Chapter 13 The Godfather

The game against the Pistons was in the evening, and Popovich's training session focused on tactics.

Tang Tian had already mastered them, thanks to Budenholzer's careful guidance yesterday. Leonard had also basically caught up, and although Joseph was a little behind, the gap wasn't too big.

One thing that was different from usual was that during the full-court scrimmage, Parker, Tang Tian, Leonard, Bonner, and Splitter were in the same group.

By the end of training, the reason for this unusual arrangement was revealed.

Popovich announced the starting lineup for the evening's game against the Pistons, and it was that very group.

Out of the 13-man active roster, everyone except Ginobili, Duncan, and Jefferson made the list.

Tang Tian couldn't help but smile wryly when he heard this decision.

This was so Popovich.

In the lockout season, with only two preseason games, he was already playing his rotation game. He was probably the only one in the entire league doing that.

However, the Spurs had an older average age, and the game against the Pistons didn't have the same strategic significance as the game against the Thunder. It was understandable to give players rest at this time. Moreover, the team now had 16 players and needed to cut one, so the old coach was giving everyone a chance.

While the rotation was understandable, Tang Tian was still surprised by the starting lineup. After all, he had only played in one preseason game. It was clear that Popovich wanted to truly test him this time.

If he didn't play well, he might have to start from the bench again. If he played well, he might actually squeeze into the rotation.

So, this game was even more critical than the last one against the Thunder.

"Tang, what did you say yesterday?" As soon as he returned to the locker room, Ginobili came over with his arm around his shoulder.

"Damn it, Manu, did you know beforehand?" Tang Tian remembered the trash talk he had with Ginobili yesterday. He would have to buy pizza for the whole team.

"God testifies, I didn't know. Besides, you were the one who said that," Ginobili said with an innocent look.

Tang Tian could only smile helplessly.

But this wasn't necessarily a bad thing. Buying pizza for the whole team was also a way for a rookie to build relationships with his teammates.

The game in the evening started at around 6 o'clock. At around 4 o'clock, Tang Tian ordered the pizza. He also called on Leonard and Joseph to help him bring it to the locker room and give it to the older teammates to eat.

He didn't say that it was his treat. Most of the players who saw it gave them a thumbs up.

This was different from hazing. This was something that the rookies were doing proactively, and these older players felt a hint of gratitude in their hearts.

It wasn't just the older players who felt it. Leonard and Joseph also looked at Tang Tian with admiration. They had only helped carry the pizza and received praise from the older players. In a sense, Tang Tian was helping them build relationships together.

This pizza purchase was definitely worth it.

After eating the pizza and resting for a while, the players began to change their clothes and prepare for the evening's game.

Compared to the Thunder's home court, Chesapeake Energy Arena, the Spurs' arena had a much lower attendance rate. The preseason attendance rate was only about 30%.

The Spurs had steadily made the playoffs for more than a decade, and their playing style was simple and unadorned, so their attendance rate was generally average. Not to mention that this was a preseason game, and the opponent was the Pistons, who were in the midst of rebuilding.

The low attendance also had its advantages. In the front row of the stands, there were a large number of fans holding up signs with the word "Godfather" on them.

"GDP" was already too familiar to Spurs fans. Now that a popular rookie had arrived, and his performance in the last game was eye-catching, the fans' love naturally became even stronger.

Tang Tian was a little surprised to see so many fans come to the stadium to support him, and he waved to them in acknowledgement.

After a simple pre-game warm-up, the starting lineups for both sides were announced.

The Pistons' side had a regular starting lineup. The point guard was Rodney Stuckey, nicknamed "Crown Prince Ji," who had once made Iverson play as his backup. The shooting guard was "Old Prince" Prince. The forwards were Kyle Singler and Jason Maxiell, and the center was Greg Monroe.

With two rookies in the starting five, the Pistons' rebuilding road was still long and arduous after the disbandment of the "Fearsome Five".

As for the Spurs...

When they saw the Spurs' starting lineup, most of the fans had a "here we go again" look on their faces, but some fans seemed a little excited because they saw that Tang Tian was also in the starting lineup.

"Kyle, is that the 'Godfather' who killed you?" Stuckey said jokingly when he saw the Spurs' starting lineup.

"Yes," Singler nodded with a grim face.

Tang Tian had ruined his four years of college bliss, and he was only selected by the Pistons at the 33rd pick in the draft, even lower than Tang Tian. If Tang Tian hadn't made that game-winning shot, Duke would have won the championship, and he would definitely have been drafted higher than that. In his opinion, Tang Tian had ruined his entire life.

"Greg, did you also lose to this guy when you were in the Big East Conference?" Stuckey was very gossipy, and he turned to Monroe and asked.

Monroe nodded. He didn't have as much animosity towards Tang Tian, but Stuckey's words also brought back some unpleasant memories.

"The Spurs are putting out such a substitute lineup to play against us, clearly not taking us seriously. And there are people in there who have a grudge against you guys, so that's perfect. Let's give them a good beating and let them know the price of underestimating us!" Stuckey had the highest average points and assists per game on the team last season, and at this moment, he was speaking with the air of a team leader.

Singler and Monroe both nodded in agreement.

Prince also nodded in agreement. The team's young players were so motivated, so he had to take it seriously too. After all, the team they were facing was the Spurs, the team that the five of them had desperately wanted to beat.

"Beep!"

A long whistle sounded from the sidelines, and the starting players from both sides took the court one after another.

Splitter and Monroe were at center court for the jump ball.

Monroe tapped the ball back to the Pistons' side of the court, giving the visiting team the first chance to attack.

Stuckey dribbled the ball to the frontcourt and directly called Monroe to set a screen at the free throw line. After the screen, he immediately broke towards the basket. Splitter's footwork couldn't keep up, and Stuckey flew in for a layup.

Although he was jokingly called "Crown Prince Ji" by fans, his actual strength was not weak.

"Tiago, he can't shoot, so you can move further inside when you're defending him," Tang Tian suggested to Splitter at this time, just like he had said to Oriakhi at UConn.

Splitter nodded. Although he and Tang Tian didn't have a close relationship, he instinctively felt a fondness for him after eating the pizza that Tang Tian had given him.

The Spurs' offense, Parker was organizing the offense at the top of the arc.

Among the "GDP" trio, "G" and "D" were already in their thirties, but "P," Parker, was only 29 years old and at the peak of his career.

This was why Popovich didn't let him rest.

Resting players didn't mean giving up, letting the veterans rest and evaluating the rookies was part of it, but winning was also part of it.