no shortcuts in basketball

Chapter 36 It's Me
A week later, Arizona State University ended its journey in Denver. They defeated Roberts University and Michigan University successively to reach the Sweet 16.

It ended well, but it wasn't easy, especially against Michigan.

Michigan is the school where the once-famous "Michigan Five Tigers" are located. Although there are no talented NBA players on the team this year, the average strength of the players is very strong.

This is the type that looks easy to play but is very difficult to play.

In fact, the Devils trailed their opponents at the end of the first half.

But you have to admit that the current Devils team is very tough on the court. Under the leadership of Harden and Xu Yong, they successfully completed a reversal in the second half, and finally beat their opponents and successfully got a ticket to Houston.

The next stage of the game in the South will be played at Houston's Ryland Stadium.

The opponent of the Devils in the next round is the University of Memphis.

Although they reached the Sweet 16, the draft picks of Xu Yong and Harden have not changed much.

After all, as the No. [-] seed in the Southern District, this is a game they should have successfully won, not to mention that they are still very anxious to play against Michigan.

If you want to improve the pick, you have to have an outstanding performance against Memphis.

There is an offseason day in between.

Sandek knew that the players were under a lot of pressure in this game, so he only arranged training sessions in the morning, and after watching some videos from the University of Memphis in the afternoon, he let the players rest.

After watching the video, someone was already waiting for Xu Yong in a car downstairs.

"Brother Zhang." After getting into the car, Xu Yong greeted him cordially.

The person who came to pick him up was Zhang Minji, Yao Ming's Chinese agent and a member of "Team Yao".

Before his rebirth, because he played in the CBA and was in the Shanghai team, Xu Yong naturally signed with the Yao team.

And there was no choice at that time, because the only team with NBA experience in China was Yao's team, and the "Yi's team" drafted for Yi Jianlian was also assigned from it.

But after rebirth, because he played in the NCAA, he didn't need to hire a Chinese agent, so this step was omitted.

But they are both from Shanghai and they played together in the United States. How could there be no connection between him and Yao Ming.

Yao Ming has been helping him adapt to life in the United States, providing some advice, sometimes busy, it is Zhang Minji who communicates with him.

"Dayao is already waiting for you at home. Today, Auntie Fang is the chef. He said that you must miss the food of your hometown after you have been in the United States for so long." Zhang Minji said with a smile.

Xu Yong heard that the corners of his mouth were salivating unconsciously.

It is true that he hasn't eaten Shanghai cuisine for a long time. In order to live up to this opportunity to come back again, he has returned to China once a year since he was reborn.

He also wanted to find Chinese food in Phoenix, but the so-called Chinese food has long been changed for the market, just like a foreign girl in a cheongsam, which looks good but tastes wrong.

As for cooking by himself, he would like to, but the student dormitory does not have that condition.

Coupled with the tight training schedule, it might as well be as convenient as a hamburger.

So it's okay if you don't say it, but if you say it, the glutton in your stomach is really digging and digging for you.

"Brother Yao, how is his injury?" Pushing the glutton down, Xu Yong then asked.

After three years in the US, he must have met Yao Ming. When the Rockets went to Phoenix for a game, he even invited Yao Ming to dinner, but the two communicated more often through text messages and phone calls.

The Rockets are still experiencing the sweetest 22-game winning streak, but Yao Ming suffered a broken bone at the end of February, when the two were still on the phone.

"The recovery is going well, as you know, Dayao wants to catch up with the Olympics..." Zhang Minji stopped talking.

After hearing this, Xu Yong sighed with emotion.

He admired Yao Ming very much, not only because Yao Ming was from Shanghai, but more importantly because of Yao Ming's character.

When he was asked whether he could play in the NBA during the Sydney Olympics interview, the firm "yes" made his blood boil when he was young, and then what Zhang Minji said was happening. It was originally expected to take 8 to 12 months to recover. Leng is relying on the swimming pool to recover before the Olympics.

How could you not admire such a man?
About half an hour later, they arrived at Yao Ming's villa.

When he entered the living room, his expression froze for a moment, because he saw not only Yao Ming sitting on the sofa in the living room, but also McGrady!
Yao Ming didn't text him that McGrady would come.

He was a little excited, because apart from Jordan, McGrady was also one of his favorite stars.

Elegant style of play, unsolvable pull-ups, huge first step, and similar height, it's hard not to like it.

"T-mac, this is the Xu I just told you about." Yao Ming couldn't stand up because of the plaster cast on his leg, so he could only wave to Xu Yong and introduce to McGrady beside him.

McGrady stood up, smiled and extended his hand to Xu Yong: "Yao told me that you are the best dunk player in China, I am very curious."

Xu Yong shook hands with McGrady with a smile, and said, "Yes, it's me."

Maddie froze for a moment, then laughed.

Yao Ming on the sofa also laughed into embarrassment.

"Special, you are so special, I have to take a photo with you." McGrady said to Zhang Minji for help.

"I have a camera on that shelf." Yao Ming stretched out his hand and said to Zhang Minji.

Zhang Minji nodded and took the camera, and there was a group photo of Xu Yong and Mai Di.

After the photo was taken, the three sat down and chatted for a while, and McGrady left first.

"Yao, remember to send me a copy of the photo." Before leaving, McGrady reminded Yao Ming and glanced at Xu Yong by the way.

It can be seen that he has completely remembered Xu Yong.

"How about it, how sure are you for tomorrow's game? Don't tell me it's ten." After McGrady left, Yao Ming and Xu Yong chatted about the game.

"Four or five points. I was watching their game video before I came here. Rose is very strong. No one of us can guard against him." Xu Yong said truthfully.

They're playing the highest-ranked team in NCAAD 1, and it's delusional to be sure of that.

"Well, you don't have to worry too much about winning or losing at the moment, and you don't need to be so anxious about many things. A good start is more important. You see, I entered the NBA at the age of 22, and I am doing well now." Yao Ming said with a smile.

Xu Yong nodded, he knew what Yao Ming meant, but he didn't say anything.

"It's time to eat." At this moment, Ye Li called out to the living room.

Xu Yong got up after hearing this, and helped Yao Ming onto the wheelchair.

"Tomorrow I won't be able to go to the scene to cheer for you, but my mother is the chef today, so I asked her to add more oil, so you can eat more." Yao Ming said. 【Note 6】

"Definitely." Xu Yong smiled and nodded.

(End of this chapter)