One Year Left to Play-Chapter 68 - 22: Rising Fame
After breakfast, Zhang Hao and his teammates dove into preparing for the afternoon game.
It was his first time using the player detection system, but Zhang Hao didn’t receive much help. After 7 days at the training camp, he was already quite familiar with these players, and he was already somewhat knowledgeable about their styles in the NBA, now recognizing certain traits.
Of course, Zhang Hao didn’t find the player detection system useless; it’s just that the impact was minimal in this high school game, and the key issue was... he hadn’t fully utilized the system’s capabilities.
To Zhang Hao, this detection system felt like the most comprehensive player information database that updates in real-time... for now, anyway. Perhaps as he becomes a player or a coach in the future, things might change, but fundamentally, it’s probably just a player info database.
This database is extremely useful for a player or coach, as understanding the enemy is essential to be unbeatable in a hundred battles.
But to make good use of the database, analytical ability is needed, as well as the capacity to utilize the information, the latter being the player’s ability...
If a coach wants to use this database, they also need to have a wealth of tactical knowledge and the ability to adapt on the spot...
In these areas, he’s still far from it and requires time to learn and gain experience...
After morning training ended, Coach B, a former top NBA scorer who retired just a few years ago, Reggie Seawus called the players together and said: "OK, you all worked hard, go rest well now, have a full meal at noon, and in the afternoon, crush those guys across the court. 𝘧𝓇ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝘣𝓃ℴ𝓋𝑒𝑙.𝑐𝘰𝑚
For this game, Mike, Corey, Aix, Sheriff, Kevin, you five will start."
No one dared to defy Reggie Seus’s arrangements.
It’s not because of his power, but because he was a prominent figure in the NBA a decade ago, however, his career was quite tragic.
In the 82-83 season, he averaged 23.8 points and 5.9 assists, was selected for the All-Star game, and even started in the All-Star game. At 26, he was the star player for the Bulls. Then, because Olajuwon was entering the draft in ’84, Reggie Seawus was traded away in the ’83-84 season. The Bulls tanked for Olajuwon and then picked Jordan. Initially, some old Bulls fans criticized the Bulls’ management, but after just a couple of months into Jordan’s rookie season, no fans were talking about Reggie Seawus anymore.
In his 13-year career, he averaged 18.5 points and 6.3 assists. Such a star, during the peak of his career, was abandoned just because Olajuwon was entering the draft... you can imagine how tragic that was.
Marbury shared this with Zhang Hao, stating that Reggie Seus commands respect due to his NBA performance.
Although his career was a bit tragic, when it comes to playing basketball, he was truly impressive, and players easily respect those who excel in playing.
What surprised Zhang Hao was that Corey Benjamin was more respected among teammates than Billups was!
Reggie Seus chose the starters based on the players’ abilities.
Zhang Hao realized he had underestimated his rival from the same state.
...
"Do you think Bryant and Odom’s team will win, or will Bibi and Garnett’s team take it?"
"Garnett and Bibi, I suppose, they’re older, but I’m not concerned about which team will win, I want to know who the strongest high school player is."
"Is there anyone stronger than the Magician? I heard that New York’s Odom was even better in high school than the Magician; he’s not even 16 yet! Already 206 cm and just as fast as those at 196 cm!"
"I’ve watched Garnett’s games in his freshman year, and he’s just as excellent as Odom."
"I’m more interested in Bryant, I’ve heard he plays with the same flair as Penny!"
"I think Raheem is the strongest. I’ve seen him play; he’s like a beast."
"I’m actually more interested in that Chinese high school student."
"That arrogant Chinese high school student?"
"He is a bit cocky, but I admire his confidence. If I could outshoot everyone, I’d also claim to be the strongest."
"Haha, you’re right..."
A group of college students from Arizona, with tickets they received from buying Adidas shoes, entered the San Francisco City Hall Ballroom, eagerly discussing the Adidas Training Camp Elite Competition starting at 3:30 PM.
Many groups like them came to watch the game and discuss it fervently, often mentioning Zhang Hao, the Chinese talent whose name has risen rapidly over the last two or three weeks.
If Zhang Hao heard their discussions, he’d be surprised at how many admire him!
Because it’s truly novel!
No Asian player in basketball history has ever gained such prominence.
And Zhang Hao, while he didn’t gain fame in his senior year like Kobe, Garnett, Bibi, or Raheem, he achieved real results: California champion, one of the top two high school players in California.
This is the foundation. Then, his performance in the McDonald’s slam dunk contest and Adidas Training Camp marketing efforts using him as a highlight led to recognition of his abilities, at least among some people in California and neighboring states like Utah and Arizona.
Doesn’t everyone love excitement? Doesn’t everyone love surprises?
If those already famous high school players perform well, the fans watching, of course, would be thrilled, enjoying the game, witnessing the potential future superstars in action.
