After the game, Li Chunjiang took the team to the locker room.

After changing their clothes, they started training early right on the court.

Assistant coach Yannis was leading the other players in training on the court, and Li Chunjiang pulled Tang Tian aside to chat about the evening's game against the French team.

This game would be Tang Tian's first appearance for the Chinese team since the Rio Olympics.

Scrimmages are important for training, but before the World Cup, winning is also important.

Besides discussing tactics with Tang Tian, Li Chunjiang also mentioned the starting lineup for the evening.

Batum is currently a garbage contract in the NBA, and his state and strength are no longer good.

The real leaders of this French team are Fournier and Gobert, an offensive core and a defensive stalwart.

In addition to Fournier, Ntilikina and De Colo are also NBA-level players on the French team's perimeter.

In other words, perimeter defense will be crucial against the French team.

However, among these Chinese players, only Zhao Jiwei and Sun Minghui are good at defense.

And Zhao Jiwei and Sun Minghui both can't shoot, which makes things even more awkward.

"I'll play point guard."

Tang Tian could understand Li Chunjiang's meaning and said directly.

"Good."

Li Chunjiang obviously had this idea too, and he immediately agreed when Tang Tian spoke.

Tang Tian can play from point guard to small forward in the NBA. Playing point guard in international games would make the opponent's guard cry.

The two then discussed the other starting positions.

With Tang Tian at point guard and Ding Yanyuhang at shooting guard, this backcourt combination wouldn't be intimidated at all against the French team, and might even have the upper hand.

After discussing the small forward position, they decided to let Abudurexiti start.

Zhou Peng is more experienced, and Zhai Xiaochuan is a tougher defender.

But what the Chinese team needs more on the court is three-pointers and playmaking, which are exactly what Abudurexiti is good at.

The frontcourt would be Zhai Xiaochuan and Yi Jianlian.

Originally, Zhou Qi's rim protection was the best on this team, but now he's injured and can't play, so Yi Jianlian can only play center.

It's a bit sad to say, but since Yao Ming retired, Yi Jianlian has been playing center for more than a decade.

After discussing tactics and the starting lineup, Tang Tian took the initiative to make a request to Li Chunjiang at this time.

"The opening ceremony, like the Pelicans'?"

Li Chunjiang looked strange when he heard what Tang Tian said.

Everyone knows about the Pelicans' almost ritualistic entrance now, but the higher-ups might not accept the national team doing the same thing.

"I'll take responsibility if there's a problem."

Tang Tian knew Li Chunjiang's concerns and said.

"It's okay, if you insist, I'll take responsibility."

Li Chunjiang was tough enough, and when he saw Tang Tian's firm attitude, he hardened up as well.

After the two finished discussing, the training was almost over.

Li Chunjiang gathered the players together and announced the starting lineup for the evening.

Abudurexiti and Zhai Xiaochuan both looked very excited after hearing this. Being able to start with Tang Tian was an exciting thing to think about.

"I will examine the performance of every starting player on the court. This is not the final starting lineup for the World Cup."

Li Chunjiang added a sentence after announcing the starting lineup.

This sentence was both a reminder to the starting players and motivation for the other players.

If you want to really start, show your aggressiveness and fighting spirit in the game.

The players were all very excited after hearing this. They all wanted to start playing with Tang Tian and then fight for the World Cup championship.

Seeing the players' reaction, Li Chunjiang nodded with satisfaction.

Then, there was silence.

Yes, silence.

Li Chunjiang looked a little embarrassed. When the players all looked up at him, he coughed twice and then spoke.

"In addition, in order to boost the team's morale, we will add a unique opening ceremony before the game, starting from this game."

Li Chunjiang's words filled the players with curiosity.

"You should have all seen the Pelicans' games, right? That thing."

Li Chunjiang really didn't know how to describe it and used an analogy directly.

After he finished speaking, the players' reactions were wonderful.

Yi Jianlian turned his head to look at Tang Tian at the first time, raising his eyebrows, as if to say, you're not satisfied with harming the Pelicans, you want to harm the national team too?

Wang Zhelin and Guo Ailun unconsciously reached up and looked at their heads.

They both pay more attention to their appearance. If they were touched bald, they didn't dare to imagine the scene.

Zhai Xiaochuan and Kelan Beike looked slightly excited. It could be seen that they had a bit of a masochistic tendency.

Ding Yanyuhang was relatively calm. Anyway, he hadn't been touched less in the Pelicans.

"Well, if no one objects, it's settled."

Before the players could speak, Li Chunjiang directly blocked the words.

In fact, even if someone objected after Tang Tian asked, he would be懟 back. [Dui = to retort, to rebut, to answer back]

As a result, this unique entrance ceremony of the Pelicans was inherited by the national team.

That night, the Wuhan Sports Center Gymnasium was packed.

Although it was a scrimmage, it was Tang Tian's first appearance for the national team after three years, and the fans' expectations and excitement can be imagined.

To warm up, Tang Tian also increased some warm-up efforts, and a 720-degree turn almost didn't make the fans directly climax on the spot.

That kind of pride is really indescribable.

After the warm-up, the scene entered the opening ceremony.

The opening ceremony of international games is still different from the NBA.

There are no spotlights, and it's not just an introduction to the starters, but an introduction to everyone, and then a national anthem.

The French team comes out first, then the French national anthem is played, followed by the Chinese team.

Tang Tian also wears number 31 for the national team. Don't ask why, just ask if the rules allow it.

He was also the last one to be introduced.

After everyone was introduced, in the horrified and joyful eyes of the fans at the scene, the other players stood in two rows and lowered their heads.

Then Tang Tian stretched out his hands from the front row of the team and began to touch them all the way back.

Familiar formula, but in a different place!

The scene exploded instantly, with whistles and cheers rising and falling.

Tang Tian's head-touching kill!

This is not only the faith of the Pelicans, but also the faith of many Chinese fans!

Seeing the reaction of the audience, the Chinese team members felt more comfortable.

Even after being touched, they had a sense of inexplicable confidence in their hearts.

The psychological impact of the environment on people is enormous!

At the other end of the court, Fournier couldn't help but smile contemptuously after watching the Chinese team's opening ceremony.

These fancy things are like watching monkeys perform in a circus.

After playing the Chinese national anthem on the spot, he gathered the players together and said some encouraging words.

Tonight, the French team will win the game, which will provide them with great confidence for their upcoming World Cup journey.

Although FIBA ranks the Chinese team ahead of the French team, it is more to give Tang Tian face. The overall strength of the Chinese team is not strong, especially the inside is very poor.

On the contrary, the French team's inside and outside configuration is reasonable, and winning is a matter of course in his opinion.