Bishop of the Devil

The first game of the regular season is about to begin. This is Yao Ming's debut!

But Richard is a little worried about gains and losses. Although Yao Ming's current attributes are quite strong, what if the data is not impressive...

I'm afraid Richard is more nervous than Yao Ming now!

Under normal circumstances, Yao Ming's performance in the early stages of his rookie season was really not very good. Even describing it as not very good would be a shame for Yao Ming...

The statistics for the first game of his career were 0 points, 2 rebounds, 2 turnovers and 3 fouls.

Even these only 2 rebounds are good data, they are only two backcourt rebounds...

I'm afraid most fans know this data.

Not only was the performance poor in the first game, but the performance in the subsequent games was also quite embarrassing.

The score in the first six games was not in double figures, and the fourth game also had embarrassing statistics of only 0 points and 3 rebounds.

It wasn't until the seventh game that Yao Ming got some decent data, 10 points and 2 rebounds.

Especially after the fourth game, Yao Ming only scored 0 points and 3 rebounds, which directly caused Barkley, a big mouth, to mock Yao Ming.

He said that if Yao Ming could score more than 19 points in Game 5 against the Warriors, he would be willing to kiss Yao Ming's ass...

Yes, Barkley wanted to kiss Yao Ming's ass at first.

As a result, Yao Ming only scored three points in the game against the Warriors, and Barkley's special habit was not allowed to "succeed."

This made Barkley even more happy. He directly said that if Yao Ming scores more than 19 points in any game in the next season, he will kiss Kenny Smith's ass.

Not long after, Yao Ming scored 20 points and 6 rebounds in the eighth game of his career, which directly hit Barkley in the face...

Buckley is also a man. Although he didn't actually kiss Kenny Smith's ass, he still kissed a donkey's ass.

This is basically something that all fans know...

Later, although Yao Ming still played a few ugly games, he was generally on the rise. He could hit 20+10 from time to time, and even had explosive performances of 30+16 and 27+18 in his rookie season.

In a sense, Barkley may also have inspired Yao Ming.

But now Richard knows that Barkley will definitely not talk about kissing anyone's butt, because it is impossible for Yao Ming to produce such embarrassing initial data as usual.

Unless Buckley really has a special fetish for kissing butts...

…

On the night of October 17th, the Pistons started their first regular season game of the new season.

The opponent we faced was quite interesting, it was the Philadelphia 76ers, a powerful team in the Eastern Conference!

The NBA is definitely famous for its gimmicks. When formulating the schedule, at some key points in time, it can always come up with the number of games that people are looking forward to.

This game is undoubtedly quite topical.

A true Chinese derby...

There have been Chinese Derbys before. For example, Richard played with the 76ers when he was with the Trail Blazers, and was also named the Chinese Derby.

But this derby is not worthy of its name. After all, Richard does not play on the court.

But the game that is about to start tonight is a real Chinese derby.

And all the Chinese players in the league are gathered in this game!

Yao Ming, Dazhi, Hu Weidong and Battelle!

Battle played more than 20 games with the Nuggets last season, including starting ten games, but his performance was not outstanding, so he was given up by the Nuggets.

It just so happened that the Philadelphia 76ers wanted to continue to strengthen their inside line, so they signed Battelle.

Old Oakley is already approaching the age of 40, and it will be difficult for him to perform at the same level as he did in the past two years.

It was precisely because of Oakley's rapid decline that the Philadelphia 76ers were unable to break out of the Eastern Conference last season.

Of course, the Philadelphia 76ers actually signed Battelle for a big reason, not that they had high expectations for Battelle.

There are a total of four Chinese players in the league, and they will all appear in tonight's derby. It would be strange for domestic fans to miss this super feast!

They really want to know whether Yao Ming can adapt to the rhythm of NBA games.

After all, Yao Ming did not appear in the Pistons' preseason game before, and domestic fans are unsure at the moment.

They didn't have much hope for Yao Ming. They just asked Yao Ming to reach the heights of Da Zhi.

