NBA: A collection of super busts

After a crazy night, the entire Grizzlies team was fully prepared.

After a few more days of rest, they will face their first preseason opponent at home: the New Orleans Hornets.

The NBA preseason rules have always been to allow the closest teams to play each other in close proximity, reducing travel fatigue and additional travel expenses.

It's worth mentioning that although the Grizzlies are considered to be in the Western Conference, they are actually located in the central United States, and the teams closest to them are all from the Eastern Conference.

This also includes wasps.

Before the Charlotte Bobcats, who were entangled with the Hornets and whose identities were often confused, joined the league, the New Orleans Hornets were always considered an Eastern Conference team.

Besides the Hornets, the Grizzlies will next face the Hawks, Magic, Pacers, and Bulls.

They will play two games against the Pacers.

After a total of 6 preseason games, the 03-04 regular season officially began.

"So, everything's ready?" Brown said in his signature voice from the locker room. "Go for it! Your season debut! Surprise everyone!"

"Whether they support us or think we'll continue winning the lottery this year, let's surprise them, kids! Let them know that the people of Memphis are ready to soar!"

After a series of unified roars, the Grizzlies players stood up and left the locker room.

Their opponent tonight isn't exactly a top-tier team, but they are a regular in the playoffs. Last year, they made it to the playoffs and even had a chance to defeat Allen Iverson's 76ers.

The Hornets have maintained the stability of their roster, with their three core players who contributed the most last year—Baron Davis, Jamal Mashburn, and David Wesley—all remaining with the team. This means they will still have at least a 45-48 win rate this season.

As the Grizzlies players entered the court, the Memphis crowd erupted in cheers and shouts. Memphis's ticket sales had been lukewarm for the past few years, but this year, with the addition of Ye Feng and James, the team's ticket revenue was destined to see a leap forward.

Boss Heisley was already grinning from ear to ear, and now, sitting on the sidelines watching the game, he excitedly patted West on the shoulder and said, "Jerry, this is the hundredth time I've thanked you!"

"I never dreamed that our stadium would be packed for just a preseason game!"

"Things will only get better," West laughed. "We'll keep moving forward on the right path."

When the players on both sides began to warm up, the two teams' completely different styles were fully revealed.

Mashburn, nicknamed "The Monster," has always been known for his explosive physique and bulging muscles.

Baron Davis, nicknamed "The Beard," is the league's top point guard. His robust physique, flamboyant personality, and stylish playing style have earned him considerable popularity.

With the addition of fierce, tough, and stylish players like PJ Brown, Magloire, and Wesley, this Hornets team may not be the top-tier team, but any team playing against them should be careful not to be overwhelmed by their passion.

Compared to them, the Grizzlies are truly a simple and kind team.

During the pre-game warm-up, the Hornets were dunking wildly, while the Grizzlies were doing simple layups.

Davis over there is dribbling the ball with dazzling skill, while Williams, who could rival him in flair, is doing the most basic two-handed chest pass drills with the assistant coach...

Looking at the stark difference in their styles, Ye Feng even had a strange feeling.

He just couldn't shake the feeling that he was better suited to playing on the other side of the court...

Soon, as the warm-up time ended, the starting players from both sides took to the field.

Pau Gasol will play center, Ye Feng will play power forward, Shane Battier will play small forward, LeBron James will play shooting guard, and Jason Williams will play point guard.

James' position has always been one of Brown's biggest headaches.

Given his height, the small forward position is the most suitable for him, but he is only 18 years old, and Brown doesn't want him to play against the big men at the small forward position in the league.

Given his style, he is better suited to the point guard position. His court vision, passing talent, and willingness are all impeccable. However, the team already has Williams as the point guard, and James, even in training camp, cannot control his turnover rate, which is two.

What made Brown decide to start James at shooting guard was that while James' passing was good, he was too focused on making passes that allowed his teammates to shoot immediately, which resulted in the ball staying in his hands for too long.

The error rate will therefore increase significantly.

Neither of these two points fits Brown's tactical system.

Therefore, letting him play position 2 is the most reasonable and safest choice at present.

On the contrary, Ye Feng and Gasol, both of whom are power forwards, made Brown's job much easier. Both of them expressed their willingness to play center, allowing their teammates to play power forward.

Both of them are capable of playing both the 4 and 5 positions, and their styles are completely complementary.

Gasol can shoot, pass, and post up, but he's not tough enough, lacks athleticism, and has a soft playing style.

Although Ye Feng's technical skills are not as good as Gasol's, and he is not as versatile, his impact, defense, and toughness can complement each other perfectly. Brown is quite at ease with either of them, regardless of who is ranked fourth or fifth.

As for whether James' shooting ability can support him playing the shooting guard position....

Let's take a look.

On the field, both teams' players are already in position.

Ye Feng's opponent was PJ Brown, a notorious bad boy from back then who once took on four Knicks players in the playoffs, successfully trading one for four and leading the Heat to a comeback victory.

The biggest difference between him and other villains in the alliance is that while other villains are good at fighting, he is most famous for getting beaten up.

This guy completely abandoned any semblance of seniority, curling his lip and looking at Ye Feng with utter disdain: "Kid, I heard your nickname is 'Wanted Criminal'?"

"If you don't like this nickname," Ye Feng's smile was as warm as a high school student's, but his words made Brown want to punch him: "You can also call me by another name: Father."

Brown said viciously, "Don't think you can dominate in college and then do the same in the NBA! This is a fucking adult world!"

"I know, I know, you're the league's punching bag king, right? That's your nickname." Ye Feng said impatiently, "Even if I can't adapt to the NBA, it's not my place for a punching bag to sacrifice itself to teach me how to do it."

"Hahaha," Davis couldn't help but say, "PJ got taught a lesson by a kid."

"I'll teach him a lesson!" Brown glared at Ye Feng fiercely, then turned and returned to his seat.

Even if it's just a preseason game, he's going to teach this arrogant little brat a lesson!