CHAPTER 103: CHAPTER 98, SECOND BATTLE FRENZY: SCORING 30+ AND IGNITING THE LEAGUE!

"Holy crap, amazing, this kid is incredible."

"Not only can he score on his own, but he also knows how to pass in such a high-intensity game and still find opportunities."

"The synergy between Zeng Xingyang and Jokic is fantastic."

Even many Minnesota Timberwolves fans were staring in shock at the two rookies from the Nuggets. Some held their heads, while others’ mouths gaped open in awe.

It was as if they were seeing the future of the Nuggets.

Minnesota Timberwolves’ offense.

After a series of passes, Towns finds an open spot at the 45-degree three-point line on the right, a quick three-point jump shot from Towns.

"Clang!"

This time it didn’t go in.

O’Neal saw this scene and was quite dissatisfied: "Such a soft inside presence, is this guy really a first pick? Always pulling out to shoot threes."

Barkley said: "That’s not how you play inside!"

Towns’ continuous shots from the outside drew critiques from the legendary stars.

The rebound was grabbed by Jokic.

Jokic quickly passed the ball to Zeng Xingyang.

Harris had a better position on the other side, and Zeng Xingyang made a direct pass to him.

Harris got the ball and soared for a layup, scoring.

to 25.

Minnesota Timberwolves’ offense came again, but they made a mistake in passing this time.

Rubio wanted to make a bounce pass to the driving Towns. If Towns got the pass, he would have scored directly.

But Zeng Xingyang intercepted the ball.

After grabbing the ball, Zeng Xingyang swiftly initiated a ball-handling counterattack.

Kevin Martin was chasing, his speed was fast, catching up to Zeng Xingyang.

But Zeng Xingyang had the advantage in physical confrontation.

Kevin Martin is not particularly good at defense.

In a high-speed confrontation, Zeng Xingyang bumped off Kevin Martin, slowed down under the basket for a one-handed slam dunk!!

"Bang!!"

The basketball was violently slammed into the hoop.

to 25

TNT broadcasting room.

Barkley had his mouth wide open, his voice slightly shaken: "Couldn’t stop him. Kevin Martin failed to stop Zeng during this counterattack."

"We all thought Zeng couldn’t handle a fast-break, but tonight he showed us something entirely new."

"Like a beast, he knocked Kevin Martin away, igniting the Nuggets’ bench."

The Minnesota Timberwolves’ coaching bench was very quiet at this moment.

No sighing, only silence.

Sam Mitchell finally took a deep breath.

Even with several young talents on the team, at this moment, he looked at Zeng Xingyang with nothing but envy.

"This guy is going to be an All-Star someday," Sam Mitchell couldn’t help but murmur.

On the other side, Nuggets assistant coach Jody said to Mike Malone: "When this guy drives to the hoop, he’s like a charging beast."

"Haha, he’s got good physical attributes. We underestimated him," Mike Malone said.

"With Zeng as a scorer this season, we’ve got support in the two and three positions," Jody said.

"This guy might not settle for just a two-three position role. He might be quite ambitious," Mike Malone said.

Mike Malone could see it clearly; Zeng Xingyang had been trying to showcase his ball-handling skills since the preseason.

He’s not just aiming to start at the two or three spots; he wants to be the team’s core.

This is a rookie with a clear target.

Even the Minnesota Timberwolves fans by the court couldn’t help but cheer for this rookie.

Zeng Xingyang’s performance tonight was stunning.

From the start of the second quarter, the score gap widened, and the Minnesota Timberwolves never managed to catch up.

Mike Malone’s smile stayed frozen throughout the game until the end.

The final score ended at 124 to 102.

The Nuggets secured a big away win against the Minnesota Timberwolves!

In this game, Zeng Xingyang went 11 for 17 from the field including 6 for 10 from three-point range, 2 for 3 from free throws, totaling 30 points, 3 rebounds, 5 assists, 3 steals, and 2 blocks—an incredibly versatile performance.

Zeng Xingyang was really happy tonight, not only did he have good stats, but the team also won.

Jokic scored 12 points, 10 rebounds, and 5 assists, also performing very efficiently. When he and Zeng Xingyang were on the court, the Nuggets’ offensive and defensive efficiency clearly improved.

...

"Scoring 30+ in his second NBA game, Zeng Xingyang might become the Nuggets’ next great scorer after Carmelo Anthony."

On China’s Hupu forum, this post exploded instantly.

"I missed his debut, this is my first time watching Zeng Xingyang’s game, and it was mind-blowing!"

"The shock that Zeng Xingyang brought to me was overwhelming. I never expected a player from our country to play in the NBA like this."

"Having watched Zeng Xingyang’s game, if it weren’t for his skin and face being the same as ours, I would doubt myself being Asian. This guy is really strong."

"26 points in his debut, and then hitting 30 in his second game, no wonder the domestic media hyped him so hard during the NCAA."

"After watching the whole match, just two words, ’Awesome!’ He outshone the Minnesota Timberwolves’ two top picks, his form was on fire."

"Sam Mitchell is really lacking. Look at the Nuggets’ rookies, then look at the Minnesota Timberwolves’ new guys? Really terrible."

