Generation Z Artists

Chapter 162 A Legend Forged Through Threat

Fang Xinghe's attitude was very clear and firm—

Don't fucking choose me, if you do, you'll just end up losing to each other.

Without a doubt, this was a pure threat, a threat emanating from the player to the team.

Similar examples are rare in NBA draft history, but they do exist.

Some rebellious players occasionally warn a team after a tryout: I'm not going to play for you, don't fucking draft me.

The team will usually accommodate him and won't force him to.

But what if you actually choose it?

Players have no choice; the existence of the freeze clause makes them perpetually the weaker party.

A group of poor people who struggled to make it in the slums can't even play ball, so they're destined to remain poor forever.

Even if Curry, a second-generation basketball player who doesn't lack money, didn't go to New York and was snatched up by the Warriors, didn't he have no choice but to obediently report to the Warriors?
Therefore, under normal circumstances, the effectiveness of such a threat is very limited.

But this is an abnormal situation.

The Oprah Winfrey Show has just aired, and the media and public response has been extremely enthusiastic. Everyone knows that Fang Xinghe is the Son of Asia, a billionaire, a writer by profession, and could become an actor in the future.

He can still live a good life even if he doesn't play ball.

Danzi was so angry that her lips turned white—originally chocolate-colored.

Just as he was about to speak, Pauline hurriedly blocked his way.

"Yes, yes, Fang, you are not an ordinary rookie. Even the highest-level number one draft pick cannot fully express your value."

You were born great, skilled in both literature and martial arts; you can live well without us.

It is the NBA that needs your fame and ability, not the other way around.

I know, I know all of this, so I won't treat you as a tool. Aren't we sitting here to discuss what kind of treatment and glory is worthy of you?

So calm down, child, let's talk this out calmly again. There must be a way to solve this..."

It's clear that Bolin really wants Fang Xinghe.

Because he can not only solve the problems of ticket sales and attendance, but also greatly benefit the team's annual revenue and market value management.

In terms of basketball status, even in another ten years, it will be difficult for Fang Xinghe to surpass Jordan.

In terms of commercial value, Fang is now able to compete head-on with Jordan.

Upon hearing Bolin's flattery, Danzi's chest heaved violently, but Wang Chali and the others smiled openly.

Fang Xinghe delayed his audition until the Oprah Winfrey Show premiered precisely to gain the upper hand in negotiations.

Wang Chali glanced at the indignant Danzi and casually reminded him, "Why don't you turn on the TV, or go downstairs and buy a few newspapers, and see just how many people are praising my BOSS right now?!"

Danzi knew, of course he knew. He had read three major newspapers that morning, and they were all about Fang Xinghe.

Moreover, it was a highly positive report.

The Washington Post

This is a national newspaper based in Washington, D.C., that is highly authoritative in its political reporting and investigative journalism.

The Post has a separate sports section that focuses on local teams and college sports.

It also has a literary section called the (Book World) column, which is published weekly.

Yesterday, Fang Xinghe logged into the sports section of the Post, and today, he appeared again in the "Book World" column.

"Chinese prodigy Star River is coming to Washington!"

This was actually yesterday's sports news. People who didn't know the situation might think it was political news, as if Fang Xinghe was going to visit the White House.

The article was written with great enthusiasm, and the people of Washington responded with great enthusiasm as well.

"Fang Xinghe will soon be invited to try out for the Wizards. We have a number one draft pick this year, which is a great opportunity to change the humiliating history of Washington basketball. As long as we select Star River."

Yes, I firmly believe he can change all of this, even though he has never participated in any professional competitions and is only 16 years old this year.

As a professional basketball commentator, making such a hasty conclusion without sufficient evidence is likely to attract a lot of criticism.

But I still stand by my opinion: Star River is a superstar capable of changing the landscape of the league, and I can't wait to see him play at home.

The local basketball commentators are a bit crazy, but the local fans are even crazier.

They warmly welcomed Fang Xinghe through radio, websites, mailboxes, reader calls, and any other means of communication.

To be honest, Washington fans are proud and arrogant, but they aren't always like that. For example, Kwame Brown, who just finished a three-week secret tryout with the Wizards, didn't get the approval of the local fans.

What did they say back then?

Oh, they didn't say anything.

The fans generally maintained a detached and indifferent attitude, and some were even indifferent.

Upon arriving at Fang Xinghe's location, they immediately announced on the radio: "I will buy him season tickets for this year, next year, and every year thereafter!"

"The team may still be weak, but for Star River, I am willing to step onto the court and grow with them."

"Get him! This is Bullet's only chance!"

"Noble Washington has finally found his true master. To be honest, I'm not more excited about Jordan deciding to play than about getting Star River. Star River is completely different. When I'm cheering for him from the sidelines, I'll be holding up his book. It's a cultural victory."

"I really don't like watching a bunch of black people play basketball. Asians? Normally it's even worse, but Fang is an exception. His nobility was on full display in the Time interview."

Yesterday, a local radio station in Washington, D.C., aired a special program on whether the Wizards could acquire Fang Xinghe. During the call-in segment, many comments made by Black people were very uncomfortable.

