Chapter 222: Chapter 164: Setting Another Record, Youngest All-Star Game MVP.
West starters: Curry, Kobe, Zeng Xingyang, Leonard, Durant.
Sitting on the bench: Thompson (Golden State Warriors), Green (Golden State Warriors), Davis (New Orleans Pelicans), Cousins (Sacramento Kings), Paul (Los Angeles Clippers), Harden (Houston Rockets)
East starters: Lowry, Wade, Anthony, James, George.
Milsap (Atlanta Hawks), Bosh (Miami Heat), Butler (Chicago Bulls), Wall (Washington Wizards), Little Thomas (Boston Celtics), Drummond (Detroit Pistons) and DeRozan (Toronto Raptors). Unfortunately, due to injury, Jimmy Butler will miss this All-Star Game, and his Bulls teammate Paul Gasol will replace him;
Because in All-Star voting, you only vote for guards and forwards.
The popularity of players in the center and power forward positions is not high, which makes the starting lineup very short.
Both sides’ starting players take their positions.
The jump ball between Durant and James.
Durant tapped the ball over, his desire to win was slightly stronger than James’s.
The ball went to Curry’s hands.
Curry dribbled to the frontcourt, without opting for a pick-and-roll, he confronted Lowry’s defense, decisively changed direction to the right, moved horizontally to a step outside the three-point line, found a slight gap, gathered the ball, and smoothly launched an ultra-long three-pointer.
This shot was extremely elegant, emphasizing a free-spirited style, and Lowry’s defensive effort was minimal, just raising a hand perfunctorily.
"Swish!"
The basketball sailed cleanly into the net.
On the East side, after Lowry dribbled to the frontcourt, he passed the ball to James.
James then passed it to Wade.
Compared to the West, even with Kobe dragging behind, the West’s shooting ability was far superior to that of the East.
Wade had no solution against Kobe’s defense.
Even in the All-Star Game, Kobe was playing seriously, very persistent in defense, forcing Wade to pass the ball back to James.
Durant also applied strong defensive pressure, and James, seeing no screen set for him, dribbled twice then passed to George.
George is a man for the big stage, never shying away from such defensive challenges.
He stepped back for a long-range three from the arc.
Looking to respond to Curry’s shot.
However, he lacked Curry’s level of consistency.
"Bang!"
The basketball bounced off the rim heavily.
The rebound was grabbed by Zeng Xingyang.
Zeng Xingyang dribbled past half court.
"Give it to Kobe!"
"Kobe!"
"Kobe!"
Even with the crowd screaming Kobe’s name, Zeng Xingyang did not pass to him.
He sensed Anthony’s lax defense.
At the top of the arc, with a quick change of rhythm, crisply adjusting his stance, he launched a three-pointer in motion.
Anthony merely lifted his hand.
The basketball drew a beautiful arc.
"Swish!"
A perfect shot!
West hits three pointers in a row.
"Hey, Xingyang didn’t pass to Kobe but took the shot himself."
"That shot was very reasonable."
"Xingyang doesn’t plan on giving face to Kobe."
Domestic fans were discussing fervently.
The pace of the All-Star Game was fast, with both teams quickly engaging in transition offense and defense.
Zeng Xingyang’s play reflected a disregard for Kobe, choosing instead to play a rational game.
Often, Kobe would attempt to post up and call for the ball against James or Paul George inside.
Zeng Xingyang felt this style was inefficient, so he rarely passed him the ball.
Even so, Zeng Xingyang was already going too far.
But the person on the bench took it even further.
Westbrook didn’t give Kobe any chances, not passing him the ball at all after substituting in, and even actively calling for the ball from Kobe.
After Westbrook received the ball, he showcased various powerful dunks and also hit some threes.
Aside from Zeng Xingyang and Westbrook, others would still pass a few balls to Kobe.
Like Curry and Durant, they’d even give up their chances for Kobe to take a shot.
This resulted in fewer shot attempts for both of them.
Under the leadership of Zeng Xingyang and Westbrook, the West All-Stars continuously pressed the East All-Stars.
James tried to lead his team for a comeback, but unfortunately, their capability wasn’t enough.
There was a sequence in the first half when, seeing his team scoreless for two consecutive possessions, James prepared to attack himself.
Zeng Xingyang matched up directly against James.
Players from both teams cleared out space for them.
James faced Zeng Xingyang and started his dribble to the right.
"Bang!"
Zeng Xingyang quickly moved horizontally to block James.
James switched to his left, trying to drive further.
But Zeng Xingyang blocked him again with a lateral slide.
Without a screener, James couldn’t pick up speed and couldn’t pass Zeng Xingyang.
James struggled using his body to force his way two steps between the free throw line and the key area, but he couldn’t move any further.
Zeng Xingyang stayed plastered to James, giving immense pressure.
With other positions locked down, James tried a pump fake, hoping to trick Zeng Xingyang.
But Zeng Xingyang didn’t bite, standing his ground.
James could only push off the ground, forcing a fadeaway.
Zeng Xingyang had anticipated this, pouncing powerfully.
His long arm covered James’s shooting point.
If it was James at full speed, Zeng Xingyang couldn’t stop him.
But playing like this, Zeng Xingyang wasn’t afraid.
James released the ball on his way down.
Only.
"Slap!"
Zeng Xingyang smoothly blocked James.
