40, the genius of Illinois
In 03, the whole world knew that this was the time for Jordan to retire, and it was no surprise that after this retirement, Jordan would not be able to make a comeback, so many fans wanted to see Jordan's last time with their own eyes, and even if they couldn't be there in person, fans also wanted to be able to watch live TV.
As a result, the ratings for this year's All-Star Weekend were very high, and the players who were able to appear on the stage of the All-Star Weekend were naturally in the spotlight.
Wu Di was able to average 9.8 points, 1.7 rebounds and 1.2 steals per game before the All-Star weekend, and his personal three-point shooting percentage was 38.9%, 37.7% and 68.6%. That's a good performance among this year's rookies.
Of course, the main thing is that he has put on a lot of game-turning performances, and his strength in key moments is memorable, so this year he was selected for the first-year team.
His teammate, Gilbert Arenas, was selected to the second-year team, and the two will be opponents in the Rookie Challenge.
In the Phillips Arena, the huge screen is showing dazzling individual performances, and the atmosphere of the entire stadium is extremely hot.
Many young fans were talking and shouting about today's game, and looking at their excitement was enough to imagine what it would be like tomorrow's game.
When Wu Di appeared on the court, it also caused a wave of restlessness among the fans, obviously, there is too much news about Wu Di these days, and people can always hear things related to him, so Wu Di was more successful in stealing the spotlight during the All-Star Weekend.
During the practice, Yao Ming chatted with Wu Di, the big man was very happy today, he told Wu Di that the CCTV live broadcast team had come to the scene today, and the rookie game would be broadcast throughout China, and he hoped that Wu Di could perform well.
Subsequently, Wu Di met with a person from the live broadcast team under Yao Ming's introduction, because there was no language problem, so it was more convenient to talk.
Although the chat was very short, the other party's kind attitude left a good impression on Wu Di, and Wu Di also remembered the name of that person, his name was Zhang Weiping.
Wu Di knew that he had interviewed Wilt Chamberlain, which was what surprised Wu Di.
Atlanta fans have no prejudice against Wu Di, and Wu Di is also at ease at the scene, doing warm-up training with several first-year players.
"Wu, what do you think of today's game?"
Ginobili approached Wu Di with a smile on his face.
Wu Di was a little stunned, this Ginobili is a well-known figure, he only entered the NBA this year and played his first season, and he naturally has a place in this year's All-Star Rookie Game. It's just that Wu Di didn't expect that this guy would take the initiative to talk to himself.
Regarding Ginobili's friendliness, Wu Di can only think that the whole team is the reason why the two of them are international players.
"Today's race won't be easy, but it's not too tough."
This answer obviously made Ginobili a little curious.
He wanted to talk to other people just now, but those guys obviously didn't have a good impression of him, so he found the Chinese in front of him. Wu Di is not a small fame, after all, he successfully slapped Barkley in the face not long ago, which made no one on the scene particularly unfamiliar with him.
"If Wu Di doesn't play, then the game will definitely not be easy, and if Wu Di is willing to perform, then today's game will be much easier."
Ginobili couldn't help but roll his eyes, this guy really didn't know if he was confident or arrogant.
Of course, Ginobili didn't take Wu Di's words to heart, anyway, the two of them were chatting at will, so he naturally wouldn't take it too seriously.
Ginobili looked at Wu Di, who seemed to be serious, and an inexplicable smile appeared on his face: "Then Wu Di is unwilling to play today?" Or are you willing to behave? ”
"Manu, do you still need to think about this? Wu Di came prepared today, and he was happy to take the trophy home......"
……
In the stands, Kelly looked at the scene on the court, it seemed that everyone was keeping a certain distance from Wu Di and Ginobili, although she didn't understand things on the basketball court, but she could still find this subtlety.
"Charles, Wu Di and that long-haired guy, why are the two of them talking, and it seems that others don't want to talk so much about the two of them?"
