NBA: Rising Superstar!

Chapter 490 - 402: Dominant G1 Victory (Part 1)

In this All-Star event, Zeng Xingyang did not participate in the smaller events; he only took part in the All-Star game.

In the game, the energetic Zeng Xingyang achieved a triple-double with a score of 51 points, 11 rebounds, and 12 assists, successfully securing the All-Star Game MVP.

After the All-Star game, the Nuggets faced a small wave of injuries, but their performance did not drop significantly.

By mid-March, the injured players began returning, and Mike Malone started rotating players for rest.

Zeng Xingyang and Jokic would occasionally rest during games against weaker teams.

Due to the rotations, the Nuggets’ win rate slightly declined, and as the regular season ended in mid-April, their record stood at 67 wins and 15 losses.

Tied with the Rockets at 67 wins and 15 losses, but the Nuggets are ahead due to a 3-1 record in their matchups this season.

The Nuggets once again claimed the best record in the league, giving them an advantage against all playoff teams.

The top eight in the West are Nuggets, Rockets, Warriors, Blazers, Thunder, Jazz, Pelicans, Spurs.

In the East, the top eight are Raptors, Celtics, 76ers, Knights, Pacers, Heat, Bucks, Wizards.

Regular season records don’t necessarily translate to playoff success, especially in the East; Zeng Xingyang noted that although the Raptors are formidable in the regular season, they might falter against the Knights.

In the West, the true competitors are the Nuggets, Rockets, and Warriors, with their strength far ahead of others.

The Nuggets are set to face the Spurs in the first round of the playoffs.

The Spurs ended up eighth in the West mainly due to their core player Leonard being out for the season early on.

Although this didn’t knock them out of the playoffs, it cost them a chance at the championship.

Without Leonard, their perimeter defense directly deteriorated.

However, they still have a decent lineup with veterans like Aldridge, Ginobili, and Pau Gasol in charge.

Frankly, when assessing the Spurs, one shouldn’t judge their strength solely by individual star power; they excel in finding talent in lower draft picks.

Take White, picked in the draft; he plays efficiently and is already capable of starting for the Spurs.

Playoff Game 1 kicks off in Denver.

In the pre-game interviews, reporters gathered around Zeng Xingyang.

Pre-game, the teams were already engaging in verbal sparring online.

Popovich commented on Zeng Xingyang: "Zeng could never surpass Jordan; Jordan is one of a kind in my heart."

Malone responded this morning: "Old-fashioned thinking needs retirement; it’s a world for the young now."

Mike Malone undoubtedly supports Zeng Xingyang and subtly criticizes Popovich for being old-fashioned.

Reporters love to see these verbal exchanges, as they mean traffic and attention.

Reporters asked: "Zeng, how do you feel about Popovich’s comment on you?"

"Haha!"

Zeng Xingyang chuckled and said: "As opponents, he will surely try to disturb us; I know this tactic, so I won’t mind his words; on the court, I won’t hold back against his team."

Half an hour later.

Popovich said again: "Nikola Jokic is an excellent center; on any team besides the Nuggets, he’d be a cornerstone player."

Reporters asked: "Would that be the case with the Spurs?"

Popovich replied: "Absolutely, I wouldn’t have him as a sidekick; I’d build the tactics around him."

Jokic didn’t fall for it, later responding to reporters: "I appreciate Gregg, but I’m comfortable with the Nuggets; if he says that to make me go easy, well, I won’t."

Zeng Xingyang and Jokic could both see the Spurs truly lacked depth.

...

After warming up, Zeng Xingyang signed autographs for several young fans in the player tunnel.

Zeng Xingyang recalled when he first came to Denver, most of his fans were kids, supporting him so purely.

However, now all Denver fans have been won over by Zeng Xingyang!

Anthony?

Iverson?

Who are they?

They only remember Zeng Xingyang.

Zeng Xingyang brought a championship to Denver and even holds the hope of establishing a dynasty.

This is why fans adore Zeng Xingyang so much.

During the entrance ceremony, when Spurs players entered, they were met with overwhelming boos.

Many fans still recall the bitterness when the Nuggets were eliminated by the Spurs in the playoffs two seasons ago.

The former GDP gave Zeng Xingyang and Jokic quite a lesson back then.

Now, the tables have turned; GDP has retired, left, or aged!

Nuggets fans wish for Denver to really teach the current Spurs a lesson.

Popovich and Aldridge were pained by the overpowering boos.

During the regular season, they aimed to rise to seventh to avoid facing the Nuggets, but other teams also wanted to avoid the Nuggets, so they couldn’t.

The Spurs have some fear of the Nuggets now.

During the regular season, the Spurs were swept 4-0 by the Nuggets; every encounter meant fierce play by Denver, casting a shadow.

Spurs starting lineup: Tony Parker, Derrick White, Danny Green, Aldridge, Pau Gasol.

If Leonard weren’t injured, their lineup would definitely be competitive.

Truth be told, the Spurs are better than many in team-building; they master old-to-new transitions.

As the referee blew the whistle.

Aldridge and Jokic went for the jump ball.

Jokic tipped the ball to Zeng Xingyang.

Zeng Xingyang dribbled to the front court and passed to Butler.

Butler signaled on the right for a pick-and-roll with Jokic.

Butler rarely finishes himself unless there’s a clear opportunity; he focuses more on initiating offense, primarily through passing.

Jokic blocked White; Butler then broke through to the center, with Pau Gasol helping; Butler tossed the ball to Zeng Xingyang on the perimeter.

Now it was Tony Parker defending Zeng Xingyang; normally, the Spurs would double-team, but Butler drew nearby players away, leaving Parker alone to handle.

Zeng Xingyang didn’t complicate the offense; receiving the ball, he feigned with a simple right-foot step, slightly shifting Parker’s balance; then, he quickly jumped straight up.

Pull-up shot.

Parker didn’t even bother to interfere.

Jumping wouldn’t help.

"Swish!"

Bullseye!!

Zeng Xingyang straightforwardly opened the Spurs’ defense with a bold offensive move right at the start of the game.

Parker was slower compared to two years ago, while Zeng Xingyang is entering his peak period, making this offense unstoppable.

However, the Spurs won’t surrender so easily.

Tony Parker dribbled to the front court, distributing the ball, which quickly reached Aldridge’s hands.

Aldridge faced Gordon’s defense on the right side of the free-throw line, after a fake step, also went for a pull-up.

Gordon feared Aldridge’s move.

"Swish!"

The basketball penetrated the net.

The Spurs swiftly tied the score at 2-3.