pertwk Chapter 50: A Miracle in the Rookie Season! National Team Call-up!
Chapter 50: A Miracle in the Rookie Season! National Team Call-up!
On the third day after returning home, the NBA officially announced the All-NBA Team and All-Defensive Team for the 2002-03 season before the Lakers and Spurs' conference semifinals began.
At eight o'clock in the morning, Lin Hao had just gotten up when he received a call from Harris. Harris's voice was trembling with excitement on the other end of the line: "Lin! Congratulations! You've made history!"
Lin Hao was stunned for a moment, then quickly turned on his computer and logged into the NBA website. Sure enough, his name was listed alongside Gary Payton, Tim Duncan, Kevin Garnett, and Shaquille O'Neal on the All-Defensive First Team; and he was selected for the All-Defensive Second Team along with Kobe Bryant, Tracy McGrady, Dirk Nowitzki, and Ben Wallace.
He became the first guard in NBA history to be selected to both the All-Defensive First Team and the All-NBA Second Team in his rookie season, and the third player, after Wilt Chamberlain and Wes Unseld, to be selected to the All-Defensive First Team in his rookie season. Although the Warriors were eliminated in the first round, his explosive stats of 32.5 points, 8.5 assists, and 2.1 steals per game in four games won over coaches and media across the league. ESPN created a special "First Round Player of the Year" award for him, which he won unanimously. His scoring average also led all players who participated in the playoffs, making him the media's undisputed "First Round Scoring King."
Just then, a system notification sounded in his mind:
[Ding! Congratulations, host, on completing the first stage of the season settlement!]
[Settlement Reward: Permanent 15% increase to all attributes!]
[Talent growth progress: 95%! Just one step away from S-rank talent!]
[Unlock Achievement: First rookie to be named a Defensive All-NBA First Team guard! Reward: Permanently increases clutch shot percentage by 10%!]
[Unlock Achievement: Rookie Double All-Rookie Team! Reward: Permanent 15% Increase in Defensive Awareness!]
A warm current instantly flowed through his body, and Lin Hao could clearly feel that his body had become stronger and his reaction speed had increased. He clenched his fist, feeling the surging power within him, and a smile appeared on his face.
At that moment, my phone kept ringing, and countless congratulatory messages flooded in.
O'Neal: "Kid! You actually pushed Payton to the second team! You've really made me proud! Come to Los Angeles this offseason, I'll treat you to fried chicken!"
Kobe: "Well done, kid! You almost scared us to death in the first round. Looking forward to a real battle with you next season!"
Iverson: "Awesome! You shut down the veterans in your rookie season. From now on, the league's perimeter will be yours!"
Yao Ming: "Haozi, congratulations! You've really made Chinese people proud! See you at the Asian Championships!"
Domestic media outlets were in an uproar, with Lin Hao's news dominating the front pages of major sports media outlets.
People's Daily: "Lin Hao Makes History! Rookie Season Selected for NBA All-Defensive First Team, a Milestone for Chinese Basketball"
Xinhua News Agency: "A Glorious Defeat! Lin Hao, a Second-Round Pick, Defines the Upper Limit of Chinese Guards with His Strength"
Sports Weekly: "Conquering the League in 4 Games! Lin Hao Ushers in the Chinese Era of the NBA"
The General Administration of Sport of China and the Chinese Basketball Association sent congratulatory messages immediately, praising Lin Hao's tremendous contributions to Chinese basketball and calling him "a landmark figure in Chinese sports." His hometown of Fengtian in Liaoning Province was even more excited. The municipal government once again lit up landmark buildings throughout the city, displaying banners that read "Congratulations to Lin Hao for making history." Locals spontaneously organized celebrations, and Lin Hao's deeds were discussed everywhere.
At noon, the Warriors held a small celebration for Lin Hao. Head coach Eric Musselman, holding a bottle of champagne, smiled and said, "Lin, congratulations! You've created the greatest rookie season in Warriors history in nearly 20 years. It's an honor to coach a player like you."
General Manager Chris Mullin nodded and said earnestly, "Lin, you are the future of the Warriors. This offseason, we will focus on strengthening our frontcourt and wing positions, building a championship-contending team around you. Next season, our goal is to reach the Western Conference Finals!"