But this is very Washington.

This capital city is not simply discriminating against Black people, but rather a group of white and Black elites discriminating against all lower-class people equally.

Fang Xinghe was the perfect commander they could never have dreamed of.

Star River represents their heartfelt respect.

This is very Washington, even its nicknames are so high-end and classy.

Similar ideas are presented even more intuitively in today's Book World section.

Star River: A Must-Read Author

"When a writer's work sells 3000 million copies in just two or three years, you have to read it."

His works may not suit you, but they certainly possess a unique charm. You can read them and then say you don't like them, but you can't let prejudice prevent you from enjoying them. Otherwise, you'll never know what you've missed.

Unfortunately, since Star River's works are not available in English, I only saw a few short articles translated by Washington State University. Among them, the one that surprised and even shocked me the most was "Sex, Violence, and Lies".

Star River deconstructs his father, mother, and himself, and also deconstructs the neoliberal ideology that is rampant in the United States…

The author Simon's high praise for Fang Xinghe is entirely based on his own stance.

The United States is a divided society where conservatism and liberalism coexist fiercely. To use music as an analogy, rock, West Coast black rap, and country music are not only different in taste, but also represent the underlying ideological opposition among their audiences.

Britain, France, and Germany are all established capitalist countries, but their music styles are relatively homogeneous. Japan is the second largest music market, but pop music dominates, leaving no room for rap, reggae, country, or rhythm and blues.

The reason why the American music market is so unique is precisely because of the unique composition of American society.

Therefore, no matter how Fang Xinghe presents himself, he will always have a group of fans.

His attitude in the Time magazine interview drew some criticism domestically, but was instead embraced in the United States, where churches are ubiquitous.

His book, "Sex, Violence, and Lies," is clearly a critique of American liberalism, yet it is being lauded by another faction.

The Washington Post even contacted Charlie Wang to request permission to reprint the article.

Fang Xinghe glanced at the translation and felt it was lacking, so he refused.

But this did not affect the Washington Post's positive impression of Xinghe.

Because the people of the Washington area have a great fondness for the Star River.

This is a very subtle expectation, based on stance, identity, and the social class in which Fang Xinghe belongs.

Why is the Wizards' market so bad?
It is not highly positively correlated with the record.

How could the noble people of Washington possibly accept a team led by a rude black man as a representative of sports?

No, that's impossible.

Therefore, the Post's true calling is college sports, which is the pride of the Washington area.

Wang Charlie didn't understand this, but Fang Xinghe did. Before coming to the Wizards for a tryout, he read the sports section of the Washington Post for fifteen consecutive days and also browsed local forums in Washington. Combining this with his perspective from a later era, he easily grasped the problem.

Did Pauline understand this? It's hard to say.

Washington, Seattle, New York, and Los Angeles—these four major cities have different attitudes toward their local NBA teams, from the media to the fans, and from the fans to the general public.

This has complex historical reasons, profound cultural elements, and is also mixed with ideologies that are difficult to articulate.

From Fang Xinghe's high-dimensional perspective, the United States is a strange stew, it always has been, it is now.

Based on the cause-and-effect relationship, the collapse of the United States was a historical inevitability.

The bad news: Nobody believes it now.

Good news: Fang Xinghe doesn't need anyone to believe that he has the ability to exploit the cracks that exist throughout society.

Washington's expectations of him are a very useful bargaining chip.

Fang Xinghe brought this up deliberately with a hint of sarcasm: "It seems that many people see me as the savior of Washington sports, rather than some arrogant old god."

Danzi flew into a rage instantly, but the boy didn't care.

This was said to Pauline.

“Michael is our savior,” Pollin said righteously. “Of course, you are too. If you two join forces, the Wizards’ future will surely be brighter.”

Fatty Bo tried to mend the rift, but no one appreciated it.

"I don't need him!" Danzi roared. "I can win everything on my own!"

“You can’t win.” Fang Xinghe calmly pointed out the problem. “You can’t even beat me. That era is over. Michael Jordan, out.”

There is no greater humiliation than this.

Danzi flew into a rage and slammed his fist on the table.

"You fucking beat Michael Jordan, who hadn't touched a basketball in two years!"
Kid, do you think you're that strong?

No, I'll use the remaining 30% of my strength to fight you to a standstill!

I don't need to prove anything to you, but you have to respect the facts—if I decide to play basketball properly, then in just two months of recovery time, I can twist your head off and play with it like a ball!

If I had six months, I would still be me, the basketball god, while you would be nothing, a rookie with no reputation, no ring, and no one to trust you!

How dare you speak so arrogantly to me?!

You just beat me by three points. Okay, release the video and let's see what happens!
Do you think you'll earn the respect of the media and fans?!
No! Bullshit! You'll get nothing, and nobody will think you truly beat Jordan!

this is correct.

Although Danzi is like a hysterical shrew now, he is right.

This video is valuable, but not enough to prove that Fang Xinghe is the new god, because he did not defeat the Jordan that everyone has in mind.

For an average rookie, this victory would be enough to make him famous.

But for Fang Xinghe, defeating a fat Joe was far from impressive.

