vrcanaries Chapter 163 China vs. Rockets!
Chapter 163 China vs. Rockets!
July 11, Las Vegas Center.
With the Trail Blazers and Mavericks game over, the Center Arena will soon host its final game of the day.
This is also the most anticipated game of the day: the Chinese team versus the Houston Rockets.
Today, the Center Arena not only attracted the attention of many players, but even Rockets owner Tilman Fertitta came to watch the game in person.
As the players from both teams began warming up, the fans who had left the stadium to go out for food returned one after another.
Wang Xiucheng was not wearing the Chinese team uniform on the court, but rather the red jersey of today's home team, the Rockets.
It's been three months since I last wore a Rockets jersey.
Penguin Live Room.
Wang Meng is reporting on some NBA news from the past few days.
The biggest news, of course, is Wang Xiucheng's signing of a contract.
"The day before yesterday, the Rockets and the league office confirmed that Wang Xiucheng has signed a four-year, $80 million contract extension with the Rockets."
As soon as Wang Meng finished speaking, Yang Yi couldn't wait to say, "In fact, the highest price that other teams can offer is 6000 million for 4 years, only the Rockets can offer 8000 million."
"Logically, the Rockets, who are restricted by the Arenas clause, could have given him 6000 million, but in the end they gave him 8000 million, which clearly means they want to cultivate Wang Xiucheng as a cornerstone."
"With the completion of the 4-year, $8000 million contract extension, the question of who the Rockets' cornerstone player is can now be put to rest."
Wang Meng glanced at the data on the computer and continued, "Let me briefly explain to everyone that Wang Xiucheng's new contract is not high in the first two years, only slightly higher than the middle class, and it will increase significantly in the last two years."
“今年，也就是22-23赛季是1136万，23-24赛季是1193万，24-25赛季大幅度提高到2775万，最后一年，25-26赛季，是2897万。”
Yang Yi interjected again: "Chairman Yao's salary in his last year in the NBA was 1769 million, which was the highest salary at the time. Now, Xiao Wang's salary in his second year is 65% of Chairman Yao's salary. NBA players are indeed making more and more money. So, domestic players with talent should hurry up and go to the NBA."
Wang Shipeng, who had been silent until now, nodded and said, "I strongly agree with the decisions of young players like Zeng Fanbo and Zhang Zhenlin."
"No matter what, let's give it a try first. Don't listen to that nonsense about training in the CBA for a few years before going to the NBA."
"Even the Development League is better than our CBA."
"I heard that some teams are very interested in Zeng Fanbo and Zhang Zhenlin." Wang Meng was about to continue the topic, but then immediately said, "We see that the game is about to start, and we'll be back on the field for a commercial break."
At the match, Wang Xiucheng covered his jersey and then came to the field to shake hands with the Hebei China Fortune players.
It's a strange feeling; we're supposed to be on the same team, but I'm standing on the opposite side.
The starting lineup for the Chinese team consisted of Zeng Fanbo, Guo Haowen, Zhang Zhenlin, Yang Hansen, and Zhao Weilun in point guard position.
For the Rockets, Wang Xiucheng started, along with this year's rookie Jabari Smith, Talisca Talisca, Tremy Cheer, and Holman.
Tremmich and Holman were promoted from the Development League; Wang Xiucheng didn't actually know them at all.
The Rockets' main targets for consideration are Jabari Smith Jr. and Tali Eisen.
Once everyone was in position, the referee moved between Jabari Jr. and Hansen Yang, and then tossed the ball high into the air.
In a recent interview, Jabari Jr. said he had grown to 211cm.
He's tall enough to play center.
As the basketball was tossed high, Jabari Jr. and Hansen Yang both jumped high into the air.
Without a doubt, Jabari, with his superior jumping ability, was the first to touch the basketball, which then headed towards Wang Xiucheng in the backcourt.
Wang Xiucheng got there first, blocking Zhao Weilun's path, intercepting the ball with one hand, and then arching backward.
Zhao Weilun is no match for Wang Xiucheng in either height or wingspan.
But he is agile enough, and at just over 180cm tall, he moves very quickly.
Wang Xiucheng did not accelerate past the halfway line, but instead slowly dribbled the ball forward.
Zhao Weilun quickly circled around to the front of Wang Xiucheng.
Wang Xiucheng smiled as he looked at Zhao Weilun, who was serious and somewhat nervous, and then passed the ball to Jabari Smith on the outside.
Jabari, who plays center, didn't immediately go inside. He originally wanted to set a screen for Wang Xiucheng, but Wang Xiucheng suddenly passed the ball to him.
Jabari received the ball, glanced at Yang Hansen who was defending him, and lowered his hands to place the ball between his legs.
After making a probing step, and regardless of whether Yang Hansen reacted to the feint, Jabari Smith pulled up and shot.
