"This game is looking good."
In the broadcast booth, Yang Yi's smile was practically splitting his face.
While the All-Star Game was meant to showcase a team-up of superstars, the lack of competitive spirit and the overwhelming sense of performance had many viewers nodding off.
But things were different now. The stars were serious, they had a sense of winning and losing, and that made it interesting.
"This year's All-Star Game is much more intense than previous years," Yu Jia chimed in. "Usually, they only start getting serious halfway through the fourth quarter, and even then, it's not that serious. They don't really care about winning or losing. This year feels different. Look, Howard is battling Yao Ming in the post. Yao Ming would have yielded before, but now, not only is he not complaining... what a great shot."
As he spoke, Howard backed down Yao Ming and attempted a hook shot.
This was arguably one of Yao Ming's signature moves, and he wouldn't allow someone to score against him using it.
He promptly blocked Howard's shot.
*BEEP.*
The referee's whistle blew, and the ball went out of bounds.
"James, Wade, get ready to go in."
Doc Rivers scanned the players and only called for James and Wade, not Tang Long.
After all, he was the Celtics' head coach, and with Garnett and Tang Long not seeing eye-to-eye, Doc Rivers would naturally side with Garnett.
"Coach, why isn't Tang playing too?"
Doc Rivers shot James a look. "Am I the coach or are you? I know who I'm putting in. If you're not happy, you can be the coach."
"What kind of attitude is that?"
If it were Mike Brown, James might have let him talk a bit. But Doc Rivers wasn't the Cavaliers' coach and had no relation to him. He'd merely asked a question and was met with a harsh scolding. James wasn't about to take that.
"LeBron, forget it."
Tang Long pulled James aside, urging him to calm down.
This was the annual All-Star Game, with countless cameras and reporters present. If they got into an unpleasant situation with Doc Rivers, who knew what the newspapers would write the next day.
Besides, it was only for now that he wasn't playing. He was the leading All-Star vote-getter. If he didn't play in the fourth quarter, not only would Stern object, but the fans would too.
"You're too nice sometimes."
James glared at Tang Long, a hint of annoyance in his eyes that Tang Long wasn't arguing with Doc Rivers.
"Don't worry, I know what I'm doing."
Tang Long patted James's shoulder. Just then, the referee signaled for substitutions, and James finally brought in the reserve players.
...
"We can see that James and Wade have entered the game," Yang Yi said, frowning as he stared at the live feed for a while. "Why isn't Tang Long playing yet? James and Wade are already in. Are they going to let Howard keep playing?"
"Perhaps Doc Rivers wants Tang Long to rest a bit longer. After all, Tang Long was the player with the most minutes in the NBA before."
Although Zhang Zhi gave this explanation, he clearly didn't believe it.
The All-Star Game wasn't a league game, and he wasn't Tang Long's head coach. There was no reason for him to conserve the energy of a Cavaliers player.
Furthermore, the Cavaliers had been performing exceptionally well this season, and they might well be rivals in the future. Under normal circumstances, they would try to wear down Tang Long's stamina, so there was no logical reason to keep him from playing.
"Are they trying to save their final push for the latter half of the fourth quarter?"
Yang Yi looked at the two of them suspiciously.
This explanation was somewhat plausible, but if so, Tang Long's playing time wouldn't be as much as everyone had expected.
Seeing that Tang Long hadn't come on, and Yao Ming had the advantage against Howard, the Western Conference didn't substitute Yao Ming. Instead, they brought in Nowitzki for Amar'e Stoudemire to add an outlet pass option on the perimeter.
At the same time, they replaced West with Iverson to strengthen their offense.
"Frankly, I'm a bit confused at this point, but they are legitimate coaches, so they must have their tactical intentions."
...
"Bosh, there's a team dinner tomorrow. Are you interested?"
After Bosh came off the court, Tang Long extended an invitation to the players who had just exited. Since most of the Eastern Conference starters, except for Garnett, had already agreed to attend, Bosh and the others readily accepted.
Having secured the Eastern Conference players, Tang Long stood up.
"Tang, what are you doing?"
Doc Rivers saw Tang Long standing up and heading towards the Western Conference players, and asked with a frown.
"Oh, I'm planning to treat everyone to a dinner tomorrow, just going to pass out some invitations now."
Tang Long tossed the words over his shoulder and casually went to sit beside Duncan.
Doc Rivers glared fiercely at the Western Conference bench.
What was the meaning of this?
He hadn't even invited them yet, and Tang Long was already inviting the Western Conference players. This guy had no manners. He wondered how Mike Brown tolerated him.
Doc Rivers snorted and turned his gaze back to the court. He had originally planned to put Tang Long in about five or six minutes into the third quarter, but this guy was too irritating. Doc Rivers decided to let Tang Long play a bit in the fourth quarter instead.
Tang Long was unaware of Doc Rivers' intentions at the moment. He was currently engaging in lively conversation with the Western Conference players.
"Tim, there's a dinner tomorrow. Are you guys coming? We're linking up with the film and television industry."
Before Duncan could reply, Roy leaned in. "Tang, you're only inviting Duncan? What about the rest of us?"
"What do you mean? If you're willing to come, I'd be delighted," Tang Long chuckled. "I just don't know everyone that well. I was planning to have Duncan invite you all. Since you've mentioned it, I officially invite everyone to attend tomorrow's dinner."
"No problem, I'll definitely be there."
"Me too."
Boozer and Roy agreed without hesitation.
Tang Long then looked at Nowitzki. Nowitzki pondered for a moment. "If you're willing to join the Mavericks, I'll participate."
"Then forget it, I..."
"No, I'll come. Look at you being so stingy, I was just kidding."
Nowitzki was unusually relaxed.
"Then it's settled."
As they were talking, the Western Conference used a substitution. Roy and Boozer replaced Kobe and Anthony, and Duncan replaced Yao Ming.
"Brother Yao."
Tang Long stood up and high-fived Yao Ming. Since Roy and Boozer had been so cordial, Tang Long took the opportunity to high-five them as well. The cameras happened to pan over at that moment.
...
"Did I just imagine that? Tang Long was high-fiving Western Conference players?"