After chatting, Xu Yong and Harden left the house and went to DeRozan's house.
When they went, DeRozan was about to go out.
"James?" DeRozan was stunned for a long time before he said when he saw Harden.
They haven't seen each other since Harden went to Tempe, and it's been more than half a year.
What's more, Harden's beard is beginning to take shape at this time, and he is completely different from before.
Harden went up and gave him a big warm hug.
Xu Yong can completely feel the intimacy of their relationship.
"Let me introduce you. This is my friend Xu. He dunks better than you." Harden introduced with a smile.
"Really? I don't believe it." DeRozan smiled and extended his hand to Xu Yong.
Unlike the impression that he was suffering from jade syndrome, DeRozan still looked very sunny at this time.
"I'm Xu Yong, James' teammate." Xu Yong introduced himself.
"Don't believe it, I'm ready to watch your dunk showdown." Harden looked like he was just watching the excitement and it was not too big a deal.
DeRozan and Xu Yong both smiled and shook their heads.
Xu Yong can completely feel that Harden's way of speaking is completely different from when he was in Tempe. On the one hand, he has relieved all the pressure after returning home. On the other hand, he is also very relaxed in front of friends.
"Don't worry, when we enter the NBA, we can compete in the slam dunk contest." Xu Yong continued.
This statement made DeRozan surprised.
"That's the expression. It was the same expression the first day I saw Xu." Harden said with a laugh.
DeRozan thought thoughtfully after seeing Harden's reaction, and finally said with a smile: "Then it's settled."
Although he didn't know where Xu Yong's confidence came from, he knew that being able to become Harden's friend and have Harden recognize him in this way was no mere showmanship.
They didn't chat for too long because DeRozan still had to go to school for training. In his last year of high school, he had to work hard for a good college offer.
But they made an appointment for a game that night, and DeRozan would go there to support them.
…
At eight o'clock that night, the game between the Devils and the Bruins officially kicked off at the Poly Arena, the home stadium of the UCLA campus.
Unlike Wells Fargo Arena, Poly Arena is a serious quasi-NBA-level arena that can accommodate 10,000 people to watch the game live, which is quite impressive.
When Xu Yong came out of the tunnel, he felt that the atmosphere was indeed different from when he was in Tempe.
He couldn't help but look forward to the playoffs and championships, especially the championships, which were huge venues with a cost of 50,000 to 60,000 yuan.
Harden was also searching the crowd at this time, and his eyes finally locked on Giles, Willis and DeRozan in the audience.
Ticket prices for NCAA games are not low, especially for a focused game like tonight, but fortunately, players will get some, but the number is not large and the positions are not very good.
Xu Yong also saw them and stretched out his hand to greet them.
But at this moment, he noticed the densely packed flags hanging above the arena. Among them, there were ten championship flags!
It feels like there is a Himalaya standing in front of you.
"Can we do it?" Ayers blurted out at this moment.
Although they have made rapid progress after defeating Stanford University and are no longer the weaklings of the previous two seasons, they have to face UCLA after all.
No matter how brave a cheetah is, it will feel fear in its heart when facing a male lion.
What's more, the last time they lost at home, they lost their temper.
"Of course." Xu Yong and Harden said almost in unison, and then they both laughed in unison.
For Harden, defeating Stanford only gave him a taste of victory. If he wants to truly experience it, he still has to defeat an opponent like UCLA.
And the presence of his mother Willis gave him a reason to win.
For Xu Yong, as he once said to Harden, he will not be afraid of his opponents.
They failed to defend their home court last time. This time, their goal is to win the game back at UCLA's home court!
Ayers looked surprised, especially when he saw Harden's reaction.
However, thinking carefully about Harden's performance this month, he also realized that unknowingly, the team's two first-year players had gradually left him behind.
If he doesn't work hard, he will become the "handle" of the trident!
"Yes, we can do it!" He said to the other team members, and also to himself.
After Ayers finished speaking, the Devils players all looked at the Bruins players on the opposite side.
