Popovich watched the light fade from the young man's eyes. The only thing he could do was offer some encouragement:
"Little X, don't get discouraged. After all, you're going up against the League's Number One. You scored 22 points in your very first NBA game against the League's Number One—that's a brilliant performance. So don't lose heart. Just stick to the plays we practiced."
But Old Popo knew Wang Yi had crushed little X's confidence.
Once someone's confidence had been shattered, it was difficult to restore it with just a few words.
It took game after game. Only when his performance gradually improved would his confidence slowly return.
So Popovich said to Wemby, "You'll lead the offense from here on. Everyone else, keep moving, curl around screens, and cut to the basket. Once everyone starts moving, curling around screens, and cutting, even Wang Yi won't be able to predict who'll receive a pass from Wemby."
As he spoke, he patted little X on the shoulder. "In that situation, X, you'll get your chance."
X nodded instinctively. "I understand, Coach."
Reggie Miller glanced through little X's stats and frowned. "We said little X entered his Personal Domain in the first half, going nine-for-ten and scoring 22 points. But in the six minutes he's played so far in the second half, he hasn't scored a single point. He's been blocked five times and turned the ball over twice. Little X really is unpredictable. He entered his Personal Domain in the first half, then put on a disastrous performance in the second."
JJ Redick smiled. "You can't blame little X. Just look at who's guarding him."
"That's right. Wang Yi did guard little X in the first half, and little X still scored plenty. But in the second half, with Wang Yi guarding