Rekindling the dream of becoming a star

Chapter 388 We Will Win (Transitional Chapter)
With a score of 107-94, China has effectively qualified for the next round.

This was a planned outcome, but it still brought smiles to the faces of the entire team.

September 3rd is a rest day and also a media interview day.

Chen Fang could no longer refuse, because this was an interview with CCTV, and it was part of the established interview plan.

So Chen Fang changed his mind and made a request. After receiving consent, he and Yao attended the interview together in a room in the VIP reception building of the Basketball Management Center.

Yao Shanshan arrived late, looking exhausted. During international competitions, he was actually the busiest person.

The combination of Yao and Chen Fang is already the strongest duo in China.

However, no one realized that this interview would become the catalyst for a revolutionary change in Chinese basketball.

The host was Yu Jia, and the director in charge of this interview was Jiang Yi, the chief producer of CCTV-5.

Chen Fang and Yu Jia were old acquaintances, and the atmosphere was very harmonious when they met. After shaking hands with Jiang Yi, Chen Fang suddenly said, "You guys shouldn't have any affiliation with the Basketball Association, right?"

This question left Jiang Yi completely baffled. Approaching fifty, he maintained his smile and answered truthfully, "Yes, we belong to the broadcasting system, and the highest level is the Central Propaganda Department."

"What about the Basketball Association?" Chen Fang asked again.

"Although the Chinese Basketball Association is an organization formally designated as a social organization under the General Administration of Sport, it is actually under the leadership and supervision of the General Administration," Yao explained.

"Understood!"

After sitting down, Yu Jia sat on one side, while Chen Fang and Yao sat on the other, the three of them facing each other.

After the usual opening remarks, Yu Jia raised the first pre-set question: "After two matches, Chen Fang, what do you think we still need to improve?"

"From the course of the match, I felt that everyone showed excellent competitive form, which I personally think was even better than their form in the league."

"Yes, from the perspective of the audience, the Chinese men's basketball team has a very good teamwork ability. Now everyone regards this result as your joining. What do you think?" Yu Jia continued to introduce.

Unexpectedly, Chen Fang nodded without hesitation: "That's right. My return makes the national team even more perfect and powerful, and everyone can give full play to their own characteristics."

Yu Jia was quite surprised, but with his rich interviewing experience, he remained calm and changed the subject: "Compared to NBA games, what do you think are the differences between FIBA ​​games and other competitions? Which is more difficult?"

Chen Fang pondered for a moment: "FIBA's rules are more suitable for teams. The NBA is a commercial league. Its primary goal is to attract viewers and serve to expand its brand value. Therefore, its rules will protect exciting content."

"FIBA values ​​the clash of hard skills and is a competition with rules based purely on the game."

"So, international competitions are even more difficult, right?" Yu Jia asked.

"Yes, whether it's the perimeter or the inside, scoring and defending are becoming more difficult."

"But I feel that you seem unaffected, and even more relaxed. Why is that?"

"Haha, actually not, it's just that the intensity wasn't high enough in the group stage," Chen Fang explained. He continued, "The later matches will be very difficult, and we are all mentally prepared."

When the topic turned to the upcoming World Championships, Yu Jia seemed eager to discuss it, so he asked Yao: "Looking at the schedule, we'll be playing against Group B. If we maintain our top position in Group A, our opponent will most likely be Russia. Do we have a good chance of winning against them?"

"Russia is also a traditionally strong team in Europe." Yao said knowingly, "Their strength is about the same as Poland's, but this time several of their key players are out injured, which is good news."

"In the second phase, besides Russia, there is also the powerful Argentina, who are our main competitors." Yao said this with a serious expression.

Argentina is exceptionally well-rounded, representing the pinnacle of team basketball, and is an opponent that no one in this World Championship can confidently defeat.

"Because the advancement rules for the second stage are based on total points, including the results of the group stage, we are going all out to win and cannot give up on any game."

"This will be a crucial stage for the Chinese team to move forward," Chen Fang added.

Yu Jia nodded. He could see Yao's seriousness and was also affected by his emotions. So he wanted to ask something encouraging: "Yi is the team's second-leading scorer. Do you think he can return to the NBA?"

"Of course, he has always been at the NBA level. In terms of game reading, physical strength, scoring methods, training attitude and other professional qualities, he has never fallen below this level," Chen Fang praised without reservation.

"This time you were granted the opportunity to play in the Clippers' preseason and received a two-way contract. Was this your recommendation?" Yu Jia's question didn't faze Chen Fang; instead, he smiled.

"Yes, I recommend it."

“The NBA selects players through the draft and by finding hidden gems in the Summer League. Yi Jianlian was the best-performing player on the Chinese team in the five Summer League games, and the Clippers’ coach could see that.”

"Harrell's departure means we need an inside scorer, and Yi is a very suitable replacement by all accounts."

"Aren't you worried about being criticized for forming cliques?" Yu Jia's question was quite bold, but Chen Fang's answer was even more surprising.

