Chapter 10: Chapter 10: Starting Lineup! Small Five vs. Big Five
At the Bucks' home court, both teams were warming up.
Before any game officially starts, players typically head out early to warm up and get their shooting rhythm going. Then, they return to the locker room to freshen up, maybe even apply some cologne, and finally make their way out for the pre-game introductions.
TNT commentators Shaquille O'Neal and Charles Barkley, dressed in suits, were already seated at the broadcast table, getting ready for the game.
Barkley started off, by saying, "This game is a big test for the defending champions, the Warriors. Even though they're still sitting third in the West, their dominance has clearly taken a hit compared to previous seasons."
"Yeah," O'Neal chimed in, "teams have figured out how to defend the Warriors' system. And with Giannis's rise, the Bucks have a real chance tonight."
"The Warriors are sticking to their small-ball lineup, while the Bucks have gone with size. It's small ball vs. big ball tonight, and it's anyone's game. Let's see who comes out on top."
With that buildup, both teams were called out for their official introductions.
Being the home team, the Bucks gets louder, more elaborate welcome, with Giannis Antetokounmpo stepping out last, greeted by cheers and roars from the fans.
That's the advantage of playing at home—the energy can really fire up the players. And in the playoffs, this advantage is even more pronounced. That's why every strong team fights for a better record, aiming for home-court advantage, which can often determine the outcome of a playoff series.
Soon, the starting lineups were announced.
For the first time, Tang Lei was in the starting five. As he took the court, he heard a voice calling out in Mandarin.
Looking around, he spotted a group of fans holding up signs with his number, #77. There were both male and female fans holding signs that read things like "Go Thunder King!", "You make China proud!", and "Thunder King 666!".
From their faces and skin tones, Tang Lei knew they were international students from China. He smiled and waved at them, his heart warmed. In this foreign land, he finally had loyal supporters.
The Warriors' starting five: Curry, Durant, Thompson, Green, and Tang Lei.
The Bucks' starting five: Giannis Antetokounmpo, Khris Middleton, Eric Bledsoe, Malcolm Brogdon, and Brook Lopez.
Over in the Tencent livestream, commentator Yang Qun said, "Alright, the game is about to start. This is Tang Lei's first time in the starting lineup. In his last three games, he's scored 17, 31, and 22 points, and that's why he's earned this opportunity. Let's see if he can handle the pressure and keep improving."
His co-commentator, Zhang, added, "I've been watching Tang Lei for a while now, and his chemistry with Curry is top-notch. But while his offense is strong, his defense is a bit lacking. The Bucks are running a big lineup tonight, and every player on that team is tough and athletic. It'll be interesting to see how the Warriors handle this challenge."
In the live stream chat, comments were flying in fast:
"Wow! After just three games, he's already starting. Thunder King 666!"
"Thunder King, I'm officially your fan now! I'll support you forever!"
"Wait, can a dude even have babies?"
"Thunder King, no pressure. Just know we've got your back!"
"Come on, he's only had three good games. Do we really need to hype him up this much? The higher the pedestal, the harder the fall. Let's support him rationally."
The game tipped off.
Green and Lopez squared off for the jump ball. Lopez, with his long arms, easily tipped the ball to Middleton, who quickly passed it to Giannis. In one smooth move, Giannis dribbled between his legs and passed the ball back to Brogdon under the basket, and Brogdon began bringing it up the court.
This was a classic Bucks play, adding some flair right from the start.
After crossing half-court, Brogdon passed to Middleton, who missed a turnaround jumper from the free-throw line. But Giannis, using his height and reach, grabbed the rebound over Green's head and slammed it in for the first two points of the game.
The arena exploded as the DJ announced Giannis's name, sending the crowd into a frenzy. With the Bucks boasting a deep roster, including strong players off the bench like Mirotic and Connaughton, they were serious contenders this season.
Green, frustrated but resilient, quickly inbounded the ball to Curry.
As soon as Curry crossed half-court, Brogdon was all over him, giving him no space to shoot. Teams had learned that to stop Curry, you had to pressure him early—right from half-court.
Unable to shake the defense, Curry passed to Tang Lei, who was standing just over a meter beyond the three-point line. The Bucks seemed to be deliberately leaving him open.
This was psychological warfare. Tang Lei was a rookie, after all, and this was his first time starting. He would want to prove himself, which meant pressure would be high.
Most rookies would crack under that pressure, but Tang Lei wasn't like most rookies. As a time traveler, he had a steady mind, even on the biggest stages. Without hesitation, he jumped, raised his arms, and released the shot.
The ball arced beautifully through the air and straight toward the hoop.
Swish!
Nothing but net. Three points.
For a brief moment, the arena went silent.
Even Coach Kerr shook his head slightly—he hadn't expected that to go in. But somehow, Tang Lei made it work.
The Bucks came back on offense. Giannis dribbled just outside the three-point line, then powered his way to the basket with his long strides, easily laying it in.
Back on offense, Curry was once again smothered by Brogdon, leaving no room to breathe. Seeing Tang Lei wide open again, Curry quickly passed him the ball.
This time, Tang Lei was even farther from the three-point line, but the Bucks still didn't guard him tightly, sticking to their defensive plan.
Tang Lei smiled to himself, thinking, If you're giving me space, I won't pass it up.
Without hesitation, he shot again.
The ball soared through the air, and with everyone watching closely, it headed straight for the hoop…
Notes:
• 666: A Chinese internet slang term meaning "awesome" or "impressive."
• Lei Huang (Thunder King): A nickname given to Tang Lei by fans for his strong performances on the court. Lei in Chinese means Thunder. Huang means emperor.
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