Philadelphia.
After Wang Zelin took a shower, he did not forget to apply a layer of hair gel, and came to the interview site with his coach with great satisfaction.
Having become the first team in the league to win 30 games, Wang Zelin was in a very happy mood. He was ready to be continued to be praised, and he even looked at the ESPN media with eyes full of love.
Son, my father is happy today. No matter how naughty you are, my father will not blame you.
next moment,
"Wang, have you heard? DeMarcus Cousins said that in the game on the 15th, he will score more points than you."
an ESPN reporter asked.
Wang Zelin replied lightly: "These are some basic operations, don't 6... Uh, what did you just say?"
My eldest cousin declared war on me?
The brain's operation was stuck, and Wang Zelin asked: "You mean, DeMarcus issued a letter of challenge to me?"
"Yes, just now."
The reporter nodded seriously.
"TMD!"
…
…
…
Inside the hotel.
Jin Ling needed someone to accompany him for his physical examination, so Yi Jianlian asked for two days' leave from the team and did not travel with the team.
Tonight, the guy who shares a room with Wang Zelin becomes Adams.
Adams was reading the news on the bed. He suddenly turned over and said curiously: "Wang, do you Chinese people really like tomatoes so much?"
"???"
Wang Zelin's brain is down. Isn't this Yao Ming's joke?
"Well, you can see for yourself."
Adams slid over and handed the tablet.
"In the face of provocation, the Chinese forward remained calm and even talked about his favorite food - Tomato! 》
——ESPN
"TM... I'm so crazy!"
Wang Zelin didn't bother to explain. He covered himself with the quilt and closed his eyes. All he could think of was the image of No. 15 beating Cousins.
I checked the forum again, and everyone was discussing the upcoming matchup between him and Cousins, and some people were talking about the Chinese players' fascination with tomatoes.
They are obviously two completely different things, but they can be discussed together by netizens.
…
…
…
The game ended on the night of the 11th, and the Blazers had four days of rest and reorganization. Most of the substitute players were busy training, and many star players used these four days to carry out some charity activities.
The All-Star Game is coming, and everyone wants to get more votes.
After all, not everyone relies on the Chinese market like Wang Zelin. As long as the league's top management does not completely give up on the Asian market, Wang Zelin's number of votes will not be bad.
Not to mention that his own performance is worthy of being treated as a popular player in the league, so the top management has no reason to engage in secret operations.
On the morning of the 12th, all members of the Trail Blazers have arrived in Sacramento, California. In order to facilitate interviews for the next few days, Wang Zelin rented several villas. If his teammates are willing to bring their families, they can bring their families to stay with them.
Of course, most of the Blazers are young people, and they basically go out for fun, and only a few of them, Xiao Mo, Yi Jianlian, and Garnett, have their families with them.
In addition to his teammates, who also packed up and headed to Sacramento was also Trail Blazers general manager Nell Orsi, who followed the Trail Blazers to Philadelphia to watch the game live yesterday.
Among the 30 general managers of teams in the league, Orsi is probably the only one who can be so free and even follow the team to watch away games.
According to league rules, the NBA trade deadline this season will end on February 21. Now there is only more than a month left before the trade deadline. Other teams are busy reinforcing and bargaining.
Since the Trail Blazers' current lineup construction does not require major changes, what they need most now is stability, which is why Nel Orsi is so "idle".
As the second largest inland city in California, Sacramento naturally has many entertainment venues. Asians account for 17.8% of the total population here, and Chinese Americans account for another 4.2%.
So, in order not to eat dog food at home, Wang Zelin called Zhou Lin'an and walked with him to Leju Town, Chinatown in Sacramento.
During the gold rush of the 19th century, Sacramento was an important population center, and "Leju Town" began to be formed at that time.
After coming to the United States and playing in the NBA, Wang Zelin set a small goal for himself, which is to visit all Chinatowns in the United States and taste all the food here.
Therefore, whenever the away team is playing, as long as there is a Chinatown in the city, Wang Zelin's presence is indispensable.
Since his first time playing with the Kings last season, the Guangdong and Guangxi cuisine in Leju Town has left a good impression on him.
After a while, they parked the car and Wang Zelin and Zhou Linan strolled down the street.
Walking into Leju Town, the strong Chinese atmosphere is in sharp contrast to the steel forest outside the town.
Some people are blowing candy, some are popping popcorn, some are showing how to pull noodles on the street...
The scenes that caught their eyes made Wang Zelin and Zhou Lin'an feel extremely excited in a foreign country.
The reason why I came all the way here is to find these things called "a sense of belonging"!
Perhaps, he can use his influence to make some contributions to the development of Portland's Chinatown.
…
Three days later, Wang Zelin was woken up by a phone call early in the morning.
"Zelin, don't tell me you overslept."
Agent Zhou Yang yelled complaining on the phone.
"I go!"
Wang Zelin woke up instantly. At 10:45 in the morning, there would be an interview with the Los Angeles Times.
I looked at the time and saw 10:30. Fortunately, I made it in time.
"I knew it would be like this. I'm in the villa next to yours. Come over quickly after washing up. Don't make people wait."
After urging, Zhou Yang hung up the phone.
Oh, I am so worried about someone.
…
In the end, Wang Zelin successfully concluded the exclusive interview with the Los Angeles Times.
On the evening of January 15th, the night of the game, there was a sea of people inside and outside the Arco Arena.
"31 wins! 31 wins! 31..."
There were cheers from fans everywhere.
First announcements from both parties:
Kings: Isaiah Thomas, Marcus Thornton, Rudy Gay, Jason Thompson, DeMarcus Cousins.
Trail Blazers: Lillard, Matthews, Batum, Aldridge, Wang Zelin.
After the substitutes came out, the starters were waiting at the entrance.
This game was broadcast live by TNT throughout the United States, and the Chinese court channel also broadcast it live.
"I think the biggest highlight tonight is not whether the Trail Blazers can win 31 games this season, but how Cousins fulfills his promise and successfully challenges the King's inside dominance."
Wang Meng said at the live broadcast on the court stage.
"To be honest, Cousins has made rapid progress this year. To use a martial arts description, it is like opening up the two channels of Ren and Du, and he has squeezed into the ranks of the league's top centers overnight."
Xu Jicheng said.
Player tunnel entrance.
Looking at his cousin who was getting bigger next to him, Wang Zelin asked: "Man, how many points are you going to score tonight?"
Cousins replied firmly and confidently: "Definitely more than you!"
"Oh ho ho ho!"
Several exclamations sounded around Wang Zelin.
Obviously, even Aldridge and the others were surprised by Cousins' tone.
He is so brave!
Wang Zelin said sternly: "Tsk, no one can tell big words. If you lose, don't cry and find your mother's arms."
Not to be outdone, Cousins said: "Humph, King, I am no longer the same!"
Wang Zelin gave him a strange look: Well, cousin, I must be healthy!
