Starting from the last bus in the NBA

Chapter 57 Starting position
29:25
As the referee's whistle sounded, the first quarter ended and the score on the court was frozen.

Seeing this result, Paul Westphal was a little distressed.

Vernon Maxwell, the super sixth man in his mind, did not perform as expected.

The surprise that Wang Hao brought to him disappeared without a trace.

However, he is very patient, perhaps because the new season has just started and the old players have not adjusted well.

Otherwise, he would not have given most of the quarter.

He can also see that this pure substitute lineup is much worse than the starting lineup, even compared to the opponent.

Sharad Lewis is still inconsistent, Ruben Patterson has defense but offense is close to nothing...

As for the others, it seems that there is nothing to rely on.

There is only one Vernon Maxwell, and hopefully he can get back to form soon.

Back in the second quarter, Paul Westphal continued to adjust the lineup, allowing the starters and substitutes to play a mixed game.

Wang Hao's playing time was a bit scattered, he was cut into pieces, and he partnered with everyone.

This can be regarded as the norm in the preseason. After all, adjusting the lineup and finding the right style of play are the most critical.

Although the playing time was a bit chaotic, Wang Hao still maintained a very good state.

Especially outside the three-point line, with Gary Payton and Wen Baker pulling inside, he got a lot of opportunities.

全场比赛结束的时候，王昊13投8中，三分球8投4中，罚球4投3中。

在首场季前赛中，他得到了23分6篮板3助攻，还有2次抢断和1次盖帽。

Very comprehensive data, from offense to defense, Wang Hao has shown strong potential.

Not just potential, but also immediate combat power.

If Wang Hao can continue to perform like this, he has every chance to enter the rookie lineup of this season.

As for competing for the best rookie, it is not impossible.

In the end, the Sonics defeated the Atlanta Hawks from afar 107 to 96 and won their first preseason victory.

Although the preseason is not yet an official game, the start of the preseason also means the start of a new season.

No, there will be a press conference after the game.

As the start of the new season, the interviewees must naturally be the head coach and the leading star.

When Paul Westphal and Gary Payton appeared at the press conference, there was thunderous applause.

After all, it was the first game of the new season, and the team was able to win the game, so the reporter still gave face.

Those present were mainly local newspapers in Seattle, and their attitude towards the home team was naturally much friendlier.

"Paul, do we have a chance to hit the playoffs this year?"

"Of course, the playoffs are just the beginning. I believe we will go further this year."

"Gary, what do you think of the current state of the team?"

"Very good, our lineup is very reasonable, the players are also very passionate, I think this year we will definitely surprise everyone."

"What is your response to ESPN ranking you No. 10 in the West?"

Speaking of this, Gary Payton was particularly unhappy.

ESPN conducts rankings every year, not only the rankings of the teams, but also the rankings of the players.

In the player's personal strength ranking, Gary Payton was ranked fourth, which made him very unhappy.

In his own opinion, he is the best player in the NBA. In terms of ranking, he must be in the top three.

Wang Hao was also very upset because he was not on the list at all.

More than that, in the team rankings, the Sonics were ranked tenth in the West.

No one even qualified for the playoffs, how can this make people happy?
In fact, according to the superficial strength, this is not too exaggerated.

Although Gary Payton is a superstar, basketball has never been a sport for one person.

Wen Baker is too drunk, Horace Grant is too old, and Brent Barry is not a player who can bring surprises.

As for the others, they are either NBA bums or rookies, what strength can this have?
Gary Payton would not analyze these things calmly, he said with an unhappy face.

"ESPN rankings? Come on, no one really believes this stuff, right?

I remember, in the ESPN rookie draft prediction a few months ago, Wang was not selected?
As for this ranking, we have seen many newcomers appear, but there is still no king.

Looking at Wang's performance in the summer league and today, how can you believe this? "

Today's Wang Hao has become a public tool, and it seems that anyone can use it.

Displeased with the media, he took Wang Hao out and flogged the media's draft predictions.

Displeased with the team, he took Wang Hao out to talk about the draft, and then scolded the team for being blind.

……

Speaking of Wang Hao, the reporters at the scene were also interested: "Paul, what are your plans for Wang Hao, will he be the team's starter?"

"Wang? This is definitely our biggest surprise this season. As for starting, nothing is impossible."

Paul Westphal's statement basically acquiesced in Wang Hao's starting position.

In fact, there is no one in the current Supersonics who can compete with Wang Hao.

Sharad Lewis and Ruben Patterson are also second-year rookies. As for Vernon Maxwell, he is old.

"Gary, can you comment on the king?"

"Of course, this is a player full of talent, and I honestly don't understand at all that he almost fell out.

He is also a very competitive and courageous person, as you can imagine, on the first day of the new season, he dared to fight me with the bull.

Also, he won, and as a price, I've been coaching his defense, and his growth has been critical to us. "

……

Originally, the media's interest in Wang Hao was not small, but now they are extremely excited when they hear Gary Payton's words.

Bullfighting won Gary Payton, incredible.

Although Gary Payton is not a bullfighting master like Jordan, he is still the top star in the NBA.

Sure enough, by the next day, there were many news about Wang Hao.

Especially the media in Seattle are full of expectations for him, looking forward to his performance in the new season.

From a player who was almost undrafted to now being regarded by the media as a strong contender for the All-Rookie Team, it is a world-shaking change.

Since coming to the United States, Wang Hao has also developed the habit of reading newspapers. After all, it was an era without smartphones.

He naturally saw Paul Westphal and Gary Payton, and there were comments about him.

Especially Gary Payton, he did not hesitate to go off the court himself and gave him a hand.

You know, NBA stars are very concerned about face, and such things as losing to others are definitely the last thing they want to talk about.

For example, Brian Russell, after being knocked down by Jordan, was the lore, and bid farewell to the championship in the final.

Even after many years, Brian Russell is still resentful about this, and wants to fight Jordan one-on-one to save face.

It is not difficult to see that they are all a group of face-saving people.

(End of this chapter)