Rekindling the dream of becoming a star

Chapter 400: Creating Dreams for More People
For coaching staff, the NBA preseason games are a chance to assess players.

For management, it's all about making money.

The Clippers' preseason games took the Chinese market into full consideration, with a total of four games prepared.

On October 4th, I flew to Shanghai to play a match against the Shanghai team at the Mercedes-Benz Arena.

On October 9th, they traveled to Madrid, Spain, to play against Real Madrid.

On October 13, he returned to the United States and played against the Denver Nuggets at the Staples Center.

On October 18th, they will play their final game against the Dallas Mavericks.

Playing four games in two weeks may not seem like much, but it's actually more tiring than playing six games on home soil, because intercontinental travel is both time-consuming and mentally taxing.

The intercontinental flight was a chartered flight. Chen was on the plane playing poker with a group of people. It was American poker and could accommodate up to 10 people.

Before Butler arrived, the Clippers didn't have much entertainment during their travels, and everyone did their own thing.

Butler, a die-hard German fan, immediately turned the team's atmosphere into a fun-filled one, with even Chen Fang joining them at the table.

The venue was the coaching staff's meeting room, which had a long table and was full of people.

The team fielded a full squad of 17 players, and all the players at the table were millionaires, so the stakes were quite high, with the big blinds at 50/100 and the small blinds at 200.

Don't underestimate a few hundred dollars; winning or losing tens of thousands is a piece of cake.

This is unbearable for players outside the team's rotation.

Therefore, everyone sitting here right now is considered a big shot.

The player representatives consist of Butler, Chen Fang, Holiday, Richon, Rose, and Dillon Lund.

Lawrence represented management, while Rivers represented the coaching staff.

Blair acted as the dealer.

Chen Fang had a basic understanding of the rules, but he had never played before. After several rounds, he had already replenished his chips twice and lost $10,000.

Money is a minor matter; the main winner is Butler, and Chen Fang doesn't want him to steal the spotlight.

After inquiring about the rules, Chen Fang immediately made an overcharge, bringing his chip depth to $50,000.

According to the rules, everyone can apply for a code supplement at this time. Seeing the leader's determination, everyone laughs and jokes as they follow the depth.

Rivers said to Chen Fang meaningfully, "This is a game for the brave, and I have high hopes for you."

"Oh, then I've come to the right place," Chen Fang replied with a smile.

In the next round, the pool was filled with a wide range of entries, and the same betting sizing was used for any combination, which started to make things difficult for these veterans.

Sometimes you might think Chen Fang is bluffing, but after he reveals his hand, you realize that Chen Fang's hand is incredibly strong.

Sometimes I feel that Chen Fang has a strong hand, but when he shows his hand, it's a mixed set of 27.

After losing a big pot, Butler shouted to Chen Fang in frustration, "Brother, you're a chosen one, really. If it weren't for everyone proving it, I wouldn't believe this was your first time playing."

"Then I must thank you for coming and bringing out my new talent, bro."

Chen Fang chuckled to himself without saying a word. He didn't know how to play that game, but he did know how to play Texas Hold'em. To put it bluntly, this game is all about who comes second.

As long as you have unlimited backup options and don't care how much you lose, even if you're facing a professional player, they won't have a guaranteed win.

The others gradually understood the game and quietly backed down. Losing a little bit didn't matter; frankly, today's game was a contest between Butler and Chen Wang.

Lawrence and Rivers exchanged a quick glance, both noticing each other's anxiety.

Although Butler was recruited by Chen Fang, it seems that Butler is still a bit unhappy and will try to challenge Chen Fang's position whenever he gets the chance.

He's a real troublemaker.

Chen Fang was well aware that he was sitting opposite Butler, and their stakes were almost the same, both around 100,000.

Chen Fang folded for three consecutive hands, then went in with AQ. The flop came in and he got a KJ9 rainbow board.

Butler placed a quarter bet, and Chen Fang immediately sensed the danger and decisively folded.

When Butler saw Chen Fang deliberately reveal an Ace, his eyes widened in surprise.

"What cards did you have? You folded like that?"

“I think you’re trapping. Even though you opened the pot and started with an open hand, I think you just have a Rémy Martin connector, not an ABC.”

Chen Fang's words stunned Butler, who then revealed his Q10 heart color, eliciting gasps from the entire audience.

Tian Shun hand type!

"I feel like you can see through things!" Butler was extremely unwilling. He was setting a trap to lure Chen Fang into a trap so he could have a big meal.

Chen Fang smiled slightly, but that wasn't the case at all.

In his past life, Chen Fang had experience playing Texas Hold'em and loved to read other people's micro-expressions.

