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Chapter 287 - 143. Got a small goal

Chapter 287: 143. Got a small goal

Zhang Yang saw that the comments section was mocking the General Manager of the Rockets.

He scrolled through various media evaluations, which were all criticizing the General Manager of the Rockets as well.

Entering a few of the mainstream domestic portals... Zhang Yang gave a thumbs up.

Why not spend the money on media operations to sign new players?

It seems that this really isn’t possible!

Signing new players does not guarantee strength, take the 03-04 season of the Mavericks for example, they picked up two top power forwards, Anthony Walker and Jamison, with a bunch of expiring contracts, only to win 52 games and make a first-round exit after having won 60 games the previous season and making it to the western conference finals.

Actually, spending big money on signing new players often has effects lower than expected, like when the Nets brought in Mutombo, Carter, the Nuggets Team brought in Kenyon Martin, the 76ers brought in Webber, and every single signing by the Knicks in recent years...

In this era where information technology is still not well developed, the vast majority of fans can only learn about the NBA through mainstream media. They believe it, and even if the sponsors know it’s fake, they still choose to sponsor the Rockets because the fans believe it and will pay for products.

But why was the hype so direct this time?

Zhang Yang recalled that in the original year of 2006, after the Rockets brought in the player, although the domestic media also praised the Rockets for getting a great deal by acquiring a player who was originally worth over 30 million for only 5 million, praising the Rockets management’s operational capability, they never hyped Wells as a superstar. At most, they said that Wells could contain Duncan and that the Rockets could rely on Wells to win against the Spurs in the playoffs, possibly replacing the Spurs as the top contender for the western conference.

Zhang Yang suddenly thought of the local media news during the last postseason, saying that several domestic brands which previously sponsored the Rockets ended their partnership and switched to their Bobcats Team.

Since these sponsors were not the major sponsors from the Rockets side, he didn’t pay much attention, only knowing that Joe the boss was making money.

Seeing it now, were those sponsors looking to bet anew, while that money-sensitive Jew from the Rockets couldn’t sit still, wanting to use this hype to lure the sponsors back?

Moreover, the Rockets doesn’t really need to win the championship, just to perform better than their Bobcats Team next season would be enough to satisfy the domestic fans and stabilize the sponsors.

The first small goal for next season is set—to continue to suppress the Rockets!

...

September 11, a new week has arrived. After the morning physical training, the trainer told Zhang Yang that from now until the start of training camp, the frequency of physical training would be reduced to 1-2 times a week, and the volume would be significantly reduced. He also advised him to reduce the volume of other training, like if he did physical training in the morning, he shouldn’t do "anti-fatigue technical training" in the afternoon. The following day he should only do light training or better yet, rest, and only resume regular training a day after physical training, to allow the body to fully rest in preparation for the new season.

In terms of health, Zhang Yang mainly listened to advice; he planned to finish his physiotherapy and then go home to walk his younger brother.

In at most one more month, the preseason would start, and for the next at least six months, he would be flying across the country with no time to walk his younger brother. In another year or two, his brother would reach the age where people find dogs annoying, and it wouldn’t be as fun.

While doing physiotherapy, Zhang Yang opened the Gate of Trials.

"Name: Zhang Yang.

Age: 18 years old (Date of Birth: June 6, 1988)

Height 195 cm, weight 91 kg.

Ability Value Assessment: Three-point 74, mid-range 83, lay-up 88, ball control 89, passing 77, speed 93, strength 82, jumping 85, stamina 88.

Trials Rewards: Steve Nash’s Ball Control Rhythm Sense (Intermediate), Continuous Jumping Ability Improvement, Devil’s Pace, Big Bird’s Post-play Rhythm (Intermediate), Slight Improvement in Core Strength, Gaining More From Less.

Shooting Value: 121942..."

Three and a half months of hard training, great progress!

The biggest increase was his stamina, which soared from 84 to 88, but Zhang Yang felt it wasn’t enough. He wanted to do his best on both offense and defense. The time on court might not increase but might actually decrease compared to last season. If he still played like last season, his court time would definitely increase, depending on the team’s needs at that time.

If Rondo and Alan Anderson made significant defensive improvements this summer, then he would focus his energy on the offensive end and try not to drag down the defense, co-operating better with his teammates.

Thinking of it, he believed Bickerstaff’s bringing in Muhammad had another purpose, which was to reduce the defensive pressure on the guard line players.

Like him, relying on speed to cover shooters, in one-on-one defense, he just needed to disrupt outside shooting without using much physical strength to perform well. Against players like Peja and Hamilton, who had excellent positioning or great stamina, he would not be the primary defender. On this basis, the best way for the team to enhance defense was by strengthening the interior defense.

The physical training this summer, as his diet was well-controlled, he gained less than 3 pounds, and Grove did not recommend him to gain weight at this age. Even though it seemed he had little room for height growth, his bones and joints had not yet reached their best age, and weight gain was not beneficial to his current style of play which relies on mobility and agility, but his strength still improved from 80 to 82, and jumping also increased by 1 point as his strength increased.

In terms of shooting and ball control, his three-point shot improved by 4 points, mid-range by 2 points, lay-up by 3 points, ball control by 3 points, and passing by 4 points.

Mid-range, lay-up, and ball control steadily improved, with the largest improvements seen in three-point shooting and passing as they were the weakest areas. Before the new season started, Zhang Yang wanted to push his three-point shooting above 75.