Generation Z Artists

Chapter 157 Drumming, Marching Off, and Beginning the Battle

After the show aired, Fang Xinghe became a sensation in both the basketball world and in society at large.

Teams with high draft picks immediately sent him tryout invitations, while teams without picks but desperately needing a point guard were equally eager to make a move.

In this day and age, being good at fighting isn't a mistake; on the contrary, it's a testament to strength.

"But he is an Asian..."

Some team managers still have reservations, which is understandable, because no Asian has ever succeeded in the NBA. Asians' bodies struggle to adapt to even the physicality of the NCAA level, as evidenced by numerous cases in college.

"He will be an exception!"

The head coaches are quite enthusiastic and full of confidence.

Even if it isn't true, I'm willing to take the gamble!

The show spent 50 minutes studying Fang Xinghe's kung fu, but those few minutes of scrimmage were enough to show Fang Xinghe's basketball talent.

Mike and Hubie weren't noobs; they analyzed Fang Xinghe's strengths in great detail.

“I would place Fang in the top five of this year’s rookies. The reason I’m only here is because he hasn’t shown enough yet and there’s still some uncertainty. But considering his age and dynamic qualities, picking him at fifth pick is definitely not a risk…”

Hubie was very serious, and Mike immediately nodded in agreement.

"Yes, yes, at least top five, even using the number one pick to select him wouldn't be a risk. Apart from the risk of injury, he's practically another AI."

Oakley interjected: "So his template is AI?"

“I don’t mean to offend AI…” Hubie shook his head, “but I’m afraid it’s more than that. Did you notice his passing choices and passing paths?”

"Yes, it is extremely penetrating."

"NONONO, no, you missed the point—he didn't check his teammates' positions before passing the ball!"

Hubie was extremely excited and paused the video, drawing a motion diagram on the whiteboard next to him.

Before the game started, Fang Xinghe only passed the ball twice, both times without looking at his opponent. ESPN put a lot of effort into studying the entire video and discovered the subtle details.

"They were a temporary team, so there were no fixed tactics or understanding between teammates. Therefore, these two passes didn't involve any conventional tactical positions; they were entirely impromptu judgments based on chance..."

"Excuse me for a moment." Stephen was confused. "Is it very impressive?"

“Super awesome!”

Mike's voice became very excited.

"That's a kind of anticipation of the player's trajectory, combined with reading the entire court space. The last person who could pass like that was Magic Johnson!"

"No, that's not right. His court awareness is more like Larry Bird's. Magic Johnson also needs to observe, but his height at the point guard position is just too amazing, so his vision is wide enough. Fang, on the other hand, doesn't seem to need any vision at all. At least in the two passes shown in the video, I didn't see him looking up to find the right person. They were extremely sudden and accurate."

"Wow……"

Oakley scratched the back of his head: "Is that so? I thought all these attacking players could break through and pass."

Hubie shook his head vigorously: "He doesn't play the kind of chaotic style of breaking through and then passing the ball. Instead, he is a very intelligent player who leads the team with the ball. Because there is too little material, I can't judge his ceiling in this aspect, but Fang's potential is definitely not limited to individual attacks."

"I feel that Fang is very suitable for playing counter-attacking football. He can receive the ball and run down the field quickly. The main defensive players can't keep up with him, and the smaller, quicker players can keep up but can't stop him, right?"

"Actually, a run-and-gun offense is also an option."

"Loyola Marymount University (LMU)'s playing style?"

"Wow, this is definitely worth discussing. Let's do some tactical drills!"

ESPN's basketball programs have always been known for their professionalism, and Mike and Hubie's level of expertise even surpasses that of some bottom-tier head coaches. They almost immediately found the right instruction manual for Fang Xinghe.

Fast-paced, all-out attack, running and firing, positioning and counter-attacking, opening up space in positional play to break through defense and pass the ball.

The specific lineup configuration and tactics still need to be refined, but Hubi insists that Fang Xinghe has his own system.

The players like Little Potato and Little Flying Squirrel, who are as fast as the Star River, don't have a system; the difference lies in their passing vision.

Speed ​​alone is only enough for chaotic battles.

With speed and a powerful attack, that's Allen Iverson.

With speed, strong offense, shooting, and passing, that's the ultimate Genshin Impact for the point guard position, unlike anything we've ever seen before.

Oakley questioned, "Won't Fang's size be a disadvantage on defense?"

Hubie immediately offered a solution: "No, no, no, as long as Fang doesn't switch too deep on defense and maintains his perimeter positioning, he can break through to the midcourt the moment his teammates control the ball. Therefore, the opponent must always use a speedster to guard him, making it difficult for him to participate deeply in the offense..."

"Why?"

