My Lord, you need to stand up!

Chapter 851 Blow First, Then Dry
Because three-point shooting has a certain success rate.

Dunks and layups are almost always points.

In particular, the other players on the HK team took turns defending and intercepting, which expended their energy.

In the second half, the national team's defense was practically nonexistent, allowing Kemp to come and go as he pleased.

Even in the last second, the eighteen-year-old boys were at their physical peak, dunking everywhere.

Hardaway finally showed his fangs, using flashy yet simple ball handling to get rid of the defender and pass the ball for a layup.

I originally thought that a group of national champions would have a chance of winning against two super-level masters.

The illusion of a barrage of three-pointers in the last game was completely disregarded in this game, with the HK players given no chances whatsoever, and the two players were given solid scoring opportunities every time.

Then, possession is quickly changed to initiate a new offensive and defensive play.

I'm just asking if this level of strength is high.

Insufficient technique, insufficient physical strength, and suppressed tactics.

By the time the game went into the second half, the national team was already struggling.

Their movements were distorted, and they generally couldn't run anymore, relying entirely on willpower and the coach's shouts and encouragement to keep going.

The film "Leap" is well-made, with a magnificent and powerful soundtrack, and the figures of Hong Kong basketball stars soaring on the big screen.

Wei Dong's expression gradually became serious and earnest.

The older man had been observing him closely: "What's wrong?"

Wei Dong is the true expert on basketball: "If we talk about basketball alone, the entire national team, and even the entire sports commission system, is like that Japanese giant in the semi-finals—a huge, bloated, and slow-moving behemoth. HK's advantage lies precisely in its flexibility and adaptability, and its acceptance of advanced technology and training systems. We should do our best to promote the development of basketball in HK, and then in turn, give this system to the mainland. That would be a great achievement."

He knew that, thirty or forty years later, mainland basketball would still be a mess.

There has been no fundamental improvement in training levels or tactical concepts.

They're still following the old path of the planned economy era, the "Three Obediences and One Big Responsibility."

True fans know very well that the backwardness and rigidity of the sports world, particularly basketball, have hardly been reformed. Even the little giant who made a name for himself in the NBA failed when he tried to make changes after returning.

This comes at a crucial juncture when all sectors across the country are comprehensively promoting reforms.

Maybe we can achieve a reverse breakthrough by destroying the old and establishing the new.

The Hong Kong fans' deafening cheers now echo through the simple basketball arena.

Even Hong Kong people, who always pride themselves on being white-collar elites and having a professional attitude, couldn't suppress their joy at winning with their home team.

The joyful atmosphere could blow the roof off Warehouse Stadium.

Ordinary people can only enjoy the pleasure of winning the game, but those who are in charge subconsciously think about how to use this situation to reform the entire structure!

The senior colleague gave Wei Dong a deep look and said, "This place is attracting a lot of sports enthusiasts to gather here. It's very good. This business is very good..."

He casually picked up the microphone and stood up: "For this Asian Championship, I will reward each victory with HK$100,000, and the final champion with another HK$1 million!"

Although they are both billionaires, Wei Dong still couldn't learn their money-spending skills.

The cheering fans felt that the wealthy tycoon was truly generous and had brought them joy.

Everywhere there was gratitude.

They completely forgot about the people who actually dug up Camp and Haddaway, and who were instrumental in bringing in the situation.

The senior member was certainly not there to steal the show; he even glanced over and handed over the microphone.

Wei Dong accepted the message knowingly: "Thank you to the Sports Federation for supporting grassroots basketball in Hong Kong. We will also do our best to promote Hong Kong basketball to strive for medals and championships at the Olympics and become the pride of Hong Kong!"

At this point, it becomes clear that Wei Dong's inability to speak Cantonese is a weakness.

If he wants to develop his career in Hong Kong, then he should show signs of integrating into the local community.

But at this moment, even though most people had to whisper and guess at the words, they could still discern Bo Zai Dong's clear, deliberate expression: Champion?!

Olympic champion?!
Having just won the Asian championship, how dare they aspire to the world championship?
The entire basketball arena erupted in chaos.

Chinese people traditionally value restraint; it's best not to boast about things you can't do, lest you become a laughing stock.

But the pattern will be different 30 or 40 years from now.

The key is to exaggerate and make it as attractive as possible. Whether it's making money, gaining followers, running for office, making a name for oneself in history, becoming an industry leader, or promoting products, it's all the same routine.

They'll exaggerate whatever's shocking or outrageous.

As for not succeeding in the end, just shamelessly keep trying to make a promise for the next one.

As it turns out, most netizens are short-lived; the initial enthusiasm faded quickly.

It's not illegal to brag.

Then blow it as loud as you can.

Everyone in the basketball court heard it, and even those few who could understand Mandarin tried their best to spread the word to those around them.

The explosive news quickly spread to the docks outside, and thousands of people couldn't help but shout to vent their emotions.

That's absolutely right. If naturalization were implemented in mainland China and a few Black people won championships on the national team, it would definitely annoy many people. Hong Kong prides itself on being an international metropolis, and the proportion of foreigners there is far higher than in mainland China decades later.

This shows a much higher level of tolerance.

Especially now that I've won the Asian championship, compared to the immense joy, this little bump is like a pimple, and I don't care at all.

