CHAPTER 439: CHAPTER 351: REFORM AND G3

At this time, Zeng Xingyang was meeting with several high-ranking officials of the Basketball Association in a hotel in Los Angeles.

Yao became the head of the Basketball Association in February this year.

Although Yao was very famous in the NBA, he has retired, and his influence is not what it used to be.

Now, Zeng Xingyang is a key figure in the NBA. After Yao called and communicated with Zeng Xingyang, the staff from the Basketball Association came to Zeng Xingyang for detailed discussions to advance a few matters.

First, the Chinese Basketball Association hopes to collaborate with the NBA, with the possibility of sending potential players to the NBA Academy for special training, integrating NBA coaching resources and sports science systems to improve specific shortcomings of the players.

Second, the Basketball Association hopes the NBA will, through a global selection mechanism, invite more young Chinese players to participate in international training camps, compete with peers worldwide, and be assessed by NBA scouts.

Third, the Basketball Association hopes the NBA will provide coaching training courses to China, covering areas such as tactical design, physical training, and sports rehabilitation.

Fourth, the NBA provides technical tools: dying of Chinese Men’s Basketball Team can borrow the NBA’s player tracking system and tactical analysis software to optimize defensive strategies and player performance evaluation.

Fifth, the Basketball Association hopes to send the national team to participate in the Summer League.

Sixth, to organize a few NBA regular-season games in China.

...

...

Having spent a long time in the NBA, Yao deeply understands the gap between the national team and top teams, so he started addressing these issues as soon as he took office.

Zeng Xingyang cooperates well with Yao’s work, and after discussing with relevant figures from the Basketball Association, he began to advance these projects using his own connections.

With the support of Zeng Xingyang, implementing these projects was not so difficult.

Even the NBA executives have promised to begin discussing hosting a few regular-season games in major cities in China.

Zeng Xingyang will do what he can and won’t adopt a detached attitude from matters concerning Chinese basketball.

Zeng Xingyang remembers, although Yao left in the end somewhat dimly, he doesn’t feel comfortable judging Yao’s successes or failings.

Reform is always better than not reforming.

If no reform, then you’re just waiting to be bullied.

Only by working to change can you know whether this path is correct.

.....

Though trailing 0-2, the Clippers gained some confidence through G2, as the Nuggets are not entirely without weaknesses.

Whether it’s Jokic’s perimeter defense or Gordon’s limited success in restricting Griffin, and Crawford’s explosive performance with the second unit.

These are all advantages for the Clippers.

As a result, many Clippers players said during interviews: "This is a series, and we will fight back once we return to our home court."

Paul even gritted his teeth and said: "I won’t let Zeng put up such numbers again."

Pierce said: "Our match has just begun, I’ve been through too much hardship; it’s far from over."

Though the Clippers are very confident, external opinions are not friendly to them.

"West Semi-final G3 Preview, Nuggets Fearless."

"Confident Clippers Could Sink in G3."

"Butler Claims to Crush the Clippers!"

"G3 Will Be the Pivotal Point of This Series!"

The G3 game began quickly.

The two teams played very tightly in the first three quarters.

Playing on the Clippers’ home court, the calls were quite unfavorable to the Nuggets.

The Clippers continued the offensive momentum from the previous game, while both Zeng Xingyang and Jokic from the Nuggets were caught in foul trouble. Fortunately, the second unit players stepped up timely.

Zeng Xingyang picked up two offensive fouls early in the first quarter and went to rest, while Jokic was repeatedly called for illegal screens.

This made everyone on the Nuggets very frustrated.

minutes and 11 seconds.

The Clippers on the offense.

Paul glanced at the score, 91 to 91.

Such a score brought enormous pressure, with Zeng Xingyang and Jokic both saddled with four fouls, returning to the court ready for the final battle against the Clippers.

Paul felt as though they simply couldn’t beat the Nuggets.

Zeng Xingyang didn’t apply too much intensity on Paul, mainly just raising his hand to interfere.

Paul tried to penetrate for a mid-range shot, yet Zeng wouldn’t give Paul the opportunity to shoot.

Zeng Xingyang’s physical gifts far outweigh Paul’s, leaving Paul unable to find shooting space.

Paul passed the ball to Griffin in the post.

Griffin received the ball and posted up against Gordon.

"Bang!"

"Bang!"

Griffin turned and forcefully attacked after colliding.

Gordon jumped up to block.

"Slap!"

The shot was deflected off the ball.

But!

"Beep Beep!!"

The referee called Gordon for a hand-foul.

"F*ck, I didn’t hit his hand."

"That was clean."

Zeng Xingyang, Gordon, and Ma Long all explained to the referee.

But the referee paid no attention.

Gordon even received a technical foul for talking too loudly.

Paul’s technical free throw was good.

Griffin then made both free throws.

to 94.

A single possession saw the Clippers picking up 3 points through free throws.

"Yo, the league is this shady? It’s really five vs. eight for the Nuggets."

"It’s an away game, passing isn’t easy for the Nuggets."

"Awesome, these calls."

"Might as well just let the Clippers win already."

"Damn, this game is really rigged."

Fans were speechless about the calls in this game.

The Nuggets on offense.

Zeng Xingyang dribbled to the frontcourt, passed to Jokic, then positioned himself in the low post.

Paul was defending Zeng Xingyang, using all sorts of pulling and tugging, not wanting to let Zeng play easily.

Jokic passed the ball to Butler, who lobbed it back to Zeng Xingyang.

Playing in the post against Paul was always simple for Zeng Xingyang. As he received the ball, he powered into Paul, then turned and took a fadeaway jump shot.

Paul desperately tried to contest but his height was nowhere near enough to affect the shot.

Zeng Xingyang reached the peak and released the shot effortlessly.

The ball arced beautifully.

"Swish!"

A shot straight to the heart!

to 94.

After scoring, Zeng Xingyang didn’t celebrate but started pressing Paul on the spot.

Zeng Xingyang’s defense lifted the intensity of the entire Nuggets team.

This Clippers possession came up empty, with Crawford missing a contested jumper against Butler on the right wing.

The rebound was controlled by Jokic.

Jokic dribbled to the frontcourt.

This time it was Pierce defending Zeng Xingyang.

Pierce used a lot of minor tactics too.

After his jersey got tugged, Zeng Xingyang quipped: "If you can’t stop me, better retire early and stop these tricks."

Pierce hearing Zeng Xingyang’s words was full of black lines; this rookie had no respect for veterans.

Pierce retorted: "Rookie, let me teach you how to win a championship."

Zeng Xingyang ignored Rivers, positioning himself outside the left three-point line.

Jokic passed the ball to Zeng Xingyang.

Zeng Xingyang executed a large crossover, giving Pierce a startle, causing him to retract his hand quickly.

Zeng Xingyang took a step sideways, then burst with speed to drive left.

Jokic and Butler both headed towards the basket.

With lessons learned from last game, the Clippers focused on restricting Zeng Xingyang’s passing.

But they didn’t apply enough pressure; Zeng Xingyang made a floater on the move.

The ball went through the net!!

"Swish!"

to 94.

The Nuggets took the lead.

The Nuggets rarely found themselves in such grueling battles in the playoffs.