ctnovel Chapter 19: Mission, Coach, I want to run for the election!
Chapter 19: Mission, Coach, I want to run for the election!
【NCAA专栏】：在「疯狂三月」32进16的比赛中，中国小将曾振替补上场拿下30分3助攻3篮板3抢断的完美数据！
Immediately after the match, Zeng Zhen became a sensation on Hupu, a Chinese sports forum.
This section was originally quite quiet, but it started to gain some popularity a couple of days ago when Zeng Zhen broke out.
The highlights of the two consecutive matches were enough to completely ignite the popularity of this section.
[30+ points in NCAA March Madness? Did I read that right?]
[The opponent wasn't paying attention to Zeng Zhen's defense, giving him many openings.]
I watched the game; he took a lot of shots with his arms crossed.
What's so great about NCAA games? The NBA is much better.
[Don't underestimate the NCAA; very few Chinese players can make it into the NCAA.]
[He's had two consecutive breakout games; I've seen some draft websites suggesting a team will pick him in the second round.]
Fans were discussing it enthusiastically in the thread, and many domestic fans remembered the name Zeng Zhen.
That's how it is in basketball. A player needs to have a breakout performance to become famous and attract attention. A player without any highlights will usually remain unknown.
"You were amazing today." Westbrook patted Zeng Zhen on the shoulder as they came out of the shower.
"Basic stuff, don't be silly." Zeng Zhen smiled.
Westbrook and Zeng Zhen came to Love together, and Collison was right next to Love.
Faced with Zeng Zhen, Collison was at a loss for words.
Collison used to look down on Zeng Zhen, but in these two games, Zeng Zhen stepped up when the team needed him, and even scored 30+ points tonight, which made Collison have to admit his worth.
Love stood up, and the three of them walked out of the locker room together toward the team bus. As they walked, Love said, "Zeng, if you keep playing like this, you'll be starting in the next game."
"Haha, it doesn't matter if I start or not, I need playing time," Zeng Zhen laughed. "How were my three-pointers tonight?"
"Your three-pointers are pretty good now. You can even shoot from a step beyond the three-point line, and your defense is great too," Love praised.
"I don't think any of the NBA's shooters are as accurate as you," Westbrook interjected.
"Hey, I told you long ago that I can't just shoot, I'm an all-rounder, I can attack, defend, and play with the ball."
"Fuck, don't be so arrogant. Without my pass, you wouldn't have many chances."
"Russell, if you want to assist me, passing to me is the most efficient way."
"You have to pass to me too! I had so many open three-pointers from the corner, and you kept passing to Kevin," Westbrook complained.
"Russell, do you think your three-pointers are as reliable as mine under the basket?" Love joked.
"His three-pointers from the corner are very unreliable!" Zeng Zhen said seriously.
Westbrook is the kind of player who doesn't even realize he's off-target. He'll definitely take a shot if he's open, whether it goes in or not is up to fate.
...
The three of them bickered and made a ruckus as they got back into the car.
After sitting down, Zeng Zhen stopped talking to his teammates, closed his eyes to rest, and then entered the system.
[Ding! Sweetie's outstanding performance in the Round of 16 has caught the attention of scouts, earning a C-level attribute point as a reward. Keep up the good work!]
[C-grade attribute points can add up to 70 points or less to certain attributes!]
After thinking for a moment, Zeng Zhen added the attribute to Strength, raising it from 53 to 54.
Your skills are already very strong; if you have the opportunity to increase your talents, then continue to do so.
Zeng Zhen knew that his talent was very strong among NBA rookies, but he couldn't dominate an entire era.
After adding the attributes, Zeng Zhen felt a slight itch on his body.
This increase in strength attribute will result in some special modifications to his body.
Zeng Zhen wondered if his strength would surpass that of Shaquille O'Neal if he increased it to 99.
That would be really weird.
However, Zeng Zhen vaguely sensed that even if his strength was increased to 99, it would be difficult to surpass O'Neal, because all of his templates were point guards, and their potential could not exceed O'Neal's in terms of strength. His ceiling was the maximum ceiling among these fusion template superstars.
After adding the attributes, Zeng Zhen then went into the task module to take a look.
This time, a mission has been assigned.
[New Player Quests!]
[Mission Objective: Score 15 points or more in a single match during the Elite Eight Tournament and help your team advance!]
[Mission Reward: Small Injury Recovery Potion]
[Mission Failed: During a reporter interview, the participant shouted, "XXX, I want to drink your bathwater."]
[Claim or not?]
Injury recovery medicine?
Yeah, this thing is pretty important.
If I were to encounter some unexpected events during this crucial period of competition, that would provide some security.
This is like a form of insurance.
However, this punishment is a bit infuriating.
He would become an upgraded version of Du Xiaoshuai if he said such a thing in front of the camera.
XXX is at least one name that I can choose.
【Yes! 】
Zeng Zhen gritted his teeth and accepted.
.....
After becoming one of the top 16 teams, UCLA entered a period of adjustment, with five days of rest before the Elite Eight tournament began.
The next morning, Zeng Zhen arrived at Ben Holland's office early.
Upon seeing Zeng Zhen's arrival, Ben Holland, who was writing in his notebook, put down his pen. Somewhat surprised, he asked, "Zeng, is there something you need?"
"Coach, I want to participate in the draft this year," Zeng Zhen said directly, expressing his idea.
"Hmm, hmm, that's great. What, you're going to participate in the draft too?" Ben Holland was a little taken aback. In his plan, Zeng Zhen was part of the next season, so Zeng Zhen's idea surprised him.
"Yes." Zeng Zhenzheng nodded.
"Aren't you considering staying at the academy? If you stay, I'll develop you as a core player next season and definitely get you into the first round. Besides, even though you've had two good games recently, there's still a high chance you won't be drafted," Ben Holland advised. "Even if you're selected in the second round, second-round picks don't have guaranteed contracts."
Three UCLA players have already confirmed their candidacy this year. If Zeng Zhen were to run for the draft, the team's plans for next season would be disrupted.
In addition, Ben Holland was also considering Zeng Zhen's future. The NBA would not easily gamble its first-round pick on a player who had a poor season and then had two breakout games, while the guarantee for a second-round pick was too poor.
If Zeng Zhen plays another season, he should have no problem getting into the first round.
"Playing college basketball doesn't mean much to me anymore, Coach. I've thought it through, and I'm going to run for the draft this year," Zeng Zhen said firmly and frankly. "I want to give it my all."
Ben Holland looked at Zeng Zhen, and finally nodded: "Okay, what kind of help do you need?"
Ben Holland knew that Zeng Zhen was different from other American players; even if he wasn't drafted, he could return to China to play in the CBA, giving him a backup plan.
As the head coach of UCLA, Ben Holland is somewhat disappointed, but he's gotten used to this.
His principle is that when players want to run for election, he will not stop them and will help them.
This was also his rhetoric when recruiting those super high school prodigies.
Zeng Zhen said, "I hope you can recommend a reliable agent to me."
Ben Holland said, "Okay, no problem."