After landing, James wanted a foul, he spread his hands towards the referee...
The referee ignored James.
Didn’t even touch him, asking for a foul is pointless.
The basketball was picked up by Curry.
Zeng Xingyang decisively asked Curry for the ball.
Curry is a great guy, anyone who asks for the ball from him will get it.
Zeng Xingyang dribbled over and called for a pick and roll.
Davis came up and solidly blocked James from Zeng Xingyang.
Using the screen, Zeng Xingyang quickly moved across before Bosh could help, merged the ball, pushed off the ground, jumped within rhythm, and released the three-pointer at the peak.
The basketball traced a beautiful arc.
"Swish!"
A direct hit.
The three-point shot was crisp and clean.
The crowd began to cheer.
Many fans wanted Kobe to get the MVP, but Zeng Xingyang’s performance was too outstanding.
Fueled by the fans’ cheering, Zeng Xingyang played with increasing excitement.
In the next play, George faced Westbrook with a large crossover and a spinning difficult jump shot.
Westbrook’s defense put great pressure on George, but George was tall, and Westbrook couldn’t interfere.
However, Zeng Xingyang rushed over, extending his long arms to disrupt.
George’s shooting stability isn’t as freakishly reliable as Durant’s, and with such interference, naturally, his accuracy dropped.
After disrupting George, Zeng Xingyang didn’t hesitate at all and launched a fast break.
As a super scorer, fast breaks must be quick and aggressive.
Zeng Xingyang was very confident in his defense, he knew George wouldn’t make this shot.
Just as Zeng Xingyang predicted, George’s shot brushed the rim and missed.
Under the basket, Davis fought off Bosh’s tussle and snagged the rebound.
In the small-ball lineup, Davis was considered a super high point.
After securing the rebound, Davis unhesitatingly threw the ball forward.
Davis and Zeng Xingyang were both students of the University of Kentucky, their relationship was quite good, Davis was happy to assist Zeng Xingyang in winning this MVP.
Ahead, nobody stood in front of the already accelerating Zeng Xingyang.
Zeng Xingyang caught the ball and took a step, positioning himself outside the right three-point line.
He chose to take an open spot three-pointer in transition.
The basketball spun rapidly.
"Swish!"
Another hit.
"A connection between alumni from the University of Kentucky, Zeng Xingyang hits a transition three-pointer, bringing his personal score to 24 points."
"Zeng Xingyang has demonstrated his strong scoring desire and ability, the All-Star defense is very lenient, allowing his scoring speed to be very fast."
"Will he break the NBA record and simultaneously win both the Rookie and All-Star game MVP?"
The on-site announcer kept cheering crazily.
Zeng Xingyang’s offense was the most crucial firepower point for the West.
Kobe looked at the high-spirited Zeng Xingyang without anger, instead smiling.
As a rookie, during the All-Star, he also played without showing any mercy to veterans.
He was very much like his younger self.
The East didn’t have any desire to win, the score widened quickly.
When Durant, Curry, Harden, and others had no intention of competing for this MVP, Zeng Xingyang’s only competitor was Westbrook.
Westbrook’s scoring was explosive, with several spectacular dunks, but his scoring speed wasn’t as fast as Zeng Xingyang’s.
....
....
"Zeng Xingyang hits another three-pointer, bringing him to 30 points tonight, breaking the scoring record for a rookie in the All-Star game."
"In the season of Kobe’s retirement, Zeng Xingyang emerged as if to take over Kobe’s mantle; this was the battle of inheritance and transition."
The on-site announcer constantly shouted for Zeng Xingyang.
At this moment, everyone realized, Zeng Xingyang really wanted to grab this All-Star MVP.
"Zeng Xingyang!"
"Zeng Xingyang! OMG!!"
"This guy has scored 40 points!!"
During most of this All-Star game, the fans continuously discussed Zeng Xingyang.
Zeng Xingyang’s performance today was nearly perfect, surpassing many All-Stars in scoring.
It’s not that Zeng Xingyang’s ability surpasses everyone.
But those players with more ability than him aren’t interested in this kind of game.
Moreover, Zeng Xingyang’s teammates were also All-Star caliber, playing with them was even more comfortable than in the Nuggets.
Zeng Xingyang played increasingly smoothly.
The on-site cameras constantly focused on Kobe and Zeng Xingyang.
This might be Kobe’s last All-Star, but performances similar to Kobe’s won’t be the last.
.....
Eventually, the game ended with the final scores locked at 131 to 141.
The Western All-Stars eased a bit at the last moment, allowing the East to slightly close the score, making the game less unattractive.
The Western All-Stars feigned to be very happy and celebrated, Zeng Xingyang high-fived every teammate.
Afterward, he deeply hugged Kobe.
"Congratulations, Zeng, the MVP is yours," Kobe said.
"You don’t mind, do you?" Zeng Xingyang asked.
"I have 5 championships, why care about this thing?" Kobe replied.
Zeng Xingyang smiled, realizing Kobe’s mindset was indeed broad, not caring about such trivialities.
After the game ended.
The host quickly received an envelope.
Westbrook seriously looked at the host, he scored 30 points, 8 rebounds, and 5 assists today, he also had a chance to win MVP.
The host apologetically glanced at Westbrook.
The host held the microphone and read: "The 2016 All-Star MVP winner is:.... Zeng Xingyang!"