NBA: Rising Superstar!
Chapter 75: The Upcoming Finals.
CHAPTER 75: CHAPTER 75: THE UPCOMING FINALS.
"Zeng, have you found an agent yet? If not, my agent can help," Towns asked as they approached the cafeteria.
Once the finals are over, they’ll be busy with the draft, and an agent becomes very important at this point.
As a friend, Towns was concerned that Zeng Xingyang might not be aware of these things.
"Pretty much settled," Zeng Xingyang nodded.
Zeng Xingyang found Schwartz’s information. Schwartz had sent a lot of information to Zeng Xingyang, and Zeng Xingyang would reply whenever he had the time.
Schwartz is very professional; he understands various NBA trades, signings, and draft regulations very well.
To help Zeng Xingyang improve his performance on the court, Schwartz even arranged a phone call with Ray Allen for him not long ago.
Ray Allen gave Zeng Xingyang some advice regarding games on the court, which provided Zeng Xingyang with some small help.
Although it was just a phone call, it was enough to demonstrate Schwartz’s capabilities.
Currently, Zeng Xingyang is quite satisfied with his abilities and professionalism.
An agent should genuinely be able to help him.
Last night, Schwartz sent a congratulatory message, but Zeng Xingyang hadn’t had the chance to reply yet. Thinking of this, he opened the reply box: "Let’s meet after the finals."
After waiting for a minute, Schwartz quickly replied: "Okay, I’ll come to your school the morning after it’s over."
This next meeting will basically be the signing with the agent.
By then, Zeng Xingyang will delegate all the draft operations to Schwartz.
After communicating with Schwartz, the three of them sat down in the cafeteria to eat.
Many students gathered around the three of them without disturbing them, and the three were used to this scene.
The three ate while watching an interview on television.
On TV, Duke University’s top draft pick prospect Okafor was being interviewed by reporters.
"You’re going to meet Kentucky in the finals, and you’ll also be going head-to-head with Karl-Anthony Towns. Do you think you can win the championship?"
Okafor brushed his long hair behind his ears and laughed, saying, "Their team has major operational issues. Otherwise, how could they fall so far behind? They got lucky with Zeng’s explosion from the three-point line, but they won’t be so fortunate against us."
"Luck alone won’t secure a championship."
"In the face of absolute strength, the game becomes a foregone conclusion."
"We will win the championship!"
"Karl-Anthony Towns? I’ll make him cry for his mom."
Okafor was full of ambition and pride at the moment.
He regarded Towns as too soft and not material for playing inside.
"Why is this guy so annoying," Towns complained.
The last arrogant Kaminsky had already been silenced by us, and now comes this guy.
As a top draft pick prospect, Towns was getting quite annoyed with all the targeting and calling out.
"Maybe you should learn to be a bit cocky," Booker suggested. "You should say to the reporters that your goal isn’t the NCAA anymore, but to dominate the NBA, to dethrone LeBron, to retire KD. That would stop them from saying any more."
Even as a top draft pick prospect, Towns gave people the impression of being good-natured both on and off campus.
With a babyface, he didn’t look intimidating despite his height, and anyone could take a jab at him.
"You could also say that Earth can no longer contain your talent, that you’ll conquer the Earth, becoming the Number One in the Solar System, and reporters will be curious how you plan to get to the Moon," Zeng Xingyang incited.
Uh!
Towns looked at Booker and Zeng Xingyang, feeling that neither of them was reliable.
What kind of friends have I made?
Towns ignored the teasing of his two friends.
...
Zeng Xingyang’s 38 points in the Final Four were a spectacular performance in the NCAA’s history.
The nine three-pointers further solidified Zeng Xingyang’s reputation as a sharpshooter from the three-point line.
In the season where the Splash Brothers were beginning to make a name, more and more NBA teams started to emphasize shooting from beyond the arc.
They all gradually realized that the small ball era was coming, and players who could shoot three-pointers would become more and more sought after.
This made many teams plan to invite Zeng Xingyang for tryouts as soon as the finals were over.
About the finals.
A website organized a network poll predicting the finals win rate, and a TV station conducted media voting.
Both teams had equal shares in these predictions.
Duke University was the only team so far with an even chance against the University of Kentucky in win rate predictions.
In the past, Kentucky’s opponents were often overshadowed by them.
This also indicated Duke University’s strength from another perspective.
During the NCAA Championship, Duke University averaged 73 points per game, with opponents scoring 55 points, winning by an average margin of 18 points.
This winning margin was second only to Kentucky.
In street interviews, fans expressed their excitement about the impending match.
"This game will depend on whether Duke can lock down Kentucky’s outside shooting."
"That Chinese guy’s shooting is too precise; Duke needs to keep a close eye on him."
"Okafor will crush that softie Towns."
"Kentucky seems to have good talent, but their coordination is lacking. Duke has both talent and teamwork."
"Shut down Zeng Xingyang, and Kentucky will scatter like sand."
"Go Wildcats, crush Duke!"
"I don’t care who wins, I just want to see a great game."
.....
The gap between the Final Four and the Finals wasn’t long.
Three days later, still at Lucas Gymnasium.
Being closer to Kentucky, more University of Kentucky fans came out.
When the Kentucky Wildcats players appeared, the fans erupted with cheers.
Zeng Xingyang could already see many fans wearing his jersey and holding his posters.
In terms of popularity, he was the most popular in Kentucky.
The previous game made Kentucky fans fall in love with him.
When Duke University’s players saw the University of Kentucky players, their eyes were filled with battle intent.
University of Kentucky’s starting players are predicted to be lottery picks on average, most taller than Duke University’s players, which made them unwilling to accept.
Especially both Okafor and Winslow, who want to take down their matchups.
Winston, looking at Zeng Xingyang, almost smiled mockingly; he thought this Asian wasn’t as scary as the news made him out to be, still looking easy to bully.
Winslow, standing 6’6" and weighing 220 pounds, was much more robust than Zeng Xingyang.
Tonight, his task is to primarily defend Zeng Xingyang!
Zeng Xingyang was also sizing up Winslow, thinking about the scouting report’s evaluation of him.
Winslow is very strong, with a prototypical wing physique, left-handed, quick first step, excellent strength, and tough in facing defenders, with formidable defense and aggressiveness, excellent footwork, and lateral movement.
Has the potential to be a starter in the NBA!
All in all, he’s quite a troublesome guy.
The broadcast of this game compared to the front-row viewers was even more extreme than the last game.
Many Hollywood stars had come to the venue.
The star presence off the court far exceeded that on the court.
Of course, the fans were more focused on the game now, as everyone came to watch the game.
The camera constantly focused on Zeng Xingyang.
Many American fans and media have recognized this Chinese player who became famous across the U.S.
In the last game, he single-handedly took down Wisconsin, overshadowing Towns, Kaminsky, and other prospective lottery picks; he is a popular rookie.
Zeng Xingyang surveyed his surroundings, taking a deep breath.
No matter tonight’s outcome, this would be his last game as a college player.
Must win!!
The cheerleaders from both teams were also gleefully swaying their bodies, showing off their graceful figures to the cameras and the audience.