13-minute icebreaker: Yang Hansen, the passionate start of a new NBA journey

At Portland's Moda Center, with 3 minutes and 12 seconds left in the first quarter, Yang Hansen walked to the scorer's table, resolutely tore off his training clothes and strode onto the field. At that moment, there was a subtle anticipation in the air. After a long wait of 20 days, he returned from the G League and ushered in his ice-breaking moment in the NBA. In just 13 minutes and 08 seconds of playing time, he scored 9 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists and 1 block. These statistics are like a passionate war hymn. As Chinese fans, we certainly hope that this will be the key to announcing that the Chinese basketball star has officially entered the NBA, but we still need rational analysis when returning to the court.

G League experience builds the cornerstone of confidence

The most amazing thing about Yang Hansen in this game is not the smart little hook, nor the wonderful alley-oop assists for his teammates, but the sense of certainty he exudes on the court. Looking back on the previous five games, confusion was always present, but tonight, every move he made on both ends of the floor was made with clear intent.

On the offensive end, 7 of his shots accurately landed in reasonable offensive areas, and 4 of his hits demonstrated his efficient scoring ability. Every move is like a carefully considered decision, showing precise timing. In terms of support, all three assists came from passing passes after attracting the defense, accurately finding teammates in open spaces, and guiding the team's offense. On the defensive end, behind that block were multiple successful frame-protecting interferences. Although not all of them were converted into data, each interference effectively limited the opponent's offense.

This radical transformation is rooted in his outstanding performance in the G League. He averaged 14.5 points and 11 rebounds in both games. In the Development League, he hit key three-pointers, carried the offensive banner, and became the core force of the team. These experiences were like a strong motivation, transforming his success in the G League into the determination and confidence in his eyes when he returned to the NBA court.

Every detail shows the potential.

Yang Hansen's wonderful performance in this game makes people seem to see the figures of those great international insiders. In him, we can capture the potential of future superstars.

When supporting from the high post, he made a false pass at the top of the arc, instantly attracting opponents to attack. Then, with quick eyes and quick hands, he assisted his teammates who were cutting through the air, showing excellent court vision and passing skills. When playing in the low post, the small hook shot behind his back is smooth and natural, allowing people to appreciate his solid inside skills. In terms of defensive awareness, although there is still room for improvement in movement speed, the timing of assisting defense has improved significantly, and the judgment of the situation on the field has become more accurate.

What is particularly worth mentioning is his control of fouls. He committed only 1 foul in the game, which was in sharp contrast to the 8 fouls accumulated in the previous 5 games. This shows that he has a deeper understanding of the scale of the NBA game. This improvement in basketball IQ may be more attractive to the coaching staff than simple scoring data, which means that his stability and tactical value in the game are constantly improving.

Historical coordinates, breakthroughs show hope

Behind these 9 points, there are deep expectations for Chinese basketball, and its significance needs to be examined in the long development process of Chinese basketball. Yi Jianlian scored 31 points in a single game in 2016, which is still the peak score in the post-Yao Ming era; Zhou Qi scored a career-high 6 points, but has never been able to truly integrate into the team rotation; Sun Yue scored 4 points in a single game, showing more of his expertise in perimeter defense. Yang Hansen surpassed the career scoring records of two seniors in one game. Although the sample is limited, this breakthrough proves the infinite possibilities. It is like a loud clarion call, awakening the NBA dream of Chinese basketball that has been dormant for many years, allowing people to see the hope of a new generation of Chinese players to shine in the NBA.

Seize the opportunity and help the team break the game

Yang Hansen's ability to get the opportunity at this time is closely connected with the Trail Blazers' current predicament. The team's decline of five losses in six games forced the coaching staff to seek changes. Holiday's absence has put the team's offensive development into trouble and urgently needs new support points to revitalize the situation. Coach Split is facing a coaching crisis, which also prompts him to be more willing to try new lineup combinations.

This "opportunity in crisis" is a rare showcase for players on the fringes of the NBA. Yang Hansen seized this opportunity and proved with actual actions that he can not only fill time on the court, but also bring valuable tactical value to the team and inject new vitality into the Trail Blazers' tactical system.

Forge ahead and clarify the direction of growth

Although Yang Hansen performed well in this game, objectively speaking, he still has a lot to improve. In terms of three-point shooting, he failed to hit two open three-pointers, which shows that his shooting range needs to be expanded. In today's NBA arena that emphasizes outside firepower, stable three-point ability is crucial. Although he grabbed 5 rebounds in the rebound position, he lost backcourt rebounds after being blocked in many rounds. He needs to strengthen his awareness and skills in fighting for rebounds. When the defense moves, he is slightly sluggish when faced with the pick-and-roll of a small defender, which can easily become a breakthrough for his opponents in fast-paced NBA games.

These shortcomings point the way for his future training between the G League and the NBA. As media person "Hai Jun's Blue" said, "The ultimate goal is to keep Hexion improving and help the Chinese men's basketball team achieve breakthroughs in future national team games." Yang Hansen's growth is not only related to his personal career, but also carries the hope of the future of Chinese basketball.

When Hansen Yang was substituted in the fourth quarter, his teammates on the bench stood up and high-fived him. This detail is far more powerful proof than any data that he has begun to be truly accepted by the team.. This game won't make him an instant star, but it certainly proved that the young man who clenched his fists after hitting a clutch 3-pointer in the G League has returned to the NBA with a lot of confidence.

13 minutes may be short in a 48-minute game, but for Yang Hansen's basketball dream, it is enough to open a new chapter. This night, Yang Hansen's NBA career wrote the first solid end, and we firmly believe that this is just the starting point of his glorious journey.