NBA, Yao Ming is back!

After this match is over.

Yao Ming's draft position has actually improved. He demonstrated the strongest ability among this group of international players during training camp.

It looks like he, along with Nowitzki, Liu Wei, and Kirilenko, crushed their opponents.

But according to the NBA's current unspoken rules—

The center position automatically advances one level.

So back then, any famous center could be ranked ahead of Jordan.

This was also Danzi's resentment back then.

"How was it? After watching it?" Little Nelson asked.

"Okay, I think a rest is definitely in the question now. I think after this game, he's qualified to compete for the green room. He's the best international player in this batch."

Don Casey's words were still quite fair.

Although I initially thought Yao Ming would be at best a late first-round draft pick, that was because the CBA's level wasn't high enough. Or rather, this is true for any other league in the NBA now.

What professional league? There's only one professional basketball league: the NBA.

The rest are amateur leagues.

Therefore, they can still win the championship by competing against the young players they have personally selected.

They were able to finish it.

Then it's only natural to upgrade one's status.

"So what do you think? Would the Green House work?"

"Hmm, I think that's a good idea."

"If I perform well at the training camp in the United States this time, I think it's time to finalize the deal."

Little Nelson agreed.

"Give this report to the president; he'll probably be quite pleased."

"You wouldn't believe it, he seems so calm on the surface, but he's actually been keeping a close eye on this big center. Look, he's sent another text message."

Don Casey waved his phone and joked with a smile.

Of course, he would only dare to say such things in private; he wouldn't dare to say them in front of the Sterlings.

The closer you are to Stern, the more you know what kind of person he is.

The ruthless CEO is no joke.

He personally revived the NBA, a league that was at the bottom of the American leagues and was even on the verge of bankruptcy.

This is something most people simply cannot do.

Those who were closest to him felt a deep sense of fear.

"That's normal. Hasn't the CEO always wanted to find an opportunity to open the door to the East? I think this time..."

"There should be a chance."

……

The top floor office of the NBA league headquarters.

The heavy floor-to-ceiling windows shut out the noise from the outside world. Inside, a person wearing glasses gazes at the neatly stacked documents and reports on the desk.

The entire office was calm and solemn, reflecting the prudence and foresight of the alliance's leader.

He is David Stern.

David Stern sat upright in a leather office chair.

Looking at these messages coming from all directions.

All the important things will be gathered here.

By the 1990s, the NBA had already embarked on a path of global expansion, gradually cultivating the European market and continuously producing basketball talent in South America, but only the vast land of the East...

It remains a vast, untapped blue ocean.

Although the population there is huge and the basketball atmosphere is getting warmer year by year, there is still a lack of a player of sufficient weight to break down cultural barriers and carry the league's overseas expansion.

This has been a long-standing concern for Stern and a core direction for his continued strategic planning; otherwise, what would be the point of a globalization strategy without Asia?

That's not globalization.

worry!

I'm so worried!

I've been so worried my hair has turned white!

Without opening up the Asian market...

He felt like he couldn't close his little eyes even when he was lying in a coffin!

So over the years, he has been keeping a close eye on the dynamics of Asian basketball, paying close attention to every emerging young player, and quietly waiting for the right candidate to appear.

Just today, two urgent research reports were delivered to him on time, one from Dallas veteran scout Nelson Jr., and the other from Don Casey, who has long been involved in scouting international players.

The two traveled to Paris together to observe the entire Nike European Elite Training Camp, bringing back the most detailed and firsthand observations.

Stern reached out and opened the envelope containing the documents, first unfolding the training camp summary report that the two had co-authored.

The document, written in black and white, is clearly organized and lists the individual talents, technical shortcomings, performance on the field, and potential ratings of the 85 participating young players one by one.

Gasol, Navarro, Nowitzki, and other European talents were highlighted and highly praised.

They are considered as a reserve force for the future of European basketball and even the NBA.

However, after reading through the entire article, the focus of all the writing ultimately falls on the same name—Yao Ming.

The report was very impactful, making no attempt to conceal its high regard for the Chinese teenager.

Both Don Casey and Don Nelson agreed that Yao Ming was the most outstanding international young player in terms of overall performance throughout the entire Nike Paris Camp.

Let's talk about pure performance on the field.

He was the best player.

And he's a center.

It automatically elevates your status.

Although they did underestimate Asian basketball in the past, they will not hesitate to give away a truly talented player who can rival the international elite.

After all, the West still believes that might makes right.

As long as your fists are big enough, it doesn't matter if you're Asian or not.

Even among a group of top international talents, Yao Ming still stands firmly at the top of the pyramid, suppressing a host of rising European stars.

Upon seeing this, Stern's heart finally warmed.

Although I had been paying attention to it before, there were no successful precedents, so I didn't dare to take the gamble.

This report reassured him a lot; at least among this group of top international players in Europe, he was still at the forefront.

This shows that his potential is at least among the top international players, not just among the top Asian players.

What struck Stern most in the report was a highly dramatic episode from the game.

During a break at the training camp, NBA All-Star Hardaway, who was invited to coach, had a one-on-one match with Yao Ming.

But in the end, Yao Ming won the one-on-one match.

Upon seeing this record, David Stern raised an eyebrow, but a hint of amusement also appeared on his face.

Having worked in the professional basketball industry for decades, he is well-versed in the rules and interpersonal dynamics of star players' offline activities.

Hardaway is at the peak of his career, with mature skills and rich experience in both offense and defense. In terms of pure ability, he is by no means inferior to an international youth player who is not yet eighteen years old.

The reason for his defeat in this one-on-one duel is obvious to anyone with a discerning eye.

It's simply that All-Star players deliberately hold back and go easy on their younger teammates out of kindness and consideration, giving the younger players confidence and strength. It's an unwritten agreement in the basketball world.

You see, sometimes that's just how the truth is, even if it's true.

Nobody believes it.

Even knowing that the victory was achieved by deliberately losing, the value of this report is still substantial.

Putting aside the questionable nature of this one-on-one match, Yao Ming's solid performance throughout the entire training camp is undeniable.

Prior to this, the alliance's top management had always had reservations about expanding into the Chinese market.

The lack of representative star players, the lack of effective marketing strategies, and the difficulty in resolving cultural differences—all these problems remain unresolved.

This has resulted in slow progress in the development of the Eastern market.

His last wish was to pursue a globalization strategy until he was no longer able to work.

Asia! This must be filled in.

Yao Ming's performance in Paris provided Stern, who had been anxiously awaiting the results, with a significant reassurance.

At the training camp in the United States, Stern marked it with a circle, which means it is under close scrutiny.

Although Asia has never produced a truly high-draft-selection NBA player, if he performs well this time...

It is not recommended to push him directly into the small green room.

If you're going to create a buzz, go for a big one.

Stern knew this well.

"Yao".

The office was quiet.

After a long pause, David Stern swallowed hard, but quickly regained his composure, gazing at the file card in his hand and muttering to himself in a low voice.

"Is the key to unlocking the East you?"

"I hope it's you."

"Come to America and show your skills."

Don't let me down.