HI, 10-Year Rookies, How Are You!

After the game began, Yao Ming, having slimmed down to 134 kg, won the tip-off against Birdman Andersen. Though Yao was not as strong as he had been at the same stage in his previous life, his agility rivaled that of his early days in the league. On the first two offensive possessions, after receiving Curry's passes, he used the "Magic City Footwork" twice in a row, scoring over Birdman in isolation.

The first time, Birdman was completely faked out by Yao. The second time, Birdman did not bite on the fake, but Yao still braced against the defense with his left shoulder and knocked down a right-handed hook.

Even peak Shaquille O'Neal could not have stopped Yao's offense, let alone Birdman.

As for Zhou Ze, the three-time consecutive MVP and two-time consecutive Defensive Player of the Year, he did not have many good options once Yao received the ball in the low post either. Still, Zhou Ze could use physical post defense to push Yao out of his "sweet spot."

Midway through the first quarter, against the Golden State Warriors, who were on fire tonight, last year's defending champions were somehow down by 2 points, 16-18. Zhou Ze therefore took on the task of guarding Yao...

Zhou Ze kept bodying Yao from behind...

Yao, meanwhile, showed off his passing ability. His facilitating skills had not actually been very good during his time with the Houston Rockets, but after being coached by Don Nelson on the Warriors, Carl Landry made a backdoor cut and went up for a layup over Birdman.

Carl Landry versus Birdman. The two briefly stalemated in midair, but just as the younger and stronger Carl Landry gained the upper hand, Zhou Ze appeared behind him. Smack! A sky-covering chase-down block left Carl Landry utterly stunned.

What