Chapter 856: 368. Treat everyone equally
Tonight and tomorrow night, the Bobcats are playing back-to-back ho gas against the Hornets and Kings, with the Kings having flown to Charlotte from Milwaukee this morning.
Paul was invited at ho, Rondo was invited at a restaurant. This difference is not about closeness of relationships but based on the style of the guests being invited.
Paul cares about appearances, but more about the substance behind the appearances, ambitious yet casual about attire, food, and housing, as long as it’s not lacking. Zhang Yang’s ho certainly isn’t lacking, so he wouldn’t feel embarrassed.
Rondo is aloof, concerned about outward appearances. Previously low-profile as a junior, he showed his true nature after being traded to the Kings — eager to show generosity by spending money, liking to embellish himself with luxurious lifestyles.
Therefore, Zhang Yang and Felton choose different locations to host these two good friends.
Though Rondo used to be their junior, that’s in the past. He’s now a core point guard for another team, and maintaining relations requires respecting their preferences within what’s acceptable to them.
However, for Rondo, now in his second year with the Kings, to secure a central position after a month, showcased by the team at events still surprised Zhang Yang.
Martin, the initial porcelain prince, and the Dunk King Richardson, really couldn’t outperform even a second-year substitute!
In terms of personal ability, Zhang Yang believes the current Rondo definitely falls short of Kevin Martin and Jason Richardson, who average over 20 points per ga.
But Rondo’s personality is much more assertive. Kevin Martin is soft, Jason Richardson is known for being gentle and accommodating.
Of course, Rondo being cultivated by the Kings as the team’s face, Zhang Yang believes is due to Coach Long’s talent being evident.
In his rookie year averaging 5 5 5, with second-year consecutive triple-doubles, and one ga at 3 tis 15, anyone would say ‘The next Kidd has arrived’.
Rondo lived up to expectations, playing 28 gas with the Kings, averaging 33 minutes, scoring 9.5 points, grabbing 6.3 boards, 7.1 assists, 2 steals, with a shooting accuracy of 50.6%, three-point rate at 30.9%, and free throws at 70%.
With Kevin Martin and Jason Richardson’s ‘pampering’ support, the trio managed to lift the Kings from the tanking ranks, now sitting 12th in the Western Conference with 33 wins and 46 losses, dubbed as ‘Western little Hawks’, although the surge isn’t as wild as the Hawks team’s, this trio has so appeal, attracting the attention of fans again.
During the dinner, Rondo was no longer quietly listening as before but actively finding topics to talk about, giving Zhang Yang a feeling like… mimicking Little Fatty Boss?
It gave a humorous sense of a child wearing an adult’s suit, but Zhang Yang didn’t tease him, treating it as normal exchanges with friends from other teams.
It’s clear that whether on or off the court, Rondo is eager to shed the ‘little kitty’ label as quickly as possible.
Due to not drinking, the dinner ended early, and the group returned to Tuhang Stadium. mbers of the Big Brother Group either rested or played cards and gas for relaxation, preparing for the evening’s match.
Rondo also went to the Bobcats’ training ground arranged for the Kings, preparing with his teammates for tomorrow night’s match.
As evening approached, Tuhang Stadium was bustling with excitent as the Bobcats and the Hornets prepared to face off for the second ti this season.
The visiting Hornets faced harsh boos from the veteran fans.
This wasn’t the case last season when fans in the Carolina region still cheered for Paul, given his successful start in the NBA after coming from the local university, Wake Forest.
But this ‘surely’ ca with a condition — Paul’s performance should not outshine Zhang Yang, nor should the Hornets exceed the Bobcats.
This season, things are different, with Paul delivering top-three performances in the league. With Nash’s team record collapsing due to managent issues, Paul is almost standing first in the MVP race.
The fans in the Carolina region don’t care about his local university background now, booing without restraint. Even Duncan, no matter how talented, gets booed.
If the Bobcats hadn’t won an astonishing 15 out of their last 16 gas, overtaking the Hornets, Spurs, and Pistons, and widening the gap to hold the third spot in the league, Carolina fans might have even disliked Paul.
The preferences of fans are as simple as that, often more particular than the players themselves on these matters.
A fan, maybe an alumni of Paul’s university, held up a Devil Deacons’ #3 jersey with a stick, the jersey also stretched on the stick, reading ‘Get lost, CP3′, which left Paul feeling a bit down but made his desire for victory even stronger.
He wants to act decisively, to shut these people up!
Tonight’s ga is crucial for the Hornets’ ho-court advantage in the second round!
The day before yesterday, Spurs lost to the Bobcats, bringing their record to 53 wins and 25 losses; the Hornets beat the Magic Team, with Paul showing off by dunking over Howard, bringing their record also to 53 wins and 25 losses.
Both teams faced off four tis, each one winning twice, with Spurs ahead of Hornets due to better regional record.
For the Hornets to surpass the Spurs, their record needs to be better, aning they must win one more in the remaining four gas, and their last three matches against the Jazz Team, Lakers, and another team pose significant challenges. But Paul and his teammates still want to go for it.
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