Chapter 108: From the First Minute
"Michael, you can see that you're in good shape today."
Watching Wu Rui throw in a mid-range shot during the warm-up, Magic head coach Frank Vogel patted the young man on the shoulder: "You know, the significance of this game is not just about the regular season. β
"Of course, Coach, I understand."
Wu Rui knew why Vogel said this.
Although before the game, everyone said that it was just an ordinary regular season, everyone knew that this game was more than that!
Milwaukee Bucks, Janis Antetokounmpo, this is the culprit who made Yi Tian miss a game and led to the Magic's home defeat!
Wu Rui has never been a cautious person, and similarly, he has never been a person who has revenge and does not take revenge!
"If only you understood."
Vogel smiled: "So in this game, you will start at home. β
"Starters?"
Vogel's decision was a bit of a surprise to Wu Rui, and so far this season, his definition in the team has been to act as a bench bandit, leading the second team to compete with the opposite second team.
Although I occasionally play against the opposite starter, I have never been a starter in the real sense!
"That's right, I ask you to be entangled with Janis from the first minute."
Vogel smiled indescribably: "Settle him, I think you can do it." β
"Coach, but I've never started."
For the first time in his career, Wu Rui felt a little panicked.
"It's like it's time for the team to score, and I'll send you on the field."
Vogel's explanation was simple: "Go, Michael, sooner or later there will be such a day, but today everything is just right." β
Just like Vogel said, Janis Antetokounmpo, elbowed Wu Rui, and Wu Rui has an indispensable story.
And this game is the second game of Wu Rui's comeback, just came back in the last game, Wu Rui's good state proves that he has not been affected by injuries at all.
Add to that the fact that in so many games, Vogel has tried too many starting changes at the small forward position.
Jeff Green has played as a starter, and Aaron Gordon has also played as a starter, but only Wu Rui, who has been contributing stable firepower, has never started.
Today is the opportunity for everything to begin, and Wu Rui deserves this start!
As time goes on, the referee takes to the court, and the second meeting between the Bucks and the Magic is about to begin.
The starting lineup sent by the Bucks is unchanged from the first meeting, which is still Drawedova, Snell, John Henson, Jabari Parker and Janis Antetokounmpo!
"Janis looks a lot stronger, and he has been waiting for a long time for today's game!"
The commentator on the sidelines analyzed it, looked at the magic on the other side, and was suddenly shocked: "Look! The Magic's starters have changed! β
"Jeff Green and Aaron Gordon are both sitting on the sidelines, which means that Michael Wu will start for the first time in his career in today's game!"
While speaking, the Magic starters stood on the court, Ibaka and Vucevic bore the brunt, Payton Jr. and Fournier followed, and the last to appear was Wu Rui wearing the Magic No. 0 jersey!
"Phewβ"
As soon as Wu Rui appeared on the stage, tens of thousands of Bucks fans at the scene began to erupt in thunderous boos towards the Chinese rookie!
"Fake falls, you shouldn't appear in the NBA is arena!"
"Touch it and fall, is your body white!"
"Cowards who don't have physical confrontation, go home and play table tennis!"
"Is the head coach of the Magic a fool to let this kind of person start?"
The fans at the scene showed no mercy at all, spraying foul language one by one, and some even raised their middle fingers at Wu Rui!
"Welcome to Milwaukee, Michael Wu!"
Similarly, Brother Alphabet didn't have a good face for Wu Rui, standing beside him, Antetokounmpo gritted his teeth and said, "Today I will lock you up from the first minute of the game!" β
"That's how you're hospitality?"
Standing on the court, Wu Rui changed his face and played a scoundrel: "I'm an away player, a guest in Milwaukee." β
"Put away your trash talk, Milwaukee never treats the visitors well!"
Antetokounmpo has no nonsense, he just wants to quickly defeat the Chinese rookie in front of him!
At the same time, the jump ball began, and it was probably Wu Rui's first start that gave Vucevic strength, the big center who lost nine times out of ten jump balls, won the jump ball this time rarely, and took advantage of the situation to put the ball in the hands of Magic point guard Payton Jr.
The latter skillfully dribbles forward, fingers raised in the air.
Ibaka understood and came to Wu Rui's side, obviously wanting to help him block and dismantle.
"Sergi, no need."
But when he was about to put on a posture, he was stopped by Wu Rui.
Looking at Brother Alphabet in front of him, Wu Rui waved his hand: "Pull it away, I want to single him!" β
"Michael, you have to think clearly, this is no joke!"
Ibaka was taken aback by Wu Rui's sudden request, Wu Rui had never seen any scoring methods except for the empty mid-range shot after blocking and dismantling!
"Trust me, man, this one, I have to single."
Wu Rui's position was very firm, and Ibaka was not easy to insist, so he had no choice but to run to the basket and let Payton Jr. pass the ball at the same time.
Payton Jr. was also confused by his teammates' fascination.
When did the team's usual tactics change?
"Pass, buddy, pass!"
But Wu Rui didn't stop asking for the ball, and Ibaka took the defender away, and he shouted at Payton Jr. again.
Seeing Wu Rui's determined appearance, Peyton Jr. also gritted his teeth, and the ball was shot and fell into Wu Rui's hands!
"Michael Wu refused a teammate's block, but still took the initiative to ask for the ball, and he was going to single Giannis Antetokounmpo!"
The commentator on the sidelines didn't expect the match to get straight to the point from the start: "It's unbelievable, so far this season, I haven't seen Michael's personal singles highlights, is there any secret trick hidden by this young man from across the ocean!" β
"Even if he has a trick and wants to single Janis without the help of a pick-and-roll, Michael is still a little too big!" Another commentator shook his head: "The Greek monster has an arm span of 2.21 meters, and his defense is solid!" β
Brother Alphabet also thought so, he never thought that Wu Rui would be stupid enough to fight himself!
Taking a step forward, he didn't even raise his hand, he just opened his arms and let Wu Rui break through.
"Whoosh!"
At this moment, Wu Rui suddenly moved!
There was no shaking, no feints, or even preparation, he took the ball, jumped up directly, his body collapsed, and he shot in the middle!
Antetokounmpo didn't expect him to shoot unprepared, and could only watch the basketball arc perfectly in the air before falling into the net!
The ball went in, and Wu Rui blew into his palm: "From the first minute, I will penetrate your defense." β