ctnovel Chapter 44 Domestic reports: Trials begin!
Chapter 44 Domestic reports: Trials begin!
How could LeBron not like someone with accurate outside shooting, one-on-one ability, and the ability to take the blame from teammates?
Zeng Zhen did not respond to these remarks.
Back in his dormitory, Zeng Zhen logged into the system once again.
[Ding! Mission to win the championship is complete!]
[Clang! Steve Nash's ability "Swift Pass" has been acquired]
【Swift Pass】: Allows you to initiate a fast-paced, run-and-gun style attack the moment you switch lanes, breaking through the opponent's defensive pressure while unlocking a full-range passing vision!
Zeng Zhen couldn't yet feel the power of this skill, but he believed it was definitely not weak, which made him more confident about becoming a superstar in the future.
Zeng Zhen's official candidacy has excited domestic media and fans.
Unlike big men like Yao Ming and Yi Jianlian, Zeng Zhen is a guard.
Fans have long hoped that China could produce an NBA-level guard. For a long time, the Chinese men's basketball team has always faced difficulties in controlling the ball across half-court and feeding it to Yao Ming in international competitions.
Domestic fans and media believe this is due to the lack of good defenders.
Zeng Zhen is now considered the answer for the Chinese defense!
Zeng Zhen's selection for the NBA is almost a certainty; the only difference is his draft position. Once selected, he will be a legitimate NBA-level guard.
NCAA China's rising star officially announces his candidacy!
Zeng Zhen is poised to become China's first first-round draft pick among guards!
Zeng Zhen: I want to take my talent to the NBA!
According to sources, the national team has extended an invitation to Zeng Zhen!
Zeng Zhen's predicted draft position has significantly improved; his highest projected pick is now 13th in the first round!
Several teams have expressed interest in Zeng Zhen!
CCTV will broadcast this year's talent show live.
Multiple domestic media outlets have reported on Zeng Zhen's related news, and browsers such as Sina and UC have even created special sections for Zeng Zhen's talent show.
.....
Six days after announcing his candidacy, Schwartz called Zeng Zhen.
He received new shoe contract offers from four companies: Li-Ning, Anta, Adidas, and Nike.
Li Ning offered $24 million over six years.
Anta provided $2000 million over 5 years.
Adidas offered $16 million over four years.
Nike offered $20 million over five years.
The price has increased significantly compared to the last quote.
Schwartz asked Zeng Zhen again if he wanted to sign a contract, since it would be very difficult to get these brands to raise prices again after the competition ended.
"These amounts are still too low. I understand that Nike's annual salary for Derrick Rose is close to $1000 million. I beat him badly, and I don't want my shoe contract to be lower than his."
Schwartz said, "Zeng, you can't directly compare yourself to Derek. He became famous in the United States a long time ago and is almost certain to be selected first overall. You haven't been famous for long enough, so they have a lot of uncertainty about your future."
Many of the current lottery rookies are already famous throughout the United States since high school, and have been noticed by scouts, media, and endorsement companies at a young age.
This is also Zeng Zhen's biggest disadvantage: his fame has been too short-lived, and many people worry that he is just a flash in the pan.
Zeng Zhen said, "Then let's wait and sign the contract after they have confidence in me."
It's only a matter of time before Zeng Zhen becomes an All-Star and a superstar. His shoe contract is too big, and he won't sell himself cheaply, otherwise he would suffer huge losses.
Schwartz had no choice but to say, "Okay!"
...
With two months to go before the NBA draft, Zeng Zhen didn't waste any time. Instead, he continued training with Westbrook, Love, and others at the UCLA arena.
UCLA assistant coach Dixon developed a training plan specifically for the three.
All three focused on training their strength and physicality, since college players need to adapt to physicality first when they go to the NBA.
In his spare time, Zeng Zhen would occasionally go to parties with Westbrook and Love in the evenings.
Zeng Zhen had a pleasant week, which made him feel relaxed both physically and mentally.
During this period, the NBA completed the draft lottery, and the draft order of each NBA team did not change because of Zeng Zhen's butterfly.
The main reason is that Zeng Zhen is not someone that NBA teams would deliberately tank for.
The day before the trial training.
Zeng Zhen received a phone call from his mother.
Zeng Zhen's father and mother ran a small restaurant at home, which was the family's source of income.
Zeng Zhen would call them from time to time to maintain the relationship.
"Xiao Zhen, your father and I are so proud of you." His mother usually speaks loudly in restaurants, but she softens her tone when talking to him on the phone.
"Um, are you and your dad coming to watch my audition?" Zeng Zhen asked.
"The restaurant at home has been doing really well lately. We want to take advantage of this time to earn more money and pay off our previous debts. Take good care of yourself out there, we won't be coming over," Mom said.
When the original owner went to study in the United States, her family had a debt of about 20 yuan.
"Okay, you and Dad take care of yourselves. You don't need to worry about the debt after I'm selected." Zeng Zhen breathed a sigh of relief when he heard that his parents weren't coming.
He can only try his best to play the role of their son in this life, but he is not entirely the same person he used to be.
"Well, if there's a good girl, you should date her. But when it comes to marriage, it's best to marry a girl from China. I've heard that girls from abroad are all very promiscuous."
Okay, I understand.
"..."
Like most mothers, Zeng Zhen's mother is very concerned about the details of her son's life and can be a bit long-winded.
Zeng's father then said from the side, "You should work hard to try out for the NBA, and when the national team invites you, you should play for the national team and win glory for the country."
Okay, I understand.
Zeng's father was once a semi-professional player whose biggest dream was to wear the national team jersey and win glory for the country, but he never realized that dream.
He pinned his basketball dreams on Zeng Zhen and carefully nurtured him from a young age.
Zeng Zhen felt the weight of his father's dream through his memories.
Although his parents talked a lot, Zeng Zhen didn't find them annoying; he listened to them as patiently as possible.
Zeng Zhen now understands very well that his parents are the people in the world who care about him the most.
After talking for more than half an hour, Zeng Zhen hung up the phone.
.....
5 month 24 day.
Zeng Zhen officially embarked on his trial training journey.
Zeng Zhen's first stop was the Indiana Pacers, who had the 11th pick in the first round!
"Has he arrived?" Larry Bird asked the assistant as he entered the general manager's office.
"We've arrived. They're still warming up. The coach is already here," the assistant said.
As soon as his assistant finished speaking, Larry Bird stood up from his chair and strode quickly toward the training field.
Inside the Pacers' training facility, a player wearing a white training jersey is practicing three-point shooting.
Meanwhile, Jeff Schwartz, dressed in a suit, was chatting and laughing with Pacers head coach Jim O'Brien on the sidelines.
"Hi, Jeff." Larry Bird extended his right hand to Schwartz.
"Hi, Larry." Schwartz shook his hand.
Schwartz had met Larry Bird and O'Brien before, but they weren't very close. Now, however, he could clearly feel the enthusiasm that O'Brien and Larry Bird had for him.