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Chapter 622 - 268. The eldest is really useful_2

Chapter 622: 268. The eldest is really useful_2

Paul’s offensive game improved slowly, likely because he focused entirely on enhancing his ball-handling skills this summer, he was probably too hasty about it, but that doesn’t mean his choice was wrong. He hasn’t improved his ball control and passing, we wouldn’t see his talent in orchestrating plays... It’s really the college coach’s fault, so many years passed without recognizing his talent, just treating him like a blue-collar worker.

Emeka, I should talk to him, really, his demeanor is too calm, I have no idea what he’s thinking.

Bickerstaff: "You could let Raymond talk to him."

Carlisle’s eyes lit up: "That’s a good idea..."

...

After winning the first two home games, the Hornets are 2-0, tied for league lead with the Chicago Bulls, Hornets, and Pistons.

The day after playing against the Bucks, on the 3rd at noon, Zhang Yang and the team left Charlotte for the South Coast, their first road opponent of the new season—Miami Heat.

Upon reaching the hotel, just as Zhang Yang had set down his luggage, Felton came to his room, holding his laptop.

Felton: "Jack, look, you’re being blasted again."

You seem pretty happy about me getting blasted, still support your big brother?

Zhang Yang muttered, then said: "I scored 50 points, won the game, and still get blasted? I’m actually curious what tricky angles they could come up with..."

After the game last night, he returned home and browsed the news for half an hour, thoroughly amused. News portals and forums were all praising him; this was the first 50+ point game of the new season, and it was a comeback from 14 points down at halftime.

He took a look at the computer... speechless, he said: "Well, trust the Royal media, relying on the fact that fans can’t watch the live game, so they pull this stunt, right?"

The Royal media ignored facts, focusing on Zhang San’s 33 shots, blaming his excessive one-on-one plays for the Hornets’ 14-point deficit at halftime. In the second half, his teammates started hitting long shots, enabling them to complete the comeback.

With no live broadcast, many actually believed this narrative.

Based solely on the match report and stats, it’s really hard to argue.

Felton schadenfreude-filled: "The King just scored 40 points against the Knicks, averaging 35 points in two games to top the scoring chart, and you swooped in with 51 points half an hour later, averaging 35.5, surpassing him. His backers in the media must be frantic."

Zhang San: Little fatty boss, you’re learning bad habits ha!

Currently on the scoring chart, Zhang Yang averages a leading 35.5 points in two games, James follows with 35 points, and Reed with 33 points is third.

Kobe scored 40 points in the opener, but only played 25 minutes in the second game against the Jazz Team, making 6 out of 10 shots along with perfect 3 free throws, adding up to 15 points. The Lakers, through the trio of Kidd, Garnett, and Luke Walton, had seven players scoring in double figures to beat the Jazz Team 119-98.

The top scorer of that game was... Kwame Brown, making 7 out of 9 shots along with 2 out of 5 free throws to score 16 points.

Kwame Brown: Stop feeding me, I’m going to throw up.

Besides these four, no others hit 40+ in the first two games of the season.

The duo of Anthony and Iverson handicapped each other’s shooting, both averaging exactly 25 points over two games.

McGrady scored 35 points in the opener and 23 in the second game, averaging 29 points, barely acceptable.

Although his performance was decent, it fell short of expectations set by his own bold preseason declarations and those of the media and fans. Early in the season, top scorers tend to explode; McGrady’s performances hardly qualify as explosive.

On media day, McGrady declared: "I don’t need to clear out the interior for Yao anymore, I can break through and score more easily now, not having to concede shooting rights to him. I can easily score 40 points and claim the scoring title."

Though his statement was criticized by many, most agreed on his scoring capability, given that he won the scoring title twice before joining the Rockets.

He scored 35 points against the Warriors in the opener, which looked impressive, but in the second game against the King, facing Brad Miller and Artest’s interior and perimeter defense, he made just 8 out of 21 shots, a lackluster performance.

Although it’s only two games in, people have noticed that McGrady, who just turned 28 and should be at his peak, has already shown a significant decline in physical fitness!

People’s expectations for McGrady were like Kobe after O’Neal left—coming out and scoring fifty or sixty points.

Joking around with his little brother a bit, Felton got down to business: "Jack, just now on the bus, Rick gave me a job, this and that, so on and so forth."

Zhang Yang: "Let Emeka shed some weight for better speed and less wear and tear in penetration and counterattacks? That really suits him if Rick’s tactics requires such a role, I think it’s feasible."

Felton: "Then this task is on you."

Zhang Yang: "Isn’t this supposed to be your job?"

Felton: "Talking with Emeka puts a lot of pressure on me, you’re better at dealing with him, you take it."

Zhang Yang: "..."

Little fatty boss really has changed, no longer willing to be the mindless responsible one. Is this the cost of growing up?

Zhang Yang felt a little frustrated, but it wasn’t a big deal. He left his own room and went to Okafor’s room, knocking on the door.

Okafor had just heated water with his thermostat kettle, ready to brew some black tea. Zhang Yang waited a bit, sampling Okafor’s skill.

After savoring a brew, Okafor asked: "Jack, do you need something from me today?"

The bad boy wouldn’t visit him alone without a reason, little Duncan didn’t beat around the bush.

Zhang Yang: "It’s like this, this and that... so forth and so on..."

Okafor pondered for a moment, then asked: "Do you think I should make the adjustment?"