Zhiba NBA

Chapter 23 (22) Strong Enemy

The Rockets felt the difference between the Dallas Mavericks and their opponents in the previous games from the beginning.

Today's McGrady feels really bad, and he even hit 2 irons in the opening game.The Mavericks have a high hit rate, and Nowitzki succeeded with his signature mid-range shots three times in a row. Thomas couldn't effectively limit him due to his height.After Finley made a three-pointer, the Rockets fell behind 11:17, and Tang Shuai was forced to call a timeout.

After the timeout, the Rockets replaced Thomas with the taller Okur.The Mavericks replaced Bradley with striker Najera.Billups missed a three-pointer again, and the Mavericks Finley also failed to make a shot, but Najera grabbed an offensive rebound and made up 2 points. 11 to 19!

Billups patiently organized and finally found Jefferson who was open, but the latter missed a three-pointer.Nash grabbed the rebound and advanced quickly, attracting 2 defenders and passing it to Nowitzki.Nuo Tianwang made another mid-range shot and Okur failed to defend well, the goal was scored! 11:21 The Rockets trailed by 10 points.

Tang Shuai was forced to call a timeout again.This time the big dream came to an end, and the little giant Yao Ming stepped in and was ordered to appear on stage.

On the first ball after playing, Yao Ming received a just-right pass from Billups and dunked directly on his opponent.Mavericks guard Adrian Griffin reached out to stop, but got a foul instead.Yao Ming made an additional free throw, and the Rockets recovered 14 points at 21:3.

Griffin was very embarrassed and wanted to hit one back very much, but under the interference of McGrady, he hit the iron with a jumper.Najera grabbed the offensive rebound again and passed it to Nash.Nash broke through Billups from the side and made a layup.A big hand slammed the ball out, and it came from Yao Ming's supplementary defense!
McGrady got the ball, slowly controlled the rhythm and waited for his teammates to set up.After finding the opportunity, he assigned it to Okur, who was unmarked. Okur made a mid-range shot with a little power, and the ball hit the front of the basket.The Mavericks Najera has already locked his position, thinking that this rebound is definitely in his pocket.But a long arm suddenly stretched out from the side to receive the ball.

Yao Ming made a dunk! 16:21.

The Mavericks attacked and Nowitzki missed the shot this time.The Rockets came over and handed it to Yao Ming for singles. Although they didn't make it, they caused Najera's foul. The 203cm Najera was completely scared by Yao Ming.

Yao Ming made 2 of 2 free throws, and the Rockets were only 18 points behind at 21:3.After the little giant came on the court, he dominated both offense and defense, and completely exploded the Mavericks inside.Nelson Sr. was forced to call a timeout.Najera and Griffin were replaced, and Williams and the defensive guard Raja Bell were used to limit McGrady.

20比29首节结束时火箭队落后。在剩余时间里，火箭除了姚明外的球员都未能得分。手感火热的姚明在短短4分钟时间里，3投3中得到了9分2篮板和1盖帽。而麦迪今天状态不佳，4投0中只靠2次罚球得了1分。

At the beginning of the second quarter, McGrady knew his shame and was brave. He then hit a three-pointer from Billups, and then he assisted Turkoglu to make a 2-pointer.After the Mavericks scored consecutively to widen the point difference again, it was Yao Ming who stepped forward again. He first made a 2-pointer and caused Griffin to foul and made 2 free throws, narrowing the point difference to 2 points.Old Nelson called a timeout again and replaced the 6cm German giant Sean Bradley. The two giants of the NBA finally collided on the court.On the next ball, Yao Ming's shot was met with a solid block by Bradley.The old Nelson off the field not only laughed.Isn't your Rockets high inside?Our center is taller than Yao Ming.

But height is only one aspect of ability, and in terms of technology, big bamboo poles are really average.Bradley, who was just about to start, was intercepted by Parker, McGrady assisted Yao Ming to score, 31:35.

With Tracy McGrady out of touch, letting Yao Ming singles Bradley became the Rockets' main means of scoring points.The Mavericks were more successful. In addition to the Three Musketeers, Wilt Williams and Avery Johnson played well as substitutes.At the end of the second quarter, the point difference was reduced to 3 points, 46:49.Yao Ming made 9 of 7 shots in the first half and scored a team-high 21 points and 7 rebounds (real data), while McGrady only scored 8 points on 2 of 7 shots.

***
At the same time, Yuan Fei and Dawson did not appreciate the battle for the top spot in the Western Conference. They were discussing trade matters in Houston, on the other side of Texas.The Rockets are younger, have strong players, and have a good start, which is naturally a good thing.But everything has two sides, and the annoyance of good things is the endless stream of transfer applications.The application documents from various teams in Dawson's hands almost included half of the Rockets.

"Since Yao scored 9 points in 9-for-20 against the Lakers, there is one more person in the transfer application." Dawson complained: "I kind of miss the days when Yao Gang was scolded as a parallel importer in the first two games, at least he was more relaxed."

