strictlysupreme Chapter 186 The Frustrated Willie Green and the Troubled Nash
Chapter 186 The Frustrated Willie Green and the Troubled Nash
Su Qun, who was wearing glasses, was clearly not as excited as the Yu family.
"The Pelicans are probably wearing down Wang Xiucheng. Wang Xiucheng does almost everything: ball handling, assists, scoring, and defense."
"If things continue like this, I am indeed a little worried about Xiao Wang's stamina, especially in the latter part of the fourth quarter when the defensive intensity is very high, his stamina issues will be more easily exposed."
"At this point, someone else needs to step up, like Durant."
"Did you notice that Durant played very easily in this game? That's because everyone's attention was on Wang Xiucheng."
Su Qun spoke at length, almost filling two minutes.
He only stopped when he heard the director's prompt through his earpiece.
Yu Jia could no longer contain his excitement, and his voice trembled as he said, "The second quarter is about to begin. Let's go back to the court. Wang Xiucheng is back at the start of the second quarter. Durant is resting on the bench, and we can see that Zeng is actually on the court."
At the Barclays Center, when Zeng Fanbo and Wang Xiucheng took the field, the fans with Chinese features could hardly believe it.
Many believe that the Nets signing Zeng Fanbo will only result in him being sent down to the Development League.
It's already a great achievement to be on the team for the first game today, and I never expected to even get to play.
And it wasn't garbage time; he appeared at the start of the second quarter.
Is the Nets genuinely interested in developing Zeng Fanbo, or is it simply to curry favor with Wang Xiucheng? Like the Bucks and Giannis Antetokounmpo?
It's worth noting that when Wang Xiucheng was with the Rockets, it took him several games to gradually become a rotation player.
Everyone watched the game with anticipation, eager to know what Nash was up to.
In the second quarter, the Nets made extensive substitutions.
Besides Wang Xiucheng and Zeng Fanbo, there are also Daryl Sharp, Cameron Thomas, and Royce O'Neal.
Nash stood on the sidelines, looking at the lineup, and couldn't help but sigh.
This substitute lineup is just too weak.
Apart from Wang Xiucheng, the others were just there to make up the numbers.
Let's take a look at the Pelicans' bench: Tremurre, Alvarado, Nance Jr., Graham, and Marshall.
If our players are relegated to the bench, they probably won't even be able to play.
But there's nothing they can do; the Nets play superstar basketball.
The Big Three have locked up all salary cap space, making it impossible to acquire even one good player.
Although they traded away Harden and Irving, they acquired Ben West and Wall in return, so there's still room in the cap.
Therefore, the Nets must scout for new talent from their bench and the G League.
Using Zeng Fanbo was a last resort.
With Joe Harris out for this game, the Nets, whose bench was already weak, had no choice but to keep Zeng Fanbo, who was originally supposed to be sent down to the G League, for one more game.
Nash brought Zeng Fanbo on the court at this time because he noticed that Zeng Fanbo and Wang Xiucheng had good chemistry during training.
He wanted to see if that chemistry would still be there in official matches.
Just then, Larry Nance Jr. of the Pelicans hit a two-pointer using a pick-and-roll.
The Pelicans brought in their bench players, but their scoring efficiency didn't seem to drop.
This worried Nash.
Can Wang Xiucheng manage on his own?
On the field, Da Mo delivered the ball from the baseline, then slowly ran forward in front of Wang Xiucheng, simultaneously setting up a screen for him.
Wang Xiucheng held the ball and hid behind him, until he crossed the center line. Suddenly, Da Mo stood still, and Wang Xiucheng accelerated to his right side to the three-point line. Then he took the ball and jumped to shoot a three-pointer.
Trevor Murphy, who was defending Wang Xiucheng, jumped up immediately to attempt a block.
The basketball legend Xiu Cheng didn't retreat, and Trevor Murphy believed he still had a chance to block the shot.
However, Trevor, in mid-air, noticed that Wang Xiucheng's eyes suddenly glanced to the right, and then the basketball was flicked to the right by Wang Xiucheng with one hand.
Trevor looked up instinctively and saw a yellow-skinned man suddenly appear behind Dwight Howard, receive the basketball, and then smoothly jump and shoot.
Trevor, who hadn't yet landed, saw the basketball fly out not far from him.
then……
With a whoosh, a beautiful sound came from behind.
As soon as he landed, Trevor Murphy turned around and saw the basketball bounce off the floor.
Goal!
