NBA: Rising Superstar!

Aside from these three tactics, there are also some "Spanish Pick-and-Roll" and fake screening tactics, using double screens to create opportunities for Jokic or outside shooters.

Pope's three-pointers, Gordon and Butler's inner cut follow-up attacks, these are also part of the team's tactics.

As for the defense end.

Last season, Jokic, due to his slow movement speed, was often targeted by opponents on defense, like in isolation plays or fast break attacks.

This season, Mike Malone adopted a "shrink defense" strategy, letting Jokic guard the basket, reducing switching, and planning to rely on the outside defense capabilities of Gordon, Pope, Zeng Xingyang, and Butler to cover up any gaps.

Now the Nuggets have a strong rotation, with players capable of defending in all positions, and their defensive gaps have been filled one by one.

If they encounter players strong in isolation, the Nuggets use a "triple lock" tactic.

Double team the ball handler, closely guard off-ball movements, and preemptively shrink the weak side to form a surround.

This strategy was specially developed for Durant.

The Nuggets' tactical drills have been running smoothly.

Connelly and Zeng Xingyang's concept that every player needs to be as smart as possible, truly playing with their brains, while also having good personal abilities, is not wrong.

On the first day of the training camp, the second squad led by Butler gave the starting lineup a tough match, both sides were evenly matched.

Butler's ability to motivate rookies and marginal players is evident, in this regard, he even surpasses Jokic.

Most of the time, these qualities of Butler are not reflected in the statistics, but the people around him can feel them.

After watching the team's training game on the first day, Mike Malone knew that this season's Nuggets would be scarier than last season.

The rookies' adaptability to the game far exceeded his judgment.

Players like Dejounte Murray, Brogdon, Zubac, and Siakam all have obvious characteristics, and they play with great confidence, not like rookies at all.

Mike Malone is full of fantasies about the new season.

By then, the starting lineup will watch the performance of Zeng Xingyang and Jokic, while Butler only needs to lead the second squad.

Assistant coach Finch said, "If those three play together for 47 minutes, we can beat 90% of the opponents."

Mike Malone asked, "Then how do we beat the remaining 10%?"

Finch replied, "Give the ball to Zeng, let him figure it out."

Mike Malone was a bit speechless.

But this statement is very true. Regardless of how Jokic and Butler occupy the tactical weight in the new season, Zeng Xingyang will be the Nuggets' most crucial ball-handling attacking option.

Zeng Xingyang also has the ability to earn everyone's respect.

On the morning of the second day of the training camp, after a simple warm-up exercise.

Zeng Xingyang took his backpack to the sidelines, and directly took out 500,000 US dollars in cash from the bag.

"Hey, guys, one-on-one, first to seven points, whoever wins can take 100,000 US dollars from me, the loser gives me 1,000 US dollars, each person gets a chance."

Zeng Xingyang arrogantly issued a challenge to all his teammates.

Yesterday, on the first day of training, he found some problems with the team that needed to be resolved.

It seems like these rookies all have guaranteed contracts and appear to lack competitive desire.

How can that be?

100,000 US dollars, the rookies' eyes were all wide open.

Especially Brogdon and Zubac, both of whom earn around 600,000 US dollars a year, which is about two months' salary for them.

The assistant coach looked at Mike Malone, signaling whether to stop this challenge, but Mike Malone shook his head, indicating not to bother.

Harris, Pope, Grant, and others were not interested, knowing that Zeng Xingyang was setting them up.

Gordon, Butler, and other newcomers were eager, but they restrained themselves, knowing well how strong Zeng Xingyang is.

However, there's always someone fearless coming forth at this time.

"Zeng, I'm worried your 500,000 US dollars won't be enough," Siakam said, stepping forward with a smile to be the first.

"No problem, if it's not enough, I'll get more, take it if you can, here you go, attack first," Zeng Xingyang said after cleaning the ball.

"I'm afraid you won't get the chance to attack."

