in2ebook Chapter 37: Pushing the Dream On Again
Chapter 37: Pushing the Dream On Again
Wang Meng was startled when he heard this. Although as a host and commentator for a live online broadcast, there weren't many taboos, this was, after all, the Rockets, and he should at least consider Yao Ming's feelings.
Fortunately, the second half of the game started, and Wang Meng interrupted Yang Yi, who was either completely silent or, when he did speak, was like a bomb.
"The game has started, and Wang Xiucheng has actually started in the second half. This time we'll get to face off against Curry."
Sure enough, these words immediately drew the attention of Yang Yi and Wang Shipeng.
Silas's thought process is truly baffling; in the second half, he actually had Wang Xiucheng replace Porter Jr. in the starting lineup.
This change surprised Kerr. Did Silas still have ideas about the game?
Don't say the Rockets are a tanking team. Even if they played a real game, the Warriors wouldn't be afraid.
It didn't work when "18 Fire" was around, and now that Harden is gone, do you still have ideas?
Cole became interested.
The game begins, and the Warriors have possession of the ball on offense.
Curry gets the ball, Green sets a screen, his big frame completely blocking Wang Xiu, and Curry takes a step-back three-pointer.
Swish!
They scored the very first goal of the game.
Curry held up three fingers, showing off in front of the Rockets' bench as he ran back.
This attack took only 8 seconds.
Wang Xiucheng looked at Green, whose thick body made it too difficult for him to get around.
And this guy might go crazy at any time.
To be honest, Wang Xiucheng was quite afraid of him. If those arms, as hard as steel bars, were to strangle him, he would be going to see his great-grandmother right away.
Wood served from the baseline, choosing not to pass to Wang Xiucheng, but instead to Green, who was further away.
Green received the ball and passed it to Wang Xiucheng, who was then guarded by Curry.
This was the first encounter between the two sides.
Curry also didn't closely guard Wang Xiucheng; he didn't want to end up like those who got faked out.
During halftime, he asked Payton about it, and it turned out that Payton's ankle was injured by Wang Xiucheng's feint, and he might have to rest for a few games.
Curry was guarding Wang Xiucheng, but unfortunately, Wang Xiucheng's target wasn't him.
Wang Xiucheng looked in Green's direction; the one guarding Jalen Green was Draymond Green.
Wang Xiucheng gave him a wink, and Jalen Green, who had already developed a certain understanding with Wang Xiucheng, immediately understood and came over to set a screen. Green didn't want to switch, but Wang Xiucheng and Green kept switching positions.
Suddenly, Jalen Green ran towards the baseline, and Draymond Green was just a step too late to catch up, so Wang Xiucheng passed the ball to him.
Before Jalen Green had even come to his senses, he jumped almost diagonally and threw the ball.
Can't get in.
Draymond Green predicted the ball's trajectory almost instantly.
But the next moment, with a whoosh, a beautiful sound rang out.
The ball went in!
Jalen Green held up three fingers, mimicking Curry's earlier actions as he ran back, and even gave Wang Xiucheng a high five.
That was so fucking awesome!
Jalen Green is really enjoying this kind of game.
After switching possession, the Warriors attempted another three-pointer under a screen, but it missed. Theis grabbed the rebound and passed it to Wang Xiucheng.
Having already tasted the sweetness of success, Green immediately ran towards Wang Xiucheng.
After several attempts, Wang Xiucheng finally found an opportunity and ran to the opposite side almost simultaneously with Jalen Green. Curry was pulled away by Jalen Green, and Draymond Green had no choice but to face Wang Xiucheng.
In an instant, Zhui Meng took a step back, giving Wang Xiucheng some space to break through.
The fans in the stands were stunned. Players from other teams were avoiding Draymond Green, but Wang Xiucheng was specifically looking for him. What did that mean?
Kerr immediately sensed something was wrong and wanted to call a timeout, but he didn't have possession of the ball.
Wang Xiucheng made two consecutive crossovers to penetrate the paint, then slowed down, waiting specifically for Meng to make his move.
Zhui Meng didn't make a move; he looked at the outside shooting spot, waiting for Wang Xiucheng to pass the ball back.
With no other option, Wang Xiucheng could only end the attack with a throw, but unfortunately it missed.
Wood jumped high and slammed home the rebound.
Turning around and running back, Wood shouted to Wang Xiucheng, "Shoot the rookie more accurately."
Wang Xiucheng shook his head, not caring, and went back to defend.
Kerr slowly withdrew his outstretched hand, still unwilling to call a timeout right at the start of the game.
Warriors' Curry controlled the ball, made a pick-and-roll, and passed it to Poole, who made a two-pointer despite the defense.
Cole breathed a sigh of relief.
He chose to believe in Curry.
Just like countless times before.
For the Warriors, offense is simple: just get the ball to Curry.
The Rockets attacked again, switching onto Draymond Green in the same way. Wang Xiucheng broke through again and finally found an open shot on the outside.
