is... very popular and fun.

As for the data, I was so excited when I saw it that I forgot about it.

What truly endures are the moves and impressions themselves; most people are drawn to play by these cool moves.

Don't tell me you fell in love with basketball at first sight. Even Sakuragi Hanamichi, the red-haired monk, initially liked basketball because he wanted to pick up girls.

I don't want to play basketball.

You can fall in love with a sport while learning it, but it's difficult to fall in love with it from the start simply because of the sport itself.

The initial entry points are absolutely varied and unconventional.

But this is the earliest memory that truly made everyone fall in love with basketball.

Of course, if you don't do it well, you might twist your ankle, fall flat on your face, or trip over something...

Such scenes are quite common.

Especially for taller individuals, there is a lack of coordination training from a young age, as well as the most scientifically developed skills.

Your resilience and ball control aren't enough to support you in making such a move.

However, this does not stop countless young people from giving their all on the court.

after all.

This is what youth is all about.

……

But these scenes took place in the country.

It doesn't have that much influence in the United States.

First, this assumes that whatever stats you rack up are Summer League stats, and that's actually the case. Even if you only average a few points per game in the NBA.

They can also score high points in the Summer League.

Moreover, the defense in the Summer League was not so much non-existent as it was almost non-existent.

Most importantly, these kinds of matches are not broadcast in the United States, and some matches are not even recorded.

There isn't a readily available internet that allows for the free dissemination of such handsome clips.

As a result, Yao Ming's statistics from this game are the most widely circulated.

The data from the Summer League was significantly reduced, and it wasn't nearly as appealing as the cool moves.

These problems combined meant that Yao Ming's incredible Sam Gold breakthrough on the court could only be passed around by word of mouth within a small circle.

Only those who went to the game can say – wow, you didn't see it, that big guy was really like a Gundam.

And yet again because...

The idea of a center playing Sam Goddard is almost unheard of in the average person's mind; it's difficult for people to identify with something they've never seen before.

Gradually, it will become an urban legend, like the streetball goat.

Many so-called professionals believe that the reason this happened is because Sam Gold was completely overwhelmed by the number 11 player, and his defensive will had gone home. It was like he was just making moves against a wooden stake.

It looks good.

But it may not be very meaningful.

The problem is more about the data.

The data reflects his playing style and choices.

This is what coaches should be looking at.

The coach's office in Philadelphia.

Maurice Cheeks faxed the data to Larry Brown. The bespectacled old man on the other end of the phone was silent for 30 seconds, then suddenly slammed his hand on the table:

"Great, great, great! They're definitely top-tier blue-collar workers!"

"Put the stats aside for now, look at this pattern: rebounds and blocks are both greater than points. This shows he's a true super role player! At least he has the heart of a role player!"

"Yes, you've always had excellent taste!"

Cheeks quickly agreed.

Larry Brown is now the head of team management, so I'll definitely have to flatter him.

Well, let me explain...

Sometimes, when listening to reports from subordinates, you can't believe a single word they say.

Things like what's on your mind.

Can I tell my boss about that?

Was what I said truly what I felt?

Absolutely not.

The boss doesn't like to hear that either, so just pick something that the boss likes to hear.

Cheeks has a very clear grasp of this point.

He said that he had not played basketball for many years, and his professional qualities and conduct were already highly refined.

"And sir, I've noticed that he seems to be able to make corresponding defensive adjustments based on the opponent's offensive tactics and state of attack."

"However, it's only one game, so we need to observe a few more games before making a decision."

"Oh? You have that kind of brain?" Larry Brown's eyes lit up even more when he heard this.

You're not the coach, so you don't know, but what Richie just said means that this big man has the ability to read the defense.

And he's still a rookie.

This ability is extremely valuable.

Many so-called shot-blocking experts or defensive specialists do not possess this ability.

To put it bluntly, it means having a brain.

Defending with your brain.

Generally, those with exceptional talent are used to being overwhelmed by natural talent from a young age. They almost always start using their brains to play basketball only after entering the NBA.

Even if things don't go well, you can start with the NCAA.

This is why so many coaches want their players to gain at least a year of experience in the NCAA.

He was not even 17 years old.

You're telling me he can actually defend with his brain?

"Observe him again, especially to see if he is really using his brain to defend."

"None of the data is as important as this."

"I understand, sir." Cheeks certainly understood what Larry Brown was saying. Summer League stats were only for reference. No matter how well you played, it was useless because there were no truly great players here.

This corner is either full of newbies or marginalized people.

Any NBA player with a scoring ability of over 10 points could easily dominate the game.

So it depends more on your playing habits here.

It depends on your mindset and habits.

It depends on your reading and judgment of the field.

Of course, you can't say there's absolutely no data.

That means your so-called awareness, habits, reading, and judgment...

It's all just your own assumption that you're doing well.