The entire stadium erupted in cheers, especially those with Chinese features.
Because the goal was scored by Zeng Fanbo!
I thought it was just a formality, but I never expected it to be such a powerful weapon!
Nash breathed a sigh of relief at that moment.
It now seems that this decision was the right one.
Zeng Fanbo reached out and clapped hands with Wang Xiucheng.
Zeng Fanbo himself was also a little excited.
This was his first official game in the NBA, and also his first point.
Zeng Fanbo glanced at a corner of the fans' stand, where his family was watching him.
He believed they would be proud of themselves.
As Zeng Fanbo turned back, he noticed out of the corner of his eye that Watanabe Yuta on the bench was staring at him.
"Brother Wang is right. There is no better opportunity to observe the opponent than to be a teammate."
Zeng Fanbo knew that while he was observing Watanabe Yuta, Watanabe Yuta was also observing him and Wang Xiucheng.
This is a double-edged sword; it all depends on who can stab the other first.
The Pelicans began their attack.
Alvarado took a shot himself, but unfortunately it didn't go in.
The basketball hit the rim, and Da Mo grabbed the rebound and passed it to Wang Xiucheng, who had come over specifically to receive it.
When Wang Xiucheng received the ball, he did not immediately dribble down the court. Instead, he protected the ball with both hands and looked towards the bottom corner.
There was a guy wearing a Pelicans jersey squatting in the stands tying his shoelaces.
Wang Xiucheng smiled at him.
This guy actually responded with a smile, then stopped tying his shoelaces, got up and ran back to his own half of the court.
Wang Xiucheng smiled wryly, thinking of Alvarado, the sixth brother.
Da Mo was completely dumbfounded.
When did that kid start squatting there?
I didn't even see it myself.
No wonder Wang Xiucheng took the initiative to come and meet them.
Da Mo originally thought that Wang Xiucheng simply wanted to dribble the ball himself, but he didn't expect there to be such a thing.
After glancing at Wang Xiucheng, Da Mo started running forward.
This Chinese player's focus on the field is truly frightening.
Although it took a little time, Wang Xiucheng still crossed the halfway line in about 8 seconds.
Just as Wang Xiucheng stepped one foot across half the court, he passed the basketball out.
Cameron Thomas, who had just circled around the inside, received a pass from Wang Xiucheng.
He seemed stunned for a moment, somewhat disbelieving that Wang Xiucheng had discovered him.
For someone of his height to dart around the paint, be able to see his own path clearly, and predict his next landing point is no easy feat.
There was no time to think. Thomas adjusted himself and shot the basketball.
Swish!
The ball goes in!
Another three-pointer.
Willie Green looked down at his toes again.
This gesture indicates that he is somewhat agitated.
The Nets have already made two three-pointers at the start of the second quarter.
This made Willie Green consider calling a timeout.
Although my own substitutes seem to be stronger than the Nets' players, the Nets' players are like eels, impossible to catch.
For example, Thomas lingered in the paint for several seconds, and even Alvarado, who was following him, got confused.
But Wang Xiucheng saw it clearly and passed the ball to Thomas.
Willie Green felt that perhaps before Wang Xiucheng was exhausted, his side would be completely overwhelmed.
Unless all the main players are replaced now.
But in doing so, you'll be the one who's exhausted.
With four quarters, Willie Green decided to stick to his plan.
We cannot change our plans just because of Wang Xiucheng's performance in those few minutes.
The Nets can't maintain this high shooting percentage forever.
Swish!
The Nets hit another three-pointer on the next possession.
Wang Xiucheng reached out and patted Zeng Fanbo on the shoulder again.
Willie Green finally couldn't take it anymore and stepped onto the court to call a timeout.
While waiting for his players to return, Willie Green looked up at the big screen.
41:29.
Willie Green himself laughed.
What the hell did I even see?!
In just four minutes, the Nets scored 13 points, while their Pelicans only managed 5.
All 13 of the Nets' points came from three-pointers.
Among them, the Chinese guy whose name I didn't even know, Willie Green, made two shots, and Thomas made one.
Wang Xiucheng also made a shot and even tricked Alvarado into committing a foul.
Is there some kind of bug here?
The Nets took four three-pointers, and they all went in!
This is a bit much!
Taking out his tactics board, Willie Green began to plan his tactics.
Meanwhile, Nash looked at the four guys in front of him besides Wang Xiucheng and didn't know what to say.
What can I say?
These substitutes went on a 13-5 run, they deserve praise.
