One Guard

In the fourth season of his career, Yiyang was finally selected into the All-Star starting lineup in the Western Conference where there are many strong defenders. In the first two seasons, the Western Conference was still dominated by Chris Paul. But this year, Yiyang has undoubtedly taken away the crown from Paul's head.

This is also the first Chinese player to become the All-Star vote winner since Yao Ming in 2006.

In the past, some ignorant media would often question Yao Ming's victory in the voting. Because of China's huge population, Yao Ming has an inherent advantage in voting. But when it comes to Yiyang, this kind of doubt is very small.

There are definitely many Chinese fans, but Yiyang's strength is enough to support his title of All-Star vote king.

In addition to China, local fans in Dallas also went crazy. This is another All-Star starter from Dallas after Dirk Nowitzki!

From December 14 when Yiyang scored 53 points to start the Mavericks' 23-game winning streak, to breaking the team's winning streak in the Yiyang Flu War, and now to being selected into the All-Star starting lineup as the top vote-getter.

It seems that from the beginning of this season, the news about Yiyang never stops. Every once in a while, Yiyang is able to add some "explosives" to the alliance.

Last season, Yiyang delivered the first masterpiece of his career in terms of personal data and performance. So this year, he will grow into a well-deserved superstar in the eyes of public opinion and the public.

Yiyang was naturally very happy to be selected into the Western Conference All-Star lineup as the top vote-getter. This shows that his efforts have been recognized by a large fan base. Yiyang did not disappoint the fans, and the fans did not disappoint Yiyang.

It's good to be happy, but Yiyang actually doesn't care much about the All-Star Game. Although the All-Star Weekend is full of superstars, it is just an entertainment weekend. Since it is an entertainment competition system, it will not have any impact on the season results. At this time, Yiyang didn't care much about anything other than grades.

Rather than the All-Star Weekend itself, Yiyang is looking forward to reuniting with Vignali during the All-Star Game!

"You are really my hero! All-Star vote winner, starting point guard in the Western Conference, hahahahahaha, I knew you were the best!" Vignelli's scream came from the phone receiver, and it seemed that , this Italian girl was even more excited than Yiyang himself.

Vignelli has also participated in the NBA All-Star Weekend many times, and she is even a familiar face in the NBA Masters Game. But this time, Vignali was surprisingly excited.

In the past, when I went to the All-Star Weekend, the stars who were so powerful on the court were just stars. They are unattainable and seem thousands of miles away from themselves. But I thought that this time, the character who attracted the most attention in the All-Star Game was actually my boyfriend! This kind of excitement is completely different from watching other people.

"Don't worry, this year I will only participate in the All-Star Game, and nothing else. So, I should have a lot of time to spend with you." Yiyang smiled into the receiver, really hoping that the All-Star Weekend would come soon.

In fact, fans are also very eager for Yiyang to participate in the skills challenge and dunk contest. Yiyang's performance in the slam dunk contest the year before last year is still something no one can match. Yiyang's lightning speed and precise passing skills also make fans want to see what results Yiyang can do in the skills challenge.

Alliance officials actually contacted Yiyang about this matter, but Yiyang refused without thinking.

First of all, participating in these two seasons would take up the little time he and Vignali had alone. Secondly, Yiyang, who has devoted himself to the championship plan, has no time to prepare for the skills challenge and dunk contest. And Yiyang is a person who strives for excellence. If he doesn't do something, he won't do it. If he does something, he must do it well.

If he signs up for the dunk contest and skills challenge, he will definitely spend a lot of time preparing. It's not Yiyang's style to just show up casually.

Therefore, Yiyang directly rejected the invitation. Fans who want to see him perform will probably have to wait a few more seasons.

After hanging up the phone with Vignali, matters related to the All-Star Game were also "hanged up" in Yiyang's mind.

Compared with the All-Star Game, Yiyang values ​​​​the results of the regular season more.

Yiyang was actually quite frustrated after losing to the Rockets in the last game. Obviously the team performed normally, but they lost because the opponent was in too good a state. Although they lost, the Mavericks still ranked first in the league with a record of 41 wins and 5 losses. But in this game, the Rockets also let other teams know that the Dallas Mavericks are not invincible!

Therefore, during Yiyang's great success, Yiyang had just led the team to achieve the third longest 23-game winning streak in NBA history. Only the Sacramento Kings, ranked third from the bottom, dare to challenge the Mavericks!

DeMarcus Cousins, a well-known "problem boy" in the NBA, is sometimes a bit stubborn. Every time he met Yiyang in the past, Cousins ​​would open his big mouth and act rude before the game. This time is no exception. In addition to the fact that the Mavericks just lost, Cousins ​​also has an arrogant capital.

The Sacramento Kings, a weak team, accidentally became one of the five teams that defeated the Mavericks this season!

"Everyone is afraid of playing the Mavericks, but we won't! You know, the last time the Dallas Mavericks met us, they lost by a full 11 points!" When being interviewed by reporters, Cousins ​​did not hide his arrogance.

The five games the Mavericks have lost this season were to the Heat by three points, to the Trail Blazers and Warriors by two points, and to the Rockets by four points. The Sacramento Kings are the only team to beat the Mavericks with a double-digit lead.

