Versatile Point Forward

Chapter 99 A New Beginning

The days after the draft passed quickly. After packing his bags and leaving UCLA, Ye Feng continued to do various exercises at home, and by the way, he could watch the live broadcast of the NBA Finals.The NBA Finals this season will be played between the two oldest giant teams - the Lakers and the Celtics. Judging from the list of players, there is little difference between the two sides. The Lakers are led by Kobe, supplemented by Pau Gasol , Bynum and Odom's "three high" combination; but the Celtics' list is even more star-studded. Under the operation of Danny Ainge, they gathered Pierce, Garnett and Ray Allen in one fell swoop. The three superstars who are at the final peak of their careers.

In the end, the Celtics scored 66 wins and 16 losses this season, and easily defeated the Lakers 4-2 in the finals to reach the top. The NBA has thus opened the era of superstars.Of course, the Celtics' championship is also an incentive for the Blazers. Now there are four potential new stars in the team. Well-trained may not be able to achieve great achievements in the future.Ye Feng also thought of this point, the team of stars needs them to have a good friendship, or have the idea of ​​"if you don't win the championship at this time, you will never win the championship again", so that you can trade the stars who are in their prime to Come from the same team, but the Trail Blazers are different. They choose to cultivate their own superstars, so that they can at least hit the championship with all their strength while the players' salaries are not high.

According to the practice of NBA teams, although the preseason will take some time, many players have begun to spontaneously organize teammates to train. As the actual leader and captain of the team, Roy directly called Ye Feng's mobile phone : "Ye, I'm currently organizing a mini-training camp with some players from our team. If you're interested, you can come to Portland in three days. Of course, this training camp is not mandatory, But you haven't played an official NBA game yet, I personally think you should come to the training camp, which is good for you to integrate into the team and adapt to the NBA."

Ye Feng didn't expect Roy to talk to him in this tone of discussion and persuasion. Didn't he say that old players in the league like to renovate new players?At least it should be bossy, right?This is what he thought wrong. The NBA does have such an unwritten rule, but first of all, Roy was only a rookie in 2006. He was only a third-year player at the beginning of the new season. Veteran thinking; Secondly, Roy has a mature and prudent personality, and he takes good care of the new young players. The reason why he persuaded Ye Feng to come to the training camp instead of giving orders in a strong tone is also closely related to his own personality.

Being able to participate in the team's training camp before the preseason is naturally a wishful thing. Ye Feng quickly agreed and confirmed the time and place with Roy.Because it was a training camp organized by himself, Roy did not put the training venue in the Rose Garden Arena, but rented the gymnasium of Portland State University.This is also out of convenience, because Portland State University is the only university in Oregon located in an urban center, which reduces the difficulty for players to travel.What's more, what Ye Feng didn't expect was that Roy, as the captain of the team, had already applied for a rented house for him. This is indeed something that NBA teams often do for some players, but if they want to solve it so quickly during the offseason, That's not what the team captain has the final say on. The management of the Blazers thinks highly of him.

For her son who was about to go far away, Guo Yu was naturally very sad, but she still packed Ye Feng's luggage carefully and packed it in the biggest suitcase at home.Ye Feng said dumbfoundedly: "Mom, I'm just going to Portland, don't you need to bring me a pillow and quilt, right? I think it's enough to bring some protective gear for playing, and a few sets of clothes that you usually wear It’s gone.” Guo Yu stared, and said, “How do you know that the sky won’t change over there in Portland? Do you know if you’re prepared? Besides, you’re used to the pillows and quilts. I’m not afraid that you’ll go there. Are you not used to living here?"

Ye Feng quickly turned his eyes to his father for help. Ye Ning coughed and said, "Honey, our son has grown up and is going to make his way in the NBA. Let him go there with these pillows and quilts." Let's go buy some more, we'll keep these at home, and use them when he comes back during his offseason or Christmas or something?" Guo Yu thought about it for the same reason, and let Ye Feng put the pillow and The quilt was stuffed back into his closet.Ye Feng secretly gave his father a thumbs up: Master, this convinced my mother who never gave in on this kind of issue, amazing!

