Speaking honestly about Zeng Fanbo!

After a six-year gap, the NBA China Games are back.

The Nets and Suns will compete in two matches in Macau.

The excitement from everyone has instantly come back.

The biggest attraction of this event is definitely the Nets signing Zeng Fanbo from Beijing Shougang under an Exhibit 10 contract.

Tonight, having watched the full first game late at night, it’s a good time to express some honest feelings.

I know that during or after the game, many fans and media will criticize. Some will blame the Nets teammates for being selfish, some will blame the coach for not giving playing time, and some will even criticize the team owner...

I understand, as these are the most straightforward emotions of Chinese basketball fans.

Zeng Fanbo played 10 minutes and 6 seconds in this game, had a plus-minus of -15, and recorded 0 points, 0 rebounds, 0 assists, 1 steal, 0 blocks, 0 turnovers, and 3 fouls. Two things left the deepest impression on me:

First, his foul on Dillon. Second, being targeted by the opponent at the final moments.

Also, as I mentioned before, we don’t know the detailed plans for him and the team moving forward.

If, and I emphasize if, this signing is only for the two China Games this year just to make the event more attractive and to sell tickets, then there is really nothing much to praise.

After all, the Kings once signed Liu Wei...

However, this is not the main point I want to express.

What I want to say most is: we should aim high but also stay grounded.

When criticizing others, have you ever thought: can young Zeng really play? Many of his matchups are against shorter players, but can he post up and exploit mismatches? Does he have the ability to handle the ball offensively?

It’s true that teammates are selfish; after all, they are hungry wolves who need to fight for positions and prove themselves.

Expecting a group of players without guaranteed contracts to pass to you? They can barely secure their own spots.

However, Zeng Fanbo’s lack of individual skills is rarely mentioned by the media or experts on this night.

When he doesn’t have the ball, did he at least do his defensive job? No, he was also targeted defensively.

If you get the ball but stumble and falter, how can teammates trust you to pass?

In Chinese basketball, whether professional or grassroots, the narrative of “chasing dreams” has become quite popular these years.

I’m somewhat tired of words like “dream” and “chasing dreams.”

From that perspective, young Zeng certainly deserves encouragement and admiration. I respect his courage to leave his comfort zone; he could have done very well in the CBA.

But if we discuss from the standpoint of player ability?

Our domestic forwards, every single one, are still far from NBA level.

You’ll find that young Zeng is similar to players previously produced by the Ignite team: relying more on physical instincts to play.

This is true for Jalen Green and Jonathan Kuminga as well.

In the CBA, he can be a frequent top-10 play contender, with many highlights receiving tons of likes on video platforms.

But professional basketball is not about highlight reels...

The world is too eager to hear stories of youthful success, which often isn’t a good thing.

You’ll notice many NBA players who rely on athleticism and gained fame early as high school stars tend to fade from the NBA; a typical example this summer is Cam Reddish.

Why? Because relying on physical ability alone is not enough.

Among Chinese men’s basketball forwards, young Zeng’s physicality is actually quite good.

But from fundamental skills to game understanding...

I’m not saying the road he didn’t take would have been all flowers, but if young Zeng had gone to the NCAA back then, he would have matured more physically, mentally, and technically.

When I was in school, teachers often said: “If the foundation is weak, everything shakes.”

However, at this stage, it’s already difficult for young Zeng to go back and refine his fundamentals.

The hype from various media and huge expectations from fans no longer allow him to work on basics; instead, they want him to immediately make the NBA and get playing time, even hoping he secures a starting spot on the Nets.

Young Zeng himself probably finds it hard to calmly reflect on things.

So, many times, it’s unfair to him — he carries too much burden.

I trust Di Ge’s judgment; many current public opinions are actually “hurting” him.

Moving forward, wishing Zeng Fanbo the best of luck!