"Because participating in the attack is equivalent to giving up the defense, thus allowing the attackers to freely launch a fast break..."

"Two points for two points?"

"It looks like a two-for-two exchange, but on this side, only one person needs to attack, while on the other side, all five of them are expending their energy together. The more they exchange, the more disadvantaged they become."

Mike added, "Furthermore, the success rate of a fast break is definitely higher than the success rate of scoring when the opponent is outnumbered five to four."

Even a layman like Stephen understood: "So, because of Fang's extreme speed, his defense isn't a major weakness?"

"It's not just about speed."

Hubie patiently explained, trying to make sure that he and the viewers in front of the television could fully understand.

"Fang's strength is not bad, so as long as we provide some resistance or delay on the line, we can ensure a high quality of interference. Don't treat him as a defensive black hole. Only a small forward can outmaneuver him."

What he didn't say was that Fang Xinghe wasn't like Iverson, who often had to be hidden away.

"What if the opposing team uses a speed-type player to keep them in position?"

“Then you can’t control the rhythm!” Hubie laughed. “If you don’t attack him, you’re protecting his stamina, so he can lead the whole team to run and launch a counterattack at the fastest pace.”

"Wow!" Stephen exclaimed repeatedly. "This sounds like a cornerstone player for any team. As a high school player, does he have the potential to reach the level of Kobe or Garnett?"

“The three of them have completely different characteristics.”

Hubie shook his head, then nodded: "But I know what you mean. I think it's worth looking forward to."

……

ESPN has a huge influence. After the show aired, many veterans and legends were asked for their opinions by reporters, including Magic Johnson, Kevin Garnett, and Kobe Bryant.

Johnson is a senior who loves to flatter others and is not one to be left out. He praised Fang Xinghe extensively on another program.

"Yes, I saw it, wow, you can't believe how shocked I was!"

He's so great, I mean, basketball talent. I don't care that he taught a few rude kids a lesson; I'm just amazed by his talent.

The league hasn't had a truly outstanding leader at the point guard position for far too long. Yes, he has the potential. Don't ask me why; I'm an expert when it comes to the point guard position.

How far will he go? He'll surpass me, man, he has the potential!

Draft prediction? I'd pick him with the number one pick, I wouldn't hesitate for a second!

Fang Xinghe is not the next magician; he will surpass the magician—an endorsement from the magician himself.

—Los Angeles Times Sports
……

Garnett hesitated slightly when asked – he quite enjoyed bullying newcomers, and Fang Xinghe naturally harbored some resentment towards him.

But he didn't fully express this dissatisfaction.

"I'm sorry, I'm not familiar with him. You should wait until he actually enters the league, stands opposite me as the leader, and plays a good game before asking me questions."

"You mean he's not fit to be the team leader?" Garnett was about to nod when he suddenly remembered that roundhouse kick that was like a shooting star from outer space, and he swallowed his words.

"No, maybe one day he will, but he has a long way to go, and I don't predict things that far ahead. I just focus on playing each game well."

Wolf King: Fang Xinghe still has a long way to go. Only when he defeats the team leader will he be worthy to speak to me.

—A basketball report from The Boston Globe.

……

Kobe was the most aloof, and seemed to be in a bad mood.

"I don't know. Don't bother me with irrelevant things. Right now, all I want is that damn trophy!"

The reporters were not discouraged after their setback, because they knew all too well how to provoke Kobe.

"However, we received news that Jordan has invited Fang Xinghe to the Wizards for a private tryout, handpicking him as his successor..."

In an instant, the young snake's eyes were filled with murderous intent.

"Really?"

"Of course, Fang has already set off for Washington."

"Then I wish him good luck."

There's a principle about Kobe: the shorter the words, the bigger the story.

He was reluctant to say much to the reporters, but he kept the newcomer's name in mind.

Fang Xinghe, is it? Just you wait and see!
Good Luck! Kobe Bryant, deeply jealous of rookie Fang Xinghe, sends his blessings with murderous intent.

—USA Today Sports
……

Sports Illustrated's latest draft predictions indeed placed Fang Xinghe in fourth place.

The first place is Eddy Curry, the second place is Kwame Brown, and the third place is Tyson Chandler, three incredibly talented centers.

Next up is Fang Xinghe, who surpasses all the other chosen ones.

This kind of thing is completely unscientific and just asking for trouble.

Because all other rookies have undergone a year or even several years of tracking and evaluation.

Sports media start rating and starring high school prodigies, and then continue to track their talent growth and technical progress in college. This, combined with their performance on the field and data, forms the current predicted rankings.

How could Fang Xinghe surpass so many geniuses' years of accumulated experience in just half a training match?
As soon as the rankings were released, Sports Illustrated was trending on social media for all the wrong reasons.

