Basketball trainer, I created a super giant

Chapter 334 The Smiling Boy of Atlanta
This wasn't Tangsen's first visit to NBA headquarters.

As he stepped out of the elevator, Stern was already waiting for him at the elevator entrance.

In front of outsiders, he always maintained a smile, warmly hugged Tang Sen, and then invited Tang Sen into his office.

There are no outsiders.

The two chatted for a few minutes, during which Stern asked about the progress of Tangsen Company's preparations.

Then we got to the main point.

Stern remarked with a hint of emotion, "Don, I really didn't expect the Knicks to be this strong this year."

Tang Sen looked directly at Stern and asked him, "So what?"

They're too strong, so strong that the teams are unbalanced and they've left no way for other teams to survive. So are you planning to step in and limit them?

Unexpectedly, Stern did a complete 180-degree turn, laughing and saying, "So that's very good."

This reaction was unexpected by Tang Sen.

As the league commissioner, he said it was excellent when a team was so strong that it was almost the end of the season.

Tang Sen tried to keep up with Stern's train of thought.

Stern probably felt this was the situation he wanted, after all, this is the Knicks, the most profitable team in the league.

They won the championship again with Yao Ming as the core player.

As far as Tang Sen knew, Stern had been trying to open up international markets, with China being a top priority.

Yao Ming's success will inevitably drive the prosperity of the Chinese market.

Stern smiled and asked in return, "Don, you seem quite surprised?"

Tang Sen wasn't a mind reader like Stern, so he had no idea what Stern was thinking. It was normal that he didn't know, so he simply nodded.

Stern explained, "The fact that the Knicks are so strong is a testament to your ability; you are a role model for the development of talented players."

In Stern's view, it's not surprising that the Knicks have the strength they have now.

Layden made a bold decision to completely rebuild, and he found the right approach, which resulted in a group of incredibly talented players.

With the help of top trainer Tang Sen, they trained hard for two seasons. Everyone trained desperately, which is why they have the strength to sweep the league today.

It was all learned through hard work, bit by bit, without a trace of shortcuts.

He believes that when Leiden chose this path, this outcome was inevitable.

Stern continued, "Don, I don't think there's anything wrong with the league having a strong team."

"This is a competition, a contest. Everyone will subconsciously focus on the winners, especially the most successful one."

"Right now, the whole of America is talking about the Knicks, about how many games you can win. This kind of attention is rare."

"It's like the Bulls back in the day. They became the most powerful team in the league. No one could beat them. They were practically the symbol of the league."

When the Bulls swept the league, the whole world only knew about the Bulls dynasty led by Jordan; who would pay attention to other smaller teams?

"Then the Knicks could also become that kind of player."

"In the short term, there is no problem with this, and it will also boost the overall revenue of the alliance."

With increased attention to the alliance, revenue naturally rose as well.

Just like when the Knicks go to away games, they always manage to draw spectators to the arena, wanting to see if their own team can beat the Knicks.

After he said that, Tang Sen probably understood what he was thinking.

Believe it or not, the Knicks today are just like that Bulls team back in the day, with the potential to dominate the league for years to come.

That period was also the most glorious era for the NBA.

"We want to go international. Yao's success will tell basketball players all over the world that as long as they come to the NBA, they have the opportunity to succeed like Yao."

Stern's tone was inevitably impassioned.

His biggest dream is to promote the NBA to the whole world.

The increasing number of international players participating in the draft in the past two years is enough to prove that his strategy is successful.

Stern relaxed slightly: "Like I said, it's a good thing that the Knicks are this strong."

"I've always said that we're telling a story, the Knicks' miracle is a good story, and with the Knicks dominating the league, we can tell even more stories of underdogs."

"Just like the league under Michael's rule back then."

Tang Sen understands.

Jordan dominated an era back then.

With Ewing, Malone, Reggie Miller, and so many other superstars overshadowing him, he was striving to win a championship.

They failed.

Even now, countless fans still feel sorry for them.

While fans were awestruck by Jordan's greatness, they also sympathized with those who were disappointed in their era.

Clearly, Stern wants to replicate this story with the Knicks.

"David, what exactly are you trying to say?"

Tang Sen asked directly.

Using his brain, Tang Sen felt he couldn't outwit the shrewd and cunning lawyer Stern.

