That night, the Trail Blazers headed to Los Angeles.
This game will be broadcast live by TNT and China Channel, so there is no room for sloppiness.
When I woke up in a hotel in Los Angeles, a piece of news added fuel to the fire, directly bringing the pre-game warm-up between the Lakers and Trail Blazers to its peak, surpassing the other four Christmas games.
With his strong performance since his debut, coupled with two miraculous games in December, Wang Zelin entered the regular season MVP selection list of major media for the first time.
On the NBA official website list, Wang Zelin ranks eighth!
On the TNT list, Wang Zelin ranks seventh!
On the Sports Illustrated list, Wang Zelin ranks eighth!
Even ESPN, which has always been at odds with Wang Zelin, ranked him tenth on the list!
In addition to these most authoritative media, many other media have also given their rankings.
Just like the bleachers.
Wang Zelin was directly ranked fifth, the highest among all media, which is in line with their usual style of stirring up trouble.
The first time it entered the list, it made it into the top ten, and this was also the case in all major media lists.
This made more people begin to recognize Wang Zelin's strength, instead of just seeing him as a junior like before.
Let’s take a look at who are the top ten MVPs in the league’s regular season!
First: LeBron James of the Heat
Second: Thunder’s Kevin Durant
Third: Chris Paul of the Clippers
Fourth: Carmelo Anthony of the Knicks
Fifth: Kobe Bryant of the Lakers
…
A young man quietly came to the side of the league's major superstars and launched a loud charge horn.
"You can do it, boy, you're totally horny!"
While the outside world was talking about it, Wang Zelin was talking to a phone caller from across the ocean.
"Tsk, tsk, tsk, across thousands of rivers and mountains, I seem to smell the lemon scent of someone."
Listening to the familiar voice on the other side of the phone, Wang Zelin couldn't help but chuckle.
It's just that the person who spoke to Wang Zelin was Dayao who was in the Celestial Dynasty.
After Wang Zelin successfully entered the list, Dayao immediately sent a congratulatory message.
"Haha, if you continue to maintain this data, maybe you can be in the top five by the end of the season, or even be in the top three."
Sensing the ridicule in Wang Zelin's words, Yao Ming smiled.
"Stop talking nonsense. If I could be in the top three, I would have already achieved it with my current data. You know the racial discrimination here better than I do." Wang Zelin said dissatisfied.
No!
Yao Ming has been playing in the NBA for nearly ten years, and has only appeared on the NBA's official regular season MVP list twice. One was in the 2003-04 season, ranking 15th; the other was in the 2008-09 season, ranking 12th.
?
"Yes, this is the United States after all. Of course, the media reporters and commentators who give scores will not be biased towards crooks like us." Yao Ming said with emotion.
"Sooner or later I will be ranked number one on the list, and I will have to convince them to help me get there."
Yao Ming did not comment on the young man's high spirits, and then told another piece of news.
"What, you're almost in Los Angeles!"
Wang Zelin said with some surprise.
"Ahem, this is your first Christmas war. As a big brother, how could you not come to support me?" Yao Ming said.
"Okay, let me know when you get there." Wang Zelin replied with a smile.
After finishing the call with Dayao, Wang Zelin called home to say hello to his parents, and chatted for a while before hanging up the phone.
…
The time came to 5:30 in the afternoon, and the Christmas game belonging to the Trail Blazers began.
Before the game, the coaches of the two teams submitted their rosters.
Lakers at home: Steve Nash, Kobe Bryant, Darius Morris, Gasol, Dwight Howard.
Lakers small forward Ci Shiping has recently declined due to injury. With the idea of protecting Ci Shiping and strengthening the depth of the second team, D'Antoni temporarily let him play as the sixth man.
Trail Blazers on the road: Lillard, Matthews, Batum, Aldridge, Wang Zelin.
In the TNT live broadcast room, a giant suddenly arrived and attracted everyone's attention.
"Yao, my brother, long time no see!"
"The same goes for you Shaquille, your Chinese is really getting worse and worse now."
The photographer rarely discovered that O'Neal, a big shark, could one day look thinner in the camera lens.
By now, everyone must have known that the giant in the live broadcast room is Yao Ming, who came from thousands of miles away to watch the game.
