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Chapter 924 - 389. Bad Kid Rule

Chapter 924: 389. Bad Kid Rule

On the afternoon of July 1, 2008, a plane landed at the Imperial Capital Airport. Reporters who had been waiting for a long time captured the scene of Zhang Yang and Yao Ming getting off the plane together. The sports channel and sports websites interrupted to broadcast this news promptly.

When the Court Sports Channel’s sports news program aired the footage of the two getting off the plane, the host summed it up with one sentence — The strongest duo in the basketball world is back.

After Zhang Yang arrived at the hotel, he was exhausted. He drank a cup of coffee made with three shots of espresso to stay awake, planning to sleep when night falls.

After spending two days in New York with Harden and DeRozan, he flew to Los Angeles to meet up with Yao Ming and return to the country together, now needing to adjust to the time zone.

Yao Ming also needed to adjust to the time zone. He brewed a cup of strong tea and went to Zhang Yang’s room to chat while playing Frozen Throne.

Every time Zhang Yang saw Yao Ming’s customized extra-large mouse, he wanted to secretly swap it for a smaller one to see how Yao Ming would handle it.

Not gaming, he surfed aimlessly online and, upon seeing the ’world’s strongest duo’ headline, quickly called Yao Ming over: "Brother Yao, look."

Yao Ming glanced over, confidently saying: "Our duo’s nickname is pretty good."

If it were last summer, seeing this nickname along with Zhang Yang would have embarrassed Yao Ming.

At that time, Zhang Yang was already FMVP, while he was merely a first-round playoff exit. But now, he confidently accepted this title.

Zhang Yang: "They must have referenced Sports Illustrated’s cover, copying a nickname."

Last summer, Kobe said, "I will definitely participate in next year’s Olympics," prompting Sports Illustrated to immediately put him on the cover with the title ’World’s Best Basketball Player is on the move’.

Since the 2002 World Championship, the U.S. men’s basketball team hadn’t won a title in three consecutive world tournaments, with Kobe being seen as the savior who was hoped to lead the Dream Team to restore past glory akin to Jordan 16 years ago.

Yao Ming detected a hint of dissatisfaction in Zhang Yang’s tone, realizing his own aspirations weren’t as high as Zhang Yang’s.

But in this regard, he didn’t think about comparing himself with Zhang Yang. At nearly 28, Zhang Yang was only 20, though they had similar honors, but there was no real comparison.

Today, Zhang Yang didn’t find many new basketball-related news; the hottest topic remained on those rookies.

This year’s draft saw many tears, domestically dubbed the ’highest watered-down’ class.

Mayo was the most talked-about figure in this draft, dropping to the seventh pick. At a press conference after signing with the Celtics, he stated: "I’m the best of the ’08 class, I will prove myself, and make those who belittle and mistreat me pay!"

Zhang Yang, upon seeing Mayo’s posturing comments a while ago, felt he was indirectly insulted.

When exactly did I belittle Mayo? Clearly, he tried to use me as a stepping stone but stumbled.

The Prophet, after signing with Beasley, referred to him as an enhanced athletic version of Anthony, planning to rebuild the championship-contending lineup around Wade, Beasley, and Marion.

Only seeing the names of Wade + Marion alongside a highly capable top pick does seem promising.

Unfortunately, Zhang Yang remembered, Marion after being traded by the Suns for the 36-year-old O’Neal, lost his desire, suffered severe self-doubt, depression, and took two years to gradually recover, dropping drastically during his peak years, then being offloaded by the Heat for another trash contract.

If the Heat’s head coach were Rivers, the situation might have improved somewhat.

Another news involved Harden, which Zhang Yang perceived as media’s way of creating opposition and conflict, thereby generating long-term discussions.

Yahoo Sports revealed that the Thunder Team initially wanted to draft Harden but, after being outmaneuvered by the Knicks Team, settled for Rose.

With detailed analyses appearing convincing, if not for Zhang Yang knowing the Thunder Team’s owner preferred the playing style of Rose, Westbrook-type players, he might have believed it.

Zhang Yang stayed up until past 8 PM, ate dinner before going to sleep. By the next morning, the discomfort largely faded.

Seeing Zhang Yang joyously hum while grabbing breakfast, Yao Ming felt frustrated, once more witnessing the disparity in innate physical talent — the recovery ability is extraordinary.

He too went to bed around 8 PM last night, but didn’t fall asleep until nearly midnight, waking just before 3 AM, akin to having napped, yet having not slept properly for too long, barely resting enough, still exhausted, yet unable to sleep...

Finishing breakfast, Yao Ming brewed another cup of tea, went to Zhang Yang’s room, resisting sleep, playing Warcraft 3 tower defense map. Adjusting to the time zone has no other trick, endure it, joining on the 5th, today is the 2nd, there’s ample time.

Zhang Yang planned to go out for a stroll, explore some shops according to his laid-out plan, preparing to bring his parents and younger brother to enjoy when they return but a call disrupted his plans...

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On July 1 around 8 PM New York time, the NBA’s extended annual meeting concluded, David Stern held a press conference announcing, after votes from the league’s 30 team owners, with a tally of 26 to 4, passed a proposal submitted jointly by the Lakers, Bulls, Mavericks, and Spurs to introduce ’Rookie Contract Amendment Clause’ through discussions between team owners and NBA Rules Committee Chairman Jerry Colangelo.

This amendment clause doesn’t alter the salary cap percentage, duration, options, and other aspects of rookie contracts.