Swish!
The basketball traced a perfect arc and fell into the net.
Yang Hansen tried his best to jump, but he was still a hand's width short.
As Jabari pulled up for the shot, he also leaned back slightly, leaving Yang Hansen only able to watch the basketball pass over his fingers.
Wang Xiucheng's eyes lit up slightly.
Jabari's shooting form is probably one of the most beautiful in the league.
His slender build makes his pull-up jumpers look very elegant, and it seems that, as Houston fans say, he really does have a bit of McGrady's style.
The Rockets took an early lead with three points.
Yang Hansen picked up the basketball and went to the baseline to shoot a free throw.
"Serve, quickly."
Upon hearing Wang Xiucheng's shout, Yang Hansen instinctively tried to pass the ball to Wang Xiucheng.
Fortunately, at the last moment, he saw Wang Xiucheng's smiling face, so he twisted his wrist and the basketball flew into Zhao Weilun's hands.
Yang Hansen breathed a sigh of relief and slowly ran forward, with Zhao Weilun dribbling the ball behind him.
Wang Xiucheng tried to get close to Zhao Weilun several times, but Yang Hansen blocked him each time.
After crossing the center line, Yang Hansen stood still outside the three-point line. Zhao Weilun circled around him for half a turn and then bounced the ball to Yang Hansen.
This is a tactic they often practice in training. If the opponent's center is not strong enough, they can often use this tactic.
only……
Snapped!
Wang Xiucheng slapped the basketball.
Then, after two steps, I caught up with the basketball, and with a push from the bottom of the ball, it flew forward.
Wang Xiucheng knew the tactics of the Chinese team perfectly well.
The guy named Tremitchell quickly caught up with the basketball and ended the game with a powerful dunk.
Wang Xiucheng didn't pay attention to Tremitchell's performance, but looked at Zhao Weilun instead.
"That's too rigid. You don't always have to pass to the center who's cutting to the basket. Didn't you see that Guo Haowen is already open on the baseline?" Wang Xiucheng said, putting his arm around Zhao Weilun's shoulder.
Wang Xiucheng realized something was wrong as soon as he finished speaking.
You can see it, but Zhao Weilun may not be able to see it.
He was much taller than Zhao Weilun and had a better view of the world, so it was understandable that Zhao Weilun couldn't see Guo Haowen.
However, Zhao Weilun nodded earnestly, just like a student listening attentively to a lecture.
The referee on the sideline looked at Wang Xiucheng and his face darkened. "Aren't you going a bit too far?"
You're a Rockets player now, how dare you give a live lesson to Chinese basketball players?
You really don't consider us referees as referees, do you?
beep!
The referee blew the whistle.
Wang Xiucheng quickly looked over, and asked with a puzzled expression, "What's wrong?"
"Go serve." The referee pointed to the basketball bouncing on the baseline.
Wang Xiucheng looked completely bewildered: "That's the Chinese team's baseline. They're the ones inbounding the ball. I'm a Rockets player."
The referee was speechless. "So you do know you're a Rockets player?!"
The referee, no longer interested in Wang Xiucheng, pointed at Zhao Weilun, who was still pondering Wang Xiucheng's words, and said, "Hurry up and serve the ball."
Zhao Weilun nodded as he went to the baseline to serve.
After the ball was inbounded, Zhao Weilun used his agility to once again enter the paint under a screen.
However, it seems that Taliysen "heard" what he said to Zhao Weilun earlier, and Taliysen has blocked Zhao Weilun's passing lane on the left.
Wang Xiucheng on the right is following Zhao Weilun.
Zhao Weilun didn't dare to shoot himself, because with his height and wingspan, the ball would be blocked by Wang Xiucheng as soon as he raised it.
Left with no other choice, Zhao Weilun circled around the inside and then came out again, passing the ball to Guo Haowen, who was also able to handle the ball.
Bang!
Guo Haowen saw that he was being guarded by Tremitchell, so he took a jab step and then shot.
The ball wasn't blocked, but it didn't go in either.
The basketball, which hit the rim, was caught by Taliysen, who has a wingspan of 218 cm, and passed to Wang Xiucheng, who had already accelerated, as soon as it landed.
Wang Xiucheng received the ball sideways, and Tali Ethan and Jabari Smith both started running forward.
Zhao Weilun and Guo Haowen also started to pursue, but neither of them could compare with the two rookies of the Rockets in terms of height or wingspan.
Bang!
Wang Xiucheng slowed down and, after crossing half-court, made a long pass to Taliysen, who slammed home a one-handed dunk for two points.
This goal clearly demonstrates the different characteristics of Taliysen and Jabari Smith.
Taliyson went inside during the fast break, while Jabari Jr. ran to the outside where no one was guarding him.
He reached out and gave Taliysen a high five, then patted Jabari on the backside, as if to say, "The next ball is for you."
