Today was the Houston Rockets' home game, and the Toyota Center was packed with over ten thousand spectators.
Since it was a Chinese Derby, many Chinese fans rushed to the arena, spending a lot of money to watch the game live.
The entire United States and China were broadcasting this highly anticipated match live!
A whistle blew, beep, beep!
The referee quickly signaled the Charlotte Hornets players to inbound the ball from the sideline.
As soon as Wang stepped onto the court, viewers in China watching the live broadcast couldn't contain their excitement.
CCTV commentator Zhang Weiping exclaimed:
— "Oh, finally! The long-awaited Chinese Derby is here!"— "Wang is finally on the court! Let's see how he performs tonight!"
Yu Jia added:
— "That's right! Since Wang was drafted, his playing time this season has been limited. He needs a chance to prove himself!"— "Let's see if he can score his first NBA points today!"
Both commentators tried to keep a neutral and subtle tone.
After all, they had broadcast Wang's previous two games, in which his performance had been very poor. In just a few minutes, he had failed to register any stats and committed several turnovers.
19-year-old Wang seemed somewhat out of place among the other players.
However, domestic fans watching the live broadcast in the comment section were not so friendly:
— "Are the Hornets giving up by putting Emperor Wang in at this point?"— "The head coach must be making a mistake; the Hornets are still ten points behind!"— "I said at the draft that Wang only had great physicality, but his skills and basketball IQ are terrible! I could do better!"— "Wang 'Braised Egg' should hurry back to the CBA; don't embarrass yourself here!"— "Big Yao, teach this kid a lesson! Young players need guidance!"— "Just waiting for Wang to get destroyed!"
Fans' love was intense but their criticism was harsh.
Originally, their attitude toward Wang had been much more positive. When he was drafted, most fans were very optimistic.
At 19, with excellent physical abilities and playing as a shooting guard, expectations were high.
Some even nicknamed him the "China Jordan", seeing him as the hope of a new generation.
But his timid and scattered play in the first two games utterly disappointed fans.
Media praise quickly turned to criticism:
— "Wang's ability simply hasn't reached NBA level! He should continue developing in college!"— "At this point, there are no Chinese guards who can establish themselves in the NBA!"— "According to insiders from the Hornets, the team will terminate Wang's contract after this game!"
Even professional commentators abroad were not optimistic.
The portly Charles Barkley curled his lips:
— "I really don't understand what the Hornets' head coach is thinking. Putting a rookie on the court while trying to catch up… I hope to see this young Chinese player grow, but he doesn't have what it takes to survive in the NBA!"
Smith also commented:
— "This rookie, Wang, has great physical traits, but beyond that, he has no advantages. I can't imagine how he could score against these experienced veterans."
Even the Hornets' starting players were somewhat surprised to see rookie Wang substituted in.
— "Hey, rookie! Don't just stand there!"— "Inbound me the ball from the sideline!"
Chris Paul looked at Wang with a serious expression.
Wang glanced toward the voice and saw the team captain, Chris Paul.
At this time, Paul looked much younger than in later years. This was his sixth year in the NBA, leading this struggling team, which hadn't even made the playoffs last season.
This "Point God," the Hornets' leader, had a rather tragic career, unable to win a championship.
Wang didn't dwell on memories. He walked to the sideline and said:
— "Okay."— "If you have an open shot, pass it to me."
Chris Paul was visibly surprised. Wang had always been quiet and only nodded.
He didn't expect the rookie to initiate communication and ask for the ball.
Paul softly snorted:
— "You don't need to tell me. If you get open, I'll pass. The condition is, you must make the shot!"
As a master of ball-handling, Paul excelled at organizing offense, but today, shooters kept missing after passes.
The game went from a lead to being ten points behind.
Paul silently wondered if replacing struggling Belinelli with rookie Wang could truly help.
The whistle blew — the game resumed!
8:52 left, score 80:70, Rockets ahead by ten points.
Charlotte Hornets lineup: Chris Paul, Wang, Trevor Ariza, David West, Emeka OkaforRockets lineup: Kyle Lowry, Kevin Martin, Shane Battier, Luis Scola, Yao Ming
Being the last quarter, both teams fielded starters.
With Yao Ming protecting the paint, penetrating inside was difficult.
Yao also troubled Okafor offensively, even in his final year.
Wang inbounded the ball. Being closer to the basket, Big Yao used his height to interfere.
He even greeted Wang in Chinese:
— "Little Wang, good luck! But I won't go easy on you!"
Wang smiled, feeling encouragement from the elder.
This iconic figure of Chinese basketball had inspired so many fans to love basketball and the NBA.
Wang replied:
— "Good luck to you too!"
Although his passing stats were low, Paul kept moving, and using a screen, Wang passed the ball directly into Paul's hands.
The Hornets' coach's strategy was clear: use outside shooting to pull Yao Ming out of the paint.
As the ball reached Paul, he started a pick-and-roll.
Attention focused briefly on Paul and his defender.
Wang, having inbounded the ball, slipped to the baseline.
Kenyon Martin, guarding Ariza, noticed Wang and chased him.
He didn't know the rookie, only assumed he was Chinese from his skin tone and conversation.
Momentarily confused, Kenyon Martin thought: Aren't all excellent Chinese players big men like Yao and Yi Jianlian?
He showed disdain for Wang, the Chinese guard.
Paul and West executed the pick-and-roll.
Lowry guarding Paul was delayed; Paul used the gap to move right.
Scola hesitated whether to switch defenders; Paul now had space for a mid-range shot.
Paul gathered himself, ready to shoot.
Kenyon Martin, guarding Wang, was still focused on Paul, and attempted to block.
Martin's height was 201 cm, taller than Paul, making the block threatening.
Paul paused slightly.
Wang, due to Martin's disdain, was wide open.
He quickly signaled for the ball.
Paul noticed Wang in the corner of his eye and passed instinctively.
Wang caught the ball perfectly on his chest.
He pushed off the ground and shot!
A textbook shot, smooth and graceful — the fundamental skill of a top shooter!
Kenyon Martin watched Wang shoot, understanding the danger.
But he still believed the rookie wouldn't make it.
The ball arced perfectly!
Commentators in China couldn't contain themselves.
Zhang Weiping leaned forward:
— "Paul faked the shot and passed to Wang, just entering!"— "A great open shot opportunity!"
Yu Jia shouted:
— "Wang is wide open! As a shooting guard, he can't miss!"— "Shot!"— "Smooth form!"— "Will it go in?"
The spectators held their breath.
And then a crisp sound!
— "Swish!!!"
The ball went through the net perfectly!
Score: 80:73!
Wang scored his first points on his first touch!
He raised his hand in celebration, feeling rhythm and confidence thanks to his 95-rated three-point ability.
Chris Paul ran toward Wang, patted him lightly on the back, and smiled:
— "Nice job, rookie! Welcome to the NBA!"