GOAT?

This was Xu Yong’s first reaction after he came to his senses.

The abbreviation of this word means "goat". It appeared in the sports world in the 1970s. Boxing champion Ali called himself GOAT, which was recognized by boxing fans at the time, and then it became popular.

Later, some basketball fans also applied this term to Jordan, but Jordan did not admit it, because he held it in different eras and it was inappropriate to compare them.

Then, before Xu Yong was reborn, James forcefully tweeted that he called himself GOAT and kept crowning himself, after which he was teased by fans as the executive deputy GOAT.

It is precisely because of his behavior that the term GOAT has become rampant in the basketball circle, and everyone will call themselves that.

However, the current situation is very different from Xu Yong's previous life. Although James still crowns himself, he does not have the confidence to call himself GOAT, but the word still exists.

Xu Yong's view on the best player in history is similar to Jordan's, but there is really no more appropriate statement than this, because the others will most likely be overshadowed by Jordan's words and become a supporting statue.

However, if this statue is really erected, it means that Xu Yong will bear tremendous pressure. After all, Xu Yong's career with the Bulls deserves this honor, but his future career is still unknown.

On the night of the game, the attendance at the United Center was packed, just like all of Xu Yong's games since his comeback.

And when Xu Yong stepped into the stadium, he could see at a glance that many people in the stands were holding large KT boards with his name on them, some of which had slogans written on them, such as "Welcome home, Satan", "Chicago is your eternal home", "We love you, Xu", etc.

Even with the previous series of preparations, Xu Yong was still moved when he saw this familiar scene.

The other Mavericks players were also shocked. This is probably the first time in NBA history that a player was treated like this by his former team after changing teams.

"Boss, they even forgot that I'm a former Bull as well," Jokic lamented.

Xu Yong ignored his words. This kid's seemingly self-deprecating words were actually another accurate flattery.

After both sides finished warming up, the scene prepared to enter the opening ceremony.

Just at this moment, the lights suddenly dimmed.

This is an unusual move because the opening ceremony is for the visiting team first and then the home team, and the visiting team does not need the spotlight.

After the lights went out, a short film began to play on the large LED screen on site, paying tribute to Xu Yong's short film.

From being selected by the Grizzlies with the second pick, to being traded to the Bulls, he won the Best Rookie, Most Improved Player, All-Star, FMVP, championship, and finally three consecutive championships.

When the short film ended, the spotlight shone on Xu Yong.

After this scene was projected onto the large LED screen, a uniform shout rang out at the scene: "Satan! Satan!"

It was a familiar scene, as if Xu Yong was still wearing the red and white No. 6 jersey.

Xu Yong's eyes were already red at this time.

As a reborn person, having lived two lives, his emotional fluctuations are smaller than those of ordinary people. However, since he returned to Chicago, this series of events have been constantly stirring his heart, and one warm current after another finally converged into an electric current that directly poked him.

He nodded, and finally smiled with red eyes, and waved to his fans.

At this moment on the court, in the residual light of the spotlight, whether it was Jokic, who was smiling the happiest on the Mavericks side, or the players on the Bulls side, all reached out to applaud Xu Yong.

This is unprecedented treatment, given that Xu Yong brought five championships to the city in the first eight years of his career.

After the opening ceremony, Xu Yong sat back on the bench, lowered his head and took a few deep breaths to calm himself down.

"Boss, are you okay?" Jokic came over and asked with concern.

Xu Yong looked up at Jokic and nodded, indicating that he was fine.

"I feel better than ever," he added.

After the opening ceremony, the starting lineups of both sides were announced one after another.

Mavericks: Wright, DeRozan, Xu Yong, Poeltl, Jokic.

Bulls: Beverly, Holiday, Butler, Aldridge, Adams.

Malone has a very good understanding of the Bulls. After the Bulls traded for Aldridge, they played less defensive counterattack tactics and became more of a positional defensive team.

But this doesn't mean that the Bulls have become easier to play against. You could even say that they have become stronger.

Because there is no [vertical jump rule], Adams' defensive ability in the restricted area has been significantly enhanced. Coupled with the three outside defensive gates of Beverley, Holiday and Butler, the Bulls are currently the team with the fewest points per game in the NBA.

Jokic pushed the ball back to half court and the game officially began.

