Generation Z Artists

Chapter 154 Shocking the Entire Scene
Fang Xinghe's static data is not ideal.

Barefoot height: 184.5 cm
Arm span: 192 cm
Weight: 79 kg
Palm length/width: 20.2/21.5 cm
Very ordinary, even mediocre, data.

Kobe Bryant, known as the NBA's most famous "small-handed monster," had hands that were 21 centimeters long, while Fang Xinghe was just an average person.

In fact, the system can make minor adjustments to the details of the figure, but Fang Xinghe used his 90-point figure to make himself look better.

The goal is to achieve the most harmonious and smooth lines, ultimately creating a lean and handsome man with slender muscles.

Judging by his appearance alone, he certainly doesn't look like an NBA player.

Allen Iverson weighs 75 kilograms and is at most 179 cm tall, most likely 178 cm.

Fang Xinghe is 6.5 centimeters taller, but only 4 kilograms heavier. He looks even "slender" than AI, standing out starkly among a bunch of muscular guys.

In 2001, the team's open tryouts were not a very serious matter, so many people put aside their own projects, gathered together, and laughed and pointed at Fang Xinghe.

But their laughter quickly stopped and turned into gasps of surprise.

3/4 sprint: 2.92s.

"What the hell! Did something just flash by?"

Clippers assistant coach Anderson, drawn by the exclamations, walked over to the speed-measuring staff and asked, "Is he the fastest this year?"

“No, sir,” the staff member replied politely. “There are two guys who are basically out of the running this year who are just as fast as him, and they will share the honor of being the fastest player in the last three years.”

"You mean, top-level speed?"

"Yes, sir, faster than AI, but probably slightly slower than the Flying Squirrel TJ."

"That's interesting. How's your ball control?"

"We don't know yet."

"Okay, then you guys continue."

Anderson stood aside, resting his chin on his hand, his gaze fixed on Fang Xinghe.

In the NBA, sprinting speed is not a decisive quality; many things are more important. However, combined with Fang Xinghe's strong aura emanating from within, Anderson suddenly felt a strange sense of anticipation.

Next, standing vertical jump: 112 cm
"Wow!"

Several people suddenly covered their heads.

In the NBA's official physical testing database, the record for standing vertical jump is held by Nick Young in 2007, at 100.33 centimeters. However, there is no official record yet, and the record is only rumored from year to year.

Even in the rumors, only a handful of monsters have ever reached 100+, including Carter's 104, Iverson's 108, and Francis's 114.

To reiterate, this is just a rumor.

Great Dane, who dominated the era with his jumping ability and hang time, had a vertical takeoff height of 98 centimeters, which is a fairly accurate figure.

"He seems to be flying!"

Hearing the staff's exclamations, Joseph Ford, who was watching the spectacle, instinctively replied, "If I were as light as him, I could do it too! It's nothing."

Anderson glanced at him sideways but ignored him.

Next item, running vertical jump: 126 cm.

Another record number.

Anderson couldn't sit still any longer and deliberately moved closer to carefully observe Fang Xinghe's lower limbs.

The training hall was in chaos, with many people shouting – such extraordinary jumping ability was truly astonishing, and no one could understand why Fang Xinghe's slender body contained such enormous energy.

"how did you do that?"

During a break between tests, Anderson couldn't help but ask, "I mean, your muscles don't look that strong..."

Fang Xinghe gently kicked his leg to relax his muscles and replied casually, "If you want an answer that conforms to scientific theory, then it's very simple: top-level coordination + top-level neural recruitment ability = super-high burst of power from fully integrated muscles."

This has nothing to do with the size of a single muscle, but rather with the instantaneous combined force of the entire muscle group…

Anderson's eyes became blank.

I'm sorry, I'm just a former player with little education. What do all those technical terms you're using mean?
Fang Xinghe smiled gently.

"Looks like you didn't understand... No problem, I'm a genius, got it now?"

"Yes, without a doubt."

Anderson respectfully took his leave—in fact, he retreated, feeling that he couldn't get along with Fang Xinghe and beginning to feel a slight sense of awe.

This isn't the typical NBA player I'm used to. Fang is... an outlier.

With that thought in mind, he opened his notebook and began to personally write Fang Xinghe's scouting report.

In the subsequent shuttle run, penalty area agility test, dribbling sprint, and dribbling around cones and changing direction test, Fang Xinghe once again demonstrated his powerful dominance.

In terms of agility alone, he is the best in the world. Although his ball control is slightly lacking, it is still enough to break the record for changing direction.

"Oh my god! He really is like a gust of wind!"

Amid the gasps of the staff, Gilbert Arenas instinctively scoffed, "Come on, a gust of wind that'll disintegrate at the slightest impact?"

