After hearing Barkley's shout, Smith hurriedly lowered his head and looked at the starting lists submitted by the two teams.

After repeated confirmation, Smith also said in confusion: "It's actually true!"

"Dayao didn't even start!"

"Not only that, Kurt Thomas didn't start either!"

"Why is this?! I didn't hear any news about the two of them being unwell before the game?!"

Barkley on the side frowned and thought for a long time before slowly saying: "Could it be that the Knicks and Han Ning think that today's opponent is not too strong, so there is no need to start Dayao and Kurt Thomas?!"

"But even though the Celtics are not a top team, they are not considered a weak team after all, right?!"

Smith continued what Barkley said: "Or, do the Knicks want to try some new tactics?!"

"But their bet with the Spurs is not over yet! The Spurs' recent record is quite good. If they try any new tactics now, wouldn't it be a good thing for their bet with the Spurs?!

"

After thinking for a long time, Smith's eyes suddenly lit up and he quickly said: "Is it possible that there is some conflict within the Knicks team?!"

"I really can't figure out why Dayao and Kurt Thomas are not in the starting lineup for this game."

"You know, the back-to-back schedule has passed! Even if it is to rotate and ensure the players' physical strength, it should not be rotated in this game! The Celtics are not soft persimmons!"

Barkley and Smith at this time.

In other words, most fans don't think the Celtics are a weak team.

After all, they reached the Eastern Conference Finals in the 2001-2002 season!

Only Han Ning knows that that was the last glory of the Celtics in recent years.

Since that season, the Celtics' decline has been rapid.

This season, the Celtics will eventually rank eighth in the Eastern Conference points and enter the playoffs. They will eventually be defeated by the Pacers and complete the first round of the playoffs.

In the original historical process, the Celtics' points ranking was not as good as that of the original Knicks!

The original Knicks were ranked seventh!

Two years later, the Celtics couldn't even make the playoffs.

Directly becoming the bottom team in the Eastern Conference!

Such a falling speed is also very unexpected.

But now, no one knows all this.

Barkley and Smith were not the only ones surprised by this.

Even Zhang Weiping and Su Dong in the Huaxia broadcast room and the Huaxia fans were puzzled.

"Director Zhang, Dayao did not start this game. Is it possible that he is feeling unwell?! Or maybe Han Ning has some new tactical arrangements?!" Su Dong asked softly.

Zhang Weiping frowned and couldn't think of a reason.

He could only say in a deep voice: "I also don't understand Han Ning's arrangement. The Celtics are not a weak team. I hope this move will not affect the result of today's game!"

At this time, the Chinese fans' thoughts were even simpler.

"Dayao can't come?! I'm just here to see Dayao!"

"Oh! I told you Yao Yao wouldn't start! I won't sneak over the wall to watch the game!"

"Let's go, let's go watch the Rockets game. Dazhi is the starter for the Rockets!"

"Oh! I really don't know what Brother Ning is thinking, why didn't Dayao start in the starting lineup?!"

"Originally, I was still torn between whether to watch the Knicks or the Rockets game. No need to worry this time! I'm going to watch the Rockets game first!"

...........

"beep!"

Under everyone's doubts, the whistle sounded and the game officially started.

Mutombo fell behind on a jump ball with Celtics starting center Mark Blount.

The ball was snatched away by Mark Blount, and then the basketball was passed directly to Mike James, the Celtics' starting point guard.

Mike James slowly dribbled the ball to the frontcourt, and then passed the basketball directly to the hands of the Celtics' current star, Paul Pierce.

Speaking of which, the current Celtics' tactics are actually very simple.

When Paul Pierce was on the court, give him the basketball and let him play singles.

Relying on Paul Pierce's extremely powerful singles ability to score.

After Paul Pierce received the basketball, he launched an attack directly outside the three-point line at a 45° angle on the right side.

Responsible for guarding him is the Knicks' starting small forward, Kyle Korver.

As we all know, in the early stages of his career, Kyle Korver suffered a lot when defending players with stronger strength.

Even with Han Ning's help and blessing, this weakness cannot be changed all at once.

However, Paul Pierce's post-up play is considered to be the top level among small forwards in the league.

So when faced with Kyle Korver's defense, Paul Pierce unceremoniously chose to play a post-up.

Once, twice, three times.

He forcefully beat Kyle Korver into the three-point line.

With a sudden force, Kyle Korver, who was guarding him, was pushed away from him.

Then Paul Pierce quickly turned around, turned to the low post, and rushed towards the basket.

Seeing this scene, Mutombo and Zach Randolph wanted to rush over to defend.

But before the two of them could make any move, Paul Pierce stopped immediately.

A pull-up, a direct jump shot.

"Whoosh!"

The basketball flew cleanly into the basket.

The Celtics took the lead and scored two points.

The TD North Shore Garden Arena suddenly burst into excitement.

Countless Celtics fans began to cheer for their home team players.

"Boom! Boom! Boom!"

Listening to the shouts around him, Barkley couldn't help but shook his head and said in a deep voice: "Alas! Kyle Korver's defensive ability is still a bit poor."

"Facing a top small forward player like Paul Pierce, it is indeed a bit difficult for him to let this rookie player be responsible for marking."

"But I still want to say that if Yao had just stood inside, Paul Pierce might not have scored this goal so easily."

"In terms of dominance in the paint, assisting defense, and ability to make up for defense, Dayao is still much better than Zach Randolph and Mutombo!"

Han Ning stood not far away and heard everything Buckley said.

But he didn't care at all.

So what if Paul Pierce scores a goal?!

If he has the ability, he will keep entering!

As far as the Celtics players are concerned, besides Paul Pierce, who else’s offensive ability deserves his attention?!

Is it alcohol-addicted former All-Star Vin Baker?!

Or is it Mike James, the ball-sticking expert who went to the Pistons and won a championship in the second half of this season?!
Chapter completed!