On November 4th, 2023, the NBA regular season was in full swing, with the Los Angeles Lakers securing a crucial 123-115 win over the Portland Trail Blazers on the road. This victory marked the Lakers' longest winning streak of the season at four games and ended the Blazers’ three-game win streak. However, despite the team’s collective success, the spotlight once again fell on two key players: Chinese rising star Yang Hanshen, who did not see any action for the second consecutive game despite being on the roster, and the son of Lakers legend LeBron James, Bronny James, who contributed 5 points and 6 assists in limited minutes. The performances and future prospects of these two young players are generating more buzz than the outcome of this regular-season game itself.
展开剩余86%The game started with the Blazers taking advantage of their home-court advantage. The duo of Avdija and Sharpe led a series of attacks, culminating in a strong offensive run in the final minutes of the first quarter, putting the Blazers ahead 33-24. In the second quarter, Portland extended their lead to 13 points, leaving the Lakers in a difficult position.
The real turning point came after halftime. As the second half began, Lakers’ center Deandre Ayton began to assert his dominance, scoring 6 consecutive points to spark the Lakers' comeback. Rui Hachimura’s consistent scoring and Jaden Ivey’s hot shooting from beyond the arc helped the Lakers outscore Portland in the third quarter, allowing them to take the lead. As the game entered the final quarter, the Blazers closed the gap to just 4 points, but Ivey responded with two clutch three-pointers that sealed the game for the Lakers, who held onto their lead until the final buzzer.
In this game, despite missing key players, the Lakers’ core performers stepped up to make up for the team's shortcomings:
- Deandre Ayton: With a dominant 29 points, 10 rebounds, and 3 blocks, Ayton was the Lakers' most reliable presence in the paint.
- Rui Hachimura: Hachimura contributed an efficient 28 points, his versatile offensive game playing a crucial role in keeping the Lakers close.
- Jaden Ivey: Ivey added 25 points and 6 assists, and his clutch three-pointers in the final quarter were pivotal in securing the win.
For the Blazers, although Avdija scored a game-high 33 points with 6 rebounds and Sharpe added 23 points, the team’s early lead couldn’t withstand the Lakers’ improved defense in the second half.
The Buzz Around Bronny and Yang Hanshen
While the game’s narrative should focus on tactics and star performances, it was the contrasting situations of Bronny James and Yang Hanshen that became the main talking points. Bronny, in just 14 minutes of play, may have only scored 5 points, but his 6 assists—second highest on the team—along with his court awareness and defensive intensity, earned praise from the coaching staff. Every time he touched the ball, the crowd responded with excitement.
On the other hand, Yang Hanshen, the promising Chinese prospect, once again found himself on the bench for the entire game. The cameras frequently panned to him during garbage time, his eyes showing a clear desire to get on the court. His continued absence has sparked widespread debate among Chinese fans and media: What exactly is the team’s plan for him? Is it for long-term development, or is his skill set simply not yet at the level required for regular rotation minutes?
Controversy
While the Lakers’ comeback win could have been the main storyline, the ongoing narratives of Bronny’s development and Yang Hanshen’s bench struggles have elevated this seemingly routine regular-season game to something more significant.
As Bronny tries to prove himself on the court, away from his father’s shadow, Yang Hanshen quietly waits for his chance, stuck between potential and opportunity. This dynamic mirrors the larger story of the modern NBA: the spotlight that comes with hype can be both a blessing and a curse. It can thrust you into the limelight, but it also places your every move under intense scrutiny.
While the Lakers' four-game winning streak is a welcome achievement, the challenge for the coaching staff lies in balancing the pressure of results with the development of young players. How will they manage the expectations surrounding these two “special” players? When will Yang Hanshen finally make his debut? Will Bronny be able to truly make his mark amid the ongoing debates? The answers to these questions will likely be far more captivating than any single regular-season game. For now, fans can only watch and wait as these two young players chart their distinct, yet intertwined, NBA paths.
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