NOVEL NEXT Chapter 13: Chapter 13: The NBA Arrives in China
Yenching University of Science and Technology.
In a quiet gazebo on campus, Liu Lan smiled as she handed two NBA Summer National Game tickets to her boyfriend, Song Lixuan.
Song Lixuan took the tickets with a confused expression. "Lan Lan, what is this?"
Liu Lan's smile widened. "I heard the NBA is really popular right now, and since you love playing basketball so much, I bought us two tickets! Let's go watch the game together tonight."
Song Lixuan stared at the tickets, stunned.
"The NBA Summer National Game tickets are expensive," he murmured. "I heard they cost thousands per seat. You…"
Liu Lan waved her hand. "Not that bad! I didn't buy the front-row seats. The two tickets were 2,400 yuan in total."
Song Lixuan was taken aback.
He knew how hard Liu Lan worked during school—balancing part-time jobs with her studies.
2,400 yuan was not a small amount for her.
Just because he loved basketball, she spent so much to buy these tickets for them…
Liu Lan saw his hesitation and reassured him, "Lixuan, the NBA is said to be the highest level of basketball in the world. Since they're playing in Beijing this time, who knows when we'll get another chance?"
Hearing this, Song Lixuan felt his heart tighten.
He gripped Liu Lan's hand tightly, his gaze filled with love and gratitude.
He knew one thing for sure—he would never let this girl down.
---
October 15th – The Big Night
7:00 PM – Beijing Stadium
The 18,000-seat arena was packed to capacity.
In the past few days, the NBA had dominated social media, with discussions about its games, players, and high-intensity style flooding the internet.
Tonight, for the first time, Chinese fans would witness an NBA game live.
Aside from the packed stadium, millions more were tuning in via TV and online streams.
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Sports Channel Studio – Pre-Game Discussion
Inside the CCTV Sports Studio, host Yang Jian and basketball commentator Zhang Weiping were discussing the upcoming match.
Yang Jian smiled. "Director Zhang, there's been a joke circulating online. People say that in the NBA, every shot goes in, and the winner is whoever shoots the most."
Zhang Weiping chuckled. "That's because people are watching only the highlights! Of course, the highlights only show made shots."
Yang Jian continued, "Director Zhang, now that five-a-side basketball has emerged, the popularity of three-a-side basketball has been declining. What do you think the future holds for the sport?"
Zhang Weiping gestured as he spoke. "I believe that in the future, five-a-side basketball will become the mainstream format worldwide.
"There are even rumors that the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) will transition to five-a-side basketball.
"The Olympics may also make five-a-side basketball an official Olympic sport in the coming years.
"While the NBA is a professional league, tonight's game will allow us to learn from the world's most advanced basketball strategies."
Yang Jian nodded. "Director Zhang, most of our viewers are new to the NBA. Could you introduce them to the league format?"
Zhang Weiping explained, "The NBA currently has 30 teams, divided into the Eastern Conference and Western Conference, each with 15 teams.
"Every team plays 82 regular-season games. The top eight teams from each conference qualify for the playoffs.
"The playoffs follow a best-of-seven elimination format, and eventually, the Eastern and Western Conference champions face off in the NBA Finals.
"Tonight's game is a preseason match between the Boston Celtics from the Eastern Conference and the Golden State Warriors from the Western Conference."
As Zhang finished his explanation, the cameras shifted to the court.
The players were ready.
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Game Begins – Warriors vs. Celtics
Inside the Beijing Stadium, the atmosphere was electric.
The fans, many of whom were watching an NBA game for the first time, were filled with excitement and curiosity.
With the referee's whistle, the game officially began.
Jump ball.
Wilt Chamberlain, wearing the Warriors' white No. 13 jersey, leaped against Bill Russell.
The ball was tipped toward Warriors guard Paul Arizin.
Arizin quickly dribbled up the court and passed to Chamberlain in the post.
Chamberlain backed down Russell, used his strength to turn inside, and finished with an elegant finger roll layup.
Warriors 2, Celtics 0.
The Celtics counterattacked.
Unlike the Warriors' isolation-heavy offense, the Celtics displayed smooth passing and teamwork.
The ball moved through five players' hands, and finally, Bob Cousy hit a mid-range jumper.
2-2.
The fans were instantly captivated by the level of play.
They didn't have a home team to cheer for, so they simply cheered for whoever made a great play.
At that moment, Tom Meschery of the Warriors drove to the basket for a layup.
But Bill Russell rushed in like a storm and swatted the ball into the third row of spectators!
The crowd erupted.
A clean, powerful block!
The Warriors inbounded the ball, lobbing it to Chamberlain inside.
Chamberlain took a dribble, powered up, and slammed home a thunderous dunk!
The arena exploded in cheers.
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Sports Channel Commentary
In the studio, Yang Jian couldn't help but exclaim,
"Chamberlain's athletic ability is absolutely insane!"
Zhang Weiping nodded. "According to our research, Wilt Chamberlain is 2.16 meters tall, weighs 125 kilograms, and has unmatched athletic talent.
"He can bench press 227 kg, high jump 2.02 meters, and run 100 meters in 10.9 seconds.
"It's almost inhuman!"
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Chamberlain Dominates
Back on the court, John Havlicek of the Celtics drove in for a layup.
Chamberlain leaped from the weak side and blocked the shot with ease.
The ball landed in Sam Jones' hands, but as Jones attempted a mid-range jumper, Chamberlain jumped again and caught the ball mid-air!
The crowd went wild.
Without hesitation, Chamberlain dribbled coast-to-coast, showcasing incredible speed, and finished with a dunk!
The Celtics tried to slow the pace, with Cousy signaling a half-court set.
Russell set a screen, and Cousy delivered a perfect bounce pass to Russell, who immediately looked for an open teammate.
Russell executed a no-look pass to Tom Heinsohn, who went up for a layup—
Blocked!
Chamberlain struck again!
The Warriors pushed the ball, and Arizin fed Chamberlain in the post.
Chamberlain hooked it over Russell—
Swish!
8-2, Warriors lead.
The Celtics' coach, Red Auerbach, called an emergency timeout.
The crowd started chanting "Chamberlain! Chamberlain!" in unison, their voices shaking the stadium.
Online, netizens watching the webcast flooded the chat:
"Is this what an NBA game is like?"
"I love this! The NBA is on another level!"
"I'm a fan now. This is amazing!"
The NBA fever had officially taken over China.