Chapter 50: Chapter 50: Western Conference Player of the Month – Tang Joins the 180 Club
In this season, the Brooklyn Nets were still without Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant. However, led by D'Angelo Russell, Caris LeVert, and Spencer Dinwiddie, the Nets managed to secure a sixth seed in the playoffs—a solid accomplishment for a team with a history of playoff droughts. Yet what stuck most in Tang Lei's memory was last season's opening game, when Jeremy Lin suffered a heartbreaking injury, muttering those haunting words, "I'm done." It was a devastating moment, casting a shadow over Lin's career and the team's aspirations of building around him.
Though the Nets showed playoff potential, their roster couldn't match the Warriors' firepower on paper. As the Warriors' team bus headed to the airport, Tang Lei took a moment to announce on Weibo and Twitter that Rich Paul was now his official agent, attaching Paul's contact email for business inquiries. With the announcement made, Tang set his phone aside, adopting a relaxed posture and closing his eyes for some rest.
December 31, Brooklyn. With the crowd filling the arena, the starting lineups were announced:
• Nets: Joe Harris, D'Angelo Russell, Jarrett Allen, Treveon Graham, Caris LeVert
• Warriors: Curry, Thompson, Green, Iguodala, Tang Lei
The Nets found an early rhythm thanks to Russell, who led an impressive 6–0 start. But the Warriors quickly answered, with Tang Lei making his mark by leaping over Allen for a second-chance putback. Despite a close first quarter, which ended with the Nets leading 24–22, the Warriors took control in the second, fueled by Tang Lei's versatility. From threes to steals and rebounds, he delivered an explosive 16 points, 4 rebounds, and 4 steals in a single quarter, propelling the Warriors to a 50–40 halftime lead.
Yet the Nets refused to back down, especially when sixth man Dinwiddie ignited a second-half comeback that briefly gave Brooklyn a 69–66 lead. The young Nets showcased resilience, but the Warriors' firepower proved overwhelming, as the team surged in the fourth quarter to a decisive 119–108 victory—earning their eleventh consecutive win.
With another strong showing, Tang Lei's all-around performance continued to fuel conversations about an All-Star spot. After the game, Tang checked his system rewards, earning 3 more attribute points and 8 system credits, which he promptly invested in extending his wingspan, maxing out at an impressive 2.19 meters.
As the New Year dawned, the NBA announced the Players of the Month for December. Joel Embiid claimed the Eastern Conference honor with an impressive stat line of 29.2 points, 11.2 rebounds, 3.9 assists, 1.5 steals, and 1.3 blocks across 13 games. However, it was Tang Lei who took the Western Conference title, averaging 30.2 points, 5 assists, 5 rebounds, and 2.1 steals while leading the Warriors to eleven straight victories. His shooting percentages—55.2% from the field, 46.8% from three, and 90% from the free-throw line—made him the newest member of the prestigious 180 Club.
The media seized the opportunity, emphasizing Tang Lei and Embiid's budding rivalry and portraying them as the league's newest "nemeses." This headline-worthy narrative only grew louder as the All-Star voting kicked off, with fans, players, and media all contributing. In China, the launch of the voting channels brought an overwhelming surge, as fans flocked to cast their votes for Tang Lei, creating massive traffic and service interruptions. For these fans, Tang Lei was a source of national pride, and they intended to make their collective voice heard, rallying behind him with fervent dedication.
The All-Star voting was underway, and Tang Lei's outstanding December had given him a real shot at the prestigious weekend showcase.
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
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