"Are you doing this on purpose? If you played a game like this here, Tim wouldn't be touching my head again." Ginobili.

"Congratulations, Tang. You're going to achieve something great in New Orleans." Green.

"Next time I come to New Orleans, you have to take me to a nightclub. I have to celebrate for you." Diaw.

"Keep going." Duncan.

"Keep going." Leonard.

...

"This is a good start, but the opponents will target you in the games that follow and strengthen their breakthrough skills. You played a great game, but the road ahead will be more difficult. You will achieve greatness."

The messages from others were mostly what Tang Tian expected, but Popovich's uncharacteristic, non-teasing message made him a little sentimental.

That old geezer must be feeling complicated right now.

"I will, old man. I'm a player who came from the Spurs. I know."

Tang Tian replied to Popovich's message, then called Cecilia and went out for a late-night snack with Davis.

This guy needs to gain weight quickly, otherwise he'll get injured after a few bumps in the playoffs.

It's best to have Cecilia arrange a diet for him. Over the past two years, he's been very confident in his fierce nutritionist.

The next day's news featured the Pelicans and Rockets game reports at the top of ESPN and TNT.

"Defensive Player of the Year Scores 30+10, Tang Proves Tonight That His Ceiling Is Not Just a Role Player."

The accompanying picture under the news headline was Tang Tian's explosively cool pull-up jumper.

Fans were buzzing.

However, amidst the discussions, a comment from a Twitter user who frequently posted "loser" and "I'm richer than you" received many likes.

"It's just one game."

Yes, just one game.

There was a reason why this comment attracted so many likes.

Tang Tian had never demonstrated any stable scoring methods other than three-pointers in the previous two seasons, and he also missed an entire preseason.

This sudden, precise pull-up jumper definitely caught the Rockets off guard.

But once the other teams know, they'll definitely make targeted defensive arrangements, and it'll be difficult for Tang Tian to put up similar numbers again.

Some sharp-eyed fans even said that Tang Tian's penetration wasn't strong, and defending against his shot and anticipating his drives would shut him down.

On November 2nd, two days after the opening game against the Rockets, the Pelicans returned to their home court, where they faced a series of back-to-back games.

They would first host the Mavericks at home, and then immediately fly to the road to challenge the Magic.

The Mavericks and the Rockets had incredibly similar experiences in the summer, as they also failed to pursue Howard and Tang Tian in succession.

However, unlike the Rockets, they were fortunate enough to sign Monta Ellis, Calderon, and Dalembert, three starters, in free agency, significantly strengthening their team compared to last season.

This game was also far more intense than the first game.

Holiday's slightly anxious organizing ability, Anderson's non-existent defense, Davis's lack of physical strength…

Even Williams's lackluster coaching ability was exposed in this game.

With Nowitzki and Carlisle, the Mavericks being weak would always be one of the three great illusions of Texas.

But what was unexpected was Tang Tian's performance.

Despite Carlisle's targeted defense, Tang Tian still frequently scored.

It was only then that many people realized the difference between Tang Tian and McGrady.

McGrady would shoot however he wanted to, just to look cool.

Tang Tian would try to choose good opportunities to shoot in the first half, and then try some difficult pull-up jumpers after he got his rhythm going.

It seemed like a subtle difference, but the effect was very different.

Moreover, Tang Tian didn't have McGrady's strong desire to attack. After Carlisle defended against his shot and anticipated his drives, his catch-and-shoot jumpers and one-dribble jumpers became his regular weapons.

In addition to his strong individual defense and precise passing ability, the Mavericks really couldn't completely contain him.

This game went down to the wire. Tang Tian's clutch consecutive pull-up jumpers and catch-and-shoot three-pointers helped the Pelicans narrowly defeat the Mavericks 103-98, securing their second consecutive win of the season.

Tang Tian made 13 of 29 shots, 2 of 5 three-pointers, and scored 30 points, 6 assists, 2 steals, and 2 blocks!

He scored 30+ points in two consecutive games!

And unlike the first game, he carried the team at the critical moment this time, truly acting as the team's core.

The fans on social media exploded again.

Just one game?

Slap! Slap! Slap!

If one game isn't enough, then two games!

Tang "Professional Face-Slapper" Tian.

Mavericks fans even lamented, "We are the number one losers in the summer Tang Tian sweepstakes."

"I have the feeling of being defeated by my own cousin."

Carter said with a wry smile after the game.

"He's more difficult to defend than I imagined."

Even Carlisle, who was known for his excellent tactics, gave such an evaluation to the media after the game.

"When did Carlisle become so weak?"

"The Mavericks are an old man's team, Carlisle is clearly struggling."

"Old driver should retire quickly. Letting a guy who can only shoot score 30 points on his head is really ruining his reputation!"

...

However, the criticism of Tang Tian after the game was still relentless, and the angles were so tricky that you couldn't refute them.

Tang Tian still underestimated these haters in the offseason. Even if he performed well, they would still hate.

But Tang Tian obviously didn't have time to care about these things. He followed the team and flew to Orlando the next day to prepare for the back-to-back game against the Magic.

The Magic completely entered a rebuilding phase after trading Howard away last season. Now it's all about the youngsters, and the main players are all young players.

Vucevic, Tobias Harris, Oladipo, Afflalo...

The first two were rookies who entered the NBA with Tang Tian, one was a second overall pick who scored 14+4+4 with a 41% shooting percentage, and the other was a broken version of Kobe who liked to shoot recklessly but obviously didn't have enough ability.

Moreover, compared to the roster, the Magic's head coach Jacque Vaughn was even worse. He didn't even make targeted defensive arrangements against Tang Tian in the game.

Facing such an opponent, the Pelicans didn't hold back. They led by 15 points in three quarters and ultimately defeated their opponents 106-86 by 20 points, welcoming their third consecutive victory!

Tang Tian continued to maintain his hot form, scoring 30 points, 3 assists, and 2 steals in just three quarters!

The Pelicans fans were already ecstatic.

And this was not the end!

In the home back-to-back after two days of rest, the Pelicans played against the Grizzlies and the Pacers in succession.

Although the Pelicans were unable to win these two games due to the difference in team strength.

But Tang Tian's performance was still heroic, scoring 31 points and 33 points in the two games respectively!

He scored 30+ in 5 consecutive games after the start of the season!

ps: Special thanks to Xiao Xiao Zhao Zilong v5 and Absurd Belief for the ten thousand reward!!