So he deliberately glanced at Jordan and coldly questioned, "Then why don't you come back? I can give you as much time as you need. Go to the gym, recover, and then beat me fair and square. The question is, can you do it?"

can you?
The correct grammar would be "can you do it," but Fang Xinghe asked: "but, you can?"

He knows exactly how to provoke Danzi.

Jordan suddenly suppressed his anger, stared intently at Fang Xinghe, and replied, word by word, "You'll see."

A surge of joy welled up in Pauline's heart, and he asked in a trembling voice, "Michael, you're planning to make a comeback? Really?"

Danzi turned to Tim: "Starting tomorrow, training will resume. Any questions?"

Thiem proudly raised his chin: "By the time the season starts in October, a full four and a half months, I will get you back to your former form."

Danzi stared at Fang Xinghe again: "Did you hear that? In October, we'll have a fair fight."

Fang Xinghe curled the corners of his mouth and laughed heartily.

In his previous life, Danzi decided to make a comeback later, around mid-June, when he began rehabilitation training. Just a few days later, he had his ribs broken by Artest in the training camp.

It's not that Artest is really that strong. Malone, Mahorn, and Barkley used so many dirty tricks but couldn't take down Jordan. Why would Artest break so easily?
No matter how much earlier or later it was, nothing would have happened.

It was precisely in the early stages of his recovery training that Jordan's body was in a state of extreme fatigue and adaptation, completely lacking the conditions for high-intensity competition and the ability to protect himself, which led to the problem.

This fracture completely ruined Tim's rehabilitation plan.

After fully recovering from the injury, there are only a little over two months left. It's impossible for a normal person to both lose fat intensively and regain their athletic ability.

However, Danzi forced her way back into the game, without any gradual and scientific training, relying solely on willpower to shorten the training period.

This directly resulted in Wizards' Joe carrying a right knee cartilage wear and effusion injury, leaving him crippled from the first day he returned to the court, and causing him to miss 22 games due to the severity of the injury.

To reduce the pressure on his right knee, he shifted all the pressure to his left knee, resulting in fluid buildup in his left knee during the 02-03 season.

However, in this season, this beast played all 82 games while wearing protective gear.

Therefore, veteran fans are speculating: if Dan hadn't had his rehabilitation plan affected by the fracture during the summer of 01, he probably would have been able to put up even more superstar numbers.

It's impossible to return to my peak condition, but as long as I'm healthy, everything will change.

This is not an excuse. Dan himself has not made any excuses about his two years with the Wizards. It is just a reasonable judgment by fans based on his playing every game with an injured leg in the 02-03 season and averaging 20+ points per game.

Fang Xinghe is not afraid of a healthy Jordan; on the contrary, he needs a healthy Jordan.

There is a kind of victory that is not worth boasting about—bullying the old, weak, sick, and disabled.

So, for the first time, he smiled and sincerely wished Dane well: "Don't rush, I can even give you more time until you truly reach this peak in the healthiest state."

I promise this video won't be leaked until then.

If you win, you can not only take back this video, but you can also send the one where you beat me wherever you want.

And if you lose again… I'll step on your head and declare that this league has nothing to offer.

Danzi was so angry that she was trembling all over.

Compared to those unchanging English swear words, Fang Xinghe doesn't use profanity, but he's even more infuriating and his insults are even dirtier.

Bolin, standing to the side, was completely dumbfounded.

"What do you mean? You still don't intend to sign a contract with us?"

Fang Xinghe glanced at him and replied casually, "What's the use of signing a contract? According to the 99 version of the collective bargaining agreement, I can refuse to play, but I only need to accept the consequences of being suspended without pay and pay the team a penalty of about 30% of the total amount of the 4-year contract."

As for the league's punishment... at most, it will be an additional suspension and a small fine.

I've calculated it, and it's around $550 million in total.

Don't worry, I don't need that money. You don't even need to file a lawsuit.

Pauline and Billy were dumbfounded.

Jordan and Tim were dumbfounded.

Wes and Doug were dumbfounded.

Everyone was exasperated by Fang Xinghe. They had seen black players who acted like overgrown children, more than once, but no one had ever seen a legal professional as willful yet reasonable as Fang Xinghe.

Why the hell are you calculating this? Huh?!
Facing what is arguably the most difficult kid in NBA history, Pollin carefully put on a smiling face.

"So, what exactly do you want from us to sign a contract and play well?"

Fang Xinghe leaned back on the sofa, crossed his legs, and replied with a smile, "I'll agree to sign a contract with you the day this fat guy is fully recovered."

The day he beat me, I agreed to play.

If you insist on picking me but he can't beat me, then it's simple—acknowledge that I'm the leader of this team, that's OK too, I'll lead you to your seventh championship.”

Huff, huff, huff...

It was as if a wind had suddenly blown into the quiet room.

After catching his breath, Danzi suddenly got up and left, ignoring everyone and not asking about the video again.

Those who know him well know that he will begin a new self-torture with a burning rage.

Fang Xinghe effortlessly changed the history of the NBA and became deeply ingrained in it.

Perhaps in time, their story will become a new legend.

(End of this chapter)