Chapter 375: Chapter 287, Continue Slaughtering the Blazers!
On the sidelines, Zeng Xingyang, Jokic, and Butler were each surrounded by different reporters.
From being underestimated in the preseason to now crushing the Spurs by 60 points, the Nuggets’ trio’s first game yielded unexpectedly good results.
Facing ESPN’s interview, Zeng Xingyang was calm and did not seize the opportunity to mock his opponents.
With a resolute gaze, he said steadily, "Last season, many people said the Spurs were our nemesis. Perhaps the results showed that. But I think we lost more often to injuries, and that helpless feeling is still unforgettable. Now, I will let everyone see how terrifying we are in good health, and they will feel afraid whenever they face us in the future." His voice was deep yet powerful, each word seemed to carry a force that penetrates the heart.
The reporters on site didn’t find Zeng Xingyang’s words exaggerated. Although the Spurs were in poor form today and obviously underprepared, more people knew deep down that the Nuggets’ strength had long been different than before.
Thinking back to the early careers of Jordan and James, both encountered extremely strong opponents.
If you compare Zeng Xingyang with them, you’ll find his speed in overcoming his opponents was evidently faster.
After returning to the locker room, the three attended a press conference again.
Today, many Nuggets players performed well, but attending the press conference was more about the team’s status and player reputation.
Butler talked enthusiastically to reporters, his face brimming with uncontrollable excitement. His eyes sparkled with light, and his entire being exuded a confident aura.
Zeng Xingyang understood Butler’s feelings at the moment. After all, he lost too much last season with the Bulls, and to start this season with such a sweeping victory was indeed exhilarating.
However, Butler’s unique hairstyle was truly striking.
Zeng Xingyang and Jokic watched Butler’s hairstyle from the side, almost unable to hold back their laughter several times.
Actually, they couldn’t be blamed; today, Zeng Xingyang also noticed that Leonard couldn’t help but laugh when going head-to-head with Butler.
Obviously, Leonard was also baffled by Butler’s hairstyle.
Butler boasted to the reporters, "I know how to win, I know how to lead rookies in playing, that’s my role in the team." His eyes were full of self-assurance.
After the reporters perfunctorily interviewed Butler, they turned their gaze to Zeng Xingyang: "Zeng, how do you evaluate the Spurs tonight?"
Zeng Xingyang showed a polite smile and said, "You know, the Spurs are a very excellent team..."
Then, he began a stream of compliments for the opponents, filled with respect for the past glory of the Spurs. The reporters listened, feeling somewhat speechless.
It’s unsure when it started, but this opening "you know" had begun to be imitated.
Subsequently, Zeng Xingyang’s tone turned sharp, and his gaze became piercing: "However, it’s just a small obstacle on our path forward. Now, I can solemnly announce that we have successfully overcome this obstacle."
That day, the news of the Nuggets’ overwhelming 60-point win against the Spurs swiftly shocked the entire league like a storm.
In a bar filled with fans, the big screen was playing this news.
A fan suddenly slapped the table and exclaimed, "F*ck, no way, the Nuggets are this fierce? Beat the Spurs by 60 points? That’s too exaggerated!" His voice trembled with excitement.
The fans nearby chimed in, and a fan wearing a Nuggets cap waved his beer mug and shouted loudly, "I always said, this new season they’re definitely going to rise!"
The bar instantly became lively, with cheers and discussions happening incessantly.
"Watching tonight’s game shows how crazy the Nuggets are now. Their offense is too sharp, and their defense is impenetrable. The Spurs simply can’t cope." An experienced fan analyzed seriously.
"Start so brutally in the opening game? This new season’s Nuggets are definitely up to something!" A young fan jumped up in excitement.
"No wonder Zeng Xingyang’s post-game words are so arrogant, just from this game, the Spurs indeed are no match for the Nuggets." A fan wearing a Spurs jersey, although somewhat helpless, had to admit the Nuggets’ strength.
"If we put it this way, the Nuggets might really face off against the Warriors? Maybe they can break the Warriors’ dominance!"
This topic threw the bar into an uproar, and everyone began enthusiastically discussing the potential matchup between the Nuggets and the Warriors.
"Now I doubt whether the Warriors can overcome the Nuggets? The Nuggets are unstoppable in this condition!"
The fans who watched this game were filled with anticipation for the Nuggets’ upcoming matches.
Of course, there were also some fans who raised doubts.
On a basketball forum, a user posted: "I think the Spurs were at their worst in this game, otherwise there’s no way they’d lose this much. After all, the Spurs just retired Duncan, not Leonard." This viewpoint was met with some agreement, and there were still varying opinions about the Nuggets’ strength.
At this time, the entire Nuggets team was already quickly heading to the away game to prepare for the next match.
On October 30th, the Nuggets will challenge the Blazers on the road.
As the game began, the Rose Garden Arena was packed, and Blazers fans donned home team jerseys, loudly chanting slogans, trying to use the home court momentum to suppress the Nuggets.
However, what they didn’t expect was that they were greeted by a crushing defeat.
As the game started, Zeng Xingyang broke through the Blazers’ defense, a beautiful pass accurately reached Jokic’s hands. Jokic received the ball, turned around effortlessly, and with a hook shot, sent the basketball cleanly through the net.
The on-site commentator excitedly exclaimed, "Beautiful! The Nuggets are showing strong offensive firepower from the start, the teamwork between Zeng Xingyang and Jokic is simply seamless!"
Following this, the Nuggets’ offense appeared like the rushing tide, wave after wave.
The Blazers’ duo, Lillard and McCollum, couldn’t create any waves in front of the Nuggets’ now powerful guard lineup.
Lillard repeatedly tried to break through, but he was tightly encircled by the Nuggets’ defensive players, his shots frequently hitting the iron. McCollum also found himself in trouble, his face filled with anxiety, as time and again his shots failed to score.
At the end of the first quarter, the Nuggets led the Blazers by 15 points with a score of 35 to 20.
At this point, the atmosphere at the Rose Garden Arena became somewhat oppressive, and the Blazers fans bore looks of concern on their faces.
In the second quarter, the Nuggets’ second lineup entered the court, continuing the hot state of the starting lineup.
Butler led the rookies, actively scrambling on the court, working well on offense, and not relaxing on defense.
The commentator shouted loudly, "Jimmy Butler’s passing is wonderful! The rookie players are also bold in their actions, the Nuggets’ second lineup is equally impressive!"
In contrast, the Blazers’ offense still showed no improvement. Lillard and McCollum remained in a slump.
At the end of the second quarter, the Nuggets extended their lead to 23 points with a score of 68 to 45.
In the third quarter, the Nuggets players charged forward, maintaining a high intensity in both offense and defense.
Zeng Xingyang and Jokic returned to the court, leading the team in launching even fiercer attacks against the Blazers. Jokic in the paint, with his strong physique and excellent skills, scored repeatedly.
He usually could displace defenders with a turn, using impressive footwork that evoked a burst of exclamations on site.
The commentator shouted, "Nikola Jokic! This Serbian player is too dominant! He’s simply undefeatable in the paint!"
Lillard and McCollum appeared helpless as they were besieged by the Nuggets. Their shooting accuracy was only around 30%, their faces full of frustration. At the end of the third quarter, the Nuggets led the Blazers by 28 points with a score of 103 to 75.
At this point, the game had lost suspense.
Ultimately, the Nuggets slaughtered the Blazers by 30 points, finishing 133 to 103.