Capítulo 389: Chapter 389: Yao Ming, Are You Used to Eating Chinese Food?
119:113!!!
The Phoenix Suns, despite their depleted roster, managed to secure a remarkable victory against the Eastern Conference's second-ranked team, the Indiana Pacers, on the road. This win sent shockwaves throughout the league, leaving everyone wondering just how powerful the Suns had become.
Those who watched the game could understand why the Suns emerged victorious. In the first three quarters, Wade Dong single-handedly carried the team, while Carter, Thompson, Yi Nan, and Warrick put their lives on the line on defense. Offense was about talent, but defense was all about attitude.
It was this defensive mindset that prevented the Pacers from pulling away, and in the last two minutes of the third quarter, Yao Ming, Iverson, and Warrick provided a much-needed boost. Iverson's three steals were particularly crucial.
The game's stats were as follows:
- Wade Dong: 67 points, 17 rebounds, 7 assists, 5 steals, 4 blocks
- Warrick: 15 points, 3 rebounds, 9 assists, 1 steal, 0 blocks
- Yao Ming: 6 points, 0 rebounds, 0 assists, 0 steals, 0 blocks
- Iverson: 0 points, 0 rebounds, 2 assists, 3 steals, 0 blocks
- Nash: 5 points, 1 rebound, 3 assists, 0 steals, 0 blocks
- Pacers: ...
Apart from these five players, Thompson, Yi Nan, and Carter combined for 26 points, with only Thompson reaching double digits with 11 points.
Wade Dong's dominance was evident as he carried the team with 67 points and 17 rebounds. However, the turning point came when Yao Ming made three consecutive shots, and Iverson's three steals sealed the deal.
Warrick also had one of his best games, hitting three crucial three-pointers in the final moments, which proved to be the difference in the Suns' victory.
...
"We won! Holy crap!"
Kevin Durant, watching the game from home, couldn't contain his excitement as the Pacers conceded defeat, jumping up from his couch.
One of the suspended Suns players, upon hearing the news of their victory, was so thrilled that he immediately carried his wife into the bedroom, saying, "I need some exercise, too."
"Exercise is one thing, but..."
His wife, with a stern tone, reminded him, "But the bedroom is not a basketball court. It's about the journey, not just the result. No need to rush like you're taking a three-point shot."
...
Post-Game Interview:
Yao Ming, when interviewed by reporters, expressed his surprise, "I never expected to add another six points to my career total. When Coach Gentry contacted me, he just asked me to show up, not mentioning that I'd need to score."
"Hahaha..."
Yao Ming, known for his humor, made the reporters laugh. One of them asked, "Will you be playing in the next game against the Jazz?"
Yao Ming replied, "I'll request more playing time from Coach Gentry. As you saw, my shooting percentage with the Suns is 100%, which is an incredible feat, even Wade Dong can't achieve. 89shux.com"
Nash and Iverson also spoke to the media.
Coach Gentry then addressed the media, saying, "With six players suspended, these have been the toughest days for the Suns. We need more players to step up, so in the next game, Yao Ming, Nash, and Iverson will have to play. After all, we're paying them."
Wade Dong was the last to be interviewed.
A 67-point, 17-rebound performance would be a career-defining achievement for most players.
However, for Wade Dong, it was just another day at the office. After scoring 44 points in the first half, fans eagerly anticipated a record-breaking second half, hoping he could surpass Wilt Chamberlain's 100-point game.
But basketball is a game of constant change.
Yao Ming unexpectedly contributed on offense, and Warrick's three critical three-pointers in the final moments significantly eased the pressure on Wade Dong.
Without their contributions, the Suns might have lost this game.
...
The post-game interview session ended late, but Coach Gentry kept his promise and took the team out for drinks.
The Suns' 24-game winning streak began with their victory over the Chicago Bulls, and with each subsequent win, they broke their franchise record for the longest winning streak.
Yao Ming and Yi Nan were attending their first Suns team gathering.
After over an hour on the team bus, they finally arrived at a Chinese restaurant, leaving Yao Ming surprised, "Do you guys really like Chinese food this much?"
"It's part of our team culture," Coach Gentry joked as he carried his thermos, "I'm not sure if you can get used to Chinese food, but we certainly do."
"Don't you think I can get used to it?" Yao Ming raised his eyebrows, slightly speechless at Gentry's question about a Chinese person's preference for Chinese cuisine.
The restaurant owner, a fellow Chinese, immediately recognized the three Chinese players, "Wade Dong! Yao Ming! Yi Nan! Wow, big stars! Welcome, welcome..."
The owner's enthusiasm was solely directed at the three Chinese players, while stars like Iverson, Nash, and Carter were overlooked, indicating that the owner wasn't a big basketball fan.
Warrick took charge of ordering, as he was more familiar with the menu.
After taking photos with the owner, Wade Dong and the others headed to a private room.
Pouring the drinks, Coach Gentry raised his glass, "Great job today, everyone. I'll let you in on a secret. Before the game, I was ready to give up, but we managed to beat the Pacers."
"I didn't expect that either," Wade Dong said, raising his glass. "For our next game against the Jazz, let's keep up the hard work and determination."
In this game, Wade Dong had given it his all, contributing on both offense and defense, as evidenced by his 17 rebounds, 5 steals, and 4 blocks.
Without Yao Ming, Iverson, Nash's unexpected performances, and Warrick's three crucial three-pointers, the Suns might have struggled to win.
Even with the use of the 'lucky potion,' there was a limit to how many three-pointers it could guarantee, a maximum of eight.
"Tonight's victory is worth celebrating. Let's drink to that!" Coach Gentry said, downing a glass of baijiu.
Yao Ming was taken aback, "Coach Gentry is quite the drinker. That's baijiu..."
However, apart from Coach Gentry, only Yi Nan boldly downed his drink, while Carter, Thompson, and even Wade Dong only took small sips.
Yi Nan didn't understand, but the other players were used to this.
At every team gathering, Coach Gentry would get drunk, and his performance would improve after that.
There was one occasion where a drunk Coach Gentry shared a story with Whiteside, who then went on to grab 15+ rebounds in the next three games.
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