Where the noise did not reach

Chapter 47 Is Nash still alive?
After Xu Ling announced his participation in the 2007 NBA draft, his phone began to be bombarded with calls from agents. Even some lesser-known agents wanted to try their luck, but Xu Ling's choice was based on reason.

First, he rejected Arne Treme, who had a good reputation but questionable management skills; he also declined Bill Duffy, although the latter's background as Yao Ming's agent was very attractive, but it would be too hasty to choose him based on that alone.

Ultimately, Xu Ling chose Leon Rose as his agent.

Ross's explanation wasn't much different from other agents'. Xu Ling's reason for deciding to sign him was probably that the two hit it off when they met and chatted.

Rose looks like a chubby, goofy white guy from a comedy, and his smile is even a bit憨厚 (honest and simple), but in reality, he is one of the shrewdest and most powerful agents in the NBA. His star players include Dwyane Wade, Chris Bosh, Carmelo Anthony, Chris Paul, Allen Iverson, and LeBron James.

After signing the contract, Ross's first piece of advice to Xu Ling was to build his own team, including not only a personal assistant but also, ideally, a financial advisor.

“I’ve seen too many NBA players go bankrupt at lightning speed after retiring,” Rose said. “They all thought they could play until they were 60 and earn eight figures a year, but in reality, most of them were unemployed around the age of 30, but that crazy lifestyle never stopped. It actually destroyed their lives.”

As Xu Ling's agent, Ross would be responsible for her future contracts, commercial endorsements, and marketing. If necessary, he could also arrange for someone to take care of her daily life. However, Xu Ling decided to make the arrangements herself.

He didn't want strangers to handle his life, so he immediately thought of familiar people around him.

So, the choice of a personal assistant was made quickly, and the whole thing seemed rather "hasty".

One day, Xu Ling asked his roommate, Roderick Craig, who was unable to pursue a professional basketball career due to a congenital heart condition, "Rod, would you be interested in being my personal assistant?"

Craig countered, "Haven't I been playing this role all along?"

Xu Ling laughed and said, "I mean, you can quit the team, and you might even have to postpone your studies to become my assistant full-time."

Craig said he would have a day to think it over, but in reality, he made his decision in just ten minutes. As the son of an NFL legend, he may seem rough around the edges, but he actually knows which decision is in his best interest.

From that day on, he officially joined Xu Ling's team. Thus, Texas Tech University gained another player who would be leaving the team after his freshman season.

During this time, Bob Knight also called Xu Ling, saying that he had many friends in the NBA and that Xu Ling could contact him anytime if he needed anything. Although Xu Ling only played under Knight for one year, he used that incredible year to gain something that usually only players who played for Knight until graduation could permanently possess—the friendship of a coach.

From the day he left the team, Knight would be his friend, a friend for life, and he could call Knight anytime for help. Therefore, Xu Ling naturally thanked him and said he would call if needed.

All that's left to do is wait, at least that's what Xu Ling thought. The NBA lottery will be held on May 31st, which is almost a whole month away. During this time, he can use the school's gym to keep training, stay in touch with his agent, and watch the NBA playoffs.

However, Ross clearly didn't intend to make things too comfortable for Xu Ling.

Moreover, Xu Ling did indeed underestimate his own commercial value.

Although the NBA draft is still some time away, as one of the "Big Three" who have significantly disrupted the draft landscape, he has essentially secured a top-five pick in this year's draft, with a high probability of being selected in the top three. Given his Chinese identity and his status as an outside player, shoe companies can glean a huge potential business opportunity from his games.

Although Yao Ming has achieved success in the NBA, the convention that "centers don't sell shoes" has also been proven true for him. Otherwise, Nike wouldn't have tried to lower the price of Yao Ming's shoes after his contract expired, only to have Reebok take advantage of the situation. It's always the perimeter players who truly resonate with fans, making them feel, "If I wear his shoes, I might be like him."

The first to "bombard" Xu Ling with money was LN, China's leading sneaker company. As the only sneaker company in China with global financial resources, LN offered a very generous price—$50 million over four years.

When Xu Ling first heard the number, his heart skipped a beat. Fifty million US dollars sounded like a fantasy. But then he thought that he would probably see all sorts of astronomical figures in the coming months, so it didn't seem so surprising.

The offer itself isn't outrageous and basically aligns with external assessments of his current prospects. While some doubt his ability to realize his potential in the NBA, his performance in the NCAA and his draft position alongside Oden and Durant make this well-rounded perimeter player, with his ideal size, just what he's worth.

Xu Ling consulted Leon Rose about this matter.

Rose, however, believed that the matter should not be rushed. Although LN's offer was good, its influence in the NBA was limited, and other companies would follow suit with offers later.

The immediate priority is to hype up this offer and attract other sneaker companies to enter the market. Xu Ling had no objections. He also hoped that Hayek would let Hayek decide on these matters in the free market.

After that, Xu Ling had a few more peaceful days, and then Ross used his connections to arrange an exclusive interview with Xu Ling by Grant Wall, a columnist for Sports Illustrated.

