Kung Fu is beyond 48 minutes

On November 1, during the NBA mid-season match between the Trail Blazers and the Nuggets, Chinese teenager Yang Hansen suffered a complete DNP (did not play) for the first time in his NBA career. On November 2, the Trail Blazers announced that Yang Hansen would be assigned to the Development League's mixed team for training. From being the 16th overall pick in the first round with high hopes, to now being temporarily left behind in the fierce competition within the team, how should Yang Hansen move forward in the future?

Want to grab it!

The position is not given

Before the game, the Trail Blazers officially announced that they would recall Rowe from the Development League after returning from injury. After Lowe returned, he replaced Yang Hansen in the rotation order with his superior experience and ability. At present, the rotation order of the Trail Blazers inside has been clearly defined as Klingen (starter), Lowe (main substitute), and Reese. Yang Hansen has slipped to the fourth center. After Lowe returns, it is difficult for Yang Hansen to get playing time from a rotation perspective, and there is a high probability that he will be sent to the Development League.

Previously, Yang Hansen's draft pick, contract (four years, $21.39 million, fully guaranteed for the first two years), and the team's purchase of No. 1 pick center Ayton, all gave fans illusions about his immediate combat capabilities. However, in the NBA, a highly competitive league, and in a team like the Trail Blazers, which ranks first in the league in tempo and emphasizes speed and aggressive defense, it is difficult for a rookie, especially a traditional center with shortcomings in movement speed, to get stable playing time immediately.

In fact, compared to the situation of other rookies at the same level, Yang Hansen averaged 5.8 minutes per game this season, 1.8 points, 0.8 rebounds, and 0.4 blocks. Although he is not outstanding among the first-round picks, he is "far from the worst." However, in Yang Hansen's limited playing time, the core problem exposed is the mismatch between his speed and the current Trail Blazers' tactical system.

Sun Yue, the former Chinese men's basketball national player, commented on Yang Hansen's performance: "This position is not given, but snatched... You must also find a way to grab it, because if you take this bowl of rice, others will not be able to eat it." The competition rules of the NBA are so cruel.

Be quiet!

Slow down and level up

Trail Blazers interim coach Splitter once said to Yang Hansen: "This is a marathon, not just a few series."

Faced with difficulties, what should Yang Hansen do? First of all, the adjustment of mentality is crucial. Split repeatedly emphasized that Yang Hansen must have "patience." The Trail Blazers selected Yang Hansen with a first-round pick based on a long-term investment and training plan. The short-term DNP does not mean giving up on him. At present, Yang Hansen has a good mentality. He said that he will "play every game well with his big brothers and don't think too much before doing it." He shows a positive side. How long he can maintain this mentality is worth paying attention to.

Secondly, if you are unable to obtain stable playing time in the NBA in the short term, then delegating it to the Development League for training is almost inevitable and the best choice. This is not a failure or a derogation, but a necessary step in the growth of many NBA stars. Although the game intensity of the Development League is lower than that of the NBA, it is much higher than that of the CBA. It can provide Yang Hansen with much-needed and large-scale practical opportunities, which can help him improve confrontation, become familiar with tactical movements, and improve defensive habits in actual combat. In addition, in a relatively relaxed environment, he can get more playing time and more ball rights, and regain the feeling of the game.

Looking back at Yang Hansen's performance in the NBA Summer League, which averaged 10.8 points, 5.3 rebounds, 3.8 assists and 2.3 blocks in 24.5 minutes per game, it proved that he has the ability to play a prominent role in the second-tier league. The key is whether he is mentally prepared to "fight monsters and upgrade" and regard the Development League as a stage for training rather than a cold palace.

Yang Hansen's NBA start is a cooling down of expectations and a realistic education. As the saying goes, time lies beyond 48 minutes. Only by working harder, working harder, and taking advantage of every opportunity to improve himself can he take off against the trend and truly gain a foothold in the NBA. Our reporter Li Yuanchun