Yes, they were overjoyed.

As a weekly publication, they garnered all the attention for the week before releasing Fang Xinghe's scouting report in the next issue.

Source: Anderson.

The Clippers have made it almost certain that they will not select Fang Xinghe. They are in dire need of a point guard, but owner Sterling disagrees with selecting Fang Xinghe.

"Choose a Chinese person with a lottery ticket? Do you want to make me a laughing stock?"

Baylor and Gentry were extremely frustrated but had no other options, so Anderson sold the first-hand scouting data.

Logically speaking, this is another impossible thing.

However, Sterling only offered Gentry's coaching staff a $50 annual salary, which was for the entire team!

As one of the low-paid teaching assistants who could lose his job at any time, Anderson also needed to survive.

This is truly a magical land; anything can happen.

Anderson wrote the following in his report:

"Fang, a 16-year-old boy from China, was the biggest surprise of this trial training."

Position: Point Guard/Shooting Guard
Static: ...

dynamic:……

Advantages: Top-tier speed in the league, and agility beyond the league's limits; his movements are as fast as lightning and as nimble as the wind.

This results in a breakthrough capability as terrifying as AI.

His breakthrough skills are very comprehensive. In the short trial period, he demonstrated a variety of breakthrough methods, such as rhythm changes, center of gravity shifts, and one-step overpowering.

Overall, his ability to break through defenses has no weaknesses, he is not afraid of any defensive strategy, and he has no natural enemies among defensive players.

Fang's shooting touch is extremely soft, his three-pointers are accurate, and his mid-range shots cover the entire area.

I have never seen such shooting talent before. Even someone as good as Reggie Miller only maintained a three-point shooting percentage of over 85% in training for a long period after the age of 25. Fang Xinghe, on the other hand, had such a shooting percentage almost ten years earlier.

What's even more terrifying is that his mid-range shot has no blind spots. Changes in distance and position don't seem to bother him. His power adjustments are natural, as if he was born for basketball.

This ability to combine driving and shooting will make him a nightmare for defensive players.

His ball-handling and passing abilities are currently only at the second tier in the league, but his fundamentals are very solid. It's hard to imagine how he developed such basic skills in that basketball-deprived country.

Since he has no bad habits in his basic technical movements, he will be highly adaptable to the competition, so his training period may not be too long.

"Using games as training, in one or two seasons at most, he will be one of the top point guards in the league..."

The report didn't mention the hidden spatial sense talent, but Hubie explained it to everyone on the show.

Anderson highlighted the shooting talent that wasn't praised on the show in detail in the report.

With these two factors combined, Fang Xinghe's fourth-place ranking suddenly seemed less exaggerated, and many fans began to seriously consider his talent level.

Those who are superficial in their analysis of the data will find that the 3/4 sprint and slalom test results are all at the level of historical records.

Experienced players look at the details, and the ability to shoot from any angle, even down to the three-point line, can only be based on talent. A 16-year-old boy can't possibly have that much time to practice shooting.

"Huh? This guy who suddenly appeared seems to have a lot of potential?"

When ordinary fans also started thinking this way, the head coaches and team owners almost went crazy.

Not only can he be the cornerstone of the team, he also seems to be very good at selling tickets!
This judgment is based on Fang Xinghe's influence on society.

Basketball has a considerable following in the United States, with 20 to 30 million fans. However, in the past two weeks, the amount of information discussing Fang Xinghe's basketball talent is less than one-tenth of the amount discussed about him personally.

Appearance, background, and kung fu are the three main topics, with online discussion volume several times that of basketball talent.

Although online buzz is not valued by NBA teams, public opinion doesn't lie. Anyone with a little sensitivity can sense the interest that American society has in Fang Xinghe.

The most direct evidence is that the less than half-minute video of the fight has been broadcast on major TV stations no less than a hundred times!

Another, more direct piece of evidence is that Fang Xinghe was invited to be a guest on "The Oprah Winfrey Show"!

Amid the kung fu craze sweeping across America, a young Chinese boy who best represents kung fu suddenly emerged. And to make matters worse, he was so mysterious and handsome. The purely capitalist media, of course, couldn't sit still. They were eager to either make Fang Xinghe a god or destroy him.

This has nothing to do with likes or dislikes; it simply depends on which path brings greater benefits.

Fang Xinghe happily accepted the invitation and did his best to provide the other party with information, whether they wanted it or not.

Are you planning to use me as a cash cow?

A warm welcome!
You are heartless capitalists, and I am a bandit from China. We're just in cahoots to harvest the韭菜 (a metaphor for exploited people) to our heart's content!
I have a moral obligation to harm my own people, but on your beautiful land, how could I possibly be lenient?

Come, beat the drums, let's go to war!
(End of this chapter)