NBA: Starting with the undercut by Parker and Bowen

With the new season just around the corner, teams across the league are starting their seasons one after another.

As the thirty teams prepare for the season, basketball media outlets have already begun to buzz about it.

Domestically, the Houston Rockets are performing much the same as last year.

They are once again making their run for the championship.

Media figures discussed the Rockets' dominance, as if other teams were nothing but chickens and dogs, and the Rockets could easily crush them.

Last season, without Yang Lin and Wilcox, Yao Ming and McGrady's Rockets were able to fight the championship-winning Jazz to seven games.

Now add an FMVP and a beastly power forward.

Who can stop us now?

Rockets win the championship.

The Rockets have really invested a lot in advertising in China, which has completely fooled domestic fans.

Also.

Investing money in player recruitment doesn't necessarily guarantee a return for the team.

But if Rockets owner Alexander invests the money in domestic advertising, he's sure to make a fortune.

Of course, domestic basketball commentators are also praising the Rockets with great confidence in the new season.

Unlike last season, after acquiring Yang Lin and Wilcox, the Rockets truly have the strength to contend for the championship.

In the United States, the Rockets and Celtics have been added by the media as strong contenders for the Larry O'Brien Trophy in the new season.

The Pistons, whose strength has continued to decline, and the Mavericks, who were upset in the first round last season, have been eliminated from the championship race.

After more than ten days of training camp, the Rockets players' physical condition gradually recovered.

But that's what the Rockets' management wants.

Coach Adelman's signature, dazzling Princeton offense was poorly executed in training.

First, the time was too short;

Secondly, it's really not suitable.

Princeton was too complicated, and it gave everyone a headache for a while.

On October 9, the Rockets players traveled to New Orleans to begin their preseason campaign for the new season.

Night falls, and neon lights illuminate the night.

New Orleans Arena.

Despite it being just a preseason game, the arena was packed with fans.

In 05, Hurricane Katrina damaged the New Orleans Arena, forcing the Hornets to move their home games to Oklahoma City.

More than two seasons have passed.

The Hornets have officially returned to New Orleans this season.

Despite the current economic slump in New Orleans.

But with preseason tickets being cheap, New Orleans residents are still willing to support their home team.

After all, the Hornets are loyal, and Oklahoma City had tried to retain them.

But it returned to its loyal city of New Orleans.

After the players enter the field, they communicate with each other before the game.

Yang Lin saw Yao Ming and cheerfully approached Tyson Chandler.

However, Chandler didn't look too happy and seemed unwilling to talk to Yao Ming.

Also.

He was beaten up constantly since high school, but he has no masochistic tendencies.

If it were Yang Lin, he would probably feel psychologically disgusted.

Yang Lin deduced that the reason Chandler didn't leave in anger was...

Perhaps they were afraid of provoking Yao Ming and being subjected to increased pressure on the court.

Poor child!

You can't afford to offend them, and you can't avoid them either.

At 8 PM, the starting players for both sides took to the field.

The home team, the Hornets, started with the following five players: Chris Paul, Maurice Peterson, Peja Stojakovic, David West, and Tyson Chandler.

The visiting Rockets' starting five are: Yang Lin, McGrady, Battier, Wilcox, and Yao Ming.

"Gulp~~"

Upon entering the game and seeing the Rockets' starting five, Paul couldn't help but swallow hard.

Holy crap!

How can there be such a strong starting five?

A top-three center and a top-three shooting guard in the league;

Last season's Finals MVP, an All-Defensive Team-level 3D player, a beastly power forward who averaged 13.5 points and 7.7 rebounds per game last season.

This must be the strongest starting lineup in the league!

Paul thought for a moment.

The Celtics' Big Three are too weak at the center and center positions;

The Spurs have a slight advantage in 4 vs 4, but they seem a bit lacking in 5 vs 5.

Perhaps the only comparable team is the Phoenix Suns.

Nash and Stoudemire were both All-NBA First Team selections last year;

Shawn Marion was an All-Star, Raja Bell was a 3-and-D defender, and Boris Diaw was the Most Improved Player of the 05-06 season.

They even have one more, last season's Sixth Man of the Year, Leandro Barbosa.

But the Suns play a fast-paced, high-scoring style, and their defense has major problems.

If the series goes to the playoffs, Paul still prefers this Rockets roster; they're unbeatable in half-court offense.

Aside from Yao Ming being unstoppable, the Rockets' starting lineup doesn't have any major flaws.

On offense, Yao and McGrady are tough in one-on-one situations, Battier and Yang Lin can create space, and Wilcox can finish the plays.

At crucial moments, Yang Lin's reckless shooting was unstoppable.

On the defensive end, Battier led the defense, Yao Ming protected the rim, and Wilcox helped defend.

McGrady can also contribute excellent defense if needed; Yang Lin's defense is also above average.

The more Paul analyzed, the more he felt the Rockets were powerful.

Fuck~~

What the hell is this?

Isn't the offseason turmoil happening in the East?

How did the rocket become so powerful without us noticing?

Paul looked around at his teammates, and inexplicably, his mind calmed down.

Your Rockets are powerful, but our Hornets are pretty good too!

Despite the vast difference in player reputation and the team's lack of activity during the offseason, the Hornets' strength is gradually increasing.

Chris Paul, Chandler, and West have all shown steady improvement in their abilities.

Last season, Peja was hampered by injuries, playing only 17 games. He and West also missed 20 to 30 games each.

Even so, they were only three games behind the Lakers, who finished seventh in the Western Conference last season.

If they stay healthy, the Hornets will definitely return to the playoffs this season.

Even God couldn't stop it!

That's what Chris said.

Paul took two deep breaths, shook his head, and tried to clear his mind of the jumbled thoughts.

