Capítulo 26: Chapter 26: Attract Worldwide Attention
Buckley's show not only caused a sensation in the United States but also across the ocean, igniting the fervor of Chinese fans.
When the Barkley incident broke, news about the NBA wasn't as easily accessible as it is today. However, by 2006, TVs and computers had gained considerable popularity in China, and news about the NBA spread like wildfire. The following day, everyone was talking about it.
The Rockets had clinched four consecutive victories, but the most thrilled group wasn't the executives or the American fans—it was the Chinese fans. For the first time since Yao Ming joined the Rockets, they could see the championship so close at hand.
This connection ignited overwhelming support for Barkley among them.
Additionally, with Monday in the U.S. translating to Sunday in Beijing, the anticipation for the live broadcast on CCTV was set to reach unprecedented heights. Shop owners prepared benches and stocked snacks like melon seeds, eager to cash in on the excitement during the game.
Andrew knew facing the Heat wouldn't be easy, but he hadn't anticipated the enormous buzz surrounding TNT's program. The hype added pressure on the Rockets; after all, they were stepping into the spotlight. While the players had formed a strong bond, they hadn't yet faced fierce competition. A poor performance could have a significant psychological impact.
During this time, he recognized that the team's rotation could use some fine-tuning and sought Van Gundy's insights. Yet, with TNT stirring the pot, it seemed prudent to hold off until after the game.
On November 6, U.S. time, after two days off, the Rockets were set to challenge the defending champions, the Miami Heat, at the American Airlines Arena.
The pre-game momentum generated by TNT made this regular-season matchup one of the hottest tickets in Miami. Despite it being the first workday of the week, a massive crowd of Heat fans filled the stadium.
Chinese fans were just as enthusiastic, not only supporting their home team but also hoping to witness Barkley's "big mouth" make a spectacle of itself once again.
The game's commentary was led by the well-known Mike Breen from ESPN, partnered with former Pacer star Reggie Miller.
"Welcome to Miami! There might not be any hot beaches, but a fierce game is about to unfold. The Miami Heat are set to take on the Houston Rockets. Reggie, who do you think will emerge victorious tonight?"
"I believe both teams have a fair shot, but we might not see any clues until the action kicks off," Miller replied carefully, his inexperience evident in his cautious analysis.
"Indeed! One team is the defending champion while the other has won four straight games since the start of the season. It's truly hard to predict. And outside the court, one of the teams is already gearing up to don Victoria's Secret lingerie," Breen teased.
With a laugh, Miller chimed in, knowing they were both referring to Barkley and Smith.
Regardless of the game's outcome, the hype was palpable across the nation.
As both teams completed their warm-ups, the atmosphere crackled with anticipation, and the game was about to commence.
"Alright, let's dive into the action!" Breen announced, his excitement contagious.
Every NBA team has its unique opening ceremony, but the Heat are particularly famous for their fire-spitting entrance.
The event began with the introduction of the visiting team's starting lineup. The Rockets maintained their same starting five that had led them through their four-game winning streak.
As the lights dimmed, the Rockets' lineup was introduced, followed by the show-stopping entrance of the Heat players.
Andrew had watched this grand spectacle on TV before, but nothing compared to the electric atmosphere in the arena.
Spotlights focused on the opposite side, and with highlights flashing across the LED screens overhead, the Heat's starting players were unveiled one by one.
Starting small forward: James Posey, standing 6'8".
Starting power forward: Udonis Haslem, also 6'8".
Starting point guard: Jason Williams, known as "White Chocolate" for his dazzling passes.
Starting center: Shaquille O'Neal, a dominant force in the league.
No. 6, shooting guard: Dwyane Wade, 6'4"!!!
Wade took center stage, raising his hands to the roaring crowd as the DJ shouted his name, sending shockwaves through the American Airlines Center.
The energy was palpable; he was the soul of the team, and after leading them to a championship last season, his popularity in Miami was unrivaled.
"Bang! Bang!"
With two loud booms, flames erupted from two pyrotechnic towers at the center of the arena.
The entire stadium ignited with cheers, the sound deafening.
Overwhelmed by the electrifying atmosphere, Andrew couldn't shake the feeling that playing against the Heat at their home ground would be an uphill battle.
The game hadn't even started yet, but the excitement in the arena was already hotter than the flames.
After the introductions, the players took the court for their final warm-ups, and at that moment, the broadcast signal reached audiences back home.
Fans at work, at home, or in break rooms erupted with excitement when they finally caught the live feed.
This was the NBA during the Yao Ming era—an exhilarating time that would never be replicated.
Yao Ming faced off against O'Neal for the opening tip-off. Having played against each other for years, O'Neal had transitioned from the Lakers to the Heat seamlessly.
Using his towering height, Yao Ming won the tip-off, giving the Rockets the first opportunity to score.
Alston brought the ball down the court and passed it to Yao at the free-throw line. The other four players executed a well-practiced off-ball pick-and-roll.
The Heat had clearly studied the Rockets' new strategies and were ready, focusing heavily on marking their opponents.
Yet, the beauty of this tactic lay in its unpredictability. The Heat concentrated their efforts on containing the obvious threats, but McGrady's instinctive cuts to the basket still created openings.
Understanding each other's movements, Yao and Tracy McGrady connected perfectly. Yao delivered a precise pass to McGrady, who made a swift move, leaving Posey behind him.
With a powerful leap, McGrady executed a thunderous dunk.
Connect from MM!
The American Airlines Arena erupted, but across the ocean, fans in China were already on their feet.
2 to 0!
The Rockets struck first, setting the stage for an unforgettable showdown.
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