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Chapter 388 - 183. The All-Stars’ Apprehension

Chapter 388: 183. The All-Stars’ Apprehension

The first day of All-Star Weekend reached a boiling point with Zhang Yang scoring 82 points!

Though the Rookie Challenge usually drew a lot of attention, fans found the actual game somewhat lackluster.

During the year’s East vs West rookie game, competition was fierce and unpredictable, but now, with the sophomores taking on the rookies, it was normally a one-sided affair. Even the gifted class of 2003 was hammered by 24 points by the sophomores of 2002 during the 2004 Rookie Challenge, with the sophomore’s kingpin overpowering the class of 2003 single-handedly.

This year, fans also felt there was no suspense, the class of 2005 had five players too strong for the class of 2006—Zhang Yang, Paul, Deron, Felton, Ellis.

The best performer from the class of 2006 was Roy, averaging just 15 points per game, unable to catch up with any of the five, not to mention the rest.

Fans wanted to learn more about the 2006 rookies and were looking forward to seeing a few late bloomers make a comeback, but very few expected the 2006 class to win.

As for individual performances, Stoudemire played aggressively in 2004 scoring just 36 points, and last year Iguodala dunked 11 times scoring only about 30. Over the years, the Rookie Showcase had turned into a dunk contest, with perimeter positions competing to see who had better penetration skills and post positions contesting who had stronger impact.

No one expected a tough character to emerge this year!

Zhang Yang, who scored 38 points in the first half with 15 out of 22 shots including 4 out of 7 three-pointers and 4 out of 4 free throws, caused the live viewership ratings to skyrocket.

He broke Stoudemire’s rookie game scoring record before halftime even came!

At that point, fans, including a certain No. 24 player who came to watch, were only thinking Zhang Yang might score 50 points, maybe 60. That would’ve been a "solid record."

But who would have thought Zhang Yang wouldn’t stop at 22 shots in the first half and went on to throw 24 more in the second! He scored 82 points on 46 shots for the whole game!

As Zhang Yang was subbed off and his score was set, the game still not over, ESPN changed its headline to—"Bad boy Jack scores 82 points surpassing Kobe Bryant."

Normally, such clickbait headlines would get lambasted by fans, but this time, fans agreed with ESPN!

points is certainly more than 81, no question about it!

Even Lakers fans were calling out to Kobe online: "Your 81 points have been surpassed, please take note in the day after tomorrow’s All-Star Game."

Bobcats fans didn’t shy away from stirring the pot: "Kobe, got any thoughts on your game against the Toronto Raptors at the end of the month?"

Though not numerous, Raptors fans reacted vehemently...

Zhang Yang’s post-game interview also sparked a lot of discussions.

When asked about his 82 points and related topics, Zhang Yang replied, "Yes, after scoring 38 points in the first half, I wanted to see how hard it would be to score 81. With so many top passers around, I couldn’t miss this once-in-a-lifetime chance. This is my last rookie game, and there’s no way I’d get this chance during the regular season."

"Does it feel hard? Isn’t that obvious! Right now, my arms feel like they’re not mine. When I was shooting my last basket, I actually couldn’t shoot anymore, but the drive to score higher than Kobe was pushing me."

"I didn’t expect there would be so many shooting opportunities at the beginning. Their passes were so good, playing with them was a real pleasure. I just had to find the openings, and the ball would immediately come to me, making me feel like not taking more shots would have been a waste of their passing abilities."

"Who passed the best? They all had their own strengths, hard to say.

Raymond’s passes were the most steady; I had the best rapport with him;

Chris’s passes were the most imaginative; his passes reminded me of Rajon, I didn’t need to worry about positioning when paired with him, just how to find opportunities;

Deron’s passes were the quickest, as an opponent it’s hard to guess when he’ll pass, his movements are quicker than they appear;

Playing with Monta was the most effortless, whenever he passed me the ball, I was absolutely open, by the time he passes his opponents are already crowding him."

Our class’s point guards are just too strong, I think ours is the strongest group of point guards in NBA history..."

Zhang Yang was almost too tired to shoot, but he did until he made his 33rd basket, then he was taken off. Everyone knew what he was trying to do.

But he just admitted it, no pretense—fans found this answer quite refreshing.

This youngest genius sure has a unique character...

Zhang Yang saying "it would have been a waste not to shoot in such a game" found agreement among fans.

Felton, Paul, Deron—these guys taking turns to feed one player, that kind of treatment was indeed too precious to be wasted, fans thought.

...

The next day, February 12th, the multifaceted eventful day arrived.

Zhang Yang, who had gone back to the hotel and fallen asleep straight after his physiotherapy session last night, woke up today feeling refreshed, with no issues in spirit and vigor.

It was just that when he went to the restaurant for breakfast, his hand shook while holding the tray. It took DeRozan and Harden, who came to see him early in the morning, to fetch what he wanted to eat and carry his tray to the table.

Watching Zhang Yang move his arms with a mix of pain and relief, Harden said, "Jack, you actually took 46 shots, my God. I couldn’t even take that many shots in a high school game. Just thinking about it makes my arm hurt."

Zhang Yang replied, "It was actually fine during the game last night, I was so tired that shooting became instinctual, I probably could’ve shot a few more. But after the game, during physiotherapy, I felt like I was going to break down. When the therapist pressed hard on my swollen muscles, I almost hit him, but by then I couldn’t even lift my arm. Shooting 46 times in a game is way more exhausting than shooting 460 times in practice."

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