The longest river

Chapter 107 Welcome to the NBA, A-Dou

After the game against the Warriors, Yang Shuai did not go back to that motel.

He found a local star-rated hotel and got two rooms for Best and O'Neill as well.

He had also made reservations for Carlisle, but Carlisle did not accept his offer and continued to stay in a motel with the other team members.

Yang Shuai didn't pay any attention to it.

Moreover, after checking into the hotel, recalling the four-wheel alignment that had tormented him for most of the night, he called the woman named Liv Taylor.

Taylor starred in a movie called "Stealing Beauty" this year, which has helped her gain a foothold in Hollywood.

She didn't want to have any further contact with NBA players, but after hearing that it was Yang Shuai, she quickly appeared in the hotel room.

After their lovemaking, Taylor lay in Yang Shuai's arms, still savoring the experience.

If her feeling last time was one of novelty, then this time it was one of satisfaction.

Yang Shuai's improved explosiveness and physical strength over the past season are not only reflected on the court.

During his post-coital moment, Yang Shuai also looked down at Taylor's good looks.

He didn't actually have much of a liking for Hollywood actresses. In his past life, as a high school student, he had seen far too many Hollywood actresses' scandalous affairs, like being an elevator queen, auditioning in bed, or going to group parties...

There's nothing they can't do, only things you can't imagine.

So he would never even think about dating female celebrities, which is such a ridiculous idea, but that doesn't mean he can't do something with them.

You know, conquering female stars can be quite an accomplishment.

And to be fair, the actresses who have a place in Hollywood are undeniably beautiful, like Taylor in my arms, who has an indescribable Western fantasy charm.

She would be captivating if she played the role of an elven queen.

Hmm, next time I'll let her cosplay as the Elf Queen.

The next day, the Pyramid Arena was packed to capacity, with even the aisles overflowing with people.

Yang Shuai's act of making Kittles cry yesterday made it into the local Los Angeles newspapers, and with the Pacers playing the Lakers today, it attracted countless fans from Los Angeles to watch.

This game will not only be broadcast live on Los Angeles sports media, but the Summer League organizers have even invited Lakers' legendary commentator Francis Deller Hearn to the event.

Hearn started commentating in the 60s, and he invented basketball terms such as "dunk" and "airball," and even the concept of "Showtime" came from him.

In a sense, this was no longer an ordinary Summer League match.

Before the game started, Hearn talked about a series of things the Lakers had done over the past summer.

He believes Kobe will become the Lakers' answer on the perimeter within the next three to five years and form an All-Star duo with Shaq.

After Hearn finished speaking, the opening ceremony began.

On the Pacers' side, there's Yang Shuai, Best, and O'Neal, plus two undrafted players.

On the Lakers' side, in addition to Kobe, there is Derek Fisher, the 24th overall pick in this year's draft, as well as third-year power forward Corey Blunt and two other free agents.

Amid cheers from the fans, Jermaine O'Neal won possession for the Pacers in the jump ball, and the game officially began.

The Pacers' first possession of the game was a low-post isolation play by Jermaine O'Neal.

Contrary to what fans expected, Jermaine O'Neal, despite being only a high school student, had excellent footwork in the low post.

Unfortunately, he lacked experience, and his move was successfully defended after Blunt anticipated it.

Moreover, after Blunt turned around and grabbed the rebound, he immediately launched a long pass.

Kobe had already crossed the center line.

Yang Shuai's proficiency in fast breaks is not unique to him; any perimeter player who goes directly from high school to the NBA possesses top-notch awareness in this area.

Carlisle did not pair Yang Shuai with Kobe at the start of the game. After receiving the ball, Kobe shook off the undrafted player chasing him, rushed to the free-throw line in the frontcourt, and then delivered a spectacular gliding one-handed dunk.

That dunk instantly ignited the entire arena.

Since it's a game in Los Angeles, this is essentially like playing at the Lakers' home court.

Turning back, Best and O'Neal executed a pick-and-roll.

Best was very fast. After successfully breaking through and drawing a double team from the Lakers, he turned and passed the ball to Jermaine O'Neal near the free-throw line.

Carlisle's opening move today was to give Jermaine O'Neal some playing time, since Yang Shuai had already proven yesterday that he didn't belong here.

Jermaine O'Neal took a jump shot from the free-throw line, but the ball went noticeably too long, hitting the back of the rim and bouncing out.

Jermaine O'Neal is incredibly talented, but he clearly still needs time to develop.

This time, Yang Shuai retreated to defense early, and the Lakers didn't have a chance to fast break into the half-court.

Fisher orchestrated the play, and Kobe, using a Lakers screen, circled to the top of the arc to receive the ball and hit another three-pointer.

"Kobe Bryant!"

As the DJ shouted, cheers erupted from the crowd.

Yesterday's tragic experience for Kittles has Los Angeles fans worried about his performance today.

However, judging from his opening five-point performance, Kobe was well-prepared for today's game and was in excellent form.

“We all know Kobe’s talent. When Michael leaves the league, his ‘OK combination’ with Shaq will become the new rulers of the league.”