Yao Ming and Chandler jump ball.

Yang Lin clearly saw that Yao Ming's toes never left the floor.

Chandler won the jump ball, giving the Hornets possession and a good start for the reopened New Orleans arena.

Paul dribbled the ball past half-court, where Yang Lin was positioned to defend him.

"Chris, Deron spoke to me about you. He said: You and he are the two best players in your class."

Paul was pleased to hear the praise.

Unexpectedly, Yang Lin changed the subject.

"But Deron Williams won a championship, how come you've never even made the playoffs?"

"If Coach Sloan had started Deron Williams and had him pad his stats from the beginning of the 05-06 season, do you think he would have won Rookie of the Year?"

"Deron said he loves playing with you the most. If possible, he'd like to play 82 regular season games with you in one season."

He kept his mouth shut, held the ball, and his face grew increasingly pale...

Ok!

It was already black, so you can't see any changes.

But judging from his expression, Paul was clearly a little angry.

They called for David West to set a screen and drive inside using the screen. The Rockets didn't switch, and Yang Lin went around the screen.

Paul dribbled the ball to the right elbow area, and Yang Lin chased after him, barely managing to keep up.

While Yang Lin's defensive footwork became chaotic.

Paul pulled the ball up wide to create space and immediately jumped to shoot.

"Whoosh!"

Goal!

The first ball was put back into use at New Orleans Stadium.

"Let's go Hornets~~Let's go Hornets~~"

"Chris~ MVP~~ Chris~ MVP~~ Chris~ MVP~~"

New Orleans fans roared and cheered for their team and their star player.

After scoring, Paul looked at Yang Lin and shouted, "Are you just playing with your mouth? All that chatter won't stop a goal!"

Yang Lin laughed.

Ok!

He admitted he was a bit bored.

Seeing young Chris Paul, I suddenly felt like teasing him.

Unfortunately, many memes can't be used anymore, such as "Western Conference Finals floor," "58 massacre," "cannon fist warning," and "Saint Paul"...

Tsk tsk~~

It's a little uncomfortable to keep the fun that only I know to myself.

Yang Lin received the ball from Yao Ming and dribbled it past half-court.

Paul stood at the top of the arc on the three-point line, waiting for Yang Lin to arrive.

He dribbled the ball and moved two steps beyond the three-point line.

Yang Lin saw Paul spread his legs and lower his center of gravity, looking like he was going all out to defend.

It's obvious without even thinking: Paul really wanted to stop Yang Lin's shot.

Otherwise, all that showing off would have turned into a disaster.

Seeing Yao Ming trying to set a screen, Yang Lin waved his hand and shouted, "I'll do it myself. I want to get one back. Spread out."

Upon hearing this, Yao Ming immediately sank down.

McGrady was about to call for the ball, but upon hearing the shout, he immediately ran towards the far corner.

"Bang! Bang! Bang!"

While dribbling the ball, Yang Lin looked at Paul, who had a serious expression, and said:

"How can you defend my shot when you're so far away? Come up a little, otherwise you won't be able to interfere with my shot."

Paul remained unmoved, and even seemed to want to laugh.

Are you trying to lure me closer so you can make your move?

I'm not that stupid.

Look at your own position! You're still two meters away from the three-point line!

That's right!

A few months ago in the finals, you managed to sneak into two super-long distances.

But I, Ah Pao, don't believe that your touch can last until now.

Wait a minute~~

what are you doing?

Really?

Paul quickly pulled back and lunged at Yang Lin, who had jumped up to strike.

Unfortunately, he lowered his center of gravity too much.

When he lunged at Yang Lin, Yang Lin had already jumped and successfully tipped the basketball toward the basket.

Unable to contest the shot!

After landing, Paul quickly turned around and saw the basketball go into the net.

"Fuck! They managed to get in from this far away!" Paul cursed.

"Here you are, Chris."

Yang Lin slumped his shoulders, seemingly helpless, and said to Paul:

"I warned you I was going to shoot; you wouldn't believe me, but now I've scored!"

After saying that, Yang Lin turned and ran towards the defending side's half of the court.

Yang Lin felt quite pleased with himself after installing another one.

Seeing Yang Lin return to defense, Paul didn't hurl insults or complaints; in fact, he calmed down.

Is this the newly crowned FMVP?

Shooting is truly unreasonable.

LeBron must have felt incredibly hopeless in last season's Finals!

How do you block this feeling?

After exchanging a goal at the start, Yang Lin and Paul began to organize the team.

In terms of organizing the offense, Yang Lin is miles behind Paul.

However, good positioning is worse than good playing.

The Rockets players are very capable. Yang Lin can easily get an assist with just a pass. How can you compare to him?

In the first quarter, the Rockets took the initiative, leading 26-18 by 8 points.

Yang Lin's assist gave Paul a 6-4 lead.

In the second quarter, the Rockets remained strong, winning the quarter 24-15 by 9 points.

Yang Lin played for five minutes and racked up two assists.

At halftime, the Rockets led 50-33, a 17-point advantage.

In the second half, the Rockets' starting five did not get any more playing time.

It's preseason!

We need to give substitute players and training camp players some time to showcase their abilities.

The Rockets' starters rested, but the Hornets' starters did not.

In their first game back in New Orleans, the Hornets players didn't want a loss.

Paul led the Hornets' key players and played through two quarters.

Finally, with two minutes left in the fourth quarter, they took the lead.

98:94.

The New Orleans Hornets ultimately secured a 4-point lead, winning their first preseason game of the new season.

Looking at the final score, Yang Lin couldn't help but click his tongue.

My winning streak has ended.

My first defeat seems to have come a little too quickly!

Oh, the preseason!

That's fine.