Zeng Fanbo appears in NBA China Game!

When Zeng Fanbo was substituted for the last time, there were 35.3 seconds left in overtime and the Nets were 2 points behind. They would usher in a key defensive round. Then Suns guard Jordan Goodwin singled out Nets center Timmy Biao and scored a three-pointer, which sealed the conclusion of the NBA China game that lasted more than three hours. The Nets lost to the Suns 127-132.

After Zeng Fanbo was replaced for the last time, I noticed that he returned to the seat at the far end of the second row, leaning forward slightly, as if he was trying to adjust his breathing. As the game entered overtime, Zeng Fanbo played almost continuously for 7 minutes (he was briefly replaced for 20 seconds in the middle), which was a big test for his physical fitness. In addition, he also waved down the towels and energy drinks offered by the caddy, looking a little depressed.

After watching the game, you can easily feel for Xiao Zeng. After three years, he once again put on the jersey of an NBA team and faced off against another NBA team. Zeng Fanbo wanted to catch up with his former self, but this process was not easy.

Zeng Fanbo played 10 minutes and 06 seconds in the entire game, which was the last moment of the first half, the last moment of the fourth quarter and most of the overtime. Looking at Xiao Zeng's statistics, you will see a long string of numbers "0", 0 points, 0 rebounds, 0 assists, and 0 blocks. Even the number of shots is 0. The only two statistics are 1 steal and 3 fouls. In this campaign, 17 Nets players appeared, 15 of whom played at least 10 minutes. Among the players with double-digit playing time, only Zeng Fanbo did not score or score.

Not only are the statistics pale, but Zeng Fanbo's performance on the field also exposed quite a few problems. His sense of offensive participation is weak. On the one hand, Nets players did not actively look for him. On the other hand, Xiao Zeng's positioning in the bottom corner also made it more difficult for him to get the ball. In the only time he took the ball to participate in the attack in the fourth quarter, Zeng Fanbo took over and passed the ball in an attempt to break through. As a result, he failed to dribble the ball well after the confrontation and had to pass the ball again. On the defensive end, Zeng Fanbo mainly plays against positions 3 and 4. Sometimes he has to switch to the outside to mark the defender, and sometimes he has to go back to the basket to help protect the basket. Generally speaking, it is difficult for him to keep up with the defender. In his first appearance, he was fouled by Booker after switching defenses. In the last quarter, he was shot through by Suns guard Jared Butler. He also had no way to help protect the basket and recover rebounds in time.

But for a Chinese player who just suffered a fracture of the left transverse process of his lumbar spine at the end of April and did not have much time to run in and develop a chemical reaction with the Nets, it is completely normal for him to be uncomfortable in the first game.

"I feel very lucky. This is my first game after being injured. I spent 20 days recovering. I feel that I did what I could and earned a spot." Zeng Fanbo said at the post-match press conference. It seemed that he had adjusted his emotions. "I always feel that I am lucky to have spent such a summer. Another thing is that I am just 22 years old. I still enjoy playing on the court more. Every time I play, every game, even for one second, I feel that I have at least tried hard."

But Zeng Fanbo also admitted that he has experienced a lot this summer, and he can only do his best. "Of course there are unlucky things. I don't think I have to give up something just because I got injured. Even during the recovery period, I didn't think about what I would do this summer. I just focused on recuperating from the injury. I will try my best to prepare myself for the opportunities ahead. Even if there is not enough time, I will not regret it now that I have done it. Even if the result is not as everyone expected, I am at least working hard to recover and catch up with my previous steps." Zeng Fanbo said.

For Chinese fans who are looking forward to Zeng Fanbo's performance, this is obviously not an exciting game. Some people complain that the Nets players are too independent, some blame the Nets coach for not designing tactics for Zeng Fanbo, and some are disappointed with Zeng Fanbo's performance. It most likely depends on your expectations.

"I need to watch the tape first (before I can better evaluate Fanbo), but I know he goes out there and tries to do the right things because that's who he is. He's a kid who will ask questions when necessary, but most of the time he understands what he has to do. So I'm sure he'll continue to do that, watch the tape and try to get better." Nets coach Joe Di Fernandez commented on Zeng Fanbo after the game, "But the reality is, whether Fanbo or anyone else, you need to make good use of your playing time, because it is difficult to get playing time in the NBA."

Before coming to China, the Nets played a preseason game with a European team. At that time, Zeng Fanbo was the only healthy player who did not get a chance to play. This move attracted criticism from Chinese fans. But in the first game of the China game, two players on the Nets' roster did not get playing time. They were Liddell, another two-way contract player, and Whitehead, the Nets' No. 22 pick in the first round in 2023. Another two-way contract player, Etienne, also played only 2 minutes. In this team full of young people, the competition is so fierce and cruel.

"NBA games are usually about details. This is a preseason game, but it is equally important. No matter who plays, we have to do the right thing. ... What I want to say to Fanbo is also what I want to say to every player, continue to work hard, continue to get better by 1% every day, and be better. Seize your opportunity, he is on this team for a reason, everyone is on this team for a reason. Even if we lose, we still have to stay optimistic, we will go back and watch the video and try to do better in the next game."

But don’t forget, Zeng Fanbo has long known what kind of challenges he will face. After all, he has tried to hit this stage before. So even if the hope is slim, he is willing to sign this E10 contract with the Nets to try. When people naturally associate the Chinese Games with Zeng Fanbo, they often overlook one point. This not only means attention and gimmicks, but also means that Xiao Zeng is under extra pressure.. When he was arranging his belt in preparation for playing on the sidelines, the fans in the stadium began to cheer; when Xiao Zeng failed to defend, the fans burst out with huge sighs; he would attend the press conference alone after the game (Booker and Goodwin both attended together), and also had to face some additional media interviews or team filming. When other Nets players had already boarded the bus, Zeng Fanbo went back to the locker room to get his equipment.

After a bad game, you still have to face a lengthy process, countless shots, and some encouragement that cannot be distinguished from sincere or not. This is the path that 22-year-old Zeng Fanbo chose to take. Fortunately, he can still enjoy it.

From the pre-game coach interview at 6 o'clock to the end of all post-game procedures at nearly 0 o'clock, a complete NBA China game took nearly 6 hours. But the Venetian Macao Resort always wants you to find the exit later, hoping that you will live in this 24-hour brightly lit world. In a sense, Zeng Fanbo was also shrouded in countless lights, but he always boarded the bus and got into the night, looking forward to a sleep to start a new day.