Versatile Point Forward

Chapter 104 Media Day

After filming Reebok's commercial, Duffy also helped Ye Feng accept the advertising contracts of several other businesses.For Duffy's vision and judgment, Ye Feng is very confident, so basically as long as it is a brand approved by Duffy, he is not too resistant. Of course, this is also because there are Ye Ning and his wife in Los Angeles who guard him. Experience is not free, coupled with the powerful search capabilities of the Internet in this era, it is easy to judge whether a brand is well-known or notorious.But after a few times, they also felt relieved about Duffy, this is not a black-hearted businessman who disregards customers for the sake of profit.

The Blazers management didn't interfere too much with Ye Feng's inability to participate in the Denver and Miami mini-training camps, they just routinely asked about his main schedule in the summer.After all, the mini-training camp is organized voluntarily by the players, and there is no coercion. The players can choose to participate or not. The team only needs to prevent the players from doing some dangerous activities during the holidays and causing injuries.Don't think that this kind of thing has never happened. Such examples are common in NBA history, and a long list can be made.This kind of thing can happen to veteran players, let alone rookies.

The summer of 2008 passed quickly. For Ye Feng, these months were quite fulfilling, but the most important thing was that he finally changed his identity, from an amateur, at most a semi-professional player to a A member of the NBA, he will gallop on the NBA court in the next ten years.However, he still didn't relax his demands on himself, on the contrary, it became more and more intense, and the intensity of training even made Ye Ning feel a little terrified.Facing his father's question, Ye Feng's explanation directly blocked his curiosity: "I just want to make myself effective in the NBA as soon as possible. Before that, a lot of high-load training is necessary."

However, in mid-September, Ye Feng received a notice from the team asking him to report back to the Rose Garden before September 9, because that day was the team’s media day, and after the media day was the team’s official It's training camp.The media day is a tradition of the NBA, or it can be said that it is a tradition of many professional clubs. It can be regarded as allowing players to appear in front of the media before the start of the new season. By the way, they will accept interviews and talk about their prospects for the new season.In addition to interviews, the most important thing is to take makeup photos of the players, so this is also a good opportunity to show the spirit of the team.

On the morning of the 28th, Ye Feng got on the flight to Portland. Of course, he couldn't get stuck and report to the team. This would give the management a bad impression, and his teammates would feel that he was playing big cards. Although he is not a big name, and got along well with some teammates in the mini training camp, it is better to avoid such things.After a night's rest, Ye Feng drove to the home of the Blazers - the Rose Garden Arena half an hour earlier the next day, and parked his classic car beside a bunch of luxury cars.But before he opened the car door, a rough voice rang out from a distance: "Boy, who told you to park the car here? This is a special parking space for Trail Blazers players. It's media day today, so hurry up and change it." place."

Ye Feng raised his head, and saw a big fat man in a guard uniform running towards him panting, the fat around his body even rippled.Ye Feng smiled helplessly and said: "Uncle, I am a player of the team!" The fat man looked at Ye Feng's car, rolled his eyes, and said loudly: "You liar, I have never seen you here before. How can you, and even if you're new here, drive such an ordinary car?"

Well, it's all the car's fault!Just as Ye Feng was about to explain, another BMW drove into the parking lot. The driver poked his head out and shouted at the fat man, "Hey, Drake, let this kid go, he's our rookie this year. , but I only came here to participate in the team's trial training before. It happened to be your rest that day, so it's normal that you haven't seen him. Basically, as long as you have seen his Asian face, you will remember him "Ye Feng laughed when he saw it, it was none other than the team's talented power forward Aldridge who helped him out.

Hearing Ade's words, Derek realized it was his mistake. He said to Ye Feng with a smile on his face: "I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I didn't understand the situation well before. You can park in this parking space..." Ye Feng said I didn't plan to worry about it too much. After all, this guy is still loyal to his duty, although his performance after knowing his identity is a bit too doggy... He smiled and waved his hands. After Ade parked the car, the two walked side by side Into the Rose Garden Arena.

