Chapter 341: Chapter 287: Little Curry (2)

"From another perspective, this also shows that Chinese basketball is developing rapidly and our skill level is getting higher and higher."

Bartel, Yao Ming, Wang Zhizhi... just look at how many players have gone abroad. We’re number one in all of Asia, okay?

Wang Fei nodded in agreement and tentatively asked, "So, Director, what’s the plan from the higher-ups regarding Wang Zhizhi? Can he come back for the tournament?"

Setting aside the matter of Liu Yudong, Wang Fei was more concerned about whether Wang Zhizhi could rejoin the team.

With the national team’s current lineup, they really couldn’t afford to be without Wang Zhizhi if they wanted to achieve anything at the World Championship.

At the mention of Wang Zhizhi, Kuang Lubin’s smile faded slightly. He answered dismissively, "Oh, that. The leadership is still in meetings discussing it. We just have to wait for the results."

Wang Fei grimaced. ’The tournament starts in just a few days. Another meeting? It’s too late for that.’

As the news broke, *Sports Weekly* managed to corner Brian in Phoenix and score a firsthand interview with the Suns’ General Manager.

"We’re very disappointed we didn’t get Yao Ming. He’s an incredibly talented player. Head Coach Skiles and I had already met many times to plan out his future development. I can tell you, if we had gotten him, he would have been our franchise cornerstone for the next ten years."

"But the trade happened. In our interactions with Chinese Basketball, we’ve discovered that China has many outstanding basketball players, and Liu Yudong is one of the most exceptional. He’s physically strong, possesses incredible offensive skills, and has a very accurate shot. We believe he already has what it takes to play in the NBA."

"In fact, we believe he has the potential to become a starter and will be a key piece of the puzzle for our title defense. He’s old enough that we can sign him directly, and we are actively moving forward with this plan. That’s right, you can consider this an invitation. We will extend an offer to him at the appropriate time, perhaps a ten-day contract to start."

"Of course, there’s absolutely a chance it could become a full, long-term contract. Like I said, he has more than enough talent to warrant an offer from us."

Brian’s exact words spread like wildfire throughout the world of Chinese basketball.

The media interpreted this to mean that the Suns were practically ready to offer a contract, just waiting for Liu Yudong to agree and sign on the dotted line.

Online, droves of fans were discussing the feasibility of Liu Yudong joining the Suns.

The more they analyzed it, the more plausible it seemed.

Even if he didn’t make the starting lineup, a spot in the main rotation or as a key substitute should be a sure thing, right?

With the Suns’ current roster, they were the favorites to defend their title. Winning a championship with the team in his very first year would be a record-breaking achievement in itself.

The hype even overshadowed the upcoming World Championship.

On the 27th, the Basketball Association held a press conference, intending to publicly address the Wang Zhizhi situation. Unexpectedly, the reporters in attendance were more interested in asking about Liu Yudong signing with the Suns.

Wang Zhizhi was still in the United States and had yet to secure a new team.

Meanwhile, Liu Yudong’s deal with the Suns now looked like a sure thing.

In the future, they might even get to see a Chinese derby in the NBA.

"You’re telling me that the NBA Commissioner, David Stern, also told reporters he hopes Liu Yudong comes to the NBA and signs with the Suns?" Xinlan City asked, puzzled.

The reporters present all nodded.

Stern had said it just over ten hours ago, and the news had only reached China a few hours before.

Seeing all eyes on him, Xinlan City’s mind raced. He then said with a chuckle, "My stance remains the same. Just as we supported Yao Ming entering the draft, we support our own players going abroad to hone their skills in higher-level leagues and, in turn, elevate our own level of basketball."

"So yes, I believe this is a good thing."

With that last sentence, Xinlan City directly expressed the Basketball Association’s stance and set the official tone.

Below, some reporters even began to applaud and cheer excitedly.

As long as the Basketball Association gave the green light, there would be no more obstacles to Liu Yudong signing with the Suns.

Liu Yudong’s parent club, unlike the Eastern Team, wasn’t just after money and didn’t make outrageous demands. They had been supportive behind the scenes when Wang Zhizhi went abroad.

「Phoenix. Chen Yu’s clinic.」

As soon as the exhibition game ended, Chen Yu returned to Phoenix.

The official game on the 30th was still a ways off. He had a mountain of his own work to do; he didn’t have time to stick around with the Dream Team. Besides, Nelson and the others were keeping an eye on the day-to-day work. If a real problem came up, it wouldn’t be too late for him to head over.

This wasn’t like the World Cup, where they were far overseas. For a tournament held domestically, he could get there whenever he was needed.

"Don’t you think you might have laid it on a bit thick?" At the rehab center, Chen Yu watched O’Neal walk slowly on the anti-gravity treadmill, then turned to Brian beside him.

’I mean, "incredible offensive skills," "key piece of the puzzle"... really?’

’I asked you to praise him, not over-hype him. I just hope it doesn’t backfire.’

"And David, too," Chen Yu added with a grumble.

’I don’t know what Stern was thinking, jumping on the bandwagon like that.’

Brian shrugged. "What’s said is said. Can’t exactly take it back, can I?" he said. "Relax, this is how we always talk up rookies. As for David, all he can think about right now is expanding the Asian market. It’s perfectly normal for him to voice his support for the signing."

Whether it’s one player or two, as long as the team is willing to foot the bill, Stern doesn’t care. For him, the more the merrier.

"Let’s drop it," Brian said, waving his hand dismissively. He was just doing a favor; he didn’t really care about the outcome. His expression turned serious. "Chen, what do you think about that other matter I brought up earlier?"