Capítulo 1303: Chapter 527: Kicked Out of the Nightclub Again

On the next day, the 13th at night, the Spurs defeated the Mavericks at home, handing the Mavericks their 2nd loss of the season and grabbing 9 wins in a row, taking the lead for the longest winning streak at the start of the new season!

After hearing the report from Xiaobian, Zhang San responded, “I don’t care about this at all, just a start-of-season winning streak, why would I care, I’ve had 70 wins before.”

On the 14th, the Bobcats had a rest day after 4 consecutive home games, he went with the team to Chicago, and after dinner, instead of playing Mahjong with Okafor, Yao Ming, Hill, Felton, and the others, he stayed in his room, together with Xiaobian who came along for the away game, watching the Spurs back-to-back second match on TV.

Watching Brother Cannonstorm 26 points and 15 assists, leading the Hornets to end the Spurs’ 9-game winning streak with a score of 119 to 112, Zhang San couldn’t help but curl his mouth upwards, it couldn’t be held back, simply couldn’t.

“The Spurs aren’t that great, they’re just like us, both with single-digit winning streaks at the start.”

Xiaobian couldn’t hold back and burst into laughter.

After two days of rest, the Bobcats arrived at the United Center for an away game against the Bulls.

Right from the start, the Bulls hit the Bobcats with a hard wave, leading 9 to 4 in half a quarter!

Sometimes, having high skills and boldness isn’t always a good thing, tonight Carlisle paid the price for his confidence.

Carlisle tried to pressure the Bulls with offense, but didn’t succeed.

Luol Deng transitioned to a speedy power forward, along with Yao Ming, they turned the area near the basket into a no-fly zone, O’Neal replaced Millsap after more than three minutes, giving it his all to hammer Yao Ming… and then received two big slaps from Yao Ming.

On the backcourt, Hinrich’s defense became more seasoned, Sefolosha had entered his peak period, making the double-defense backcourt line incredibly strong.

The 30-year-old veteran small forward Ronald Murray, brought in with a minimum salary at the end of last year, didn’t drag on defense either, averaging 7.6 points, 2.8 rebounds, 0.8 assists, and 1.2 steals in 21 minutes per game.

Skiles’ attempt at a small lineup with four bigs in last season’s East Final carried over to this season, and it’s playing very well!

In the latter half, Carlisle persisted for half a quarter, but only managed an 11 to 10 score, narrowing the gap by just one point.

Yao Ming played for 9 minutes in the first quarter, recording 4 points, 2 rebounds, 2 assists, and 3 blocks, and was substituted for rest at the end of the quarter.

The Little Giant looked at the Heavenly Venerate and Big White Bear, two substitutes, and had never fought a battle so well-equipped!

Rasheed Wallace as a pure 3D center, excelled in rim protection and had decent offensive containment ability.

Brad Miller, after winning the championship had no more pursuits, if staying with the Bobcats, he was ready to teach Millsap to play well, no longer giving his all on the court, contributing fiercely even in limited game time, or having to be the mainstay in playoffs.

If he was packaged and traded with Mike Miller to the Phoenix Suns, no matter what Kerr said, he himself would request a buyout, as long as the salary wasn’t reduced, he could retire on the spot, allowing the Suns to ‘pay in installments’ to reduce the luxury tax pressure, and sweep away from the court with the championship title.

But being thrown to the Bulls… his fighting spirit was rekindled, he wanted to help the Bulls snipe the Bobcats, and stop the Bobcats from repeating their championship!

Even mud figures have some fire, not to mention he was from Big White Bear’s rusty belt, he’s just introverted and patient, not without temper.

This season, Yao Ming’s playmaking seems to have enlightened, taught by Brad Miller, marking the first time in six seasons that his average scoring fell below 20, only 18.2 points, with rebounds still slightly over 8, but assists rose from a consistent two to 3.2 since entering the NBA!

Big White Bear averaging 2.2 assists in 15 minutes, Little Giant averaging 3.2 assists in 29 minutes, Heavenly Venerate also able to create space… the biggest beneficiary was Luol Deng, soaring to become a 20+ points per game scorer, averaging 20.6 points this season, becoming the Bulls’ top scorer, whether he can stabilize his ‘star status’ like Granger last season, remains to be tested through mid-season.

Luol Deng served as the starting power forward, Tyrus Thomas returned to the bench, with Tim Thomas, deepening the power forward position to the extreme, Tyrus Thomas didn’t quite cut it as a starter, often holding the team back, but as a substitute, he charges ahead, eats the cake, and relies on physicality and instinct for defense, turning into a quality role player.

However, Yao Ming still has some regret, if O’Neal was his substitute it would be great, in playoffs he could hammer for 30 minutes, and then O’Neal going in to hammer for 18 minutes…

By the end of the first quarter, the score was 15 to 19, Bobcats trailing by 4 points, recording their lowest single-quarter score since the season started!

Entering the interval, Carlisle was forced to adjust towards a tough defense focus.

The difference between being active and passive is huge, firstly the preparation wasn’t that thorough, having been suppressed for a quarter, morale surely got affected, even if they are confident, they would inevitably play anxiously due to the unfavorable situation, leading to some unnecessary mistakes.