As the first Chinese No. 1 draft pick to enter the NBA, Yao Ming's strong on-court performance, excellent off-court humor and high emotional intelligence have made many Americans forever remember this big man from across the ocean.
The moment Yao Ming appeared at Staples Arena, TNT executives gave a direct order to let Yao Ming serve as the temporary commentator no matter what.
When talking to the outside world, just say you are a special guest.
At first, Yao Ming refused.
But later, he couldn't resist O'Neill's "crying, making trouble, and hanging himself", so he agreed.
It's definitely not because a thick red envelope suddenly appeared in my pocket, really...
"On one side is the famous Purple and Gold Army. This season's performance is only 13 wins and 13 losses, barely consolidating the 11th position in the Western Conference. This performance is undoubtedly disappointing." Charles Barkley said.
"On the other side is the rising Portland youth team, with a record of 21 wins and 5 losses, sitting third in the Western Conference and fourth in the league. They are like the rising sun." Kenny Smith said.
"Let's guess, how many points will the Lakers lose in this game?" As a Lakers legend, O'Neal can be said to love and hate the Lakers, which makes him hurt the Lakers without mercy.
As for Yao Ming, as the fourth man, he sat aside and kept an awkward but decent tool smile.
…
Sitting in the CCTV live broadcast booth are the golden partners most familiar to Chinese fans.
Director Zhang and Teacher Yu Jia!
At this time, the two of them were also conducting pre-match analysis.
Director Zhang said: "Through the analysis of the game in mid-December, the Lakers are now obviously recovering, especially the star Kobe Bryant, who is playing beautifully..."
This chapter is not over yet, please click on the next page to continue reading! As expected of David Bryant, when he talks about Kobe Bryant, it’s like he starts talking and can’t stop.
"Ahem!"
Yu Jia Tactics coughed and wanted to get back on track.
"Kobe has scored 30 points for the 7th consecutive game."
"Cough, cough, cough!"
"Kobe seems to have returned to the super state he was in in 2006!"
Director Zhang is still unable to extricate himself.
"Ahem! Ahem! Ahem! Ahem! Ahem!"
This time, Yu Jia's unusual behavior finally attracted Director Zhang's attention.
"Yu Jia, your voice..."
"Let's turn the camera to the Trail Blazers..."
…
Both sides have entered the venue to warm up and the game is about to begin.
"Hey rookie, your magical performance ends here. Tonight I will tell you who is the owner of Staples Center and who is the number one center in the league!"
When he came on the court, Howard ran over and said hello to Wang Zelin.
"Here, the owner of Staples Center is behind you now..." Wang Zelin casually pointed behind Howard.
"Where, where is it!"
The latter is like a fox that stepped on its tail and turned back in fright.
"You fool me!"
"So what?"
Seeing the anger on Howard's face, Wang Zelin smiled.
"Rookie, you..."
Hey, why did you just run away after saying those harsh words?
Howard is the only one left in the entire center circle, blowing the cold wind in embarrassment.
Howard glared at Wang Zelin's back fiercely: I'm angry, I'm really angry, hum!
…
Jump ball begins.
Howard still relied on his top speed and accurate prediction of basketball to take the first shot of the ball.
After Nash received the ball in the backcourt, he slowly advanced.
Wang Zelin quickly settled into position after landing and stuck Howard at the edge of the paint area.
Why does this kid's power seem to...become stronger again?
After trying several times in a row and failing to get a good position, Howard looked at Wang Zelin in surprise.
But so what?
The league's No. 1 center's offensive range extends far beyond the basket.
With enchanted confidence, Howard reached for the ball.
Nash took a quick look and quickly released the ball.
"I knew...wait"
Howard was just overjoyed when he suddenly realized that something was wrong with the trajectory of the ball.
The ball was passed high.
However, how could a two-time regular season MVP make such a mistake?
Kobe sneaked through the baseline like a thief and got into the paint.
Mamba attacks.
"Bang!"
After catching the ball in the air, Kobe stretched his right hand back and pulled it down fiercely, and the ball was slammed into the basket.
Excellent cooperation from a pair of good gay friends born in 1996.
The Lakers opened the game and succeeded in an alley-oop.
"Oh, my god! Oh, my god!"
"It's an alley-oop!"
“Kobe!!Bryant!!!!!”
