Chapter 18: Wade Dong Doesn't Play Defense

The next day, the Suns faced the Timberwolves.

Because Wade Dong had joined the Suns and had just broken the NBA's single-quarter scoring record in the previous game, all eyes in China were now on the Suns.

Previously, the Houston Rockets were considered China's main team because of Yao Ming.

After Yao Ming retired, a few other Chinese players entered the NBA, but their development was not very successful. Therefore, aside from the Rockets, there were not many teams that Chinese fans supported unanimously.

Wade Dong's impressive performance in the previous game reignited the hopes of Chinese basketball fans.

Scoring 37 points in a single quarter was a feat that even Yao Ming had not achieved.

...

That evening, it was still the Suns' home court.

However, this time there was no commentary from Yu Jia and Zhang Zhidiao. Chinese fans could only watch the live broadcast through the internet, and the commentators were two unknown figures.

Despite this, the game still attracted the attention of the entire league.

A player on a ten-day short contract breaking the NBA's single-quarter scoring record was an honor for Wade Dong but also a humiliation for the league.

If a player on a ten-day short contract could break NBA records, did that mean the NBA's level was very low?

Before the game, Coach Gentry encouraged the players, "Although the Timberwolves are not very strong, we must not underestimate them. Love, Rubio, Beasley, these players are all very capable. If we let our guard down, we might lose."

"Let's go!"

The players responded and began to enter the court.

The NBA has no weak teams, which is a well-known fact.

Before the game started, Rubio approached Wade Dong and greeted him, "Hello, Wade Dong, I'm Rubio."

"Hello."

Wade Dong hugged Rubio and said, "You are my idol."

"I can't be your idol!"

Rubio shook his head nervously, "I watched the video of your game yesterday. Your three-pointers are so accurate. If I have the chance, I'd like you to give me some pointers."

Rubio, known as the Golden Boy, was good at passing, but as a point guard, his shooting was his weakness. This was why he approached Wade Dong.

"Sure, we can practice together sometime."

"Do you have any tips for shooting?"

"Tips?"

Wade Dong stroked his chin, "As long as you have a system..."

"System?!"

"With the system's training, you can shoot as accurately as I do."

"Great! I'll find you during the off-season."

Rubio said, "If you can help me with the system's training, that would be great."

After chatting for a bit, Rubio and Wade Dong went to warm up before the game.

The game was about to start... The US Airways Center was packed!

Originally, the Suns had no hope of making the playoffs, but with Wade Dong's addition, the fans saw hope again.

This game also attracted a lot of attention, especially from the other 28 teams. Many scouts quietly came to the US Airways Center to watch Wade Dong. They wanted to see if his performance in the previous game was just a fluke.

...

The game started!

The audience noticed that Wade Dong, who had performed exceptionally well in the previous game, was in the starting lineup.

It seemed that Coach Gentry believed Wade Dong's performance was not a fluke.

Timberwolves starting lineup: Rubio, Love, Randolph, Barea, Beasley

Suns starting lineup: Nash, Wade Dong, Lopez, Hill, Morris

"Beep~~!"

The game started with the jump ball, and Love tipped the ball to Rubio.

Rubio dribbled the ball to the frontcourt and passed it to Beasley. As soon as Beasley received the ball, Wade Dong was there to defend him.

"Attack Wade Dong!"

Timberwolves head coach Adelman shouted from the sidelines, "Wade Dong doesn't play defense!"

"I don't play defense?"

Wade Dong glanced at Adelman. He had defended Kobe in the previous game and even exchanged for the Battier Defense Package. Did he need to tell Adelman about this?

Before the game, Adelman had discussed tactics, so after receiving the ball, Beasley tried to shake off Wade Dong's defense with a crossover.

But Wade Dong stuck tightly to Beasley.

"Can't shake him off?!"

Beasley was surprised. This shouldn't be happening...

The coach said Wade Dong didn't play defense, but his lateral movement speed was faster than Beasley's.

"I don't play defense, so don't pass the ball."

Wade Dong taunted Beasley while defending him.

"I don't need to pass to beat you!"

Beasley scoffed and continued his attack.

But no matter how many crossovers and accelerations he tried, he couldn't shake off Wade Dong's defense.

"Beep!"

The referee's whistle blew, "24-second violation!"

"Great defense!!!"

The fans watching the live broadcast were ecstatic. The Timberwolves' first possession resulted in a 24-second violation thanks to Wade Dong's defense.

"He gives me too many surprises."

Coach Gentry muttered to himself, "I thought he was already good enough, but it seems I still haven't seen his full potential."

The Suns inbounded the ball, and Nash dribbled it to the frontcourt.

Wade Dong ran to the frontcourt, passing by the Timberwolves' bench. He shrugged at Adelman, as if helplessly saying, "I don't play defense!"

"You!"

Adelman's face turned pale. The game had just started, and he was already losing his composure.

Nash dribbled the ball to the frontcourt, and Wade Dong was already in position. He shouted, "Nash, pass me the ball!"

This shout immediately attracted the Timberwolves' defensive attention.

Nash smiled knowingly and pulled up for a three-pointer.

"Swish!"

The ball went straight into the net, 3:0.

This tactic had been used by Wade Dong and Nash during the intra-squad scrimmage the day before. Because Wade Dong's three-pointers were so accurate, his shout would always attract the opponent's defensive attention. At that moment, the defensive pressure on Nash would ease, and he would take the three-pointer.

Nash, a member of the 180 Club, had no dead angles in his shooting.

With Wade Dong's addition, the Suns' offense became even smoother.

At halftime, the score was 57:39.

The Suns led by 18 points, and Wade Dong had scored 19 points on 7 out of 9 shooting.

During the halftime break, the Suns' locker room was filled with joy. It had been a long time since they had played such a comfortable game.

This season, the Suns had occasional players performing well, but no one could truly share the offensive burden.

Most of the time, Nash was always double-teamed.

With Wade Dong's addition, no team dared to double-team Nash and leave Wade Dong, a scoring machine, open.

In the Timberwolves' locker room, the atmosphere was somewhat gloomy.

Coach Adelman encouraged the players, "Don't worry about Wade Dong's performance. After all, he is a young player with no big game experience. He can't maintain high efficiency throughout the game."

"Coach..."

Rubio reminded him, "Wade Dong just scored 37 points in a single quarter two days ago."

"So what?"

Adelman was still angry about Wade Dong's taunting look, "He's still a young player with no big game experience."

Randolph said dejectedly, "Actually, I don't think it matters whether we win or lose this game. We have no hope of making the playoffs anyway."