"Having a son at a young age", and a godson of a different race, Zhang Hao finds it magical just thinking about it.
On the way back to the apartment, Zhang Hao noticed some changes...
When he met pedestrians on the street, people kept greeting him, and some even came to ask for his autograph!
Although there was no live broadcast of last night's preseason game, not even a state or city live broadcast, the more than 19,000 seats were full and the preseason ticket prices were cheap... This is not important. The key is that most of the fans who came were locals from Rutherford. Many people from the town center went to watch the game and saw Zhang Hao's visible talent.
It is very easy for a rookie to attract fans if he plays well, and Zhang Hao gained a lot of local fans overnight.
Not only in the local area, but through last night's game, Zhang Hao also gained a little fame in the NBA fan circle!
When he returned downstairs to the apartment building, Zhang Hao took out the newspaper he subscribed from the mailbox. There was a section about rookies in the basketball newspaper.
No. 1 pick Joe Smith played 27 minutes in the first game and scored 13 points and 8 rebounds, which was not good, but not bad either, just average.
The second overall pick Antonio McDyess looked better, with 9 points, 9 rebounds, 2 steals and 2 blocks. He had a strong presence on the defensive end. It was reported that Mutombo had been coaching this rookie with outstanding defensive talent during the lockout.
Garnett played for 29 minutes and scored 10 points, 6 rebounds, 7 assists, 2 steals and 3 blocks. It's simply exaggerated!
Damon Stoudemire scored 18 points and 9 assists in his first preseason game, also showing excellent talent.
On the first day of the preseason, these are the only popular rookies that have games.
However, these popular rookies are not the ones with the largest space in the rookie section battle report.
When Zhang Hao saw the performance in the rookie zone, he saw his name at first glance!
His 31 points last night were the highest single-game score by a player in all games played yesterday!
Zhang Hao looked at his own evaluation - "Although the overall competition level in the preseason is not high, scoring high points does not mean anything. It is common for Development League players to play well in the preseason but ultimately fail to get a formal contract. But for rookies, it is different.
This is Akers' first time on a professional court. He is not afraid of the stage and may be able to adapt to NBA-level competition! "
The article is not long, but the evaluation is not low!
"No, no, I can't get carried away. The media is just like that. If I play well, they'll praise me. If I play badly... I have to keep working hard. Ole Ge!"
While Zhang Hao was repeatedly watching the news about the performance of the rookies in their first preseason games, he received a call from Xu Jicheng. Tonight US time, noon Beijing time, Chaoting Sports Channel will broadcast the video of his first preseason game last night!
This is different from the occasional reports on him in the news and his photos in the newspapers. His popularity in the country was previously limited to sports fans, and was far less than the public popularity of national team athletes in various sports.
Nowadays, only by appearing on TV can one truly expand one's popularity and make oneself known to more people.
But for the time being, Zhang Hao holds the attitude of "it doesn't matter if there is better or not" in this regard, and is very Buddhist.
After reading the newspaper for a while and learning that he had become famous, Zhang Hao rested until noon. Then he came to the gym and prepared to do some light training after lunch to help his body eliminate the side effects of alcohol.
Kenny Anderson was seen again early in the morning. Zhang Hao originally thought that the boss had given up on losing weight and was prepared to lose weight naturally after the season started, but after the training game, the boss started working hard to lose weight again.
Zhang Hao has read Kenny Anderson's information. In the past two years, he has weighed just over 77 or 78 kilograms, which is the most suitable weight for him.
It was almost 12 o'clock, and Kenny Anderson's training had just finished. Zhang Hao handed him a towel. Kenny Anderson took the towel and wiped his sweat, then said with a smile: "Didn't you secretly go out to drink last night? You actually came to training today. I thought you would sleep in today."
"Boss, how did you know I went out drinking?"
"We also went to a nightclub last night and had a few drinks. I was thinking of secretly bringing some wine to your place for you to drink. When I arrived at your house, I saw you drunk and being sent back by someone."
"You were training even though you were drinking, weren't you? It's okay, I'm in good health."
"I only drank two glasses of red wine to satisfy my craving. Drinking too much is not a good thing. This summer I drank every day and caused health problems. Although you are still young, you should pay attention to such things early. Coleman often gets drunk and misses training. He is so talented but has not made any progress since his rookie year."
Is this a warning to the rookie not to become an alcoholic?
The method was quite tactful... and it also stepped on the former boss of the team.
Somewhat moved, Zhang Hao responded seriously: "I seldom drink... I drank once when I graduated from junior high school and came to the United States, so don't worry.
And I'm tall. The news says I'm too skinny. Don't worry, I won't become a fat kid like you even if I gain weight."
