Today, the Los Angeles Clippers welcomed the Memphis Grizzlies, another Western Conference team, to their home court.
In recent years, after losing key players like Randolph and Tony Allen, the Memphis Grizzlies have entered a rebuilding phase.
Even though Mike Conley and Marc Gasol still showed their prowess, the era of the "Grit and Grind" duo was coming to an end.
"Kai Chen is an excellent young man, and I've been following him for a long time."
Conley, speaking to the media before the game, said calmly, "The records he set during his rookie season, whether in the past or in the future, will be very difficult for anyone to break."
Since the NCAA Elite Eight, Kai has continuously set numerous historical records worthy of being etched into history.
Whether it was becoming the first MOP from Asia or his later earth-shattering 81-point game.
Kai is using his strength to tell the world!
He is the future of this league!
"Without a doubt, Kai is the best player of our draft class!"
Jaren Jackson, the fourth pick this year, also told the media before the game, "Kai Chen's performance in the NBA is something all of us rookies should learn from!"
"He is our role model!"
As a former All-American Defensive Player of the Year, Jaren Jackson continued to perform at a high level after being drafted by the Memphis Grizzlies.
In 20 games for the Grizzlies, he averaged 16.4 points, 8 rebounds, 3 assists, and 1.8 blocks.
His excellent performance on both ends of the court did not betray the team's trust.
The pre-game warm-ups for both sides concluded, and the starting lineups of both teams stepped onto the court!
For the Grizzlies: Mike Conley, Vince Carter, Anderson (Kyle Anderson), Jaren Jackson, and Marc Gasol!
The Los Angeles Clippers' starting lineup remained the same: Beverley + Carmelo + Jeff Green + Lopez + Kai Chen!
Coach Rivers had considered letting Grayson Allen replace Beverley in the starting lineup and having Kai play as the team's starting point guard.
But Kai rejected Coach Rivers's suggestion.
In his opinion, although Grayson Allen could provide good offensive firepower, Beverley's tenacious defense was an indispensable part of these Clippers.
Coach Rivers agreed with Kai Chen's suggestion.
He had indeed been too impatient.
What Coach Rivers didn't expect was that Kai was so calm and rational on the issue of player rotation.
Clearly, this super rookie had not become arrogant because of his excellent performance.
This is the most valuable quality for a rookie.
Players from both sides stepped onto the court!
The starting centers of both teams stood on the center line!
The Main Referee tossed the ball high!
The Los Angeles Clippers secured the first offensive possession of the game.
Beverley dribbled the ball from the backcourt to the frontcourt, then passed it to Carmelo.
As soon as Carmelo received the ball, his eyes were already locked on Kai, who had come out after a screen.
Without any hesitation, Carmelo passed the ball to Kai.
"Bang!"
Kai had just broken free using a double screen from Jeff Green and Lopez, and the basketball happened to fall into his hands.
From beyond the arc on the left side, Kai took an open three-pointer directly!!
"Swish!"
The basketball drew a perfect arc in the air, then went through the net!
3:0!
The Clippers scored the first bucket of the game!
"A quick scoring method. The Los Angeles Clippers started the game with their signature tactical play!"
The live commentator on the sidelines said, "I can't remember how many points Kai has scored with this tactic."
"I only know that once the tactic is successful, Kai has never missed!"
In the first quarter,
Coach Rivers clearly realized how correct Kai Chen's words were.
Beverley's tenacious defense made Mike Conley extremely uncomfortable.
This also allowed the Clippers to play with maximum defensive intensity in the first quarter.
In the more than ten minutes Beverley was on the court, Conley missed all five of his shots and committed three turnovers.
The team's brain being shut down also left the Memphis Grizzlies unable to find their rhythm on offense!
"Beverley completely shut down Mike Conley on the defensive end!"
After the first quarter, the commentator on the sidelines had to admit, "Beverley's defense is too good; it deserves everyone's respect."
"He might not be a good opponent, but he is definitely a fantastic teammate!"
"And we also need to pay attention to their offensive core, Kai Chen!"
Another commentator, flipping through the statistics, said, "Kai, wearing his signature shoes today, skillfully scored 20 points in the first quarter and also had 4 assists!"
"Yes, Kai Chen's performance is as consistent as ever!"
"Those so-called external pressures have not affected his game today in the slightest."
The Clippers' division of labor was very clear: Beverley locked down Conley on defense, while Kai drove the team's offensive rhythm on offense.
The state of the other players on the team also improved significantly.
Ultimately,
the Los Angeles Clippers easily defeated the gradually declining Memphis Grizzlies on their home court!
They tied the Warriors' record and once again secured the top spot in the entire league!
"You can feel that Los Angeles seems different now!"
After the game ended, the entire Staples Center erupted in madness.
Various victory streamers flew around the arena, and tens of thousands of Clippers Fans in the arena shouted their exclusive Clippers' cheers like crazy.
"That's right, now Los Angeles isn't just represented by the Lakers!"
"It seems there is another heavy weight residing in Los Angeles!"
In the post-game interview, Coach Rivers looked a little excited.
Listening to the cheers from the crowd, he could feel that this season, they were bound to accomplish a great feat!
Even though the team's record had consistently surpassed their crosstown rivals, the Los Angeles Lakers, in recent years, no fans in Los Angeles supported them.
Whether it was the former captain Chris Paul or the Lob City led by Chris Paul.
After experiencing all of this, the Los Angeles Clippers finally welcomed their own Michael Jordan!
That is Kai Chen!
At this moment, even a seasoned veteran like Coach Rivers was filled with inexpressible emotion!
Kai might truly be a treasure sent by God to the Clippers!
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