Host: Tang Long.
Age: 20 years old.
Nationality: Huaxia.
Confrontation Strength: 85 (NBA player average is 80)
Running Speed: 85 (NBA player average is 80)
Stamina: 85 (NBA player average is 80)
Vertical Leap: 70 (NBA player average is 70)
Hang Time: 40 (NBA player average is 30)
Basketball IQ - Reading the Game: 90 (NBA player average is 80)
Skills: None at the moment.
Below are the basic attributes for a center.
Mid-range Shot: 55
Three-pointer: 40
Dunk: 90
Layup: 90
Rebounds: 85
Blocks: 85
Steals: 30
Passing: 45
Dribbling: 55
Post Offense: 90
After reviewing his basic attributes, Tang Long had a clear understanding of his capabilities. As a traditional center, his post offense, rebounding, and blocking were naturally commendable. In 2007, the league was no longer dominated by traditional big men. The 1990s were the golden age of centers, with legends like Hakeem Olajuwon, David Robinson, Patrick Ewing, and Karl Malone, who could play both power forward and center. Even a young Shaquille O'Neal, who had recently entered the league, was a top-tier interior player. In the current era, quality centers were becoming increasingly rare, with only Yao Ming, Dwight Howard, and O'Neal being prominent names in the league. Furthermore, O'Neal was aging and past his prime. This meant that Tang Long, at twenty years old and at the peak of his physical condition, with the fusion of Murasakibara Atsushi, was destined to become a top-tier center in the league in the future.
When the Cavaliers faced the Rockets and Magic, Tang Long would have the opportunity for one-on-one matchups against super big men like Yao Ming and Dwight Howard. The thought alone filled him with excitement. Before his transmigration, Tang Long greatly admired Yao Ming. Now, having traveled to the NBA in 2007, he had a real chance to engage in a post-up duel with his idol!
"Haha, this is awesome! This is like a perfect story progression. Just watch how I dominate the league from now on!" Tang Long's heart swelled with ambition.
At this moment, as the Wizards' DJ loudly announced the starting lineups for both teams, the stage was set for the night's showdown. The Wizards' starting lineup was as follows:
Point Guard: Gilbert Arenas, nicknamed Agent Zero and The General. He was known for his explosive scoring, deceptive moves, and accurate shooting; Tang Long was very familiar with him. In his prime at Staples Center, Arenas was a player who could go toe-to-toe with Kobe Bryant in a scoring battle!
Shooting Guard: Deshawn Stevenson. Stevenson initially played for the Utah Jazz before being traded to the Washington Wizards. His performance with the Wizards was mediocre, averaging 11.7 points per game, but his scoring efficiency was decent, and he was considered a blue-collar player for the Wizards.
Small Forward: Caron Butler. Unlike Stevenson, Caron Butler was a primary scorer for this Wizards team, averaging an impressive 21.4 points per game, even more potent than Arenas. Butler possessed a strong offensive game in both the post and high post. Tang Long intended to lock down Caron Butler as an offensive threat tonight. If Butler dared to drive to the paint, Tang Long was ready to deliver a thunderous block.
Power Forward: Antawn Jamison.
Center: Brendan Haywood.
Meanwhile, the Cavaliers' starting lineup was: Larry Hughes, Aleksandar Pavlović, LeBron James, Drew Gooden, and finally, Tang Long. Due to Zydrunas Ilgauskas's accidental injury and absence, James had suggested Tang Long take his place, securing him this starting opportunity for the night. Playing alongside LeBron James meant no worries about a lack of ball possession. After all, the entire world knew that James was more than willing to share the ball with his teammates.
The game was about to begin as the referee walked to center court with the ball. The first possession would typically be decided by a jump ball between the two centers. James approached Tang Long and said, "Hey, Tang, don't be nervous. Just play like we do in practice. We don't need you to score a lot of points. Just play good defense, and we won't lose this game!" James, thinking that the young man from Longguo might be a bit nervous about his first start, offered encouragement.
Tang Long smiled at James, his grin a little comical. "Don't need me to score a lot of points?" he thought. "Brother, you have no idea how monstrous Murasakibara Atsushi is. Besides his impenetrable defense, Murasakibara Atsushi's offensive firepower is on par with a prime Shaq!" With this incredibly powerful dimensional-level template, anything less than thirty points tonight would be a disappointment for Tang Long.
"LeBron, don't worry, I won't let you down on either end of the court. Now, please, watch my performance!" Tang Long's words left James wide-eyed. What was that? This young man from Longguo was incredibly confident! Confidence was good, but it shouldn't turn into arrogance.
"Okay, Tang, we'll look forward to your performance." James smiled, not taking Tang Long's words too seriously. Who would believe what a benchwarmer said? He just assumed Tang Long was bragging.
However, what followed was a series of astonishing plays from Tang Long that truly stunned James. In the opening jump ball, Tang Long overpowered Haywood. His attribute panel indicated that his average vertical leap surpassed most NBA players. Moreover, at 215 cm, Tang Long's height completely overshadowed Haywood. In the first tip-off, Tang Long, as expected, tipped the ball towards the Cavaliers' side. Larry Hughes, the point guard, quickly secured possession. James and the others watched Tang Long with awe; his jump in the tip-off had genuinely startled them.
"Oh my god! Tang, you're something else! Your vertical leap is amazing. You completely dominated Haywood! Were you holding back in our practice games?" James looked at Tang Long with newfound interest, as if he had discovered a new continent. The jump in the tip-off had indeed surprised him.
On the bench, Coach Mike Brown adjusted his glasses and looked at Tang Long with disbelief. No one had anticipated Tang Long possessing such formidable physical attributes! His scout report hadn't indicated him being this exceptional. Why the drastic change tonight? Was it an illusion? Or perhaps this young player from Longguo had suddenly been possessed by a Saiyan?
As Mike Brown pondered, the Cavaliers' offense began. Larry Hughes drove to the basket, drawing the attention of the interior players. Tang Long moved into position and, seeing Hughes drive in, immediately raised his hand, signaling for a pass. Larry Hughes had initially intended to pass the ball out to the team's star player, LeBron James. But seeing the newcomer Tang Long waving for the ball, Hughes instinctively passed it to him without much thought.
Upon receiving the ball, Tang Long didn't hesitate. He initiated a post-up offensive move, backing down Haywood with force. Then, right over Haywood's head, he unleashed a fierce, thunderous dunk!
"CRASH!!"
The beast-like dunk was incredibly powerful. Right from the start, Tang Long delivered a statement to Haywood, dunking over him to finish the Cavaliers' first offensive possession.