You must know that Da Zhi is now a stable All-Star player. If Yao Ming can reach this level, domestic fans will be extremely satisfied.

…

"Are you nervous? Dayao." There is still some time before the game starts, and the Pistons generals are currently in the locker room, listening to Richard's tactical arrangements.

Yao Ming nodded, he was really nervous now...

If it was just an ordinary regular season game, he might not be so nervous.

The main reason is that the game was broadcast live in China tonight, and many domestic reporters were present. In this case, he was under great pressure.

Countless folks are staring at the TV, waiting for this game to start. Thinking of this, Yao Ming can't help but worry about his own condition. What should he do if he doesn't perform well?

"What's there to be nervous about? It's just an ordinary regular season game!"

"Guys, tonight is Yao Ming's career debut, and there are countless fans in the country who are watching and helping." Richard said to the Pistons generals.

"I understand, coach, don't worry, Yao Ming will definitely be the only protagonist on the court tonight!" Clark said, patting his chest.

Originally, when he saw Richard selecting Yao Ming with the No. 1 pick, he felt extremely nervous.

He also plays the center position, and now that Richard has chosen a center with the top pick, it is very likely that he will be squeezed out of his starting position!

But now it seems that his worries are somewhat unnecessary. He is still the Pistons' starting player, but he is playing at the power forward position.

Speaking of playing power forward, Clark feels that he can better utilize his strengths.

After all, the power forward position can maximize his mobility and defensive advantages.

"Coach, I'll give Yao a good ball later." Nash also said with a smile.

He is now the oldest player in this team, and Richard also thinks highly of him...

Even if Richard didn't say these words, he would definitely play ball for Yao Ming as much as possible.

There is no other reason, because he knows very well that Yao Ming is the number one pick selected by Richard!

…

"That's OK, Dayao, are you still nervous now?"

"Just go out and play well. With your ability, if you don't put up super numbers tonight, you'd be really sorry for me!"

"I'm also sorry for the teammates who are ready to help you!"

Richard patted Yao Ming on the shoulder and said with a smile.

"Yes, coach!" Yao Ming nodded solemnly without saying anything more. After Richard's guidance, his nervous mood calmed down a lot.

…

The Palace of Auburn Hills, home arena of the Pistons.

"Dudududu!" With the referee's whistle, tonight's Chinese derby officially started.

Pistons starting lineup: Yao Ming, Clark, Gerrard, Laga Bell and Nash.

Philadelphia 76ers starting lineup: Te'Lon Hill, Derrick Coleman, Da Zhi, Eric Snow and Iverson.

The 76ers have made a lot of changes in their interior lineup this season.

Both Ratliff and Oakley were sold, Te'lon Hill was acquired from the Cavaliers, and then the old general Coleman was brought back.

Domestic fans are quite familiar with Coleman, who was choked and beaten by Dazhi and Iverson before.

After being sent away by the 76ers, I wandered around in various ups and downs, and now I have no choice but to return to my hometown...

The main reason is that it is too difficult to strengthen the inside line. Otherwise, the 76ers management would not want Coleman.

Moreover, Coleman has become a lot more honest after wandering around. He still has the arrogance he had before.

Richard is no stranger to Snow at the shooting guard position.

Currently, the Philadelphia 76ers are considered the team's third-leading powerhouse, averaging about 13 points per game.

But after leaving the 76ers and joining the Cavaliers, he began to shrink.

Played next to James for a few seasons, and then completely disappeared from people's sight...

Yao Ming and Hill walked to the midfield line and executed a jump ball.

Although using Clark to jump the ball would definitely be more effective, Yao Ming's current bounce is pretty good, and there is no problem at all when jumping Hill.

Yao Ming successfully jumped the ball and got the ball for the Pistons in the first offensive round.

Different from last season, after Nash got the ball, he did not advance quickly, but slowly walked towards the frontcourt.

