The Pelicans' next game is at home against the Knicks.

Carmelo Anthony sprained his wrist in the last game against the Grizzlies and is expected to be out for about ten days.

The Knicks are working hard to make the playoffs, and this injury is like adding rain to a leaky roof.

Fortunately, rookie Tim Hardaway Jr. has been playing well recently, which gives them confidence in making the playoffs.

They arrived in New Orleans the day before the game and held a public training session in the afternoon.

During a break in training, Hardaway found head coach Mike Woodson.

"Coach, I can handle Tang. Let me guard him in the game."

Hardaway's words surprised Woodson. He was racking his brain about how to defend Tang Tian.

The last time in Madison Square Garden, Tang Tian had given the Knicks a hard time.

He looked at Hardaway. Even Shumpert couldn't handle Tang. Could Hardaway?

"I know his weaknesses. I can handle him."

Seeing that Woodson didn't respond, Hardaway repeated it, full of confidence.

Woodson nodded.

J.R. Smith has been in poor form this season and is better suited to playing sixth man. He was considering who would be the right starter.

Hardaway's offer came at the right time. Young players need this kind of momentum, and the Knicks are based on defense and need this kind of fighting spirit.

After the training, reporters swarmed around, mainly asking questions to Woodson and J.R. Smith.

One lone reporter was waiting, and Hardaway took the initiative to walk over to him.

The reporter saw Hardaway, turned his attention to him, and smiled, asking for an interview.

Hardaway readily accepted.

"Carmelo won't play in this game. The Knicks will need more people to step up. Are you ready?"

"Of course. I know what I need to do. Scoring is the most important part, and that's what I'm best at."

Hardaway's words were full of confidence.

The reporter smiled and nodded. It's rare for a rookie to have this kind of ambition, and his ceiling will be higher than that of an average rookie.

"We know that Tang caused you a lot of trouble in the last game, and he's been in good form recently. Do you have any response?"

"He won't be a problem anymore. I'll handle him."

This time, Hardaway's answer shocked the reporter.

The answer to the previous question was high ambition, but this is... a bit ignorant!

Even Tony Allen wouldn't dare to say such absolute words when guarding Tang Tian, would he?

"You said you'll handle him? Do you mean...?" The reporter confirmed again.

"I know his weaknesses. I'll defend him, and I'll score enough points in front of him to help the team win. That's the literal meaning."

Hardaway was thoroughly implementing Durant's requirements, and the trash-talking coefficient reached 100%.

The reporter's eyes widened when he heard this. This guy wasn't just ambitious; he was out of his mind!

Tang Tian is the scoring champion now. Is it really appropriate for a rookie to say that?

"He doesn't have many offensive moves and is easily provoked. I know these things, so this isn't an exaggeration."

Seeing the reporter's reaction, Hardaway continued to add.

The reporter forced a smile and nodded.

Hardaway's words were reported by the media that night and quickly made headlines in New Orleans.

It was a very ordinary regular season game, and there weren't many points to attract fans.

No matter what Hardaway said, he directly raised the game's highlights from 1 to 100!

Although Tang Tian is also a rookie, he is the Pelicans' boss and likely to be the new scoring champion.

And Hardaway is just a rookie, and just an ordinary one at that.

Fans were also ranting on social media.

"Defend him and score enough points? Isn't that just a blowout?"

"Although he's been playing well in the last few games, beating the Godfather is probably just a dream!"

"It's good for young people to have dreams, but don't daydream!"

"Maybe he hasn't guarded Tang before? Ignorance is bliss?"

"Is this a publicity stunt? Even if he doesn't play well in the end, the coach will think he has ambition? What if, and I mean a one-in-a-million chance, he actually plays well? Wouldn't that be instant fame?"

"That's true. Stepping on the popular Godfather is a shortcut to fame!"

"When Linsanity really exploded, didn't he score 38 points on Kobe?"

"That's true, but it depends on whether he has the ability."

"Is it because he's also on the Knicks?"

...

Fans were talking about it on social media, and during the Pelicans' training session the next day, Metta Sandiford-Artest couldn't help but complain to Tang Tian.

"Is this little guy crazy?"

Tang Tian smiled.

Some people on social media saw it clearly. There are always some people who want to take shortcuts.

This is also where it's not easy to be an NBA superstar. If you beat some rookies, that's what you're supposed to do.

If you're not careful, even if you're beaten by a rookie by chance, you'll lose face and become the other person's stepping stone.

This is also why Kobe said in *The Mamba Mentality* that he would go all out every night.

Because every night, there will be challenges like this.

"Boss, just go all out and play. I'll take care of the rebounds."

Tyreke Evans said, chiming in at that moment.

"Tang, I'll give you more pick-and-rolls. Don't worry, I'll block people to death and won't give them a chance to double-team."

Anthony Davis also said.

"I'll pass the ball to you as soon as possible."

Jrue Holiday also said.

"I'll completely defend him."

Al-Farouq Aminu also added.

...

The Pelicans' players all spoke up one after another.

It seemed that Hardaway had angered the Pelicans.

This was also reasonable.

Tang Tian is now the Pelicans' boss, and everyone else has received the Ferraris he gave them.

You're provoking our boss like this? Isn't that just asking for a beating!

Although an NBA team is just like a company, if you're pointing your finger at the company's boss, the others will definitely be unhappy.

Tang Tian nodded. It was a good thing that his teammates were supporting him.

And this was also an opportunity. He had only made a name for himself this season, and his position wasn't stable yet. It was normal to be challenged.

Hardaway was popping up at this time, trying to be the first bird to be shot. He might as well take this opportunity to kill the chicken to scare the monkey and consolidate his position.

The game between the Pelicans and the Knicks was about to begin, and the Smoothie King Center was sold out.

Hardaway's words had really stimulated the local ticket market.

But besides the fans, there was another person who was also paying close attention to this game.

Kevin Durant.

He was sitting in his luxurious villa, leisurely lying on the sofa, smoking a big cigar, waiting to watch the good show tonight.