"Thank you, Coach, thank you, General Manager." Lin Hao raised his glass. "I will continue to work hard, and let's aim for the championship together next season!"
"Cheers!"
Everyone raised their glasses, the crisp clinking sound filled with anticipation for the future.
After the celebration, Harris called Lin Hao into his office and handed him a stack of contracts: "Lin, these are renewal and new endorsement contracts from several brands. I've negotiated them all for you. Nike offered you a 7-year, $6000 million endorsement contract, which includes incentive clauses for winning the championship and MVP award, doubling your annual salary after winning the title; there are also brands like Coca-Cola, Mercedes-Benz, and Reebok, with endorsement fees totaling over $1200 million per year. Your commercial value has now entered the top 30 of global athletes."
Lin Hao looked at the contract in his hand, his heart filled with mixed emotions. Who could have imagined that just a year ago he was an overlooked second-round pick, and now he had become a globally sought-after basketball star?
"You can handle these contracts for me, I trust you." Lin Hao handed the contracts to Harris, then said earnestly, "By the way, please donate $10 of my entire salary for this season to the Spark Youth Training Camp. I want to contribute to the development of future talent in Chinese basketball."
Harris paused for a moment, then looked at him with admiration: "Lin, you're truly remarkable. I'll get on it right away. Also, the Warriors have approved your application to participate in the national team training camp and will fully cooperate with your schedule. I've also adjusted your offseason personal training plan for you, so it won't affect the national team's preparations."
"Thank you so much, Harris," Lin Hao said.
Lin Hao smiled and looked out the window. Sunlight streamed in, illuminating his face. He knew this was just the beginning. In the future, he would create even more miracles.
In the afternoon, Lin Hao was at home watching a movie with Zhang Qingying when his phone suddenly rang. He picked it up and saw that the caller ID showed "Li Yuanwei, Chairman of the Basketball Association," the same number Yao Ming had saved for him.
Lin Hao quickly sat up straight and answered the phone: "Hello, Chairman Li!"
"Xiao Lin, congratulations! You've achieved such great results in the NBA, you've really made us Chinese proud!" Li Yuanwei's hearty laughter came from the other end of the phone.
"Thank you, Chairman Li. It's all I should do," Lin Hao said with a smile.
"Haha, you're too modest." Li Yuanwei chuckled, then his tone became serious. "Xiao Lin, I'm calling you today to officially recruit you for the Chinese Men's National Basketball Team on behalf of the Chinese Basketball Association to compete in the 2003 Harbin Asian Championship."
Lin Hao's heart skipped a beat, and he was so excited he almost jumped off the sofa: "Really? Chairman Li, I'm willing! I can return to China to report for duty anytime!"
Representing the national team has always been Lin Hao's dream. Now that his dream has finally come true, how could he not be excited?
"That's great!" Li Yuanwei's voice was filled with joy. "Xiao Lin, this Asian Championship is extremely important to us. Only by winning the championship can we qualify for the Athens Olympics. Therefore, the Basketball Association has decided to pair you with Yao Ming to form the national team's dual core, leading the Chinese team to compete for the Asian Championship title."
"I understand, Chairman Li. I will do my best to lead the Chinese team to win the championship and secure a ticket to the Athens Olympics!" Lin Hao said firmly.
"Good! I'm relieved to hear that," Li Yuanwei said with satisfaction. "The national team's training camp starts on August 1st in Harbin. Just make arrangements for your time in the US and return to China on time. The coaching staff has already started studying your technical strengths and has designed several tactics specifically for you and Yao Ming."
"No problem, Chairman Li. I'll be there on time!"
After hanging up the phone, Lin Hao excitedly hugged Zhang Qingying and spun her around several times: "Qingying! I've been selected for the national team! I can represent China in the Asian Championships!"
Zhang Qingying was also happy for him, smiling and patting him on the back: "I knew you could do it! Congratulations, core player of the national team!"
"What core? I still have a lot to learn from Yao Ming." Lin Hao scratched his head and smiled sheepishly.
"With your skills, you absolutely deserve it." Zhang Qingying pinched his cheek. "By the way, the Asian Championships are being held in Harbin. I'll go back with you and cheer you on. I've never been to Northeast China before, so I can try the sweet and sour pork and stir-fried potatoes, eggplant, and green peppers you mentioned."