"Zeng Xingyang’s shooting is as accurate as Thompson’s, and his ability to handle the ball and attack is gradually developing. I am really looking forward to his future."

.....

Zeng Xingyang conquered another wave of fans with his performance in the second game.

The name Zeng Xingyang once again appeared on the search leaderboard.

Fans are increasingly looking forward to the heights that Zeng Xingyang’s future will reach.

In the locker room.

Led by head coach Mike Malone, the veterans were cheering around Zeng Xingyang and Jokic.

Tonight’s game, the Nuggets achieved a resounding victory.

Zeng Xingyang also showed through two games that he will be a part of the Nuggets in the future.

"Hey, Zeng, Nikola, are you going to hit the bar for some fun tonight?" Faried came over and put his arms around the shoulders of the two.

"I’d love to, but I’m not old enough," Zeng Xingyang said.

"Sorry, I have to go home to be with my girlfriend," Jokic said.

"OK, then I can only challenge those 40 beauties by myself, hahaha," Faried laughed heartily.

Hearing that number of women, Zeng Xingyang and Jokic both widened their eyes.

The luxury of NBA veterans’ lives still exceeded the two’s expectations.

"I curse you for being impotent tonight..."

"Your kidneys are done."

.....

After showering, attending a press conference, and following the team bus onto the plane back to Denver.

After starting the new season with two consecutive away games, the third game finally is a home game, relatively easier.

By the time Zeng Xingyang got back to his apartment, it was already 4 AM.

...

"Nuggets beat the Timberwolves, rookie Zeng Xingyang shines, delivering an all-around performance with 30 points, 3 rebounds, 5 assists, 3 steals, and 2 blocks!" — CBS Sports.

"Nuggets gradually find their rookie star, Zeng Xingyang breaks the Nuggets rookie record with a new scoring high in two games." — Sports Illustrated

"Thrashing the Timberwolves trio, Wiggins surprisingly crushed by Zeng Xingyang!" — Yahoo Sports.

"Not just about shooting, Zeng Xingyang showcases a coast-to-coast finishing ability!" — ESPN

"Nuggets’ new cornerstone, a superstar shooter emerges!!" — TNT

Early the next morning, the game reports from last night swiftly appeared in professional NBA newspapers across the United States.

Fans noticed that the name Zeng Xingyang frequently appeared in the news.

Many fans also edited highlights of Zeng Xingyang’s game from yesterday and put them online.

"Wiggins? Towns? Compared to them, Zeng Xingyang seems more like the top pick."

"A toy, Zeng turned LaVine and Wiggins into toys."

"Zeng Xingyang’s scoring ability is so impressive, he’s very efficient on the court."

"If Zeng Xingyang continues performing like this, he will become the Rookie of the Year."

Fans who didn’t watch the game could feel the impact Zeng Xingyang’s three-point shooting brought just from the highlights.

It’s almost the same feeling as the Splash Brothers!

Many domestic fans repeatedly watched Zeng Xingyang’s highlights—they never tire of them.

...

Inside Zeng Xingyu’s high school.

Although Zeng Xingyu took the college entrance exam in his sophomore year and got a good score, he wasn’t satisfied and continued to study in his senior year, preparing for the second exam.

To Zeng Xingyu, studying and exams in high school are more of an interest than a burden.

During the break before evening self-study, a group of boys fond of playing basketball sat around Zeng Xingyu chatting.

Zeng Xingyu naturally became the center of conversation among them.

"Xingyu, Yang is playing so strong in the NBA, he crushed Wiggins."

"I watched it too, Yang’s three-point shooting is as accurate as Thompson’s, it’s unbelievable; whenever there’s an open shot, it goes swish right in. Can you say how he practices?"

"Just practice a lot, I don’t know much about it either."

"Nuggets’ games are only worth watching when Yang and that Jokic play; you can’t watch anyone else."

"Yang can compete for Rookie of the Year this season."

"The Nuggets will host the Thunder the day after tomorrow, Xingyu, ask Yang how much the Nuggets plan to lose by, I’ll go to the lottery shop and buy a ticket."

"Get lost."

"Did Yang see my sister’s photo last time? How about becoming my brother-in-law?"

"I sent it to him, no response."

"Could you ask again? My sister really likes your brother, asking me seven or eight times a day. I told my sister you’re my good buddy."

"Sure, I’ll ask again."

The students were wildly discussing various things about the Nuggets and Zeng Xingyang.

With Zeng Xingyang’s impressive debut in the NBA, more and more students fell in love with his game.

Even in class, there would be students secretly opening text broadcasts on their desks or watching video broadcasts in silent mode to follow the game.

Now Zeng Xingyang’s games deeply fascinated these young people.

.....

In the afternoon, Zeng Xingyang went to the training gym for additional practice.

As the season began, opportunities for focused training became rarer.

Because most of the energy had to be reserved for games, Zeng Xingyang continued to use the spare time to enhance his dribbling and breakthrough skills.

While facing the Timberwolves, Zeng Xingyang felt the advantages of ball-handling, giving him more diverse offensive options.