CHAPTER 50: CHAPTER 50, DOES PRESTI WANT TO TAKE A GAMBLE?

Zeng Xingyang’s defense has reached NBA elite levels, while Powell is still a college player. It’s very difficult for him to break through such a level of defense.

The rebound is secured by Towns.

Towns passes the ball to the advancing Booker, who continues to draw the defense while Zeng Xingyang follows up on the other side.

Powell constantly tails Zeng Xingyang, determined this time not to let him get the ball.

Zeng Xingyang waves towards Booker, signaling an opportunity to pass to him.

After reaching the frontcourt, Booker slows down as Towns arrives.

Zeng Xingyang runs towards Towns, who instantly understands Zeng Xingyang’s intention and stands firm.

Towns provides an off-ball screen for Zeng Xingyang.

"Bang!"

Towns firmly blocks Powell, while Zeng Xingyang runs to the right side of the free-throw line, and Booker makes the pass at this moment.

Zeng Xingyang prepares before receiving the ball and jumps as soon as he catches it.

Thomas switches to defend Zeng Xingyang.

Thomas’s movements seem very slow to Zeng Xingyang, and he can’t even jump.

If it were Rooney switching the defense, Zeng Xingyang wouldn’t dare to shoot like this.

Just as Zeng Xingyang anticipated, all Thomas can do is raise his hands high as Zeng Xingyang jumps and shoots over him.

"Swish!"

Straight through the heart!!

to 3.

"The trio from Kentucky is quite in sync, as the moment Zeng Xingyang emerged using the screen, Devin Booker passed the ball—he really trusts Zeng Xingyang’s shooting."

"This trust was rewarded."

"Is UCLA targeting the wrong player with their defense? They shouldn’t be constantly double-teaming Carl and Devin; they should do something about this Chinese player."

"Norman Powell can’t keep up with Zeng Xingyang’s positioning, and Zeng Xingyang has pierced through UCLA’s defense."

ESPN’s commentator doesn’t quite understand UCLA’s consistent defense on Towns; it’s now clear that Zeng Xingyang is the main offensive point for the University of Kentucky at the start.

On the court, Powell looks bewildered, knowing full well that Zeng Xingyang’s offensive trait is positioning and shooting, yet he just can’t defend him.

Zeng Xingyang always manages to use various crafty moves combined with teammates’ screens to shake off the defense.

As long as his teammates trust him enough, his opportunities will be numerous.

Watching the team’s increasing success, Calipari simply sits back in his seat, no longer needing to shout.

....

Halftime quickly arrives with the score at 38 to 26, with the University of Kentucky pulling the lead to 12 points.

This result leaves UCLA fans a bit deflated, as they originally thought that with the "home court" advantage, UCLA could at least match evenly with the University of Kentucky.

Unexpectedly, that Kentucky dead cat is so formidable, leading by double digits at halftime.

Zeng Xingyang played 12 minutes in the first half, scoring 12 points, 3 assists, and 2 steals.

Aside from offense, Zeng Xingyang also held Powell’s shooting percentage down to only 30%, with Powell scoring 11 points but using 15 shots to achieve it.

UCLA’s offensive rhythm is significantly disrupted by Powell’s playing style.

Powell internally bemoans his situation as the players from the University of Kentucky possess outstanding talent, making it difficult to play against anyone.

Zeng Xingyang persistently tangles with Powell, going into confrontation with him even when Powell doesn’t have the ball, keeping Powell’s body in a state of high exhaustion.

This kind of exertion significantly affects Powell’s shooting accuracy.

And when Powell tries to break through using screens, he then faces a frenzied siege from Towns and Koulistan, making it very hard for him to finish.

Given that UCLA’s main player receives such treatment, it’s understandable that they trail by 12 points at halftime.

If it weren’t for Kentucky’s rather poor performance from the bench, they would have trailed by far more than 12 points.

...

Thunder’s general manager’s office.

Presti and head coach Brooks are watching this game.

Brooks directly says, "Sam, can we secure that Chinese player in the draft?"

After watching the first half, Brooks becomes quite enamored with Zeng Xingyang.

Can defend, can shoot.

Isn’t that exactly what Thunder is lacking?

With Westbrook and Durant, the Thunder need a player who can hit threes from open positions.

Thunder is currently using Andre Roberson as the small forward.

Roberson’s defense is impeccable, but his three-point shooting is dreadful.

It’s not just inadequate; it’s completely missing—he can’t even hit when unguarded, averaging a 21% three-point shooting rate last season. Opponents aren’t even worried when he shoots.

Roberson often wastes scoring opportunities created by Westbrook and Durant.

What coach can tolerate that?

Brooks can’t tolerate it; if he had any other options, he wouldn’t want to play this guy.

Seeing Zeng Xingyang at this moment, his eyes light up.

Isn’t this just a version of Andre Roberson who can shoot?

Presti rubs his temples and takes off his glasses, saying, "This guy’s currently projected to go in the second round, but our second-round pick is in the middle, which originally would have been easy to get him, but after this game, it might be hard to secure him."

Presti also wants a player like Zeng Xingyang, but unfortunately, Zeng Xingyang’s draft stock is rising quickly.

Previously, when he watched Zeng Xingyang play, Zeng Xingyang was projected to be a late second-round pick. He thought getting him with a mid-second-round pick wouldn’t be a problem.

But now Zeng Xingyang is almost breaking into the first round, making a mid-second-round pick completely unrealistic.

Brooks says, "Don’t we still have a first-round pick?"

Presti replies, "Didn’t you say before we need a backup point guard? If Russell gets injured, we don’t have a decent point guard."

The Thunder has been plagued by injuries in the past two years, forcing them to have to prepare extensively when acquiring new players.

Brooks says, "Russell seems to be fully healthy now. We lack players like Zeng more than we lack point guards."

Brooks thinks Zeng Xingyang has the potential to become a qualified starter for the Thunder.

And if they select a point guard, they would most likely just become a decent backup for Westbrook.

It’s clear Brooks would rather have a qualified starter, reducing any frustration from Westbrook and Durant.

Presti reflects for a moment and frowns, saying, "I’ll seriously consider it."

Using a mid-first-round pick to choose Zeng Xingyang would be quite a gamble.

What if Zeng Xingyang can’t adapt to NBA’s physicality and pace?

Choosing an Asian guard still gives Presti some reservations.

However, just looking at the first half, Zeng Xingyang’s performance is at a lottery pick level, excelling on both ends of the floor.

Should he use a mid-first-round to take a chance?

In the locker room.

Calipari continues to assign Zeng Xingyang to defend Powell.

Calipari believes if Zeng Xingyang can lock down the opponent’s strongest offensive point, the game will be secure for them.