The NBA's Absolute Dominance

Chapter 39 The Mailman: I'll show that rookie just how brutal the NBA can be.

$1450 million over 4 years?

Tang Bei's eyes widened in disbelief.

"The team will withhold federal and state taxes..."

Eric Fleischer took out a calculator and did the math for Tang Bei, reading aloud: "Currently, the federal personal income tax is 31%, and the state tax in North Carolina is lower, at a uniform 4.5%, so that adds up to 35.5%. Add some taxes and fees, as well as the 3% broker's commission, and it's roughly around 41%."

John Liu translated it, and Tang Bei said excitedly, "There's still 59% left! In the first year, I can get... close to 1.5 million! That's great!"

Fleischer continued his calculations, reading, "Then there's a 4% deduction for pension insurance, and the league will also pay the same amount for your pension, so in the end you'll only get 55%."

"55%, more than 1.3 million, haha!" Tang Bei laughed with satisfaction.

Fleischer asked, "Your salary is paid in six months' installments. You can collect it weekly, every two weeks, or once a month. Don, how often do you plan to collect your salary?"

In China, people receive their allowances monthly, so Tang Bei said, "Then let's receive it once a month."

Fleischer did the math again and said, "So for the first season, you'll receive a salary of nearly $23 per month, paid out at the beginning of the month."

He then mentioned the shoe contract, saying, "Nike contacted me again, but they thought my NBA career would be short, so they only offered me a sponsorship contract of $15 per season."

"Get Nike out of here!"

Tang Bei was very happy with the $10 contract before, but now that he is about to get a rookie contract worth more than ten million, he has lost all interest in the $15 sponsorship contract. With a sports car, who needs a bicycle?
On June 26, 1992, Tang Bei arrived at the Hornets' headquarters.

The Hornets attached great importance to the signing ceremony, inviting several local media outlets and mainstream media, and many members of their management team also attended.

"Crack, click, click..."

In front of the media, he signed his NBA rookie contract and officially became a player for the Charlotte Hornets.

Regarding his jersey number, he chose number 88 as his official jersey.

"Tang, many media outlets believe your career will be short-lived. What would you like to say about that?" a reporter asked during the interview.

After listening to John Liu's translation, Tang Bei immediately said, "I don't know what their basis is for saying this, but it's definitely wrong."

"Why?" the reporter pressed.

Tang Bei said, "I am very strong, and no one in the NBA is stronger than me."

I'm not afraid of physical contact at all, because I believe my ability to engage in physical contact is no worse than any current NBA player.

I am also improving my basic skills and other techniques; my learning ability is not slow.

Therefore, I don't believe my NBA career will be short, and I will soon prove their words to be nothing but prejudice and discrimination.

After his interview was reported by the media, he gained some recognition, but also received more ridicule.

On the 27th, the US men's basketball team gathered in New York. A group of NBA stars and rookie Kristen Laettner gave a media interview after practice.

The reporter approached Karl Malone and asked, "Mailman, the Hornets' draft pick, Tang, said he's stronger than anyone in the NBA, more physically capable than anyone in the NBA, and that he can definitely survive in the NBA. What's your opinion on his statement?"

A savage glint flashed in Karl Malone's eyes as he said expressionlessly, "When I meet that rookie, I'll tell him how kind his former opponents were, and how cruel the NBA can be."

Lightner, who was carrying Patrick Ewing's shoes not far away, heard the postman's words and his face was full of excited smiles.

An image seemed to flash before his eyes: the Chinese man he loathed, lying at the postman's feet, his face covered in blood.

Michael Jordan then said, "Hey Mailman, don't forget, that rookie is a bit stronger than you."

The mailman said unhappily, "Michael, my maximum bench press is also 230 kilograms."

"really?"

"Karl, when did you release this?"

"Wasn't it just released?"

Upon hearing the postman's words, the group of superstars immediately perked up.

Karl Malone raised his thick iron elbow and said coldly, "Anyone want to try?"

Upon hearing this, the stars fell silent. Even Michael Jordan didn't want to provoke Dr. Elbow, lest he be elbowed on the court.

Eric Fleischer helped Tang Bei rent a two-bedroom apartment in Charlotte, not far from the Hornets' headquarters and arena, and also in the suburbs.

With three or four months to go before the next season, Tang Bei plans to train here.

The Hornets' training facility opened to him during the offseason, and his personal trainer, Kyrie Osman, also came over. He and John Liu both stayed in his apartment, sharing a room.

The apartment didn't have a phone line before, but one was installed after we rented it.

After arranging everything, Eric Fleischer left Charlotte, and Tang Bei began his arduous training.

