CHAPTER 446: CHAPTER 358: THE MUCH-ANTICIPATED WESTERN CONFERENCE FINALS

After the interview, Zeng Xingyang boarded the bus to the airport with his teammates.

The atmosphere on the bus was very lively, with players excitedly talking about the upcoming Western Conference Finals, frequently bursting into laughter. They were not afraid of the Warriors, but rather full of confidence.

Zeng Xingyang leaned against the window, looking at the night view of Los Angeles through the glass, feeling a myriad of emotions.

Now, he had also left his legendary moments here in Los Angeles.

Get off the bus and board the plane.

When they returned to Denver, it was late at night, but the airport was brightly lit.

The Nuggets owner’s son, Josh Kroenke, and general manager Tim Connelly personally came to the airport to welcome them.

Josh Kroenke was full of smiles, his eyes brimming with joy, very satisfied with Connelly’s work. Even before the pickup, he had offered a hefty general manager contract, making Connelly’s salary the highest among NBA teams.

Josh Kroenke patted Connelly on the shoulder and said loudly: "Well done! Next, we must continue to operate around Zeng Xingyang, and any transaction must be discussed with him. He is the absolute core of our team and our hope for winning the championship in the next five years!"

Kroenke knew well that Zeng Xingyang was the current and future signature player in the NBA and the best player in the history of the Nuggets, and by all means, they must find a way to keep him.

Connelly nodded repeatedly: "BOSS, don’t worry, I will not let you down!"

Connelly now had full confidence; from now on, making decisions in consultation with Zeng Xingyang will minimize major mistakes.

Connelly felt for the first time what it’s like to cling to a powerful figure.

His max salary seemed to come easier compared to Zeng Xingyang.

Zeng Xingyang also knew that he was highly valued on this team. What he needed to do was lead the Nuggets to the summit.

On the internet, discussions about Zeng Xingyang were overwhelming.

The scene of him achieving a game-winner against the Clippers had become a hot topic among fans.

The reading and discussion of related topics on major social media platforms continued to soar, with the game-winner video play count surpassing millions.

Fans expressed their opinions, some amazed by his composure in crucial moments, some praised his basketball skills, while others began predicting his future achievements.

More and more people firmly believe that as long as Zeng Xingyang wins the championship, he will undoubtedly become the universally recognized top player in the league and a superstar of the highest echelon.

Zeng Xingyang’s data dominance and influence on the court are exceptional.

...

That evening, his agent Jeff Schwartz sent Zeng Xingyang a schedule for the summer, packed with events that were astonishing to see.

Although Zeng Xingyang rejected many private business activities, there were still many arrangements he couldn’t decline due to personal ties, mostly from the brands he invested in or some collaborations from officialdom back home.

Now, Zeng Xingyang’s ordinary endorsement fee had risen to nearly $10 million a year, and even a couple of advertising words in public could easily earn him $1 million.

This kind of sky-high endorsement still saw numerous manufacturers eager to cooperate with him.

However, Zeng Xingyang didn’t lack money; he cherished the time spent with family and friends more. To him, money was just a string of numbers, and what he yearned for most now was the championship trophy that symbolized the highest honor.

Looking at the schedule on his phone, Zeng Xingyang frowned slightly, contemplating how to balance between commercial activities and life with female friends while not affecting his training and preparation.

Time management is a high-difficulty job.

At this moment, another matchup in the Western Conference Finals was heating up, with the Golden State Warriors and San Antonio Spurs tied at 2-2.

Without Kawhi Leonard being undercut by Zaza Pachulia, the Spurs showed formidable competitiveness, becoming a strong contender against the Warriors.

Compared to last year, Leonard improved significantly, exhibiting the qualities of a superstar, capable of scoring in crucial moments with personal prowess.

And this was something the Spurs had lacked for years; his growth also became the biggest obstacle for the Warriors in advancing to the Western Conference Finals.

During matches, Leonard often maintained a stoic expression; his gaze sharp as an eagle, with every dribbling isolation move being straightforward and efficient.

The contests between the two teams were like earth-shattering clashes, with almost every round filled with tension, making every offense and defense thrilling to the bones.

After the Nuggets games, both media and fans were drawn to this series, closely watching every detail and predicting the final outcome.

Some had confidence in the Spurs’ team basketball and Leonard’s exceptional personal capabilities, believing they could eliminate the Warriors; others were convinced that the Warriors’ "Death Lineup" and Splash Brothers’ three-point barrage would help them advance to the Western Conference Finals.

Zeng Xingyang was also closely following this match.

A week later, after seven thrilling battles, the Warriors advanced to the Western Conference Finals by narrowly eliminating the Spurs 4-3.

Both teams showcased a very high level of competition in this series.

Without being undercut, Leonard truly made the Spurs strong.

The Warriors’ progression also made fans and media even more eager for the upcoming Western Conference Finals— the pinnacle clash between the Nuggets and the Warriors!!

On May 17, the much-anticipated Western Conference Finals finally arrived.

The entire basketball world was thrilled.

This series was regarded as a prelude to the finals.

At the pre-game press conference, Draymond Green and Jimmy Butler faced off in a war of words in front of the media.

Green, as always, was arrogant, mocking the Nuggets in the interview: "They just got lucky, but facing us, they will know what a real strong team is!"

Butler, on the other hand, didn’t back down, retorting: "We swept you in the regular season, and we can do it here too!"

...

Game 1 opened at the Nuggets’ home court.

In the Pepsi Center in Denver, the roar of over 20,000 fans surged like crashing waves, striking every corner of the arena.

The media, fans, awaited the Western Conference Finals match with great anticipation.

The giant screen repeatedly played highlights from star players of both teams.

During the entrance ceremony, the fans here did their utmost to put some pressure on the Warriors, bombarding them with all kinds of taunts.

This highly anticipated pinnacle matchup officially commenced with the referee’s whistle.

Without a doubt, Zeng Xingyang was the absolute focal point for the Nuggets, with Jokic and Butler beside him like left and right guardians, ready to provide support at any time.

Every round of the match on the court tugged at the heartstrings of everyone present.

The confrontation between the two teams was intense, with physical contacts and clashes occurring from the very beginning of the game.