CHAPTER 468: CHAPTER 380: AFTER WINNING THE CHAMPIONSHIP!

"Let us congratulate the Denver Nuggets once more."

"They have won the 2016-17 NBA Championship!"

The host shouted on site.

The Nuggets fans who stayed at the scene were jumping and cheering.

After a brief celebration, every Nuggets player was surrounded by reporters.

This time, even the marginal role players were not ignored.

As members of the championship team, even fringe players will have a significant addition to their basketball careers.

Before entering the NBA, Siakam, Brogdon, Zubac, and Dejounte Murray never thought they would win a championship so quickly.

Is this the trophy that stars like Barkley, Reggie Miller, Iverson, and Tracy McGrady long for but never attain?

Looking back, this whole journey feels surreal.

An ESPN reporter stopped Zeng Xingyang to ask: "Zeng, what does winning the championship and FMVP mean to you?"

After thinking for a while, Zeng Xingyang said: "I’m extremely happy, this is the first time I’ve received these honors in my professional career, but it won’t be the last..."

As the reporter expected Zeng Xingyang to say more, he didn’t elaborate further.

Zeng Xingyang didn’t boast to the world about winning the championship.

All he wants now is to take a good rest and spend some time with his parents at home.

Moreover, next season the Nuggets will inevitably become the target for all teams’ research and reinforcement; they will try every means to defeat the Nuggets.

Zeng Xingyang naturally isn’t afraid, as long as the Nuggets keep this lineup and their young players gain more experience, their strength will enhance further.

As for completing a consecutive championship, it’s looking very likely.

Zeng Xingyang now aims to surpass Jordan, using him as a target; he believes that once he wins six championships, people will think he has achieved it.

And when he obtains more than seven championships, there will be no controversy.

Winning a championship is just the final result; the process in between is very addictive, and Zeng Xingyang thoroughly enjoys it.

......

"Amazing, Zeng Xingyang."

"The undisputed number one in the league today."

"He has swept all individual and team honors."

"Watching the Nuggets this season was truly enjoyable, the only drawback being that the Nuggets seemed unbeatable."

"As a die-hard Nuggets fan, passing by to congratulate the Nuggets on winning the championship."

"People of Guangdong congratulate the Nuggets on winning the championship."

"The Shanghai Fan Association sends their blessings!!"

"Zeng Xingyang is amazing, the Nuggets are amazing!!"

Back in the country, the fans and media were exhilarated.

This is the first time they’ve seen an NBA championship resonate so deeply.

Zeng Xingyang won as the absolute core, unlike Bartel and Sun Yue who were fringe players.

Such a championship win is definitely of sensational level.

.....

The entire Nuggets team celebrated in the locker room until very late, then flew back to Denver overnight.

The owner has already arranged the next few days of celebrations.

On the plane, Butler tightly hugged the championship trophy as if it were extremely vital to him.

Jokic sat with his girlfriend.

Zeng Xingyang was very tired but couldn’t fall asleep..

This season was a very fruitful year for Zeng Xingyang, and he can imagine that the future NBA landscape will be entirely different from his memories.

These changes are mostly external, while internally, the Nuggets won’t see much change; their lineup tends to be stable, although some players might leave this season.

For example, Harris and Grant, who have turned from starters to substitutes, are surely dissatisfied with their roles.

Before the Nuggets won the championship, there was a reason to make sacrifices for the win, but after winning, they need a bigger platform.

Their abilities can secure a starting position on many NBA teams.

The Nuggets’ young rookies performed well, so even if Connelly intends to keep them, they might not be willing to stay.

Apart from player renewal issues, there’s also this year’s draft.

The Nuggets have one remaining first-round and one second-round pick this year.

Connelly has already asked for Zeng Xingyang’s opinions after the celebrations, hoping he could suggest three to four draft prospects for reference.

Zeng Xingyang requested Connelly to send a list of this year’s draft prospects and will reply in a couple of days.

Obviously, Connelly now greatly respects Zeng Xingyang’s insight into players and will draft anyone Zeng Xingyang asks for unless the gap is too big.

Connelly is now very keen on maintaining a good relationship with Zeng Xingyang.

Drafting two or three players to fill the positions of those who might leave should suffice.

Zeng Xingyang picked up his iPad and began reviewing the list of draft prospects Connelly sent this year.

The Nuggets have the 30th pick in the first round and the 60th pick in the second round.

No way around it, their performance was so good that the teams they made trade deals with last year won’t want to trade.

Connelly’s list was ordered by popularity.

Fultz, this guy seems to have a condition that might cause him to lose his shooting ability.

Tatum, he performed well, but it’s not possible for him to come to the Nuggets.

Ball, practically a bust, long-term injuries.

Fox, not bad, but his ceiling doesn’t seem very high.

Mitchell, pretty tough in the playoffs.

Adebayo, one of the Heat’s future cores, but the Nuggets don’t need him.

White, this guy is good, like a sixth-man player, very efficient.

Jordan Bell, this guy has a luck bonus...

After going through the list.

Zeng Xingyang wrote down three names for the 30th pick.

Derrick White, Dillon Brooks, Josh Hart....

Pick whoever hasn’t been chosen based on this order.

White and Hart are predicted to be late first-round picks, and Brooks, if memory serves, was picked in the second round.

At this position, there’s a great chance Dillon will be chosen.

This guy and Butler should be a similar type of player, the two could have something to say.

As for the 60th pick, Zeng Xingyang wrote down the name of one of his national team teammates.

Ding Yuhang!

Xiao Ding has been sensational in the CBA this year, delivering a very exciting season.

He really wants to break into the NBA.

Zeng Xingyang remembers he injured himself further trying to enter the NBA.

Anyway, since there aren’t great choices for the Nuggets at the 60th pick, why not choose him and also reserve talent for the national team?

Xiao Ding is surely stronger than Bronny.

As long as he can maintain his CBA standards from this season, I won’t lack assistance on the international stage.

After writing down the name, Zeng Xingyang plans to call Connelly later to confirm this and talk to Xiao Ding’s side too, so he doesn’t push himself to injury for an NBA spot.

If developed well, he should easily earn a rotation spot on a weak NBA team.

....