"Honestly, when I first faced off against Reggie Miller, I was very excited. After all, this was the first NBA All-Star opponent I had ever faced. I was looking forward to facing off against him.
"
Wang Feng took the microphone and talked. "But the actual result disappointed me. All-star guard? That's it? Although in this game, he finally scored 21 points, and his performance was quite satisfactory, but when he played against me,
During this period, he didn't score even 1 point. Facing my defense, Miller had no way to score. If I can become an All-Star at this level, I think I can also become an All-Star."
Wang Feng's series of remarks successfully silenced the entire audience.
No one expected that Wang Feng would start a group at such a low level. They just threw out an introduction, and Wang Feng immediately followed it.
Many reporters' eyes were shining, and the notebooks in their hands were frantically recording Wang Feng's words. At the same time, they were already thinking about tonight's front page headlines.
Wang Feng: "Reggie Miller didn't score a single point in front of me!"
Wang Feng: "Is this considered an All-Star? Then I can also become an All-Star."
Wang Feng: "I give myself a passing score of 60 points, and Miller 10 points, which means he seriously failed the exam."
Ewing on the side opened his mouth and looked at Wang Feng blankly, wondering if this guy is crazy?
When he commented on Miller like this, did he ever think about the consequences? Will Miller still risk his life when he sees him in the future?
Why does Wang Feng care about you?
Not convinced? If not convinced, I’ll challenge you again. I’ll convince you and just shut up.
What he has to do now is to become famous as quickly as possible and become the main force of the team. Under this premise, as long as it does not involve issues of principle, he will not care.
What's more, Wang Feng himself doesn't like Miller very much, so he won't have any psychological burden if he steps on Miller and takes the position.
"Mr. Wang Feng, according to your point of view, you think Miller's strength is just this, far inferior to you?"
A reporter continued to ask.
"Isn't this true? Didn't you watch today's game?" Wang Feng asked.
A reporter from Indiana was a little unhappy.
"Miller is an All-Star who has led his team to the playoffs for five consecutive years and averaged 20+3+3 per game in his career. What honors have you won? What position do you play in the Knicks? What qualifications do you have to judge?
The core player of a team?”
Wang Feng raised his eyebrows slightly and looked at the other person. "Strength and accumulated honors are two different things. The reason why I have nothing is because I have just joined the NBA. Give me enough time, and I will achieve achievements far beyond his."
Throughout the press conference, reporters' questions basically focused on Wang Feng, while Ewing and Riley were almost completely ignored.
The reporters were very satisfied with the results of the interview with Wang Feng. Wang Feng's answers were very straightforward, not at all as tactful as already-famous star players like Ewing, and no one could be offended.
The reporters who returned home with a full load had already thought about how to write the news, and they even had no problem reporting on Wang Feng for three consecutive days.
But Ewing was a little worried.
"Wang, you really shouldn't have said that. You didn't leave any room for yourself. The reports of these reporters can really kill a person!"
After the press conference, Ewing couldn't help but talk to Wang Feng.
Ewing is very welcoming to this very capable player, because he knows very well that with the Knicks' current lineup alone, it will be difficult to win if they meet the Rockets again in the Finals.
The sudden emergence of Wang Feng gave Ewing hope of winning the championship. He was very happy for Wang Feng to enter the team's tactical system. Moreover, Wang Feng, who mainly attacks the perimeter, would not affect his tactical status in the Knicks too much.
After listening to Ewing's persuasion, Wang Feng just smiled and said nothing more.
He knew very well what he wanted, and he hoped that these reporters would report his remarks widely, even if they added more fuel and jealousy.
Because Wang Feng himself has such strength.
At first, people may think that Wang Feng is just arrogant, but as Wang Feng continues to show his strong strength in the competition, all doubts will disappear.
…
The next day, as expected, Wang Feng's various remarks during the press conference quickly became the most popular news in the league, with reporters adding fuel to the fire.
"Chinese players shine on NBA courts, come off the bench and score 35 points to help the Knicks defeat powerful opponents!"
"Is this an All-Star? It disappoints me so much. If I can be an All-Star at this level, of course I can too!"
