Looking at Yiyang who was running wildly on the training ground, Nowitzki could clearly feel that Yiyang had always revealed a ruthless spirit when he played recently.

On weekdays, this taciturn guy seems to have a tepid style of playing on the court as well as his personality. But lately, he's been playing very hard.

Take the Mavericks' game against the Hawks on January 29, for example, Yiyang was in the game of Mike. Bibi, a veteran, dunked a total of 4 times on his head and 4 dunks in a game, which is indeed rare for a guard with a style of play like Yiyang.

Usually, Yiyang will not dunk if he can make a layup. And this is also the reason why people often ignore his bouncing power. But that day, it was clear that Yiyang wanted to show himself very much, and his dunk also made the fans in the American Airlines Center arena cry out in their throats. It's just that he pity Bibby, and the veteran can only smile wryly every time Yiyang completes a dunk.

Nowitzki shook his head, it turns out that this guy is not a robot either. Being selected for the All-Star team must have put a lot of pressure on him. You don't need to ask to know how loud the outside world is questioning this now. And Yiyang's way to release pressure is to completely ignite himself on the basketball court.

In fact, Nowitzki doesn't know that there is another reason why Yiyang has been playing so actively recently. It was January 31, and he was about to face an "old friend" who would never want to lose to the other party. Yiyang didn't want to have problems with his state on that day.

"Dirk! What are you doing in a daze!? Carlisle's roar from the sidelines brought the German back to his senses. He smiled apologetically, then picked up the basketball on the ground and continued to warm up.

Speaking of training, a brand new face also appeared on the Mavericks' training ground today.

Peja. When the legendary shooter met Yiyang again this morning, he was no longer in a suit and leather shoes, but in a Mavericks training uniform.

In order to get into the groove and adapt to the field quickly, Peja was one of the earliest players outside of Yiyang today. Before the training officially began, Peja also enthusiastically accompanied Yiyang to practice three-point shooting.

Carlisle believes in Yiyang's ability to learn, and many of Kidd's skills have now been learned by that Tanhuaxiu. Therefore, Carlisle also believes that the arrival of Peja, a legendary goalscorer, will also benefit Yiyang a lot.

"You're still too slow, and maybe it's effective in college. But in the NBA,......" Peja said to Yiyang, shaking his finger. "If you shoot too slowly, you will be easily distracted by the other party. That's why you're on the training pitch but not so much on the field. On the training ground, no one is going to interfere with you. ”

Although it was only his first day with the team, Peja, who had worked hard in the league for so many years, quickly got along with the players. Even Yiyang's "stinky and hard stone" is now obediently listening to Peja talk to him about the essentials of shooting three points.

The team has won four in a row and the players still look in excellent form today. Carlisle nodded with satisfaction, hoping that the game against the Wizards would not have any surprises.

In between practices, it's time for the NBA's mandatory media opening time. The media are pouring out, and most of the reporters are aiming at Yiyang!

"Also, were you surprised to be selected for the Western Conference All-Star Team?"

"Do you think your abilities deserve to be an All-Star!?"

"Does being named to the All-Star team increase your pressure or motivation?"

Although Yiyang is not the only one in the Mavericks to be selected as an All-Star this year, in the eyes of reporters, Nowitzki's selection is not news at all. Ke Yiyang, a rookie from China, was selected to the All-Star team in the strong-ridden West in his first year, and this topic is not comparable to Nowitzki.

In 2003, Yao Ming, who had just entered the league, beat O'Neal to become the starting center of the Western All-Star team. That was the first time that the alliance was made aware of the horror of the Chinese market.

But this year, although Yiyang is not exaggerated enough to directly enter the starting lineup. But a Chinese defender can achieve such an achievement, and the shock is not bad compared to Yao Ming's selection as an All-Star starter back then.

The reporters all looked at Yiyang with anticipation, hoping that this guy could say a few more words. However, Yiyang is still the same, and he can talk about everything in a few seconds.

"I'm happy to be an All-Star, that's my childhood dream."

Seeing Yiyang's expressionless answer, Peja on the side almost couldn't hold back her laughter. This is an extremely official response, presumably taught by his manager. That Chinese rookie is really interesting.