At this time, Hearn also gave Kobe high praise. This was a prediction from a professional commentator with more than 30 years of experience. He even gave the combination of Kobe and Shaq a nickname.

Many of the fans behind him were also immersed in the fantasy that Hearn had described.

Yang Shuai started to have the ball on the Pacers' offense.

Similar to Carlisle's strategy, the Lakers also started by using Fisher to mismatch Yang Shuai. The moment Fisher pulled up his pants leg and got into defensive stance, Jermaine O'Neal's high pick-and-roll was already in place.

Just like they did in training, Jermaine O'Neal was a deadlock.

Before Blunt could even get up, Yang Shuai launched a three-pointer and slammed it down.

That three-pointer was like a bucket of cold water, instantly extinguishing the excitement of the fans in the arena.

Moreover, after the offensive and defensive transition, Yang Shuai switched to defend Kobe.

The Lakers used the same tactic, and Kobe once again used his agility to run to the three-point line.

However, as soon as he received the ball, Yang Shuai appeared in front of him again.

Yang Shuai's puppy-dog footwork has already been tested in the playoffs, and the pick-and-roll of this intensity in the Summer League has no effect on him.

Kobe was clearly aware of this as well.

If it were anyone else at this point, they would probably have passed the ball back to continue organizing the offense, but Kobe is clearly not someone else.

He immediately signaled to step aside and go for a one-on-one fight.

Cheers from the fans began to erupt in the stadium.

Just like how quickly Indiana fans fell in love with Yang Shuai, players who go straight from high school to the NBA tend to prefer one-on-one games rather than tactics, compared to college or professional players.

This performance, which coaches perceive as "low football intelligence," is a favorite among fans.

After all, this is the most direct way to demonstrate a player's talent.

Kobe chose to drive past the three threats and then change direction.

His change of direction is very fast, whether it was against the Chinese men's basketball team yesterday or in the first two possessions, you could feel it. His talent is obviously a level above the others on the court.

Of course, except for Yang Shuai.

Kobe was forced to stop by Yang Shuai just inside the free throw line.

Yang Shuai's All-Star caliber one-on-one defensive ability would be hard for Kobe to handle.

However, Kobe did not give up. He showed his top talent: kidneys.

He stood up on the spot, leaned back, and threw a shot.

This moment drew gasps of amazement from the crowd; how could Kobe not inspire such thoughts!
However, the gasps of amazement turned into an even louder uproar in the next second.

Because while the basketball was still rising, a figure leaped into the air and snatched it away!
Yang Shuai blocked Kobe's shot!

Moreover, after blocking the shot, Yang Shuai didn't rush to attack. After landing, he held the ball with one hand and looked at the stunned Kobe:

"Ah Dou, do you think the Lakers will get your teammates' support and become a starter just because they traded away Divac for you? Dream on!"

Kobe's gaze shifted from confusion to bewilderment, then to shock, and finally to anger.

"Negative energy from Kobe Bryant +548".

"I am not Kittels!"

Kobe responded fiercely, saying he didn't understand what Yang Shuai was saying. He just felt that Yang Shuai was trying to break down his opponent's mental defenses with trash talk, just like yesterday.

But he won't be beaten to tears like Kittels!
Great, just like Kobe, his thought process is extraordinary.

Yang Shuai dribbled the ball up the court, and Kobe switched defense with Fisher at this point.

This drew another round of cheers from the audience.

Having one player blocked immediately and then immediately getting revenge is a sign of superstar potential.

Jermaine O'Neal wanted to move up to continue the screen, but Yang gestured for him to move away.

Once Jermaine O'Neal moved to the weak side, without any extra moves, Yang Shuai immediately changed direction and broke through Kobe's defense with a burst of speed.

Kobe wanted to keep up with Yang, but he lacked footwork skills and couldn't do it with just explosive power.

Amid the gasps of the fans, Yang Shuai quickly broke through and drove into the paint, slamming the ball into the basket over the help defense of Blunt!

The referee blew his whistle at that moment, indicating that Blunt had committed a defensive foul.

One against two, a powerful dunk for 2+1.

Yang Shuai's goal immediately reminded all the fans in the stadium of yesterday's match.

Hearn wanted to say something, but found that nothing he said was appropriate.

A player who averaged 18+ points per game in the playoffs, made several game-winning shots, and even made a game-winning shot over Jordan, would not belong in the Summer League, even if he was only 19 years old.

Yang Shuai goes to the free throw line.

"Ah Dou, if you want to be a starter for the Lakers, either you can learn to share the ball, or you have to make every shot."

Yang Shuai subconsciously shared his own experiences with Kobe, because they did have a lot in common.

However, Kobe still looked at Yang Shuai with a defiant expression.

Yang Shuai didn't say anything more; some things can only be understood through experience.

When the referee gave the ball to Yang Shuai, Yang Shuai closed his eyes in front of Kobe and then made the free throw.

When he opened his eyes again, he smiled and looked at Kobe:

"Welcome to the NBA, Adou."

(End of this chapter)