He Was So Good-Why Was He Falling Behind?

If he was so good, why had his team fallen behind?

As a rookie this season, Joel Johnson had averaged 33.9 points per game over the past month.

Especially in the four games of the Clippers' incredible comeback streak, he had scored 45, 39, 48, and 57 points.

And in each of his last two games, he had not only put up big numbers but also hit clutch shots in the final moments.

In the game where he scored 57 points, he had even hit a buzzer-beating game-winner against the Nets.

Paul George had rested that game, while Leonard had sat out with an injury.

He had put up a triple-double of 57 points, 11 rebounds, and 10 assists all by himself, single-handedly saving the Clippers.

As a result, he had also been named Western Conference Player of the Month.

He was riding an unprecedented wave of hype.

Though Wang Yi had averaged 33.5 points, 15.7 assists, and 9.7 rebounds this season,

he had come tantalizingly close to averaging a triple-double.

But people had grown used to his efficiency. Now that a new star had burst onto the scene, the buzz naturally centered on the newcomer.

The promotional poster for this game featured Wang Yi facing off against Joel Johnson.

The game was being held at the Kings' home court, Golden 1 Center.

Before the game, players from both teams attended a press conference.

At the press conference, Joel Johnson came across as incredibly brash.

From his head-to-toe gold outfit, his thick gold chains, and his flashy gold sunglasses to his words and mannerisms,

everything about him screamed one thing: brash.

Or, to put it another way, he was a real showboat.

A reporter asked, "The Clippers are facing the Kings in this game. Do you have any plans or