Gan Guoyang intercepted the ball; a long-distance bounce pass is slow, easy to predict, and easily lost.
Gan Guoyang dribbled for the counterattack himself, Yao Ming moved down, and just when the Heat’s defense focused on Yao Ming and Gan Guoyang, Gan Guoyang passed to Barry in the corner, Barry caught the ball and made a three-pointer!
An unexpected pass, Yao Ming was ready to receive and attack the basket, but the ball went to the corner, what incredible vision.
The Glory Team quickly took the lead, the Heat worked hard to catch up, and the pace of both sides slowed down, as O’Neal tried to overpower Yao Ming in the low post.
But this time Yao Ming was smart, as O’Neal received the ball and backed in, Yao did a "pull the chair" move, causing O’Neal to travel.
O’Neal angrily slammed the ball, thinking about these overseas centers, whether it’s Sabonis, Divac, Ah Gan, or Yao Ming, they’re all the same damned type.
They don’t dare to face off openly and with honor, just hoping to play dirty tricks like "pull the chair" and flopping.
When you’re playing intensely, suddenly pulling a trick like that is unpredictable and really messes with your mentality.
After that, Yao Ming caught the ball on offense and didn’t rush to attack but passed to Jordan cutting down the middle.
Jordan charged into the paint, attracted a triple-team, and then made a beautiful behind-the-back pass to Yao Ming.
Yao Ming caught it and made a one-handed slam dunk!
Both players had brilliant passes, even though they’re not known for passing, it’s not because they’re bad at it, but because their other skills are so strong that they overshadow their passing talent.
Gan Guoyang won the assist leader title, and Jordan, when he focused on being a point guard, averaged a triple-double; if he wanted, he could rack up a lot of assists.
But in the end, results are about scoring; assisting teammates or scoring yourself, it seems more reliable to score yourself, which is why Jordan’s passing isn’t as famous.
The effortlessly skilled performance of the two legendary veterans allowed Yao Ming to relax more, not force his attacks, and instead take easy opportunities, quickly reaching 10 points in the first half.
In the Turner Television studio, Barkley was restless in his seat, while Kenny Smith felt itchy all over.
Kenny Smith was dying to tear Barkley’s mouth apart, thinking you cursed yourself with your oaths; why did you have to involve me? Why’d you have to bring my ass into it too?
Now it’s half-time and 10 points; won’t it be 20 points by the end? Plus, it looks like Gan and Jordan are feeding Yao Ming as if they can easily serve him 20 points.
As the second half began, Glory Team maintained a lead of over 10 points, and Yao Ming returned to action early, allowing Old Ewing to rest.
It’s likely that in the next game, Yao Ming will officially take the starter center position for the Glory Team.
Just after coming on, a full-of-energy Yao Ming was impressive, giving O’Neal a big block!
O’Neal’s turning hook shot, which normally wouldn’t be blocked, but he was up against Yao Ming.
The big block swatted it away, and the Glory Team controlled possession but slowed down the pace for a set offense.
Yao Ming sensibly settled into the low post, received a pass from Miller, turned, and made a fadeaway jumper, scoring!
From that moment on, every basket Yao Ming scored was like a stab to Barkley’s mouth and Kenny Smith’s butt.
Barkley no longer shouted any nonsense like "O’Neal is the league’s top center," but complained, "Shaq, you coward, letting Yao score over 19 points! I’ll be your permanent hater, forever!"
Meanwhile, Yao Ming didn’t blindly force plays or aim strictly for 20 points; instead, he truly integrated into the team’s offensive system, revolving around the double legends.
This was the first time Yao Ming felt that there were opportunities everywhere, it just depended on whether you knew how to move and seize them.
He finally started to grasp the brilliance of the Glory Team’s Princeton System, and the huge attraction the double legends had, the space they created for teammates, and the many things that could be done.
Yao Ming had always admired Gan Guoyang, recognizing his greatness, especially for becoming a national hero after the 2000 Olympics.
However, on the Olympic stage, it was Gan Guoyang forcefully integrating into the Chinese National Team system, relying on individual ability to uplift the whole team.
Seeing Gan Guoyang, Yao Ming felt like a frog in a well looking up at the moon, unattainable.
But truly entering the NBA stage, becoming teammates with Gan Guoyang, and not just playing in championships but seriously playing a season, integrating into the complete offense and defense system led by Gan Guoyang, and touching on more details, he vaguely felt like a mayfly in the vast sky, insignificant and boundless.
As Yao Ming received a pass from Gan Guoyang in the fourth quarter, he made a mid-range jumper, scoring his 20th point of the game!
At that moment, even the Miami Heat fans were cheering, and Yao Ming was momentarily confused, why was the home crowd happy when I scored?
Gan Guoyang came over and patted Yao Ming, saying, "Congratulations, you got 20 points! Kenny Smith’s butt is in trouble."
Yao Ming then remembered the bet with Barkley and realized he had scored 20 points! And it was against O’Neal! Truly memorable.
At this point, the Turner Television studio fell silent, with the camera on Barkley and Smith, one was helpless, one speechless.
After holding it for a while, Barkley asked Kenny Smith, "Kenny, do you get pimples on your butt?"