Chapter 8: Lakers vs. Suns

The next day in the afternoon, Dudley and Wade Dong arrived at the US Airways Center together.

Tonight, the Suns would host the Lakers, led by Kobe Bryant.

Before the game, the players did some simple training in the arena. Wade Dong kept practicing his shots, while Dudley went to the side to chat with his teammates.

After a while, the teammates came over, looking at Wade Dong with strange expressions.

"Is there something on my face?"

Wade Dong touched his face, feeling a bit puzzled.

"Bro, you're awesome!"

"Impressive, really impressive!"

Gortat and Frye grinned at Wade Dong, praising him.

Wade Dong was confused, "What are you talking about? Just say it straight."

"Wade Dong, don't mind them."

Hill walked over and explained, "Dudley just told us that you turned down a date with a beautiful woman yesterday."

"Isn't that normal?"

Wade Dong scoffed, "I already have a girlfriend."

"Don't mind them!"

Nash also walked over and said, "Focus on your preparation. You have a chance to play tonight."

...

The Lakers vs. Suns game had a high level of attention in China.

Especially tonight's game, which was even more anticipated. CCTV-5 also broadcasted this game, with commentators Zhang and Yu Jia.

At 9:30 PM Beijing time, Zhang and Yu Jia were already seated at the broadcast table.

Yu Jia, "Zhang, this game has a lot of attention."

Zhang, "Yes, Wade Dong is the sixth Chinese player to enter the NBA, although it's just a ten-day short contract, we all hope to see him play."

Yu Jia, "What do you think about the outcome of this game?"

Zhang, "The Lakers are third in the West, and the Suns are tenth. The Suns only have ten games left this season. For the playoff spot, the Suns will fight hard. It's really hard to say who will win."

Yu Jia, "Let's predict whether Wade Dong will get a chance to play tonight."

Zhang, "Of course, I hope to see him play."

Yu Jia, "The players are starting to warm up. I see Wade Dong. He's practicing his shots."

Zhang, "From Wade Dong's movements, although it's his first time on the NBA court, he doesn't seem nervous."

Yu Jia: <(￣ ﹌ ￣)>

What Zhang said makes sense, but this is just the pre-game warm-up. Can you really tell if someone is nervous from the warm-up?

Because this was Wade Dong's first game with a ten-day short contract, and it was the Lakers vs. Suns, the attention in China was as high as the NBA Finals. This day was a Saturday, and the cafeteria at Yanjing University was already crowded with students.

Li Jiajia didn't go to the cafeteria because there were too many people, and everyone knew Wade Dong was her boyfriend. Her appearance would cause a commotion.

So, Li Jiajia and Zhuang Fei were watching the live broadcast in their dormitory.

...

The game was about to start, and the players began to enter the court.

Nash walked over to Wade Dong, patted his shoulder, and asked, "Are you nervous?"

"Not nervous."

Wade Dong smiled at Nash, "I'm a bit excited!"

Nash smiled, "That's a good state of mind. Keep that excitement. You'll be the last one to enter the court!"

Usually, the last player to enter the court is the team's star player. For the Suns, the last one to enter was Nash, but today, Nash gave this honor to Wade Dong.

The on-site announcer began introducing the players.

First were the Lakers, with Kobe Bryant being the last to enter. When the announcer called out "Kobe," even in the Phoenix home court, there was a thunderous cheer.

...

Yu Jia: "Kobe is so popular!"

Zhang: "That's Kobe!"

...

After the Lakers entered, it was the Suns' turn.

"Let's welcome, Gortat!"

"Frye!"

"Hill!"

...

The announcer kept calling out the names of the Suns players. The TV audience became nervous because they hadn't heard Wade Dong's name. If his name wasn't called, it meant he wouldn't have a chance to play in this game.

"Nash!"

When the announcer called out Nash's name, the US Airways Center erupted in deafening cheers.

"No Wade Dong?"

The fans watching the live broadcast didn't pay much attention to the players who had already entered, but according to the usual practice, Nash was the last Suns player to enter. Now that Nash had entered, and they hadn't heard Wade Dong's name, it meant Wade Dong wasn't on the roster for this game.

Li Jiajia and Zhuang Fei weren't worried. They didn't understand the NBA's entry rules, but they had a firm belief that Wade Dong would play.

The announcer paused for a moment, then loudly said, "Next up is number 7, from China, Wade Dong!"

...

"Wow!!!"

Hearing Wade Dong's name, the cafeteria at Yanjing University erupted in cheers.

These proud students couldn't contain their excitement.

Because they saw their classmate standing on the NBA stage.

...

Wade Dong entered the court to the accompaniment of music and the cheers of the crowd, raising his hands high.

The Suns' starting lineup was Nash, Lopez, Hill, Richardson, and Dudley.

Gentry had promoted Dudley to the starting lineup today.

The Lakers' starting lineup was Kobe Bryant, Andrew Bynum, Pau Gasol, Derek Fisher, and Steve Blake.

After entering the court, Kobe looked at Wade Dong a few times. Besides Yao Ming, no other Chinese player had proven themselves on this stage. He didn't know why the Suns gave this unknown kid a ten-day short contract.

...

Although Wade Dong wasn't in the starting lineup, no one was disappointed.

If Wade Dong, with his college background and a ten-day short contract, had just entered the NBA and appeared in the starting lineup, that would have been strange.

...

The game officially began. Gasol and Lopez jumped for the tip-off, and the Lakers won the ball.

Fisher dribbled the ball to the frontcourt and passed it to Kobe. Kobe took two steps and made a jump shot, scoring the first points of the game.

0:2

The Lakers took an early lead.

The Suns attacked, with Nash and Lopez executing a pick-and-roll. Lopez scored a two-pointer.

Wade Dong wasn't in a hurry. He kept observing the situation on the court. When he saw the Lakers' Bynum, his eyes flashed. In his previous life, he had been embarrassed by Bynum, who was known for not being able to dribble, the moment he stepped onto the court.

The score kept changing, and Gentry had no intention of putting Wade Dong in the game.

At this point, Wade Dong felt a bit strange. In his previous life, he had a deep impression of this game. The Lakers had a big lead in the first half, and the game entered garbage time before the third quarter, giving Wade Dong a chance to play.