The longest river

Chapter 103 Damn Competitive Spirit
When Yang Shuai heard Bird's name, he could hardly believe it.

Now, recalling Bird's earlier comment at the training facility, "Who knows?" becomes quite intriguing.

Furthermore, Bird also mentioned his conversation with Walsh during the chat.

In other words, Bird's presence at the arena that day was to discuss a potential collaboration with Walsh.

This is definitely good news. Regardless of Bird's coaching ability, given his high self-esteem, it's highly likely he'll be a starter in the new season.

Bird even talked to him about spacing tactics that day. Bird's basketball philosophy is very cutting-edge, which will allow him to play in a more comfortable system.

So even though Bird had no coaching experience before, Yang Shuai felt that he was definitely not a bust like Nash (in terms of coaching ability only).

After discussing the coaching change, Yang Shuai thought the matter was over.

Unexpectedly, Vaccaro gave him even more explosive news.

Reebok is preparing to renegotiate his contract!

Although the exact amount still needs to be negotiated between Vaccaro and Ferrescher, the contract is expected to be 3 to 4 times the original amount.

This sounds a bit outrageous, considering that Yang Shuai was mainly a substitute in his first season with the Pacers.

However, shoe contracts are mainly based on shoe sales, not player performance.

Yang Shuai's outstanding performance at the All-Star Weekend had already caused a surge in sales of his Pacers-themed sneakers.

Then, with his amazing performance in the playoffs, his playing style, personality, and overall performance combined, those shoes sold out completely.

Within Reebok itself, it even surpassed Shaqnosis, the "Shaqnosis" series launched by O'Neal last year, to become Reebok's best-selling sneaker.

After hanging up the phone, Yang Shuai looked out the window and felt that the light outside was brighter than before.

His situation for next season was still uncertain, but this double blessing feels like the clouds have parted and the sun has come out, making everything clear.

What a beautiful day!
The SuperSonics narrowly defeated the Jazz in a seven-game series to advance to the Finals against the Bulls.

With this year's DPOY, Payton, the SuperSonics are considered the most likely team to beat the Bulls.

However, a week later, the Bulls swept the SuperSonics 3-0.

Over the course of three games, Jordan averaged 31 points, with a field goal percentage of 46% and a three-point percentage of 50% (5 of 10).

Payton's defense against Jordan was completely ineffective.

It was at this moment that fans truly felt the power of Jordan and this Bulls team.

Of course, the significance of the Pacers' win is also increasing.

Because they suddenly became the only team to beat the Bulls in the playoffs.

Even Yang Shuai's game-winning shot was brought up by the media again, generating a wave of buzz.

The story of a high school student who could beat Jordan is still captivating even after hearing it again.

It was at this time that Vaccaro and Reebok executives flew to Indianapolis to officially begin negotiations with Yang Shuai on a new contract.

The negotiations lasted for nearly a week.

Finally, Yang Shuai was presented with two vastly different contracts.

One contract was a pure endorsement deal, while the new contract is for 6 years and 48 million yuan. The annual endorsement fee under this new contract is nearly four times that of the original contract.
The other contract is an endorsement deal plus a revenue-sharing model for signed sneakers, worth 3000 million over 6 years, but with a 5% share of the revenue from signed sneakers.

One option is to receive cash, and the other is to receive dividends. The former is stable, while the latter is uncertain but may have a higher ceiling.

Before making his choice, Yang Shuai asked a Reebok executive a question.

How much is Allen Iverson's endorsement contract?

This year's draft is widely recognized as a strong one, and Allen Iverson is widely considered the top pick, with shoe manufacturers fighting tooth and nail for him.

Ultimately, Reebok proved to be the better option (willing to spend money) and successfully acquired the most popular player, Allen Iverson.

Reebok executives clearly didn't expect Yang Shuai to ask this question so suddenly.

He couldn't help but turn to look at Vaccaro, who gestured for the executive to speak freely.

Although Yang Shuai had not communicated with him beforehand, his years of experience made it easy for him to see that this was just the competitive spirit common among young people.

"10 million in three years."

A five million annual salary for a rookie is an outrageous figure in this day and age.

This also demonstrates just how popular Iverson is.

Being selected as the NBA's number one draft pick at a height of 1.83 meters is unprecedented and will inspire many ordinary people to pursue their dreams.

Yang Shuai nodded.

Even with a contract that includes his signature shoes, his endorsement fee is the same as Allen Iverson's.

This shows that he now holds a higher position with Reebok than Iverson.

There's nothing wrong with that contract.

Yang Shuai agreed to sign a second contract.

Although there are risks involved in selling signature sneakers, Jordan's success story and the strong sales momentum of his previous sneakers give him no reason not to take the plunge.

But he made a small request.

"I want $1 more than Iverson's contract."

$3000 million and $1 million over 6 years, plus a 5% commission on sales of signature sneakers.

After the contract was signed, the executive brought up another matter.