So just say what you want to say.

I don't make a living by outsmarting others.

Stern said, "Tang, it's already March, and summer is just around the corner. The first thing I wanted to do by inviting you here is to discuss whether we can double the size of your training camp this summer."

"That means giving each team two spots."

He held up two fingers and then said with a wry smile, "I didn't expect the Knicks to become so strong with your help. So if other teams try to challenge the Knicks, I don't think one star player is enough; they need two."

Tang Sen thought for a moment. Whether you're herding one sheep or a flock, it's all the same.

Last year's original plan was to have one group of rookies and one group of star players.

Therefore, doubling the number of slots is not a problem at all.

Your income can also increase.

For the team, one million or two million doesn't make much difference.

Stern knew that Townsend wouldn't refuse, and continued, "Secondly, there are the rookies."

Tang Sen frowned.

I've discussed this issue with Stern before.

Even now, Tang Sen still believes that training rookies and making them grow up quickly is not a good thing for the NBA.

The players' union will not agree to this either.

Stern quickly said, "Don, I understand your thinking, and I agree with it. What I mean is, it's not about having you train all the rookies, but about one particular one."

He got up, took a folder from his desk, and handed it to Tang Sen.

Tang Sen opened it without understanding why.

Inside was a scouting report.

There are photos posted.

A black boy grinning widely.

His name is Dwight Howard.

Stern said, "Don, I've always felt that magic stories are the epitome of small-town success stories."

"They unexpectedly acquired a super talent, and then, with your help, won the championship. It was nothing short of a miracle."

The Magic in 02 snatched the Lakers' dream of a three-peat, which, in retrospect, is an incredible comeback in the NBA.

"And among this year's rookies, there happens to be a Kwame Brown-esque high school prodigy. Tang, you know what? This kid can jump over a meter, it's unbelievable."

Stern let out a soft cry.

"How many?"

Tang Sen's eyes widened.

Tang Sen quickly glanced at the scouting report.

This guy's listed height is 6 feet 10 inches, which is 2.08 meters.

This is the standard height for a power forward.

An inside player with a vertical leap of over a meter? Are you kidding me?

Many guards with explosive athleticism also find it difficult to jump more than one meter.

Stoudemire, for example, has a top-tier vertical jump, but his maximum vertical jump is only around 95 centimeters.

And this Howard is over a meter tall!
Tang Sen carefully reviewed the scouting report again.

I grew up in Atlanta.

He is currently studying at Southwestern Atlanta Christian College.

The high school league has ended.

In his senior year of high school, he averaged 25 points, 18 rebounds, and a terrifying 8 blocks per game, leading his team to a 31-2 record and the state championship.

He averages 8 blocks per game. Even if Stern's words are a bit exaggerated, Tangsen believes that this kid's jumping ability is definitely top-notch.

His wingspan is astonishing, reaching 2.25 meters.

In high school, he was nicknamed Superman, a name used to describe his omnipotence.

He also started as a point guard.

Then, similar to Brown's scouting report, he was touted for his refined skills and low-post footwork, while his explosive athleticism allowed him to dominate the paint.

Tang Sen understood perfectly what these platitudes meant.

Simply put, he has no skills, just a good physique.

Brown did the same thing back then.

It's normal for high school students not to develop a strong physique.

Stern said, "Don, like I said, he's a Kwame Brown-esque talent if he goes to a team like the Magic with great guards."

"With your help again, it's possible that another magic miracle could happen soon, and I believe he has that talent."

At this point, Tang Sen understood completely.

In other words, Stern wanted to replicate the miracle of magic.

Then, coincidentally, this year's draft class also had a talented high school center like Brown.

So, as a second-best option, he wanted to help Howard prepare as quickly as he had helped Brown back then, so that Howard could follow the same path as Brown, averaging over 20 points per game as soon as he entered the league and become a super center.

To this, Tang Sen can only say that Stern's idea is quite good.

I just don't know if this kid has the ability.

Tang Sen then looked at Howard's photo.

He grinned widely, looking a bit simple-minded.

The smiling boy from Atlanta?

Ironically, Howard, like Brown, is from Georgia.

It can only be said that these two people have too many similarities, and it is probably for this reason that Stern had the idea.

(End of this chapter)