When Butler is feeling smug, he may not show any expression, but he likes to touch his earlobe. He did this right after the FLOP.

Chen Fang used an hour-long card game to read everyone's micro-expressions. Although he had been losing, as long as he identified everyone's weaknesses and replenished his chips, he would be invincible.

Over the next few laps, Chen Fang moved in and out, always slippery like an eel, avoiding several of Butler's key moves. Chen Fang then held a 27 mixed color 5B Butler.

Butler had AA and was overjoyed, but given Chen Fang's willingness to fold, he didn't go all-in and instead opted for a slow call.

Blair reveals his hand: 227, two spades and one diamond.

Chen Fang remained expressionless. He was in a bad position and had to make a vote first, so he checked his card directly.

Those watching felt that this hand wasn't within either player's range, but rather a moment to see the quality of their opening hand; it was unclear whether it would be pocket pairs or a combination like AK.

Neither of them could find any clues on their faces. Chen Fang also didn't notice that Butler touched his earlobe. Although he was the Heavenly Gourd, he wasn't the theoretical Nuts (the largest combination of cards).

The turn card was an Ace. As soon as the card was played, Butler touched his earlobe, and Chen Fang immediately realized something was wrong.

Chen Fang immediately deduced that Butler had AA because, pre-flop, the two players went from 3B to 4B, and finally 5B to call. Butler barely considered any of these moves, and Chen Fang had already judged that Butler had pocket pairs, and even overpairs.

If there's no Ace, then there's no reason to get excited about playing an Ace. So there's only one truth: this guy is holding AA and waiting for him.

Chen Fang now has only two choices: check again or fold if Butler raises.

However, there is another clever option: make a blocking bet. By making a psychological bet that you can accept, you can prevent your opponent from making a large bet, thereby achieving your intention to continue seeing the next card.

Chen Fang chose to bet three-quarters, because too little would provoke a counterattack from the opponent, while too much would be unbearable.

Butler deliberately thought for a moment and chose to call, intending to go all-in on a winning hand with all his chips.

Chen Fang's choice was actually very risky; he only had one chance to turn the tide, which was to combine his cards and get a 2.

When Blair dealt the winning card, revealing a bright 2, Chen Fang had to admit his heart was pounding.

He was incredibly lucky; he really got the game-winning shot.

I truly possess the innate supreme killing body; watch how I mock you!

Chen Fang chose to continue checking, and as he expected, Butler went all-in.

When Butler confidently pushed all his chips into the pot, everyone at the table gasped in surprise.

Even at this point, when no one could be sure what cards either side had, they were still able to throw out 100,000 chips without batting an eye.

"I'll call!" Chen Fang's words stunned everyone. Butler burst into laughter, threw out his Aces, and said to Chen Fang, "I have a full house, how do you plan to win?"

Chen Fang slowly pushed out all his chips, taking a good look at everyone's expressions.

Ross looked somewhat sympathetic, Holiday looked like he was watching a show, Dillon had a murderous glint in his eyes, and Richon stared at AA with awe.

Chen Fang noticed the fleeting disappointment and anxiety in Lawrence and Rivers' eyes.

He pointed to the five cards laid out side by side on the table and asked, "You've played three 2s, aren't you afraid I have them?"

"2?" Butler burst into laughter, almost laughing himself to death. He pounded the table and said, "Chen Wang, don't play this hellish joke. What kind of combination is this, 2? 5B me?"

"A2?" Suddenly, Butler considered this possibility, and his expression stiffened.

"No!" Chen Fang flipped over his 7-card deck and then blinked.

"Have you heard the legendary story of a player who won the championship with 27 mixed cards?" Chen Fang asked Butler, who had already suppressed his smile and was staring intently at Chen Fang's hand on the table.

"First time sparring, please excuse my lack of respect!" Chen Fang flipped open his 2 and slammed it on the table.

"I'm so sorry for the mess in here, I didn't expect you to be AA, I almost knelt down."

As soon as the number 2 appeared, everyone stood up and shouted, with Dillon raising his arms in a loud "Wow!"

"I almost forgot myself, but I'm damn good at finishing off opponents!" Chen Fang slammed his hand on the table and said, "We're about to land. The game is over. I'll cover all the expenses in Madrid this time!"

"Yay!" they cheered excitedly.

Butler sat alone, slumped in despair. The shift from euphoria to utter coldness happened in the blink of an eye. It wasn't about the money; it was about the devastating blow to his mental well-being.

Outside the conference room, in the hallway, Lawrence and Rivers both gave Chen Fang a hug. Although they didn't say anything, their smiles said it all.