Reebok hopes he can be present at this year's NBA draft to promote Iverson.

The executive kept his eyes on Yang Shuai as he said this.

Because of Yang Shuai's earlier question, he felt that there might have been some conflict between Yang Shuai and Iverson, which might have led Yang Shuai to refuse the offer. "No problem."

Unexpectedly, Yang Shuai agreed immediately.

Before he even signed with Adidas, Vaccaro had arranged for Ewing to promote himself.

This is not excessive.

While Yang Shuai was negotiating a contract with Reebok, the NBA Finals were still underway.

Contrary to expectations that the Bulls would win the championship with a 15-1 record, the Bulls lost two consecutive away games, bringing the series score to 2-3.

They averaged 102.3 points in the first three games, but only 82 points in the last two games.

Some say it's because, like when Jordan played against the Suns, he found the game too boring and went to indulge himself.

The only difference is that last time we went to a casino, this time we went to a golf course.

Some say Jordan deliberately lost because he wanted to lift the championship trophy again on Father's Day to comfort his deceased father's spirit.

Some even say that Nike was behind it, encouraging Jordan to do this because it would enhance the legendary status of his championship.

Nobody knows exactly why, but in a corner that no one pays attention to, Pippen made a total of 9 of 37 shots in these two games.

Regardless, on Father's Day, June 16, the Bulls hosted the SuperSonics in Game 6. After a defensive battle, the Bulls defeated the SuperSonics to win their fourth championship.

The image of Jordan crying in the locker room after the game, holding the championship trophy and the Finals MVP trophy, became the focus of media coverage.

With the Bulls' ultimate victory, the 1995-1996 season officially came to an end.

It was at this time that the Pacers officially announced the change of coach.

Larry Brown resigned, and Larry Bird took over.

Saying it was a resignation was actually a polite way of saying he was fired.

This news has also attracted strong attention from the outside world.

In the latest episode of TNT's "NBA Insider," guest Albert admitted that it was an extremely foolish decision.

"Before Larry Brown came to this team, they had been eliminated in the first round for four consecutive seasons. After he came, they made it to the Eastern Conference Finals for two consecutive years. Just because the team has never beaten the 72-win Bulls, they are going to be fired?"

“I have great respect for Bird. He is one of the greatest players in NBA history, but being a coach and being a player are two completely different things, especially since he has been away from the league for more than four years.”

“Okay, we all know it’s a business deal. Larry was fired because of his conflict with that high school student. Vaccaro was wielding his enormous power.”

Aside from the last point involving personal grudges, the other opinions reflect the general sentiments of the media and fans.

Although Brown's performance against Jackson was somewhat poor, it was not a capital offense. The Pacers' actions were full of impulsiveness.

For Bird, the pressure he faces in his rookie season as head coach is not necessarily less than that faced by Yang Shuai last season.

A few days later, the 1996 NBA Draft was held at the New Jersey Nets' home arena.

Yang Shuai appeared at the Continental Aviation Stadium.

Yang Shuai's appearance attracted a lot of attention from the media.

It's not just because of what he did in the playoffs, but also because of the contract he signed with Reebok.

Since Jordan, no player has been able to get a contract with a shoe manufacturer that includes a share of the profits from his signature shoes.

Yang Shuai's commercial value makes him seem to radiate golden light, making him exceptionally dazzling wherever he goes.

Moreover, Yang Shuai's story is already quite legendary in terms of the draft itself.

A high school lottery pick who walked down from the stands eventually shone brightly on the NBA playoff stage.

This will inspire countless rookies to dream of playing in the NBA.

When Yang Shuai walked into the little green room, the adoring looks in the eyes said it all.

At this moment, Yang Shuai couldn't help but recall the Rocky Mountain oysters he had with Billups when he went to Denver to play basketball.

Perhaps this is the significance of joining the league early.

He was originally going to go straight over and greet Iverson, but he stopped halfway there.

Then, amidst the cameras and the curious gazes of the audience, he reached out and waved to a familiar figure.

"Ah Dou!"

His number one fan!

Kobe ultimately decided to skip college and go straight to the NBA, just like Yang Shuai.

However, unlike Yang Shuai, his current prediction is for the lottery, so he sat in the green room.

Kobe was very excited to see Yang Shuai and immediately gave him a bear hug.

He actually knows that his presence here is directly related to Yang Shuai's success in the NBA.

After all, they have too many similarities.

Even the contract he signed with Adidas before entering the league was the same as Yang Shuai's, a 5-year, 1000 million contract.

After greeting Kobe, Yang Shuai walked straight towards Iverson's position.

When he arrived, he saw Allen Iverson standing up to welcome him with a big smile.

That was not just completely different from what I saw in the training camp, it was like two completely different people.

Well, knowing that Iverson isn't like that, but having to pretend to be really excited is strangely satisfying.

-Dividing line-

①: The current format of the NBA Finals is 2-3-2.

(End of this chapter)