novelODS Chapter 25: Draft Pick Jumps 20 Places!
Chapter 25: Draft Pick Jumps 20 Places!
After the game ended, the entire UCLA team celebrated wildly on the court!
Ben Holland went over with a smile and shook hands with Roy Williams.
"Congratulations, you have a fantastic rookie," Roy Williams couldn't help but say enviously.
"Thanks, buddy, see you next year!" Ben Holland nodded. Zeng Zhen was now his pride. After shaking hands, he turned and left to remind the players to greet their opponents.
The University of North Carolina's season has come to an end!
The North Carolina roster features a diverse group of former five-star high school players who were once superstars in their respective regions.
However, when these superstars come to a bigger stage, the scene of "heroes from all over the world coming together like a swarm of locusts" will inevitably appear.
In their competition against the equally brilliant group from UCLA, they were the losers!
Zeng Zhen was stopped by an ESPN reporter for an interview.
A blond, wavy-haired reporter asked, "Zeng, you scored 45 points, which is the highest score in the NCAA Round of 16 in nearly twenty years. What are your thoughts on this game?"
Zeng Zhen said, "Don't be silly, it's basic stuff."
The blonde, busty female reporter continued, "What do you think about the fact that the talent show website ranked you late in the second round?"
Zeng Zhen confidently declared, "That's bullshit! I'm the strongest player this year; I should be the number one draft pick!"
The blonde, busty female reporter covered her mouth: "Do you really think so?"
Zeng Zhen shouted, "In March Madness, I will destroy all the guards defending me."
After saying that, Zeng Zhen turned and left.
"Click click click!!"
Overwhelmingly powerful!!
The blonde, busty female reporter's mouth formed an "O" shape.
This novice's confidence exceeded her judgment.
Tonight, Zeng Zhen completely unleashed his confidence.
He has the power, and now he's going to become even more arrogant!
He wanted to suppress everyone of his age.
Ross, Beasley, Mayo—I'm going to take you all down!
Westbrook?
Let him bring himself breakfast, then I won't mistreat him.
At the post-match press conference.
When North Carolina's head coach Roy Williams spoke to reporters about Zeng Zhen, he gave him high praise: "From my perspective, Zeng's performance is comparable to Carmelo Anthony back in the day. He is a leader in a team with outstanding talent. I rarely see a freshman with this kind of temperament."
"Few players possess this kind of temperament? Who was the last player like this?"
"Michael Jordan!"
.....
Roy Williams' comparison of Zeng Zhen to Jordan in his freshman year shows respect for Jordan. In fact, Zeng Zhen tonight was better than Jordan at any time during his freshman year. Jordan in his freshman year couldn't score 45 points in such a high-intensity game. Of course, Jordan was more consistent, while Zeng Zhen's performance wasn't as consistent, only having a few explosive games.
On Ben Holland's side, a reporter asked, "Coach, where do you think Zeng Zhen ranks among UCLA's college players? Including those who have already made it to the NBA."
This is a rather pointed question, comparing Zeng Zhen to UCLA legends.
After some thought, Ben Holland said, "What I'm trying to say is that Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Reggie Miller, and others represent our past glory, and they are our present glory!"
Ben Holland did not explicitly rank Zeng Zhen alongside those superstars, but rather placed them on equal footing.
Zeng Zhen may not have performed well in the regular season, but after entering the playoffs, he has grown into a reliable core player for UCLA.
.......
UCLA's superstar shines in March Madness, Zeng Zhen scores 45 points in a single game, shocking the entire nation!
"A phenomenal comeback! Draft website raises Zeng Zhen's projected draft position to mid-second round overnight!"
"A freshman rises 20 places in the draft in one game, poised for a miraculous comeback!"
Multiple NBA scouts have indicated they are optimistic about Zeng Zhen.
Zeng Zhen scores a phenomenal 45 points in a single game, crushing North Carolina.
He's more than just a 3D player; Zeng Zhen showcases his all-around offensive skills, scoring 45 points!
Zeng Zhen declared after the competition: "I should have been the top pick!"
Zeng Zhen became the headline news on major websites and newspapers that very night!
Zeng Zhen's 45-point performance in a single game has led to widespread praise across the internet, with editors using every conceivable flowery phrase to express their admiration.
Zeng Zhen almost single-handedly shattered North Carolina's defense, and his performance, which overwhelmed a group of talented players, made fans praise him.
[After watching the match, Zeng's performance was dominant.]
This is the first time I've seen such a superstar-like performance in the NCAA.
[The logo is divided into three parts, and they're celebrating in advance—I'm truly impressed.]
I love those long-range three-pointers Zeng used; they were so powerful.
Zeng really deserved a first-round pick; he's amazing.
.......
Indianapolis, early in the morning.
Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle arrived at the coach's office.
The Pacers are in the process of rebuilding. Their record this season is not good enough to make the playoffs, so they are focusing on rebuilding.
Carlisle has recently been discussing this year's draft with Bird.
On the table, the staff had laid out the day's newspapers. Carlisle, who had just sat down, was immediately drawn to the headline newspaper on top.
After reading it carefully, Carlyle understood what was going on.
A freshman scored 45 points against North Carolina.
He had heard of that newbie before, and he thought it was a 3D movie, how could it possibly score 45 points?
It was achieved against a strong team like North Carolina, which is a terrifying offensive efficiency.
Many All-Star caliber NBA players might not be able to achieve this even in college leagues.
"Rick, did you see the new paper? That Chinese guy was absolutely crazy last night. The scouts sent me a report overnight, recommending we draft him this year." Just then, Larry Bird walked into the office.
"Do you know how fast that guy is?"
"100-meter speed in 10.6 seconds!"
"He's only slightly slower than Derrick Rose."
Larry Bird looked at Carlisle as if he had struck gold. The Pacers had at least a first-round pick and a high-round pick this year, and they were looking to draft a guard.
"Invite him for a tryout," Carlisle said.
"OK!" Larry Bird nodded. "It's just that this guy's personality is a bit arrogant."
Larry Bird waved the newspaper headline, "Zeng Zhen: I am the real number one draft pick!!"
"Others have the right to criticize him, but you don't. Weren't you the same when you were young?" Carlisle looked at Bird with disdain.
"Hahaha!!" Bird laughed and patted Carlisle on the shoulder.
Meanwhile, in his dorm room at UCLA.
After finally waiting for Westbrook to go out on his date with Nina, Zeng Zhen closed the door and entered the system.
[Mission complete, received "Injury Recovery Potion (Small)"]
A white light quickly appeared in the system, followed by a small bottle of potion that was automatically added to the inventory.
[Injury Recovery Agent (Small): Accelerates injury recovery; non-structural injuries heal instantly.]
[New Player Quests!]
[Mission Objective: Score 20 points or more in a single game during the quarterfinals and help your team advance!]
[Mission Reward: Large Injury Recovery Potion]
[Mission Failed: During a reporter interview, the participant shouted, "XXX, I want to drink your bathwater."]
[Claim or not?]
"System, can this large-scale injury recovery agent treat serious injuries like Achilles tendon ruptures?"
"Can!"
"Okay, I'll take it!"
Injuries are the enemy of all athletes. Zeng Zhen needs more protection now, and besides, scoring 20 points is easy for him.