After the FIBA Asia Championship, Zack didn’t rush back to the States.
He first joined Yao Ming and LeBron Jas in Shanghai for a Coca-Cola comrcial promotion. Following that, he and Jas participated in several Nike shoe events across .
When it ca to the market, Jas showed a completely different attitude compared to many other NBA stars.
During the Coca-Cola promotion with Yao Ming and Zack, Jas would deliberately leave the center spot for either Yao Ming or Zack.
The sight of three NBA number one draft picks on the sa stage made the event’s popularity far exceed the organizers’ expectations.
Furthermore, Jas, who was keen on building a friendly and -loving image, not only perford his tomahawk dunk multiple tis for the audience that day but also, fully aware that Zack was trying to prank him, he unhesitatingly ate the Sichuan-style taco that Zack had extra-loaded with chili peppers.
In that mont, as an indescribable sensation spread throughout his body, Jas, who knows how long it took him to recover afterward, said to Zack, "Do you know any good proctology departnts at a hospital nearby?"
Zack never expected Jas to be so dedicated.
He also didn’t expect that even in such discomfort, Jas would still insist on participating in the next event, an interaction with young fans.
This is LeBron Jas.
You can question everything about him...
But in Zack’s mory of all the tours, Jas and the future Klay Thompson were definitely business role models in the NBA.
This year, the two tour events arranged by Nike in collaboration with Coca-Cola were a huge success.
Because the ever-dedicated Jas and Zack, who simply wanted to explore his ho country, were practically the ideal "employees" in the eyes of major sponsors.
During their shoe promotion events in various cities, Zack and Jas had incredible chemistry, often joking with each other.
For example, at the shoe event in Beijing, Zack and Jas poked fun at each other.
"LeBron, when you play against next season, promise ... please don’t travel, okay?"
Hearing this, Jas laughed heartily and said, "Then I’ll have to start dribbling from the backcourt, charge all the way to your basket, and score a touchdown right in front of you."
While not all fans could appreciate the humor of Zack and Jas’s Arican-style banter, at least, wherever these two were, it was never a dull mont.
However, during a shoe promotion trip to Chengdu, due to a mont of carelessness, Jas, who didn’t "dodge" in ti, was once again "ambushed" by Zack.
"Damn it, you added chili to my drink again?"
"This ti it’s less, you definitely won’t need to go to the hospital."
Even though Jas’s entourage was quite displeased with Zack’s pranks...
That day, Jas turned to his brothers and said, "Zack is one of my closest brothers. I won’t allow any of you to be unhappy with Zack. If anyone among you is still unhappy, they can leave my team now."
Jas, who highly valued the market, clearly understood that taking a small "loss" in his interactions with Zack was nothing.
Because as long as he could stick close to Zack, he could gain a step on other NBA stars in conquering the market.
Historically, besides Yao Ming and Kobe Bryant, Jas was absolutely the most popular NBA star in during his contemporary period.
So, the question is...
With such dedication, did Jas truly get the returns he wanted in the market in the future?
Regarding this, ESPN senior expert Brian Windhorst once comnted, "LeBron’s investnt and cultivation in the market eventually brought him unimaginable returns... his growing popularity in even led David Stern to allocate a large amount of resources to him." (Note ①)
Of course, during this year’s tour, Zack didn’t intentionally want to prank Jas.
It’s just that when he was with Jas, in certain monts, Zack always felt that Jas, who talked freely and treated him like a brother...
Always gave him a very strange feeling.
This feeling was hard to describe in words.
But it was real.
It was as if...
As if Jas wasn’t a young man in his early twenties.
As if every ti he spoke to Zack, it felt ticulously designed.
Zack felt that in front of him, Jas always wore a mask.
Zack knew very well that this mask was sothing he himself only put on when giving interviews or presenting himself in public.
Especially that day when Jas told his brothers not to be displeased with Zack.
No matter how Zack thought about it afterward...
That was a serendipitous mont where Jas seized the opportunity to demonstrate deep brotherhood to him.
However...
Overall, Jas still left a good impression on Zack this sumr.
He even sought out Zack privately the night before they were scheduled to return to the States.
"Listen, brother, you’re about to report to Oakland.
This is a crucial mont for you to establish dominance. As soone who’s been through it, I think it’s necessary for to share my experience with you."
First, Jas gave Zack a general overview of the long-standing rookie hazing culture in the NBA.
"If the veterans just want to ss with you a bit, you don’t have to take it to heart, because that’s a way for you to integrate into the team."
"But if they persist and go too far, believe , that will seriously threaten your position on the team and affect your image in your teammates’ eyes."
"What should I do if that happens?"
