The NBA's Absolute Dominance

Chapter 68 Alliance First
On the 27th, in Boston, the Hornets will play the Celtics away.

At 7:30, both sides announced their starting lineups.

Hornets: Tang Bei, Kenny Gatson, David Wingate, Kendall Gill, Muggsy Bogues

Celtics: Robert Parish, McDaniel, Rick Fox, Reggie Lewis, Dee Brown
This game was broadcast live across the United States on TNT, with Hubie Brown and Bob Neal as commentators.

In addition to the two commentators, there was also a guest, John Scotto, a basketball reporter from TNT, who was the same reporter who interviewed Tang Bei after this year's draft.

Hubie Brown said with admiration, "The Hornets are currently 9-2, tied for first place in the league with the Bulls, making them the biggest dark horse in the entire league."

The management made the best decision in the draft; based on current performance, Tang is a center who has reached his peak right from the start.

John Scott immediately chimed in, "It's still too short a time. If he can deliver this kind of performance by the end of the season, then we can say he's truly at his peak right from the start."

Hubie Brown smiled and didn't argue.

Bob Neil continued, "But at least one thing is certain: Tang is definitely not the 'fake' that some media outlets have claimed."

John Scott did not argue, because he would not win the argument anyway. How could he dare to say that Tang Bei was a fraud?
Hubie Brown nodded in agreement with his partner, and said with a smile, "John, back in the draft, Don said he'd fallen to second overall. Do you agree with him now?"

John Scott looked a little grim, but immediately shook his head and said, "I disagree. We can't conclude that O'Neal's talent and ability are inferior to Tang's just because of the outcome of one game."

Bob Neal nodded and said, "Shaq is also performing very well now. He has adapted to the NBA and is averaging 23 points and 13 rebounds per game."

At this point, he suddenly laughed and said, "With two young giants in the East, plus super center Patrick Ewing, the East has three powerful centers. The All-Star competition next year will definitely be very fierce."

John Scott continued, "Alonzo Mourning has returned from injury and is performing equally impressively, averaging 20+10 per game. With Hakeem Olajuwon and David Robinson also on the court, the competition for the center position in the West is extremely fierce."

Hubie Brown then steered the conversation back to the game itself, saying, "Last season the Celtics were fourth in the East, but now they have a record of 3 wins and 8 losses, a winning percentage of only 27%, and have fallen to second to last in the East. This team is in big trouble."

Bob Neal said, "As the team's spiritual leader, tactical pivot, and scoring champion, Larry Bird's retirement was a devastating blow to the Celtics, triggering a chain reaction that led to a historic gap in the team's roster and the collapse of its tactical system."

Hubie Brown continued, "Yes, and at the same time, Larry Bird's retirement has created a leadership vacuum in the locker room."

Rookie Reggie Lewis is still immature, unable to lead the team, unable to unite veterans like McHale and Parish, and unable to carry the team's banner, leading to numerous locker room conflicts.

Bob Neal added, "Meanwhile, in the Eastern Conference, the Bulls have risen, the Knicks have revived, and the Hornets have emerged as a dark horse, creating immense competitive pressure and making things very difficult for the Celtics."

Hubie Brown said, "For these reasons, the team's head coach had to change course and switch to outside shooting and fast break tactics in an attempt to establish a new tactical system."

Bob Neal said, "According to the Hornets' official statement, Larry Johnson fell and injured himself in the hotel bathroom and will be out for at least a week, which is very regrettable and will make tonight's game uncertain."

Hubie Brown nodded and said, "Whether Tang can single-handedly support the Hornets' low-post offense and paint defense will be a test for him."

At eight o'clock, the competition begins.

Robert Parish, the 40-year-old veteran who jumped for the ball with Tang Bei, is a nine-time All-Star. He only tiptoed and didn't actually jump.

The Hornets were on offense. Kenny Gattisson, who plays power forward, moved to the right wing and pulled Celtics power forward McDaniel out of the paint.

With a large space open in the low post, Tang Bei immediately moved to the left wing to call for the ball, where Robert Parish, known for his basketball IQ, was guarding him.

