NBA headquarters, in the president's office.
Stu Jackson and Bald Hua, two vice presidents of the NBA, looked at a white-haired old man who was standing on the windshield looking down at the busy traffic and crowds below.
David Stern!
"Mr. Stern, if you do this, aren't you afraid that Wang Zelin will become the next Yi Jianlian? Don't cause an embarrassing situation between us."
Bald Hua took a sip of the coffee in front of him and asked tentatively.
After Yi Jianlian confirmed his position as the Bucks' starting power forward, he almost knocked Kevin Garnett out of the power forward position during the All-Star voting. In the end, due to some indescribable reasons, Yi Jianlian had to give up the All-Star voting. qualifications.
Therefore, the bald man is worried that the scenes of the past will happen again.
According to incomplete statistics from that year, during the All-Star voting period, 11% to 15% of all NBA website visitors were from Asia.
Although NBA officials have not clearly stated whether these are all-star votes for Chinese fans, they all understand.
"Adam, look at Wang's statistics. He averages 21 points and 11 rebounds per game. Even Howard's current statistics are only 17+12. No matter where you come from, your worries are misplaced." Stu Jackson relayed Said over his shoulder.
"But Wang's performance a few days ago was far worse than before, and now he is very likely to hit the rookie wall..."
"Haha, when have the statistics of 17 points, 8 rebounds and 1 block been called the rookie wall? If you really want to say that, then who is our son of the United States? Did he die in the rookie wall?"
Stu Jackson's contemptuous voice came immediately, interrupting Bald Hua's speech.
"In any case, we must admit that Wang's potential is stronger than that of Yi, or even Yao back then... In this case, why not praise him?"
David Stern returned to the president's chair and opened his mouth calmly, as if the quarrel between Bald and Hua had never happened.
"More than Yao, Mr. Stern, are you kidding me? Yao was the legitimate No. 1 center in the Western Conference back then, and he was also the No. 1 pick..."
Bald Hua shook his head and retorted.
"That doesn't matter. As long as he can reach Yao's 67% strength, he is worth a try." A familiar smile appeared on David Stern's face, but the two old fritters, Bald Hua and Stu Jackson, You can see the determination behind it through the smile.
"yes."
The two nodded silently and left the president's office.
…
"The first round of All-Star voting has officially started!"
"New players! New changes! New surprises! Hurry up and act for your favorite players!!!"
At 12 noon on the 8th, the voting process for the 62nd All-Star Game and the new version of the game were completed.
Compared with previous All-Star weekends, NBA officials have reformed the All-Star voting this time, eliminating the center position. Fans only need to select two backcourt players and three frontcourt players to serve as starters for the All-Star game.
There are joys and sorrows in the outside world.
Some people think this is an extraordinary reform, proving that the NBA has taken a step towards greatness.
Some people think this is a stupid move that will bring new variables to the NBA, which has always been calm, and it is very likely to have a negative impact.
However, the largest number of people are the fans. They only care about whether their players can be selected for the main game and whether they can play on the court as usual. As for the rest, it doesn't matter.
After the matter of changing the All-Star rules came to an end, Wang Zelin's inclusion in the All-Star voting list once again caused some waves.
"Are we going to experience the dominance of Chinese fans again? It's really terrible!"
——espn
…
"Wang, it seems that ESPN is really at odds with you. Ever since you entered the NBA, they have been paying a lot of attention to you."
In the team training hall, Lillard raised his phone and chuckled.
"Tch, what can't kill me can only make me stronger. I'd also like to see what they have up their sleeves!"
Wang Zelin glanced at it, then held the ball with one hand and reached the basket. "Bang!" and succeeded in a dunk.
"You are very excited today!"
After Aldridge hit two points on the other side, he asked
"Well" Wang Zelin nodded, "I will finally meet the opponent I missed last time tomorrow night."
DeMarcus Cousins!
The future number one center in the league!
…
Kings training facility.
"DeMarcus, look at this..."
Kings power forward Jason Thompson was scrolling through the news on his phone when he suddenly saw something very interesting.
"what happened again?"
Cousins, who was practicing dribbling, had two thick eyebrows visibly wrinkled, and the meaning was self-evident.
I'm very angry now. If you can't satisfy me, then...hehehe.
"Here!"
Jason Thomson quickly put away his playful smile and trotted over, as if he was afraid that if he walked half a second slower, he would anger the big boy not far away.
"Huh! Huh!"
Cousins glanced sideways, his eyebrows furrowed more tightly, and his breathing became rapid.
"The competition for the strongest center of the new generation!"
An article by tnt focuses on describing several young centers with great potential in the past five years.
Among them, Wang Zelin of the Portland Trail Blazers topped the list, DeMarcus Cousins of the Sacramento Kings ranked second, followed by Marc Gasol of the Grizzlies, Joakim Noah of the Bulls, and the Quick Fleet's DeAndre Jordan.