"The most arrogant rookie in history, Wang Feng dismisses All-Star guard Miller!"
Overnight, Wang Feng almost became a household name in the league. After all, unlike the previous match against the Timberwolves substitute players, this time he was facing off against Reggie Miller. Not to mention that in the interview after the game, Wang Feng also
At full strength, there was a lot of cynicism.
Any reader who sees the news cannot help but want to know who is this Asian player from the Knicks who suddenly appeared, and why is he so crazy?
Then fans who didn't watch this game also knew that Wang Feng scored 35 points in the matchup with Miller and almost zeroed Miller.
"Where did this guy come from? He's so strong!"
"Looking at his breakthrough speed, it's almost comparable to Grant Hill, right?"
"What's a breakthrough? Didn't you see the three-pointers he shot? As the league's top three-point shooter, Miller can't compare with him at all. What the hell is that range? Even when the league didn't shorten the three-point line,
Not as far away as where he is standing, right?"
"There is also defense. Whether it is defensive positioning or Miller's offensive judgment, it is almost perfect. This outside defensive ability is completely comparable to top outside defensive players such as Payton and Pippen!"
People are talking about Wang Feng a lot. Some think that Wang Feng is too arrogant and is just a clown who wants to gain attention. Others think that Wang Feng has the arrogance and can defend Miller to that extent. Even if he is a little arrogant, it doesn't matter.
question.
The videotape of this game was also sent to the office of league president David Stern as soon as it ended.
Stern, who did not have time to watch the live broadcast of the game due to work reasons, immediately watched the videotape of the game after taking time out.
Then there was a long silence.
Seeing Wang Feng who was as omnipotent as Jordan on the court, Stern was extremely excited.
This is it! What he wants is such a radiant Chinese player!
With Wang Feng's level, he can definitely become an All-Star player. His performance in the NBA will greatly promote the promotion of the NBA in China!
At this moment, Stern had made up his mind.
"We must vigorously promote Wang Feng, the first Chinese player in the NBA, at all costs!"
At almost the same time, Huaguo Sports News finally published the first page of a report about Wang Feng.
The name of the front page headline is very simple and clear.
"The first pioneer of Chinese basketball to enter the NBA! NBA professional player Wang Feng!"
What was still printed in the black-and-white newspaper was a picture of Wang Feng wearing the Knicks' No. 1 uniform and leaping high to do a tomahawk dunk during the game.
The Huaguo Sports News devoted a full page to introduce Wang Feng, including how Wang Feng grew up in the United States, was born without a father or mother, had a tortuous growth path but continued to strive for self-improvement, inspired his dream of entering the NBA, and was unwilling to become an American citizen.
The innocent heart of wanting to return to the embrace of the motherland.
Once the newspaper was published, it immediately caused quite a stir in the country.
Although at this period, the Chinese people did not have a clear understanding of the professional basketball league, and the domestic CBA league has not yet been organized, Stern's efforts over the years have still had some effect. Many viewers who like sports are watching CCTV Sports
I have watched NBA game broadcasts on the channel and have heard of Jordan’s name to some extent.
Moreover, in 1994, the Chinese men's basketball team achieved a historic eighth place in the World Championships, which also brought more and more Chinese basketball into the eyes of the Chinese people. Everyone was convinced that the Chinese men's basketball team could have a good player.
Players who play in the NBA are extremely proud, and they have begun to pay attention to Wang Feng's name.
In this era of restricted information dissemination, the only way for ordinary people to obtain external information is through televisions and radios, and they did not wait long. Just one day later, CCTV Sports Channel reported the news that Wang Feng scored 35 points.
"This Wang Feng is very good. He actually scored 35 points."
Although most Chinese fans are at a relatively ignorant stage about the NBA and basketball rules at this time, simple comparisons can still be made.
According to previous basketball games, a player who can score more than 30 points in a game is considered a very good player.
Wang Feng can score 35 points in the NBA, so he is certainly very strong.
"I wonder who is more powerful between Hu Weidong and Wang Feng?"
This question was raised by more than one person.
