The fans at the 76ers’ home court were a bit speechless.
They said they wanted to watch Okafor block Zeng Xingyang, but is this it?
What do you mean? You get blocked by him right from the start?
Who on earth is the real top pick this year!
Okafor was so angry he was grinding his teeth; he underestimated Zeng Xingyang’s help defense ability.
The 76ers’ offense comes again.
TJ McConnell dribbles to the frontcourt, this time he doesn’t give it to Okafor. Instead, after exchanging passes with Canaan on one side, he charges straight at Nelson.
Nelson’s defense is actually quite experienced; he correctly judged TJ McConnell’s breakthrough direction, but he just couldn’t keep up with him.
TJ McConnell’s start speed is still very fast, with a high success rate on breakthroughs; he quickly slipped into the paint.
TJ McConnell’s scoring methods mainly focus on mid-to-close range positions; although he’s small, he’s good at catching the rhythm.
Jokic didn’t have time to help defend as he was focusing on squeezing with Okafor.
TJ McConnell abruptly stops and jumps up, preparing to execute his signature move.
However, Zeng Xingyang flew in from the right side at the moment TJ McConnell broke through, trying to defend this play.
Zeng Xingyang judged from TJ McConnell’s posture that he wouldn’t choose to pass; this guy just wanted to play solo.
TJ McConnell and Zeng Xingyang almost jumped at the same time; TJ McConnell thought Zeng Xingyang wouldn’t be able to block him, so he shot with his fastest speed.
However, Zeng Xingyang, like a volleyball player spiking, smacked it hard just as the basketball left TJ McConnell’s hand.
The basketball bounced off the floor, and Galinarli outside the three-point line saved it back to Harris.
TJ McConnell also collided with Zeng Xingyang, who had just landed from the block; he fell to the ground.
"Oh oh, consecutive blocks, Zeng Xingyang served a block each to Okafor and TJ McConnell in the first two plays of the game."
"Both were help defense blocks, Zeng Xingyang showed a terrifyingly good help defense ability."
Barkley shouted in a screechy voice from the studio.
On the court, TJ McConnell looked dumbfounded; he felt that the current Zeng Xingyang was scarier than the one he encountered during college.
He thought he had slightly shifted rhythm with Zeng Xingyang, yet still got blocked so devastatingly.
This guy isn’t supposed to jump that high, is he?
What’s up, is Newton not acting on him anymore?
In reality, Zeng Xingyang indeed doesn’t jump very high; the main thing is his significant height advantage over TJ McConnell, plus a much longer wingspan, which creates the illusion of Zeng Xingyang jumping very high when he envelops McConnell completely.
The reason TJ McConnell could score easily inside before was largely due to his ability to catch rhythm, preventing opponents from jumping up to defend according to the normal rhythm.
But Zeng Xingyang and TJ McConnell had synchronized rhythms, making it very difficult for him to attack successfully.
Zeng Xingyang glanced at the fallen TJ McConnell, shrugged, just this level?
"You’re weaker than you were in college," Zeng Xingyang taunted.
He thought TJ McConnell would have improved after being signed by the 76ers, but he still turned out so lousy.
TJ McConnell was pulled up by Okafor, feeling utterly vexed.
"Xingyang’s defense ability is indisputable."
"Giving two blocks to 76ers’ players at the start to make them learn a lesson."
Coach Zhang happily shouted in the studio.
Such a play looks extremely satisfying, even more delightful than when Da Yao played back in the day.
The Nuggets’ offense comes again.
After Harris dribbled past the half-court, he handed the ball to Jokic.
After Jokic and Zeng Xingyang were placed in the starting lineup today, Harris understood that the team would revolve around Jokic and Zeng Xingyang; he just needed to handle the dirty work of a role player.
Don’t fight for the right to lead the attack; one mistake and you could be traded!
Jokic held the ball at the free-throw line, observing, with Okafor pinned behind him, starting to back down and collide.
Okafor couldn’t withstand Jokic; Jokic pushed step by step to the basket.
However, there were many people in the paint, making it difficult for Jokic to find a good opportunity to finish.
Covington was chasing Zeng Xingyang.
