"If Kai Chen wants to take over the torch from Jordan and Kobe."
"Then today, his opponent, the San Antonio Spurs, will be the best test for him!"
San Antonio, AT&T Center!
On the sidelines, Smith, a commentator from TNT, introduced, "DeMar DeRozan will not let Kai Chen easily become the league's top shooting guard!"
"That's right, before Kai, DeRozan was recognized as Kobe's successor in the league!"
O'Neal took over, "And although the San Antonio Spurs lost Kawhi Leonard this season, they still achieved a strong record under the leadership of Coach Popovich!"
Just as the two commentators said.
This season, although the Spurs lost their star player Kawhi Leonard, DeRozan's arrival greatly filled the void left by Kawhi's departure.
Their 5-1 record so far this season is enough to prove this point.
This Spurs team is truly not to be trifled with!
However, Kai Chen had already made such an impassioned statement before the game, and today he had to prove himself!
Even if the opponent was DeRozan, even if it was the Spurs, what did it matter?
During the pre-game warm-up, the live broadcast camera focused on the European and American pop diva Selena Gomez!
As an officially recognized top fan of the Spurs, Selena was also wearing DeRozan's jersey to cheer for the Spurs.
"Kai, look!"
Grayson Allen quickly walked up to Kai Chen and pointed at the big screen. "Selena is here too! She's my goddess!"
Kai caught the basketball, followed Allen's finger to look at Selena on the big screen, and nodded in agreement. "Grayson, I have to say your taste is still very good!"
"Kai, do me a favor later!"
"What?"
"After the game, help me ask Selena for her contact information."
Grayson Allen leaned close to Kai Chen and whispered, "If it works out, I'll carry your luggage for free for a month."
Kai asked doubtfully, "Don't you usually carry it for me anyway?"
"Normally, I carry it for you out of respect for you leading the team to win!"
Grayson Allen scratched his head awkwardly and said guiltily, "Besides, what's wrong with me, your brother, carrying your luggage?"
In the NBA, there's an unwritten rule that rookies have to do some favors for other players on the team.
This is a necessary path for every rookie. Even superstar players like LeBron and Kobe were once "bullied" by veteran players on their teams during their rookie years.
Fortunately, Kai had Grayson Allen, who had taken on many things for him.
"Sure man."
Kai patted Allen's shoulder. "After the game, I'll help you ask, but I can't guarantee success."
Hearing Kai Chen's reply, Grayson Allen nodded contentedly. "With you going, it's sure to work!"
"Beep!"
Soon, with a whistle from the main referee, the game between the Clippers and the Spurs officially began!
The Spurs' starting lineup today: Dejounte Murray + DeMar DeRozan + Rudy Gay + LaMarcus Aldridge and Pau Gasol.
The Clippers' starting lineup was the usual: Beverley + Carmelo + Jeff Green + Lopez and Kai Chen!
Both centers stood at mid-court, and the main referee tossed the ball high.
Gasol defeated Lopez, tipping the ball first to Murray.
The Spurs initiated the first offensive possession!
Murray slowly dribbled the ball into the frontcourt, then passed it to DeRozan, who came off a screen on the wing.
DeRozan received the ball, faced Kai Chen's defense, backed him down once, then turned and shot his signature fadeaway jumper!
"Swish!"
The basketball arced beautifully through the air and swished cleanly through the net!
2-0!
DeRozan scored first for the Spurs!
"My goodness?"
Feeling the fluidity of DeRozan's moves, Kai couldn't help but exclaim.
"The last glory of the classical shooting guard!" This phrase described DeRozan perfectly!
But unfortunately for him, Kai Chen had to win this game today!
In transition, Beverley quickly dribbled the ball past half-court and passed it to Kai on the left three-point line.
With the ball, Kai faced DeRozan's defense, executed several between-the-legs dribbles, then accelerated, gliding past DeRozan on the left to complete the breakthrough.
Seeing Kai drive toward the restricted area, Aldridge and Gasol both stepped up to double-team him.
However, Kai pulled the ball back with one dribble, split the double-team, took a step to the basket, and turned to put the ball into the hoop!
"Oh~~~"
The AT&T Center erupted in a gasp.
"Indeed, very good!"
Watching him stop and start, easily getting to the rim, DeRozan, behind him, showed an surprised look.
2-2!
The score was tied!
"Perfect rhythm control!!"
Kai Chen's basket also made Smith pay more attention to his dribbling.
"The moment Kai Chen completed the breakthrough, Gasol and Aldridge formed a double-team."
"But he broke the double-team with such ease and grace!"
Kai's dribbling on the move wasn't flashy, but it was simple and practical.
It was this simple ball-handling that allowed him to maximize his speed advantage.
On the Spurs' possession, DeRozan again received the ball at his familiar elbow spot, almost ignoring Kai Chen's defense, and scored with another back-to-the-basket fadeaway jumper!
4-2!
"Come on, Kai!"
On the way back on defense, DeRozan smiled and clapped his hands, encouraging him.
"DeMar DeRozan seems to really like Kai Chen!"
This subtle action was also caught by O'Neal at the commentary desk. "Although both of them are shooting guards, their playing styles are completely different."
"DeRozan is a typical classical shooting guard, while Kai Chen is a prime example of a new-era combo guard."
"Their matchup is truly exciting!"
On the court, Beverley controlled the ball past half-court and passed it to Kai Chen.
Kai received the ball and immediately drove. Without even needing a fake, his explosive first step got him past DeRozan.
When DeRozan tried to chase from behind, he was stopped by Jeff Green's screen.
Kai seized the opportunity to pull up for a mid-range jumper!
"Clang!"
Unfortunately, the basketball hit the front rim and bounced out.
But in the next moment, Kai judged the ball's landing spot and actually grabbed the rebound before Gasol, then powerfully slammed it into the hoop!
"Bang!"
This time, the sound was Kai Chen dunking the ball!
After missing, he grabbed his own rebound and dunked it, even shocking Gasol on the side.
Gasol turned to look at Kai, who jogged away gracefully after landing. His eyes were wide, his face filled with disbelief.
A terrifying rookie!
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