"The Los Angeles Clippers have a very excellent young man!"
In the post-game interview, Sacramento Kings head coach Dave Joerger candidly stated, "Kai Chen's individual performance was impressive."
"We had no way to stop him; the talent he displayed on offense left us helpless!"
At the end of the interview, Dave Joerger added, "I think Kai Chen is not just the third pick; he should be the undisputed first overall pick!"
For an opposing head coach to give such high praise was enough to show how outstanding Kai Chen's performance was today.
Sacramento Kings' second overall pick, Marvin Bagley, directly refused media interviews after the game.
Prior to this, many in the media and among fans generally believed that Marvin Bagley only won the NCAA Championship because of Kai Chen.
Facing this doubt, Bagley had been prepared to go all out in this game to prove himself.
However, Bagley's performance was simply too poor—playing 26 minutes, shooting 2 for 14, and scoring only a pathetic 4 points.
The glaring statistics plunged this cornerstone of the Sacramento Kings into confusion and bewilderment.
Especially since his college teammate, Kai Chen, was so dazzling today!
Just as Bagley exited dismally, almost all the media personnel in the arena swarmed toward the Clippers' bench.
Countless microphones were thrust directly in front of Kai Chen.
"Kai, how does it feel to play your first career game?"
"Kai Chen, congratulations on breaking the rookie debut single-game scoring record. What do you have to say about that?"
"Kai Chen, how does it feel to lead your team to the first win of the season? You'll be facing your city rivals, the Los Angeles Lakers, next. What do you have to say about that?"
Reporters from TNT, ESPN, and other television stations completely disregarded their image, scrambling to throw their questions at Kai Chen.
They were afraid that today's potential trending topic would be scooped by other colleagues.
"Today's game felt pretty good!"
Facing the swarming reporters, Kai Chen calmly said, "The NBA, for me personally, isn't as difficult as people say."
To be honest, before the game started, Kai Chen even thought he would encounter strict defense.
As it turned out, all the Sacramento Kings players were a lot easier to handle.
Under head coach Rivers' tactical arrangements, Kai Chen's scoring was even easier than when he was at Duke University.
"As for breaking the rookie debut single-game scoring record, I don't care about that at all."
Kai Chen continued, "If the team needs me to score 30 points to win, I will score 30 points. If the team needs me to score 40 to win, then I will do that as well."
After he said this, the interviewing reporters were clearly a bit surprised.
Because Kai Chen's meaning was simple: no matter how many points he scored, it was easy for him.
This statement would be perfectly fine coming from a superstar, but coming from a rookie, it was truly shocking.
However, judging from this game, Kai Chen certainly had the right to say that.
Look at his performance today: 28 points in a single quarter, and 38 points in 24 minutes of play!
If he were given enough playing time and unlimited shooting opportunities, scoring 50 wouldn't be a difficult task for him.
Compared to Kai Chen's statistics, media reporters were even more interested in what Kai Chen said.
This statement alone was enough to push him to the top of today's trending searches.
Soon after, news about Kai Chen prominently appeared on the official websites of TNT and ESPN, two authoritative sports platforms.
TNT: Who Can Limit Kai Chen from Duke University!?
ESPN: A New Season's Scoring Machine Is Born—Will Kai Chen Become the NBA's First Rookie Scoring Champion?
As soon as the articles were published, they immediately received numerous comments from fans.
"Who is Kai Chen!? Is this rookie really that strong?"
"Are you not watching the game upstairs? Kai Chen is this year's third overall pick!"
"To be honest, although Kai Chen is indeed very strong, it will be difficult for him to win the scoring title in his first professional season!"
"Compared to Kai Chen, I'm still more optimistic about Deandre Ayton!"
"Deandre Ayton? What is he? Does he even deserve to be compared with Kai?"
...
Previously, there have been four players in NBA history who became the scoring champion in their rookie season.
They were Elvin Hayes, Joe Fulks, George Mikan, and the Basketball Emperor Wilt Chamberlain!
These four ancient legends all won the scoring title in their rookie season, but that was back in the 1950s.
After the ABA merged with the NBA, no rookie has ever achieved this feat—not even LeBron James or Michael Jordan!
Therefore, if Kai Chen can continue his performance from his first career game and ultimately be crowned the season's scoring champion, he will create a brand-new piece of history.
That evening, TNT Sports brought together three popular rookie sensations who had explosive debuts this year to discuss who would become this season's Rookie of the Year.
They were: the first overall pick Deandre Ayton, who debuted with 18 points, 10 rebounds, 6 assists, and 3 blocks, showcasing the technical characteristics of the new era's versatile center.
The sixth overall pick Trae Young, whose debut saw him score 25 points and 10 assists, including 6 three-pointers on 10 attempts, perfectly living up to the title of "Little Curry."
The third overall pick Kai Chen, who played 24 minutes and exploded for 38 points, revealing his offensive talent to the world.
The three rookies, with different styles and statistics, all led their teams to their first wins of the season.
The excitement of this year's Rookie of the Year race is even greater than that of previous seasons' Most Valuable Player races.
"This year's Rookie of the Year has no suspense!"
At the beginning of the show, Smith directly expressed his view: "Kai Chen from the Los Angeles Clippers will undoubtedly lift the Rookie of the Year trophy."
"As early as the NCAA Championship, I said that Kai Chen is a player worth any team giving their all for. I see the shadows of Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant in him."
"Look at his performance now. What reason do you have not to admit that he is the strongest rookie this year?"
The other commentators nodded, tacitly agreeing with Smith's statement.
After seeing Kai Chen's outstanding performance, the Charlotte Hornets' management was filled with regret.
They even contacted Clippers general manager Jerry West on the night the game ended, tentatively exploring the possibility of trading for Kai Chen.
But the reply they received was simple: Kai is untouchable for the Los Angeles Clippers!
Helpless, the Charlotte Hornets could only focus on developing this year's seventh overall pick, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.
==========
Thank you for the support.
100 power stones = Bonus Chapter
Check my P@treon for 25+ advanced chapters
[email protected]/JustTranslate