The Orlando Magic have been performing exceptionally well this season.
Besides their star player, Dwight Howard, the Magic also boast point guard Jameer Nelson.
Last season, Nelson averaged 19.2 points, 5.8 assists, and 1.7 steals, numbers that placed him among the top point guards in the entire league!
Although Tang Long knew that in subsequent seasons, Nelson's playing time and shot attempts would gradually increase, his efficiency would decline.
He would never again return to the high efficiency of this season.
But that was all in the past.
Currently, the Nelson that Tang Long and the Cavaliers must face is at the peak of his efficiency!
Shooting guard, Maurice Evans.
Early in this season, Evans was still with the Lakers. On November 20th, the Los Angeles Lakers and Orlando Magic completed a trade, sending Evans to Orlando.
During his time with the Lakers, Evans was Kobe's backup.
Upon arriving in Orlando, he became the starting shooting guard.
Evans' offensive ability was only average, but his defense was excellent, and he always caused trouble for the opposing shooting guards.
Small forward, Hedo Turkoglu.
This season, he, along with Dwight Howard and Rashard Lewis, averaged a combined 61.7 points.
Turkoglu's contributions to the game went beyond scoring; he actively rebounded, drove the ball, made assists, and acted as a playmaking small forward, guaranteeing the Magic's strong performance.
Turkoglu could be considered a precursor to LeBron James, and while not comparable to James at his peak, he reached an excellent level!
At power forward was Rashard Lewis.
In his rookie season, Lewis formed a dynamic duo with Ray Allen for the SuperSonics, leading them to very good results.
Lewis was also the fourth player in SuperSonics history to score 50 points in a single game.
The center, of course, was the Magic's top star, Dwight Howard.
Throughout history, the Magic have produced great centers, with Shaquille O'Neal preceding Dwight Howard.
Later, Howard became obsessed with physical prowess and was unwilling to meticulously refine his skills, ultimately being left behind by the small-ball era.
However, the current Howard could still dominate the paint with his terrifying physical abilities!
Time flew by.
November 29th, Amway Arena.
The fans had long filled the arena, every seat occupied!
In the long NBA regular season, most games only have half the arena filled.
After all, it's not the playoffs, and the attraction isn't as great.
But this game was different!
The Cavaliers' starting center, Tang Long, had just completed a contract extension. In the previous six games, Tang Long had been unstoppable, slaying gods and buddhas!
He had thoroughly defeated the centers of six different teams!
He had made the United States re-evaluate players from China!
And he had made players worldwide redefine Asian centers!
They realized that beyond Yao Ming, other top-tier centers could emerge from Asia!
Of course, there were also media personalities like Skip Bayless, who were not optimistic about Tang Long.
They believed it was simply because the interior defenses of those six teams were too weak to affect a player like Tang Long, who relied on physical talent.
And now, Tang Long was about to face the current league's number one center, the "Superman" Howard!
Both sides finished their preparations and took the court.
The Cavaliers emerged from the tunnel first, led by their star player, LeBron James.
The long-awaiting reporters swarmed him, immediately posing a question that put James on the spot.
"LeBron, it's widely known that you're somewhat intimidated by strong centers anchoring the paint. Are you feeling scared for this game?"
James glared at the reporter, who was clearly a member of the Magic's press corps, and said loudly, "Widely known? I don't know who's making such ignorant statements. We're going to dominate the Magic tonight!"
With that, he walked onto the court without looking back.
Following closely behind James was Tang Long, the current center of attention.
The reporters, eager for a story, bombarded him with questions: "China Tang, it's visually obvious that Dwight's physical ability completely overwhelms yours. Have you figured out how to lose with some dignity tonight?"
Tang Long, anticipating the hostile reporters, glared back.
"When Dwight comes out later, you guys should remind him to watch his balance when I dunk on him, so he doesn't fall!"
Unlike the game against the Celtics, this time, the animosity wasn't just from the fans but also from the media.
The Cavaliers players felt a deep sense of frustration and were ready to take it out on the court!
On the other side, the Magic players filed out.
Reporters then directed Tang Long's question to Howard.
Howard shrugged slightly, a look of nonchalance on his face, and replied, "Dunking on me? No one has ever dunked on me before! This young fellow Tang, after a few easy games, he doesn't know his own limits!"
"It just so happens that I'll teach him a lesson in this game!"
Howard's words were overheard by the surrounding fans, who became energized.
"That's right! Dwight, show that kid Tang who's boss!"
"Let him know that China can't produce a better center than our America!"
"Dunk hard on Tang! Don't show him any mercy!"
Hearing the fans' cheers, Howard walked onto the court with a beaming smile.
He walked directly to Tang Long.
"Kid, do you know who I am?"
Tang Long heard the voice and turned, shaking his head expressionlessly.
"No."
Howard was about to speak, but Tang Long added, "But you will after this game. I always need to know the names of the people I dunk on."
Howard's anger flared. He had come to provoke, but instead, he was provoked by Tang Long!
Howard stared at Tang Long furiously and declared, "Tang, listen up, I'm going to score 30 points on your head! No, 40 points!"
With that, he turned and walked away.
Tang Long shrugged indifferently.
"Tang, he said he's going to score 40 points on you!"
James, who had walked over, egged him on with a smile in his eyes.
"Do you think that's possible?"
"Of course not! Even Shaq, that big guy, I don't think he could do that!"
As Tang Long's teammate, James was well aware of Tang Long's physical capabilities!
The combine report listed his weight at only 104 kilograms, which was just above average for a center, but Tang Long's core strength was terrifying!
In practice games, James had attempted a "bulldozer layup" and collided directly with Tang Long!
But it felt like hitting a tank!
He had never felt so uncomfortable before!
As for Howard's boastful declaration at the start of the game...
Unless something unexpected happens, something unexpected is likely to happen!