These things are supported by data.

Only then will it have meaning.

……

Game 2 against the Indiana Pacers.

Their team leader was Austin Crosher.

This is a 2.06-meter forward.

He is known as a tough inside player.

My favorite thing to do is eat hamburgers.

Nickname: Hamburger Guy.

After a wave of fraud in 1999-2000, he swindled a huge contract worth 50 million.

And then... I started to give up.

So-called contract scammers.

He was a fixture throughout the entire NBA era.

Before the emergence of Ben Simmons, the number one draft pick in 2016, his contract was notoriously bad.

Xidi said, "You only managed to scam over 5000 million? You're no good at all. It's nothing."

However, back then, it was considered the worst contract in NBA history.

During the draft, Hamburger weighed 235 pounds, which was quite... strong.

Of course, if you compare yourself to someone like Taiko, who is considered a top-tier talent, then you're definitely not quite there yet.

It doesn't matter if you can't remember this person's entire career; just remember his famous quotes. Yao Ming can recall them all easily:

Ah, I can't defend fast guards, and I can't handle tough centers. I can only pray that the opponent doesn't make the shot.

Well, my defensive secret: visual distraction!

Just make it look fierce!

In 04, when he was about to be demoted to a lower-level position, he uttered a famous quote:

I'm the Pacers' 'jack-of-all-trades,' I can fill in wherever there's a shortage of players, and I'm even willing to sit on the bench in crucial moments.

Well, now it seems that when the coach said I was "stable," he meant I was consistently without a chance.

There was also a wave of celebrations when he retired:

When no one wanted me as a substitute, I decided to become a commentator.

No running, no sweating, and I can even criticize young people—this job is perfect for me; I'm a born commentator.

But when he's giving commentary, he transforms into a famous reverse prophet—

Game 5 of the 2013 NBA Finals between the Heat and the Spurs: "The Spurs can't win, the Heat will win the championship, and LeBron James will dominate the game."

Then... the Heat lost 3-4.

2016 Warriors vs. Cavaliers Game 7: "The Warriors, with 73 wins, can't possibly lose. Curry will win the Finals MVP."

Then, the Cavaliers rallied to win 1-3.

2018 Rockets vs. Warriors Western Conference Finals Game 7: "The Rockets will definitely win, Paul will dominate Curry."

Then, the rocket crashed.

I'm really worried that this guy might reveal his address.

Countless heartbroken fans will send him tons of razor blades.

……

In short, aside from his breakout season with the Pacers—one season, yes, just one—not a year, he's mostly been a source of amusement.

Why do you think Yao Ming only remembers these?

Compared to his famous quotes, his playing style is really not very memorable.

However, at this time, Hamburger Bro was still full of confidence. After all, he was one of the few white people with super jumping ability, and he was known as the man who would play volleyball if he didn't play basketball.

His jumping ability of over one meter gave him immense confidence in college.

As everyone knows, the highest jumpers among athletes are not actually on the basketball team.

The volleyball team is one of the dominant forces.

So he's young and impetuous now, seeing how tall Yao Ming is.

Before the game, I boasted that I've dunked on every big man in the NCAA.

Now, let's enter the NBA.

It should start with that tall guy in Philadelphia.

And then the camera pans to this point...

Yao Ming looked at him, grabbed the ball, and charged towards him.

They just charged at us, completely naked.

It really doesn't involve any technical moves at all.

You could at least make a fake move.

Do you think you're LeBron James?

Yes, we're talking about Rogers James, who weighs over 300 pounds.

reckless.

That was too reckless.

At least Sam God can make a few feints to shift my center of gravity.

You're too lazy to even do anything.

Yao Ming even suspected that this guy had never been taught a lesson by a big man.

The quality of the inside players in this NCAA season is just too poor.

When the burger guy rushed over, he realized something was wrong.

It's not right.

Ok?

How could someone...

Wow, that's so tall.

That's right. Although there are tall guys in the NCAA, there really aren't any who are this tall.

But they're all the same; they're all just background scenery for me!

Heh heh.

You're looking down on people.

Do you think I'm some kind of idiot?

These are the big men in NBA history. You might say they weren't great at scoring, rebounding, assists, or steals, but these 2.20-meter-tall giants are undeniably impressive.

But you can't say they can't block shots.

That's bullshit.

Whether it's Ball or Bradley, who has a terrible reputation.

Everyone has at least two or three blocks per game.

Do you really think someone that tall is easy to hook?

If you want to dunk, you have to slam it into the rim. If you stand up and your hands are already above the rim, how are you going to dunk?

Then, a five-hit lightning strike occurred.

It was so dazzling that it blinded all the audience members present.

Snapped--

clap clap.

Five big hats in a row.

Every time I hit it, it sent a wave of the basketball's rear end... a wave of the ball.