The key is that battling defense is the Bulls’ strong point!

After a round of fierce defensive battle, the Bobcats failed to make a comeback.

With a score of 86 to 79, the Bulls defeated the Bobcats at home, handing them their second straight loss… helping the 9-win-2-loss Cavaliers top the East!

Yao Ming played 33 minutes tonight, with 6 out of 10 field goals and 3 out of 4 free throws, scoring 15 points, 9 rebounds, 5 assists, and 6 blocks.

This year, Yao Ming slimmed down to his third-year level, bulkier than when he first joined the NBA in his freshman and sophomore years, but far from the 142 kilograms he weighed after 2005, when he looked much more robust, his play style has also changed significantly, with his stats’ structure altered.

Approaching 30, Yao Ming began his transition, Zhang Yang wasn’t surprised, but he took on the role of a pivot…. To prevent the rotation of the Little Giant + Big Shark at center, the Bobcats really lost out this time!

…

People shouldn’t revel in others’ misfortunes, can’t just be happy when others also lose games.

Zhang Yang realized the importance of character; on the 17th, back at their home court, they faced the Magic’s challenge and suffered a 113 to 125 defeat.

In the previous losses to the Pacers and Bulls, during Bobcats’ review, they could find many debatable points that could aid their advancement.

But this time, the loss left the Bobcats feeling powerless, their offense was already great, Zhang Yang scored 31 points, Felton 19 points, Okafor 15 points, Millsap 13 points, and O’Neal off the bench scored 14 points, five key scorers getting 92 points.

Carter and Nelson combined for 9 three-pointers, and the team made 21 three-pointers… The Bobcats were directly taken down by a wave of three-pointer showers from their opponents.

Three-game losing streak, Zhang Yang hadn’t experienced it for quite a while, last time was two and a half years ago? After a three-game losing streak in early March of the 06-07 season, for the past two and a half years, they never lost more than two consecutive games.

Losing three games in a row to Eastern Conference playoff teams, post-game commentary was quite unfriendly towards the Bobcats.

Though the disparaging words were unpleasant, some of what was said, Zhang Yang felt, was indeed reasonable.

Fewer veterans, more young players, who brought more vigor, even the coach seemed to have a younger mindset… but it also represented a lack of stability.

However, in a defending championship season, there are always many unexpected situations, this situation is certainly far better than the 07-08 season; Zhang Yang remained steadfast.

On the 19th, the Bobcats dominated the visiting Wizards at home with a 116 to 72 victory, ending the three-game losing streak, and raising their record to 9 wins and 3 losses.

After venting frustrations by pounding a tanking team, their mood lightened significantly….

Then the Bobcats defeated the Celtics 95 to 86 on the 21st, won against the Cavaliers 106 to 99 in an away game on the 23rd, lost narrowly to the Nuggets 102 to 107 in an away game on the 25th, and avenged themselves with a 104 to 88 home victory over the Pacers on the 27th… their record became 12 wins and 4 losses.

As the end of the month approached, after the game against the Pacers, the Bobcats got a two-day rest period, but on the first rest day, the afternoon of the 28th, the Bobcats took Boss Qiao’s private jet to New York.

Indeed, if it wasn’t for North Carolina, when Jordan orchestrated the establishment of a new team with Black Wealth Leaders back then, he wouldn’t have chosen Charlotte, he couldn’t stay there, and every off-season, he would go to Miami, New York, Los Angeles, Chicago.

Only twice a year at most for the basketball sacred land visit, with these rare two rest days, Jordan impatiently took his players to Big Apple City.

The players were naturally willing with such arrangements.

Zhang Yang had just arrived at the hotel with the team not long ago, when Harden showed up with teammates.

Yes, Harden in his sophomore year already had juniors—one of whom was this year’s 5th overall pick, Stephen Curry!

Another newcomer was Point Guard Tony Douglas, whom the Lakers drafted as the 26th overall pick in the first round; The Lakers didn’t lack point guards, having Kidd, Fisher in the main rotations, Shannon Brown could also competently take the role of push guard, he was selected to help the Knicks.

Zhang Yang had previously met Curry, he watched from the sidelines while Curry played on court, but they didn’t interact.

This was their first formal meeting, more… underwhelming than Zhang Yang had imagined.

Curry looked at Zhang Yang, who was 3 months younger yet already an NBA big shot, feeling somewhat intimidated, having none of the arrogant demeanor he had after leading his team to a comeback with 5 three-pointers in half during that crazy March.

Zhang Yang didn’t mind; it felt like meeting a new friend, without deliberately trying to get close to Curry, if they clicked, even with not much interaction, the relationship naturally improved, like him and Paul, if they really couldn’t see eye to eye, there’s no need to force it, being enemies can be great too.

He still preferred the bold and unruly kid who acted brashly on court.

Like the Bobcats, the Knicks also had rest days for today and tomorrow, Harden, Zhang Yang, and Felton, who came over upon hearing Harden’s arrival, discussed not finding a place for dinner, they were all adults, even though Harden was only 20, growing a beard, no one stopped him from going to nightclubs for a drink.

Yet they were still kicked out of the nightclub… because a certain kid looked too young, causing Harden to be asked for his license!