During March Madness, Xu Ling appeared on the cover of the magazine for the first time after defeating Oden; after leading his team to win the national championship, he and his teammates appeared on the cover of the second issue of the April magazine.

The response was enthusiastic, with many fans, especially those from Texas, wanting to know more about Xu Ling. His mysterious background, "cold" personality, indifference towards fans, and sudden rise to fame—didn't they deserve more coverage? Thus, Wall got the job, and after connecting with Rose, Rose also needed to continue promoting Xu Ling before the draft, so the two hit it off immediately.

On the day of the interview, Xu Ling's first task was to have her cover photo taken.

The photographer asked him to wear casual clothes, spin a basketball with his index finger, and wear a black hat with a question mark on it.

At the start of the interview, Wall noticed that Xu Ling didn't add sugar to her coffee.

So he asked, "You drink coffee without sugar? That's very much like your 'cold-blooded killer' style on the court."

“No,” Xu Ling replied with a smile. “I just don’t want to see articles like ‘Eli’s addiction to sweets casts doubt on his NBA future’ in your articles.”

Wall laughed out loud; this was a good start.

A pleasant interview began.

During the conversation, Wall discussed Xu Ling's shocking rejection of Bill Duffy as his agent. After all, Duffy had a successful track record of working with Chinese players, and by all accounts, he was the ideal choice.

"Here's the thing, Bill told me back then, 'I can make you the next Yao Ming.' And I told him, 'I prefer facing the basket.'"

After listening to Xu Ling's account, Wall couldn't help but say, "This way of breaking down in negotiations is indeed refreshing."

As the interview drew to a close, the atmosphere subtly shifted.

“One last question, Eli.” Wall’s gaze turned serious. “You’ve become a part of NCAA history forever, and soon the NBA doors will open for you. You’ve driven fans all over the world crazy, and shoe companies too. From an unknown name to the center of attention, it all happened in just six months. What’s the secret behind that? Or, what would you like to say to the fans who idolize you?”

Xu Ling did not answer immediately; he took a sip of unsweetened black coffee.

His gaze pierced through the cup, as if he were pondering a profound philosophical question.

A moment later, Xu Ling put down his cup and looked directly into Wall's eyes.

“A secret?” he countered, his voice carrying a unique, convincing calm. “My secret is—I don’t believe in secrets. I’m just being myself. As for what I want to say to the fans…no, I’m not here to tell them what the world is like. I’m not even as smart as many of them, and I have no obligation to do so.”

Wall asked with a smile, "So what are your obligations?"

"I suggest you ask the fans in Florida about this. They spent the entire game witnessing my 'duty' firsthand."

After the interview, Xu Ling left alone. A little later, Wall saw him at the edge of the training court—the man was alone, silently practicing catch-and-shoot over and over again.

He was a special person. Not arrogant, nor aggressive. But that conclusion might be contradictory: he was by no means friendly either.

Sitting across from him for an interview, you wouldn't feel uncomfortable at all. You could even catch a glimpse of humor in his answers to ordinary questions. But the moment the topic turns to basketball, he's like a completely different person. Something cold, focused, almost sharp silently emerges, separating him from his surroundings.

Wall thought of Larry Bird, but he didn't have Bird's overt sharpness and mockery;

He thought of Charles Barkley again, but he wasn't like Barkley, who was known for his witty remarks and bad deeds.
He is not Payton, not Garnett, not Kobe, and certainly not the so-called "college Jordan" he once claimed to be.

He is another kind of being.

Perhaps he is the kind of player that has never truly appeared in the long history of the NBA.

A unique personality, a unique charm.

Perhaps the NBA will become more exciting because of his arrival in the next 10 years?
Grant Wall was unsure, but he had already mentally prepared his draft, and he now had a strong urge to write.

That evening, Xu Ling was watching Game 4 of the Spurs vs. Suns semifinals with his teammates from the Red Raiders. The game was in the intense fourth quarter when Rose called again.

Xu Ling had no choice but to answer the call.

"How's Grant's interview going?"

"He's alright, he's a pretty nice person."

"Are you bored lately?"

"A little." Xu Ling glanced at the game on TV. "I'm so bored I'm watching the game."

On the other end of the phone, Rose laughed: "Don't worry, you won't be bored for long. I'm calling to let you know that LeBron James admires you and wants to meet you."

At that very moment, Xu Ling saw on TV that Steve Nash was knocked into an advertising board by Robert Horry of the Spurs while dribbling the ball across half-court with 20 seconds left.

"ah?!!!"

"Don't be nervous. LeBron is a good guy. He's also a young man, and he likes to befriend talented young people like you."

"I'm not nervous."

"That's it?"

"You arrange it."

Xu Ling has long since lost his mystique towards these once unattainable NBA players. It's just a meeting; who knows, they might even end up arguing fiercely on the court someday.

Moreover, Xu Ling was only concerned about one other thing at the moment. He quickly went over and asked, "How is it? Is Steve Nash still alive?"

　I'd like to recommend a friend's book: a coaching essay titled "Coaching: Starting with Coaching Yao Ming."

　　
　
(End of this chapter)