The DJ's shouts immediately started.
"And Nash!"
"Old bird, have you seen this? That's what you call the treatment of a Staples Center owner?"
When returning to defense, Wang Zelin inadvertently bumped into Howard, which caused a burst of dissatisfaction from the latter.
"Huh! Sooner or later, I will be treated like this."
Howard didn't hesitate.
You can pull it down, your happy beast will go to Houston next year!
By chance, there will be someone there to show you what Houston looks like at 4 a.m.
"It seems that Kobe is very excited about this game!" Kenny Smith said.
"It's been a long time since I've seen such a powerful goal from Kobe." O'Neal said with a smile.
After sharing the AMVP with Kobe Bryant in the 08-09 All-Star Game, more than half of the sting in O'Neal's heart was removed.
After he officially retired, he gradually began to miss the young man with the afro who threw himself in his arms.
When the Trail Blazers attacked, Wang Zelin moved down the pick-and-roll from the high post and pointed his right hand straight into the sky. Lillard smiled knowingly.
"Xiao Wang is going to regain his position, and the moment of revenge is about to take place!" Teacher Yu Jia roared excitedly.
"Defend!"
D'Antoni shouted passionately on the sidelines, and Howard quickly circled inside, but it was too late.
"Snapped!"
The ball hit the backboard first. Wang Zelin jumped up and grabbed the rebounded basketball with his right hand.
"Bang!"
The alley catch was successful.
As soon as Wang Zelin opened the show, under the gaze of tens of thousands of people at Staples, he showed off his style.
"DPOY! Where's your defense?"
Wang Zelin hung one arm on the basket, glanced sideways at Howard next to him, and then dropped.
hateful!
I was underestimated by this rookie again.
Howard clenched his fists, roaring in his heart.
Both sides adopted the same offensive method in the opening game and both scored.
There is nothing better than a tit-for-tat confrontation.
2:2.
The Lakers attacked, Nash continued to hold the ball and direct traffic. Kobe ran without the ball. After receiving the ball in the bottom corner, he hit Batum and hit a two-pointer.
Compared to the time when he conquered the world alone, under Nash's organization, Kobe looked more terrifying when he put away his edge and was ready to go.
A sword with a hidden edge is the most deadly.
"It's Kobe again!!!"
"Our Mr. Black Mamba was in surprisingly good shape tonight."
Under the exaggeration of the commentator, the atmosphere in the arena suddenly became high, and the shouts of "MVP" resounded throughout the audience as soon as the game started.
MVP?
One day I will have it too.
Wang Zelin glanced at the fans around him and the figure wearing the No. 24 jersey, and tightened his fists.
Lillard advanced with the ball, and this time it was Aldridge who came back from injury.
After receiving the ball in the high post, Pau Gasol defended behind Aldridge.
For a manly insider like Aldridge, they must not be allowed to shoot.
Even if you can't guard them, you have to do your best to interfere with them, otherwise once the shot is made, Aldridge can really kill the game with a jump shot.
Pau Gasol took half a step away and extended his long arm to interfere.
Aldridge turned his back on Pau Gasol.
At this time, Wang Zelin, who was at the right elbow area, suddenly cut in and stretched out his hand in the direction of Aldridge.
"careful!"
Without D'Antoni shouting, Howard's excellent defensive sense allowed Howard to notice Wang Zelin's movement early, with a cruel smile on his face.
This chapter is not over yet, please click on the next page to continue reading the exciting content! After seeing Wang Zelin running out of opportunities, Aldridge swooped in, Wang Zelin jumped to catch the ball, and Howard, who had been waiting for a long time, suddenly burst out.
A hot pot feast is just around the corner.
But in the end, it still didn’t come.
After taking off, Wang Zelin did not choose to do it by himself. From the corner of his eye, he saw Batum successfully reach the free throw line from a 45-degree angle from the left, grab the basketball and throw it behind him.
"This is...a no-look pass!"
"I never thought a big man could do such delicate work!"
While Director Zhang and Teacher Yu Jia were feeling emotional, Batum received the pass and easily put it into the basket.
4:4.
"I have this, but unfortunately... you don't."
Looking at Howard who was dumbfounded, Wang Zelin made two circles on his temple with his index finger, and Wang Zelin left with a smile on his face.
