Chapter 1 The Match

The game between the Pelicans and the Trail Blazers was held in Portland at the Moda Center, which can accommodate 20,000 spectators and was packed to capacity.

Portland's basketball market has always been very good. From the Roy era to the Lillard era, the city has always been able to find players with fan-friendly playing styles.

This game was against the Pelicans, and coupled with the season opener, the combination of these elements made it difficult for the game not to attract attention.

ESPN also sent Mike Breen and Reggie Miller to cover the game. In addition, they also invited special guest "The Glide" Drexler.

Drexler considers himself a Rockets legend, but in reality, he spent 12 of his 15-year career with the Trail Blazers.

The reason ESPN invited him to this game was simple.

The Trail Blazers have a short history, and there are not many famous legends. Besides Bill Walton, there's Drexler.

"Lillard said the Trail Blazers' goal this season is the championship. What do you think of this statement?"

Before the game started, Breen turned to look at his two partners.

He was already starting to dig professional pitfalls.

Miller didn't speak, but looked at Drexler on the side. In Portland, the latter was clearly the focus.

"They're good, but they're still a ways away from a championship."

Drexler thought for a moment and said.

"The Glide" was the second-best shooting guard in the last century, second only to Jordan in strength, and his strength was beyond doubt, but his personality was relatively simple.

Miller couldn't help but laugh after hearing this. Drexler's words weren't biased at all. Breen's pit was dug in vain.

"Then what do you think of the Pelicans? How far are they from a championship?"

Breen pressed on.

"They're closer. Although they're young, I like their performance in critical moments last season. They have a good chance in the next five years."

Drexler was really telling the truth.

Miller on the side was already laughing non-stop. Drexler really didn't have the slightest flavor of a Trail Blazers legend.

"So you think the Pelicans will win this game?"

Breen's continuous attempts to dig a pit failed, and he finally unleashed a big move.

Drexler nodded. He had a simple personality, but his vision wasn't bad.

Breen also laughed along.

It seemed that Drexler wasn't too fond of ESPN's preseason preview.

But he very much agreed with that preview. The Trail Blazers' core lineup had been working together for so long, and this season was the time for them to explode.

Moreover, the Trail Blazers were playing at home, so their chances of winning were definitely higher.

Although the previous attempts to dig a pit had failed, this last one should have succeeded.

While they were talking侃侃而谈 in the commentary box, the players from both sides entered the arena one after another from the player tunnel.

The arena quickly entered the opening ceremony.

The starting lineups of the two teams were introduced one after another.

For the Pelicans, Davis and Ariza were the first to enter, followed by Holiday and Whiteside, and finally Tang Tian.

This new starting lineup was about the same as the experts' preseason predictions.

Judging from the calm expression of Trail Blazers head coach Terry Stotts, this was also within his expectations.

After the Pelicans, the Trail Blazers' starters also entered the court one after another.

First Aldridge and Batum, followed by Matthews and Robin Lopez, and finally Lillard.

"Damian~ Lillard!"

When Lillard's name was introduced, the cheers at the scene reached a climax.

Although still very young, Lillard's popularity in Portland was already very high.

Before the start of the game, Lillard reached out and touched his chest, licked his fingers and looked at the timer, his eyes full of murderous intent.

Putting aside his strength, Lillard's game temperament was definitely among the highest in the league.

Davis and Lopez jumped for the ball, and the former passed the ball back to the Pelicans' half, officially kicking off the new season.

Holiday dribbled the ball to the frontcourt and passed it to Tang Tian.

Although the lineup had changed after an offseason, the Pelicans' style of play was still the same as last season.

Tang Tian controlled the ball, and the others created space for him to play one-on-one.

The Trail Blazers didn't use a double-team, and Matthews was guarding one-on-one.

Matthews was a top perimeter defender in the league, on par with Green in strength, and slightly weaker than Allen.

Moreover, his defensive style was the same as Allen's, full of aggressiveness, and he stayed very close to Tang Tian, going straight for the body.

After seeing this, Tang Tian went straight for a right-hand crossover and acceleration.

*Whoosh!*

In an instant, Matthews was blown past by Tang Tian with one step!

Stotts on the sidelines widened his eyes.

The other players on the court for the Trail Blazers didn't have time to react.

After blowing past Matthews with one step, Tang Tian rushed into the inside quickly.

Lopez was being held back tightly by Whiteside at this time.

*Bang!*

Tang Tian rushed into the undefended inside and threw the ball hard into the basket with a level-frame tomahawk.

There was an uproar at the scene.

Tang Tian's first offensive play was so brutal!

On the Trail Blazers' offense, Lillard used Lopez's screen to break into the basket, and a layup caused Whiteside to foul on the hand.

He made both free throws to respond.

On the Pelicans' offense, Tang Tian continued to play one-on-one against Matthews.

Matthews stuck even closer this time.

*Whoosh!*

But the result was still the same, Tang Tian blew past him again with one step!

"What a fast starting speed!"

At this time, Miller in the commentary box was the first to react, and he finally discovered the reason why Tang Tian blew past Matthews.

Tang Tian's starting speed when breaking through was much faster than last season!

After blowing past Matthews, Tang Tian went straight to the inside. This time, Lopez came over to help defend.

He threw the ball directly into the air.

*Bang!*

Whiteside jumped up and scored directly with an alley-oop dunk.

The sidelines were restless.

The Pelicans were bombarding the Trail Blazers' basket in turn at the start of the game. This was going to be a big deal!

Lillard broke through Whiteside again in the frontcourt, dodging and then shooting.

*Clang!*

This time, Whiteside seized the opportunity to block the shot successfully, and Ariza turned around and grabbed the rebound and threw it to Holiday.

The Pelicans played a fast break. Tang Tian caught the ball and accelerated after passing halftime, reaching the frontcourt almost at the same time as Matthews.

He flew up directly.

Matthews' defense was excellent, but his wingspan and bounce weren't good. This was what limited his ceiling.

This time, he wanted to block the shot, but his arms were too short to reach, and when he was in the air, he clearly felt that he was at a disadvantage.

*Bang!*

In the dumbfounded eyes of the fans on the sidelines, Tang Tian jumped up and slammed the ball into the basket again over Matthews!

*Beep!*

The referee blew the whistle, indicating that Matthews' defense was a foul.

It was a dunk over someone!

It was also an And-1!

Tang Tian wasn't doing elegant fadeaways tonight, but a brutal, rim-rattling style of play!

"Can someone tell me, what happened this summer?"

Breen said in amazement in the commentary box at this time.

He had thought of everything, but he never expected that Tang Tian's style of play would change, as if he had completely changed!

Actually, not to mention him, Drexler on the side was also shocked. Tang Tian's change came really too suddenly, and it was too big!