Target Center Arena.
This is the home stadium of the Timberwolves. Today is the first game of the new season for the Timberwolves. They face the Golden State Warriors, who defeated them in the first round of the playoffs last season.
This game has already attracted the attention of many fans before it even started.
Especially fans in Minneapolis and Oakland. Fans from both sides are constantly discussing on the Internet to evaluate the gap in strength between the two sides.
"We are the championship! What impact can a small Timberwolves team have on us? Come on, there is no way they can win..."
"Really? The Timberwolves almost killed you in the first round of the playoffs last season. We didn't have Dwight Howard at that time. Now we have this guy... We are stronger than the Golden State Warriors. What's so great? It's you who we do..."
"Hahaha! Ridiculous guy, is Dwight Howard so great? This guy didn't just go to the Timberwolves after the Rockets didn't want him! If he will be competed by many teams, how can you still have the Timberwolves? Opportunity?"
"Yes, you signed a former All-Star center who has declined for $2,600? I really don't know what the Timberwolves management thinks? I guess you may not even be able to make the playoffs. Come on, this money will just be wasted..."
There are various debates on the Internet. Fans from both sides believe that their teams can win, and they are constantly posting comments to assist their teams.
Compared with the Timberwolves, the fans of the Golden State Warriors who won the championship are undoubtedly more arrogant.
After all, the record on the court is everything. No matter what happened before, the Warriors have indeed won the championship. With such a record, everything is enough here.
At the same time, domestic fans also joined the discussion. After CCTV specially chose prime time to broadcast the game, the fans quickly started discussing while watching the live broadcast.
"I think the Warriors have a better chance of winning! It's true that the Timberwolves have Howard, but the Warriors also have insiders like Green! Moreover, their configuration is stronger and their running-in is better..."
"I also think so. In terms of overall strength, the Warriors are still stronger. Howard's physical condition is no longer what it was at his peak, and his will to fight is not as good as before."
"More importantly, does he definitely have an advantage over Green? I'm not saying that he is inferior to Green. Of course, his personal abilities are stronger than Green, but is he willing to do the dirty and tiring work? Don’t these things still have to be done by Gorgui from the Timberwolves?”
"I don't agree with this view. Green can indeed do dirty work, but his personal ability cannot compare with Howard... If Zhao Feiyang and Howard can really perform well, these two may not be able to do it. Flip the Warriors!”
"The Timberwolves also have players like Zach LaVine and Andrew Wiggins. They also have huge potential. As long as they are used well, these people may not be unable to grow...so I think the Timberwolves have Chances are, it may not be possible to win the championship, but it may not be possible to kill the Warriors..."
Fans were talking a lot, and CCTV Sports also launched a poll to count the support rates of the two teams.
It didn't take long for the results of the first round of voting to be announced.
The Golden State Warriors have an approval rating of 70 percent, while the Minnesota Timberwolves only have an approval rating of 30 percent.
Most fans still think the Golden State Warriors can win!
Looking back to the court, before the game officially started, the team's new general manager Sam Mitchell also stood up and gave a speech.
First, he announced that he had officially taken over as the team's general manager, and then announced to the fans that Mr. Philip Sanders had passed away.
"I'm very sorry that Mr. Philip passed away from this world yesterday. He was a great guy. He was of extremely important and profound significance to the Timberwolves... In fact, he did not leave us. Because he passed on his spirit and allowed the Timberwolves to continue fighting with his will..."
"We will miss him..."
There was a round of applause.
At this moment, whether it was the players of the Timberwolves or Warriors, or the fans and staff on the sidelines, everyone maintained the same attitude, which was to bid farewell to this respected old man with applause.
When the ceremony is over, the game between the two sides officially begins.
Before going on the field, players from both sides also gathered together to say hello.
Facing his former teammates, Zhao Feiyang still communicated with them enthusiastically. Among them, Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson were undoubtedly the ones he had the most fun chatting with.
"Hey, you two guys, I watched last year's finals... You did a good job. This is the Stephen and Clay I know..."
"But I won't give you another chance this year. I will lead my team to enter the Western Conference Finals with you. If you don't believe it, right... If you don't believe it, just wait..."
"No, man, I've heard this once, I don't believe you... It's not that easy to beat us... We haven't seen each other for so long, let's get together after the game, This is your territory, you should take Stephen and me around..."
"Clay, I know you are restless and want to have fun and have fun, but I won't go. I have to call my wife tonight...but I don't refuse to eat. I am very interested in Chinese food recently. Interested, I don’t know if there is a place..."
After chatting with the two for a few words, Zhao Feiyang high-fived Andre Iguodala.
The two haven't seen each other for a long time. Zhao Feiyang has grown into the backbone of the team, but Andre Iguodala's condition is getting worse than before.
Although he still plays an important role in the team, compared to when he was young, Andre Iguodala's declining state is also obvious.
"Long time no see! Zhao, have you seen the ring on my hand? Oh, no, I forgot to bring it when I went out today. I will bring it over next time for you to see. This is my championship ring... "
"Man, it's such a shame you haven't..."
Draymond Green also deliberately walked up to Zhao Feiyang and said a few words.
Off the court, the relationship between the two was pretty good, so Zhao Feiyang just shook his finger in protest, "Draymond, I hope someone will steal your championship ring tonight, you guy ...It's still the same as before..."
After the greetings were completed, the game between the two sides officially started.
The Golden State Warriors' starting lineup remains unchanged from before, and the Minnesota Timberwolves have also determined their core lineup.
"Zach plays the one position, Zhao goes to the two position, Andrew goes to the three position... Gorgi goes to the four position, Dwight... I leave it to you inside... ..."