Wang Xiucheng did not return to defense at this moment, but said to Zhao Weilun again: "Never let yourself into a dead end."
Smaller players can easily drive into the paint only to find there's no space to pass. If they then try to pass out, even if they don't lose the ball, it can easily lead to their center committing a three-second violation.
Fortunately, the main goal of these Chinese players is international competitions, so they don't have the "three-second" problem.
Yang Hansen went to the baseline, picked up the basketball, passed it to Zhang Zhenlin who was unguarded, and then stood at the center line.
Zhao Weilun, who seemed to be concentrating on listening to the lesson, suddenly accelerated and shook off Wang Xiucheng, circled around Yang Hansen to the other side, and received a pass from Zhang Zhenlin.
Then Zhao Weilun jumped up and forcefully threw the ball with one hand directly into the hands of Zeng Fanbo, who had just arrived at the other corner.
Zeng Fanbo, who was unguarded, pulled up for a shot.
The basketball spun and flew towards the hoop.
Swish!
Three-pointer, in!
China finally scored their first three-pointer.
In the audience, Yao Ming, who was sitting next to Li Kaier, secretly breathed a sigh of relief.
As soon as their three-point shooting gets going, the Rockets don't dare to collapse their defense, which is a good thing for big men like Yang Hansen and Yu Jiahao.
"I thought it would be a one-sided affair, but it looks pretty good now," Li Kai'er whispered beside him.
Yao Ming nodded, agreeing.
Although the gap in strength and talent between the two teams was obvious, Yao Ming was still quite satisfied with the first few minutes of the game.
If we say there's a difference in talent, it's only when compared to the most outstanding geniuses in the United States.
If we were to compare Wang Xiucheng alone with these people, it would be uncertain who has the best talent.
Wang Xiucheng has always been with the Chinese team and has not trained with these Rockets rookies.
Actually, this was their first time playing together, but Wang Xiucheng was able to connect Tali Ethan and Jabari Smith.
This is the same situation as Wang Xiucheng's with the Hebei China Fortune team.
It seems that Wang Xiucheng can adapt to being with anyone.
The game quickly came to a regular 6-minute timeout, and Guo Shiqiang voluntarily requested a timeout.
He's planning to replace him.
The Rockets are now leading 19-13 by 6 points.
In the final minute before the timeout, Jabari Smith received consecutive passes from Wang Xiucheng and made two three-pointers.
This is also why China fell behind by 6 points in an instant.
Jabari Smith Jr. is called a center, but he actually likes to drift on the outside, and Yang Hansen has a hard time keeping up with him.
While Zeng Fanbo and Zhang Zhenlin are tall enough, their wingspans are significantly shorter, making it difficult for them to truly interfere with Jabari Smith.
But China has a special force to deal with such people.
Guo Shiqiang looked at David Muoka, and then at Wang Xiucheng, who was already sitting on the bench.
Just as Wang Xiucheng said, David Muoka is a perfect fit for the current Chinese team.
Sufficient height and wingspan, sufficient speed and athleticism.
If he also had shooting ability, he could really be a simplified version of Benjamin Butler.
After briefly explaining the tactics, Guo Shiqiang made two substitutions.
That is to replace Yang Hansen with David Muoka and replace Zhao Weilun with Liu Jinyu, who had not played before.
Zhao Weilun's height meant he could only play the point guard position.
However, Liu Jinyu, who is over 195cm tall, can handle two situations at once and is not so easily targeted.
After briefly explaining the tactics for the second half, the game quickly resumed.
The Rockets did not make any substitutions, and for them, Jabari Smith and Talen Horton-Ethan will likely play more in this game.
Sure enough, after David Mullaka was brought in, Jabari Smith Jr. was clearly affected quite a bit.
David Mullaka could keep up with Jabari Jr.'s speed perfectly, and the two were also completely equal in terms of physical attributes.
The problem is that both centers are positioned on the perimeter, which leaves China's interior defense vulnerable.
Both Talisca and Wang Xiucheng can easily penetrate the paint and cause damage.
Jabari Smith, though almost unable to score, was completely tied up by David Muaka.
This is why Jabari Smith Jr. was the top pick for six months.
He has the height and wingspan of a center, but plays like a power forward, which is somewhat similar to Karl-Anthony Towns, the newly crowned three-point contest champion.
However, Jabari Jr. is still noticeably thin and needs to build muscle.
Taliysen went inside again, but his shot was an absurdly airball.
Liu Jinyu picked up the basketball and gave it to David Muoka.
David Mullaka knew his own limitations, so he simply passed the ball back to Liu Jinyu as a temporary measure.
Then David Mullaka lowered his head and charged forward, leaving Jabari Smith behind.
Once inside, David Muacos received the ball and jumped up, holding the basketball in one hand.