But that's not like him.
Should I change it?
Their shooting percentage is 100%, and they've been leading all along. Why should you switch to them?
Then let's keep fighting.
So when the timeout ended, the audience was surprised to find that the Pelicans had brought back all their starters, including Zion Williamson.
On the Nets' side, it was still Wang Xiucheng leading four substitutes.
why?
It must be because Nash thought these guys played better.
This seems to be a return to the state Wang Xiucheng was in during his time with the Rockets.
At that time, the main players were responsible for losing points, and then Wang Xiucheng led the substitutes to catch up.
The difference is that the Rockets are a tanking team, while the Nets are contenders for the championship.
Durant sat on the sidelines, a smile he had never seen before on his face.
Isn't this much more comfortable than playing with Irving and Harden?
Suddenly, Durant stood up, clapped his hands, and then reached out to give Zeng Fanbo, who was passing by, a high five.
Just now, Zeng Fanbo made his third three-pointer.
Although the shot didn't go in, Da Mo grabbed the rebound and passed it to Wang Xiucheng.
Wang Xiucheng immediately gave it to Zeng Fanbo.
The latter shot again without hesitation, and it went in.
This is Zeng Fanbo's third three-pointer.
Zeng Fanbo has already scored 9 points.
That's higher than Durant's.
Even Durant himself couldn't believe it.
Durant then looked at Wang Xiucheng.
Wang Xiucheng had 4 assists in the first quarter, and now, with less than half of the second quarter played, he has already recorded another 4 assists.
It seems that every ball he passes can be converted into a goal.
Durant knew that Wang Xiucheng was deliberately passing the ball to his younger brother from China.
Although Wang Xiucheng also shared the clothes with others, he clearly didn't give them as much as his compatriots.
But they can still get in, and you can't say a word.
It seems that Wang Xiucheng can tell where Zeng Fanbo will have the highest hit rate.
Even with a 20% reduction in accuracy, the current success rate is still quite alarming.
If this rookie can maintain this shooting percentage, the Nets will have another reliable scoring option.
As Wang Xiucheng accelerated, Durant's eyes gleamed with a sharp light.
This season, it seems like we might actually be able to challenge for the championship!
Durant was in a good mood, leaning back in his chair and taking sips from the bottle every now and then.
But others weren't in such a good mood.
No matter how well these substitutes perform, it won't affect Durant's status.
But it will affect the status of these people.
Especially those two players who couldn't shoot three-pointers, their faces must have looked incredibly ugly right now.
On the court, it was the Pelicans' offensive possession.
Zion dribbled the ball up the court and came to the top of the key, intending to set a screen for Valanciunas before driving into the paint. Just as Zion reached Valanciunas' side, he noticed a hand reaching out from behind Valanciunas and slapping the basketball.
Zion instinctively reached for the ball, even though he was closer to it, but was ultimately poked in the basketball by that hand that came later but arrived first.
In an instant, the figure rushed out with the basketball.
Zion, seeing Wang Xiucheng already speeding past him, abandoned the idea of fouling and grabbing the other's arm.
The next moment, Wang Xiucheng, who had stolen the ball from Zion, stepped onto the free-throw line and dunked with a 360-degree spin from the free-throw line.
The die-hard fans in the stands immediately cheered and turned around to dance the Poznan dance again.
This time, not only the die-hard fans in the stands, but also fans in other stands turned around and jumped up.
The drinks, popcorn, and other snacks held by the fans were all thrown out, some even landing on the heads of people in the back rows, but no one cared at the moment.
All the fans at the Barek Center were immersed in a sea of joy.
Even old Mr. Vimy turned around shakily and symbolically bounced his feet a couple of times.
Even if they lose this game in the end, at least at this moment, the fans are happy.
Willie Green shook his head and called another timeout.
The time has just reached 6 minutes.
In other words, he called another timeout within two minutes of the main players coming on.
The Pelicans scored 2 points in those two minutes.
The Nets scored 7 points.
The score was now 48 to 31.
This is fucking outrageous.
Their own starters were almost as good as the substitutes.
What's the point of replacing someone then?
Just keep using substitutes!
Willie Green is angry and doesn't know what's wrong with his players.
Nash on the other side was also frustrated.
If the substitutes perform like this, what are the starters supposed to do?
How can I replace you guys?
Suddenly Nash paused for a moment, then looked at Wang Xiucheng, who was already looking tired.
"Let's take a break, play the last three minutes."