"Played 44 minutes in the entire game, 17 out of 24 from the field, including 7 out of 12 from three-point range, 5 out of 6 free throws, scoring an all-around data of 46 points, 5 rebounds, 8 assists, 3 steals, and 3 blocks."
"Scoring 40+ points in two consecutive games, such a rookie is too extraordinary, undoubtedly, this evening will be another representative work of his rookie season."
Barkley said excitedly, the reason he mentioned the rookie season, not the professional career.
That’s because Barkley knows well, even though Zeng Xingyang played great in this game, it’s, at most, an ordinary game for his future.
A guy who can play a ’Xingyang moment’ in his rookie season has unlimited potential for the future.
Barkley once again got conquered by Zeng Xingyang tonight!
Smith said, "Isaiah Thomas played exceptionally well in the first half, scoring 20 points, but in the second half, he was almost invisible, scoring only 6 points. Then Zeng made about 10 field goals through single plays against him, making him the Celtics’ biggest defensive loophole tonight."
Miller said, "Now Zeng cannot be viewed simply as a 3D player. His ball-handling offense and mismatch exploitation abilities have improved significantly since the start of the season. Whether playing against a small player like Isaiah Thomas or a slower big man, he can execute mismatched ball-handling singles with a pretty good success rate."
O’Neal said, "Compared to Zeng’s offense, I think his defense is even more surprising, consistently stable, and he will quickly become an all-around superstar."
Barkley said, "It’s hard to imagine that the four of us would collectively give such a high evaluation to a guy who hasn’t even finished his rookie season, but this is the result Zeng has delivered. His current average score is 29 points, surpassing Kevin Durant, and only behind Stephen Curry’s 32 and James Harden’s average of 30 points."
Smith said, "Zeng Xingyang’s presence in the league is as shocking as Michael was back then. Of course, besides Zeng, another low-key rookie from the Nuggets also performed well. Nikola Jokic achieved a near triple-double with 22 points, 13 rebounds, and 8 assists today. Their combination gives the Nuggets hope."
"Nikola Jokic’s facilitating ability greatly compensates for the Nuggets’ lack of a good playmaking guard."
"Data shows that Nikola Jokic ranks in the league’s top 20 in advanced metrics. If not for Zeng being too dazzling, this performance would also be unique among rookies."
"Of course, if Zeng were not with the Nuggets, Nikola Jokic wouldn’t play this comfortably. Data shows he averages 4.5 assists per game to Zeng, ranking first in the league for assists to a single teammate, which means more than half of his assist data comes from Zeng’s finishing. Their pick-and-roll plays trouble everyone in the league now."
"Nikola Jokic and Zeng Xingyang’s playstyles mesh very well, and the two of them create defensive problems for opponents, allowing both to play comfortably since entering the NBA."
"The duo’s win contribution this season is catching up with the Thunder’s explosive duo and the Warriors’ Splash Brothers."
Miller sighed, expressing his envy of Zeng Xingyang having a player like Jokic to develop chemistry with. This combination is incredibly formidable.
He wistfully thought if he had such a great center to grow with, crossing over Jordan wouldn’t be a concern.
The commentators knew that this was just the first year of their cooperation, and the duo would impact the league for a long time to come.
On the court at the moment.
Zeng Xingyang exchanged a few simple words with Little Thomas, clapped hands in greeting, and there was no deep-seated hatred between them, just a competitive spirit on the court.
Zeng Xingyang still respects Little Thomas a lot. He is unique, but Thomas truly inspires.
Competing in the NBA with ordinary height against so many Celestial Pride players and still achieving a certain degree of success is very difficult.
Being a bit arrogant is his flaw, but if he didn’t have this mentality, he probably wouldn’t have made it into the NBA at all.
It’s just unfortunate that he didn’t sign the contract Angie offered, just bad luck.
Playing injured has also significantly affected him, and he misjudged the team.
After returning to the locker room, showering, and washing, Zeng Xingyang and Jokic were taken by Mike Malone to the press conference.
The cameras were once again focused on Zeng Xingyang.
"Zeng, you’ve scored 40+ points in two consecutive games, and succeeded 10 times in solo plays against Isaiah Thomas this game. How did you do it?"
"It’s straightforward, I just attack in the way I’m good at. I have a significant height and weight advantage, he can’t guard me," Zeng Xingyang said with a very calm tone, as if stating an obvious fact.
The reporters could all sense Zeng Xingyang’s confidence, making some Boston reporters displeased.
"Zeng, are you looking down on Isaiah?"
A Boston reporter asked indignantly.
Isaiah Thomas is, after all, the leader of their team.
"Sorry, not at all, I have great respect for him. It’s just on the court, it’s the law of the jungle, and I will find ways to defeat him, and playing solo against him is the best way to achieve that."
The Boston reporter asked, "At the end of the game, when you stepped on the LOGO, were you provoking?"
Many Boston reporters had noticed this, after all, Zeng Xingyang was truly too arrogant.
Many Celtics fans were cursing Zeng Xingyang, but they had nothing they could do.
Zeng Xingyang responded, "This wasn’t provocation; it was a reply. Before and during this game, I heard a lot of racial slurs, which made me angry!"
Racial discrimination.
Upon hearing this term, the Boston reporters fell silent.
They understood well the troubles a non-white player would experience in Boston.
Especially for a star like Zeng Xingyang, who himself has massive traffic.
The attacks Zeng Xingyang had experienced likely far exceeded their imagination, so speaking , such actions were indeed not provocations but responses.
The reporter asked, "Zeng, you’ve scored 40+ points in two consecutive games, and your average score ranks third. If you continue playing this way, you’ll have a good chance at the scoring title. Will you compete for the scoring title this season?"
Zeng Xingyang said, "I will strive to achieve this goal, but it won’t be easy."
It’s not easy to win the scoring title; whether it’s Curry, Harden, or Durant, these three currently have stronger individual ball-handling offense abilities than myself.
If they don’t want me to win the scoring title, it would be very difficult for me.
Zeng Xingyang has clearly felt recently that Curry and Harden are consciously improving their individual scoring data, with their scores slightly higher than in previous lifetimes.
After all, for players of their caliber, scoring is a very easy thing.
They care more about their team winning, and personal scoring is mostly because their team needs them to score, rather than their pursuing the scoring title for its honor.
It was just that when chased by Zeng Xingyang as a rookie overtaking them, they would then consciously enhance personal data.
Because for them, being overtaken by a rookie is an uncomfortable situation.
A reporter continued to ask Mike Malone, "Coach, how do you view this comeback win?"
Mike Malone said, "We played like crap in the first half, but fortunately adjusted in time in the second half. Zeng led the team on both offense and defense on the court, and his frequent successful one-on-one plays were the key to our victory."
A Chinese reporter asked, "What level of player do you think Zeng Xingyang is now?"
Mike Malone said with a smile.