Chapter 196: Chen Yan's Limited Skin—Two Chinese Players Using It?
"Are these two just showing off their love?"
"Why not just end me right here?"
"If the All-Stars weren't standing beside them, I'd think this was an idol drama!"
"Kissing is fine, but do they have to make it that passionate?"
"Hahaha, Chen Yan and Taylor Swift are way too into it!"
Not only were the All-Stars laughing, but the audience was completely hyped as well.
Online, fans went wild. They jokingly crowned Chen Yan with a new nickname—Prince Boss.
That romantic scene between Chen Yan and Taylor Swift instantly became one of the most unforgettable moments in All-Star history.
The pre-game performance was over. It was time for the real show—the All-Star Game.
On the broadcast, the commentators were already buzzing.
"Chen Yan just gave us one of the best pre-game performances we've ever seen. Let's see if he can keep that energy going on the court tonight," one commentator said enthusiastically.
His partner nodded. "Fans everywhere are looking forward to it. Chen's personality and playstyle are made for the All-Star stage—flashy, fearless, and fun to watch. And don't forget, tonight is also historic. For the first time ever, two Chinese players are starting in the All-Star Game!"
"That's right. Chen Yan and Yao Ming will both start for the Western Conference. That's a milestone moment for international basketball."
The camera switched to center court, where the players were already taking their positions for introductions.
Eastern Conference All-Star starters: Billups, Wade, James, Bosh, and Howard.
Western Conference All-Star starters: Chen Yan, Kobe Bryant, Carmelo Anthony, Kevin Garnett, and Yao Ming.
When Chen Yan jogged out after changing clothes, sharp-eyed fans immediately noticed something different.
He was fully geared up tonight—something rare for him.
A red and white headband with the NBA logo stretched across his forehead. White arm sleeves and matching elbow pads covered both arms. And on his feet were his new AeroWing All-Star Edition sneakers, gleaming under the bright lights.
It wasn't hard to see that Chen had styled himself for the occasion.
Fans who followed him closely knew that he rarely wore any protective gear during games. Normally, his system-enhanced body didn't need it. But tonight wasn't about protection—it was about presentation.
He wanted to look good. And he did.
His fans online joked that Chen was wearing his limited-edition All-Star skin—and apparently, Yao Ming was joining in too.
Both players, standing side by side, represented a new era of Chinese basketball.
The whistle blew.
"Beep!"
The 2008 New Orleans All-Star Game was officially underway.
Dwight Howard leaped high, easily beating Yao Ming to win the opening tip.
Howard's explosive vertical and speed gave him a huge advantage. He'd already shown off his athleticism the night before in the Slam Dunk Contest, and tonight was no different.
Catching the tip, he immediately passed the ball to Dwyane Wade.
Wade didn't rush. He took a few steps forward, waited for James to sprint down the lane, and lobbed the ball perfectly into the air.
"Bang!"
LeBron James caught it mid-stride and hammered down a thunderous axe dunk!
The crowd erupted.
After landing, James charged at Wade and slammed into him for a chest bump, both shouting in excitement.
No one on the Cavaliers could feed LeBron like that—and you could tell he missed it.
Then it was the West's turn.
Kobe Bryant brought the ball up casually with his left hand.
The Western Conference lineup didn't have a true point guard, so Coach D'Antoni alternated between Kobe and Chen Yan for ball-handling duties.
As Kobe crossed half court, he dished it to Chen and jogged lazily toward the corner.
It was clear Kobe wasn't planning to push himself tonight. His right hand was still taped from a ligament injury, and the league had only allowed him to play under the condition that he at least appeared in the game. If he skipped it entirely, he'd face a suspension after the break.
Chen dribbled at the top of the key, scanning the court.
Yao Ming stepped up to set a screen.
The crowd cheered as the two executed a flawless pick-and-roll.
After brushing past the screen, Chen swung the ball back to Yao, who popped out beyond the three-point line instead of rolling to the basket.
The pass was crisp.
Without hesitation, Yao caught the ball and launched a clean, high-arcing shot from the top of the key.
The entire arena held its breath for a moment.
This was Yao Ming's sixth consecutive All-Star appearance. His previous five had been fairly low-key, but this time, he decided to have a little fun.
