NBA: Rising Superstar!

The coach door slowly opened, and first the other Nuggets players got off, followed by Jokic and Zeng Xingyang.

Zeng Xingyang's foot just touched the ground of Los Angeles.

Almost instantly, a swarm of reporters surrounded him like a tide.

The Los Angeles media have always had an extraordinarily keen sense of gossip.

A reporter couldn't wait to thrust the microphone in front of Zeng Xingyang, wearing a bit of a gossip expression: "Zeng, tonight you will face the Clippers, a strong opponent, but you didn't come back last night. Don't you think such behavior will negatively impact the team?"

Zeng Xingyang frowned and said, "Strong team? In my view, we are the ones who make opponents fear. Besides, I've already taken leave with the team, it's none of your business."

Another Los Angeles reporter followed up, with a slightly provocative tone: "Zeng, do you think it's easy to deal with Chris Paul, so much so that you don't even need a good rest to prepare for the game?"

"I rested well, who says I didn't sleep?" Zeng Xingyang raised an eyebrow, responding unhurriedly.

Another reporter threw out a question, face full of doubt: "Can you ensure you're at one hundred percent?"

"You'll know when you watch the game tonight?" Zeng Xingyang shrugged, looking relaxed.

At this moment, a reporter asked with a smile, full of gossip: "Are you with Scarlett or Taylor Swift now?"

"Personal question, next." Zeng Xingyang refused to answer without hesitation, looking calm.

The number of Los Angeles media is large, and the questions they asked were increasingly tricky and gossipy.

But Zeng Xingyang had long been accustomed to such scenes, handling them with ease.

Zeng Xingyang knew too well what the media here needed.

Soon, the game opened.

The Clippers' starting lineup took the stage: Paul, Redick, Bamot, Griffin, Little Jordan.

The Clippers' personnel setup was quite reasonable, with the likes of Crawford and Pierce sitting on the bench.

So far this season, they've achieved a record of 20 wins and 8 losses, ranking third in the West.

Aside from the Nuggets and Warriors, they had the best record.

The Clippers' big three were at the peak of their careers, and the role players in the team had the ability to shoot, break through, and defend.

Zeng Xingyang stood on the court, looking at the entire Clippers team, unconcerned as he had a thorough understanding of their problems.

The floor of this Clippers team was not low, but the ceiling was hindered by the superstars not being strong and comprehensive enough.

Paul and Griffin both had obvious weaknesses, prone to injuries at critical moments, which was bound to limit their performance in many games.

Don't underestimate injuries, as they are often crucial in determining whether a team can reach higher levels.

Moreover, the Clippers' wing defense was relatively weak, struggling to cope with top wing cores like James and Durant, and even finding it difficult against Barnes and Hayward.

In the playoffs, these weaknesses were easily targeted by opponents.

Additionally, even with Paul as a playmaker, relying too much on isolation plays at critical moments left the team lacking fluid team cooperation in the playoffs.

The Nuggets' starting lineup was equally impressive: Zeng Xingyang; Butler, Siakam, Gordon, Jokic.

Pope could have avoided resting due to injury, but Mike Malone considered their sufficient player rotation and still forced Pope to rest, putting Siakam in the starting lineup.

The deep rotation of the Nuggets was also a reason supporting their long winning streak.

Jokic and Little Jordan stood at the center circle, ready for the jump ball.

Little Jordan, an All-NBA First Team selection last season, was at the peak of his career, being particularly aggressive during the jump ball, jumping high and tipping the ball to Paul.

Paul steadily dribbled to the frontcourt, with the ball quickly circulating among the perimeter players.

However, Redick and Bamot both failed to find good shooting opportunities, and the ball quickly returned to Paul's hands.

Paul and Little Jordan quickly executed a pick-and-roll, with Zeng Xingyang blocked by Little Jordan.

Paul and Jokic formed a mismatch, with Paul making two consecutive crossovers, skillfully adjusting the pace to successfully evade Jokic's defense, then stopping abruptly, and shooting a close-range jumper.

The basketball drew a beautiful arc in the air, swishing into the net.

"Swish!" The Clippers fans on site instantly cheered, shouting at the top of their lungs.

The score was 0 to 2.

Paul showed excellent stability during the small-on-big play.

It was the Nuggets' turn to attack, with Butler bringing the ball past half-court, then passing it to Zeng Xingyang at the 45-degree position.

Bamot immediately stepped up, tightly wrapping around Zeng Xingyang, trying to limit his acceleration.

Zeng Xingyang didn't force a breakthrough but passed the ball to Jokic on the right side of the free-throw line.

Jokic received the ball, made a fake move, while Butler set an off-ball screen for Zeng Xingyang.

Zeng Xingyang feigned going out for a three-pointer, luring Bamot away with a reverse cut, but in fact rushed towards the basket.

Jokic understood the play, sending the ball high into the air.

Zeng Xingyang stepped up, single-handedly hooking the basketball. Little Jordan realized too late and hurried over to defend, only to evade helplessly.

Zeng Xingyang slammed the ball violently into the hoop, "Bang!" The hoop shook violently, and the Nuggets fans on site instantly erupted, overwhelming other noises.

The score was 2 to 2.

Zhang Weiping excitedly commented: "Little Jordan knew that even if he went over to defend, he couldn't escape getting posterized. Jokic's pass was spot on, Xingyang was already fully airborne!"

Yu Jia echoed from the side: "The Nuggets' offense was well-structured, played with great composure, and Xingyang scored in the easiest way."

On the court, Bamot looked dejected, knowing how hard it was to stop Zeng Xingyang, he could only do his best.

The Clippers launched another attack, with Paul trying to initiate a pick-and-roll once more.

But this time, Zeng Xingyang maneuvered around the pick and quickly chased down Paul.

Seeing this, Paul bounced a pass to the rolling Little Jordan.

Little Jordan caught the ball, just about to stride, but Butler came from the other side like lightning, decisively intercepting.

"Pop!" The ball in Little Jordan's hand was snatched away, controlled steadily by Siakam.

Siakam dribbled and quickly advanced, showcasing the advantage of the Nuggets' lineup, where players from every position could push the ball.

Zeng Xingyang followed up rapidly on the other side.

Siakam's ball-handling drew most of the Clippers' defensive attention, as he drove into the interior and then distributed the ball to the center to Butler.

Butler at the free-throw line noticed Zeng Xingyang had run to the corner, quickly firing a pass over.

Zeng Xingyang received the ball, faked a shot, tricking the following defender Bamot into the air.

He then stepped left and quickly shot a three-pointer.

The basketball drew a beautiful arc in the air.

"Swish!" A bullseye!

The handful of Nuggets fans present excitedly leaped up, cheering wildly.

The Nuggets' teamwork looked incredibly seamless.

The score was 5 to 2.