"Disappointed, my foot. That's Taylor, the hottest country singer this year. So many people like her songs, even my mom loves her music!"
Hearing James mention his mother,
Tang Long's eyebrows couldn't help but twitch again.
Then he thought of James's mother and the gossip about her dating Wade.
Although both sides vehemently denied it in the end, it was because of this incident that James left the Cavaliers and chose to join the Heat to play brotherly basketball with Wade!
"Uh, if there's a chance, I can get you an autograph," Tang Long collected his thoughts and said to James and the others.
"Haha… Tang, I think you're getting carried away," James patted Tang Long's shoulder. "I'm LeBron. If I want an autograph, do I need to go through you? You're underestimating me too much!"
"Then go ahead," Tang Long gave James a firm push, sending him out.
On the Cavaliers, Tang Long was probably the only one who dared to push James like this.
James immediately backed down, giving Tang Long a glare. He didn't even know her yet. If he went up rashly and she refused, it would be too embarrassing.
Of course, this situation wouldn't happen.
After all, both were top stars. Anyone who did something like that wouldn't be able to survive in the league.
"Alright, the game is about to start. Get ready."
Mike Brown walked over to remind everyone.
The lineup for this game was the same as before.
Cavaliers starting lineup: James, Tang Long, Drew Gooden, Larry Hughes, and Pavlovic.
Knicks starting lineup: Marbury, Crawford, Quentin Richardson, Randolph, and Eddy Curry.
Frankly speaking, Marbury was at the edge of a conflict with himself during this period. Like most black players, after becoming famous, he became arrogant and squandered money.
It wasn't until he left the NBA that the old Ma finally came to his senses. Especially after joining Beijing Shougang, the old Ma completely found himself again.
In later generations, the old Ma, drawing from his own experiences, often gave motivational speeches, which earned him the nickname 'Political Commissar Ma'.
However, at this moment, Marbury's attention was still focused on James.
He was not convinced, so he wanted to teach James how to play basketball.
On the Cavaliers' side, Mike Brown began to draw up the strategy.
"Eddy Curry's free-throw percentage is only 60%. Pavlovic, if necessary, you can foul Eddy."
Since the Hack-a-Sha strategy had yielded good results, many coaches now liked to use this tactic.
Especially for big interior players with low free-throw percentages, this move was very effective.
This kind of dirty work obviously couldn't be done by the team's regular starters, so it had to be executed by players who were somewhere between starters and reserves and could be adjusted.
Mike Brown then turned his gaze to Tang Long: "Tang, don't try to overpower Eddy. You can use your agility to beat him. If you can't get the offensive rebounds, don't push yourself too hard. Protect yourself and conserve energy."
"Coach Brown, you worry too much. I'm quite confident about grabbing rebounds against him."
Tang Long didn't deny Eddy Curry's size, but when it came to fighting for rebounds, he was no match.
"Beep!"
With a whistle, the game began.
Tang Long and Eddy stood opposite each other at the center circle for the tip-off.
"Kid, you better be careful. This is New York, and the beauties belong to the Knicks!"
Eddy Curry was used to the team's record.
Even if the Cavaliers took a 21-game winning streak from the Knicks' home court, it wouldn't matter much to them.
But flirting with girls on their home court was something the Knicks players couldn't tolerate.
Looking at the other Knicks players, their attention was all on Tang Long. Even James, the star player, didn't get as much attention as Tang Long.
Only Quentin Richardson, who was guarding James, stared intently at the latter.
Beep.
With a whistle.
Tang Long jumped first and swatted the ball to Larry Hughes.
After receiving the ball, Larry Hughes quickly brought it past half-court. James was already waiting at the baseline. He received Larry Hughes's pass, and before the defenders could get into position, he jumped up.
Swish!
The three-pointer was calmly made.
"LeBron, well done."
Tang Long excitedly high-fived James.
Once on the basketball court, it was like being on a battlefield. Players who didn't focus on the game and only thought about where to party at night were not worthy of standing on such a stage.
Focus led to victory!
Tang Long was clearly doing just that.
Marbury intended to retaliate from the perimeter, but the ball hit the rim and bounced out. Eddy Curry under the basket was fiercely holding off Tang Long.
Tang Long rarely encountered a player who could push him off balance. Eddy Curry was undoubtedly one of them.
This guy actually pushed Tang Long off balance and was about to get the offensive rebound.
[Absolute Rebound]
Tang Long didn't expect to have to use a skill right from the start.
The cheater Tang Long, at the moment Eddy Curry touched the ball, snatched it back.
It was just too fast.
Eddy Curry landed on the ground and felt as if the basket was shaking from the impact.
This guy is really a tough opponent!
Eddy Curry quickly ran towards his own basket.
At this time, Tang Long had already passed the ball to Larry Hughes, but the Knicks players clearly weren't going to let him pass easily. Randolph had already come up to block him as soon as he crossed half-court.
Marbury was staring closely at James, and Tang Long was still tangled with Eddy Curry. Larry Hughes could only pass the ball to Drew Gooden first.
Drew Gooden drove to the basket. Eddy Curry immediately stopped wrestling with Tang Long and turned to block Drew Gooden's drive. Drew Gooden passed the ball directly to Pavlovic, who was at the three-point line.
Clang!
Pavlovic missed badly, and the ball bounced far away.
Tang Long jumped, but Eddy Curry's massive body shoved him aside. The guy used a dirty trick, fouling Tang Long from above to grab the rebound.
The referee pretended not to see it, as it was the Knicks' home court tonight.
"Kid, you're dreaming if you think you can get rebounds over me."
After getting the rebound, Eddy Curry couldn't resist taunting Tang Long.
"Eddie, don't speak too soon," Tang Long replied coldly.
"Oh really? Do you have any other tricks?"
Eddie sneered dismissively. In between their verbal sparring, he passed the ball to Marbury.
Old Ma brought the ball across half-court, with Drew Gooden and Pavlovic already near the free-throw line.
Blocked from proceeding, most people would usually pass. But Marbury didn't. He drove forward quickly, faked out Pavlovic with a move, and dunked over Drew Gooden.
Boom!
A powerful dunk shook the basket precariously.
Marbury grabbed the rim and swung for a moment before landing, looking triumphantly at a gloomy Drew Gooden.
Unlike the Cavaliers, if Tang Long had made such a dunk, the Cavaliers players would have immediately rushed over excitedly to embrace him.
But the Knicks players not only didn't embrace Marbury, but they were already running back to their own half as Marbury took off for the dunk.
It seemed like there was some internal conflict within the Knicks team?
This was something that could be exploited, Tang Long mused.
...