Irresistible shot made.
Durant’s style of finding empty spaces is different from Zeng Xingyang’s. Many times, he doesn’t need an open space; he just needs to get into his rhythm.
After scoring, Durant shouted at Zeng Xingyang, "Rookie, you’re too short!"
Although he didn’t make any taunting gestures, he shouted it out loud.
After shouting, Durant turned and headed back.
Zeng Xingyang didn’t have any mental shake-up but continued with his positioning.
Nelson dribbled across midcourt and continued to pass to Jokic.
Jokic tried to hand the ball to Zeng Xingyang but didn’t succeed.
This play Durant bypassed Jokic, not giving Zeng Xingyang an opening.
Jokic couldn’t pass the first time, so he dribbled over, forced Durant close, and then passed to Zeng Xingyang.
This was forcing Zeng Xingyang to play against Collison’s mismatch.
Indeed, Jokic’s idea worked. Zeng Xingyang and Collison had a one-on-one opportunity on the right side.
Collison lowered his center of gravity, spread his arms; he felt some pressure.
Zeng Xingyang didn’t pass the ball again but continued to adjust his rhythm with continuous dribbling between the legs against Collison.
Zeng Xingyang’s dribbling between the legs wasn’t to show off his improved dribbling skills, but to shift the opponent’s defensive focus, akin to Harden’s style.
Collison mainly focused on defending Zeng Xingyang’s three-pointer and leaned forward.
After continuous rhythm adjustments, Zeng Xingyang accelerated with a stride to the left as if to break through.
Collison quickly moved up, preparing to turn.
Zeng Xingyang stepped back to create space.
Collison rushed to defend a second time.
But it was still slow.
Zeng Xingyang’s three-point shot drew a beautiful arc.
Scored at the buzzer in the first quarter.
This was an extremely strong play.
Zeng Xingyang made a bow-and-arrow celebration gesture toward the camera.
The fans in the direction of the camera cooperated well.
The fans collectively pretended to fall backward, each uttering exclamations.
Zeng Xingyang then high-fived Jokic beside him to celebrate.
The two were becoming more and more in sync on the court.
Their performance also helped the Nuggets to steadily take control of the game.
Zeng Xingyang played very comfortably this quarter, showing off his ability to attack with the ball.
Facing someone like Collison, who is relatively slower, he had a good success rate in one-on-one situations.
Although he can’t play against Durant yet, as long as his dribbling and breakthrough skills continue to improve, being able to take on Durant one-on-one is only a matter of time.
"Zeng Xingyang’s ability to attack with the ball isn’t entirely absent."
"Actually, you could see it from the preseason; Zeng Xingyang can occasionally play this way."
"His dribbling is not bad, especially the combination of breakthrough, step-back, and shooting, which is excellent."
"Nick Collison, this guy is almost about to retire, indeed had no way with Zeng Xingyang."
"Zeng Xingyang’s fundamentals are very solid."
Fans sent a variety of comments while watching the first quarter highlights.
"Xingyang, after being substituted onto the field, showed his very outstanding fundamentals. Although some shots weren’t in his usual rhythm, he still scored."
"His two step-back three-pointers were also very impressive, showing his progress in ball-handling capabilities."
"Mike Malone can also see more of Xingyang’s advantages during this period, perhaps Xingyang can get more playing time."
"The Nuggets have no leader right now. Hey, I think Xingyang is quite suitable."
The two commentators on CCTV talked about it.
The second-quarter game quickly started.
The Nuggets still had the lineup from the end of the quarter, which Mike Malone trusted.
On the Thunder side, Durant went down, replaced by Westbrook to lead the team.
The Thunder’s rotation ensures that either Westbrook or Durant is always on the court.
The Nuggets had the offensive possession.
Nelson dribbled to the frontcourt and passed to Jokic.
Faried set an off-ball screen for Zeng Xingyang, who got rid of Roberson and popped out to receive Jokic’s pass.
Ibaka rushed up, and Zeng Xingyang took the chance to break through inside.
Ibaka turned, and Roberson continued to double-team.
Zeng Xingyang passed the ball to Jokic in the middle.
This pass wasn’t great because Jokic faced Collison’s defense.
Generally, players would have to pass the ball out when encountering such a play, but Jokic showed his uniqueness.
Jokic pulled down the ball, dribbled flexibly, turned around his man, and shot under the basket.
Ibaka’s block missed, and Jokic used a small gap to finish.
This counts as an assist for Zeng Xingyang.
Jokic and Zeng Xingyang celebrated with a high five.
Seeing this, Mike Malone thought, "What would be the effect if these two were both in the starting lineup?"
Nelsen smiled, watching as a bystander. He could see that Zeng Xingyang and Jokic both had more talent than other Nuggets players.
The rise of these two is inevitable. It’s just a matter of when the coach can unleash their maximum potential.
The Thunder’s offense.
Westbrook dribbled to the frontcourt.
Westbrook’s offense was simple; he first shuffled the ball outside.
Once the ball was back in his hands, he used Ibaka’s screen to break through.
Galinarli, switched on defense, wasn’t much of an intimidation to Westbrook.
Westbrook’s zombie jump shot.
The Nuggets’ offense.
Still running the two-man game with Jokic and Zeng Xingyang.