"Don't complain, old man. Most teams still know that Yao is not for sale, and there are not many people who dare to expect extravagantly. For the same reason, there are really no people who ask for the price of Hakeem and Tracy." Yuan Fei said with a wry smile: "I don't know how their game against the Mavericks is. We are now 8 wins and 1 loss, not far behind the opponents who have won 11 consecutive victories."

"Jason, don't worry about the game, give me some trading advice. After all, it's the big boss who spoke this time."

That's right, this time it was Alexander's opinion.The Rockets have hoarded a lot of young talents and will inevitably become the target of signings by other teams. The NBA league is not a simple pure sports league, but a business league, and the upper-level relationship is intricate, which is beyond Yuanfei's expectation.Alexander's boss instructed Dawson that at least one young player in the team must be transferred to his team to promote team communication.

The Suns took a fancy to Magloire. Their starting center, Chakalidis from Georgia, played in the NBA for 2 years and did not show enough growth.The rookie Stoudemire, although emerging, but still a little immature.

"The Suns' internal rotation is relatively weak, and Stoudemire and the others will not sell. But their backcourt is relatively congested, and Marbury and Hardaway are the main players. We can ask their backup shooting guard Joe Johnson to add draft picks." Yuan Fei commented.

"This is also the talent we almost picked in the draft!" Dawson said while recording in a notebook.

The Sonics want Okur, and Payton's organizational skills will allow Okur's projection inside to be fully utilized.

"The Sonics don't have any cost-effective players. Lewis is good but too expensive. Reggie Evans is okay. He rebounds well and is a qualified inside backup. But Okur's tactical value is more important than him, so forget it."

The Grizzlies wanted a shooting guard to pair with Gasol, Battier and Jason Williams, and they offered Swift in exchange for Redd.

"Hey, think of our Rockets as a garbage collection site! Tell them Battier can be exchanged. Gooden? Gooden can still be used, but don't need it. Our inside line is already bloated enough, of course we can't add another person."

The Magic want a center forward, and they expressed that they are willing to send the No. [-] star in the team, Mike Miller, if the bargaining chip is right.

"Miller is a very good shooter, his defense is better than Reed's, and his rebounding is also very good. But he only has one and a half seasons left on his contract, and he is still playing at a star level. It is very difficult to renew his contract. After all, our own players are also under great pressure to renew their contracts. It is difficult for the Magic to accept if Thomas is not included in the pony. This deal is terrible."

The 76ers want Kenny Thomas, and they expressed their willingness to give a draft pick.

"Change, change!" Yuanfei didn't hesitate at all this time. "It's fine to take two garbage players at will!"

It's normal for the Kings to take a fancy to Turkoglu's passing and shooting ability.He was chosen by the king in history.

"It's a pity that the Kings don't have any suitable bargaining chips, and the future draft picks must be very low."

Even the league's No. [-] Mavericks want to poach corners.Cuban fell in love with Jefferson and Reid because their starting shooting guard Griffin was average.Jefferson or Redd and Nash Finley can form a good perimeter combination.In addition, because the Pistons did not sign Billups, they really want a point guard.They applied to trade Parker.

"Don't think about it, our team has the most insufficient talent reserve is the No. [-] position. But I guess the Pistons are just asking, and they don't have much hope."

"Timberwolves, Jazz, Nuggets, Wizards... None of these teams I can fancy. All I can fancy are not for sale." Yuan Fei threw a copy with his left hand, looked at the one with his right and threw it away.

"Boss Jordan said that there is nothing not for sale. Do you want to consider Kwame Brown or Larry Hughes." Dawson asked.

"Don't these two scammers!!!"

***
Back in Dallas, at the American Airlines Center Arena, Yao Ming sat down heavily.He was panting constantly, and he had never felt so tired.

Yao Ming looked at the timer. There were only 3 minutes left in the fourth quarter, and the point difference was 12 points. The hope of the Rockets coming back was very slim.He saw that Tracy McGrady, who was feeling warmer, was still struggling on the court; he saw that Billups had accelerated the team's rhythm and tried to play a few more offenses in order to compress the time;

I really want to continue playing on the court, but I am too tired, I really can't.

With one and a half minutes left in the game, the Rockets trailed by 16 points.Nelson made a substitution, and the three main players, Nowitzki, Nash, and Finley, all took a rest, and the rest of the game was completely reduced to garbage time.

I really worked hard today, but the Mavericks are too strong.We still can't win.

Yao Ming saw Jefferson hit the iron again; saw Reed was blocked by Bell again;

I'm really not reconciled, I really want to win against such an opponent.

The timer sounded at the end of the game, and Yao Ming's eyes were red.

A long arm wrapped around him, it was a big dream.

"Yao, you played very well. Don't be sad, you can leave with your head held high." Dameng said to Yao Ming in poor English with an African accent.Usually it was difficult for Yao Ming to talk to him, but this time Yao understood.But at the moment, he was choked up and couldn't say anything.

On the same day that Charles Barkley kissed a donkey's ass because Yao Ming scored 20 points, Yao Ming played 33 minutes against the Dallas Mavericks, scored 30 points and 16 rebounds, and set three records in scoring, rebounding and playing time (real data in history).

The Rockets lost 95:113 to the powerful Mavericks, suffering the worst defeat since the beginning of the season.

(End of this chapter)