In the second half, neither Durant nor Davis played for the Pelicans, and Curry and Thompson also sat out for the Warriors.
It was clear that after a real battle in the first half, both sides had tacitly agreed to start practicing their lineups.
This was also reasonable. Both teams had seen significant changes in their bench players during the summer, and they needed the preseason to find new rotation combinations.
Ding Yanyuhang's performance in the second half was eye-catching.
Like Durant, he was one of the standout players in the World Cup, and he carried that form into the new season.
Ultimately, the Pelicans won the game 103-93, securing their first preseason victory.
Durant led the Pelicans with 22 points, 4 rebounds, and 4 assists, while Ding Yanyuhang had 15 points, 2 rebounds, and 2 assists, and Kuzma added 13 points and 5 rebounds.
It was a successful preseason game, with both teams identifying their problems and highlights.
The enthusiastic atmosphere of the fans also allowed the NBA headquarters to fully appreciate the strength of the Chinese market.
It was foreseeable that the NBA's investment in the Chinese market would only increase in the future.
For fans, having more opportunities to see their favorite stars was also a happy thing.
This was a strong indication of mutual benefit and prosperity.
Fans in both China and the United States were also optimistic about the future on social media.
"The Pelicans have replaced the Rockets as the new link between the NBA and the Chinese market, and they're doing it even better."
"Tang's presence makes the Pelicans different, and more and more Chinese players are entering the NBA, which is good for everyone."
"Further success in the Chinese market will further promote basketball worldwide. Good examples will attract new members."
"Yes, the success of the Chinese market will allow the NBA to continue to expand its market to countries like Japan, South Korea, and even India and the Philippines."
"More and more NBA players will also like coming to Asia because they will realize that it has the best fans in the world."
……
It was no exaggeration to say that because of Tang Tian and Tatum, Stern's dream of a global NBA was getting closer to realization.
After finishing their first preseason game, the two teams would move to Shanghai for their second game.
Tang Tian also traveled to Shanghai with the team. He planned to return to New Orleans with the Pelicans after the China game.
He landed at just after one in the afternoon.
As soon as he turned on his phone, he found that he was being bombarded with calls and texts.
They were all from people he knew, some close and some not so much.
All of these messages mentioned one thing, a news item related to Rockets general manager Morey.
Just a short time before, Morey had posted a personal status on Twitter.
"Fight for freedom, stand with Hong Kong."
This was a statement with a very political stance because it involved the country's territorial integrity.
Although Morey quickly deleted the tweet, it had already been screenshotted by fans and posted on social media.
As the most influential basketball player at the moment, Tang Tian quickly received messages from all sides.
His first reaction was that Morey had lost his mind.
This hadn't happened when he transmigrated in his previous life.
But after thinking about it carefully, he understood.
Having lived in the United States for so many years, especially the discrimination he encountered when he first arrived at the Spurs, he could deeply feel the American sense of superiority.
That was closely related to the education they received from childhood, as well as the media information they consumed.
So Morey's words were likely just something he had always wanted to say but hadn't, and it had come out because of some external factors.
Maybe it was the triumph after enjoying professional services in Japan, maybe it was bragging with local businessmen over drinks, maybe it was the envy of the Pelicans' huge preseason success as a businessman, or maybe it was the accumulation of emotions caused by Houston fans' dissatisfaction with Chinese elements due to too much sponsorship...
There were many possibilities, and no one but Morey himself knew why.
But this usually shrewd and astute general manager may have really screwed up this time.
Because this topic, for example, was as serious as Tang Tian publicly discussing racial issues in the United States.
Tang Tian immediately spoke with Tatum on the phone.
If this issue wasn't dealt with immediately, it could escalate into an uncontrollable situation.
"Tang, the problem isn't that serious. You know the position of a team's general manager is very high in our country. Firing him for no reason will involve legal issues."
Tatum didn't seem to realize the seriousness of the problem either.
"If you can't get Morey to resign and the Rockets to apologize within a day, the NBA's Chinese market may cease to exist."
When Tang Tian said these words in a very serious tone, Tatum realized how serious the problem was.
"I'll handle this. I'll fly to Japan later."
After realizing the seriousness of the problem, Tatum immediately took action.
The biggest difference between him and Silver was his viewpoint. Like Stern, he was committed to the NBA's global expansion.
Stern had visited China three times, saying "even if it's just for advertising" to open the door to the Chinese NBA market.
Tatum would definitely not allow that door to be closed because of one team's general manager.
Rockets owner Fertitta had just returned to Houston not long ago. He had been vacationing with his family in Los Angeles.
As a businessman, his sensitivity was much higher. He sensed that Morey's words could cost him hundreds of millions of dollars.
So he ended his vacation early.
After knowing Fertitta's location, Tatum communicated by phone while rushing to Houston.
The two of them quickly sat down face to face to talk.
"I know the risks, but our country supports freedom of speech. All I can do is to distance Morey from the Rockets, so that it doesn't affect the Rockets and the NBA."
Fertitta expressed his views.
He knew very well that if he fired Morey at this time because of these words involving "freedom of speech", he would be labeled with a big hat like Sterling had been, and then be forced to sell the team.
So he thought of the best response he could.
"I thought so at first, but Tang told me something about their country. I don't think this can be solved by simply disassociating ourselves. We may have to do far more than that."
"We'll encounter legal problems, and we'll lose a lot of fans."
Although Tatum didn't say it, Fertitta could hear the intention to fire Morey from his words, and he expressed his concerns.
"Yes, we will lose, but if we don't do that, we'll lose the entire Chinese market. Do you know why the NBA can now surpass baseball as the second most popular sport in the United States? Why do our athletes earn more than those in the NFL? Because of Tang, because of the overseas market."
Tatum's words hit Fertitta's chest like bullets.