NBA: Yao Ming at his peak returns to his rookie season

The game between the Rockets and the Lakers.

There are many predictions from the outside world.

For example, this could be another massacre for the Lakers, a battle to prove Kobe's worth, or even a fierce battle between two titans.

After all, the Rockets still have Tomjanovich and Steve Francis.

But... there was nothing there.

Tomjanovic's control of the rhythm was superb. He used Yao Ming to establish an advantage and exhausted Kobe Bryant by the third quarter.

Because the Rockets with Yao Ming are completely different from the Rockets without Yao Ming.

This 10-point lead was very unfavorable for Kobe.

Kobe was practically cursing when Phil Jackson held him down in the fourth quarter.

He wanted to rush in front of Tang Shuai, constantly disrupting Yao Ming's shooting touch. Wasn't he afraid of overdoing it?

Actually, don't be afraid!

Coaches of Tang Shuai's and Zen Master's caliber are no longer concerned with such matters.

I'm not afraid of problems.

What I fear is discovering the problem at the wrong time.

They have no concept of rookies or rookie walls. They can't even break through one wall, so what's the point of talking about superstars?

As it turns out, Coach Tang's decision was correct.

Yao Ming is adaptable to different tactics and his consistency is very high. As long as he is on the court, the team can easily play around him.

In the fourth section, the Zen master gave up very decisively.

Yao Ming also achieved a career high of 21 points and 18 rebounds. The Lakers' interior defense was so bad that it would be embarrassing if Yao Ming didn't grab any rebounds.

Compared to those 20 points, the number of rebounds on the scoreboard seemed even worse for the Lakers.

Barkley in the TNT studio could finally breathe a sigh of relief.

21 points.

Yao Ming generously gifted him 2 points.

A week later, Barkley was about to keep his promise as commentator, and Kenny Smith showed off several different pairs of shorts.

Barkley has offended quite a few people as a player.

Now, to make matters worse, Karl Malone even sent one, and there's another package from an unknown sender named Antonio.

The box contained briefs.

Kenny Smith's expression at the time was, "Am I really going to wear this?"

The Rockets defeated the Lakers 91-72, achieving a franchise-historic victory.

For the first time in three seasons and 12 games, the Rockets defeated the Lakers.

The Rockets had 3 players score in double figures in this game.

This is also the first time Yao Ming has won the MVP award for a single game.

The Lakers' most impressive player was Kobe Bryant with 36 points, 7 rebounds, and 5 assists, which was also the highest score in the game.

Unfortunately, only Kobe Bryant scored in double figures for the Lakers today.

Robert Horry, who came in second in scoring, only had 9 points and 6 rebounds.

Yao Ming's performance shocked the entire United States.

Due to the hype and attention surrounding this match.

The aftershocks of this moment are spreading wildly, and what's even more astonishing is Yao Ming's shooting percentage: 9 out of 11 field goals and 3 out of 3 free throws!

What terrifying efficiency!

After the match ended.

Although this is the Staples Center, Kobe was left out in the cold, while Yao Ming was surrounded by a large number of reporters.

"Yao, your performance was fantastic! 20+18 helped the team win. What are your thoughts?"

"Why are you suddenly so strong? Were there any locker room issues during your time in Houston?"

"Between Kobe and Shaq, who do you think was the better star player?"

Hey, that third question is a bit much.

Yao Ming automatically ignored the third question.

Holding the microphone: "I don't think I'm that great. There are many excellent players in the NBA, like Shaq and Kobe. I really enjoy watching them play. I'm just playing basketball. I listen to the coach's instructions and trust my teammates."

Yao Ming's emotional intelligence is off the charts.

The depressing atmosphere surrounding the Lakers' loss has faded considerably.

Kobe is from a different timeline.

He came out to meet us this time.

Young Kobe's face was full of grievance at the loss, looking as if he was about to break, but he still stubbornly reached out his hand to Yao Ming.

This... must be the first superstar Yao Ming has ever shaken hands with, besides Francis.

Kobe, alive.

Yao Ming excitedly shook hands with Kobe Bryant: "Your shooting is amazing, Bryant. I think you're even better than Michael."

"Really? You really think so?"

Kobe, who was initially dejected, seemed to instantly recover and even thought that the big man was still very reasonable!

Yao Ming and Kobe Bryant had a brief exchange.

He then returned to the players' tunnel with his teammates, and along the way, many fans handed him various autographed items.

Towels, clothes, and most egregiously, sneakers.

They're still Kobe's shoes.

Asking Yao Ming to sign Kobe Bryant's shoes, classmate, is that polite?

However, Yao Ming calmly accepted the gift and signed it.

He also praised the other person's taste.

Kobe's shoes are still with Adidas. This particular pair is now considered rare and has Yao Ming's signature. When the young fan grows up, these shoes should fetch a good price.

A tall figure blocked the players' tunnel.