Of course, Yao wasn't the type to pull off a flashy crossover like Chen Yan, soar through the air like LeBron, or clown around like Shaq. After thinking it through, he figured—why not spice things up with a surprise three-pointer? It'd be entertaining for the fans and take some pressure off the usual big-man duties.
"Bang!"
The shot hit the rim and bounced out.
It didn't go in, but the crowd still roared with laughter. Seeing Yao Ming of all people launch a three-pointer was already worth the price of admission.
Chris Bosh grabbed the defensive rebound and passed it to Chauncey Billups, who calmly dribbled the ball past half court and handed it off to Dwyane Wade.
Facing Chen Yan's defense, Wade began his signature between-the-legs rhythm dribble.
Chen didn't overcommit. He knew Wade's game too well—dangerous when driving, shaky from deep. Wade was only averaging 1.5 made threes per game this season, shooting under 28%. If he hit one, Chen could live with it.
"Bang! Bang!"
After a few hesitation dribbles, Wade suddenly exploded forward!
Chen shifted to cut him off, but just as he moved, LeBron stepped in to set a screen.
"Boom!"
The collision was brutal. James's frame was like a freight train, and the impact made Chen see stars.
Though he didn't fall, he definitely felt that one.
Anthony immediately switched to cover Wade, but his defense was mostly for show—eye contact defense, as the commentators liked to say. Melo wasn't known for defense in the regular season, let alone in an exhibition game.
Wade slipped past with ease, while Yao Ming, standing in the paint, made no move to contest. This was the All-Star Game—nobody was here to get hurt.
"Boom!"
The Flash soared into the air and banked in a stylish layup.
4–0.
As Wade landed, Carmelo gave him a friendly pat, while LeBron grinned and gave Chen Yan a playful slap on the shoulder.
The game's intensity wasn't quite playoff-level, but it was loaded with energy and swagger.
To make things more exciting this year, the league had added an incentive—$35,000 to each player on the winning team. Not that the money mattered much to anyone on the floor. Judging from the first few possessions, most players were still in "fun first" mode.
Still, everyone knew the drill. The first three quarters were for highlights, jokes, and entertainment. But once the fourth quarter came—and the score tightened—that competitive fire would always kick in.
The best players in the world all shared that same instinct.
The West brought the ball up again.
This time, Chen Yan took over as the primary ball handler, advancing it slowly across half court.
Kobe Bryant jogged alongside him, visibly relaxed. He had already told Coach D'Antoni that he planned to play only a few minutes before checking out to rest his injured finger.
At the top of the key, Yao Ming moved into position and set a solid screen for Chen Yan—just like before.
The connection between the two Chinese players clicked perfectly.
As Chen came off the pick, Yao flared out beyond the arc once again.
Everyone assumed he'd go for another long-range shot, but instead, he flicked his wrist and lobbed a pass back to Chen, who was cutting hard toward the rim.
Catching the ball mid-stride, Chen lowered his shoulder and began backing down Wade in the post.
On the TNT broadcast, Kenny Smith couldn't help but laugh. "Hold up, is Chen really trying to post up Wade? Hey Chuck, did you teach him that move?"
Charles Barkley smirked. "Nah, man. I'd never teach him that—his butt's way too small!"
The two cracked up as Chen continued working in the paint.
He started bumping into Wade rhythmically—once, twice, three times—but Wade held firm.
"Wow, he's really trying to back down Wade!" the commentator laughed.
"Yeah, he's trying hard, but they're not even in the same weight class. Wade's a tank compared to him!"
"If he keeps this up, the shot clock's gonna expire!"
The fans were dying of laughter.
Wade was tough as nails, and Chen's smaller frame wasn't moving him much. But post play wasn't just about brute strength—it was about timing, balance, and footwork.
After three bumps, Chen suddenly spun with a sharp shoulder roll, pivoted off his left foot, and faded back for a shot.
Wade, ever the competitor, sprang up to block it—he never missed a chance, even in an exhibition game.
But Chen was ready.
He pulled the ball back midair, ducked under Wade's arm, and slipped past for a fingertip layup off the glass.
It dropped cleanly.
"Mamba Moves!" the announcer shouted.
4–2.
The arena buzzed with laughter and applause.
Yao Ming firing threes, Chen Yan working the post—two players bringing their own flavor to the All-Star Game.
They weren't just playing—they were putting on a show.
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