The Bulls started out with a 2-3 zone defense.

Although there are not many tactics on the offensive end, Thibodeau's ability on the defensive end is obvious to all.

This is because they know that Xu Yong and DeRozan are not in good shape, and shrinking the defense can achieve the best effect.

At this time, Xu Yong and DeRozan set a screen and then came out to receive the ball. Holiday, who switched to defend him, took a step back.

Xu Yong just raised his hand and threw it.

Holiday didn't expect Xu Yong to shoot so resolutely at the beginning of the game, and he was obviously slow to rush forward.

Not only he didn't expect it, Thibodeau was also a little surprised. You know, Xu Yong hasn't found his touch since his comeback.

“Swish!”

There was a crisp sound of the ball entering the net, and Xu Yong's pull-up shot went into the pocket!

Thibodeau was stunned.

The tribute to Xu Yong before the game was their love for Xu Yong, but after all, Xu Yong is now an opponent.

Thibodeau came to his senses at this time and realized that one ball could not mean that Xu Yong's touch had recovered.

Aldridge made mid-range shots after receiving the ball after the pick-and-roll with Butler. He is not very suitable for Thibodeau's tactical system, but the chemistry between him and Butler is quite good.

Then turning around, Xu Yong continued to receive the ball tactically. This time he saw Holiday diving forward, and after a fake move, he continued to shoot with a pull-up shot.

Holiday's defensive footwork in this game was very good, but Xu Yong's overall speed and rhythm were very fast, and he finally created space.

However, this kind of shaking ball is much more difficult than the previous open shot.

“Swish!”

But Xu Yong's shot once again missed the target.

There was a commotion at the scene.

As for the fact that Xu Yong's shooting touch is average after his comeback, not only Thibodeau knows it, but the fans also know it.

But wasn't Xu Yong's performance of consecutive hits at the beginning a bit different from their impression?

In fact, let alone them, the Mavericks players also did not expect this at all, and their enthusiasm on the court also soared.

Originally, the Mavericks were not as strong as the Bulls this season, especially with DeRozan and Xu Yong in poor form. The symbolic significance of Xu Yong's return to Chicago tonight is greater than the game itself.

But Xu Yong's opening performance was undoubtedly a shot in the arm for them.

Xu Yong has found his form, they can beat anyone!

After successfully defending a wave of positional offense from the Bulls, Xu Yong came back and made his third shot of the night in the positional battle. Holiday saved this ball thoroughly and was called for a defensive foul.

Once might be luck, twice might not be enough to explain the problem, but three times, and three consecutive hits at the beginning of the game, even the fans knew that Xu Yong was in hot form tonight.

"Xu can't possibly not be able to find his touch. If he has to find it, why not tonight?" This also made Barkley in the commentary booth excited.

Jokic looked at me, Xu Yong, at this time, and knew what Xu Yong meant by his opening words.

Xu Yong really feels better than at any time since his comeback.

Butler forced a shot under the basket and caused Jokic to foul, and he made both free throws.

And looking back, Thibodeau was directing on the sidelines, and the Bulls skipped the process and started to double-team Xu Yongshang.

This move was very targeted, but it didn't work.

After being double-teamed, Xu Yong passed the ball back to Jokic, then cut in and received Jokic's return pass. He broke through to the basket and faced Adams' basket protection and directly passed the ball to Poeltl on the other side, who made a mid-range shot from the baseline and the ball went into the net.

As the No. 9 pick in 2014, Poeltl, affectionately called "Botou" by fans, is better than Powell in all aspects except that he moves a little slower.

Of course, the most important thing about this ball was the exquisite cooperation between Xu Yong and Jokic.

Even the fans at the scene will not be unfamiliar with this kind of cooperation between the two, because they had a good chemical reaction between them as early as when they were on the Bulls.

At this time, Malone also came to the sidelines and made new tactical gestures.

After successfully defending another wave of offense from the Bulls, Jokic turned around and began to hold the ball at the top of the arc.

Although the [vertical jump rule] has been cancelled, Jokic's ability to play in the interior is still there. When he stands at the three-point line, the Mavericks' entire offensive space becomes completely different.

At this time, Xu Yong cut in and out, received the pass from Jokic and made another shot.

After the opening, Xu Yong made 4 of 4 mid-range shots.