This little incident quickly spread within the team, and when Butler handed the check to Chen Fang, Chen Fang accepted it with a grin. "Have you been playing a lot?" Chen Fang asked.

"I really enjoy playing it, it's very exciting, sometimes even more exciting than playing basketball on the court," Butler, sitting next to Chen Fang, replied, still in good spirits and having regained his energy.

"Then let me remind you, you need to reduce your mistakes! Otherwise, the money you earn from playing ball might as well be handed over to me to manage."

"A slip-up?" Butler suddenly realized, and he instantly understood everything.

Butler's expression was priceless as he watched Chen Fang touch his earlobe, and it took him several seconds to calm down.

"Thanks, bro, but I have a question. For the last move, why did you call even though you knew you were behind?"

Chen Fang pointed to the white clouds outside the window: "I'm betting on a chance, provided I'm willing to lose."

"Just like if I shoot a game-winning shot, I can accept the result of missing!"

"Looking forward to your first game-winner for the Clippers!" Chen Fang patted Butler's shoulder.

"One for you, one for me?" Butler raised his hands as if they were pistols and pointed them at Chen Fang.

Chen Fang returned the same gesture: "That's right, after the season ends, whoever loses has to buy afternoon tea for the entire season."

"It's settled then!" Butler said readily.

Rivers, sitting in the back row, overheard the conversation and laughed.

King Chen's methods are becoming increasingly sophisticated.

The wisdom lies in being able to resolve issues that cannot be discussed openly through card games.

At that moment, the airplane announcement began: "Dear passengers, we are about to begin our descent. Please fasten your seatbelts."

Looking out the window, the city of Shanghai lay at his feet, and Chen Fang knew that the new season was entering its final warm-up phase.

This trip to Shanghai further broadened the understanding of Chen Fang's influence among everyone on the Clippers team. From the tens of thousands of people who came to pick him up at the airport, to the tens of thousands of people who gathered outside his hotel, and finally the hundreds of thousands of people who cheered him at the Mercedes-Benz Arena, everyone was deeply impressed.

After these two incidents, Butler seemed to have calmed down his last bit of dissatisfaction and started to behave himself.

Despite Yi Jianlian becoming a member of the Los Angeles Clippers, there has been much controversy. The main argument is that it was because of Chen Fang, and secondly, that recruiting Yi Jianlian was only for the China Games, and that without Chen Fang, they needed to find a substitute.

Despite such pressure, Yi Jianlian played 21 minutes in the game, scoring 23 points, grabbing 10 rebounds, and blocking 3 shots.

After all, it was the familiar Shanghai team, and the Clippers are not comparable to the Guangdong team. Yi Jianlian really stole the show in this game.

Butler played 18 minutes, scoring 17 points, 5 assists, and 5 rebounds, bringing a smile to Lawrence's face as he watched the game.

He almost perfectly replaced Chen Fang's role on the team, catching the ball, breaking through defenses, and posting up in the paint. It can be said that the Clippers' operations never stopped, and they played the same fluid offense as last season.

Another surprise was Porter Jr., who, at 208cm tall, played 3-on-4, and with his excellent spacing, went 4-for-6 from three-point range. In addition to free throws and layups, he scored 22 points, making him the second tallest scorer after Yi Jianlian.

The three most important signings this summer have all delivered outstanding performances, prompting American journalists who flew to China with the team to sing their praises.

Porter Jr.'s all-around abilities, in particular, have given reporters a glimpse into the future.

Clippers beat reporter Tomer Azarly excitedly said, "Porter will become the perfect link between the Clippers' inside and outside game. From defense to offense, given time, no one in the entire league will be able to contain him."

The NBA has always valued the future; talent is always the sweetest thing.

This is why Butler, despite being more outstanding, has never received the respect he deserves.

After the game, Chen Fang was invited to do an interview with Shanghai TV along with Rivers, which was part of the scheduled activities.

The host's topic was rather superficial, trying to get Rivers to give some pointers on the CBA. However, Rivers, a seasoned veteran, didn't fall for it. He highly praised the Shanghai team and commented on Jimmer Fredette, who scored the highest points for the Shanghai team, believing that he has the ability to return to the NBA.

As for Chen Fang, the host asked about his expectations for the next season and the Olympics.

Although Chen Fang was impatient, he still said a few more words.

"Many teams have strengthened their rosters this offseason, and I think we will face many challenges this season, but I believe in my teammates and we have the ability to handle anything."

"The Olympics are our next goal. Although we achieved good results at the World Championships, problems still exist. I believe the coaching team will find solutions through this year."

