Chapter 187: Yao Ming Joins the Booth — A Return to NCAA Glory!
The atmosphere was light during warmups. Chen Yan and his teammates were in high spirits, laughing and chatting as they stretched and shot around.
He wasn't among strangers either — Yi Jianlian and Kevin Durant were both on the freshman roster. Add to that a few familiar NCAA rivals like Jeff Green, Al Horford, and Mike Conley, and the chemistry came naturally. The game hadn't even started, but the camaraderie was already there.
---
"Ladies and gentlemen, the Rookie Challenge is about to begin!" the NBA broadcast opened. "Two of China's brightest stars, Chen Yan and Yi Jianlian, will both represent the freshman team tonight. Fans around the world are in for a treat!"
In the commentary booth sat longtime analyst Mike, joined by a very special guest — Yao Ming himself.
Yao's presence instantly elevated the broadcast. For fans watching back home, it felt like a reunion of Chinese basketball's biggest icons — Yao, Chen, and Yi, all connected through one stage.
"Yao, this is your first time behind the mic," Mike said with a grin. "How are you feeling?"
Yao chuckled, his deep voice carrying a trace of shyness. "Honestly? A little nervous. If Chen and Yi are rookie players, then I guess I'm a rookie commentator tonight."
"Haha! Well, welcome to the job," Mike replied warmly. "Why don't you explain the rules for the audience? The Rookie Challenge plays a little differently than a standard NBA game."
Yao nodded and leaned toward his mic. "Sure. Unlike the NBA's four 12-minute quarters, this game has two 20-minute halves. Each team gets one full timeout and one 20-second timeout per half. No one fouls out, no matter how many personal fouls they commit. Once a team reaches ten fouls, or commits two in the final two minutes of a half, the other team shoots free throws automatically."
After finishing, he smiled. "It's actually closer to NCAA basketball. I'm curious to see if Chen and Durant can find that old college chemistry again."
Mike laughed. "They sure looked locked in during practice. If they play at their best, the freshmen might finally snap that five-year losing streak!"
He wasn't exaggerating. The rookie team hadn't beaten the sophomores since 2003. The previous year, they'd been humiliated 155–114 in Las Vegas — a 41-point drubbing.
Now, the tables had turned. Those same rookies had grown into confident sophomores — the hunters becoming the hunted.
---
The pregame ceremony wrapped up quickly. The Rookie Challenge might not have had the pageantry of the All-Star Game, but it was still electric.
The lineups were introduced as both squads gathered at center court:
Freshman Team: Mike Conley, Chen Yan, Kevin Durant, Jeff Green, Al Horford
Sophomore Team: Rajon Rondo, Brandon Roy, Rudy Gay, LaMarcus Aldridge, Andrea Bargnani
Then, the camera panned down to Chen Yan's feet — and the arena gasped.
He was rocking a special All-Star edition of his AeroWing sneakers, one in crisp white, the other in blazing orange. The design popped under the lights.
Social media lit up instantly.
"Those are clean!"
"AeroWing really went off with this colorway!"
"When do these drop?!"
Even his Suns teammates Barea and Azubuike, sitting on the bench, couldn't help but whisper to each other about getting a free pair from Chen after the game.
---
The referee's whistle pierced the air — "Beep!"
Tip-off. Aldridge beat Horford to the ball, giving the sophomores the first possession.
Rondo dribbled up, found Bargnani just beyond the arc, and the big man immediately launched a three.
"Bang!"
The ball clanged off the rim — long rebound.
Chen Yan snatched it with one hand and exploded into transition.
"Here comes Chen Yan! He's pushing the tempo!" Yao Ming called from the booth, his voice rising with excitement. "This is that Phoenix speed! The same pace he dominates with in the NBA!"
Durant and Jeff Green sprinted behind him, forming a three-on-one break.
"Let's see what he does here," Mike said as Rondo backpedaled into position, the lone defender.
Chen gave a sly grin, dropped a behind-the-back crossover, then flicked a high bank pass off the glass.
He didn't even look. He already knew who was coming.
"BOOM!"
Durant caught the lob in stride and hammered it down with both hands.
The crowd erupted. Cameras flashed.
The Instant Noodle Brothers were back.
After landing, Durant and Chen bumped chests and yelled in unison — a spontaneous, raw moment straight out of their NCAA days at Texas.
The fans in the arena went wild.
Even Yao Ming couldn't hide his grin in the booth. "That connection right there — that's what college basketball was like for them. They're reliving it tonight!"
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