NBA: Yao Ming at his peak returns to his rookie season

ESPN has just secured a 15-season broadcasting and interview contract with the NBA.

When it comes to reasoning, one should be polite.

However, ESPN reporter Nick's tone was clearly urgent and aggressive. With a lead and the game going into the fourth quarter, wasn't that implying that Yao Ming was padding his stats?

The Rockets' press officer next to him was wiping away sweat.

He hadn't expected anyone to ask that.

Tonight, Yao Ming officially established himself as a star player, leading his team to victory against the Nets, a true playoff contender, and top superstar Jason Kidd.

If this goes wrong, it could seriously damage Yao Ming's image.

It's very difficult to correct one's image.

"Sir reporter, oh, your name is Nick, a good name." Yao Ming adjusted the microphone: "I didn't play the entire fourth quarter. Actually, as long as Jason Kidd was on the court, whether we were leading by 10, 20, or 50 points, I would keep playing. A star player is someone who can lead a team to create miracles. I won't relax at all before we win!"

"Besides, Nick, that's Kidd. If it were you, would you dare to take a break?"

ESPN's Nick Carter was visibly taken aback.

He came with an interview assignment, but he didn't expect that Yao Ming would so easily brush aside such a carefully dug trap.

There's absolutely no problem with what Yao Ming said.

If he still dares to question it, he's not talking about scoring with Yao Ming, but rather arguing with Kidd's fans. He must be crazy to do that.

When did Mr. Glenn, the Rockets' press officer, become so amazing?

The post-game Q&A session rules state that each reporter gets one question, and Nick, having used up this precious opportunity to dig himself into a hole, had no choice but to sit down.

The second person to stand up was a reporter from The New York Times.

The New York Times is still the second largest media outlet covering the NBA.

"I really admire your basketball style, Yao Ming. However, I noticed that you didn't score a single point in the entire second quarter. Every time you got the ball, you just passed it out. What could be the reason for that?"

They came for me?

Tang Shuai felt a bit confused.

"We've been attacked quite a bit tonight," the old man chuckled. "That's a tactical consideration and a necessity. If you want to ask that kind of question, you can wait until the playoffs."

Tang Shuai was a little arrogant.

They haven't made the playoffs for three seasons and haven't advanced past the first round for five seasons.

Like ESPN, the New York Times' attacks were quite obvious.

Basketball Illustrated was ranked third, and their questions were much more normal.

"The Nets players fouled you a lot in this game. Yao, as an international player, do you feel angry and uncomfortable when faced with such actions?"

"Angry?" Yao thought for a moment: "No, as long as the referee doesn't call it, the rules allow it. As for feeling a bit uncomfortable, there might be some differences. After all, the NBA rules are slightly different from those in my country and internationally. But I really like the NBA, I love it here."

The interviewer from Basketball Illustrated's eyes lit up.

This guy is really something.

Yao Ming's simple answer highlighted three key points. First, he praised the referees' union, which is not popular in the NBA these days.

They've almost become adversaries of those superstars.

The second point is that he confirmed the Nets' dirty play; no one has responded, but everyone knows it.

Finally, Yao Ming's integrity as a player was also established.

His style is so in line with the fans of this era. Nowadays, fans would rather accept a player standing up and punching the opponent than accept such effeminate behavior.

This guy has some good stuff!

It's not just about playing basketball!

The interview ended quickly, and Kevin, a reporter from Basketball Illustrated, approached Yao Ming: "Your answer was fantastic. Yao Ming, you will definitely become a superstar."

"Thank you," Yao Ming said politely. By this time, he had changed into sportswear, as he had a meeting with Mike and Adidas later.

"What can I do for you?"

Kevin Robinson smiled and handed over his business card: "Let me introduce myself. I'm the executive vice president of Basketball Illustrated. The main purpose of this interview is to reach a long-term interview agreement with you."

Ok?

Yao Ming was slightly taken aback. This thing really exists?

Long-term interview agreement.

There was a trend in the NBA inner circle that, simply put, was to promote star players, and the two sides that signed them would reach a strategic partnership.

The media outlets that sign him will provide a lot of support for his future development.

This support can be without any limits.

To put it more bluntly, they would even maliciously attack other star players, essentially providing them with an external media mouthpiece.

Of course, this thing is legendary because very few people dare to do it.

The risk is too great.

Most agents with a sound mind wouldn't allow that.

"Do you know Michael Jordan?" Kevin Robinson brought up the basketball legend. "I'm not saying he has this contract, but in a sense, two media outlets have benefited from Jordan, so it's good for both of us, and we have the same expectations for you."

"If you agree, we can pre-order three magazine covers, at a cost of 100 million per issue."

This is already a discussion about price.

It was also arranged in a rather secluded way.

"Please allow me to decline, Mr. Kevin. Your offer is certainly very tempting, but I am just a player. If you are willing to be interviewed, I am happy to reserve a seat for you in Houston at any time."

Yao Ming's decisive move was something Kevin Robinson hadn't anticipated.

If Yao Ming could get help from a major media outlet, his path would be much smoother, and he would inevitably become an All-Star.

Perhaps the young man didn't understand, but Kevin Robinson did his best to persuade him.

But Kevin soon found out.

The big guy in front of him wasn't unaware; he simply didn't care.

In the end, Kevin Robinson had no choice but to give up, but he still booked an interview after playing against the Pistons.

If Yao Ming signs with them, they can portray the outcome of this game as if Yao Ming didn't lose.

It will provide a perspective that is entirely in Yao Ming's favor.

He refused.

Basketball magazines had no choice but to handle the matter professionally, since it was too risky to not sign a contract and then try to manipulate public opinion in this way.

Yao Ming politely saw the person off.

Yao Ming is still willing to show goodwill towards Basketball Illustrated, the first media outlet to want to bet on him.

It's fine if it can be bound.

Just an All-Star.

After seeing the person off, Yao Ming, carrying his cane, went with Bill Duffy to the temporary conference room at the Hilton Hotel, where Ms. Orenda, the clerk from Hook, and Mr. Bob, the regional manager of Adidas, were waiting.

There is a 42-inch home theater TV in the room.

They all watched Yao Ming's game just now.

Before Bill Duffy and Yao Ming arrived, they were frantically communicating with their superiors.

In terms of roster, Adidas has a better side.

At least a regional manager.

Of course, since Bill Duffy's appointment was rather sudden, neither side had any heavyweights to participate, but the two who did come were capable of making the final decision.

Negotiations are nothing more than about adding more money.

Next year, Hook has shoe contracts to discuss with two superstar rookies, LeBron James and Carmelo Anthony.

The reserved amount is 1 million.

Therefore, they don't have much money to spare.

Adidas's situation on the other side was even worse.

Not only does he have to negotiate Kobe's contract extension, but McGrady's six-year child labor contract from high school is also about to expire.

The budget for two people exceeds 100 million.

They all had high hopes for Yao Ming, after all, he was a foreign player for China and naturally came with a portion of the overseas market.

One could even hope that Yao Ming can change the fate of inside players not being able to sell shoes.

But they had no money in their pockets!