Because many people have not yet realized that there is a dimensional difference between the NBA and Chinese basketball.
Of course, this does not include the Chinese Men’s Basketball Team and the Basketball Association.
Having played against the American team more than once, they are well aware of the huge gap in strength between the two sides.
After the game with the Pacers, Director Zhang immediately called the Huaguo Men's Basketball Team to report the situation, and suggested that Wang Feng must be included in the men's basketball national team roster. With Wang Feng, the Huaguo Men's Basketball Team will definitely have a qualitative improvement.
leap.
Director Zhang’s suggestion was immediately taken seriously by the Basketball Association.
It's not just because of Wang Feng's strength, the Basketball Association also has their own ideas.
Letting Wang Feng join the Huaguo Men's Basketball Team will not only improve the overall strength of the Huaguo Men's Basketball Team, but Wang Feng's existence will also build a bridge between Huaguo and the NBA, which can help the Huaguo Basketball Association send more young players to the NBA to train and grow.
However, due to the times, the Chinese men's basketball team in this period has various elements that are easy to say 404. It is not as simple as adding people, so it will not take a day or two to implement this matter.
things.
Far across the ocean, in the United States, the Knicks have already begun their journey to the next game.
On January 13, the Knicks challenged the Milwaukee Bucks away from home.
This is not a close confrontation.
Although the Bucks have the new No. 1 pick Glenn Robinson, and Robinson, nicknamed Big Dog, performed perfectly in his rookie season, averaging 21.9 points, 6.4 points and 2.5 assists per game, the overall strength of the team is still inferior to that of the Knicks.
many.
But there is one thing worth mentioning in this game, and that is that Wang Feng started the game.
From his first appearance in the game against the Timberwolves on January 8 to his first start on January 13, Wang Feng only took 2 games and 5 days.
For an undrafted player, such speed is nothing short of miraculous.
But actually, if you think about it carefully, it’s not surprising.
The Knicks already lack qualified forward players, and they have always used Charles Oakley, who mainly plays inside, as the team's starting small forward.
Wang Feng scored 21 points in his debut and 35 points in the second game. While his scoring ability is outstanding, his defense is also remarkable.
As long as Riley wasn't blind, he would have known that Wang Feng was a player more suitable for the team's starting small forward position than Oakley.
Moreover, what Wang Feng said before when facing the media did indeed put some pressure on Riley.
Wang Feng played so well, and also said that if he had more playing time, he would perform better. In this case, if Riley does not give Wang Feng a chance and the Knicks lose, the blame will be taken again.
On Riley's head.
Therefore, Wang Feng, who made his first start, directly faced Glenn Robinson.
This matchup is very interesting, because although Wang Feng did not participate in the draft, he was technically considered a rookie in 1994.
Therefore, as the No. 1 pick in 1994, Glenn Robinson stands far above all the rookies in 1994. Compared with players like Wang Feng who did not participate in the draft, there is a huge gap.
This can also be seen from the salary.
Wang Feng earned an annual salary of 1.45 million with the Knicks due to his perfect performance against Oakley, but Glenn Robinson's annual salary in the first year of the rookie contract signed with the Bucks was as high as 2.9 million US dollars.
But when the two faced off, the result was shocking.
The dignified champion Lang Glenn Robinson had no resistance when facing Wang Feng, and was completely defeated by Wang Feng unilaterally.
He made only 5 of 17 shots, scored 13 points, shot less than 30%, and made 7 turnovers.
On the other hand, Wang Feng played 28 minutes, which was not a lot of time, but he made 8 of 14 shots, including 4 of 6 three-pointers, and scored 20 points, 6 rebounds and 5 assists.
The two competed against each other, and the difference in strength made Wang Feng more like the No. 1 pick than Glenn Robinson.
After the game, at the press conference, Glenn Robinson faced difficulties from reporters and had no choice but to speak out.
"Why do you say that guy is the same age as me? Can't you see his age? He is at least 5 years older than me, which is also called the same age? On the court, he is more calm than me.
, my skills are also more proficient, I am convinced that I lost to him.”