He pushed in forcefully, but the other person was too experienced and took a small step back before pushing him back again.

At that moment, he stepped half a foot into the penalty area, which wasn't considered deep, the three-second shot clock started, and the ball was passed down from the outside.

"His defensive experience is too rich. I can't beat him in terms of technique, so I'll use speed to beat slowness, plus brute force to overcome a thousand skills."

Upon receiving the ball, Tang Bei instantly performed a Tai Chi turn, then slid downwards to the bottom of the court.

"So fast!"

No matter how experienced Robert Parish is defensively, his legs can't keep up with the pace, and he gets completely outmaneuvered.

"boom!"

Tang Bei slammed home a one-handed dunk that shattered the Celtics' rim. "Beautiful! A tornado-style spin move to the basket, that's Tang's signature low-post offensive technique."

Hubie Brown praised him, then shook his head and said, "Robert Parish is still too old. He can use his skills and experience to defend against technical centers, but he can't defend against a talented center like Tang, who has both abnormal strength and speed."

For the Celtics' offense, Reggie Lewis is an all-star player who excels on both offense and defense. He has a sharp drive to the basket, a very quick first step, a consistent mid-range shot, and a strong ability to change pace. He is good at controlling the tempo to create offensive space.

On the right wing three-point line, after receiving the ball, he suddenly started his breakthrough, getting past Kendall Gill in one step.

When he reached the outside of the right midfield position, facing Kenny Gatsison's cover, he suddenly slowed down, faked out Gatsison, and then accelerated to break through, easily entering the penalty area using the rhythm of his breakthrough.

Tang Bei made a play on the right front side of the basket, and Reggie Lewis calmly passed the ball to Robert Parish behind Tang Bei.

Robert Parish received the ball two meters to the left of the basket and immediately launched a short floater.

"squeak!"

Amidst the sharp screech of his sneakers, Tang Bei swiftly turned, took a step to the side to defend Robert Parish, and burst into a block.

"Snapped!"

Robert Parish is getting old; he can't jump as high anymore. His shot wasn't high enough, and before the ball even reached its peak, Tang Bei caught up and flicked it into the air with a single finger.

"Oh, a block! Tang is defending two players under the basket and delivers a very beautiful block!" Bob Neal exclaimed excitedly from the TNT commentary booth.

"Snapped!"

Tang Bei jumped a second time and caught the basketball.

After passing the ball, he quickly sprinted down the sprint trail, shaking off the aging Robert Parish.

Upon seeing this, Celtics forward McDaniel immediately gave chase to Tang Bei and finally caught up with him in the penalty area.

But Tang Bei used just one arm to block McDaniel, who weighed only 93 kilograms, from the outside.

"ball!"

Bogues crossed the center line, saw Tang Bei enter the paint, and threw the ball directly towards the basket.

"boom!"

Without any suspense, Tang Bei once again blasted the Celtics' basket.

However, the Celtics were not to be underestimated. Veteran McHale came off the bench and performed exceptionally well, along with McDaniel's excellent form and Reggie Lewis's contributions. In the next few minutes, they quickly caught up in the score.

But in this game, the Hornets finally secured their 10th victory of the season, 111-107, by only 4 points.

With the Bulls not playing, the Hornets' victory allowed them to surpass the Bulls and take sole possession of the top spot in the league standings.

Tang Bei played for 42 minutes, his longest playing time since entering the NBA, and did not rest in the final quarter to ensure victory.

总共20投15中，16罚8中，轰下38分17篮板1助攻1抢断4盖帽4失误4犯规的数据。

He set personal single-game records in terms of shot attempts, points, and rebounds.

Manager Bristol had a strange idea in mind: Larry Johnson's absence seemed to have made the team's offense more rational.

The most significant change is that Tang now has more offensive space in the low post and under the basket.

Of course, in terms of offensive capability, the lineup with Larry Johnson is stronger.

While Kenny Gattuso has the ability to create space, he is only a role player, and his individual ability is far inferior to Larry Johnson.

It was precisely because Kenny Gattuso lacked individual offensive ability that the game was decided in the final quarter.

(End of this chapter)