Chapter 114: Chapter 114: Tang Lei vs. Kyrle — Point Guard Isn't for Everyone

Two days later, the TD Garden was buzzing with excitement as the Boston Celtics prepared to face off against the Golden State Warriors. Despite the pre-game announcement that Curry and Green would sit this one out, the Garden was still packed to capacity — a testament to the Celtics' storied history. Seventeen championship banners hang in the rafters, and the loyal Boston fanbase shows up regardless of the team's ups and downs.

For this game, the Celtics' starting lineup featured Irving, Tatum, Jaylen Brown, Marcus Morris, and Horford. With Hayward out due to injury, Irving was once again leading the Celtics as the sole focal point of the team. Irving had always wanted to prove himself as a leader, but he hadn't yet achieved what he envisioned. With Curry and Green sidelined, the game's spotlight shifted naturally to the matchup between Tang Lei and Irving.

Tang Lei's impressive performance as the primary ball handler in the previous game had earned praise from the media and analysts alike. Now, the Warriors had officially listed him as their starting point guard. The Warriors' lineup: Tang Lei, Durant, Iguodala, Livingston, and Cousins.

The game tipped off with Horford easily out-jumping Cousins. Irving brought the ball down the court, and Tang Lei stepped up to meet him. Irving wasted no time, putting on a show with his dribbling moves. Known for his competitiveness, Irving had challenged Kobe in his rookie year and later requested a trade from the Cavaliers, unwilling to live in LeBron's shadow. Facing rookie Tang Lei, he felt even more compelled to prove himself. He started with a quick hesitation move, then burst past Tang Lei and drove into the paint. With a graceful layup, Irving put the Celtics on the board, 2-0.

"Point guard isn't a position just anyone can play," Irving said with a grin as he jogged back down the court, a smirk reminiscent of his "Uncle Drew" persona.

"Maybe," Tang Lei shrugged, moving to take the ball up.

When Tang Lei received the ball, Irving immediately closed in, hoping to force a turnover. He was determined to back up his words. However, with plenty of space to operate in the frontcourt, Tang Lei used a sharp crossover to blow past Irving and surged toward the hoop. With Irving trailing, Tang Lei made a crisp bounce pass to Livingston near the basket. Livingston faked a floater, got the defender to bite, and then spun into a smooth turnaround jumper.

Swish! 2-2.

Back on offense, Irving kept up the intensity. Though Tang Lei stayed close, Irving's agility and effortless moves felt as natural as breathing. With a quick stop-and-pop at the free-throw line, he sank another shot, bringing the score to 4-2.

As Iguodala inbounded the ball to Tang Lei, Irving, learning from his previous over-eager approach, fell back to his half of the court. Given that this was only Tang Lei's second game as the primary point guard, the Warriors players were still adjusting to his playstyle, and their movement was sluggish. Tang Lei, sensing their hesitation, could only sigh inwardly. Building chemistry took time, and the Warriors weren't used to his passing preferences yet.

Iguodala set a pick, creating an opening for Tang Lei to drive to the right. With Horford stepping up to contest him in the paint, Tang Lei lobbed the ball toward Cousins. Cousins leapt, snatched the ball mid-air, and threw down a powerful slam.

Boom! 4-4.

In just the first minute, Tang Lei had already racked up two assists, while the Celtics relied on Irving's isolation plays for their points.

On the next possession, Irving opted not to drive again. He knew that monopolizing the ball wouldn't foster good team dynamics, nor would it help him lead by example. Constant isolation plays can alienate teammates, turning a leader into a mere "ball hog." A true leader knows when to trust his teammates and when to step up himself.

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