There is no shortage of examples of weak teams defeating strong teams in the NBA. Every season there are always a few strong teams that just can't beat weak teams. Weak teams are not weak, and strong teams are not strong. This is the biggest attraction of the NBA.

At this time, Cousins ​​must have considered his Sacramento King to be the Mavericks' league-leading nemesis.

When he saw the video of Cousins ​​being interviewed on the Internet, Yiyang didn't say anything and even wanted to laugh a little. He didn't know how Wall became friends with that stupid big man. If he had been on the same team as Cousins ​​in college, they would probably have to fight every day!

Although Wall told Yiyang more than once that Cousins ​​is actually quite cute. But Yiyang doesn't think Cousins ​​is cute, he is really stupid.

The Kings are indeed the only team that can beat the Mavericks so badly this season, but that is also related to various reasons. The last time the two sides met, the Kings' performance was clearly above their average. Even a guy like Derrick Williams, who averages single-digit points per game, scored more than 30 points that day, which clearly shows how "exceeded" the Kings' performance was. And there is another very important factor, Yiyang did not play because of suspension!

This time, the Mavericks are in good shape, and there is no possibility of a truce for Yiyang. He really didn't know where that silly big guy Cousins ​​got his confidence!

Sure enough, on January 31, the latest game to start in BA was the showdown between the Dallas Mavericks and the Sacramento Kings.

Before the game started, Cousins ​​showed off his power and wanted to raise his chin to the sky in front of the reporters' cameras.

There is really no compatibility between this big guy and Yiyang. But after the game started, the Kings' identity as a weakling in the Western Conference was immediately shaken back to its original shape!

Rudy Gay also wanted to use his impact to cause damage like in the previous game, but Iguodala's defense prevented this guy from rushing forward.

Gay may still think that he is the star of the Grizzlies, but now he is no longer as brave as he used to be.

Cousins ​​then also wanted to make trouble in the paint, but Gobert, who was more mature than two months ago, made Cousins ​​very uncomfortable.

That big guy's arms seem to be waving in front of your eyes all the time, making it impossible for you to attack comfortably.

As for Derrick Williams, who scored 30 points against the Mavericks in the last game, he showed his true level today and disappeared like air on the offensive end. This is the result of Derrick's normal performance. .

The offense was hampered, and the Kings also lost consecutive games on the defensive end. The offense led by Yiyang couldn't keep up with the Kings' group of guys who were last in the Western Conference.

In addition, Isaiah Thomas, who is facing Yiyang today, is only 1.75 meters tall. As a high point guard, Yiyang was naturally able to play with ease in front of Thomas. Many times, even if Yiyang directly pulls up and shoots, Thomas is helpless.

From the first minute of the first quarter until the electronic buzzer sounded that marked the end of the game, the Kings never took a single point lead.

Cousins ​​took 21 crazy shots in the game, but he was so impatient that he only hit 8 of them. Although he scored 19 points, the 38.1% shooting rate appeared on an inside player, which is undoubtedly quite embarrassing.

Rudy Gay still scored 20 points under Iguodala's defense, but 20 points could not help the Kings win at the American Airlines Center Arena.

As for Thomas, who has made significant progress this season, and his scoring average has increased to 20.3 points per game, Yiyang blocked 0 of 10 shots. That's right, Yiyang mercilessly shut out Thomas. In a basketball game, it is definitely not easy to keep an opponent clean, even if it is just an opponent who is 1.75 meters tall.

112 to 101, the Mavericks gave the Kings an 11-point victory. Yiyang scored 36 points and 8 assists in the whole game. Facing Isaiah Thomas' better defense, Yiyang increased its number of shots, so the number of assists dropped.

After the game, the originally arrogant Cousins ​​frowned and refused interviews with all reporters. But Yiyang, who was silent before the game, actually happened in front of the camera.

"I have to thank the Sacramento Kings and DeMarcus Cousins, thank you from the bottom of my heart. Because without them, we would not have won another game so quickly! This is after losing. A very good 'appetizer', thank you King and DeMarcus for the hospitality!" Yiyang answered seriously, making the reporters shake their heads.

If that guy Cousins ​​saw this interview video, he would probably go crazy at home.

An easy win over the Kings at home allowed the Mavericks to avoid another losing streak. This game also became the beginning of another winning streak for the Mavericks.

After entering February, the opponents the Mavericks encountered were not too strong.

They first defeated the Cavaliers, who were at the bottom of the Eastern Conference, and then defeated Tony Allen's old team, the Grizzlies. Finally, in Salt Lake City, Yiyang met his old friend Hayward. But the record of the two sides' battles has always been that Yiyang wins more, and this time is no exception.

Easily, the Mavericks' winning streak unknowingly came to four more games. After the game, Hayward congratulated Yiyang for being selected into the All-Star starting lineup and for his good results. But this time, in addition to cheering each other up, they had another topic to talk about.

"You must be more careful in the game the day after tomorrow."

"Do you know who I will fight the day after tomorrow?" Yiyang smiled. Hayward is still as meticulous as before.

"Of course I do. I've been looking forward to that game since the beginning of the season. I only give you one piece of advice, don't take them too lightly!" Hayward patted Yiyang on the shoulder, his expression not at all Like a joke.

Yiyang couldn't help but put away his playful expression. It seemed that the retreating battle in Boston might be more difficult than he thought.

right? Coach Brad Stevens.