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Chapter 594 - 257. Coach, can you unify the style with the management?

Chapter 594: 257. Coach, can you unify the style with the management?

"Available Shooting Value: 120001, plus one random talent extraction limit..."

At 10:24 AM on the 29th, after another long run, Zhang Yang’s catch-and-shoot three-pointer was successful. ’Gate of Trials’ popped up, notifying him that he had finally completed the task.

It was a tiny bit later than he had anticipated half a month earlier, mainly because since the 25th, he had been assigned extra practice for long-distance running and catch-and-shoot three-pointers, such as running from the baseline to the top of the arc for a catch-and-shoot three-pointer; or slipping from the baseline to the top of the arc for a catch-and-shoot three-pointer... This was a highly difficult way to shoot threes. Apart from him, only Mike Miller had been assigned similar running positions for shooting since the 27th, when he began his personal training.

During the personal training phase, Carlisle had tailored training programs for each player based on Zhang Yang’s requests and the actual situation of the players.

Zhang Yang immediately muttered ’extract’ in his mind, and the words on the door changed.

"Physical Talent Limit +1, your Stamina/Physical Talent has risen to 90 (94), only one point away from a legendary-level Physical Talent. Please keep up the effort."

"Name: Zhang Yang.

Age: 19 years old (Date of Birth: June 6, 1988.)

Height: 196 cm, Wingspan: 210 cm.

Weight: 93 kg.

Ability Value Assessment: Three-point 85, Mid-range 88 (limit 94), Layup 90 (limit), Ball Handling 89, Passing 82, Speed 93, Strength 84, Jumping 87, Stamina 90 (limit 94)...

Cumulative Shooting Value: 1..."

One offseason passed, and although he had just started Grove’s physical training program, his stamina was still 90, already at the top level. It was indeed difficult to advance further...But aside from James and other physically exceptional beasts, seemingly few players had top NBA-level stamina at 19, like Durant, who wasn’t necessarily at this level of stamina even at his peak.

After all, Zhang San was fully unleashed, managing over 30 shots in the playoffs and playing more than 40 minutes, although disregarding defense... But if Durant played the same style, his scoring performance and shooting accuracy would be higher, though his endurance might not necessarily be as good as his.

Three months had passed for the mid-range shot, and it had only increased by one point, which was lower than his expectation. In fact, whether it was mid-range or stamina, after reaching 85+, the growth had slowed down, but the improvement in three-point shooting was especially significant, soaring from 81 to 85, exceeding his original target of 84.

A new task had already arrived: 120,000 shooting value to gain a random shooting talent +1. He hoped it would be attacking the basket or mid-range. Another task, 20,000 shooting value, was to quickly learn the butterfly step breakthrough... Zhang Yang glanced at Hill, who was training with Felton, Okafor, and Perkins on high-post and wing pick-and-roll cuts.

The butterfly step breakthrough, involving a significant drag of the ball to create a gap followed by a burst acceleration, wasn’t quite suitable for Zhang San, right? It also posed a considerable risk of injury to the knees and ankles. When he had previously trained this move with Tim Grove and Ingles, the progress was relatively slow, similar to when learning from Nash.

But it was only 20,000 shooting value. Sticking to shooting practice, he could accumulate it in eight or nine days. Learning it wouldn’t hurt—what if it could create some chemical reaction with his rhythm and breakthrough?

Keep it up! Zhang Yang continued practicing the long-distance running to catch-and-turn three-point shooting under the supervision of a trainer.

Before the start of the training camp, having completed the previous task put him in a good mood. In the evening, another piece of good news arrived...

...

On the evening of September 30, 2007, US time, or the morning of September 30 in Beijing, the basketball association announced that Zhang Yang’s application to join the national team was approved, officially making him a member of China’s men’s basketball team for the 2008 Olympics.

The broadcasting from Court Sports TV, Comprehensive Channel, Beijing Sports, Guangdong Sports, and other TV stations broke the news immediately—NBA’s youngest Finals MVP to return to the national team, representing the Chinese men’s basketball team in the home Olympics!

As soon as Zhang Yang’s rookie season ended, the calls from within the country for the basketball association to invite Zhang Yang to join the Olympics had never ceased. On the eve of the National Day, when this news broke out, the national sports circle was electrified.

The domestic fans were thrilled, excitedly discussing the combination of Zhang Yang and Yao Ming. In Charlotte, Zhang Yang, Tellem, and the officials from the basketball association also had a joyful celebration dinner.

Although the negotiation process was not very friendly, both sides were ultimately pleased with the outcome.

Zhang Yang was of course happy not to be taken advantage of.

Official from the basketball association traveling to the US: "It’s not us who feel like we lost out because we didn’t take advantage; it’s those few people. A fully-paid trip, well taken care of, what’s not to be happy about."

However, Zhang Yang’s mood dimmed a bit after receiving the dinner bill from his father, and he complained to Tellem, "Are they pigs? How can they eat so much? When I go to the training camp, I have to eat it all back!"

Tellem laughed, "Should I pay the bill?"

Zhang Yang: "Never mind, let me handle it. Besides, it’s just moving money from my pocket to my dad’s pocket. I’ll discuss with him if he can only charge me the cost. You’ve been a great help these past few months, Arne."

Tellem: "It’s just my job, you pay me a salary to get things done right, and it’s also in my interest. If they’re splitting money, it’s the same as robbing my pocket, so of course I had to argue properly..."

Actually, as early as last summer, when Zhang Yang got the Best Sixth Man award, was selected for the All-Rookie First Team, and advanced to the second round of the playoffs, the domestic fans had already been urging the basketball association to call him up to the team.

But the basketball association chose to play ostrich, pretending not to hear the reporters’ questions and ignoring the voices of the netizens... When domestic players were performing poorly and a Chinese overseas rookie was emerging prominently, didn’t they care about losing face?