CHAPTER 86: CHAPTER 84, ZENG XINGYU: "MY NBA STAR BROTHER!

As Adam Xiao Hua’s words fell, sighs were clearly heard from the private rooms of NBA teams.

Presti’s eyes widened. He had already communicated with the Jazz at the 12th pick, planning to choose Zeng Xingyang, then pick Trey Lyles himself, and trade the rookie along with this year’s second-round pick.

Presti thought Zeng Xingyang would be selected around the 10th to 14th pick.

He still underestimated Zeng Xingyang’s popularity.

In Nuggets’ private room, there were sounds of celebration, with General Manager Connelly and several executives high-fiving.

Connelly had always been afraid that Zeng Xingyang would be snatched up among the top six picks, so they dared not publicly show interest in Zeng Xingyang before the draft, fearing to increase his hype.

Secretly, Connelly even directed the PR department to release news questioning Zeng Xingyang’s talent, preferring Mudiay playing in CBA instead.

Hey, actually, in Connelly’s view, how could Mudiay in CBA compare to Zeng Xingyang from NCAA?

They finally got their wish and selected Zeng Xingyang.

Zeng Xingyang was somewhat surprised to hear that the Nuggets picked him; he once thought he might go to the Thunder.

Going to the Nuggets means Teacher Yue is coming this year.

It seems like a place suitable for development.

Nikola Jokic, a future MVP-level player, the most comprehensive center in NBA history, a big player bringing his own game system; players around him have developed well.

Both Brown and Pope, Gordon, Little Porter, and Murray got decent contracts.

By the time he crossed over in his previous life, Jokic could even be called the numero uno in the league.

The Nuggets are currently in a rebuilding phase, focusing on training rookies and trying to build a new system.

From previous life experience, both Pope and Little Porter, as 3D players, had promising development opportunities with the Nuggets.

Thoughts rushed through Zeng Xingyang’s mind, but he didn’t stop the action of standing up. He showed his signature smile, stood up, and hugged his family.

Then Zeng Xingyang high-fived Booker at the neighboring table.

"Bro, congrats." Booker said enviously.

This guy, who almost wasn’t wanted by the school team, is now picked even higher than him.

Zeng Xingyang, amid flashing lights, took the Nuggets hat and stepped onto the stage.

Zeng Xingyang had a tall, slender build and was very handsome.

This made many female fans scream.

"Click, click, click!"

Zeng Xingyang looked great on camera and smiled at the CCTV lens.

At this moment, he shined brightly!

This would be the real starting point of his basketball dream.

There wasn’t much applause from Nuggets fans for picking Zeng Xingyang; it was relatively flat. After all, Zeng Xingyang’s strengths and weaknesses were apparent; he didn’t seem able to become a superstar.

The 7th pick was somewhat of a gamble.

But the media reporters and Chinese fans, as well as fans watching the draft live streaming from China, were excited.

Since Ah Lian was waived from NBA, after tonight, there’s another Chinese presence in the NBA.

In the CCTV studio, Zhang Weiping said excitedly, "Xingyang was picked by the Nuggets, 7th overall in the first round. This is a very good pick, which shows the Nuggets management’s optimism about Xingyang. Let’s look forward to his performance with the Nuggets."

Su Qun also said excitedly, "Well, the seventh pick, this pick is okay; the Nuggets are rebuilding, Xingyang will have a lot of opportunities in the future."

"Oh oh, from today, I am a Nuggets fan."

"The 7th pick shows that the Nuggets value Zeng Xingyang greatly."

"I’ve been following Zeng Xingyang. His performance in the NCAA semifinals and finals impressed me a lot. I like him very much, keep fighting."

"Nuggets, really an unfamiliar team, my memory of them remains in the Golden Guns era."

"Hey, don’t have too high expectations. Even Ah Lian was the sixth pick, yet didn’t make it. Better settle in first before boasting."

"Just a 3D player, may not even stick in the NBA."

Online, domestic fans had mixed opinions about Zeng Xingyang, though the encouragement was predominant.

Those pessimistic about Zeng Xingyang were really affected by the media staff hyping certain domestic players daily, yet they couldn’t even touch the NBA door.

Put your feet on the ground and achieve results first; don’t just brag every day, okay?

After exiting the stage, Zeng Xingyang’s family of four was invited to the ESPN interview seat.

Father Zeng Hua and mother Zhong Fang had irrepressible smiles on their faces. Zeng Xingyang made them feel extremely proud.