Oakley was not far from Kelly, and after hearing Kelly's question, he replied without thinking: "Needless to say, although Ginobili defeated the American team, he is not a hero in our land, and not many people will like him." As for Wu Dimo, he is not a good stubble. Of course, I think those guys can stay away from Wu Di, maybe in their hearts, Wu Di is not enough at this level. ”
Obviously, Oakley is saying that these people on the field feel that Wu Di is not qualified to play this game, plus his Chinese status, so he will not be treated much.
"Oh, damn it, is Wu Di's level so bad? When he was in Illinois, no one on the team was as good as him. Although this guy is always reluctant to pull out, there is no denying his talent and ability. ”
Oakley thought Kelly's words were a little ridiculous, Illinois is the best? But this is a place where all the talents are concentrated, and it is the best basketball mecca in the whole of the United States, and even in the whole world.
"He doesn't want to pull out?" Wu Di is his good friend, and Oakley is more optimistic about Wu Di's prospects, and when he heard Kelly's words, he also showed a lot of interest.
"Well, Wu Di suffered a serious knee injury in his freshman year, and since then, his style of play has changed a lot, and he is just shooting now, and he didn't do that before."
"Oh? What was his style of play before he got injured? Oakley has always felt that Wu Di, who is so physically active, should not just shoot on the outside, but now that Kelly says it, it seems that he understands a little.
"Before the injury? He often dunks, and many big men are jealous of him. You know, Wu Di jumped too high, and I rarely saw him jump that height? ”
Oakley raised an eyebrow, it seems that Wu Di's talent does not just exist on the surface? It's rare to see him jump over that height? Could it be that his bounce is even better? If that were the case, it would be terrifying!
At this time, several wonderful dunks of Wu Di this season were playing on the screen at the scene, and Oakley immediately stretched out his finger.
"That, that, can it be compared to Wu Di before?"
A few dunks from Wu Di, hitting the Raptors, dunks after avoiding Carter's block, hitting the Pistons, dunking Rasheed Wallace, hitting the Cavaliers, and dunking man Ricky Davis...... Each dunk showcases Wu Di's frightening physical talent, and he jumps so high that every defender tries to defend him, but instead becomes the background for Wu Di's dunk.
"The height of the dunk may be about the same, but he didn't jump as fast as before, and he used to rub up, and no one would be able to defend him at such a height" Kelly couldn't help but shake her head.
Oakley was shocked when he heard this, and Kelly's expression obviously meant that Wu Di's explosiveness had declined a lot after a knee injury. However, the current Wu Di is surprising enough in terms of bounce and bounce speed, if he is completely healthy?
That's unrealistic, and obviously I don't dare to imagine it. Oakley couldn't help but shake his head, after all, Wu Di had been injured, and this body wanted to return to its original state? Apparently impossible. After all, the human body can only deteriorate......
"Hey, Kelly, did Doug know Wu Di before?" Oakley asked suddenly.
"Of course, I've always known that Wu Di's entry into Illinois was recommended by him."
Oakley had a look of sudden realization on his face, as if the intersection between Wu Di and the Doug family had lasted for a long time.
"Zhilu Dao, Kelly, I suddenly want to know Lu Dao, when did you and Wu Di start? This is really surprising, I wonder if Coach Doug has always known about it? I think Coach Doug must have always known that Wu Di had a good life as soon as he arrived at the team, and as an old guy, I have always regretted that I didn't have a whole rookie. But only Taryn is doing well......"
"Hey, Tyron, I'm right, you're putting something in that little one's Uno, aren't you?" Oakley saw that Kelly's face was not good, and immediately changed his words and stopped discussing Wu Di's relationship with her.
Tyronn Lue sat not far away, and next to him was a seductive woman, who was not happy that Oakley had disturbed him.
"Charles, those things are only done by you old birds. Kelly, Wu Di and I are good brothers, and the things Charles said don't exist at all. If you really want to know the Dao, you can imagine who is more likely to do those things. ”
"Oh, damn it, Tyron, I think I should talk to him about the last time Wu Di caught that snake in his car, he's always wanted to know who did it."