Inadvertently, Zhang Hao's sharp tongue was exposed, and Kenny Anderson felt like he had suffered a critical hit!
Could you please not take this kind of thing so seriously?
Kenny Anderson felt better when it was just a joke, but Zhang Hao looked so serious that he really wanted to beat this guy up!
But this is the baby of our team! Kenny Anderson can only lick his wounds silently - Axel is still young, so he has to let him go.
He had to act like a boss and couldn't just sit in the corner and draw circles because of this. Kenny Anderson ignored Zhang Hao's stab and continued, "During the season, you have to reduce your training volume. Although you have good physical strength, health is the most important thing. I can see that your simple training has reached a bottleneck. You should think more based on actual combat, and train more. You need to use your brain more..."
Zhang Hao nodded repeatedly, listening to Kenny Anderson's chatter.
The head coach said so, and the boss also said so, and Zhang Hao felt it was reliable.
However, Zhang Hao really thinks that Kenny Anderson has the ability and the desire to be the boss of a weak team, but he does not seem to have the temperament to be the boss.
Even the boss has to be coaxed, to make the other party feel like the boss...
…
Charlotte is a great place with four distinct seasons, a coastal city, a high percentage of forest coverage, and very suitable for retirement...
This is Zhang Hao's perception of this city, to put it in a positive way.
To be more direct - why is it the same as the urban-rural fringe?
After a day of rest, Zhang Hao followed the team to Charlotte. As he got on the airport bus out of the airport, Zhang Hao couldn't stop complaining in his heart.
The first away game of his career, a preseason away game against the Hornets.
Jason Williams, who was sitting next to Zhang Hao, wanted to bully the rookie, but he was so angry! He couldn't even bully the rookie! He had someone to protect him.
Just when Jason Williams was daydreaming, he heard Zhang Hao complaining next to him: "Why do the cities where these NBA teams are located look so poor?"
I still couldn't resist the strong urge to complain.
Jason Williams heard Zhang Hao's mumbling, but he didn't understand because the other party was speaking Chinese. However, he could roughly guess what Zhang Hao was saying because he also had many questions after entering the NBA.
There was no chance to find fault, but he wanted to prove himself, so Jason Williams took the initiative to say: "In fact, many teams are located in cities or regions that are not prosperous areas. Most of them are in relatively remote places."
Did he understand what I said? Zhang Hao looked at Jason Williams in surprise, and after thinking about it, he thought that it shouldn't be the case. Many rookies must have had the same question.
In fact, he was just complaining and was not interested in the question, but he still asked along the lines of Jason Williams: "Why?"
After playing for five years, Jason Williams didn't make a name for himself, but he was considered an old hand. He knew a lot about these miscellaneous things. When he heard Zhang Hao's question, Jason Williams was a little proud - boy, you don't know this, right? You have to ask me, right?
Jason Williams explained with pride: "In the early years, most basketball teams did not make money. Only a few teams such as the Lakers, Celtics, Knicks, and 76ers were located in wealthy areas of large cities. Some teams were initially located in wealthy large cities, but later moved away on their own accord. For example, the Warriors moved to San Francisco in the early years, and later moved to Oakland. Our Nets were also in New York at the beginning, but eventually moved to New Jersey.
Some teams’ locations have gradually become prosperous thanks to the popularity brought by NBA teams. For example, the Chicago Bulls are in Chicago, but they were originally located in the most run-down area of ​​Chicago. It was only after Jordan joined that real estate developers and major brands started to build infrastructure around the Bulls’ stadium, turning that area into the hottest area in Chicago’s real estate market in 10 years. The Pistons were also located in the suburbs of Detroit, which was extremely wealthy back then...
You said that the NBA has been making money this year, and that is indeed the case. Look, the Raptors, who just joined the NBA, are in a big city like Vancouver, in a busy area. The Timberwolves joined the NBA in Minneapolis, which was the city where the Lakers were previously located, and has a strong fan base.
Although he was not really interested, he just thought that it solved the confusion in his heart. Zhang Hao smiled at Jason Williams and said, "Thank you, Jason, otherwise I would be confused for a while. You know a lot."
Hearing this, Jason Williams became even more proud: "Of course, if you have any questions, just ask me..."
Just answer the question. Jason Williams is not a stingy person. Anyway, when it comes to playing basketball, he knows how to play as a center who can catch the ball. Answering will not help the enemy. Zhang Hao's playing style is far different from his.
But Jason Williams always felt something was wrong. Why did Zhang Hao's words of thanks sound so... like a compliment? It felt like he was coaxing a child... Was it an illusion?
…
When he arrived at the hotel, Zhang Hao came to the double room where he and Kenny Anderson stayed.