The fans at the scene can understand. After all, the Pistons currently have a lineup with two centers. It would be a bit inconsistent to continue to play fast breaks.

After Nash slowly paced the frontcourt, Yao Ming and Clark also settled under the basket.

Yao Ming and Clark lined up on both sides of the three-second zone.

This is a true double center lineup, a two-tower shooting tactic.

Seeing the Twin Towers in position, Nash directly lobbed the ball to Yao Ming's head.

Relying on his height and good jumping, Yao Ming successfully caught Nash's lob.

The player facing Yao Ming is Te'lon Hill.

He is 206 centimeters tall, plays the power forward position, and is the same age as Richard.

He is also an old man-level figure...

(Richard:???)

At his peak, Teilon was quite good and was selected to the All-Stars. However, the year he was selected for the All-Stars, his data was only 13.8 points and 10.9 rebounds, which was quite shabby...

Moreover, being selected as an All-Star this time also brought bad luck to him.

Give old Oakley a slap...

That's right, this guy is the All-Star who borrowed money from Old Oak and failed to repay it, and then was slapped in the face by Old Oak during the warm-up before the game.

…

With a height of only 206 centimeters, coupled with his age, Nash's lob intention, even if Teilon saw it, was powerless...

After Yao Ming received the lob, he originally planned to squeeze away from Hill and then rush into the penalty area for a dunk.

After some attempts, I found that I couldn't squeeze the veteran Hill...

In desperation, he could only hit the board with a mid-range shot.

With a mid-range shooting ability of up to 90 points, and being quite close to the basket, the ball went directly into the net neatly.

even……

When Yao Ming shot the ball, he didn't take off at all. He shot it completely like a free throw.

Richard sat on the sidelines and watched the first offensive round, sighing secretly.

The strength is still too poor, even the old man Hill can't squeeze out. If he faces a strength monster like Ben or O'Neal, Yao Ming may be completely squeezed out of the three-second zone.

Being driven out of the three-second zone, although Yao Ming still has a mid-range shooting ability, his offensive efficiency will definitely be affected.

If the offensive efficiency of Yao Ming, the core of the team's offense, is affected, it means that the Pistons' offensive efficiency is affected.

This is a scene that Richard never wants to see...

"No, I still have to continue to gain weight, muscle and strength!"

"A big center who has no strength, body, or bulk is not a super center..."

Richard sighed and thought.

…

"Oh? This Chinese No. 1 pick has a lot of skills. In this shot just now, I felt like Tim Duncan!"

“They are all so unpretentious and efficient!”

In the TNT commentary room, Barkley couldn't help but praise Yao Ming after watching his first shot.

He was right. Yao Ming's first goal was a close shot that hit the board. This is Duncan's signature offensive skill.

The way Yao Ming used it felt a bit like Duncan...

There aren't that many bells and whistles, it's just a matter of holding it high and hitting it after catching the ball, which is quite simple and unpretentious.

Of course, whether it is really efficient or not can’t be seen with just one goal.

"Charles, please stop flattering Richard. If you flatter him again, they won't want you!" Partner Kenny Smith said speechlessly.

"Why are you flattering? Otherwise, you are just a little guy in your career. You can't even see such obvious things!"

"Yao Ming's attack just now, I feel that there are really not many players in this league who can guard against it!"

"Didn't you pay attention? Yao Ming is so tall. He doesn't even need to take off to make Tylon helpless. If he takes off and takes a shot, who can guard against Yao Ming?"

"nobody!"

"I can guarantee that the Pistons' No. 1 pick will definitely make a fortune!"

Buckley said confidently to Kenny Smith.

Kenny Smith's old face darkened, and he used his playing career to disgust himself.

Although Barkley does not have a championship at hand, his career achievements are worthy of the word "super giant".

As for Kenny Smith, his career is not as small as Barkley said, but there is definitely a huge gap compared to Barkley...

Usually when commentating, as long as Barkley can't talk about Kenny Smith, then his career as a player must be discussed.