Zeng Xingyang originally intended to slip the baseline, but upon reaching the paint, he suddenly changed direction and ran towards the left side of the free-throw line.
Covington was half a body behind due to Zeng Xingyang’s change of direction but was still making efforts to chase.
Jokic passed the ball to Zeng Xingyang.
After receiving the pass, Zeng Xingyang held the ball high, prompting Covington even more to jump in pursuit.
But Zeng Xingyang was just faking it, pulling the ball back, sending Covington flying completely.
Zeng Xingyang calmly moved a step to the right and immediately elevated for a jump shot.
The basketball was easily caught.
After scoring, Zeng Xingyang took a glance at Covington, ignoring him.
He wasn’t bothered to waste time trash-talking with every player.
The 76ers’ offense comes again.
TJ McConnell dribbled to the frontcourt.
Nelson was still struggling to keep up with TJ McConnell’s pace, but TJ McConnell dared not attack himself, starting to organize passes.
The ball went back and forth among the 76ers players, but there weren’t many good opportunities.
The Nuggets’ defense today was much stronger than before.
Zeng Xingyang was sweeping both inside and outside, while Jokic was at the interior providing assistance defense by blocking out.
When facing a team like the 76ers, Jokic was very effective. Even their perimeter players found it hard to exploit mismatches against him.
Not every team’s perimeter players are like Harden or Curry.
After the ball went around, it reached Covington outside the right three-point line.
Covington’s dribble penetration ability was average, so Zeng Xingyang focused on defending his shot and encouraged him to break through.
Sure enough, seeing Zeng Xingyang playing tight defense, Covington chose to drive straight to the interior.
Covington wasn’t fast; he couldn’t shake Zeng Xingyang off.
Covington’s flying layup was interrupted by Zeng Xingyang.
Jokic controlled the rebound.
Okafor tried to grab an offensive rebound but couldn’t even touch a hair.
Jokic dribbled himself to the frontcourt and passed to Nelson.
Zeng Xingyang demanded the ball from Nelson on the right side, who passed it over.
Covington’s defense was hard to shake off; Zeng Xingyang called for Jokic’s screen.
Jokic came up to screen off Covington, and Okafor switched to defend.
"Zeng, don’t try to go one-on-one against me; you don’t have that ability, you know?" Okafor taunted Zeng Xingyang.
Okafor thought he knew Zeng Xingyang well; during the NCAA finals, he had studied Zeng Xingyang’s shots and thought he was just a pure shooter without much ability to play with the ball.
Seeing Zeng Xingyang specifically calling for a screen to try to go one-on-one against him, he felt quite ticked off.
"Bet 100,000 US Dollars, I will score against you in this play, dare?" Zeng Xingyang confidently countered.
Seeing Zeng Xingyang’s assured demeanor, Okafor didn’t speak again.
"You’re softer than a cake."
Zeng Xingyang’s mouth didn’t stop; he kept trash-talking.
Okafor somewhat regretted starting the trash talk with Zeng Xingyang.
While trash-talking, Zeng Xingyang also assumed a triple-threat position.
Okafor raised his center of gravity and slightly leaned in for defense.
Zeng Xingyang immediately dribbled past Okafor’s left side, passing him in a single step.
As Zeng Xingyang passed Okafor, Jokic also followed up on the other side.
Zeng Xingyang’s ball-handling charge was full of momentum, attracting Jerami Grant’s help defense.
Zeng Xingyang gave the ball to Jokic on the run.
After taking the ball, Jokic made a fake with a step, fooling Covington to jump.
Then, scored with a floater off-rhythm.
"Nice pass," Jokic high-fived Zeng Xingyang in celebration.
Zeng Xingyang’s passing mainly involved finding teammates after drawing help defense, without too much technical finesse.
Zeng Xingyang knew that as long as he could alter the opponent’s defense, assists would come easily.
"If you had dared to bet on this, I would have lost."
"What a pity, you chickened out."
Zeng Xingyang continued to taunt Okafor.
Okafor felt even more frustrated.
The coach on the 76ers’ side couldn’t stand it any longer and swiftly called a halt to the game.
The 76ers’ offense and defense both had issues and needed adjustment.