"Rookie, you've got a sharp tongue."

As a second-year player, Zeng Xingyang finally got rid of the rookie label.

As soon as Siakam received the ball, Zeng Xingyang quickly applied pressure.

Siakam was very confident in his isolation skills, ignored the pressure, and went straight for a right-side drive to break through.

Only Zeng Xingyang's wingspan advantage quickly became apparent.

"Pop!"

A precise ball steal.

Zeng Xingyang's current stealing ability is top-notch too, and Siakam's dribbling skills are not yet mature, with elementary ball protection, a vulnerability Zeng Xingyang immediately spotted.

In front of Zeng Xingyang, this top defender, it was difficult even to protect the ball.

After the steal, it was a turnover.

Siakam cleaned the ball for Zeng Xingyang.

After receiving the ball, Zeng Xingyang didn't wait for Siakam to react, took a shot one step outside the three-point line.

"Swish!"

The net bulged instantly!!!

"Whoa whoa whoa!!"

"Haha, you're done for."

"Rookie, you're about to get swept."

Grant and Harris laughed, waiting to see Siakam's embarrassment.

Siakam was sweating a bit on his forehead.

For the second ball, as soon as it was cleaned, Siakam quickly closed in, not giving Zeng Xingyang a chance to shoot.

But Zeng Xingyang directly bumped Siakam with his shoulder.

Followed by a quick step.

"Whoosh!"

One step passed, and into the paint for a gliding slam dunk!!

"Bam!!"

After completing the dunk, Zeng Xingyang picked up the ball, walked toward the arc top, and said, "I told them not to choose you, your draft slot is at most the second round."

Hearing Zeng Xingyang's words, Siakam said nothing, but everyone could see he was a bit angry.

However, his anger had no effect, as Zeng Xingyang, on the next possession, used a jab step to pass him again, flying for a layup to score.

After winning, Zeng Xingyang said to Siakam, "If you don't agree with my evaluation of you, train hard to prove me wrong, you can challenge for the 100,000 US dollars one-on-one anytime!"

Jokic has a nice guy personality, but Zeng Xingyang does not.

The rookies on the side already felt the pressure.

Next, Brogdon, Dejounte Murray, even Zubac, didn't escape Zeng Xingyang's trash talk.

"F*ck, how could Connelly be so blind to choose a guy like you."

"I've already slacked off, how come you still can't score?"

"Switch players, hurry up and take your 1,000 US dollars to buy us fries and donuts, and send some to the cheerleader girls as well."

"Too soft, too soft."

They were all defeated one-on-one by Zeng Xingyang.

This isn't bullying the rookies!

This is absolute superiority.

Zeng Xingyang does not wish for them to be deflated by opponents' trash talk and only then rise to the challenge later.

Instead of that, better to get them riled up himself.

The atmosphere on the court grew more intense, with Gordon, Butler, and others stepping down.

Mike Malone was contemplating whether to call off this challenge.

If it continued like this, he was worried about internal conflicts.

Thankfully, Zeng Xingyang was only harsh towards the rookies, showing some respect to Butler, Gordon, and the others, without any trash talk.

Only Butler managed to score 2 points against Zeng Xingyang, while all other challengers failed.

Gordon tried to back down Zeng Xingyang in the first round, only to get the ball stolen from the front, losing without touching the rim like Butler.

Jokic, Grant, Harris, Pope, and other veterans were wise not to challenge, knowing that Zeng Xingyang could defend from point guard to center.

Jokic wasn't confident enough to score against Zeng Xingyang successfully with every possession.

Because if he failed to score, the following retribution from Zeng Xingyang would be inevitable.

No one could stop Zeng Xingyang's offense.

After this one-on-one match, the atmosphere of the training camp became more intense.

Zeng Xingyang's leadership position solidified, and the rookies became more determined, each eager to prove themselves and stand out.

The pre-season began under this tense atmosphere.