"There are many talented players in the CBA. Everyone should seize the opportunity in this year's CBA league. I look forward to seeing fresh young blood in the national team."

Chen Fang didn't say much, but the host still caught the subtext.

So the question was asked: "Can CBA players, after a few years of professional experience, make it to the NBA?"

Chen Fang shook his head: "I don't think it will work."

"Didn't Yao Ming, Wang Zhizhi, and Battier all go through the same process?"

"I need to correct myself. Based on my understanding of basketball, all three of them could be drafted by the NBA even if they didn't play in the CBA."

"There is a blind spot between the two. It is not that the CBA cultivates players to the level of the NBA, but that the player's talent has already reached the level of going to the NBA."

"In fact, if you stay in the CBA, your ability to make it to the NBA will gradually decline."

After the interview, on the way back to the hotel, Rivers asked with a smile, "It seems you're not very fond of your own country's league."

"Yes, coach, this is a semi-amateur league. The rules are changed every day, the free market for players is difficult to move around, the marketing is unprofitable, and the management is like rotten wood. These are all things that are holding us back."

"Everything I do now is aimed at changing the status quo."

Looking at Chen Fang's profile, Rivers understood for the first time Chen Fang's inner goal.

"I work so hard in the NBA so that I can influence domestic basketball policies, guide the team to the world stage, and become a top-tier team."

"I also want to prove that Chinese people can thrive in the NBA!"

"Don't worry, I will always support you." Rivers was deeply moved. He finally understood why Chen Fang was working so hard.

"Thank you, coach. Let's win a few more championships together and build our own dynasty in history."

Chen Fang has also thought it through. Mazura is for the future, but right now, no one is more suitable for the Clippers or for him than Rivers.

Given his personality, changing head coaches would inevitably lead to conflict. The Clippers' strength will only increase as everyone grows. What they need is not a domineering head coach, but someone with the wisdom to handle relationships between superiors and subordinates.

Rivers is undoubtedly the best fit for the Clippers in the league right now, along with Tyronn Lue.

The first requirement for a head coach of a superstar team is to be respected by the team.

The second consideration is whether the tactical system suits the current lineup.

The next day, the entire Los Angeles Clippers team participated in an official one-day event in Shanghai, but Chen Fang did not show up due to his special circumstances.

Instead, he took a break from his busy schedule to meet with Wang Zhen and Lu Yun.

"What? The plan to enter the CBA is being brought forward?" Lu Yun asked in surprise.

“Yes, all the connections are in place. We still have a year to prepare,” Chen Fang replied.

"To avoid trouble, we went public through a reverse merger."

"Huh?" Both of them were confused.

"The Hunan NBL team, Changsha Yongsheng," Chen Fang answered.

"Not Anhui Wenyi?" This was another surprise to Wang Zhen.

"The Basketball Association has started releasing information about a promotion system, where there will be no relegation, only promotion."

"I'm more optimistic about Hunan coming to the CBA as the NBL champion and runner-up."

The two fell silent, listening intently. Chen Fang had grown into a giant in Chinese sports; his growth was too rapid.

"Go and negotiate, invest, and promise not to leave Changsha, and to make Changsha a new force in CBA basketball, then the Sports Bureau will give its full support."

"To build a modern stadium in Changsha, belonging to our blue sky."

"Should we change the name?" Wang Zhen asked.

"It needs to be changed, before they're promoted to the CBA. Changsha Blue, that's more stylish than Yongsheng!"

"Funds are flowing in this direction, so we need to take advantage of this opportunity and quickly implement the benefits. Once this opportunity is missed, there will be many more uncertainties."

"In terms of player selection, we'll look for semi-retired players, and then I'll select two reliable foreign players from the United States. In short, your task is very heavy, and this year is a crucial moment for Azure."

"Once Blue enters the CBA, the entire system will be connected, and we will be able to support the players we have cultivated."

"What about the players from Changsha Yongsheng?" Wang Zhen thought of another question.

"It's simple, we'll rebuild an NBL team. The conditions for joining the NBL are relatively simple, and this can also be seen as a development team under our jurisdiction."

Both of them nodded, agreeing that Chen Fang had thought things through comprehensively.

"Alright, I'm leaving now. Please take care of things back home." Chen Fang stood up and then shook their hands. He now quite liked the way he shook hands with both hands.

"The three of us all came from humble beginnings, and we know that every basketball player dreams of becoming a star."

"We've succeeded in realizing our own dreams; now, it's time for us to help others realize theirs!"

“That’s right!” Lu Yun and Wang Zhen said in unison, and the three of them burst into laughter, shaking hands even tighter.

(End of this chapter)