This article focuses on describing potential. If we talk about current personal honors, Marc Gasol should be at the top of the list, followed by Joakim Noah...
"Snapped!"
"My mobile phone! I just bought it..."
A staggering scene happened. Cousins suddenly slammed Jason Thompson's cell phone to the ground. It immediately fell into pieces and parts flew everywhere.
"Don't make a fuss, or I'll pay you in the worst case!"
"Isn't it just a broken mobile phone?"
Cousins replied impatiently.
"Then I want the 4th generation Apple that was just launched in October this year!"
Jason Thompson's expression changed instantly.
"..."
~~~
~~~
~~~
Across the ocean.
"The latest news is that the King has been qualified for All-Star voting."
"Really?"
"The official website posted an announcement, how can it be fake?"
"Please, brother, please give me a link to vote on an external website?"
"Does the big cute girl count?"
"..."
"If you guys keep nagging about this, then I won't be sleepy anymore!"
Because the dominance shown by Chinese fans was so amazing, the NBA later had to dilute Asian votes or even ignore Asian votes.
However, how could this stop the talented netizens everywhere in China? With the help of giants, a wave of "voting over the wall" swept across the entire online world.
…
At 8 pm on the 9th, the Trail Blazers at home and the Kings coming to challenge have finished warming up, and the main players of both sides have taken the field.
The two sides compete for the ball, Wang Zelin vs. Cousins.
Since the farce ended, Cousins officially returned in the Kings' sixth game and has now averaged 18 points, 10 rebounds and 2.5 assists per game.
However, Cousins' return has not actually brought about any qualitative changes in the Kings. They still have to lose the games that should be lost. They are currently ranked third from the bottom in the Western Conference with 6 wins and 13 losses.
"Good evening, viewers, this is the TNT live broadcast room. The game that ends for you tonight is a game between the Portland Trail Blazers and the Sacramento Kings. The starting players of the two teams have appeared. Let us turn the camera to them. .”
Trail Blazers starting lineup: Lillard, Matthews, Batum, Aldridge, Wang Zelin.
Kings starting lineup: Aaron Brooks, John Salmons, Francis Garcia, Jason Thompson, DeMarcus Cousins.
As for Tyreke Evans...injured his knee and will need to rest for a week.
What a troubled young man.
Wang Zelin turned his attention to tonight's opponent.
DeMarcus Cousins!
With a comprehensive score of 83, height of 211cm, weight of 124kg, upper body strength of 88, and lower body strength of 90, he is worthy of being a rare traditional important center in the future league.
72 ball control, 75 passing, 68 breakthrough...
These abilities are not like those of most traditional centers.
There are no plug-ins but I always want to play tricks. No wonder I get injured again and again.
"Snapped!"
Wang Zelin successfully competed for the ball.
Looking at today's league, as long as Howard and DeAndre Jordan stand up, Wang Zelin can pat his chest and confidently say, "Everyone here is a jerk!"
In the first quarter, all members of the Trail Blazers finally returned to their home court after half a month. It was like meeting the best at your strongest age, with a surge of energy that was about to break through the sky.
Lillard made 2 of 3 three-pointers from outside, Aldridge made 2 of 4 mid-range shots, and Wang Zelin made 4 of 5 inside shots. Coupled with the active cooperation of role players, the team made 13 of 21 shots and scored 30 points.
The Kings' offensive performance was also good, scoring 23 points on 10 of 19 shots. It can be said that they played at the rhythm they should have, but they still couldn't withstand the furious Trail Blazers and fell behind by 7 points.
Cousins, in particular, is worthy of being the future number one center in the league.
Although he does not have the advantages of size and strength when facing Wang Zelin, Cousins, who comes from a famous NCAA school, is very good at low-post offense, has superb skills, outstanding footwork, and the shooting threat can cover any position within the three-point line.
Although it was easy for Wang Zelin to beat Cousins, the same was true for the latter.
After the first quarter, Wang Zelin scored 8 points and 3 rebounds, and Cousins got 10 points and 2 rebounds. This is the most confident point for the Kings. The two can be said to have formed a mutual explosion.
In the first half of the second quarter, it was time for the substitute lineups of the two teams to compete.
After all, the Trail Blazers are now the seeded team in the Western Conference. Although the outside world has turned into a little expert who is better than the best and more than the worst, it is not something that the Kings can compete with.
In the first half of the second quarter, Hickson defeated the Kings' inside group, making 3 of 4 and 2 free throws, all reaching 8 points.
Although the Kings also have some gains, they are still far behind the Trail Blazers.
At 38:27, the Trail Blazers led by 11 points.
When the official timeout came, the two teams coincidentally changed into their main lineups.