However, after a long time in the room, Kenny Anderson still didn't come. Zhang Hao still wanted to talk to Kenny Anderson about the game with the Hornets, so he went out to look for him.
As soon as I came out of the room, I saw Kenny Anderson, PJ Brown and Graham together.
Kenny Anderson saw Zhang Hao and said, "Aix, take out my luggage. I'm staying in room 1204 tonight."
Seeing Zhang Hao puzzled, PJ Brown said: "After you have played for two years and the team arranges for you to live with the young players, you will also go and get a room for yourself."
The meaning is obvious, that "taking care of children" is troublesome.
No veteran will refuse to bring in talented rookies, because it represents leadership in the team. Without leadership, the coaching staff will not make such arrangements. Of course, when it comes to the status of Jordan and Olajuwon, these do not exist. It all depends on whether they want to, not whether it is arranged or not.
Of course, the team does not have to live in the same room, as arranged by the team, but can operate on their own.
Zhang Hao went into the room and took out the luggage, but he did not give the luggage directly to the other party as Kenny Anderson said. Instead, he took the luggage and walked towards 1204.
Kenny Anderson didn't insist on getting it himself, and took Zhang Hao to the room he had booked.
At 12:04, after the two entered the room and put their luggage away, Kenny Anderson saw that no one else was there and said, “We are going out to play, you stay in the hotel and rest.
You are only 18, but you look like 15 or 16... What a pity, there are so many new Cuban products here every year..."
Being 18 years old is really melancholy.
Kenny Anderson’s teasing… Actually, there is no need to explain this situation specifically, but it shows that Zhang Hao is quite happy.
It's not the kind of happiness that comes from taking the initiative to make friends and then receiving a response from the other party, but rather the real happiness of making new friends.
Since we can't go out together, there is no need to go out alone. Going out with teammates is a team activity, and going out alone... Zhang Hao took out the "Position Master" and continued to study it.
I watched "Position Master" for a while, but I couldn't get into it. I had memorized it so well that I didn't know how to approach it from a fresh angle.
There is too little practical experience, and it takes time to accumulate experience.
The change of mentality from a high school student to a professional player... Zhang Hao originally thought that he had done well enough, but when he played away from home for the first time, he felt the same loneliness as when he first arrived in Rutherford.
Zhang Hao thought he had adjusted himself, but now he realized that he was just used to practicing in Rutherford Town. This feeling is like growing up in his hometown from birth to adulthood, and going to college in a city in another province when he was eighteen or nineteen years old.
It feels fresh at first, but maybe the first night you arrive at that place, you will start to miss your previous life.
Especially when it comes to playing games, Zhang Hao always recalls the time when he and Pierce dominated California in high school.
"Is this the same as some rookies who can't adapt to the workplace? No, I have to adjust my mood. Many of those rookies who hit the rookie wall may have a problem with their mentality."
I want to find someone to chat with, but when I think back on this period of time, due to the age gap, there really isn't anyone I can chat with.
I don’t want to live in the future Internet era where I can surf the Internet when I feel lonely.
And he is different from other rookies. Nowadays, many rookies enter the NBA at the age of 22 or 23, but he... "What use do I have for this iron rod?"
Just when Zhang Hao was feeling melancholy, there was a knock on the door.
When I opened the door, I saw the team's main shooting guard Kevin Edwards.
"Aix, can we chat?"
"Of course. Come in."
Zhang Hao welcomed Edwards into the room.
Sitting at the small table in front of the French window, Edwards spoke first: "Aix, although we have competition within the team, I don't want this to affect our relationship. I think we will become good friends.
After a long time you will find that our competition actually only means that we are trying our best to show the coaching staff the playing style that suits us, for example, I am more suitable for positional warfare.
When our team gets better or...
You will find that no one actually cares about what we call competition now, so don’t let your mentality fluctuate because of winning or losing in the team competition. You should know that you are not only suitable for fast play, your style of play and positional warfare will also be excellent..."
Edwards talked about his views and Zhang Hao was mainly listening.
Edwards' statistics have been consistent since he entered the NBA, almost always averaging 14+3+3 for 7 years. When he was with the Heat, he assisted Sherman Douglas, Ronnie Seikaly, Glen Rice... After coming to the Nets, he assisted Kenny Anderson and Charles, and partnered with a variety of core players. He knows how to cooperate with all kinds of talents.
He was also interested in the rookie Zhang Hao. He had no reservations about asking Charles about him. Zhang Hao was a quiet person who was good at listening, so he talked to himself and didn't feel embarrassed.