Jamal Tinsley immediately responded: "Yes, if I were to face him, he would be crying and begging for milk in less than 10 minutes!"

Jealousy can change a person beyond recognition... or perhaps not. In their early years, Agent Zero and Tinsley were not exactly benevolent individuals; they were quite the troublemakers.

Fang Xinghe, as a clearly defensive guard, was in a positional conflict with them, which caused him resentment at being deprived of his actual benefits, even more so than jealousy.

The other few muscular forwards were simply looking down on Fang Xinghe.

"Yeye, a fragile piece of Chinese porcelain, beautiful baby, I bet he can't do a proper bench press."

"At most half, buddy."

"See? The Clippers' coach is very interested in him."

"It's nothing serious, just a nimble yellow-skinned monkey."

"The basketball court isn't a place where mosquitoes buzz around. If there's a scrimmage later, I'll swat them!"

The malice was overwhelming, and the Black people naturally united to ridicule the novel skin color that had never appeared in the NBA before.

In their upbringing, discrimination and bullying of Asians were taken for granted, just as they were warily segregated by white people. It was a power chain that was unbreakable at the moment.

Fang Xinghe had no idea what those guys were whispering about; he was just focused on the test.

The next exercise is the bench press.

The standard bench press weight in the NBA is 84 kg, and the test assesses the number of consecutive standard barbell presses. However, the requirements for point guards are relatively low, so it is not a decisive metric.

Fang Xinghe gave up on the test.

"why?"

Anderson was somewhat puzzled.

Because I don't trust your staff.

Fang Xinghe had never received training with the relevant equipment, and Nong'an did not have the necessary resources, so they were unwilling to make their first attempt in an unfamiliar and hostile place.

Once you've settled in, you can find a professional personal trainer for acclimatization training and then catch up on your bench press data.

Fang Xinghe thought this to himself, but there was no need to say it. He simply turned to look at the group of black fraternities and said defiantly, "You'll see when the group competition begins."

“Alright,” Anderson reluctantly agreed. “Then let’s finish the technical testing.”

Next is the specialized skills assessment.

The point guard test consists of several major components: passing and receiving, ball handling and penetration, five-point spot shooting, and mid-range shooting after receiving the ball while moving.

Fang Xinghe received an A+ grade in all projects.

Training and the game are completely different. Even the most technically unskilled center can show off his dribbling skills in the test and then make a few decent mid-range shots.

But Fang Xinghe's performance was 23 out of 25, which is on a completely different level.

Would we consider him?

The staff member responsible for serving licked his lips and quietly asked Anderson.

"I do not know."

Anderson's eyes flickered, and he suddenly pulled out his phone.

"Yes, I don't know, but I think it's time to inform the head coach to come and take a look as well."

During a break on the phone, he gestured to the shooting assistant coach: "Let him shoot another round of three-pointers, give me some time."

Today's workout was just a very basic and rough-and-ready mass tryout. None of the high draft picks came, so the head coach wasn't there either, because he didn't think it was worth it.

Now, it's worth it.

In the three-point shooting test, Fang Xinghe demonstrated an even higher level of skill.

In fact, his skill level is the same as Zhongtou's, both at 89 points, but the result of 20 out of 25 shots looks even more amazing.

"FUCK! How can he be so accurate?"

Jamal Tinsley was dumbfounded.

As a flashy, streetball-style point guard, his mid-range and long-range shooting is a level below that of a power forward, and he simply can't stand seeing others score one basket after another.

"What's the use?"

His best friend tried to comfort him: "It's no use, bro, the coach doesn't even bother watching. Besides, who's going to give a rookie a chance to take wild three-pointers?"

Yes, it really doesn't do much good.

These days, there aren't even professional three-point tests. Only when a rookie's shooting skills are very high will the assistant coach ask him to try shooting a few more three-pointers.

The specific skill level will not significantly improve the prospects of the draft.

Fang Xinghe fully understood the reasons behind it.

Before the league officially abolished the hand check rule, the consistency of three-point shooting was too poor. Even a historically great shooter like Curry couldn't withstand repeated collisions and physical contact.

Not having enough space to shoot is already a huge problem, but what's worse is the muscle tension caused by intense physical contact. When players encounter strong physical contact, they will subconsciously tense their muscles to protect themselves. As they lose energy, their muscles become even more tense, and their shooting touch is completely lost.

Therefore, the defensive strategy against three-point shooters in this era is very simple: the defender should closely guard and forcefully squeeze and collide with them, regardless of whether they have the ball or not. The effect is significant after one or two quarters.

A game-winning three-pointer? That doesn't exist in this era.

Fang Xinghe's exceptionally accurate long-range shooting not only failed to win over those muscular guys, but also made him the target of even greater contempt.

