Capítulo 129: Chapter 129: Rookie, What's Your Name?
Coach Gentry also noticed that Wade Dong was particularly fond of passing the ball in this game.
So, he substituted Nash out and brought in the defensive specialist Tucker to limit Wade's effectiveness. This also allowed Wade Dong to freely control the ball on the court, increasing his offensive threat.
Coach Gentry wasn't just good at giving pep talks; he had earned his spot on the NBA coaching bench.
Nash, sitting on the bench, said to Dragic, "Watch how your Brother Dong plays, especially his organization of the offense. Many people overlook his organizational skills because of his superb scoring ability. If Wade Dong played as a point guard, he could become one of the greatest point guards in history."
"I know," Dragic nodded and started watching the game intently.
...
The timeout ended.
Wade Dong continued to organize the offense, but today his teammates weren't performing well.
Wade Dong made several quick passes, but his teammates couldn't convert them into points.
The score difference was approaching fifteen points, with only two minutes left in the first quarter.
...
"Brother Dong hasn't taken a single shot today!"
The fans were getting anxious. The Suns were down by thirteen points, and Wade Dong was still passing the ball.
Did Brother Dong have no desire to score today?
...
Even Coach Gentry couldn't stand it anymore. He substituted Dudley out for Dragic.
He also shouted from the sidelines, "Pass the ball to Wade Dong! Let him attack!"
This was heard even by the Heat's head coach Spoelstra, who frowned at Coach Gentry. Your tactical instructions don't need to be so obvious, do they?
"Defend! Defend!"
Spoelstra also shouted at his players, "Don't let Wade Dong get the ball!"
With one minute and fifty-seven seconds left in the first quarter, Wade Dong received a pass from Dragic near the midcourt.
He dribbled slowly to the three-point line, faked out Allen with a crossover.
At the free-throw line, Wade Dong grabbed the ball with one hand, jumped, and faced the defense of Bosh and James. He switched hands twice in the air and laid the ball into the basket.
"Great shot!!!"
The fans cheered excitedly. Wade Dong finally took a shot, and it was such a beautiful layup.
Switching hands twice in the air, this high-difficulty layup was something only Jordan could do regularly.
This was Wade Dong. He could choose not to shoot, but once he did, you couldn't stop him!
23:34!!!
The Suns were only down by eleven points.
"Defend!"
Wade Dong shouted to his teammates as he ran back on defense, "Don't let James and Wade score easily."
"Got it!"
Tucker stuck close to James on defense.
In the last two minutes of the first quarter, Wade Dong took over the team's offense.
By the end of the first quarter, the score was 30:38!!!
The Suns were only down by eight points.
Wade Dong scored 9 points in the first quarter, shooting 5 for 4. Scoring only 9 points in a quarter was a bit low for Wade Dong, but considering he scored all 9 points in the last two minutes, it made sense.
Besides the 9 points, Wade Dong also had 6 assists and 4 rebounds.
...
"Integrating the team is not wrong."
During the break after the first quarter, Coach Gentry gave Wade Dong a rare lecture, "But as the team leader, when the score is behind, you need to take on the responsibility of attacking."
"Coach Gentry, you're right."
Wade Dong wasn't going to argue with Coach Gentry at this moment.
In fact, Wade Dong had just exchanged for the Magic Johnson Passing Skill Package, and in the first ten minutes of the first quarter, he was a bit obsessed with passing. Unfortunately, his teammates didn't convert these quick passes into assists; otherwise, Wade Dong could have had a double-digit assist quarter.
Nash rested for 7 minutes in the first quarter, so he started the second quarter.
When the Suns players stepped onto the court, the US Airways Center erupted in applause. The reason for the applause was clear from the fans' cheers.
"McGrady! McGrady! McGrady!"
They were all cheering for McGrady. After two seasons without a team and playing in other leagues, McGrady was back on the NBA court. The fans showed him great respect.
Even James and Wade stood up from the bench to applaud McGrady.
The second quarter began.
McGrady faced Allen's defense, turned halfway, caught the ball, and shot a quick jumper.
It was as smooth as ever!
"Swish!!!"
The ball went straight through the net!
This was McGrady's scoring style.
"McGrady! McGrady! McGrady!"
The US Airways Center erupted in deafening cheers again.
"Idol, well done!"
Wade Dong also shouted from the bench, but when McGrady heard Wade Dong call him "idol," he stumbled and almost fell.
32:38!!!
The Suns were only down by six points.
However, the Suns were facing the Heat. Within two minutes of the start of the second quarter, James and Wade returned to the court.
The James-Wade duo easily tore through the Suns' defense.
"Timeout!"
Five minutes into the second quarter, Coach Gentry called another timeout.
Wade Dong also took off his warm-up jacket, ready to enter the game, as the Heat had extended their lead to fifteen points.
McGrady played for five minutes, shooting 5 for 3 and scoring six points. After the timeout, Coach Gentry did not let McGrady continue playing. He adjusted the lineup, bringing in Wade Dong, Nash, Tucker, Green, and Gortat.
Green's defense at the power forward position was his strength, which Coach Gentry had noticed during the preseason.
Before entering the court, Wade Dong suddenly asked, "Green, do you have the confidence to lock down James?"
"Yes!"
Green thought Wade Dong was encouraging him and nodded vigorously.
"You're just a rookie," Wade Dong scoffed. Green's face darkened instantly, but Wade Dong continued, "You're just a first-year rookie. I don't expect you to stop James; just put some pressure on him on defense."
"I'll show you!"
Green angrily walked onto the court and confronted James directly.
"Rookie, what's your name?"
James asked Green while holding the ball.
This question infuriated Green even more. He was already frustrated with Wade Dong, and now James was underestimating him. Green couldn't take it anymore!
James was taken aback. Why was this rookie so angry?
But no matter how angry he was, it had nothing to do with James. James turned his back to Green, pushed him twice, and started his post-up move!
"Slap!!!"
Just as James got careless, Green slapped the ball away from him.
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