Rockets players passing by all avoided them.

We can't afford to offend them.

O'Neal's expression was cold and fierce. He just stood there, putting immense pressure on the Rockets all by himself.

Francis did not fire a shot.

Yao Ming walked up to Shaquille O'Neal from the crowd.

"Kid, you're pretty good with words, but just wait, next time we meet, Shaq will show you what a championship team really is!"

A familiar scene.

Yao Ming felt a sense of familiarity and decided to write a letter when he got back.

Then light a candle for O'Neal.

This unruly shark should probably be beaten up.

Yao Ming left gracefully, but his attitude still angered Shaquille O'Neal, who was truly unafraid of him.

The match ended.

This Lakers vs. Rockets game made the Lakers famous across America overnight, but the real challenge is yet to come.

Because fans discovered that in half a month, it would be Yao Ming's first game against Ben Wallace, who is the undisputed best center in the Eastern Conference.

2002 was the year of Ben Wallace.

The Detroit Pistons' signature afro hairstyle has even led to barbershops raising the price of this style.

He will also be the first super center that Yao Ming truly faces!

Meanwhile, in the Houston office.

Mr. Dawson was also looking at various player trade information with mixed feelings.

Antonio's emails went unanswered.

The Rockets' victory over the defending champion Lakers delighted Dawson, undoubtedly giving Houston fans a much-needed boost.

The Rockets during Jordan's era were a contender for the championship against the Bulls, and Hakeem Olajuwon led the team to two titles.

Although they couldn't defeat Jordan, it proved their status and strength.

The Rockets were the best in the West back then.

The Jazz are behind them.

But since Hakeem Olajuwon retired, the Rockets have been getting worse year by year. They haven't even made it to the playoffs in five seasons, and the fans' patience is about to reach its limit.

Yao Ming's arrival has given Houston fans new hope.

……

Houston Airport

This time, Yao Ming received a hero's welcome as he stepped off the plane.

The area outside the airport was filled with cheering fans.

Although only a few hundred people greeted Yao Ming at the airport, it's nothing compared to Yao Ming's peak, but it's a good start, and Houston fans are learning to accept Yao Ming.

More importantly, Basketball Illustrated published an interview with Yao Ming in the morning.

The Giant God Descends!

This was Yao Ming's first interview in his career, and Basketball Illustrated gave it a very prestigious cover feature.

With Basketball Illustrated, Charge!

Local Houston publications also went into reprint.

However, the speed was slow after all, and Basketball Illustrated became the first to try it, making a fortune.

What's even more outrageous is that Basketball Illustrated's headquarters are in New York.

Houston's local media outlets were just rehashing old news about their own star players.

I was so angry I almost became withdrawn.

Yao Ming has become incredibly famous this time, as he played against Kobe Bryant.

Although O'Neal later announced in an interview, "Yao Ming? That's an interesting kid. The last time I knew anyone Chinese was Bruce Lee. I heard you guys all know martial arts?"

On camera, O'Neal raised an excessively large elbow: "See this? When I dunk, all I need is a turn...!"

The Rockets practiced the next day.

Francis angrily threw down the magazine: "Damn it! This big shark is a real sore loser!"

"What's wrong, Steve?" Yao Ming had just finished exercising, and his vest was soaked with sweat.

I sat down, picked up the magazine, and saw some earlier-than-expected statements.

Yao Ming almost burst out laughing.

Shaquille O'Neal is still so childish, arguing with Kobe, wanting Yao Ming to beat Kobe once, but unwilling to actually see Kobe get bullied.

"You can still laugh? That's a threat!" Francis said worriedly. "And that fat guy wasn't just saying that!"

Yao Ming certainly knew this.

Because of Yao Ming's time travel.

This caused the timeline to become disordered.

The last time this happened was after the All-Star break. Because Yao Ming got a starting spot and it was the second game between the Lakers and the Rockets, O'Neal got so angry that he lost his temper and made some rude remarks during an interview, which led to him being criticized by Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.

He was blocked three times by Yao Ming right at the start of the official game.

It means that the preparation was not sufficient.

Things are different now.

With Yao Ming's rise to fame, Shaquille O'Neal will have more free time, and it's hard to say what he will do next.

In this era, it's quite common to accidentally play with pork knuckles.

Yao Ming still remembers his first playoff game against Shaquille O'Neal. He was covered in bruises after just one game and almost couldn't make it through.

Of course, O'Neal's peak was over after that.

Meanwhile, Yao Ming gradually rose to prominence.

It was a case of O'Neal bullying Yao Ming because he was young, and then Yao Ming retaliated by beating up O'Neal, who was old and weak.

There was absolutely no mercy shown.

Aside from arch-rivals like Stoudemire, Yao Ming and Shaquille O'Neal had a love-hate relationship.

"He was prepared, and so was I." Yao Ming said, brandishing his elbow. "My elbow wasn't bad either!"