School: University of Kentucky (2014-15)
Draft Template: Klay Thompson
Good at catch-and-shoot three-pointers after off-ball positioning, or mid-range shooting after catching; also skilled at turnaround shots after backing in mid-range positions. Regarding shooting techniques, he can accomplish them excellently.
On those nights when he’s on fire, Zeng Xingyang is absolutely a player that opponents need to focus on defensively.
His defense is outstanding, able to block most guards and small forwards’ attacks, providing consistent steals and blocks in each game.
He is very proactive, showing a strong desire to win both on and off the court.
He loves training with a top-notch professional attitude, able to energize the team’s atmosphere.
He has a very strong tactical understanding capability, very smart, and occasionally makes dazzling plays on the court.
Weak at driving to the basket, lacks finishing ability under the rim, resulting in limited options in fast-break situations.
Average body core strength, lacking in running and jumping ability, struggles somewhat defensively against extremely fast and physically explosive guards.
His offensive methods are limited, making it difficult to break away one-on-one against players with outstanding physical gifts.
In the recent NCAA March Madness Elite 8 advancing to the final four games, Kentucky, where Zeng Xingyang plays, defeated the University of Notre Dame to advance.
During the March Madness tournament, he showed very strong consistency, reminiscent of several two and three-position shooters in the NBA through his shooting.
He is the type of player many NBA teams like—doesn’t demand ball possession, can defend and shoot well. If he can adapt to the NBA’s level of competition, he can ultimately become a qualified role player on a team.
Estimated draft rank: Top 25 in the first round of the 2015 draft.
This is the latest draft report given by the draft site on Zeng Xingyang.
Zeng Xingyang’s features and playing style make his draft rank difficult to predict in the lottery area.
Most teams with lottery picks want a core player or a low-error-rate developmental inside player.
Whether for scouts or general managers, decisions tend to be conservative rather than gambling.
Pure 3D players finding a higher draft rank is not easy.
Nuggets General Manager Office.
The team’s General Manager and Vice President of Basketball Operations, Tim Connelly, and current Nuggets head coach Michael Malone are discussing this year’s draft.
The Nuggets’ current record is 29 wins and 49 losses, eliminated early from playoff contention.
They never held hopes for the playoffs; their goal is rebuilding.
Thus, the draft is crucial for them.
"Regarding the record, if obtaining a top three pick is impossible, then our final rank might be seventh or eighth," Connelly said.
"This rank is a bit awkward," Malone candidly replied.
"Can’t help it, you didn’t lose enough games, haha."
"Blame me, blame me," Malone said helplessly spreading his hands.
The team must avoid losing too obviously to prevent investigation by the league and criticism from fans, yet the players wanting to win...
Players performing well need more playing time; otherwise, players will make a fuss.
If tactics are too chaotic, rotations disorderly, players will be dissatisfied, fans will criticize, and management might fire him under pressure.
Malone had to sigh, tanking is a profound skill; not every coach can do it.
"What position player do you want to draft?" Connelly asked.
"We currently lack a good point guard. A good point guard can help us organize our offense, making us look less chaotic, without direction," Malone directly said.
The Nuggets still haven’t identified a core for building the team; he wants to establish one soon so the team can develop in a better direction as much as possible.
"Hmm---" Connelly pondered without directly agreeing. He took a scouting report from the drawer and asked, "What do you think of this guy? I think he’s good."
Malone took it and saw it was Zeng Xingyang’s scouting report. As he flipped through it, his thoughts began stirring.
With Connelly’s preparation so thorough, Malone sensed selecting a point guard might encounter trouble.
Connelly possibly has his plans.
Although the two are part of the management team wearing the same pants, their team-building philosophies aren’t entirely identical.
Malone frowned and said, "I know this Chinese guy; he’s of the 3D style, played well in NCAA, but he doesn’t fit us at the moment."
Connelly remained silent as Malone continued, "In our team, whether Gary Harris or Will Barton, their dribbling and attacking capabilities are stronger than his."
"Instead of a shooting guard, we need a point guard. If Ty Lawson doesn’t renew his contract this summer, we’ll only have Jameer Nelson and Randy Foye as our point guards, neither suitable as our future starting point guard."
"I hope our starting point guard can dribble and attack, initiate pick-and-rolls, like Emmanuel Mudiay playing in the CBA or D’Angelo Russell would be good."
Connelly waved his hand, "I understand what you mean, you want a point guard to better implement your tactical arrangements."
Connelly paused, resting his hands on his desk seriously, "But have you noticed, almost every scouting report mentions his excellent teamwork, proactive training attitude, isn’t building a team now about positivity and attitude?"
Malone replied, "All this should be built on the players’ inherent talents and strengths."
Connelly sighed, "Have you forgotten the mistakes this team made before? Allen Iverson, Carmelo Anthony, Ty Lawson, I don’t even know how to complain about them; you, as a general manager, wouldn’t enjoy dealing with these guys."
Hearing these names, Malone also smiled bitterly.
Besides these, you could add a few from previous years, like Kenyon Martin, Anderson, JR Smith...
All kinds of tattooed tough guys, brutes.
In the Nuggets locker room before, there were all kinds of people, except those who solely focused on playing ball.
Before, choosing players focused solely on talent, disregarding character and attitude.
Nuggets have never lacked player talent, yet this team-building mode failed in striving for the championship.
The troubles caused by those unruly players made management overly stressed, forcing the team back into reconstruction.
They’ve always been missing those positive, team-oriented, good cultural atmospheres, allowing the team to develop slightly more normally.
This point, Malone couldn’t argue against Connelly.
It’s also why during his head coach interview, he promised the team owners and various executives.
Faced with the chaotic situation in the Nuggets, he said he’d build a growth-capable, good team culture system.
He knew the management team was tired of troublemakers.
Fans might like so-called individual players; they find them truly annoying.
Unruly players create problems for teams, leaving management to clean up after them, resembling a bunch of jerks.
Players like Zeng Xingyang on court might not be the strongest, but off-court the influence on the locker room is very positive, fitting management’s selection criteria.
Moreover, Chinese players often leave an impression of humility, reserved styles.
Wang Zhizhi, Yao Ming, Yi Jianlian all seemed very obedient, not causing trouble for teams.
Malone spread his hands helplessly, "Then you decide, I’ll keep my opinion."
Connelly is his superior; the final decision power rests in his hands.
Connelly said, "No need to decide so early; maybe we hold good luck and get a top-three pick, providing more selections."
Malone said, "Hmm, regardless of the outcome, invite him for a tryout after the university competitions end."
Malone holds high expectations for this year’s draft; he wants to select a team-building core, aiming towards a direction instead of tanking next year.
Connelly nodded, then focused on the scouting report, falling into thinking.
Can’t this guy really be cultivated as a core?
Is there a chance to develop his ball-handling skills?