He also plans to acquire some small martial arts equipment, such as wooden dummy, swords, spears, etc. He has been practicing martial arts for over ten years and loves it so much that he can't give it up.

Around 8 a.m. that morning, Tang Bei made a phone call back to China.

"Hey?"

"Uncle Gou Shun, could you please let my family member answer the phone?"

"Tang Bei?"

"Yes, that's right." "Honey, did you hear that? Call out to me."

"heard it."

"Tang Bei, did you really make a fortune in America?"

"It's alright, I only earn about ten or twenty thousand a day."

"What the hell? You'll die if you don't brag?"

Upon hearing Tang Bei's words, Gou Shun replied irritably.

"Brother! Big brother..."

At that moment, Tang Ning screamed.

"That brat runs really fast!"

At 1.7 meters tall, Tang Yu was a little unable to keep up with the explosive power of Tang Ning.

"Fourth brother, have you eaten yet?"

"I've eaten! Grandma made noodles with meat sauce, it was so delicious! Big brother, have you had dinner yet? What did you eat?"

"Brother, it's morning here. We just finished breakfast."

"Morning?"

The little girl looked up at the sky; it was almost completely dark. Was her older brother starving? How could it still be morning?
"Give me."

Taking advantage of the opportunity, Tang Yu snatched the microphone.

"ah!"

Tang Ning was so angry that he bared his teeth and brandished his claws like a puppy, but Tang Yu pressed him down with one hand.

Just like last time, Tang Yugang and Tang Beigang started talking, then Tang Zhongchu, Lin Lan, and Tang Bin arrived, and Lin Lan took over the microphone.

"Mom, have all the debts at home been paid off?"

"I've already paid it back. I owe my relatives a favor, and we even had a few tables of food and drinks at home."

"It should."

"Last time a city leader came to our house to ask about you, I think it was from the Sports Bureau. Now all the relatives and villagers are praising you, hehe!"

"Mom, please improve the food at home and buy more meat. I can earn money now."

"I know."

"By the way, Mom, I have to train now, so I won't be coming home this year. I'll probably be able to come home around this time next year."

"No rush, no rush. You focus on your work outside. Your mom and dad will take care of things at home."

"There's something else, Mom. Is there any money left over from last time?"

"Yes, yes, I've saved it for you. There's a total of 20,000 left. We also have a little over 2,000 left to buy some things for the family. The fourth child kept asking to watch TV, but your dad couldn't bear to buy it for him."

Tang Ning, who was below, widened his eyes upon hearing this.

"Let's buy one, Mom. We'll buy a TV, a washing machine, and everything else. We're probably the only family in the village without one, right?"

"Eldest son, your dad and I were planning to use that 20,000 yuan to build you a house. We're the only family in the village that hasn't built a tiled house yet. Without a house, how are you going to find a wife?"

"Mom, I just made a lot of money these past few days. Our family will never be short of money again."

"You made money again... Well, okay then. Boss, you're all grown up now, so you'll be in charge of things at home from now on."

Tang Ning, unable to hear Tang Bei's voice, scratched her head anxiously, tugged at Lin Lan's clothes, and whispered, "Mom, does my brother want to buy a TV?"

"Make way, make way," Lin Lan said irritably.

"Ah, my family is going to buy a TV!" Tang Ning screamed excitedly.

Tang Bin and Tang Ning smiled happily, but Tang Zhongchu looked reluctant to part with them.

"Keep your voice down."

Lin Lan patted Tang Ning on the head.

"Oh, right, Mom, let's install a landline too, so it'll be easier for me to call home in the future."

"Installing a telephone? That costs a lot of money. Your Uncle Gou Shun spent four or five thousand yuan to install a telephone."

“It’s alright. I’ll send another sum of money back at the end of the year. Next year, we’ll build a house, the most beautiful building in the village.”

"Really?"

Lin Lan's eyes reddened with joy. The lack of matchmakers had always been a worry for her. If the family built a house, finding a wife for her eldest son would no longer be a problem.

Hearing this, Gou Shun's wife, who was tidying up the shelves, couldn't help but squat down next to Gou Shun, who was smoking in the corner, and whispered:
"Dad, the Tang family just finished paying off so much debt, and now they want to buy a TV and install a telephone. It seems that Tang the big glutton, no, Tang Bei, has really made a lot of money in America."

"The Tang family is about to turn things around. It seems that practicing martial arts can be quite rewarding. Tomorrow, I'll find a martial arts school and send Gousheng there to train," Gou Shun said with a sigh.

(End of this chapter)