The Lakers went down quickly, Nash assisted Pau Gasol and hit a mid-range shot from the right short corner.
So far, the offensive rhythm of the two teams has been very good.
Trail Blazers offense.
After Wang Zelin screened, he came down from the high post again. Howard was very close and the opportunity was not good. Lillard did not pass the ball.
Batum came over to respond and passed the ball hand to hand. Lillard shot a three-pointer after covering the ball and hit the ball.
Howard got a backcourt rebound, and Kobe reached for the ball and started a fast break.
Facing two defenders in the frontcourt, Kobe first faked a pass, then turned around and shot a fadeaway jumper. The movements were very coherent, and Batum was beyond his reach.
"Whoosh!"
A difficult fallback hit.
What a thousand-year-old waist!
4:8.
Vanessa on the sidelines jumped up excitedly to cheer for her husband.
"Man, where's your defense?"
"Why don't I feel anything?"
After landing, Kobe spread his hands and asked Batum and Lillard curiously.
Fake squid!
Gift crab!
Batum and Lillard looked at each other, selectively ignored the proud Kobe, and turned around to prepare for the baseline kick.
The Trail Blazers attacked, and Lillard forced his way past Nash and drove into the paint from the left wing.
After Aldridge completed the pick-and-roll, he blocked Pau Gasol. Wang Zelin under the basket used a solid lower plate to block Howard, who was preparing to help defend.
Lillard easily completed the layup.
6:8.
"There was a fatal flaw in the Lakers' defense just now. This kind of mistake really shouldn't happen." Kenny Smith shook his head.
"Haha, this also shows the tacit understanding between the Blazers players, doesn't it?" Yao Ming chuckled.
…
In the next round, the league's top center finally touched the ball, but the position was a bit far away, so Wang Zelin chose to let it go.
"You vote! It won't go in anyway."
Wang Zelin made a light gesture, which made Howard resentful, but in the end he chose to lean in honestly.
Wang Zelin pushed Howard with his chest. At the same time, his two long arms completely closed the space above Howard, preventing him from throwing.
If you have the ability, just use your feet to get past him, and think about relying on your body to eat like last time. That's a dream.
Howard squeezed in desperately, sweat dripping from his head, but he couldn't squeeze in.
"ball."
Morris came over from the other side to respond, but Howard didn't respond.
If you really think you are Kobe, if you ask for the ball, I will pass it.
Howard glanced sideways, causing Morris to have a question mark on his face.
"The number one center is not just about defense, let me see your offense!"
Wang Zelin spat with a fierce face, and a lot of saliva flew to the back of Howard's head.
Howard turned to the left with difficulty, trying to complete the attack with a hook.
Wang Zelin withdrew his right foot, and Howard suddenly lost his center of gravity, staggered, and took action very hastily.
"Bang!"
When the sound of iron was struck, Wang Zelin quickly turned around and locked onto the basketball that bounced back.
When Wang Zelin grabbed a backcourt rebound, the other four Blazers were not prepared to respond and involuntarily sprinted towards the Lakers' half.
Turning, starting, sprinting and other actions are done in one go, and are so neat that those who don't know may think they are being remotely controlled.
"run!"?
Kobe yelled at Morris on the other side as he ran, and the latter quickly followed.
The center initiating fast breaks has become an important label for the Trail Blazers, and is firmly remembered by the management of the other 29 teams and is always on guard against it.
However, a center like Wang Zelin who has the passing ability of a defender is too rare.
Although the Lakers players were well prepared before the game, when this scene actually happened, they couldn't help but say "MMP!"
To strike first is to gain strength, to strike later is to suffer disaster.
The reaction of the Trail Blazers players was always half a beat faster than that of the Lakers. Wang Zelin made a long pass from the backcourt and assisted Matthews in the bottom corner to hit a three-pointer.
8:9.
"It's really strange for a center to feed outsiders."
Teacher Yu Jia touched his head with a strange look on his face.
"But this is indeed a good ball, Xiao Wang passed it beautifully!"
"Play with him!"
Director Zhang didn't care so much, he couldn't help but roar when he saw a good shot coming.
Yu Jia admires Director Zhang who is over fifty but still maintains strong energy.
I don’t know if I will be so strong when I reach Director Zhang’s age.