…
After chatting with Edwards about some random things, around 4 p.m., Zhang Hao took a taxi to the address given by Dell Curry, a not-so-big villa in the urban-rural fringe. It was exactly 5 p.m.
"Aix, you're here, come on, it's warm in the room..." Dell Curry warmly welcomed Zhang Hao who got off the taxi.
"Sonya... that's my wife, she's preparing dinner, Stephen, come here quickly, your godfather is here!"
Hearing Dell Curry's shout, Curry Jr. ran out with a melancholy face, and after two seconds, he shouted, "Godfather, you are here."
Could it be that Curry Jr. didn't understand that this bitch in front of him, who could only drink secretly, was trying to take advantage of him?
But there is no way, I have already admitted it, what else can I do?
Little Curry looks so reluctant... Zhang Hao feels so good!
He handed over the gift he bought: "You're so good, this is a gift for you."
"Thank you... Wow! It's the most limited edition electronic Lego robot! And it's the Plath version! Godfather, you are so kind..."
Little Curry, who had just been calling his godfather reluctantly, called him so affectionately this time. He had begged his biological father for this set of Lego for a long time, but his biological father was reluctant to buy it for him.
After all, Dell Curry's salary is similar to Zhang Hao's, but Dell Curry has to support his family, while Zhang Hao can feed the whole family by himself.
As for moral integrity and the like...is it important?
Little Curry feels that he is just a 7-year-old kid who knows nothing and is completely unimportant.
When Little Curry called him so affectionately, Zhang Hao saw Dell Curry's face twitching again.
Dell Curry is upset that his son is being kidnapped.
However, Dell Curry is happy to see his son building relationships with young NBA players.
Dell Curry feels that it should not be a problem for Zhang Hao to perform well in the NBA. He will at least be an off-ball shooter at the same level as him. It is always a good thing to have a good relationship with Zhang Hao. If his sons have the opportunity to enter the NBA in the future, connections will be very important at that time. Zhang Hao is the kind of connection that can be cultivated now.
Zhang Hao's career has just started, and now is the best time to establish a good relationship with Zhang Hao.
As an off-ball shooter, Dell Curry knows very well that such a playing style often leads to a long professional career. Zhang Hao is only 18 years old. When Curry tries to make an impact in the NBA, Zhang Hao may still be at his peak as a shooter.
Although they may not necessarily stay on the same team in the end, and even Curry may not be able to enter the NBA... but building good relationships does not require much effort, just interact normally, so-called old friends are nothing more than that.
What's more, Dell Curry already admires Zhang Hao's talent. As an off-ball shooter, Zhang Hao has most of the prerequisites for success.
While waiting for dinner, Zhang Hao and Dell Curry talked about the game, mainly Dell Curry imparting his experience to Zhang Hao.
"Aix, you don't have to be so anxious to show your abilities on the court."
"Forehead……"
"Don't worry. Listen to me. I know what you're thinking. You want to win the attention of your coaching staff through your personal performance, but you don't seem to notice that your coaching staff already values ​​you very much. Otherwise, why would the tactics always revolve around you, a rookie?"
"talent?"
“Yes, that’s right, it’s talent, but there’s another reason, I think it’s characteristics!
The fact that you were selected right after graduating from high school proves that you have something that can impress the Nets. They definitely value you very much and that’s why they chose you at this position.
I can see that you can bring out your strongest point in the game, which is your mid-range shooting ability, so you should do better than your team's coach expected.
Your current performance should only meet their expectations. They will observe you for a period of time before asking you to take the next step. You can definitely be one step ahead of their expectations in the game. Their next step will definitely be to have you integrate into the team better.
You have to understand that the most important thing a pitcher without the ball should do is not to focus on how to score. Of course, our goal is to create scoring opportunities, but the things to do and the ultimate goal are not necessarily the same!
As off-ball shooters, our most important task is to help the team play a smoother offense. Once the offense of the whole team is smooth, we will naturally have more opportunities. Because we don’t have the ball in our hands, the defensive players’ attention will inevitably be focused on the players with the ball.
Don’t limit your vision to one place, we have to consider the whole situation. Although off-ball shooters are not valued by fans and the media, off-ball shooters have never been just about shooting. We are the most important part of the tactics…”
The dinner was very pleasant. In general, Zhang Hao listened and Dell Curry talked.
They didn't drink any alcohol, but Mrs. Curry's soup was delicious. After eating and drinking, Dell Curry drove Zhang Hao back to the hotel.
Watching Dell Curry's car leave, Zhang Hao reviewed the conversation with Dell Curry tonight. He had a feeling that Dell Curry was using the same methods he had used to train little Curry on him in advance.
"We agreed that we are brothers and your son is my son. Why are you using me as a test subject?"