"He's just a softie who can only float around and shoot, easy to deal with."

With this in mind, some of the trial players who were matched up against him became increasingly eager to try.

About half an hour later, all the tests were completed, and head coach Erwin Gentry quietly arrived at the stadium and observed the Chinese talents strongly recommended by Anderson from the second floor.

'16 years old? He should be able to grow to at least 1.9 meters tall, weigh 90 kilograms, and be good both statically and dynamically...' As a coach who is good at developing young players, he can see the potential beneath Fang Xinghe's slender body—regardless of race, strength and weakness are relative.

'But people of Asian descent have never actually participated in such sports, not even in universities; their bodies don't seem suited to such intense, competitive sports.'

With a mixture of anticipation and worry, Gentry couldn't help but tug at his bow tie.

The Clippers' starting point guard Jeff McGinnis was terrible, and backup point guard Earl Boykins was even worse – a 1.65-meter tall player who only played 10 minutes a day and scored less points than he allowed.

The Clippers' predicament at the point guard position was the main reason why Wang Charlie was able to get a tryout opportunity through connections.

This year's draft is extremely competitive, with almost no point guards in the first round of predictions.

Therefore, Fang Xinghe's decision benefited greatly from favorable timing—in previous years, he would have been more looked down upon, but this year, teams eager for point guards were eager to bring in any undrafted player to give them a try.

'See you on the field, no matter what.'

Gentry quietly signaled the start of scrimmage, and in the arena, Anderson began dividing the players into groups.

Fang Xinghe was the first one to be called out; he was a core member of Group A.

In a chaotic primaries with no high draft picks, he was undoubtedly a promising young star.

But his teammates didn't think so.

Shooting guard Joseph Ford, small forward Kendrick Brown, power forward Gerald Wallace, and center Samuel Dalembert—three out of four players voiced their complaints.

"Kid, give me that damn ball, then stand outside and get ready to catch and shoot!"

Shooting guard Joseph was eager to take control, and didn't even bother to hide it.

Power forward Gerrard warned him: "You better not expect me to clean up your mess. If you can't handle your matchup, I'll watch you get torn to shreds!"

Tongfang Xinghe's opposing point guard in Group B was none other than the well-known streetball player Jamal Tinsley.

Group B's lineup is clearly much better.

Point guard Jamal Tinsley, shooting guard Gilbert Arenas, small forward Richard Jefferson (another big name present today), power forward Zach Randolph (the big, dark-skinned guy), and center Brandon Haywood.

Fang Xinghe doesn't watch NBA games much, but he has heard of two of the names, and they seem to be very strong.

This is great.

I'm targeting the elite.

Before his first formal training match, Fang Xinghe felt no nervousness whatsoever; he simply treated it as an ordinary performance.

Now, he has to play the role of a superstar whose talent surpasses Iverson's, delivering a comprehensive and brutal blow to his opponent, inflicting despair on his enemies, and earning applause and cheers from the sidelines, nothing more.

This special performance is somewhat difficult, but it does not come from micro-expressions and emotional display.

All that's needed is to break the seal and unleash absolute and brutal power, and everything will happen naturally.

After receiving the serve, Fang Xinghe glanced at Jamal Tinsley, who was already impatiently entangled with him in the backcourt, and simply swayed his shoulder slightly before passing by him.

Once in the attacking third, another idiot tried to press and win the ball.

Gilbert Arenas, a defensive welding sauce.

He brazenly exposed his front foot to Fang Xinghe, who readily accepted it and darted in from the same side with a crossover dribble.

With a half-body-length lead, the supporting arm actively seeks out resistance, pushing aside the entire body length, and easily strikes straight at the heart of the enemy.

Fang Xinghe didn't even bother to dunk; having completely shaken off his defender, he casually made a layup.

The takeoff height is less than 20 centimeters, like strolling in the street.

Before the ball went in, he was already slowly running back, his eyes fixed straight ahead, ignoring both his teammates and his opponents.

A commotion erupted from the audience.

Fang Xinghe's speed in actual combat was slightly beyond everyone's expectations, but the most important thing was his playful attitude.

Black players in the NBA can't understand this kind of understatement.

In such a situation, their only option is to dunk the ball with all their might, then yell and shout at the defender, spewing a bunch of trash talk and spittle.

Even a show-off like Bird would choose to spout some trash talk.

Jordan, even more so.

Only the young Kobe was poor with words, but he would use a murderous look in his eyes to indicate: Trash, is that all?

Fang Xinghe, however, felt it was unnecessary; deducting points from a blue monster was pointless.

But that's even more infuriating.

Offense and defense transition.

Jamal broke through Fang Xinghe's defenses, showing off his fancy dribbling skills while spewing trash talk.

