Las Vegas
"Kai Chen's offensive talent was fully displayed in Las Vegas!"
After Kai received a pass from Grayson Allen during a defensive counterattack and hit another three-pointer, O'Neal, sitting at the commentary table, passionately exclaimed, "Before this, many fans were worried about whether Kai Chen could adapt to the intensity of NBA games."
"But now, he is telling the whole world with his repeated scores that your worries are unnecessary!"
"That's right, Kai has already scored 22 points so far, and at this rate, he is very likely to score 30 points in a single quarter!"
Although this was only a Summer League game, historically, players who could score 30 points in a single quarter here were still few and far between.
Kai Chen was now accomplishing a feat that even the Michael Jordan had not achieved.
In fact, Kai Chen's scoring ability on the court had already far surpassed Devin Booker's peak performance.
After all, with the basketball god system's blessing, it could be said that if Kai Chen wanted to, he could even challenge the 100% record.
At the end of the first quarter, Kai Chen showed no mercy, scoring 30 points with an incredibly high 88% shooting accuracy, making 12 of 14 attempts with ease.
He helped the Los Angeles Clippers take a 14-point lead in the first quarter of their first Summer League game!
Ultimately, the Los Angeles Clippers easily won the opening game of the 2018 Las Vegas Summer League against the Cleveland Cavaliers, securing a strong start.
Kai Chen played only 20 minutes in the entire game, delivering comprehensive stats of 38 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assists, 3 steals, and 1 block, making him the focus of media interviews after the game.
"Kai, is there any difference between NBA-level games and NCAA games!?"
"You scored 38 points today in less than 20 minutes of playing time. Will this be your regular operation in the NBA in the future?"
"Kai, what are your goals for the upcoming new season?"
After the game, the media surrounded Kai Chen, throwing out several questions like a volley of cannonballs.
"Hmm… from my personal feeling, today's game was no different from an NCAA game."
Facing the camera, Kai calmly composed himself: "As for the stats I put up today, I don't think they will become a regular operation in the new season."
"Of course, that's mainly because I played a bit less time today."
Clearly, Kai's meaning was that if he were given sufficient playing time, his stats today would become a regular operation in the regular season!
"I have a small goal for the new season."
While the media was astonished by Kai, he continued, "I will prove with my strength that I am the best player in this draft class!"
After saying this, Kai concluded his post-game interview.
And his post-game interview quickly made headlines on major sports websites.
TNT: "Third overall pick Kai Chen aims for Rookie of the Year—what are his chances of winning Rookie of the Year!?"
In the headline news released by TNT, they listed the players most likely to win Rookie of the Year this season.
For example:
Deandre Ayton of the Phoenix Suns.
In the Suns' first Summer League game, the first overall pick Deandre Ayton also performed excellently, putting up 18 points, 14 rebounds, and 4 blocks in 28 minutes of playing time.
Because of his presence, the Suns' defensive performance was astonishing, allowing the opponent to score only 60 points in the entire game!
Another example: Trae Young, the rookie from the Atlanta Hawks.
Trae Young's performance in the Summer League was simply devastating, unstoppable by anyone.
There were also Jaren Jackson Jr. of the Memphis Grizzlies, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander of the Charlotte Hornets, and the second overall pick Marvin Bagley.
And finally, the European king Dončić, who appeared as the finale in the main text!
If Kai Chen's debut was surprising, then Dončić, the fifth overall pick from the Mavericks, was even more astonishing.
In the Mavericks' first Summer League game, Dončić played thirty minutes, putting up a super triple-double of 20 points, 11 rebounds, and 12 assists.
This also marked the first time in NBA history that a player recorded a triple-double in their first Summer League game.
This fifth overall pick, with a triple-double performance, officially joined this year's Rookie of the Year contention.
"Deandre Ayton, Marvin Bagley, Trae Young, and Kai Chen are all excellent, but I am stronger than them!"
After the game, Dončić said in a media interview, "My goal for the new season is the same as Kai Chen's: to become the Rookie of the Year!"
When Kai Chen was mentioned, a surging passion faintly stirred within Dončić's chest.
He longed to face Kai directly in the upcoming games!
However,
After playing his first Summer League game, Kai Chen stated that he would not participate in the remaining Summer League games.
Familiarizing himself with the NBA rules and court in the first game was enough for Kai Chen.
The Los Angeles Clippers management also supported Kai Chen's decision.
After all, Kai was now a cornerstone player for the Clippers, and they would agree to any reasonable request.
Ultimately, the Los Angeles Lakers clinched the Summer League championship.
As the Summer League concluded, teams continued their summer reinforcements and trades.
The Los Angeles Clippers also encountered their own headaches.
After trading Blake Griffin, the team had nearly $35 million in salary cap space this offseason.
However, with LeBron James joining the Los Angeles Lakers and Paul George re-signing with the Thunder, their dream of signing a superstar this summer was shattered.
By the time the Clippers were ready to spend money on players, there were almost no quality options left on the market.
When it rains, it pours.
July 14th.
Starting center Deandre Jordan signed with the Dallas Mavericks.
The struggles in the free market, coupled with Deandre Jordan's departure and Griffin's trade, left the Clippers severely short-handed.
And they now had nearly $35 million in salary cap space with nowhere to spend it.
The poor trades and lack of success in the free market led Clippers fans, who were already dissatisfied with Jerry West, to complain vociferously:
"Look at the Los Angeles Lakers next door and then look at ourselves—our operations are a pile of dog shit!"
"What the fuck, are we doing this season?"
"No big-name stars have joined yet, Jerry West, what the fuck are you doing!?"
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