Basketball trainer, I created a super giant

Chapter 446 Because I Like Basketball

Tang Sen appeared on television and personally announced his grand plan.

It was clearly stated that the goal was to find the best talent and then train them to become the best basketball players in the world.

That's clearly a move towards becoming the next Jordan.

Now that Townsend is the league's vice president, it's common knowledge that Stern is planning to find the next Jordan.

Media outlets speculate that this may have even been at Stern's behest.

At the same time, Tang Sen has an excellent eye for talent, and the players he has chosen have all been trained successfully.

The person selected then must possess talent at the level of Jordan.

So when the Townsend training camp announced its final selection, all the media outlets were asking the same question.

Who the hell is Kevin Durant?
Jordan called immediately.

"Tang, tell me, what kind of talent does this kid have that makes you think he's qualified to be the next me?"

Jordan's tone was quite harsh when his two biological sons weren't selected.

The key issue is that all the media outlets are now linking Durant to themselves in their discussions.

Jordan also pointed out that he is 1.98 meters tall and Durant is 2.06 meters tall, so they are not in the same position.

Tang Sen thought for a moment and said, "Why don't you come and take a look yourself?"

Jordan immediately replied, "Fine, I'll watch. Tang, you said yourself that you want to train the next me. If this kid doesn't turn out well, I won't agree."

If you don't learn it, you'll only embarrass yourself.

"Row."

Tang Sen casually agreed.

Tang Sen only listened to what Jordan said.

Whether it works or not is not up to him to decide.

Jordan wasn't the first to call and ask.

Coaches, players, many people called, curiously inquiring about Durant's situation.

Bird also told Townsend, "Why are you training for the next Jordan? You're training for the next me!"

Before Jordan, he was the king of the NBA.

Jordan also surpassed himself to reach the pinnacle and become a legend.

Perfect timing! Durant is 2.06 meters tall and has a slender build, which is just right for developing him.

Tang Sen wasn't the only one being harassed.

Newspapers and television were filled with discussions about Durant, and the media flocked to Virginia Commonwealth University in an attempt to interview him.

And the agents, like sharks smelling blood, all swam over.

One Jordan made David Falcao one of the league's top agents, a super agent who dared to go against Stern and clamored to start his own business.

Jordan has retired.

But now a new opportunity has emerged.

Tang Sen's reputation is unshakeable. Since Tang Sen believes that Durant has the potential to become Jordan, then he is the next Jordan.

At only 17 years old and without an agent, he is an untapped gold mine.

Even more ruthless are the sporting goods manufacturers.

They're putting in real money, so they'll be more cautious.

Even if Durant can't become Jordan in the future, he'll at least be a superstar.

Not to mention, what if it succeeds?

The next Jordan.

Nike is the most attentive to this.

Jordan made Nike what it is today. Now, a new Jordan might emerge. If a competitor snatches him away, wouldn't that be embarrassing?

Nike executives, waving checks, have already approached Durant's mother, Wanda.

Sign your name and you can instantly become a millionaire.

Wanda knew that being chosen by Tang Sen was a tremendous opportunity for a family like hers, one that could pull them out of hell.

Wanda underestimated the value of being chosen by Tang Sen.

This is not just pulling people out of hell, but sending them directly to heaven.

The agent who boasts about having connections everywhere and being able to get Durant a huge contract.

A sports equipment dealer waving banknotes.

There were also media outlets that promised to make Durant famous worldwide and do feature stories about him.

For a time, chaos ensued.

This mother, who had worked as a post office sorter, school bus driver, housekeeper, and hospital caregiver, and who commuted four hours a day, living and eating in her car, and even sold her blood to pay for gas, was surprisingly calm at this moment.

Everything before my eyes was so beautiful it felt unreal.

She knew very well that these people were doing this not because of Durant, but because of Townsend.

It's because Townsend selected Durant.

Having raised her two children with great difficulty, she felt a deep sense of pride.

She hopes that one day in the future, these people will be willing to send checks to Durant, not because of anyone else, but because Durant is good enough.

So she not only rejected everyone, but also asked Durant not to be affected, to continue working hard, and to become the best player through his own diligence.

She immediately brought Durant to New York.

This was also the first time she had met Tang Sen.

She appeared very reserved in front of Tang Sen, and while shaking hands, she chattered on and on.

When he realized what was happening, he hurriedly let go of her hand.

He quickly pulled Durant to his side and made Durant promise to Townsend that he would train hard and obey Townsend's arrangements.

Also traveling with him was Durant's father, Wayne Platt.

The man who abandoned his wife and children when Durant was less than one year old returned to his family when Durant was 13.

He was not short, wore black-rimmed glasses, and stood there nervously, not daring to speak.

And then there's Durant, equally reserved and awkward, nervously glancing at Tang Sen.

During the last training camp, the two didn't exchange a single word.

Tang Sen observed everything and then showed Durant's parents around the training camp.

Durant will spend the next year or two here.

Durant followed silently the whole way.

After the tour, he asked his parents to tidy up the apartment they had rented for Durant. Tang Sen took the opportunity to chat with Durant.

Having never met him before, Tang Sen's knowledge of Durant was limited to media reports.

All I know is that he came from a poor family, after all, his father abandoned them.

I heard that he was kicked out of his apartment 11 times, and when he was poor, he didn't even have a bed.

"Kevin, why do you play basketball?" Tang Sen asked the first question.

Durant stood there awkwardly, hesitated for a moment, and said, "Sir, it's because I love playing basketball, and I want to be the best player."

What a standard answer!

Tang Sen laughed and said, "Kevin, you can be honest. Anyway, it's just the two of us, so it's okay."

Durant glanced timidly at Tang Sen, and said, "Sir, that's really what I think..."

He didn't say anything more, and saw Tang Sen's deep gaze.

It made him feel uneasy.

Durant was too nervous; he had already witnessed the result of Townsend selecting him.

In other words, Tang Sen could give me all of this, and he could also easily take it away.

In front of such a person, whom he didn't know well, Durant's mind went blank.

He didn't know how to say it in a way that would satisfy Tang Sen.

Perhaps we should be more honest.

But Durant didn't know what kind of answer would be considered honest.

After thinking for a while, Durant gritted his teeth and said, "Sir, the reason I play basketball is not only to become the best player, but also to enter the NBA and make a lot of money."

Durant glanced up at Tang Sen very quickly, thinking to himself, "At least he's being honest now."

Tang Sen nodded slightly.

That's honest enough.

For a professional player like Durant, whose family is so poor, it's not shameful for him to be motivated by making money.

For an ordinary player, Tang Sen felt that such an answer was sincere and that was enough.

But what I want to cultivate is a basketball god like Jordan.

Tang Sen felt it wasn't enough.

We must also return to the basics, to basketball itself, which is to truly love basketball.

The kind of love that's obsessive.

So Tang Sen would prefer to hear another answer: because I like basketball.

(End of this chapter)