"Monkey, you're in big trouble...blah blah blah."

Fang Xinghe didn't even bother to find a counterattack. He found an opening, used his explosive power to lunge forward, and slapped the basketball like lightning before speeding away, leaving only his taillights in the way.

4-0, one steal.

Back in the backcourt, Jamal was forcibly stripped of possession by the irritable Agent Zero, who insisted on taking the shot himself.

Joseph was like air, but Gilbert himself missed the shot.

Fang Xinghe left Jamal, who was a poor mid-range shooter, behind, then jumped high and grabbed the rebound over Lan's head, adding another stat to his tally.

Perception is a very interesting attribute. Its role is extremely subtle yet comprehensive. Considering only basketball for now, it has an intuitive ability to predict information such as the ball's landing point, the court space, and the player's movement trajectory.

You can process the relevant information without actively thinking about it.

For example, in this offensive play, he drove halfway down the court and casually tossed the ball in front of the basket, giving Gerald Wallace an easy alley-oop opportunity due to the defender's lapse in concentration.

"boom!"

The first dunk of the game came so quickly and so nimbly that it drew gasps from the crowd once again.

"Wow, that guy's pretty strong!"

Black players may not be the smartest, but they have a natural instinct for basketball.

"It's really powerful; its speed advantage is too great."

The players in Group B completely lost their composure; their already dark faces now turned slightly bluish.

Everyone is blaming Jamal and shifting the blame onto him relentlessly.

"Fuck! Defense, defense!"

"Are you even capable? You're going to cling to him, ram him, you idiot!"

"Useless trash, drive him over here, I'll teach him a lesson!"

Temporary combinations can't form any tactics, let alone a defensive system, but small-scale trap-like coordination doesn't require perfect understanding; basic awareness is enough.

Jamal gritted his teeth and nodded unwillingly. He had been attacked three times in a row by Fang Xinghe with his speed, and he hadn't even seen any of Fang Xinghe's special techniques. He was starting to feel numb.

Then, in the next round, he moved right up and tried to get a hand on the opponent.

In the instant of close contact, Fang Xinghe lowered his shoulder, his right shoulder swayed, and his right hand pulled the ball down, coordinating with the prelude of his right foot pushing off the ground.

Jamal subconsciously shifted his focus.

Fang Xinghe received the ball with his left hand, then feinted with his left shoulder. Jamal tried to adjust his balance, but he had already lost control.

At that very moment, Fang Xinghe didn't pull back with his left hand at all, but instead dribbled the ball and made a strong breakthrough, flashing past him.

Close-fitting?

Jamal was pinned to the spot without any reaction.

Crossover!

A huge gasp erupted from the sidelines; this was Iverson's signature move, so easily recognizable.

However, in Fang Xinghe's hands, it seemed to become simpler and smoother.

The entire breakthrough process consists of only one dribble, two shoulder feints, and different frequencies of force exertion from the left and right feet. These actions are all fakes, but they can become real at any time, depending entirely on the reaction of the defender.

"Holy crap! How could he be so fast?!"

Gentry accidentally stubbed out the cigarette he had just lit, hurriedly threw the butt away, and pressed himself against the windowpane.

He is an expert without a doubt.

In the eyes of experts, Fang Xinghe's speed is not in the speed of his movements, but in the speed of his mental reaction and his ability to turn a feint into a real one based on the remaining defensive space.

The doubt had barely surfaced when it was trapped in my mind.

Because this attack is not over yet.

Just as Gentry leaned onto the glass and Fang Xinghe broke through to the free-throw line, center Brandon Haywood rushed back from the right side, while Randolph was already lurking under the basket.

Big open!
Fang Xinghe tore the defenses to shreds, creating opportunities everywhere.

But when he saw Randolph eager to try, he felt much better.

Was it you who was nagging before?
Die for me!
The instant he stepped within a step of the free-throw line, he shot up like a rocket, his explosive power bringing not only a high jump but also terrifying speed.

Randolph jumped at the same time as him, but a fifth of a second later, the fat man tilted his head back.

Ai?!

How did it grow so much taller in the blink of an eye?!

Before he could react or unleash his full power, Fang Xinghe had already charged down at him fiercely.

Insufficient weight does indeed lead to insufficient impact force, but Fang Xinghe was almost pressing down on his head, and exerted force a second time in mid-air. With a thrust of his waist and abdomen, a powerful force suddenly erupted, forcefully pressing down during the confrontation.

"boom!"

The basketball slammed into the hoop.

"Pfft!"

Randolph lost his balance completely, and his massive body was knocked to the floor.

"Squeak..."

The basketball hoop groaned in pain.

"Clap."

Fang Xinghe landed gently.

Apart from that, the entire place was silent.

(End of this chapter)