NBA's King of Talking

Chapter 615 Clippers vs. Wizards

Wall spends most of his time in the hospital, and what's most amusing is that he's taken on the role of assistant coach this season while sidelined with injury...

On the bright side, having a star player sidelined for the entire season become an assistant coach can be a form of consolation and compensation for the team, ensuring that such a large contract isn't entirely useless. However, from another perspective, having a star player with a multi-million dollar contract as an assistant coach, without demonstrating any significant impact so far, makes outsiders think that the management's decision was incredibly foolish.

On the evening of the 2nd, the Clippers hosted the Wizards.

Even against a relatively weak opponent, the Staples Center was packed to capacity for this game. Popular matches are either too expensive or tickets sell out instantly, making attending a home game a luxury for many fans. It's a happy problem, really; wanting to cheer for your team in person means spending a lot of money.

This match was broadcast live on Tencent, with commentators Wang Meng and guest Yang Yi providing commentary.

"Mr. Yang, the Clippers are playing the Wizards at home. What are your thoughts on this game?" Wang Meng asked.

"This game is hard to predict... Don't underestimate the Wizards just because they're weak; they're incredibly offensive. If they get going, this team will be tough to beat. But the Clippers are still much stronger. I think the Clippers will win, but anything can happen in the NBA!" Yang Yi talked for a long time, but it seemed like he hadn't said anything at all.

The starting lineup has been announced.

The Clippers will continue to play with Paul George and Danilo Gallinari in this game. The starting lineup is Jia Fei, Beverley, Gallinari, Paul George, and Olynyk.

The Wizards' starting lineup consists of Isaiah Thomas, Bradley Beal, Troy Brown, Rui Hachimura, and Thomas Bryant. This lineup also features five outside shooters. Beal looks like a tough, muscular guy, but he's actually more offensively oriented than defensively strong. His physical attributes aren't particularly explosive, but his offensive skills, whether attacking the rim or shooting from the outside, are excellent.

The Wizards' roster is clearly offensively oriented, so don't expect much from their defense. None of these five players are at the league average defensive level. Players like Isaiah Thomas and Tobe are the worst defenders in their respective positions, even though those positions have the heaviest defensive responsibilities in the league today. This makes the team's starting lineup almost non-existent in defense.

The Wizards' head coach is former Thunder coach Brooks, who has always emphasized defense. However, the Wizards' defense is currently in such a sorry state that he bears some responsibility. Of course, even a skilled cook can't cook without ingredients; even someone as great as Popovich can't lead a team without outstanding players, let alone him. But after leaving the Thunder to join the Wizards, he hasn't led the team to any particularly impressive performances, making the Thunder not regret trading him at all.

Coach Brooks wasn't particularly fond of Jia Fei back then, so Jia Fei didn't get many opportunities with the Thunder. But Jia Fei wasn't one to hold grudges, and the two always made up quickly, chatting and laughing together. Anyone who didn't know better would think they had a very good relationship.

John Wall looking somewhat comical in his suit and tie; he's gained weight, and you'd think he'd really retired and become a coach. The Wizards must be really frustrated… they've signed an unprofessional assistant coach to a massive contract worth hundreds of millions of dollars. This is probably the highest-paid assistant coach in NBA history…

Even head coaches like Popovich or Steve Kerr don't earn more than $2000 million a season, yet Wall is paid far more than those two while serving as an assistant coach...

Wall's attire was also quite comical: a suit and trousers but no tie, and a thick gold chain; basketball shoes instead of dress shoes; wristbands and finger guards that seemed to remind everyone he was a basketball player, not a member of the uniformed staff; and an unshaven beard that made you think he was studying tactics late into the night, but more likely he was just out playing games and didn't bother to groom himself...

Jia Fei had faced the Wizards, who had Wall and Beal, many times when he played for the Hawks, so they were quite familiar with each other. Now that he's in the Western Conference, he'll have far fewer opportunities to play against the Wizards.

The Wizards of yesteryear had center Marcin Gortat, nicknamed "The Polish Hammer," and small forward Otto Porter Jr., a lineup that was quite formidable in the Eastern Conference. Now, the Wizards are a completely weak team; making the playoffs is far more difficult than earning a small fortune.

Both teams have started their respective lineups, and the match is about to begin.

Isaiah Thomas, who bears a striking resemblance to Wang Meng, always has a broad smile on his face. He gives off an optimistic vibe, always smiling no matter the situation. Back in his Celtics days, he delivered MVP-caliber performances, boldly declaring the team would sign him for a hefty sum. But playing injured in the playoffs led to his injury and subsequent trade, finally making him realize that the NBA is a business. With a shrewd old fox like Danny Ainge willing to trade even Larry Bird, who is Thomas?

After his butt injury, Isaiah Thomas's glory days are over. His offense isn't as sharp anymore, and his defense is basically a cash cow, not to mention...

For the Wizards, signing Isaiah Thomas to a minimum salary doesn't involve much risk. If he performs well, that's great; if not, they can simply let him go—it's just a minimum salary anyway. But for Thomas, Wall's absence presents a golden opportunity. If he can replicate his past performances, he could potentially sign a bigger contract.

If you can't think about a truckload of US dollars, you can always think about a tricycle full of them!

In any case, everyone gets what they need, so this kind of cooperation is healthy.

Tob and Olynyk are preparing for the jump ball near the center circle; the match is about to begin.

Amid cheers from the fans, the jump ball began, and Tob won against Olynyk.

Mop's jumping ability isn't great, but compared to Olynyk's "matchbox" jump, his advantage becomes apparent. Sometimes comparisons are detrimental; there are many types of floor-based players. Harden is also a floor-based player, but during his physical tests, his vertical jump was higher than Westbrook's. Surprising, isn't it?

Isaiah Thomas dribbled the ball over, and the game officially began.

Beverley unusually had a height advantage when facing the opposing point guard, and it wasn't a small one. The two were a full 10cm tall, and this feeling of being superior made Beverley somewhat uncomfortable.

Isaiah Thomas may be short, but his physical attributes are excellent. His wingspan exceeds his height by more than 10cm, he's strong, has outstanding jumping ability, and a large butt. If he were 185cm tall, he might even be more offensively capable than Allen Iverson!

Being short has its advantages, especially for guards who primarily rely on shooting, but only on the offensive end. Isaiah Thomas, with the ball, used Tobago's screen to drive in, took a floater, but it was disrupted by Paul George coming over to help defend—and he missed!