Kapitel 93: Chapter 93: Entering the National Team
"Mainly for my own service," Wade Dong said. "Of course, later on, I'll also think about growing the company."
Zhang Yang nodded thoughtfully and said, "Starting a management company isn't difficult. If you want to know the process of registering and operating a management company, I can tell you."
"I already know the process," Wade Dong said. "But I need to prepare for the Olympics, and during this time, I need to sign new contracts with the company, including some commercial endorsements that will come flooding in. I don't have the energy to handle these things."
"I understand!"
Zhang Yang looked at Wade Dong with a mischievous smile, "So you're looking for me to... borrow a chicken to lay eggs?"
"Something like that," Wade Dong admitted frankly. After all, his intention would become public eventually.
Then, Zhang Yang and Wade Dong both fell silent.
Borrowing a chicken to lay eggs? To openly admit to such a thing, Zhang Yang had to admire Wade Dong's straightforwardness.
Wade Dong remained calm. Zhang Yang wasn't his only option; if it didn't work out, there was still Shanna Media. This matter would be resolved one way or another.
"Alright, I agree."
To Wade Dong's surprise, Zhang Yang only paused for a moment before agreeing.
Zhang Yang added, "I will arrange a team to handle these matters for you. Once your management company is established, my team will withdraw."
"Thank you."
Wade Dong smiled. Zhang Yang was indeed a reliable friend!
Zhang Yang smiled and said, "However, during this period, you will need to pay the team's salaries."
"Of course!"
Wade Dong agreed without hesitation.
Zhang Yang was genuinely helping him without conditions. If Zhang Yang didn't even let Wade Dong pay the team's salaries, Wade Dong would be suspicious of his motives.
"Are we friends now?"
Zhang Yang looked at Wade Dong and smiled, "Stay for lunch and have a drink with me."
"No problem."
Wade Dong finally had a chance to look around Zhang Yang's office, which was filled with awards and honors Zhang Yang had received.
Wade Dong currently only had one FMVP trophy, but in a few years, his honors would be just as numerous.
...
With the management company matter settled, Wade Dong immediately flew to Shanghai.
The national team was currently training in Shanghai.
Wade Dong's agreement to join the national team had already spread, and as soon as he landed in Shanghai, Deng Hua personally welcomed him at the airport.
The fans were thrilled to hear that Wade Dong would represent the country in the Olympics. This year, the Chinese men's basketball team had a real chance. The best result in the Yao Ming era was reaching the quarterfinals in the Olympics. This year, there was a good chance of making it to the semifinals and possibly even winning a bronze medal.
As for winning the gold?
Whether it was basketball experts or fans, no one had high hopes for that.
Wade Dong was strong, but that didn't mean the Chinese men's basketball team was strong. Basketball was a team sport, and even with players like Michael Jordan, LeBron James, and Kobe Bryant leading their teams, they couldn't win the Olympics alone.
Wade Dong might be even stronger than these three, but the players he was leading couldn't even make it in the NBA.
"I really didn't expect you to come to the training camp so early," Deng Hua said insincerely when he saw Wade Dong. "I thought you would need more rest after the finals."
Wade Dong replied, "I've rested enough. The Olympics are about to start, and I need to build chemistry with the team as soon as possible."
"Of course, of course."
Deng Hua nodded vigorously, "Let me introduce you to the other players first."
In the gym, Wade Dong finally met his national team teammates.
Yi Nan, Wang Dapeng, Wang Xin, Zhu Gui, Ding Hui, Chen Jiang, Guo Qi...
These were the main players of the post-Yao Ming era national team. The strongest among them were Yi Nan, Wang Xin, and Guo Qi. Especially Guo Qi, who was the youngest on the team at 21 years old, one year younger than Wade Dong.
Guo Qi was 7'3" tall and was considered the successor to Yao Ming.
He had decent skills, with good rim protection and a reliable mid-range shot. His only weakness was his somewhat thin physique.
With this lineup, before Wade Dong's emergence, the team was aiming for the quarterfinals. Now, with Wade Dong joining, the goal was no longer just the quarterfinals but to win a medal.
"Clap, clap, clap!!!"
Everyone knew Wade Dong was coming today, so as soon as he entered the gym, he was greeted with enthusiastic applause.
Teammates...
Coaches...
Team doctors...
Everyone present applauded vigorously, welcoming Wade Dong to the national team.
"Thank you, everyone."
Wade Dong nodded to each person and introduced himself, "I am Wade Dong. Please guide me, my idols."
"Idols?"
The teammates were taken aback for a moment, then happily waved their hands, "Oh, we can't be called idols. You are the Finals MVP and currently the top player in the league."
"Hahaha... But you are the ones I grew up watching play basketball."
"With that said, I'll accept being called an idol..."
Everyone was very happy. They had always looked up to NBA stars, and now the Finals MVP was calling them idols, which made them feel incredibly proud.
Deng Hua asked, "Wade Dong, do you want to join the team training directly, or would you like to observe your teammates' skills first?"
In essence, everyone knew that Wade Dong was even stronger than Yao Ming. Even though Wade Dong was very young, his skills were far beyond the level of his teammates. If Wade Dong joined the team training directly, it would disrupt the rhythm.
"How about letting the idols play a scrimmage first?" Wade Dong suggested to the head coach, Deng Hua.
"Sure!"
Deng Hua immediately organized the players into two teams. Of course, Wade Dong was not included in the teams; he sat on the coaching bench to observe his teammates' skills.
"Hmm..."
Wade Dong sat on the coaching bench throughout the game without saying a word.
He had to admit that his teammates' skills were far inferior to most NBA players. If they played like this, even with him on the team, winning the championship would be very difficult.
For the Olympics, Wade Dong only had one opponent in mind: Team USA.
Even if they defeated all other opponents but lost to Team USA in the end, Wade Dong would not be satisfied.
Wade Dong had seen the roster for Team USA. Kobe Bryant, Chris Paul, LeBron James, and Kevin Durant were all on the team. In terms of talent, they were perhaps second only to the Dream Teams of the previous century. Moreover, this year's Team USA was coached by Gregg Popovich, which made them even more formidable. With such a lineup, the coach's tactics were almost secondary; the players could solve most problems on the court themselves.
The coach's main role was to make the players respect him and ensure the team had cohesion.
Coincidentally, Gregg Popovich was a championship-winning coach, so the players respected him. He also knew how to motivate the team, which perfectly matched the talent of Team USA.
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