Come on, let's see if they are qualified to challenge the Pac10 league king now!
The opening ceremony began quickly, and when the Bruins took the field, the cheers from the Los Angeles fans were deafening.
The wealth of super wealthy families is overwhelming.
However, after the opening ceremony, the Bruins' starter surprised the Devils players.
Darren Collison, Josh Shipp, Luke Richard Mbah a Moute, Alfred Aboya, Kevin Love.
Aboya was the insider who was dunked by Xu Yong in the last match. He had previously played as a substitute.
But that's not the point. What about Westbrook? !
he got hurt?
Obviously not. He was there during the warm-up before the game, and he was also wearing training clothes at this time.
After seeing this scene, Xu Yong suddenly became excited.
Westbrook's importance to the Bruins was clearly demonstrated in the last meeting.
The most basic point is that the Bruins' defensive counterattack is based on Love's long pass and Westbrook's quick pass.
Now that Westbrook is gone, this move is greatly weakened.
Not to mention the threat Westbrook poses to the Devils' penalty area when UCLA passes and cuts.
He didn't know for what purpose Bruins head coach Howland made the adjustment. Maybe it was because of Westbrook's recent poor form, or maybe it was to target the way they played in their last meeting.
But no matter which one it is, this gives the Devils a huge opportunity, an opportunity to gain an advantage at the beginning!
"Guys, don't hold back at the beginning, let them feel the flame of our revenge!" Xu Yong clenched his right hand and raised it high.
"Come on! Devils!" The devils on the Devils also raised their hands and roared from hell.
The game will start soon.
With blood boiling, Ayers leaped high and turned the ball back to Glaser, giving the Devils the first opportunity to attack.
Harden's movement restrained the defense. Ayers cut to the basket after setting a pick-and-roll for Xu Yong. After receiving Glasser's pass, he faced Aboya's hard attack and took the lead.
He doesn't want to be a "halberd handler"!
The Devils got the early start, and after retreating to the defensive end, they actually blocked UCLA's pass.
This is partly due to the Devils' defensive enthusiasm and the fact that Westbrook is not on the court.
After Ayers protected the defensive rebound, the Devils quickly launched a defensive counterattack. Harden rushed to the frontcourt, directly knocked away Collison and smashed the ball into the basket!
Just as Xu Yong asked, the Devils gave their all at the start.
The scene was agitated.
The two coaches on the sidelines were also surprised.
The reason why Haolan made the starting adjustment was similar to Xu Yong's guess, but it was based on two considerations, both strategic and Westbrook's status.
But he never expected that the Devils would show such a strong desire to win at the beginning. This team was completely different from the team a month ago.
Sandek was overjoyed. He could completely feel the desire of the team members from their body language, or what Xu Yong said was the revenge mentality.
No matter which way it is, he feels that the team's appearance is completely different from that of January.
Love attacked Ayers in the low post and caused a defensive foul on Ayers. A man of average size really couldn't withstand it.
He hit one of two free throws to help the Bruins open the game.
But looking back, Harden missed an outside shot, and Ayers and Xu Yong continuously attacked the basket, which also caused Love's thug to foul!
There is an easily overlooked detail on the court, that is, after the Bruins' lineup adjustment, Mbah a Moute became a small forward, and the person guarding Xu Yong also changed from him to Aboya.
Aboya is at a disadvantage in terms of speed, flexibility, and even confrontation.
Love was now in a situation where it was difficult for him to fight with two fists.
Xu Yong adjusted his breathing and made two consecutive free throws steadily.
Before the second penalty, he specifically turned his head and glanced at Haolan on the sidelines. After seeing Haolan holding the air and not making any substitutions, he was immediately relieved.
Seven minutes into the game, the score on the field was 12 to 4, with the Devils leading!
Before the first match against the Bruins, Xu Yong once told Harden that the chance to win was to get the start.
It's a pity that they didn't do it in that game, but tonight, although belatedly, they did it!
