Team reporter: Yang Hansen fully deserves the rookie game spot; Split always patiently answers questions from Chinese reporters

On January 29th Beijing time, in the newest podcast episode, Trail Blazers reporter Casey Holdahl mentioned Yang Hansen’s inclusion in the rookie game and also covered Split’s replies to Chinese reporters’ inquiries. Details as follows—

Yang Hansen fully deserves this position. Some people may wonder “why was he chosen for the rookie game,” and such doubts are understandable, but many might overlook one key point:Hansen earned his qualification through his outstanding performance in the Development League.

It’s normal that many people are unaware of this since the NBA’s official promotion and explanation on this matter have been insufficient. Also, it’s worth noting that Shepard last year was selected as a Development League player even though he barely played there. In comparison, Hansen has consistently shined in the G League this season.

Additionally, there’s a small detail we might have missed—Hansen performed exceptionally well in the game against the Wizards. It’s clear he has been improving steadily, showing more confidence and composure each time he steps on the court. Former NBA player Evan Turner even joked, “Look, I told you guys, this kid moves as lightly as a ballet dancer.” That’s not an exaggeration,Hansen’s footwork is really impressive, and it’s obvious he has put a lot of effort into refining this skill.

I’m glad to see him getting early playing opportunities. By the way, I was sitting next to several of Hansen’s young fans. Before you arrived, I chatted with them a bit. They were really adorable. I met a boy who came specifically to watch Hansen’s game; as soon as Hansen appeared, he immediately took out his phone and recorded the entire time without missing a second. After the game, Split was asked about Hansen’s performance and praised him as “playing very well.” Chinese fans often tell me, “Thank you so much for taking care of Hansen,” and I always reply, “He’s a good kid, no problem.”

Their gratitude feels like they’re saying, “Thank you for being so kind to our young player,” which is genuinely heartfelt. So I’m truly happy for Hansen making it to this rookie game. I also heard he was originally going to Los Angeles, so this works out perfectly for him.

It’s obvious,Los Angeles is a huge market, and the NBA naturally hopes Hansen will participate in the All-Star Weekend events. We don’t need to shy away from this fact. But more importantly, he fully deserves to be selected based on his evident performances in the Development League this season.Therefore, this game will definitely be exciting and adds another layer of enjoyment for Trail Blazers fans.

Currently, many Chinese media outlets are paying close attention to the Trail Blazers, and they frequently inquire about Hansen’s status. Normally,after a team loss, I probably wouldn’t ask about Hansen, but for the Chinese reporters who have traveled all this way, this is their purpose and their job—they have to do it..

AndSplit always responds to these questions with great humility and sincerity, giving honest answers.He consistently replies thoughtfully, saying things like, “Yeah, I think he played well.” Clearly, Hansen still has much to learn, but Split patiently addresses these questions every time.

What’s even more noteworthy is that, from a media perspective, Split is always open and candid in expressing his views without ever losing his temper. This quality is quite rare. I feel he has never shown impatience or dismissiveness when answering questions, even though most people might occasionally do so.