"It’s simple: have your agent notify managent, and then you just keep quiet. No team likes a troublemaker who stirs up the locker room."
"You an, I should secretly snitch?"
"I an, let your agent be your ’white glove,’ never get your own hands dirty."
"But what if the team managent doesn’t want to get involved?"
"That’s exactly what I’m going to talk about next... you must pay attention to which teammates you can win over.
You can show them favor by giving gifts or through various hints.
Believe , you are the noble NBA number one draft pick, the ssiah the Warriors have been waiting for...
As long as you proactively show goodwill, you’ll definitely be able to quickly build a team that belongs only to you."
That day, looking at Jas’s mature face, although he had completely lost his usual easygoing deanor and instead resembled a high and mighty king...
Zack felt that this version of Jas was actually more approachable.
Because this was the true LeBron Jas.
Next, Jas explained to Zack how to gradually establish his authority within the team...
And how to leverage situations to get what he wanted from managent.
"Did you figure all this out yourself?" Zack asked curiously.
Jas nodded, "I grew up without a father. Life taught when to bow my head and when to stand tall.
When I was sixteen, an article in the New York Tis made an overnight darling of the entire basketball world.
From that mont, I realized that this could very well be my chance to change my destiny, and it was a once-in-a-lifeti opportunity.
I desperately seized this opportunity and cherished it, and that’s why there’s the LeBron Jas of today."
After a pause, Jas continued, "Zack, you and I have many similarities...
For example, we both truly stepped into the lilight thanks to Ira Berkow’s reporting.
For example, we are the only two players under Nike who have top-tier endorsent deals.
For example, we are both number one picks, and for example, we are both famous worldwide for our explosive athleticism...
I know very well that in the upcoming season, you will definitely be the focus of the world’s attention, but surviving in the NBA isn’t just about playing well."
At this mont, looking at Jas, who was opening up to him, although Zack didn’t agree with so of his statents, Zack still smiled and said to him, "Thank you, LeBron. I think the experience you’ve taught will co in handy."
"Brother, if you want to achieve your dreams in life, you need to keep fighting for them. This process is always tough, and life will be full of bumps, but you always need to go through so things to get what you want," Jas said earnestly, patting Zack’s shoulder.
Hearing this, Zack laughed, "Where did you read that in the front of a book this ti?"
The next second, Jas shrugged and said, "It doesn’t matter. What matters is that these words will make appear to be a philosophical and well-read young man in public."
Jas that day showed Zack another side of him.
Zack couldn’t judge whether this version of Jas was good or bad.
Because in this world, everyone is an extrely complex individual.
Unless they are truly heinous, it’s very difficult to define people as simply good or bad.
On September 29th, after concluding their tour, Zack and Jas returned to the United States together.
In the East Bay of San Francisco, Zack moved into a mansion he had previously scouted with Evans.
You see, even though Zack didn’t plan to live in the United States after his basketball career, he still had to buy this mansion.
Because as the Warriors’ ssiah, he had to use this $2 million mansion to tell the Golden State Warriors that at least he intended to play for them long-term.
In the NBA, whether a high-draft pick buys a house in the local area after getting their salary...
Has always been an important assessnt indicator for teams when deciding whether to invest resources in you.
It’s true that Zack is the NBA’s number one pick.
It’s also true that the Warriors wouldn’t make things difficult for him over buying a house.
But often, when you’re in the "jianghu" (a term for the martial arts world, but here aning society or the professional world), how can you always do as you please?
Just as this world has many unwritten rules, the NBA also has its own unspoken rules.
In East Bay, looking at the top-tier mansion with a total area of about 800 square ters, 5 bedrooms, 5 bathrooms, a large wine cellar, and an additional small villa...
Evans said to Zack, "I’ll live in that small villa from now on. Whatever you need, I can be there imdiately."
In addition, at Zack’s instruction, Evans also arranged appropriate bodyguards and a housekeeper for Zack in the mansion.
As soone close to him, Evans’s service, in Zack’s eyes, could only be described as thoughtful and thorough.
However, for a while, Zack was still a bit unaccustod to this life of being served.
But regarding this...
Evans, who had already planned for this, imdiately ca up with a solution to help Zack adapt to this new life.
That is, this thoughtful steward had already arranged for ga consoles and various fitness equipnt in Zack’s mansion.
"You can co to if you want to play any gas, but as for fitness... I’m afraid I can’t help you, because I’m no longer a basketball player," Evans said to Zack.
"Also, since we’ll be reporting to the Warriors tomorrow morning, you can’t sleep too late tonight.
I’ve already arranged a driver and a car for you, as per your request, a brand new Maybach."
At this mont, Zack finally understood the weight of what Jas had told him earlier.
