NBA: Rising Superstar!

The moment the game ended, the Pepsi Center in Denver felt like it had been exploded by a giant bomb.

Colorful lights swayed wildly, transforming the arena into a dreamy stage.

The venue erupted in overwhelming cheers and applause, even the retired jerseys hanging from the rafters swayed slightly.

The Nuggets fans waved their Nuggets flags with a whooshing sound, convinced by tonight's performance that this season, the Nuggets are destined to write a glorious chapter.

"MVP!"

"MVP!"

"MVP!!"

The united chants of the fans echoed throughout the arena, so much so that even the streets outside seemed to feel this shocking force.

Zeng Xingyang leaped onto the technical table with a swift stride, lightly tilted his head, and glanced at Anthony, who wore a look of desolation. In his eyes, there was a hint of the victor's calm.

Then Zeng Xingyang faced the fans, waving in acknowledgment.

At this moment, all the attention in the house converged on him; this is Denver's new king.

The live broadcast's comment section was like a flood bursting through a dam, scrolling frantically:

"This overtime was practically Zeng Xingyang's personal showcase! Unbeatable!"

"30-game winning streak! The Nuggets dynasty is coming, Zeng Xingyang will be the cornerstone of the Nuggets dynasty!"

"With this performance, the MVP must be Zeng Xingyang!"

"Just waiting for the 32nd game against the Warriors."

"Man, I'm so thrilled. Beating Anthony here has a special meaning."

The domestic media reporters' faces flushed with excitement, their eyes sparkling with enthusiasm.

Being stationed in Denver, they naturally understood what Zeng Xingyang's better performance in the Nuggets meant.

Domestic reporters in Denver are treated with a lot of respect, thanks to Zeng Xingyang's performance.

Reporters raised their cameras one after another, the sound of shutters clicking as they eagerly aimed to report this spectacular game back home, writing heavily praising pieces about Zeng Xingyang.

Regular time tying the game, dominating in overtime, there's so much to write about.

....

"Dominating overtime, Zeng Xingyang shows dominance again!"

"This is what an MVP-level performance looks like."

"This is a clutch performance by Mr. Clutch."

"Zeng Xingyang holding up under pressure, proving MVP-level play."

"Near tie + overtime comeback, Zeng Xingyang demonstrates immense superstar ability."

Indeed, just as Zeng Xingyang predicted, after the victory, those attacks on his private life receded like tidewater, swiftly decreasing.

People's and media's attention, like iron filings to a magnet, focused on his on-court performance.

After all, Zeng Xingyang is a basketball player, and his court performance is the only criterion for judgment, not the off-the-court controversies.

The numerous female admirers, instead, served to highlight him as a stronger man.

After all, oftentimes, the stronger the man, the more he attracts the opposite sex's favor.

The Nuggets management never bothered Zeng Xingyang with off-court scandals; they knew that trusting Zeng Xingyang was enough.

Facts proved that whether in recruitment or leading the team, Zeng Xingyang's decisions were correct.

If they rashly communicated with Zeng Xingyang and aroused his dislike, it would be very unfavorable for the Nuggets management.

The upcoming 31st game, the Nuggets would face the Kings at home.

Cousins, one of the NBA's most fiery-tempered centers, with a bad attitude.

Cousins had always been at odds with Zeng Xingyang.

It's no wonder, since Zeng Xingyang's entry into the league, he's been collecting various honors and receiving all kinds of praises.

NBA Rookie of the Year, NBA All-Star Game MVP, First-Team All-NBA, All-Star Player…

Especially this season, Zeng Xingyang swept the monthly best and most of the weekly best, and this name made Cousins hear Zeng Xingyang's name till his ears almost went numb.

Zeng Xingyang is younger than Cousins, yet has more honors and far greater popularity than him.

This made Cousins frown unconsciously whenever he thought of Zeng Xingyang, harboring a simmering anger inside.

Cousins was eager to find a chance to beat Zeng Xingyang on the court.

After all, in Cousins' view, no matter how strong Zeng Xingyang was, he was still a perimeter player, and as a center, he had an absolute mismatch advantage over him.

Facing smaller opponents, Cousins always had a natural sense of superiority.

In the pre-game interview, Cousins confidently said, "When we meet the Nuggets, we will be full of fighting spirit, and we will definitely defeat them to end their winning streak."

Cousins seemed so confident, as if victory was already in his grasp.

Of course, reporters didn't take Cousins seriously.

After all, what team are the Kings, and what team are the Nuggets? The strength gap between the two teams is huge, isn't it?

The game quickly began.

Both sides' starters took the court: for the Kings, it was Rondo, Belinelli, Guy, Quincy Acy, and Cousins.

Quincy Acy, the 37th pick in the 2012 draft, stands at 2.01 meters, weighing 109 kilograms. He has excellent explosive power and bounce, excels at alley-oops, putback dunks, and finishing on fast breaks. In under-the-basket confrontations, he often uses his power and speed to create threats and also has a decent three-point threat, serving as a blue-collar player on the team.

As for Belinelli, he's a shooter with only threes and no defense, similar to Redick.

The Kings' starting lineup is quite shabby in the entire league and can only win against tanking teams.

The Kings' record this season is poor, currently 10 wins and 20 losses, practically out of playoff contention.

This is related to their lack of depth in the lineup and poor player compatibility.

Cousins is not a qualified team leader and hasn't raised the Kings' floor.

Rondo's arrival can only slightly enhance the Kings' combat effectiveness, without achieving fundamental improvement.

As for the Nuggets, it's Zeng Xingyang, Butler, Pope, Gordon, and Jokic.

For the last game before the Christmas battle, Coach Mike Malone had a serious expression, without any slack, continuing to field the entire main lineup.

Mike Malone calculated that as long as this game entered garbage time, he would immediately rest all the main players.

The Nuggets have to ensure the victory of the game, while saving energy to deal with the upcoming Christmas battle.

The game started, and Cousins stared intensely at Zeng Xingyang, his eyes full of a challenging meaning, as if he wanted to burn Zeng Xingyang. However, Zeng Xingyang was totally oblivious, unaware that Cousins had regarded him as an opponent.

After all, Zeng Xingyang had too many opponents; everyone wanted to win against him.

The referee threw the ball high into the sky, and Cousins and Jokic jumped almost simultaneously.

Both of them made similar parabolic motions in the air.

With excellent bounce, Cousins stretched his long arms in the air, tapping the ball to Rondo.

Rondo quickly dribbled to the frontcourt, his eyes keenly observing the situation on the court, not waiting for a set offense, and upon seeing Cousins cut in from the three-point line, he immediately delivered a precise bounce pass.

Cousins caught the ball like a beast, directly hugging it and charging towards the basket.

In the previous game, Jokic had fouled out, and at the start of this game, he dared not rashly go for steals, only raising his arms high to interfere.

But this clearly couldn't stop Cousins, who, thanks to his strong body, fiercely confronted Jokic and then finished with a layup off the board, the ball through the hoop.

0 to 2.

Unlike other clumsy big men, Cousins' offensive methods are extremely comprehensive, and he and Jokic are arguably the two most promising centers in the West.