He Xi Meng had said that Artest possessed a defensive talent.
Artest always remembered He Xi Meng's praise and indeed put in hard work on defense, successfully becoming one of the league's top perimeter defenders.
However, Artest had never given up his pursuit of scoring. Therefore, this season, Artest was essentially carrying both defense and offense, a versatile small forward strong in both aspects.
It was a pity that such brilliant moments were not long-lasting.
Before the game against the Celtics, Artest strode to the sidelines with the swagger of the Pacers' leader, first shaking hands and bumping fists with Boss Joe!
After all, when Artest was still a rookie with the Bulls, being invited by Boss Joe to his lavish mansion at number 23 for practice had greatly motivated him!
This made Artest work even harder, pouring more sweat onto the training grounds. Because he also wanted to own a grand estate like Boss Joe's, countless sports cars, and a group of younger brothers readily available to spar with him...
Every young brother harbored a dream of becoming a big brother!
Artest's dream seemed to have come true, yet at the same time, it felt somewhat unstable.
"Well done, Ron! You're now one of the league's most dazzling small forwards!"
Boss Joe certainly knew how to compliment people.
"Thank you for your affirmation! I feel I can still play even better! I want to, like you, lead the team to contend for a championship..."
"Whoa! My apologies, but then our two teams' goals might conflict!"
"Didn't you guys just finish rebuilding?" Artest asked with surprise.
"Yes! But the outcome of rebuilding varies greatly depending on who does it! Some people rebuild and it takes several seasons of mediocrity before they rise. I'm different; if I don't do it, I'll do something big! Simon + Yao Ming + Paul, who was already in Boston, a Big Three, all set!"
When it came to self-praise, Boss Joe was undoubtedly also top-tier.
What was crucial was that Artest, this straightforward guy, also had an unusual way of thinking. Hearing Boss Joe's self-congratulatory remarks, he felt no dissonance and sincerely gave Boss Joe a thumbs-up.
"Your efficiency is indeed top-notch!"
As the saying goes, birds of a feather flock together!
Artest and Boss Joe clearly belonged to the same type of player. Hence, they hit it off immediately, feeling like old friends.
After a round of mutual praise with Boss Joe, Artest briefly greeted the Big Three, Larry Bird, and then sought out He Xi Meng.
In truth, He Xi Meng and Artest's relationship hadn't become particularly close since their time at Boss Joe's training camp.
For the past few seasons, He Xi Meng had been busy leading the Spurs to championships and building a dynasty, while Artest had been gaining experience and leveling up with the Bulls and Pacers, not on the same tier as He Xi Meng.
It was only this season, with Amar'e Stoudemire injured and having just undergone surgery, temporarily relinquishing the team leader position, that Artest had the standing to be buddy-buddy with He Xi Meng.
He Xi Meng, much like Boss Joe, offered Artest customary praise.
Players like Artest particularly needed affirmation from others.
On this point, both He Xi Meng and Boss Joe saw it at a glance.
After the compliments, He Xi Meng also appropriately poured a bit of cold water on Artest, hoping he would remain low-key and calm, and absolutely avoid conflicts with fans...
"I'm not an idiot, why would I get into conflict with fans?" Artest replied with a smile.
He Xi Meng nodded with a knowing look, "I hope you remember what you said today..."
As the game began, He Xi Meng and Paul Pierce were still at odds.
In fact, since the end of the previous game, the two had had little communication.
Pierce felt offended and, with a bellyful of resentment with nowhere to vent, decided to ignore He Xi Meng and continue to be a cold and ruthless boss.
He Xi Meng had no time to indulge Pierce's petty temper. Comparatively, he was more concerned with Doc Rivers' thoughts.
Because Rivers was the one who could truly influence the current Celtics players.
As long as Rivers could be won over, Pierce would eventually recognize his position on the Green Team.
But Rivers seemed to have a stubborn streak as well.
Judging by the results of the first game, He Xi Meng's suggestion to use Yao Ming as the tactical core was clearly superior to Pierce's core strategy.
However, after a night of deep thought, Rivers did not change his approach. Instead, he continued to adhere to his preseason plan, intending to establish Pierce as the core.
Then, don't blame He Xi Meng for continuing to defy Rivers' arrangements and playing his own rhythm!
As the game started, Yao Ming won the tip-off again, giving the Celtics the first offensive opportunity.
He Xi Meng dribbled past half-court, continuing to ignore Pierce, and called for a high pick-and-roll from Karl Malone.
Old Malone had accepted the Celtics' invitation to come to Boston, originally prepared to be a reserve. Unexpectedly, a starting position fell into his lap, bringing him an unexpected bonus.
No one wants to admit they're getting old, and no one wants to be a bench player. Given the opportunity to start, who wouldn't seize it?
Malone had also observed the brewing tension between He Xi Meng and Pierce.
However, the seasoned Malone chose to remain neutral, offending neither and cooperating with both.
After all, Malone was introduced by Gary Payton, and had no direct ties to either of them.
Payton, it seemed, hadn't told Malone much about He Xi Meng.
He Xi Meng didn't care about Malone's attitude. As long as Malone didn't cause trouble, cooperating with both was acceptable to He Xi Meng.
Amar'e Stoudemire, having returned from surgery, was not yet in the starting lineup. The player filling his starting role was the white power forward, Austin Croshere.
Facing the switching defense of Austin Croshere, He Xi Meng suddenly stopped dribbling and then executed a no-look pass through the legs, directly threading the ball to Yao Ming behind Croshere!
Yao Ming caught the ball, turned, and before Scott Pollard could close in, he rose up for a short jump shot, steadily scoring two points!
"Starting off with a through-the-legs pass, isn't your style a bit arrogant?"
As he backpedaled, Pierce started to trouble He Xi Meng again.
"What? Are you scared?"
"Scared?" Pierce scoffed, "I don't even know what the word 'scared' means!"
"Then be prepared for Ron's onslaught! I heard this guy's bones are pretty tough! Don't say I didn't warn you..."
Pierce gave He Xi Meng a nonchalant expression!
On the Pacers' side, Jamaal Tinsley brought the ball past half-court. Instead of challenging He Xi Meng one-on-one, he passed the ball to Artest on the wing!
Artest, having just become the team's core, was feeling the rush.
For the very first possession of the game, shouldn't he be the one to take the shot?
Moreover, with He Xi Meng's through-the-legs pass to Croshere on the Celtics' previous possession, Artest felt that, as the team's acting leader, he needed to help Croshere get his revenge!
However, He Xi Meng wasn't guarding him; Pierce, the Celtics' second-in-command, was guarding Artest!
Well, regardless of what Pierce thought, in Artest's eyes, He Xi Meng was the Celtics' number one, and Pierce was their number two!
Since I can't get to your number one, it's only reasonable to take my anger out on your number two, right?