After packing up his things, Ye Ning looked at his son who had grown up and was about to embark on another journey in his life, and said earnestly: "Son, before I leave, I only send you four words, neither humble nor overbearing. I value you, but in the end you are just a rookie, and there are many people on your head. As a professional player, it is my duty to obey the coach's arrangement. I believe that with your golf intelligence and ability, it is not a big problem to gain a foothold in the Trail Blazers Not enough. If someone bullies you, you have to fight back fiercely, whether it is on or off the court, is it still a man to be a turtle?"

Ye Ning thought for a while and continued: "Don't rush to fight for the tactical position, everything is arranged according to the coach. Judging from their willingness to send Webster, you should be the team's starting small forward in the new season. Very good, at least you have a relatively high starting point. As long as you perform well, your tactical status will naturally improve. There is no need to make trouble with your teammates because of this. Although the NBA is a business league, it is only natural to fight for your own interests. It should be something, but since you are working hard for the same goal in the same team, you must maintain a relatively harmonious relationship with your teammates, so that you can work together. If you don’t like each other, you may make trouble. In the end, they have to be traded out by the team, so the gains outweigh the losses.”

Ye Feng nodded solemnly, bowed to his parents, dragged his suitcase, turned around and left the house, and walked forward without hesitation.Seeing the back of his son going away, Guo Yu's tears finally flowed down, and he threw himself into her husband's arms and sobbed softly.Ye Ning also has the urge to cry, after all, his role now is a father, a father who watches his son leave home and go his own way.But he is proud of having such a son. Although he used to be a professional player, the Spanish League is far from being comparable to the NBA. The latter is the highest hall of basketball in the world. He once hoped that he could also play in the NBA. He left footprints in the world, but he didn't do it until he retired, and now, his son has fulfilled his dream.

Ye Feng is not a mother-in-law, although he is leaving Los Angeles for another city, but he is just a little nostalgic, but not sentimental.The transportation system in the United States is very developed, and NBA players don't mean that they don't have vacations at all. Just go home and have a look when you are free and the team is not training.Since he was going to stay in Portland for a long time this time, Ye Feng did not choose to take the plane, but drove his own car along the road to Portland.He is not familiar with this route, because he didn't need to drive himself when the team played away games before, but fortunately, the car has GPS navigation, so there is no need to be afraid of getting lost.

After 16 hours, Ye Feng finally came to Portland, a city where he would probably fight for several seasons in the future.When he got off NW-6th-Ave, it was very bright, Ye Feng looked at his watch, it was only past seven in the morning, he thought about where to have some breakfast, and then drove to Portland State University.He suddenly thought of a kind of pancake that Abby had introduced to himself before. Although this is a traditional breakfast or lunch staple in Western families, the original Pancake House (Original-Pancake-House) that is popular all over the United States started in Portland Spread across 28 states, the crepe shop has been around for more than 50 years, having been opened in 1953 by Les Hayter and Irma Huneker.Thinking of this, Ye Feng quickly found this pancake shop on the GPS, and drove there under the guidance of the navigator.

The store opens at 6:30 in the morning. Although it is only after 7 o'clock, there are already many office workers in a hurry gobbling up at the dining table.After looking at the menu, Ye Feng ordered the two largest pancakes in the store without hesitation - apple pancakes and Dutch baby pancakes, and also ordered a cup of coffee.I have to say that the crepes in this store are really good. The filling of apple pancakes is chopped granny smith apples and Chinese XJ cinnamon. Although the Dutch baby pancakes have no fillings, they are filled with lemon juice, cream and Powdered sugar also tastes very good. As a person who is used to Chinese breakfast, Ye Feng is quite satisfied with it.

After breakfast, Ye Feng put the money and tips on the table, stood up and opened the door to leave this bustling pancake shop, and secretly added it to his food collection.When he drove to the gate of Portland State University, Roy was already standing there waiting for him.Ye Feng was so surprised that he quickly parked the car, took out his jersey and sneakers from the trunk, and walked towards Roy in three steps at a time.A smile appeared on Roy's face, he walked forward, gave Ye Feng a big hug, and said loudly:

"Yeah, welcome to Portland, welcome to our 'Tear City'!"

(End of this chapter)