NBA: Rising Superstar!

As everyone was curious about how many preseason victories the Nuggets could achieve.

Outside the Pepsi Center in Denver, fans gathered in small groups, discussing excitedly.

A young Black guy looked worried and said, "Do you think we'll win a few preseason games?"

The Black guy next to him scratched his head and replied, "Who knows, it's really nerve-wracking."

At this moment, the outcomes of the Nuggets' preseason games had become a mystery lingering in every fan's mind.

But the Nuggets ended their preseason journey with a 4-win, 3-loss record.

If the Nuggets are viewed as a championship-level powerhouse, such performance undoubtedly makes the media and fans who were eagerly anticipating feel a bit disappointed.

Of course, there's a reason behind this.

Zeng Xingyang and Jokic had little playing time in the preseason games, and in three games, neither played. For most of the time, it was Butler leading a group of rookie players charging forward on the court.

However, when Butler teamed up with Jokic and Zeng Xingyang, the scene was not ideal.

One reason is the habit of on-ball isolation play Butler developed with the Bulls. Upon arriving at the Nuggets, this clashed with Jokic and Zeng Xingyang, two core players who also require a lot of ball possession.

Butler indeed possesses some organizational skills; he frequently organized offenses when he was with the Bulls, but organizing isn't his main task. If he were to lead the organization, his efficiency would not be as high as Jokic and Zeng Xingyang.

Simply put, Butler has yet to find a suitable playing style to mesh with Zeng Xingyang and Jokic.

And then there's Jokic's lack of interest in preseason games; he can't get motivated for these matches.

Everyone knows when Jokic doesn't want to play, he might get beaten by a bunch of amateur enthusiasts.

Meanwhile, most of the Nuggets rookies are ambitious and proud, refusing to yield to one another, each desiring to go it alone with the ball on the court.

Players like Dejounte Murray, Siakam, and Brogdon often display impressive individual offenses on-ball.

This also leads to fierce competition for ball possession among rookies, with Butler struggling to maintain control.

Only when Zeng Xingyang and Jokic are on the court does the situation slightly ease.

The two seem to have a natural deterrence that can keep others in check.

Zeng Xingyang also understands that the key to Butler's inability to control the rookies lies in his insufficient prestige at this time, rather than his ability.

With the Bulls, Butler was merely a blue-collar worker; though his stats gradually approached that of the team leader, he was yet to become the Butler who led the Minnesota Timberwolves and 76ers into the playoffs, or took the Heat to two finals.

The rookie players respect Zeng Xingyang and Jokic because they led the Nuggets last season to beat the Warriors and reach the Western Conference Finals, while they can't give Butler the same respect. Butler hasn't led the team to any significant achievements, merely having good stats isn't enough.

Apart from the rookie issue, on another note, Gordon and Grant seem to be subtly competing for playing time, creating a slightly tense atmosphere between them.

Hence, some informed Denver media, after watching the Nuggets' preseason, have voiced their views.

Some Denver media, concerned, pointed out: "If the Nuggets can't properly address these issues, their results in the new season may be worse than last season."

Basketball is inherently a very complex sport, not simply gathering a group of excellent players to win games. The Nuggets clearly need a long time to harmonize.

Coach Mike Malone is also troubled by this, spending a majority of his time resolving player relationships.

Last season, the team lacked available players, whereas this season, the abundance of available players overwhelms him.

In training games, the atmosphere among players is already tense, with conflicts ready to erupt.

When a group of players compete to win gathers, the scene becomes very intense.

As Mike Malone communicates with them, everyone earnestly expresses their desire for playing time to prove themselves.

Zeng Xingyang is not worried about this; he is confident that solutions will naturally appear during the regular season.

The chaos due to many newcomers wanting to play is inevitable.

However, the Nuggets' opponent in the season opener is challenging, a formidable foe indeed.

It's their nemesis, the Spurs.

Based on the preseason situation, the Nuggets are likely to lose to the Spurs again.

After the last training before the season opener, Zeng Xingyang returned home and habitually browsed his phone as usual.

Online, predictions and previews about each season opener were everywhere, along with interviews of players and coaches from both sides.

When Popovich discussed the opening game against the Nuggets, he said with a sly smile, "Basketball games are not merely about assembling players. The Nuggets have a bunch of excellent players, but maybe they're not well-coordinated. Our players are rather old and can't run much, perhaps we might lose too."

On the surface, Popovich did not claim the Spurs hold an absolute advantage, even showing a bit of self-mockery.

But discerning listeners could sense that his remarks disregarded the new season's Nuggets, even implicitly mocking their lack of understanding of basketball team cooperation.

Popovich further added: "Building and harmonizing a team requires a long time to form. Trying to upgrade through trading is like taking a shortcut, but shortcuts aren't guaranteed to succeed." This comment undoubtedly implies the Nuggets resemble a temporarily assembled mercenary group.

Of course, there's another reason behind this: the newbies the Nuggets brought in this year were mostly targets initially eyed by the Spurs.

For example, Dejounte Murray and Butler were both players the Spurs admired but were snatched up by the Nuggets first. These matters have made Popovich rather irritated.

Initially, Popovich was worried that Butler joining the Nuggets would lead to a qualitative leap in their strength.

But seeing their poor preseason performance, he felt there was no need to worry too much.

"That old geezer!" After reading the report, Zeng Xingyang felt displeased and couldn't help but mumble quietly.

At this moment, Zeng Xingyang's determination to defeat the Spurs became even firmer.

October 25, 2016.

The 2016-17 NBA season opener officially kicked off.

The sunset hadn't yet fully dispelled the chill of night.

Outside the Pepsi Center in Denver, Nuggets fans had already lined up early.

The line snaked and twisted, resembling a dragon.

Many fans rubbed their hands while chatting excitedly.

"I really want to know soon what lineup Mike Malone will use tonight, what tactics he'll employ."

"Yeah, plus we're playing the Spurs today, we must show them something!"

The fans chimed in, filled with anticipation, a sentiment of shared enmity spreading among the crowd.