"This isn't criticism, it's forming cliques."

This left Yu Jia speechless, and Chen Fang continued, "In NBA culture, there is a concept of recruitment. Coaches and management are happy to see the core players of the team recruit trusted and reliable players to become teammates."

"This is beneficial for winning and team unity. For a team to have cohesion, there must first be a group of people forming a small group."

"When everyone is part of this group, they are better able to serve the whole season."

"This is also the difference between the national team and the club. Many coaches often have a misunderstanding on this issue." Chen Fang's last sentence made Yu Jiaxin jump. He subconsciously felt that Chen Fang was implying something.

“An excellent club coach may not be a good choice for a national team head coach.” Chen Fang continued casually, “The national team has to evaluate many people. I know that this time the 12-man national team roster is controversial.”

"It's not that those who are not selected are worse than those who are selected; rather, those who are selected are more suitable for this system."

"We lack reliable inside scorers, and we also lack strong scorers at the 3 and 4 positions, so the best way is to play to our strengths and avoid our weaknesses."

"Use offensive and defensive transitions and small-ball tactics to solve most scoring problems."

"Therefore, we need players who can run fast, charge forward, carry heavy loads, and keep up."

Chen Fang briefly outlined the national team's selection philosophy, and Yu Jia nodded repeatedly. Just as he was laughing at himself for being too sensitive, Chen Fang's next sentence left him stunned.

“But that’s not enough!” Chen’s words immediately created a tense atmosphere.

“The entire league can’t find a core player in the third and fourth positions for both offense and defense, which is problematic.” Chen Fang said in a deep voice, his tone becoming serious: “A qualified and mature league should have strong players of different types in each position, so that the national team can have a sufficient selection.”

Yu Jia hesitated to speak, but Yao eased the awkwardness: "We used to have some very good players at the three and four positions, but in recent years, with the opening up of foreign players, these positions have been taken up."

Yu Jia finally understood that the two were putting on a show, so he made up his mind to join in.

"Does this need to be adjusted or optimized?"

Yao shook his head: "I think we should continue to open up the league. Keeping the league vibrant is not about closing it off. Bringing in excellent players and letting local players learn and compete will actually catalyze the emergence of even better players."

"Chen Fang, what do you think?"

Chen Fang's words surprised Yu Jia again; he didn't agree, but opposed.

"The NBA is now expanding its overseas market, relaxing the standards for overseas drafts, and establishing NBA training camps around the world to provide professional assistance to talented young people."

"In today's NBA, a group of players who are not from the United States have become the core."

"However, the CBA has always been a place where foreign players make money, and the requirements of major clubs for foreign players are very consistent and singular: they must be particularly good at scoring or particularly good at defense. I may not know the situation as well as Yao, but I know one thing." Chen Fang raised his index finger.

"Those who come to the CBA are actually very one-dimensional in terms of ability. On the contrary, well-rounded players are not favored. From a results-oriented perspective, clubs want results, not processes." "This result is a playoff spot, or a higher ranking."

"These things are meaningless at the national team level."

"Many of the club's coaches are out of touch with international standards and have no idea what the mainstream tactical ideas are now. I think clubs need not only foreign players, but also foreign coaches."

Yao listened attentively. He only knew that Chen Fang had something to say today, but he didn't expect that he would start by criticizing the CBA.

Does Chen Fang have the right to criticize? Actually, no, because he is not an insider. As someone who has never played in the CBA league and has long since severed ties with the State Sports Commission, it is not appropriate for him to criticize the problems of the domestic league.

But if we think about it in a broader sense, Chen Fang has it, and so do Chinese fans.

If the domestic league cannot cultivate enough good players, then it means that Chen Wang will have to make greater efforts at the national team level.

Chinese fans also watch the game, because they feel humiliated and angry when the team plays poorly or is mocked by fans from other countries.

Yao remained silent, and Yu Jia didn't know how to respond. Then Chen Fang said, "Please forgive my bluntness. I've just turned 21, and I may stay in the national team for a long time. I hope the national team will become better."

This statement left Yao with no room for argument, and he nodded: "This process will be very difficult, but we must always strive in this direction."

Yu Jia seized the opportunity to change the subject: "Chen Fang, you have experienced the entire selection process of American basketball from the bottom to the top. What do you think are the differences between China and the United States in this regard?"

"The gap is significant, at least for now."

"The United States has perfected its talent selection mechanism; it's unrealistic to simply copy it wholesale."

"One of the most important and crucial links is the school."

"Most high schools in the United States are private, so they require a lot of financial investment. Tuition fees, social donations, and alumni donations allow schools to devote their energy to many sports."

"It's difficult for public schools to produce talented individuals because any talent is absorbed by private schools."

"Then, through various leagues, outstanding and talented individuals are naturally selected, and so on. The NBA, as the top-level continuation, absorbs the final winners year after year."

"China can't do this. Even if we copy it, it's hard to guarantee the quantity. What's more, we lack qualified coaches at the grassroots level. You can't expect a coach who doesn't even understand how a profession is built to train a professional."

