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

The Rockets cannot make it to the playoffs with their current roster.

Even if they make it through, it will be very difficult for them to get past the first round.

There are many reasons for this.

For example, Yao Ming is still young, Steve Francis lacks playoff experience, and Glenn Robinson—after what happened today, Coach Tomjanovich even wants to trade him.

In addition, there's Tomjad's own physical condition, as well as injuries to Cato and Morris.

The Rockets have far too many problems.

Moreover, Coach Tang has a keen eye. Yao Ming is top-tier in the league in terms of offensive ability and is incredibly talented. However, compared to his offensive talent, his defense is at best just passable.

He needs a sweeper role.

Without Cato, then Tommy and Dawson need someone like him!

Normally, team trades fall under the jurisdiction of the general manager.

Salt Lake City is no exception.

However, if Tomjanovich and Sloan were to initiate a trade, neither general manager would refuse, as they have been partners for many years.

These renowned coaches, in addition to their own stable assistant coaching staff,

Actually, the collaboration with the team's general manager may have lasted even longer.

That was a friendship that lasted almost the entirety of my career.

"Andrei? That kid is indeed very talented, but why should I agree to your request, old man? And what if you lose?"

"Then I'll give you Glenn Robinson!"

"Get out!" Coach Sloan was so angry he almost cursed. If it weren't for the reporters filming, he would have elbowed Rudy, that shameless guy. "Yao, you won't make a trade. If you lose, give me Mobley and Devin!"

This is also why Sloan agreed to Tomjanovich's suggestion. Both of them are very clear that neither of them has a roster that can go far in the playoffs.

This was a tacitly agreed-upon deal.

They planned to gamble on luck and forcefully assemble a strong team capable of making it to the playoffs, while also carrying some of the opponent's assets.

The dirty deal is done, and both sides return to their respective halves of the game.

The two of them tacitly avoided mentioning the matter.

It's just about instructing each player to kill the opposing team's old bastards, basically all sorts of explicit swear words.

At the same time, Yao Ming's adventure system popped up a new quest.

The Knight's Choice

This match involves crucial transactions that will influence the kingdom's future depending on the course of the battle.

[Main Quest Issued: Win the Match]

[Reward: Karl Malone Core Strength Training Card]

This is the second time Yao Ming has received a training card reward. The last time, in addition to almost killing Barkley with training, Yao Ming also gained a lot of attribute points.

This thing is much rarer and more valuable than simply increasing attribute points.

So... is it absolutely necessary to win?

The Rockets' starting lineup consisted of Yao Ming, Steve Francis, Stephen Jackson, Eddie Griffin, and Norris.

Tomás is now trying to secure a stable starting position.

However, the team was really bad. After going through all sorts of players, only Eddie Griffin and Norris were barely usable, and their performance was even worse than Stephen Jackson, who was acquired at a low price.

But compared to Glenn Robinson, he's actually not bad.

After all, the Rockets would have to pay over $800 million more to acquire Glenn Robinson for the next season!

That's enough to buy two Cardos!

The Jazz's lineup: Stockton, Karl Malone, Matt Harris, Ostertag, and Calbert Mooney.

The appearance of both teams left many fans speechless.

Because, apart from a few star players, it was really a competition of who was worse off.

On one side is a nursing home and on the other is a kindergarten.

The Rockets are currently relying entirely on Yao Ming and Steve Francis, both of whom are on rookie contracts. The Jazz are even more outrageous, with five players who have been with the team since 95.

That's an old relic that's been around since the Jordan era.

There is no third scoring option.

The Jazz's current playing style is that whoever has the ball shoots.

The overall data is scattered and average, but the stability is entirely supported by Stockton. The difference in the Jazz's fighting power is huge with and without Stockton.

Yao Ming easily overpowered Ostertag and took the jump ball.

This chubby guy has aged quite a bit.

Recently, Yao Ming has gotten used to high-pressure, high-contact play in the paint, so when he suddenly faced a center of Ostertag's caliber, he didn't feel any pressure at all.

The Rockets played very aggressively from the start of the game.

Francis dribbled the ball excitedly close to Stockton.

They took advantage of his old age and weakness!

Yao Ming invaded the paint, but the Jazz's defensive discipline was excellent, and there was also some personal animosity involved.

Karl Malone and Harprin immediately blocked Francis's passing lanes.

Stockton also started using underhanded tactics.

There are a few NBA stars who deserve to be beaten, and Stockton is definitely one of them. His defense is so bad that it's infuriating.

Francis, who was being harassed by X, changed his dribbling motion and Stockton tipped the ball away.

Harpring then had the ball, and the Jazz launched a fast break.

Yao Ming tried to keep up, but Karl Malone blocked his way, leaving Yao to watch as Harprin scored a layup.

"You son of a bitch! Are you out of your mind?" Francis angrily rubbed his thigh.

Stockton shrugged, feigning innocence.

Francis was furious.

Stockton acted very discreetly, so much so that Francis couldn't find a way to file a complaint.

The game continues.

The Rockets launched a counterattack, which angered Francis, who called for a pick and roll.

Unlike McGrady in his previous life, Francis doesn't like pick-and-roll plays; he prefers to use his speed and explosiveness to shake off his opponents.

The current calls for pick-and-rolls are probably born out of sheer frustration.

Francis drove straight to the basket after the pick-and-roll. He actually wanted to elbow Stockton, even if it meant getting a foul, because it was too frustrating.

But Stockton, a seasoned veteran, gave up his position early and watched Francis go for the layup.

Then... Karl Malone, who was helping out on defense, slapped him down!

Yao Ming caught the ball.

Then he delivered a powerful dunk, and Karl Malone got a poster dunk, giving Francis a chance to get back up.

The Jazz launched a fierce counterattack.

Soon it was the Rockets' second offensive possession, but just as the ball was about to reach Francis, it was stolen by Stockton who suddenly appeared.

The Jazz scored again on the counterattack!

That's the power of experience. Stockton clearly watched a lot of Rockets games and could even roughly guess their passing routes to Francis.

The Jazz rallied to take a 6-0 lead!

"Coach Sloan's tactical arrangements are still as sharp as ever!" Barkley said into the microphone, without mentioning Karl Malone at all.

Kenny Smith didn't cause any trouble.

Instead, he continued the conversation, saying, "The Jazz had a perfect start, and their containment of Yao Ming was excellent. In the last possession, Yao Ming was almost completely shut down when he was in the low post. Although Yao Ming's stats have been rising rapidly recently, his performance has declined somewhat."

Francis on the field seemed a bit anxious.

But Yao Ming patted the ball and said, "Don't rush, let's hold back, Francis."

"Do you have any good ideas?"

"If we drag it out, their stamina definitely won't be as good as ours!"

Yao Ming's answer was very confident.

Francis chuckled wryly, "The Jazz players are monsters. Don't let their age fool you; those two old guys can play 30+ minutes a game like it's nothing. I'm afraid we'll be exhausted, but they'll still be playing!"

"That's a matter of method. Steve, get John running, think of Hamilton from the Pistons, and just run like him!"

What? !

Francis was dumbfounded.

The league has Stockton, a guard with disgusting defense; Jason Williams, a passer with disgusting passing; and Baron, with outrageous weight.

But none of these people are as disgusting as Hamilton.

That guy is known as the "Running Dog," his playing style mainly involves agile and tireless movement. Following him for half the game, anyone with low stamina might just throw up.

Now Yao Ming is actually making you and him learn to play.

Uh, the opponent is Stockton.

Then there's no problem!