Especially father Zeng Hua; he once had basketball dreams too, otherwise, he wouldn’t have fully supported Zeng Xingyang on the basketball path.

Now, this dream has come true!

Zeng Xingyu curiously looked around at everything. This time spent in Manhattan taught him a lot.

Prosperity, bustle, and then his own brother became an NBA player, joining the group of the world’s top 450 basketball players.

In the future, I will write an essay titled "My NBA Star Brother". Using his experiences as examples, that’s not excessive, right?

The beautiful host asked, "Zeng, among all the players you’ve seen, where do you think you should be ranked?"

Zeng Xingyang said, "At this stage, I might not be the best player to match this ranking, but in the future, I will become the best player, becoming the first pick among this year’s draft players."

"Why do you think the Nuggets chose you?"

"Of course, because I can shoot the ball into the basket and help the team win."

"Upon learning that you were selected by the Nuggets, how did you feel?"

"I was very excited, and I will showcase my best qualities on the court."

"Many people say your template is Klay Thompson, what do you think?"

"Klay is a great player, but I hope to become a template for others in the future."

....

....

Zeng Xingyang gave standard answers to the media interview, without being too outlandish.

This made many Nuggets fans watching the interview seem to understand why the team chose him.

Zeng Xingyang doesn’t seem to be the kind of problematic player like Iverson or Anthony, he is a good kid, which is very beneficial for team unity.

At this time, the NBA draft was still in full swing.

The Phoenix Suns still picked Booker at the 13th spot, and the Jazz selected Trey Lyles at the 12th spot.

The University of Kentucky thus completed a miracle, with five players from their team selected in the lottery zone.

For Calipari, this was the best advertisement for recruitment.

Like Jamal Murray, a high school senior who was still considering which university to go to, after watching tonight’s draft, he directly sent a message to Calipari saying he wanted to join Kentucky.

.....

On the surface, the draft seemed to be uneventful.

But in fact, the minor trades between teams were continuous.

The Wizards, Hawks, and Knicks made a three-way trade. The Hawks sent out the 15th pick and got Little Hardaway and two future second-round picks, the Wizards got the 15th pick rookie Ubre, sent out the 19th pick and two future second-round picks, while the Knicks sent out Little Hardaway, received the 19th pick, and selected point guard Jerian Grant.

Then the Knights made a trade, using the 24th pick to select Tyus Jones, once a target of the Rockets, then sold the trade and completed a deal with the Minnesota Timberwolves, exchanged for the 31st pick and the 36th pick, two second-round picks. And used these two picks to select small forward Osman and inside player Christmas.

The Blazers and Brooklyn Nets also completed a trade, the Nets sent out Plumlee and the 41st pick rookie Connaughton, in exchange for the Blazers’ Blake and the 23rd pick rookie Horace Jefferson, then the Nets also completed a trade with the Hornets to get the 39th pick rookie Vallet.

The Raptors sent out Vasquez, in exchange for a future first-round pick from the Bucks and the 46th pick rookie Powell in 2015.

The night of the draft, many people’s lives changed.

.....

After finishing the interview, settling his parents and brother, Zeng Xingyang went back to take photos with the other draftees.

After the photos, it was time for some casual chat among a few Kentucky alumni.

Zeng Xingyang smiled and said to Towns, "Buddy, congratulations, you’re heading to Minnesota to be the boss."

Towns looked bitter, "That place is freezing in the winter."

Minnesota is a good place, but Dong experienced difficulties there.

Booker also complained, "Phoenix is too hot in summer, I wanted to go to the Lakers. F*ck, those guys actually picked DeAngelo, that loser.."

Booker was indignant about being ranked lower than Russell.

Zeng Xingyang consoled, "You’ll become an All-Star, and that guy will be nothing."

Lyles said, "Zeng, the altitude in Denver is even higher than where I am, take it easy."

Zeng Xingyang laughed, "Don’t worry, I’m in great shape."

The altitude of Denver’s home court is about 1600 meters, which isn’t too high; once accustomed, it shouldn’t be an issue, it’s likely the visiting teams are more unaccustomed to it.

After chatting for a while, Zeng Xingyang went to the Nuggets’ room.

Connelly had been waiting here for a long time.

"Hey, Zeng, you finally made it."

"Sorry to keep you waiting."

"It’s alright."

While speaking, an executive handed him a Nuggets jersey.

Nuggets number 8!

Zeng Xingyang took the light blue jersey with both hands, looking very excited.

He was about to officially enter the NBA!