The Fifth Point Guard

The Rookie Challenge at All-Star Weekend is just an appetizer.

Stoudemire was in high spirits after winning the MVP. He proudly promoted to the TV cameras that he would also enter the All-Star Game next year.

After the game that day, Shentong made an appointment with Yao Ming to have dinner together.

Although these two are both Chinese players, they rarely meet each other. Taking this opportunity, the two can finally get together.

"Brother Yao, it seems that you didn't play hard today. It seems that you saved your strength for the main match."

Yao Ming grinned, narrowed his eyes, and said with a smile: "Of course, you didn't see that Stoudemire used all his energy in this game. I have to compete with him for the ball, not to mention I have to stay." I’ll try to beat you the day after tomorrow. If LeBron on your team hadn’t always provoked me, I probably wouldn’t have even broken a sweat.”

Shentong also laughed and said: "That's right, you can see it just by looking at the jump ball. He is 23 centimeters shorter than you, but he can still beat you."

Yao Ming's face turned red at that time.

"It's just a matter of raising your arm. Can you tell the winner? It's a matter of jumping the ball."

Then came some obscure words.

Things like "It's a pity I didn't get a nice haircut at that time", "I've been drowning", "My mouth is bigger than a wheel" and so on.

After teasing each other, the two finally got down to business, which was one of the reasons why they met this time.

Yao Ming mentioned this matter first.

"Brother Shen, I heard that you will represent China in the 2004 Athens Olympics?"

Shentong replied with certainty: "Yes, if nothing else happens, I should rush back to join the team after the season."

Yao Ming immediately said excitedly: "That's great. We have you, Daba and me on the inside, and you and Lao Hu on the outside. The top eight in the Olympics should be a guaranteed result, and there is hope for reaching the semi-finals!"

Shentong asked strangely: "Brother Yao, the old Hu you are talking about is Hu Weidong?"

Yao Ming nodded and said, "That's right."

"But isn't he not on the latest men's basketball roster? It is said that he has withdrawn from the national team."

"Hey, you don't know, this old Hu is getting more and more demonic as he gets older. In this season's CBA, Lao Hu's two-point field goal percentage reached a terrifying 67%, averaging 16.7 points per game, and led Nanjing Steel to rank first in points. No. 3 on the list, in very good condition, Devin Harris will not let such an outstanding player go."

"So, Lao Hu is definitely going to participate in this year's Olympics?"

"It shouldn't be a big problem. Harris has personally done Lao Hu's ideological work. I heard that Lao Hu has verbally agreed. I think Lao Hu is a man of his word and will not break his promise."

Shentong was thinking in his mind.

The Chinese team has three major centers, and the inside line is world-class.

It's not enough to have one person on the outside, but now with Hu Weidong, the situation is different.

"Brother Yao, we must work hard together this summer to win glory for our country!"

"That must happen!"

"Take one?"

"Go one!"

(Sound of clinking glasses)

"See you in the main race the day after tomorrow!"

"I will definitely perform well this time."

"Yeah, don't score 2 points and hit 2 boards again."

"."

On February 15, the 2004 All-Star Weekend continued at the Staples Center.

The first thing to start is the "Shooting Star" competition that was just set up this year.

Participating in the first edition of this event are the host Los Angeles Lakers, San Antonio Spurs, Los Angeles Clippers and Detroit Pistons.

The first to appear were Spurs guard Ginobili, recently retired WNBA San Antonio Silver Stars guard Jennifer Azzi, and former Bulls and Spurs guard and five-time championship winner Steve Kerr. The spurs.

Judging from the lineup, they seem to be the strongest team in this event, but there seems to be something wrong with their personnel arrangement.

They did not give Ginobili the most difficult long shot near the midline, but gave it to Aceh.

Come on, Ginobili has the ability to throw fake shots from the outside. Even the referee can be fooled. If you don't believe it, ask Duncan if this is the case.

As a result, after many attempts, Azzi completed the final shot.

It took them a total of 46 seconds.

The second team to appear was the Clippers.

Perhaps due to Lima's relationship, Jaric appeared a lot in this All-Star Game.

After all, whenever Jaric plays, Lima is always by his side.

This group is composed of Clippers guard Jaric, WNBA Los Angeles Sparks guard Nikki Teasly and former NBA star Terry Cummings.

Their shots near the midline took more time than the Spurs, finishing in 49.8 seconds.

The third player to appear was the Detroit Pistons, led by Chauncey Billups.

In addition to Billups, the other two are WNBA rookie king, Detroit Shock forward Shelly Ford and former NBA star John Sarey.

In particular, Shelly Ford is Karl Malone’s daughter.

Why not Shelly Malone?

you know.

Since Sarey used to play the center position, he was not very good at long-range shots.

In the end they took more than 1 minute.

The last group to make their final appearance was the host Los Angeles Lakers.

Their members include Lakers guard Derek Fisher, three-time WNBA All-Star MVP Los Angeles Sparks center Lisa Leslie and former Lakers superstar Magic Johnson.

These three are all good at long-range shots, and three-pointers are no problem.

They made quick work of their first two field goals.

When it came time to shoot from the midline, it was "Magic" Johnson's turn.

Compared with the Spurs who came out first, their tactics are much smarter.

Johnson showed his prowess again with a mid-range shot and hit the target on his second shot.

In the end, the Lakers ended the game in 43.9 seconds and won the championship!

They also became the first champions of this newly established competition.

After the Shooting Stars competition, there is the Skills Challenge.

The four candidates who originally participated in the Skills Challenge were: Gary Payton of the Lakers, Earl Boykins of the Nuggets, Marbury, who was just traded to the Knicks, and Baron of the Hornets. Davis.

The skills challenge is divided into two rounds. The last winner was Jason Kidd.

So the quality of this championship is still good.

It is worth mentioning that Gary Payton, who was originally announced to participate, had to withdraw from the game due to temporary commitments.

So Derek Fisher stepped in temporarily.

I have to say that Fisher is really a good teammate. When his teammates are in trouble, he is always able to step up in time.

Just like he did with Matt Barnes.

Two players will be eliminated in the first knockout round.

The first one to appear was the bearded Baron Davis.

Although he has a big butt, he is very stable in layups and changes of direction dribbling.

Even the most difficult ground pass was a success.

After all, the butt is big and the chassis is stable.