These words were spoken to Yao, and Yao seemed to understand.

"So, what would you do if you switched places with Yao?" Yu Jia said jokingly.

"Me?" Chen Fang took it seriously. He lowered his head to think for a moment, then looked up at Yao.

"Start from scratch, mobilize the masses, and rebuild a super league with high fan participation."

Yao was surprised but became even more serious. This was the first time Chen Fang had used a joking manner to express his ideas.

“The existing clubs and fans are not very involved. We are not in the United States. We don’t have that many middle-class people. NBA owners can rely on the middle class to generate revenue, but China cannot do that.”

"But we also have our own advantages. Most of us are ordinary people, and we generally have a strong attachment to our hometown. County leagues support their respective townships, city leagues support their own counties, and provincial leagues support their own cities. We don't need any guidance; it's all spontaneous."

"Isn't this an amateur league?" Yu Jia couldn't help but ask.

“Yes, the NCAA is an amateur league!” Chen Fang laughed.

"The difference between amateur and professional is in funding, management, and marketing, but there is no difference in essence."

"Let me raise a hypothetical question," Chen Fang said to Yao and Yu Jia. "If a province had a dozen or so cities that each formed a team and then organized it into a league, wouldn't it attract more attention than the Chinese Super League or the CBA?"

Yu Jia doesn't even need to think about this question: "I don't think there's any comparison. From an entertainment perspective, I believe fans would choose professional."

Chen Fang then turned to look at Yao, who nodded: "I agree with Teacher Yu's point of view."

"I can't provide proof now, but time will prove my judgment."

"Fans don't care about the entertainment value; above that, they also care about a sense of belonging."

"Only by mobilizing the grassroots can we broaden the basketball job market, allowing a large number of players to retire and make a living at the grassroots level. This will not only create more grassroots coaches but also discover more talented children who are suited for basketball."

"It's a great idea, and we're all working on it," Yu Jia quickly said, trying to smooth things over. Chen Fang didn't intend to dwell on the topic any longer; after all, the nail had been planted, and it would eventually come out.

But at the end, Chen Fang left a surprise.

"No matter how far we go in the games, it won't be considered a success for Chinese basketball. We have too many shortcomings. If we don't want to repeat the rollercoaster international performance after 08, I think we still need to work hard at the grassroots level."

After the interview, Yu Jia gave Jiang Yi a wry smile: "How do we edit this interview? How do we broadcast it?"

Jiang Yi also looked troubled and could only say, "Prepare first, and we'll consider whether to include it in the program depending on the situation."

Inside the elevator, Yao said to Chen Fang, "You really gave me a good time today."

"I just want to play quietly. Unless I'm not allowed to play for the national team, I'll say something no matter what."

Yao felt helpless about this, but he didn't think Chen Fang was using it as leverage.

"Regarding your earlier idea, is Azure the plan?"

"You'll see, basketball and football will change sooner or later."

"Basketball may not need to hit rock bottom before it learns its lesson, but football is really close." Chen Fang said with certainty, and Yao didn't want to argue.

He increasingly failed to understand the person in front of him, and compared to what he himself was plotting, it all seemed so childish.

Azure is growing stronger every day, encompassing nearly ten provinces and municipalities across the north and south. It holds a large number of sparse shares and distributes profits to local powerful families, much like it is running a franchise store.

Previously, Yao thought Chen Fang was acting recklessly, or at least his agents didn't understand operations. But after listening to him today, Yao realized that Chen Fang had grand ambitions.

If Chen Fang were to build a league platform that supports grassroots talent, then this path would be clear. In the future, the CBA would rely on the sports commission to supply talent, while the Blue League would rely on the grassroots to select geniuses. It's unimaginable how much attention such a draft would attract.

By then, the value of the CBA will really be diminished and affected.

Is this a good thing? Yao is confused!

"The NBA only started to grow strong after merging with the ABA, so the CBA should have a rival." Chen Fang's voice drifted into Yao's ears. Yao composed himself and asked, "Then why does Blue still want to join the CBA?"

"Go in and come out again, maybe you can bring a few more families out!" Chen Fang's words made Yao suddenly realize something, but at the same time, they also made him feel a chill down his spine.

"The CBA will either undergo a complete reform and move towards a free market, or it will be swallowed up by a more advanced league. In short, as the country's size increases, the sports industry is currently seriously lagging behind. Don't worry about what the higher-ups will do; these things will change sooner or later."

"A great power should have the demeanor of a great power. In football and basketball, we will eventually reach the pinnacle."

Chen Fang's voice was very firm. When he parted ways with Yao, he held her hand and said, "Keep going, we will win."

"Outdated and corrupt practices that are no longer relevant to our times will be broken and eliminated. As long as we firmly believe, victory will belong to us, because the fans have discerning eyes!"

Yao felt a strange stirring in his heart, and he also gripped Chen Fang's hand tightly.

"must!"

(End of this chapter)