"Stockton and Malone's pick-and-roll isn't working, which greatly weakens the Jazz. As long as we control our turnovers, winning this game should be easy."
Gentry took a few sips of tea naturally, but then sighed, "What a pity... If it were in the 90s, when Stockton and Malone were both at the peak of their careers, this combination could have gone toe-to-toe with Wei Ge."
Gentry recalls talking about the Utah Jazz duo before the game.
Wei Guo said something very classic: "Those who are merely people on the mountain should not mock the gods who have come down from the mountain."
It was just a joke, acknowledging the strength of the Utah Jazz duo, but as for respecting them?
No, not really...
Upon hearing Wei Guo's words, Cummings laughed and said that Wei Guo was a god who went up the mountain, while the Utah duo could barely be considered demigods who came down the mountain.
........
The Jazz's offense was struggling, but it didn't affect their defense at all.
25:17!!
At the end of the first quarter, the Rockets led by 8 points.
Wei Guo sat on the sidelines chatting with Yao Ming.
“Ma Long’s arms are twice as thick as yours, don’t try to go head-to-head with him.”
"Um..."
"Your mid-range and long-range shooting is becoming more and more consistent, you can try shooting more baskets."
"Um..."
"Ma Long's actions aren't very clean, so you'd better be careful."
"Um..."
Every time Wei Guo chatted with him, Yao Ming would want to take notes. Moreover, Yao Ming had a good talent for languages, and his English had improved rapidly in just over two months.
actually...
After having the idea of trying his luck in the NBA, Yao Ming started working hard to learn English.
Especially this summer, after being drafted by the Rockets, Yao Ming used all his time to practice English. During the Men's Basketball World Championship, Yao Ming would carry a 5,000-word English conversation pocket book in his backpack.
........
The second quarter lasted three minutes and fifty-seven seconds.
Wei Guo and Yao Ming returned to the court together, while Malone also came on for the Jazz, but Stockton remained on the bench.
The Utah Twins are true iron men.
These two players have missed no more than thirty games in total throughout their careers so far.
The Rockets are on offense.
Francis facilitated from the top of the key, and Wei Guo boxed out Malone under the basket, but didn't actively ask for the ball.
"Whoosh..."
Francis still lobbed the ball to Wei Guo.
After Wei Guo received the ball, Kirilenko and Ma Long double-teamed Wei Guo, denying him any space to attack.
Wei Guo had already noticed that Yao Ming was open, so the moment he received the ball, he passed it to Yao Ming, who then shot.
"Whoosh!!!"
The basketball went through the net cleanly.
32:21!!
The Rockets lead by 11 points.
Yao Ming played in the CBA for a few years, but it wasn't until he went to the NBA that he realized how big the gap was between players.
The ball that Wei Guo passed to him was so easy for him to catch that he didn't need to make any adjustments; even the way his palm fit the texture of the basketball felt so comfortable.
......
Malone entered the league in 1985, by which time most players had already retired.
However, Malone can still easily score 30+ points in a single game... He has a great mid-range shot and is very difficult to defend when he drives to the basket. However, he is able to do this largely due to his extremely long peak period and injury-free physique.
So...
This does not mean that Wei Guo approves of Ma Long.
Wei Guo respected the Utah duo. If we take them individually, Malone alone would be a junior in front of Wei Guo. Moreover, Malone has another characteristic in his offense.
The score gap is widening.
Malone received a pass near the three-second zone and drove to the basket for a layup. Yao Ming quickly moved toward Malone, trying to interfere with his layup attempt.
Just then...
Malone raised his elbow and struck Yao Ming in the face, then yelled, "Ah!!!"
Yao Ming fell to the ground!
Fresh blood kept gushing from Yao Ming's eyes...
Thomas, who was closest to Yao Ming, immediately shielded Yao Ming to prevent any player from accidentally stepping on him.
"Fuck your mother!"
Wei Guo had just uttered a curse.
Francis and Mobley immediately grabbed Wei Guo, repeatedly urging him, "Wei-ge, calm down... let's check on Yao Ming first."
Francis had been suspended for two games for fighting, and they didn't want Wei Guo to be suspended as well. Moreover, with a big guy like Malone, they were worried that Wei Guo would get hurt if he really charged in.
"Huh? Huh?!"
Malone walked up to Yao Ming with feigned concern and asked, "Are you alright?"
"Get away from me!"
Francis pushed Malone aside and shouted anxiously, "The team doctor, come quick!"
Blood was constantly oozing from Yao Ming's eye. Judging from the appearance, it's certain that his eye has been split open and he will likely need to rest for a while. This is a very bad thing for Yao Ming, as he is very likely to win the Rookie of the Year award this year.
........
The team doctor arrived quickly, first performed basic hemostasis on Yao Ming, and then lifted him onto a stretcher.
This is not the first time Malone has mistreated his players.
General Robinson was one of the four great centers of the 90s. No matter how strong he was, he was once elbowed unconscious by Malone during a game.
Thomas from the Bad Boys was also sent to the hospital by Malone's elbow, eventually needing more than forty stitches.
Even Michael Jordan couldn't dodge Karl Malone's elbow. He was elbowed in the face by Malone again, and his face was bleeding profusely... It's somewhat similar to Yao Ming's situation today. Back then, Jordan won the Utah Jazz's "Twin Towers" twice in the Finals, which can be considered revenge for this elbow.
Watching Yao Ming leave the court...
Wei Guo suddenly turned to look at Ma Long, his eyes icy cold, "You're finished!"
"You've misunderstood me. I didn't mean to."
Malone feigned innocence.
But he might be thinking to himself, "I, Malone, never elbow nobodies. It's an honor for Yao Ming to receive an elbow from me."
........
The game continues, and the Jazz have possession of the ball.
The referee made no call regarding Malone's elbow hitting Yao Ming in the face.
"Oh no... Wei-ge's eyesight is amazing!"
Halprin panicked. With Malone doing this, would he still be able to have a late-night snack with Brother Wei tonight?
Stockton received the inbound pass from his teammate at the center line, dribbled while directing his teammates to move, and then passed the ball to Malone, who faced the basket for an attack.
Wei Guo appeared on the basketball court like a ghost, jumping up to block Ma Long's dunk.
*Smack!!!*
The basketball was swatted away by Wei Guo.
"He fouled!"
Malone, clutching his wrist, kept yelling at the referee, "Didn't you see that! Wei Guo fouled!"
The referee didn't say anything...
Just now, Ma Long elbowed Yao Ming in the face, but the referee didn't call it. If the referee had called a foul on Wei Guo in this play, it would have been too much.
The basketball flies towards the frontcourt!
Francis rushed over quickly, got the ball, faked out Calbert, and drove to the basket.
"Bang!!!"
A powerful two-handed dunk completed the fast break.
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