"Great!" Lin Hao's eyes lit up. "I'll take you to eat your way through Harbin! The sweet and sour pork has to be the real deal, and we'll have Madier ice cream and Qiulin red sausage—I guarantee you'll want more!"
After saying that, he picked up his phone and made a video call to Yao Ming.
The call was answered quickly. Yao Ming was wearing the national team's training uniform, with BJ's training facility in the background.
"Da Yao!" Lin Hao greeted him with a smile.
"Haozi! Congratulations! All-Defensive First Team, that's awesome!" Yao Ming gave a thumbs up, looking admiringly at Yao Ming. "I was stunned when I saw the news just now. You really made Chinese guards proud."
"Hehe, just lucky." Lin Hao chuckled, then said, "Yao Ming, I just got a call from the Basketball Association, they're calling me up to play in the Asian Championships."
"I know, I've heard about it for a long time," Yao Ming said with a smile. "I've been waiting for you to come. Let's form the 'Great Wall on the Move' + 'Northeast Cannon' combination, win the Asian Championship, and make history in Athens!"
"That's right!" Lin Hao nodded vigorously. "Then you'll dominate the paint, and I'll orchestrate the offense from the outside. We'll be invincible throughout Asia!"
"Haha, no problem!" Yao Ming laughed heartily. "By the way, when are you coming back to China? I'm also going to Harbin on August 1st to report for duty, so we can practice tactics together for a few days beforehand."
"My flight is on July 28th, and I'll arrive in Harbin on the 30th," Lin Hao said. "I'll bring you some canned yellow peaches from Northeast China, and my suona (a traditional Chinese wind instrument). I'll play 'A Man Should Be Self-reliant' for you before the game to cheer you on, and I guarantee you'll score ten points."
"Haha, great! I've been wanting to try the canned yellow peaches you mentioned for ages, and your suona too, I've been looking forward to it for so long," Yao Ming said with a smile. "By the way, the coaching staff said they want you to be the captain of the national team, you should get ready."
"Me, the team leader?" Lin Hao was taken aback. "That's not really appropriate, I'm still a newbie."
"What's inappropriate about it?" Yao Ming said. "Your ability speaks for itself, and you've already proven your leadership with the Warriors. I'll be in the paint, you'll be on the perimeter, and we can definitely lead the team together."
"Okay, I'll listen to you then." Lin Hao nodded. "I will definitely be a good captain and live up to everyone's trust."
The two chatted for a while longer about the national team's training arrangements and tactical ideas before hanging up.
After hanging up the phone, Lin Hao immediately called Harris and Zhao Dabao to tell them that he had been selected for the national team and asked them to help coordinate his schedule.
"No problem, Lin," Harris said. "I've already booked your plane ticket for July 28th, a first-class flight directly to Beijing, then a high-speed train to Harbin. I'll handle all the business matters here in the US, so you can focus on the national team training camp. I've also arranged your offseason trainer; he'll come with you to Harbin to ensure you're in top form."
"Okay, thank you, Harris," Lin Hao said.
"Haozi, don't worry about the competition, leave everything in China to me." Zhao Dabao's carefree voice came through the phone. "I'll go to Harbin tomorrow and arrange your accommodation and logistics. Oh, and I've already contacted the cannery back home to airfreight 500 boxes of canned yellow peaches to the national team as supplies, ensuring the whole team can enjoy authentic Northeastern canned yellow peaches!"
"Haha, you really understand me," Lin Hao said with a laugh. "By the way, bring me three more ebony suonas. I want to play them as the opening theme for the Chinese team at the Asian Championships!"
"No problem! Leave it to me!" Zhao Dabao said, patting his chest. "I even brought you a packet of seasoning for sweet and sour pork. I'll have the hotel chef make it for you; I guarantee it'll taste just like homemade."
After hanging up the phone, Lin Hao looked at Zhang Qingying with unwavering determination: "Qingying, wait for me. I will definitely come back with the Asian Championship title."
Zhang Qingying held his hand and said gently, "I believe in you. Wherever you go, I'll be with you. When you win the championship, I'll write a celebration song for you."
The setting sun streamed through the window, casting long shadows of the two people.
A new battle is about to begin.
This time, he will wear the national team's red jersey and fight for the honor of his country.
This time, he wants the whole world to hear the voice from China.