CHAPTER 474: CHAPTER 386: OPENING GAME

Xiao Ding also got some playing opportunities in the preseason. His daring and fighting style made up for his lack of talent, and his performance was pretty good, earning praise from Nuggets fans.

A player who is eager for victory and has a positive training and game attitude will be welcomed wherever he goes.

Of course, hard work does not always bring rewards, and Mike Malone still excluded Xiao Ding from the rotation lineup.

Zeng Xingyang will not intervene in these arrangements, being able to arrange for Xiao Ding to be selected was already the biggest help.

If he arranged the rotation as well, teammates and the management coaching staff would have some opinions about him.

Coming to the Nuggets means relying on one’s own ability to compete, and all Zeng Xingyang can ensure is fair treatment.

.....

The day before the start of the new season.

Mike Malone was asked at a pre-game press conference about the league’s major shifts this summer.

Mike Malone said: "I know many teams are targeting us, wanting to defeat us, and I want to say, go ahead!"

Mike Malone was very domineering, and this dominance comes from the Nuggets’ strength.

Last season, the Nuggets had almost the best record in both the regular season and playoffs, making it very difficult for other teams to easily catch up with them.

A reporter asked: "Do you think the Warriors will continue to be a threat on the Nuggets’ road to the championship?"

The Warriors, as the only team to win against the Nuggets in the playoffs, are still considered by the media and fans to be the Nuggets’ strongest challenger.

Mike Malone said: "Frankly, they’ll still lose to us, they’re already intimidated by us mentally, the NBA isn’t just a league where you can win a championship by spending money."

Mike Malone’s interview immediately sparked dissatisfaction among Warriors fans.

"Now the Nuggets are really arrogant, Zeng Xingyang still wants to use his power to bully opponents!"

"If Zaza hadn’t been cut, the Warriors would never have lost."

"The Warriors’ chemistry this year is definitely better than last year, defeating the Nuggets won’t be too difficult."

"I think the Nuggets will be careless this year, and the Warriors definitely have a chance."

"This year, the Nuggets will be thoroughly studied, and it will definitely be impossible for them to be as relaxed as last season."

"Honestly, I think the Nuggets have the potential of a dynasty."

October 26th, opening game.

Morning.

Zeng Xingyang looked at his phone for a while, with overwhelming voices online targeting the Nuggets.

Clearly.

This year’s Nuggets are more resented than last season’s Warriors.

The Nuggets are now the target of all attacks.

But Zeng Xingyang is not afraid, to become champions, they must have the courage to face all opponents head-on.

They are just jealous that the Nuggets are too strong now.

In the afternoon, Zeng Xingyang drove to the Denver arena, and as the defending champions, the first game is always held at home.

The Nuggets’ opening opponent is led by rising star Mitchell’s Utah Jazz.

Mitchell is this year’s 13th overall pick, and Zeng Xingyang remembered that this guy would eventually make it, first becoming the Jazz leader, then the Knight leader. His career starting point is not low.

However, tonight’s regular season is his debut, and I have to properly welcome this little guy.

Early on, a large crowd of fans gathered at the entrance of the Denver arena.

Last season, the Nuggets won the championship on the road, so Nuggets fans didn’t get to witness it firsthand. This time, they are here to witness the team receive the championship rings.

Denver fans have never been this crazy before.

The entire arena is filled with fans wearing Zeng Xingyang’s jersey.

In the locker room.

Zeng Xingyang was the second to arrive, the first was Butler.

Butler was already getting ready.

"Jimmy, so early, ready for the new season?" Zeng Xingyang greeted Butler.

Butler is very disciplined in the team.

"Haha, Zeng, you should ask if my opponents are ready to face me." Butler said.

"Hahaha!"

The two chatted in the locker room for a while, then the rookies started arriving one after another.

Xiao Ding came in first, followed by Dillon, and then the second-year players.

Siakam, Brogdon, and others are no longer rookies and are familiar with all aspects of the NBA. They are no longer as nervous as they were in their rookie year.

One by one.

Mike Malone checked his watch, then clapped his hands to gather everyone together for the final tactical arrangement.

"Everyone quiet down." Some players didn’t notice Mike Malone’s actions, and only quieted down after Zeng Xingyang spoke up.

The Nuggets don’t have any troublemakers, Butler can barely be considered one, but he wouldn’t stir up trouble when the team is on the rise.

Zeng Xingyang’s leadership position is unshakable, and when he speaks, everyone else has to listen quietly.

Seeing the team quiet down quickly, Mike Malone started explaining today’s tactics.

As for the starting lineup, it was set yesterday.

Zeng Xingyang, Butler, Siakam, Gordon, Jokic.

The Nuggets’ starting lineup still needs to be ranked according to status, and although Butler’s task is to lead the second lineup, Mike Malone respects him as a starter.

The original starting small forward was Pope, but Pope suffered a strain during training, so Siakam took his place.

This Nuggets lineup is very impactful, but their shooting ability is slightly lacking.

Zeng Xingyang and Jokic’s shooting skills are top-notch for their positions, but Butler, Siakam, and Gordon’s shooting can only be considered average.

At least it doesn’t match the Nuggets’ number one power in the league.

However, this is not a problem for the Nuggets. They have never been a team that solely relies on shooting, their strength lies in their combined offense and defense.

Therefore, Mike Malone emphasized the intensity of defense, hoping that the players would quickly adjust their state to welcome the new season, and give all their opponents a show of strength.

Since the preseason, Ma Long had already seen that the key to defending the Jazz is to bypass their pick-and-roll, as their style has always been primarily pick-and-roll tactics.

Mitchell and Gobert’s pick-and-roll, Ingles and Gobert’s pick-and-roll, these are the foundations of their tactical initiatives.

So, for the Nuggets to safely take the game, they can’t let them play comfortably all the time.

Of course, overall Mike Malone doesn’t feel much pressure because the Nuggets’ overall strength is much stronger than the Jazz. As long as the players have the right mindset, there will be little trouble in winning the game.

Once Mike Malone finished giving instructions, Zeng Xingyang smiled and stepped forward, putting his left arm around Jokic and raising his right hand to the sky: "Come on, guys, let’s show them the strength of the defending champions!"

Seeing this, the others quickly raised their hands as well.

"Champions!"

"Champions!"

"Champions!"

The new season hasn’t even started yet, but everyone unanimously shouted their slogan.

For those who have won a championship, not winning it again this season would be considered a failure.

After the shouts ended, everyone rushed out of the player tunnel...

The DJ called out each player’s name during the entrance ceremony.