"Brother, you’re going to be crowned in Oakland."
Yes, from the mont Zack was drafted by the Warriors...
He could no longer be an ordinary person.
On his first night in the East Bay mansion, Zack looked at himself in the mirror with a curious expression and said, "Is this the life you want?"
At this mont, Zack couldn’t answer his own question.
But the next day, with the rising sun, as he was about to report to the Warriors, his eyes instantly regained their usual clarity.
To make a na for himself in the NBA.
Zack, who had never wavered from his ideal, officially arrived at his loyal Oracle Arena on the morning of September 30th.
Originally, Oracle Arena was set to be officially renad next year.
However, because the Warriors unexpectedly obtained the number one pick this year, Oracle Corporation unhesitatingly beca the naming sponsor of the Warriors’ ho arena ahead of schedule.
After all...
The comrcial value Zack brought to the Warriors was visible to the naked eye.
Inside the arena, as Zack stepped in...
He saw head coach Montgory walking towards him.
This year, because Zack had comrcial promotions in , the Warriors actually delayed the start of their preseason training camp by a week.
Clearly, the Warriors’ managent wanted to use this thod to tell the veteran players on the team who the future core of this Warriors team would be.
But the team’s veterans inevitably felt so dissatisfaction with this action.
"We only won 13 gas last season. Ever since I was traded to Oakland, I’ve been constantly thinking about how to help this team out of its predicant, so why is our preseason training camp only starting today?"
On the court, Baron Davis, whose beard was practically standing on end with rage, was roaring.
Beside him, Jason Richardson, noticing Zack had already walked into the arena accompanied by Montgory, quickly elbowed Davis in the ribs.
Seeing this, Davis turned his gaze to Zack and Montgory, frowning.
As an All-Star guard who had been in the NBA for six seasons, the original "Big Beard" clearly had no intention of treating Zack differently just because he was the number one pick.
At this mont, looking directly at Zack, Davis said, "You’re that rookie the coach and team call the ssiah?
Listen, in the NBA, no amount of comrcial activity can replace a win.
Because of you, we’ve delayed our combined practice ti by almost a week this year."
In that instant, looking at the furious Davis, it must be said...
This certainly fit Zack’s impression of him.
Energetic and passionate on and off the court, always hungry for victory and full of self-confidence and pride...
At Oracle Arena, the mont Davis lectured Zack, the air in the entire arena suddenly froze.
And the next second, as Zack approached Davis step by step, everyone’s hearts were in their throats.
One was a battle-hardened star guard.
One was the ssiah the Warriors had longed for.
If they start fighting, who should we help?
On the court, just as everyone felt they could barely breathe, Jarrett Jack, who was drafted by the Warriors through a trade this year, quietly stood behind Zack.
Kwa Brown, who had just been traded to the Warriors in a three-team deal this sumr, followed suit.
Although at this mont, Brown had no idea why he was following Jack...
But looking at Jack’s firm and steady steps...
In Brown’s opinion, he must not have followed the wrong person.
However, before Brown could fully react...
Zack’s next actions nearly made him collapse.
On the court, looking down at the original "Big Beard," Zack said, "You’re B-Diddy (Puffy Daddy, Davis’s nickna)? Honestly, that nickna really suits you."
After a pause, Zack looked around and said, "Can soone tell , after B-Diddy was traded to the Warriors last season, excluding gas missed due to injury, how many gas did he lead the Warriors to win?"
Hearing this, Davis instantly flared up and said, "Rookie, you want to lecture an All-Star guard?"
Zack shook his head and said, "I’m just stating the facts."
Then, Zack turned his gaze to others and said, "I’m very happy that none of you are disheartened by last season’s terrible record...
But I have a question: why do you, who have either been failures or on the path to failure, dare to brazenly complain about the preseason training camp being delayed by a week?
Did you lead the Warriors to the playoffs in previous seasons when the preseason training camp wasn’t delayed?
Did you all stop practicing during this delayed week?"
At this mont, no one in the entire arena could answer Zack’s questions.
Especially veteran Warriors players like Richardson, Mike Dunleavy Jr., and Troy Murphy.
Although these Warriors veterans all had reservations about the Warriors’ managent’s eagerness to promote Zack after drafting him...
It was an undisputed fact that the Warriors were widely considered a terrible team.
So even though they felt that this new number one pick, Zack, had a much bigger temper than everyone had imagined...
No one dared to speak up at this mont.
Davis, who had always been arrogant, was the only player who dared to look Zack directly in the eye today.
To be honest, this disappointed Zack.
So, after a final look around, Zack said, "Alright, you can choose between fighting or playing basketball.
Next, I’ll show you with my actions why you bums had to wait a week for ."
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