"Of course I'm eligible to be selected for the All-Star team! You ask me why Wall wasn't selected for the Eastern Conference Stars? Do you still need to ask? Because ours is stronger! "Yiyang didn't leave the reporters with anything worth digging up, but here in Big Mouth Gatterry, the reporters finally got something in return.

Terry's appearance of showing off his might in front of reporters made it seem as if Yiyang was cultivated by him. Actually, Terry is just happy for Yiyang, but he habitually shows his unruly appearance.

"This kid is very talented, and in a few years, you can see him as an All-Star starter." Peja, who joined the Mavericks on day one, was not spared and was surrounded by reporters. But the veteran's evaluation of Yiyang is from the heart.

Throughout the media opening hours, reporters talked about Yiyang. This rookie seems to have become the most newsworthy player for the Dallas Mavericks right now.

Yiyang was selected as an All-Star, just in time for the Mavericks to face the Wizards. It's no wonder that journalists are so excited, it's a way to get rich.

However, to Carlisle's delight, when the reporters left, Yiyang, who became a topical figure, did not flutter, but soon entered a state of serious training again.

What newsworthiness, what all-star cast...... None of these things seem to be important to Yiyang. All he cares about now is the game, the fight with the "old friend".

※※※

Showers outside the arena at the U.S. Route Center in Dallas, January 31.

Although the weather is not beautiful, it can't stop Mavericks fans from coming to watch the game. Colourful umbrellas form a long line in front of the entrances to the stadium. Even the heavy rain can't dampen the enthusiasm of the Mavericks fans.

While lining up outside the stadium, reporters noticed that many fans were holding signs with the word "All-Star" written on them. Underneath the word All-Star, there is the number "1".

Maybe the outside world has more doubts about Yiyang's selection into the Western All-Star team, but in the hearts of Dallas fans, there is only joy!

It's just a normal regular season game, with the Mavericks, one of the league's best-performing teams, taking on the Wizards, one of the league's worst-performing teams. Maybe for the rest of the fans, it's a game that doesn't have anything special, to watch or not. But for the fans on both sides, it's a crucial match!

Although in China, the hottest topic is the "Chinese Derby". Because the Wizards have Chinese player Yi Jianlian, while the Mavericks have Yiyang.

But in fact, everyone knows that Yi Jianlian has now lost his place in the Wizards, and whether he will play today is another matter, let alone a Chinese derby.

The real attraction of this game is the two young defenders, Yiyang and Wall!

There was silence in the home dressing room. The players are rushing to change into clean jerseys. Carlisle writes and draws in front of the tactical board, watching his players do it all in an orderly manner.

After everyone had changed their gear, Carlisle also gave the players one last time about tactics. In fact, there is nothing special about playing the Wizards, the Wizards' offense is very messy, most people are fighting on their own, and they may not need Carlisle to do anything, they will mess up.

But because of Yiyang's relationship, Carlisle's attention to this game is also very different. Everyone wants Yiyang to win, including his teammates and coach.

After talking about tactics, Yiyang was the first to get up and leave the locker room and start to warm up on the field.

Coincidentally, Wall was also the first player on the Wizards' side to come out and warm up. Yiyang shot the basket by himself, but Wall took the initiative to come over and talk to Yiyang.

"Hey, congratulations, you've been selected to the All-Star team!" Wall smiled, and the client seemed friendlier than the media that questioned Yiyang.

"Uh...... Thank you. Yiyang didn't know how to respond for a while, and his expression was very stiff.

"Haha, I didn't expect that. When I fought you in high school, I knew you weren't easy. In Summer League, you win a round. Now, we're meeting again in the NBA. Actually, I don't care about the hype of those reporters, and I'm not jealous that you were selected to the All-Star team before me, that doesn't mean anything at all. I just want to ......," Wall said, looking at the basketball in Yiyang's hand. "I just want to have a good fight with you, nothing says it more than a victory!"

"Like Summer League, I'll win again." After listening to this, Yiyang did not remain silent any longer. He remembered that loss in high school, and that win in summer league. Now, he finally has a chance to defeat the No. 1 high school guard in the United States in front of everyone and in an official NBA game.

"We'll see, man." With a friendly smile, Wall turned back to his own half.

This rainy night is not destined to be spent peacefully.