Wang Xiucheng threw the ball directly to him, and only then did he realize it was Wood.
Wood didn't pull up and shoot like Green did, even when he had an open shot.
After receiving the ball, Wood surprisingly dribbled into the three-point line, made a few fakes, and then launched a fadeaway jump shot.
Bang!
The basketball hit the rim, Rooney grabbed the rebound and passed it directly to Curry, who had already started running.
Curry was all alone, and even Wang Xiucheng was still inside the three-point line, so he received the ball and drove all the way to the basket, then took three steps and jumped.
All the spectators stood up. Was he about to dunk?
This ticket was worth it.
Swish!
All the audience members sat down again.
Curry didn't jump high enough in the final moments and could only lob the ball into the basket.
Curry himself shook his head, looking quite helpless.
The Rockets attacked again, and it took Wang Xiucheng almost ten seconds to switch onto Draymond Green.
This seemed to displease Wood, who came over several times to ask for the ball, but Wang Xiucheng waved him away each time.
After dribbling between his legs, Wang Xiucheng easily entered the paint, while Dream continued to defend the perimeter.
But this time, because Green was running, Draymond turned halfway around, positioning himself to face Green.
Just then, Green suddenly realized something was wrong.
Suddenly, an arm slipped under his arm, and then he saw that Wang Xiucheng had appeared next to him at some point, and was even jumping up while holding his arm.
Bang!
That's the sound of a basketball hitting the backboard.
beep!
That's the sound of the referee's whistle.
Dream Chaser stood motionless, raising his hands high.
The referee went to the scorer's table and called a defensive foul on Draymond Green.
Draymond Green was stunned, holding the bald guy!
I really didn't do anything this time; it was Wang Xiucheng who came to stage an accident.
He really wanted to yell a few words, but the female referee was standing right in front of him staring at him, as if she would give him a technical foul if he opened his mouth.
Cole flew into a rage, slamming his hand on the challenge button on the scorer's table and yelling, "Are you blind? Is that a foul? That's not even faking it, isn't that intentionally hanging on someone's arm?"
Kerr saw it clearly: Wang Xiucheng could have shot, but he dribbled the ball to Draymond Green's side, and while Green wasn't paying attention to him and was extending his arm to increase his defensive coverage, Wang Xiucheng used Green's arm to jump and shoot.
What else could this be but a wall hanging?
What is this if not a scam?
The players from both sides returned to their benches, and the three referees reviewed the video. Cole was still arguing and putting pressure on the referees.
But the referee ignored him.
Curry frowned slightly as he watched Wang Xiucheng return to the Rockets' bench.
He knew that Wang Xiucheng had been trying to trick Zhui Meng into committing a foul several times.
He originally thought this wouldn't happen, and he had already reminded Zhui Meng to pay attention to this issue.
But Wang Xiucheng still managed to do it.
He doesn't believe the challenge will necessarily succeed; in these matters, the referee's subjective opinion is the most important.
This is especially true for a player like Draymond Green with a long history of bad behavior.
On the Rockets' bench, Wood had just sat down when he said directly to Wang Xiucheng, "Rookie, stop dribbling and dribbling. You only pass the ball when there are only a few seconds left, and the turnovers will all go to other people."
Wang Xiucheng looked at the CBA legend in surprise. "Are you talking to me? Are you sure you're not talking to Porter Jr.?"
The young players, including Green, were also surprised, not expecting Wood to say such a thing.
How good is Wang Xiucheng's passing? Who passes better, Wang Xiucheng or Porter Jr.? Green is the best person to say.
Just as Green was about to speak up for Wang Xiucheng, he noticed that Wang Xiucheng was laughing.
That was a disdainful smile.
"Then I won't send it to you," Wang Xiucheng said nonchalantly.
Wang Xiucheng didn't even glance at Wood.
"calm."
Silas's "good guy" persona came in handy; he tried to persuade both sides, saying a few words to one and a few words to the other.
But nobody listens.
Wood was yelling, "Rookie, what did you say? You're going to pass the ball? Get a starting spot first!"
Little Potter sat in the back, saying and doing nothing, as if it had nothing to do with him.
Wang Xiucheng ignored him and lowered his head, seemingly deep in thought.
The timeout ended quickly, the referees discussed it and gave their final ruling, upholding the original decision: Draymond Green committed a foul.
Cole kept shaking his head, a helpless smile on his face, to express his protest.
Silas thought for a moment and made no changes; Wang Xiucheng and Wood both played.
You guys handle this yourselves.
Green, on the other hand, was a little worried and didn't know what to do.
Draymond Green of the Warriors sat on the bench, biting his nails as he pleased.
Upon reaching the free-throw line, Wang Xiucheng made his first free throw, but the second bounced off the rim.
Wood leaped high and dunked the ball into the basket.
"You think I need your pass? Rookie." Wood mocked Wang Xiucheng again as he passed him on his way back to defend.
Wood's voice wasn't quiet; everyone else on the field heard it.
Curry's eyes lit up. Was there some internal strife?