NBA: Rising Superstar!-Chapter 481 - 393: Showdown with the Rockets!

Especially with the Nuggets, Zeng Xingyang creates a lot of open three-point opportunities. If their three-point shooting percentage slightly improves, the Nuggets’ offense will be even more formidable.

Particularly Gordon, most players are more defensive against his dunks and not so much against his three-pointers.

Siakam is in a similar situation, so both of them have been working with Zeng Xingyang on their three-point shots.

Zeng Xingyang shares all the shooting tips he knows with them, but many times, shooting relies on talent.

You can’t just pass on some theoretical knowledge and automatically become accurate; a lot of practice can improve accuracy to an extent, but it’s hard to become as precise as a sharpshooter.

Fortunately, Mike Malone only requires them to shoot at an average level.

In training, Gordon hits 71 out of 100 three-pointers, and Siakam hits 76 out of 100. Their hit rates are okay, but they’re not very stable during games.

........

Two hours before the game the next day, Penguin Sports started broadcasting the match, with commentators boasting like crazy before the game.

Many fans were already waiting online to get ready for the start of the game.

Penguin Sports’ special reporter was outside the Toyota Center conducting interviews with reporters, but since it was all in English, many domestic fans couldn’t understand what was being said.

The commentator tried to translate what he heard as best as he could.

It was mostly about how James Harden was better than Zeng Xingyang and that the Rockets would surely win.

Conducting such interviews at the Rockets’ home court, it was almost unsurprising that the public opinion was overwhelmingly one-sided.

There are still many Rockets fans in China, fans who have remained from the Da Yao era, and they are unique Rockets fans.

After interviewing the fans, Penguin Sports’ special reporter went to the Nuggets’ locker room.

The locker room door was open, indicating that filming and interviews could be done inside.

At this time, Nuggets players were chatting in small groups.

The reporter quickly reached Zeng Xingyang’s locker and started interviewing him.

Zeng Xingyang has always been friendly to reporters who come from China.

If he’s not really busy, he tries to cooperate with them as much as possible.

Zeng Xingyang knows that if he just shows a little courtesy, his image in the media will be excellent.

"Xingyang, what do you think about tonight’s game?"

"The Rockets are a very strong opponent, stronger than any we’ve faced before. We will take this very seriously."

"Xingyang, can you predict how many points you’ll score tonight?"

"Haha, not really sure, maybe 30 points? I rarely pay attention to how many points I score personally, as long as we win, it doesn’t really matter."

"Xingyang, how is Xiao Ding performing on the team? Does he have a chance to be in the rotation?"

"He’s doing okay, he trains really hard. As for the rotation, that depends on the coach’s decision."

This part of the interview was in Chinese, so fans in front of their computers understood it.

Zeng Xingyang spoke confidently, and from time to time, surrounding Nuggets players came over to high-five and greet him...

"Zeng Xingyang’s status in the Nuggets is quite significant."

"Of course, each time Chinese reporters interview Nuggets players, it’s the easiest."

"A friend of mine stationed in Denver says working there is pretty easy now; everyone at the Nuggets is very friendly toward Chinese media."

"Xingyang’s influence isn’t just for show."

Fans wrote on the bullet screen.

Meanwhile, at CCTV,

Coach Zhang and Coach Xu started reading the advertisement script.

"Send a text message with A or B to choose the team you support. Each quarter, we’ll randomly select a lucky viewer to receive a signed jersey from Zeng Xingyang or Jokic...."

This kind of SMS voting for supporting teams has existed for a long time and is one reason why you often see the support rates for both teams on TV.

Today’s support rate: Nuggets 70%, Rockets 30%.

Even having a 30% support rate against the Nuggets is pretty good; usually, it’s one-sided.

On the screen, the game is about to start.

After the entrance ceremony, Zeng Xingyang high-fived every teammate to boost morale.

Then Zeng Xingyang also went over to greet and acknowledge Paul and Harden.

"Zeng, we’re going to beat you guys today," Paul said earnestly to Zeng Xingyang.

"Oh, did you start getting cocky just because you have a strong backer now?" Zeng Xingyang quickly quipped with a smile.

"Hmph, don’t be arrogant. I’ll show you our power," Paul said earnestly.

Paul and Harden work very well together, which boosts Paul’s confidence.

At their level of All-Star players, it’s not just a simple opponent relationship anymore. Sometimes, they also cooperate with each other to fight against some league rules.

They are also collaborators in jointly maintaining the NBA brand.

Before the game started, D’Antoni gave a sarcastic compliment: "Zeng Xingyang is the best player in the NBA. We’ll do our best to treat any loss as a win."

D’Antoni’s stance was quite humble, as if a loss was inevitable.

Of course, before the game starts, D’Antoni encouraged the whole team: "Guys, let’s go, prove yourselves, we will trample them underfoot!!"

"Victory!"

"Victory!!"

Playing against the Nuggets doesn’t require much pep talk; the Rockets are already riled up.

Soon, the starting lineups of both teams took their positions.

Rockets starting lineup: Paul, Harden, Ariza, Tucker, Capela.

Apart from Capela, the other players all have three-point capabilities, and their shooting percentages are decent.

Capela is the kind of offensive big who thrives on lob passes; whether he’s playing with Paul or Harden, he can make plenty of plays.

Ariza’s efficiency has noticeably improved now that he doesn’t need to be the main guy.

Nuggets starting lineup: Zeng Xingyang, Brogdon, Siakam, Gordon, Jokic.

Butler twisted his ankle during training yesterday, so Mike Malone listed him on the injury report, with Brogdon taking his place as a starter.

Jokic and Capela ready for tip-off.

Capela easily tipped the ball to Paul.

Paul dribbled past half-court, then passed the ball to Harden.

Harden looked, saw it was Brogdon guarding him, and quickly signaled for an isolation play, telling the Rockets players to spread out as much as possible.

Harden is the second-best iso player in the league, right after Zeng Xingyang.

"Bang!"

"Bang!"

With consecutive between-the-legs dribbles to adjust the rhythm, he found an opportunity to break through to the right.

Harden’s offense made Brogdon look awkward.

Harden smoothly got past Brogdon, and with Jokic’s help defense, Harden casually threw the ball high up.

Who for?

Capela had been waiting on the other side of the paint.

Capela caught Harden’s lob in the air and slammed it hard.

"Boom!"

Easy alley-oop.

Just as Jokic was halfway back on defense, visually, Capela completed a poster dunk over Jokic.

Jokic didn’t mind, but Capela roared enthusiastically.

Jokic had long made a name for himself, while Capela wanted to establish himself by stepping on Jokic; starting off with full momentum.