Although he was only a player who participated in the draft in 2006, Ade can definitely be Ye Feng's teacher in terms of how to deal with the media.The media day is naturally indispensable for interviews by the local media in Portland and some famous media in the United States. As Ade led Ye Feng inside, he taught earnestly: "Generally speaking, during the media day, the reporters' questions will not be very abrupt. , but also learn to distinguish whether there are any language traps. Your performance in the NCAA is very good, there is nothing to attack, but the team took out Gallinari, Webster and LaFrentz to trade you alone. There is a high chance of being mentioned, if the question is too sharp and you don't know how to answer it, he is the easiest and most effective way to deal with it, I would rather not say it, and don't leave them something to talk about..."

It’s not that Ye Feng has never been interviewed by the media before, but in this season of the NCAA, it is really difficult to find black spots in his and UCLA’s performance, and the local media in Los Angeles have either directly or implicitly expressed their support for them , so in fact Ye Feng has not experienced the nitpicking of the reporters.This time is also a test for him. It can be regarded as a preview for future interviews. Anyway, as a rookie, it is not a big deal to occasionally make a mistake.

After arriving at the place where the makeup photo was taken, Ye Feng was surprised to find that he and Ade were one of the first people to report, but in fact only Roy and Outlaw were present besides the two of them.However, the staff is already ready, there is no shortage of basketballs, chairs, background boards, etc., just waiting for the players to take pictures.The four of them found a corner to chat, and during their chatting, teammates kept joining the small circle. Until 09:30, Blake, the last member of the team, had also arrived, working The personnel quickly began to arrange for everyone to start taking pictures.Since the Blazers' No. 13 jersey has been retired, Ye Feng chose No. 3, which he also likes very much. He will not tell others that it is because he is a Wade fan.

Compared with shooting commercials, makeup photos are easier and more enjoyable. Basically, players wear their own jerseys and stand in front of the background board for a few poses, and let the photographer take a few photos.Even though some young photographers like to let the players make some handsome but relatively difficult moves, for Ye Feng, this is much easier than shooting commercials.During the whole process of taking makeup photos, the Blazers players were fighting with each other, and McMillan did not stop them too much. For a young team, such a harmonious atmosphere is the basis for common growth.

However, Ye Feng's good mood was quickly ruined. When the press officer allowed the reporters to ask questions freely, as a rookie that the team paid a lot of money for, he received "treatment" that other teammates did not have. At this time, he realized that Ade's previous guidance could be regarded as foresight.Except for the completely non-hostile media from China and Los Angeles, everyone else viewed this yellow-skinned kid more or less through colored glasses.

"Ye, hello, what do you think of the Blazers trading you with three players? Don't you think it's a waste?"

"I don't think so. The team has their own considerations for doing this. Of course, I am also very grateful to Mr. Allen and Mr. Pritchard for their importance to me. Maybe in their opinion, three people will replace me in the team. within the tolerable range."

"As an Asian player, do you think you can succeed in the NBA? You must know that your fellow Yao and Yi are inside players. Maybe as a wing, you still need to practice a lot in the NBA. I'm not sure if you can prove that you are worthy of the Blazers. Such a price."

"In fact, there are many very strong players in the NCAA this year. I did not fall behind in the process of playing against them, so I don't think I can't gain a foothold in the league with my physical fitness. As for exercise, for any rookie Speaking of the first season or even the first few seasons, it is indeed a good opportunity to exercise, I really need to exercise, but this does not mean that I will be taught by others obediently, and I will suffer if I am underestimated."

"As far as I know Chinese people like to show humility, but IMHO you don't look like a Chinese."

"That's because I may be the first Chinese in the NBA with an American basketball background. Being humble in American basketball culture is not a good thing."

"Do you think you can compete for the best rookie? Like you said, a lot of rookies this year have a lot of strength."

"I think the most important thing for me to do is to obey the coach's arrangement and follow my teammates to win the game. As for the best rookie, if I have the opportunity, I will fight for it. University teammates Russell and Kevin are very good, but I will not admit defeat easily. However, the team's record is always above the individual performance. If possible, I am willing to give up the best rookie in exchange for the team to reach the season We will even compete for the championship in the playoffs!"

(End of this chapter)