It is hard to say whether he has found his shooting touch, after all, the sample size is not enough, but at least tonight, his shooting touch was quite good.

Malone couldn't help but grin at this point.

In fact, this tactic is very simple and can bring out the respective characteristics of Xu Yong and Jokic.

The reason why it was rarely used, or basically not used, in previous games was simply because Xu Yong's shooting was not accurate.

After all, if you are outnumbered and others let you go, you still have to break through to the basket, so this tactic is in vain.

But now that Xu Yong is in good form, the situation is completely different.

Aldridge backed up in the low post, turned around and made his signature pull-up shot.

With this Bulls lineup, the offense relies entirely on Butler and Aldridge, and winning mainly depends on defense.

But now their defense is being tested.

Xu Yong made a fake shot and broke through to the basket, then scored with a gliding dunk.

Adams was pulled to the free throw line, and Poeltl created space on the weak side, so the Bulls were unable to recover.

[Vertical jump rule] allows the center to regain his defensive ability under the basket and makes it more difficult for the offensive team to break through, but basketball has not regressed because the importance of space has been recognized.

From this perspective, the Mavericks are a team that represents more modern basketball than the Bulls.

At the end of the first quarter, the Mavericks unexpectedly took the lead and led the Bulls by double digits with 31 to 21 in the first quarter.

Xu Yong made all of his first five shots in the first quarter. Although he encountered high-intensity double-teaming afterwards, he still scored 20 points in a single quarter.

Although 20 points in a single quarter was nothing for Xu Yong before his retirement, it was of great significance to him after his comeback.

As mentioned before, Xu Yong really needs a game like this.

But the game is obviously not that easy. The Bulls' second place in the Eastern Conference was achieved by fighting their way out of a field of strong opponents.

Butler did not rest during the substitute transition period in the second quarter. Although he did not attack much, he increased the defensive intensity on the court. He also intercepted DeRozan once. Under his leadership, the Bulls quickly eliminated the score difference with their signature defensive counterattack.

After all, the Mavericks' rotation players are of average strength. This is not obvious when facing a weak team like the Lakers, but when facing an opponent like the Bulls, the lineup appears very thin.

Originally, DeRozan was leading the team's offense on the court during this period, but unlike Xu Yong, he was still in a slump.

Seeing this, Ma Long called a timeout.

Xu Yong was substituted back on at this time, and DeRozan remained on the court.

Just when he came on the court, Xu Yong pulled DeRozan to his side.

"DeMar, I need you." Xu Yong confessed directly.

“Even if no one believes you can do it, I still believe in you because we came all the way from Tempe and no one knows you better than me.”

Xu Yong's words were not very inflammatory, but they made DeRozan's eyes light up.

How many people are at a loss, actually because they lack someone to say "I need you" to them.

DeRozan lost his relatives, his lover, and even the career he had been fighting for. He was constantly being abandoned.

At times like this, even if he wanted to, his body was resisting.

Why do you work so hard? What's the point? What can you change?

The seeds of depression spread throughout the body like poison.

But Xu Yong said, "I need you," and gave an irrefutable reason.

Seeing DeRozan's reaction, Xu Yong reached out and hammered his chest: "Get it done, just like we did in Tempe."

After the timeout, the Bulls attack.

Jokic was still resting on the sidelines at this time. Xu Yong had the ball on the outside. He and Poeltl played pick-and-roll, but he was double-teamed as soon as he cut in.

At this time, Xu Yong passed the ball to DeRozan on the weak side during the double-team.

DeRozan actually got a wide open opportunity.

Jokic's absence and DeRozan's slump made the Bulls somewhat unscrupulous in their defense against Xu Yong.

DeRozan caught the ball, jumped, and shot.

His movements seemed no different from before, yet they seemed completely different.

Because he did not hesitate when he attacked, but was quite decisive.

“Swish!”

Hesitation will lead to defeat, decisiveness will lead to victory, DeRozan's mid-range shot also missed the target!

Thibodeau's eyes widened at this moment.

Xu Yong's recovery in touch can be attributed to his familiarity with "his own basket", but DeRozan?

Xu Yong high-fived DeRozan while retreating and said with a smile: "It's not that difficult, is it?"

A smile finally appeared on DeRozan's tense face.

Yes, just like they did in Tempe.