Chapter 422: Chapter 334, G2 (1)
After a day, the Nuggets and Grizzlies’ Game 2 continues at the Pepsi Center in Denver.
The arena is buzzing with noise, fans waving Nuggets flags, cheers and shouts like a tsunami.
This game attracted some special spectators.
NCAA players, aspiring rookies Jayson Tatum, Lonzo Ball, and Aaron Fox have come to watch the game.
These guys are projected lottery picks this year, even top three contenders.
Of course, these three share a common identity; they are all fans of Zeng Xingyang.
Even when Lonzo Ball’s father said, "My son will surpass Zeng Xingyang when he enters the NBA,"
Lonzo Ball rarely came out to ask his father to respect Zeng Xingyang and not use his name for attention.
Zeng Xingyang naturally knew these three, and with a gentle smile, he traversed the crowd to them and gave them autographs.
Tatum’s eyes sparkled with excitement, his voice a little shaky: "Zeng, can I train with you this summer?"
Ball, full of anticipation, quickly followed up, "I want to join too."
Fox also looked at Zeng Xingyang: "I hope to receive your guidance too?"
Seeing the eagerness for improvement from the three young fans, Zeng Xingyang smiled: "Of course, I’d be delighted, but I hope you don’t quit halfway."
In his heart, he thought, it seems I can charge some tuition.
With Zeng Xingyang’s current fame, he wouldn’t lack students wanting to pay for training.
"Definitely not." Tatum straightened up, speaking with determination.
"I will stick to the end." Ball clenched his fist.
"Giving up halfway is not my style." Fox promised solemnly.
Seeing their confident demeanor, Zeng Xingyang couldn’t help but recall Brogdon, Siakam, and others. They also started like this but couldn’t withstand the intense training.
Zeng Xingyang nodded, hoping these three wouldn’t disappoint him.
All three have announced their draft participation this year, among which Zeng Xingyang and Kobe both favor Tatum.
In Zeng Xingyang’s impression, Tatum’s offensive skills cover inside and outside the three-point line, with proficiency in post-up, mid-range pull-up jumpers, transition offense, and spot-up threes. His signature move is the post-up turnaround fadeaway, combined with excellent footwork, creating scoring opportunities from any position.
In the 2023 Eastern Conference Finals Game 7, against Butler’s defense, he used post-ups and turnaround jumpers to score crucial points multiple times; in the 2023 Eastern Semifinals Game 6, he hit a game-winning three against the Bucks; in the 2024 Finals Game 5, he made a fadeaway jumper in the final moments, helping the team gain the championship point...
All of this indicates that although Tatum may not be very likable, he definitely has superstar potential.
And while Lonzo Ball has great court vision and stunning passes, he is injury-prone and lacks shooting, which limits his ceiling.
De’Aaron Fox’s speed in breakthroughs and counterattacks is swift, with an accurate short-range jumper, decent defense, but he’s not quite suitable as a franchise player.
Of course, Zeng Xingyang views these prospects in terms of results; Tatum’s achievements were the highest before his time travel, while Lonzo Ball is nearly fading from the league, and Fox isn’t having a great time with the Kings either.
After chatting with the three fans, Zeng Xingyang focused on his warm-up.
Tonight, with a lead in the series, the Nuggets seemed more relaxed. In the locker room, players laughed constantly, joking in various ways, creating a lighthearted and pleasant atmosphere.
In contrast, on the other side, Grizzlies players were much more silent.
They mostly prepared in silence, occasionally quietly discussing tactics.
This also aligns with their team’s overall style, as the Grizzlies lean towards a serious, traditional approach, making it difficult to loosen up the atmosphere.
The game quickly started.
In the early part of the first quarter, the Grizzlies showed a tougher attitude compared to the previous game.
Their defense was like a tight net, making the Nuggets’ offense not as easy.
Even when Parsons hit a three over Pope, the Grizzlies took an 18-17 lead.
The small number of Grizzlies fans on site erupted in a cheer, as they hadn’t led at any point in the previous game.
The Nuggets began their offense.
Jokic dribbled to the frontcourt, passing to the right side to Zeng Xingyang. Conley didn’t stick to Zeng Xingyang, giving him space to accelerate.
Zeng Xingyang dribbled with his left hand, quickly crossing to the right. He stepped forward like an arrow leaving the bowstring, clean and smooth, instantly passing Conley.
Randolph and Parsons saw this and swiftly doubled towards him, but Zeng Xingyang surged again, accelerating through their defense.
Confronted with Little Gasol under the basket, Zeng Xingyang palmed the ball with one hand, lifting it high, his body stretched to the utmost in the air, then he bit his teeth, slamming the ball fiercely into the hoop.
Little Gasol’s bounce speed and leap were far inferior to Zeng Xingyang’s, leaving him to passively raise both hands.
"Bang!"
Zeng Xingyang completed the poster dunk, stumbling onto the ground afterward.
"Wow——!"
The Nuggets fans instantly went wild, the cheers deafening, and many fans stood up from their seats, waving their arms, shouting loudly.
Beep beep! The referee’s whistle sounded, and the play also resulted in a foul on Little Gasol.
Butler and Jokic quickly ran over, faces full of concern, helping Zeng Xingyang up.
Zeng Xingyang stood on the free-throw line, taking a deep breath, focusing his eyes on the basket, with a light flick of his palm, the basketball drew a beautiful arc in the air.
"Swish!"
Steadily making the free throw.
to 20.
Zeng Xingyang’s response was very resolute, the emotions of the on-site fans fully ignited, the cheers wave after wave like the tide.
"Oh oh, well done."
"Good job!"
"Keep playing like this."
"Dribble over and take over the offense directly."
"Defense!" After making the free throw, Zeng Xingyang’s eyes turned cold, pressing quickly toward Conley.
His pressure soon showed results.
As Conley crossed the mid-line, Butler came over for a double-team.
Butler and Zeng Xingyang both had height and wingspan advantages over Conley, who immediately looked to pass the ball.
But the two were like towering mountains, firmly covering Conley. While dribbling backward to evade, Conley accidentally stepped on the sideline, and the referee decisively raised their hand for a backcourt violation.
On the commentary stand, Zhang Weiping said passionately: "The Nuggets’ defensive intensity is starting to pick up, the Grizzlies need to be cautious, or they might be in trouble."
Xu Jicheng nodded slightly, eyes fixed on the court, analyzing: "At the start of the game, the Nuggets were a bit relaxed, let’s see if the Grizzlies can endure this period."