Yang Hansen and Zeng Fanbo have "different identities"! The former is on the same level as Yao Yi, while the latter is not as good as Zhou Qi

Although it is true that many Chinese players have been working hard to enter the NBA in recent years, if their draft picks are not guaranteed, they really cannot be reused. Zeng Fanbo, who was ignored by the Nets in this China game, is a very typical example. The Nets played three preseason games, and Zeng Fanbo only got a chance to play in one of them. Even in the second game of the China game in Macau, Zeng Fanbo failed to get a minute of playing time.

In contrast, Yang Hansen, the 16th pick in the first round, has been given ample opportunities to perform. Although he only had 4 points and 4 rebounds in 21 minutes of playing time against the Warriors in the first game, he made 2 of 5 shots, made 4 turnovers, and suffered 6 fouls and left the game. However, Billups continued to give him opportunities in the next two games, and Yang Hansen indeed rebounded. Following the game against the Kings, he scored 16 points, 4 rebounds, 1 assist and 3 blocks. In the second game against the Warriors, Yang Hansen also rebounded, scoring 9 points, 6 rebounds and 1 block.

After three preseason games, Yang Hansen averaged 9.7 points, 4.7 rebounds, 1 assist and 1.3 blocks in 19.7 minutes per game. Seeing that Yang Hansen can get stable playing time in the NBA, I am really envious of those Chinese players who want to open the door to the NBA. For example, Zeng Fanbo and Cui Yongxi were both undrafted in the draft and worked hard in the NBA through ex10 contracts (Cui Yongxi later received a two-way contract). However, such contract attributes are destined to not allow much room for error or even opportunities to appear.

Recently, the Nets waived Whitehead, the No. 22 pick in 2023. He averaged 5.7 points per game last season. In addition, Timmy, who averaged 12.1 points and 7.2 rebounds per game for the Nets last season, was also given up by the team. Therefore, even these players who have the strength to gain a foothold in the NBA have been given up by the Nets. It is not difficult to understand that players like Zeng Fanbo with ex10 contracts will not get many playing opportunities in the Chinese games.

Let’s talk about the topic of establishing a foothold in the NBA. Throughout the years, the only Chinese players who can really gain a foothold in the NBA are Yao Ming and Yi Jianlian, and these two are without exception first-round picks and lottery picks. Although many Chinese players have tried hard to get on the NBA stage, they have all failed, including second-round pick Zhou Qi. At that time, the Rockets were relatively tight inside, and Zhou Qi could not escape the fate of being waived.

Therefore, this time Zeng Fanbo's attempt to enter the NBA hits a wall, which may discourage other Chinese players who also want to gain a foothold in the NBA through non-draft status. After all, in the jungle-dominated NBA, not everyone is as lucky as Yuta Watanabe and Jeremy Lin. The nature of your contract basically determines your status in the NBA.