One Year Left to Play-Chapter 238 - 82: I’ve Always Been Lucky
Elvin Johnson, this name once represented the NBA, represented basketball.
Returning after four years, he attracted intense public attention.
Regarding his decision to return, public opinion was polarized.
Some say his return shows strength, others say it recklessly endangers public safety.
Media doesn't care about much; as long as there's a buzz, they keep on hyping it.
Due to various complex reasons, on November 2, the NBA urgently revoked the Magician's regular-season registration, delaying his official comeback.
Thus, the league was once again engulfed in a whirlpool of public opinion.
Last night, Boston TV Station aired a program; when news broke that it would discuss matters related to the Magician, everyone assumed Bostonians would criticize him.
An opposing player + a Black athlete, in Boston...
But surprisingly, Boston TV Station's program didn't criticize the Lakers or the Magician.
From the perspective of analyzing an American professional athlete, the program examined the Magician's career. 𝘧𝘳𝘦ℯ𝓌𝘦𝒷𝘯𝑜𝑣𝘦𝓁.𝒸𝘰𝓂
From this angle, the Magician's retirement seemed incredibly tragic.
Most American professional athletes can't control their desires, regardless of gender.
But it's rare to be hit; unfortunately, the Magician was one of the few.
Doing the same things as everyone else, yet becoming the unluckiest...
Eating breakfast while reading newspapers about the Magician and Boston TV Station's reports, Zhang Hao recently sees news about the Magician every breakfast.
No matter how well others play, even Jordan, they can't overshadow the attention of the Magician's comeback—more precisely, they can't overshadow the media driving public opinion to criticize the league for allowing the Magician to return—league banning Magician's return—media guiding fans to criticize the league for banning the Magician's return... this process.
"Hey? Boss Qiao is playing so hard this season, getting 72 wins; could it be related to competing with Magician's comeback news for the headlines..."
Zhang Hao suddenly came up with this thought.
In an era when the internet wasn't developed, soap operas had incredibly high ratings; Zhang Hao guessed that "The Magician's Comeback Path" as a soap opera would probably never lose attention.
For Zhang Hao, this is a good thing; the hype from his debut 44 points had its spotlight stolen on the afternoon of the 2nd due to the league's temporary halt of the Magician's comeback.
Momentary hype isn't very impactful.
Playing well, working hard, progressing fast... these are things the team can see, and that's enough.
Achieving these, for an athlete, hype naturally comes.
Temporary hype from one or a few regular games can't bring significant commercial value.
He's popular from that game; Nike, Adidas, and Reebok all contacted him, but the highest offer was 300,000 USD a year, with renewal terms favoring the sponsor.
This obviously didn't move Zhang Hao.
Thus, he decisively gave up these things.
Playing games well is more important; surviving in this team longer, maybe the Mavericks would abandon Kidd, and the Nets would benefit.
Changing teams also needs to prioritize winning.
But both require him to continually improve and play better to have the autonomy in choices.
...
Like the past two weeks, Zhang Hao finished breakfast, went to the arena, warmed up, and began practicing Turnaround Fadeaways with Chris Owen's help.
The daily practice volume wasn't large, mainly focusing on fine-tuning details; he and Chris Owen discussed from player and shooting coach perspectives, adjusted where needed, or practiced effective adjustments better.
After half an hour, 200 move-and-catch Turnaround Fadeaway drills were completed; as Zhang Hao hit the final shot, a notification popped up!
"Special contract player Zhang Hao, technique: Catch-and-Turnaround Fadeaway, rating improved from 59 to 60.
As Zhang Hao's Catch-and-Turnaround Fadeaway reached 60, Catch-and-Shoot rating improved from 89 to 90.
As Zhang Hao's Catch-and-Shoot rating reached 90, overall ability rating improved from 70 to 71."
"Special contract player: Zhang Hao.
Age/Birthdate: 18 years old/January 7, 1977.
Height: 206 cm, Wingspan: 216 cm
Weight: 96 kg.
Position: Forward
Team: New Jersey Nets.
Ability rating: 71
Physical qualities: Speed 90, Strength 90 (Explosive power 82), Bounce 94, Agility 95, Stamina 92...
Shooting: Three-pointers 54, Mid-range Shot 90, Layup 89...
Skills: Dribbling 59, Passing 59, Catch-and-Shoot 90, Catch-and-Turnaround Fadeaway 60..."
"Didn't expect Catch-and-Shoot reached 90 first..."
"Makes sense, the Layup increase was mostly due to the static strength boost in core muscles reaching 89, I don't have great ways to attack the basket while holding the ball, mostly relying on awareness, using waist and abs for up-and-under when facing defense..."
"However, when my strength increased from 86 to 90, my ability rating didn't rise from 69 to 70; yet, practicing Catch-and-Turnaround Fadeaway resulted in quickly boosting the comprehensive ability rating by two points."
"Seems like I'm quite suited for Catch-and-Turnaround Fadeaway, besides standing on the shoulders of giants and having team support, I truly am suitable for this move, otherwise, I wouldn't learn it this fast..."
Witnessing the rapid ability rating growth apparently entering its second fast improvement phase, Zhang Hao was very excited!
"Indeed, actual games are one of the best ways to improve!"
For the past two nights, he's been diligently using his Catch-and-Shoot from the first game as reference for practice; successful shots were practiced more, unsuccessful ones were improved through discussions with Chris Owen.
