Tang Tian was also thoughtful at this moment.

McGee's two blocks and his off-ball cutting showed that his basketball IQ wasn't low.

But that turnover just now, and the way he didn't hustle for rebounds on the defensive end earlier, made it hard to understand him.

McGee's extremely amateurish plays caused his teammates to lose trust in him, and he didn't get many opportunities to perform after that.

In the end, the Pelicans easily defeated the Nuggets 112-89 at home, winning their second straight game.

McGee played the entire final quarter, contributing 4 points, 4 rebounds, and 3 blocks.

After the game, Tang Tian and Whiteside attended the team's press conference.

In addition to some routine questions, reporters naturally mentioned McGee's performance.

"Javale's turnover was terrible. If that happened during the rotation, it would be a big blow to team morale."

Williams just smiled wryly when faced with this question, and didn't give a direct answer.

In fact, he didn't know how to answer.

Tang Tian took the microphone at this time.

"He had three very good blocks, and he just joined the team. I believe he will get better and better."

Tang Tian's answer was just right.

"Will McGee get playing time in the future games? We noticed that there were a lot of fans supporting him at the scene, holding signs with my.boy on them."

The reporter's follow-up question drew laughter from the other reporters.

Obviously, the word my.boy was enough to make people laugh.

"We will arrange the rotation based on the opposing team and the players' training situation. Javale will of course have the opportunity to play again."

Williams' answer was relatively polite.

"Tang, what do you think of McGee, your new teammate?"

The reporter asked Tang Tian again.

This game was a big win, and there was no suspense. There weren't many questions to ask after the game, and McGee became the focus of attention.

Before Tang Tian could speak, some reporters in the audience couldn't help but laugh.

Obviously, what the previous reporter said about my.boy had made them uncontrollably happy.

"He's a good player, and he's a good person."

As soon as Tang Tian spoke, some reporters below couldn't help but laugh. This was like giving him a "good guy" card, and usually this kind of statement would have a twist.

"And as for me personally, I don't like the words my.boy that were mentioned just now, and I don't want fans to hold up signs like that at the scene anymore."

However, Tang Tian didn't do what they expected, but instead his tone became serious.

The reporters below stopped laughing. Obviously, they didn't expect Tang Tian to support McGee so strongly.

But Tang Tian is now the King of New Orleans, and this is his home court, so the reporters below wisely didn't ask any more questions related to McGee.

After the press conference, Tang Tian and Whiteside walked towards the locker room.

"Javale will be grateful to you."

Whiteside said to Tang Tian with a smile.

His smile was obviously different from the reporters' smiles. This smile had a touch of gratitude in it.

Tang Tian was really good to his teammates. As the team leader, he not only gave guidance in private, but also praised and defended them in front of the media.

"Everyone likes things that make people laugh, but no one wants to be the laughingstock."

Tang Tian replied calmly.

He also liked to watch Shaqtin' a Fool, and he would laugh when he saw Curry's sliding dunk and Thompson's 360° turn and dunk.

But if you keep targeting a person like this, and even let words like "my.boy" become a player's label, that's unfair.

Back in the locker room after showering, everyone else had left.

Tang Tian planned to go to the hospital to see Jokic. On the way past the arena, he heard a sound inside.

He walked over and took a look, and found that it was McGee training inside.

He was covered in sweat, and it looked like he had been doing extra training since the game ended.

Like Biyombo before, role players have very few opportunities to go to a new team. Biyombo seized his chance before and squeezed out Evans.

With Jokic injured, he got the chance to enter the rotation.

But McGee's debut was very average, and he might not even have a chance to play a second time.

But it seemed that his mentality was still good. If he didn't play well, he would work hard to train.

This approach made Tang Tian very curious. His basketball IQ and EQ were not bad, and he worked hard, but he always had some mindless problems on the court.

These things generally don't appear in one person.

The Pelicans' next game is against the Rockets, but it's two days later.

Williams only arranged routine training in the afternoon.

But that very night, the new episode of Shaqtin' a Fool came out.

McGee's turnover last night undoubtedly made it onto Shaqtin' a Fool, and it was ranked first.

Fans on social media were immediately excited, and words like "my.boy is back" became the most liked comments.

McGee's contribution to Shaqtin' a Fool was obvious.

On game day, the team arranged a morning training session as usual.

But before training started, McGee's mood in the locker room looked different from the previous few days. He was obviously a little depressed.

Just like Tang Tian said, no one wants to be the laughingstock in the eyes of others, and neither did McGee.

Tang Tian saw his mood and walked over to sit next to him.

McGee's behavior when buying burgers before gave Tang Tian a new understanding of him.

Although McGee's strength wasn't as outstanding as Whiteside's and Jokic's, he was still willing to give some help to someone like this.

Just like he did at the press conference.

"Thank you for what you said for me at the press conference."

McGee forced a smile and thanked Tang Tian.

Tang Tian smiled and waved his hand, indicating that he didn't come to ask for thanks.

"You don't have to care about that (Shaqtin' a Fool). It's just a boring show, and you have to know that a lot of people have been on that, Stephen, Klay, James (Harden), so you really don't have to care too much about that stuff."

McGee nodded after listening. He quickly understood and took it to heart. His performance on the court really had nothing to do with his brain.

"What you should do more is to stay focused during the game, play well, which is the best response to outside doubts, and it's also the key for you to get your next contract."

Tang Tian continued.

The previous words were to enlighten him, and this was advice.

In the end, if McGee really wants to prevent the outside world from questioning him, he must play well enough, otherwise it's useless to say more.

McGee nodded. Tang Tian's words touched his heart.

The morning training was the same as usual, all non-contact training.

But Biyombo was a little unlucky. He accidentally poked his finger during shooting practice.

This wasn't a big problem, but he might not be able to play in the evening game.

After communicating with the coaching staff and the team doctor, they decided to let Biyombo sit out for one game just to be safe.

Jokic wouldn't be able to play for a month or two. If Biyombo suffered a serious injury, then the Pelicans' inside game would really be over.