In reality, whether it was basketball or football, the naturalization of players in mainland China was eventually accepted by the public.

Results are the core of all the tricks!

Anyway, the senior originally wanted to teach the juniors a lesson, to show you that you have to spend money to gain respect and followers.

You wanted to become the president of the Hong Kong Basketball Association, so here you are.

As a result, Wei Dong directly made grand promises, incredibly grand promises.

It shocked him. They had discussed trying to win the championship on the flight, but that was a private plan. How could you dare to announce it to everyone like that?

The effect is absolutely amazing.

What are a few million Hong Kong dollars in prize money? Now we're aiming for the world championship and the Olympic championship!
The media immediately used every means to broadcast this explosive news.

This caused the previously arrogant basketball association executives to quickly and eagerly come to visit him at his home.

As a colleague who had attended meetings together, the senior colleague naturally taught Weidong step by step.

Speaking of which, this senior figure wasn't the richest in Hong Kong. Apart from the four major families during the era of trading companies, he wasn't among the four major families of the new generation.

However, its relationship with the mainland far surpasses that of other companies, and its stance is naturally aligned with that of Wei Dong.

Of course, if he wanted to see the black dunker who could fly and disappear, he could only go to Wei Dong's house.

After the Asian Cup, Hardaway took his salary and bonuses, a total of $200,000, and immediately returned to Citibank to play in the NCAA.

However, Hardaway made it very clear that he still had two years left in university and could come immediately if summoned.

The purpose of playing in the NCAA is to gain recognition so that I can get into the NBA in the future; there's not much income involved.

Basically, they rely on playing sports to earn scholarships and reduce their expensive college tuition fees.

Entering the NBA is all about making money, so as long as the owner pays, they'll be there whenever they're called.

Dropout Sean Camp already considers himself a Hong Konger. He is reportedly learning Cantonese and driving Lai Yuet-ngor to the water sports center every day, where he also trains.

Compared to the purely recreational pier basketball court, the water sports center is actually a bit more intense.

Although the team Qin Yuye brought back a satisfying haul after the Asian Championships, they also left Kemp with a complete training plan and physical conditioning program.

So, after leaving the roaring basketball arena, Wei Dong and his wife finally had a chance to discuss in detail how to do it with the senior in their Rolls-Royce.

Several cars drove from the bustling city center to the house in Repulse Bay. Under the parking lot, hidden by dense woods and high walls along the roadside, a top-notch and fully equipped indoor basketball court was completely completed.

The basement space, which could originally accommodate dozens of cars, is now brightly lit, with soft-padded walls, and next to it is a complete professional-grade gym.

Even Wei Dong couldn't resist running around on the gleaming wooden court and shooting a couple of basketballs.

The older generation's family home is on the western coastline of Hong Kong Island, and they also own properties in Deep Water Bay and Repulse Bay for rental income.

In terms of economic strength, he is not among the top tier of Hong Kong's wealthy families, but his influence is.

Now he's also curiously trying to touch the ball and play, mainly because he chose to focus on sports and surprisingly missed out on basketball: "Are you really confident in winning the Olympic championship?"

Before Wei Dong could even study it carefully, he thought, "This thing is nothing more than the US-Soviet rivalry, with occasional challenges like Yugoslavia. Why can't HK do it?"

The two took the towels offered by the servants, wiped their hands, and strolled back to the reception room with floor-to-ceiling windows next door.

Wei Dong had a very simple standard in mind: "Kemp and Hardaway are both definitely NBA professional stars. Using NBA players in the Olympics is like a game-changer. At most, they will be unable to carry the team alone and will lack support. If we recruit a few more from Citibank, we will definitely have a better chance of winning."

But several high-ranking officials from the Basketball Association who rushed over shook their heads vehemently: "Of course we really hope to win the Olympic gold medal, and we are very grateful to Pete for his support in winning the Asian championship, but if the whole team is made up of African Americans and whites, it will become a huge joke."

Wei Dong scoffed, "It's all about winning and losing! This might be our only chance in this lifetime to win an Olympic basketball gold medal. If others laugh at us, they're just sour grapes. What's the point of laughing at Hong Kong tycoons for not making money cleanly?"

The old man who started in the sand and gravel business, expanded his wealth through gambling, and then made his fortune in real estate before desperately trying to launder his money remained silent.

But these high-ranking officials absolutely refused to agree.

They are not civil servants; in the Hong Kong system, they fall under the category of specific affairs management. If they don't cooperate, things will be very difficult.

In this respect, Hong Kong is completely different from the mainland. All sports events are not government agencies and are not subject to government jurisdiction.

At most, they can only receive funding from the Home Affairs Bureau, but under normal circumstances, that funding is far from enough to achieve results, and they have to rely on donations from social organizations.

Therefore, the chairman might be a social celebrity or a wealthy tycoon, while the person in charge of the actual work is called the treasurer or secretary.

These senior employees of non-governmental organizations are the project implementers for the day-to-day operation of the entire system.

It can be understood as a construction company within the real estate industry.

The chairman is more like a real estate company, or simply a spokesperson.

Therefore, the president who pays the money may change frequently, but the execution team is more likely to last.

This made Wei Dong somewhat unable to resist the urge to act maliciously.

(End of this chapter)