Shut Up, KG!!!

After throwing down the dunk, Zhou Ze expressionlessly flexed his bulging biceps and strutted off with an utterly domineering swagger.

The Lakers' bench erupted in celebration. Other than Vujacic, every teammate began whipping their towels around.

But on the court, Josh Smith, whom Zhou Ze had emphatically posterized, was complaining to the referees that Zhou Ze had thrown an elbow.

The referees ignored Josh Smith.

However, after finishing that poster dunk, Zhou Ze's breathing became labored as he ran back on defense.

He had put every ounce of strength into that dunk, and it was already the fourth quarter.

Zhou Ze had played 26 minutes through the first three quarters.

That left Zhou Ze, who did not have much stamina to begin with, even more drained.

At the next dead ball, Phil Jackson subbed Zhou Ze out.

After being taken out this time, Zhou Ze did not return to the court.

Thanks to Kobe's performance, the Lakers maintained a double-digit lead throughout.

The game ended.

118 vs. 100!

The Lakers defeated the Hawks by 18 points.

Kobe finished with 37 points, 5 rebounds, 4 steals, and 4 assists. This was the second season since Shaquille O'Neal left the Lakers for the East. After missing the playoffs last season, Kobe was eager to prove his ability to lead a team.

His competitive fire was burning high, his body was at its peak, and his individual skills were nearing their peak as well. Moreover, the new season had only just begun, so he had not yet worn himself down much.

That made Kobe look like a god of slaughter in every game.

Zhou Ze had 21 points, 4 rebounds, 2 assists, and 1 steal. He went 3-for-10 from beyond the arc, a mere 30 percent—his lowest three-point percentage since entering the NBA.

But to be fair...

Zhou Ze's three-point touch had not been bad tonight. It was at his normal level, but the Hawks had paid him considerable attention on defense, which was why his percentage dropped so sharply.

[ Ding, postgame rewards are being calculated... ]

[ Postgame Reward: 99 Peak Points ]

[ Peak Points: 108/1508 ]

Uh...

A random draw required 200 Peak Points.

After this game, Zhou Ze still could not perform a random draw.

He could only place his hopes of gaining Peak Points on the Rookie of the Week selection.

But honestly...

Zhou Ze did not hold out much hope for it.

The point guard twin stars from his draft class were both in the Western Conference.

Unlike Zhou Ze, Deron Williams and Chris Paul were both franchise cornerstones for their teams.

Zhou Ze was merely a piece of the team's rebuilding puzzle—at most, a relatively important piece.

Besides, whether it was Rookie of the Week or Rookie of the Year, team record accounted for only an insignificant part of the selection criteria.

After the game.

Josh Smith, who had scored 8 points and grabbed 6 rebounds, openly went after Zhou Ze during an interview with reporters.

"Posterized?"

"I got posterized by him?"

"He clearly fouled me. The referees just happened not to see it."

Josh Smith could not let go of being posterized by Zhou Ze.

"A week of the new season has already passed. Who do you think is the league's best rookie, and who will win Western Conference Rookie of the Week?" another reporter asked.

"Chris Paul or Deron Williams. Of course, I personally lean toward Chris Paul. He's averaging 16 and 8, and his arrival has completely transformed the team's overall strength," Josh Smith said.

"What about Zhou... He's averaged over 20 points over the past week, ranking first among all rookies in scoring," the reporter said.

"Zhou?"

"His stats are hugely inflated."

"He was just lucky enough to play alongside Kobe."

Josh Smith said disdainfully.

The next day.

In frigid Minnesota.

After finishing practice and returning to the hotel where the team was staying, Zhou Ze watched Josh Smith repeatedly tear into him on his computer.

He immediately got up, turned off the TV, and went to the basketball court in the courtyard for extra three-point shooting practice.

The NBA's Eastern and Western Conference Rookie of the Week and Player of the Week selections were also announced that day.

Zhou Ze only managed to earn a Western Conference Rookie of the Week nomination, while Chris Paul took home the award.

The Eastern Conference Rookie of the Week was Charlie Villanueva, the Browless Wonder, who averaged 13 points, 7 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 rebound, and 1 block per game.

Although Zhou Ze had averaged 20+ points per game...

He truly was not the team's core, and he probably could not even be considered the second or third option.

"Ah..."

"Everyone says the 2005 draft was a weak one, yet as a transmigrator, I can't even snag Rookie of the Week. That's downright embarrassing."

Zhou Ze could not help but sigh inwardly.

Of course, based on his performances over the past week, Zhou Ze's fame and exposure had risen considerably.

Especially after his powerful post-up dunk over Josh Smith made No. 5 on this week's Top Ten Plays.

But it was useless...

It could not bring Zhou Ze even a single point of Peak Value.

Still, the attention had caused Zhou Ze's commercial value to skyrocket.

A toy company in Los Angeles had proactively approached Zhou Ze's agent team, hoping to sign him to an endorsement deal.

However, the specifics of the contract were still under negotiation.

Meanwhile.

The following day.

The Lakers began the second game of their road trip.

Their opponent was the Minnesota Timberwolves.

Though the roar of the Big Ticket could still often be heard in the Timberwolves' home arena, they were no longer the team that had reached the Western Conference Finals in the 2003-04 season.

The Timberwolves had not even made the playoffs last season.

Their record at the start of this season was also mediocre, at 2 wins and 2 losses.

On the court, accompanied by the sharp crack of a vicious block, Kwame Brown's hook shot near the basket was swatted directly into the stands by Garnett.

"You're fifty years too early if you think you can score on me!" Garnett roared viciously at Kwame Brown after swatting the shot away like a fly.

Facing the aggressive Kevin Garnett, Kwame Brown inexplicably lost his nerve and did not even dare meet Garnett's eyes.

Zhou Ze, who was paired with Kwame Brown as the team's twin towers in the paint tonight, immediately stepped in front of the former bust No. 1 pick, shielding him behind his back as he shouted at Garnett, "Shut up, KG!"

"Look at the score."

Though the first quarter was not even halfway over, the Lakers had already built a 14-6 lead.