October 21, 2017, 9 a.m. local time in Houston.

The Rockets' first home press conference of the new season.

Because the first two games of the season were scheduled in Oakland and Sacramento on the West Coast, the Rockets won two consecutive games in back-to-back games, and the press conference was particularly lively, with reporters from all walks of life in the room.

Head coach D'Antoni, All-Star guard James Harden, white forward Ryan Anderson, and Chinese player Yang Yiming, who joined unexpectedly, were all in attendance. In order to assist Yang Yiming in the interview, Yu Xiaochun, who had just been hired as his assistant and translator, also sat down.

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"How is Zhou Qi's injury?"

The first question was asked by CCTV's sports reporter in Houston, who apparently prepared in advance and spent a lot of effort in order to track down the Chinese figure who appeared in the NBA again after many years.

"He suffered a fracture of his right hand in training and is expected to recover for three months to 15 weeks." Coach D'Antoni answered the question, "Zhou Qi is a big man with a lot of potential, and he still has a long way to go, so we don't want to rush too much. We wish him a full recovery. There's a good chance he'll be back around All-Star Weekend – when we'll have more interior options and more mobility. ”

"What are you expecting from your first home game?"

The local media in Houston threw the problem to the team's star player, James Harden. In the night's game, the Rockets will face their state-based rivals Dallas Mavericks at home at the Toyota Center.

"The Mavericks are a resilient team, and while they've had a bad recent record, their head coach Carlisle and the players represented by Nowitzki are experienced. Their group of guards will cause problems from the outside. Harrison Barnes plays aggressively, he's a player with a championship ring, and we need to be extra careful. ”

After a few compliments, Harden suddenly changed the tone and continued, "But we have to win this game, not only because of those historical feuds and old enemies of the Texas Civil War, but also because if we want to fight for a championship, this is the kind of opponent we need to win." ”

"There is no room for error."

When the bearded man said this, he spat out word by word, and his eyes widened. I don't know if he really made up his mind or if his acting personality prevailed again, but the message he sent to the Mavericks game was indeed felt by everyone in the room.

"In the last game against the Kings, how would you rate the opposing rookie, Daron Fox, the fifth pick in the first round this year?"

ESPN's reporter asks Anderson a question. In that game, Daron Fox had a brilliant debut, scoring 14 points, 4 rebounds and 5 assists.

Ryan Anderson, one of the team's tactical fulcrums, has played for several NBA teams in his career, and was named the Most Improved Player, and his answer is obviously very tactful: "Fox is a good young man. He has good physicality, great ball sense and a great vision. In an atmosphere like the Kings, with a veteran like Vince Carter teaching by example, I'm sure he'll grow up pretty quickly. ”

"But," Anderson added after a pause of a few seconds, "the season has just begun, and we'll have to wait and see how he performs, right?" What's more, shouldn't we pay more attention to the home team Rockets in this press conference? ”

"So you've been shooting hard lately, how are you going to adjust?"

The ESPN reporter may have felt that Anderson's answer was too official, and couldn't help but ask aggressively.

"I've always been confident in my shots, and I'm excited to stay with the Rockets this summer and play alongside such good teammates. All I need to do as a shooter is keep shooting and shooting again and again until I get in. "Anderson is really an old man of the alliance, and such difficulties are not difficult for him.

"I'm going to keep passing the ball to him until he scores." James Harden chimed in, jokingly and pretending to complain, "You'd better get your damn feel back quickly, though." ”

The audience burst into laughter.

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"Chinese Yang, how are you adjusting to the rhythm of the NBA? How do you rate your debut? ”

Another Houston media outlet asked Yang Yiming a question. He leaned over to Yu Koharu's lips and pretended to need to ask the latter to confirm the translation, but Koharu knew that he had already understood, and was just thinking about the most appropriate answer.

"I'm pretty happy with my first game." Yang Yiming didn't speak quickly, but the words of his answer were accurate, and everyone could hear it clearly, "The NBA is fast-paced and the confrontation is more intense, so I need to seize the limited opportunities to perform and learn more from my teammates." ”

Yang Yiming spread his finger to the two teammates next to him, James Harden and Ryan Anderson.

"Of course, it would have been perfect if the coach had allocated me more playing time."

Yang Yiming turned to head coach D'Antoni with a little playfulness, as if to force the old man to make a statement in front of everyone.

The audience burst into laughter.

"So Coach D'Antoni, will you give Ullis Young more playing time?"

After the laughter, a keen reporter immediately asked.

"Absolutely. But we'll look at training performance and stamina and adjust everyone's playing time accordingly. 82 regular-season games is a long process, and I ask anyone to be ready at all times. ”

Sure enough, D'Antoni is the real old man among everyone.

"And how are you settling in Houston? What is your impression of the city? ”

An editor of a local newspaper in the Life section asked.

"To be honest, this is my second morning in Houston, and I haven't had time to jump to conclusions." Everyone smiled knowingly.

"But both mornings were good – at least the questions weren't too difficult for the conference." Yang Yiming also seems to be starting to appreciate the appropriate tactfulness and humor in the face of the media, "But all the Houstonians I've met so far are kind and welcoming, and everyone is trying to help me — the Mexican restaurant we went to last night was delicious and had a good meal." Capela also said he was going to rent out the side room at his villa in Houston for me — though I couldn't afford it. ”

There was another laugh, and it seemed that everyone was really satisfied with this funny and lively Chinese boy. Yu Xiaochun thought silently.

"And what are your goals for the future?"

Accompanying reporter from the Houston Rockets. The questions thrown to Yang Yiming seemed to be unstoppable.

"Hall of Fame. Hall of Fame。 ”

"Excuse me, what do you mean?" Although Yang Yiming's answer was only three concise words, the reporter still couldn't believe that he really heard it clearly.

"I want to be a Hall of Famer like Yao Ming and many Rockets legends."

Yang Yiming explained again.

"Wow..."In a burst of exclamation, Yang Yiming was greeted by the baptism of flashing lights this time.

3/

"Alright, one last question."

The moderator interrupted and tried to divert everyone's attention.

"Yang Yiming is not a very famous player in China. He didn't go through a tryout, so I wonder how the Rockets decided to bring him to the NBA. ”

This last question comes from a sports columnist. Apparently he studied some of the details of Team Rocket.

"Scouting."

D'Antoni went on to explain, "We have experienced scouts all over the world. They will track a player for years of playing and training. It was through their detailed data and reports that we were able to select a top-notch basketball talent like Ulysis Young and eventually bring him to the United States. Thank you! ”

Talented?

Scouting?!

Yu Xiaochun, who was present and heard D'Antoni's answer, was suddenly startled at this time.

The words of Scott Karonsky II, the mysterious man he met by chance in Sacramento, still echo in my ears:

"Your Chinese friend Yang has the top 10 numbers of all rookies this year!"

Could it be that this big man sitting next to me is really as talented as he said?

Yu Xiaochun thought secretly.

If you have the chance, you must go back to meet that Kalonsky!