Chapter 9: Chinese Coolies

At the same time, many reporters rushed to the training facility and headquarters of the Suns to interview the management and players of the team

Even in New York, some reporters rushed to Chinatown and uncovered all of his information

However, these two individuals have very low standing in the Suns, which does not affect Wang Tiejun, so it is better not to mention it.

Illegal labor, Chinese coolies, sleeping in sewers, homeless individuals, violent assaults on employers, etc., have become his labels

"So do you think a Chinese person is qualified to join the NBA?" the reporter asked again

Zhang Heli decided to meet Wang Tiejun, after all, he is the first Chinese person to obtain an NBA contract, and now that he has resigned, he currently has nothing much to do

In less than half a day, due to his Chinese identity, this news quickly spread throughout the media, sparking widespread discussion

What? Liu Yumin was shocked

The reporter across was clearly shocked, and then asked: "So for tomorrow night's match, if that Chinese player has the opportunity to play, how will you respond to him?" The reporter pressed on.

Yes, it is shocking

After a brief conversation, the two ended the call

Having come from the mainland, he has been working as a laborer in Chinatown for nearly five months. Perhaps, at his age, he has just graduated from some sports school and came to the United States because he had no opportunities to play basketball in his home country

The reason for coming to the United States back then was primarily due to the failure of the national team head coach. He originally intended to continue his basketball career in the U.S., but unfortunately, starting from scratch here proved to be too difficult. Although three of his aunts have some connections in the education sector, they have no connections in the sports industry to assist him. He is now basically no longer involved with basketball, having just resigned and is currently planning the next steps in his life.

How do you know about Wang Tiejun?

Ding ding ... ...

Such a pity

On the following day, the 25th, the Suns announced the signing of Wang Tiejun to a short-term contract

What, do the Chinese actually claim to be the world's number one center?

Wang Tiejun, 19 years old, with a height of 215 centimeters, is not someone I have heard of in the domestic basketball scene! After much contemplation, he found no information about Wang Tiejun in his mind

"Oh, do you think he has a chance to play?" Ewing said in surprise

Zhang Heli came to the United States in 1988, as his ex-wife was studying at the University of Chicago. Therefore, he also served as a trainer for the men's basketball team at the University of Chicago, essentially performing various odd jobs. Last year, he applied for a position in the university's finance department.

Damn

Zhang He sighed.

What?

Moreover, he and his ex-wife were planning to visit Sanaria University to see his former sister-in-law who was studying there, and Tucson is only two hundred kilometers away from Phoenix, making it a convenient stop.

On this day, many media outlets were mocking the Suns, characterizing the signing as the most foolish contract of the season

However, before that, he made a phone call back to his home country to first contact Liu Yumin, as he might be able to gather some information about Wang Tiejun from her

Speaking of this, Youyin's words became somewhat more abundant: "In fact, I cannot imagine what it would be like for a Chinese laborer to step onto an NBA court, just because he has some strength? That is too ridiculous. Why not find a strongman whose deadlift data can reach 1,000 pounds or even higher?"

Liu Yumin was taken aback; she indeed knew the name of this young man

Having had this experience in the country, not to mention mixing into the system, even playing in the A-level or B-level leagues would be impossible. Who would dare to let a labor reform convict participate in a match

My intuition has finally proven correct, I did not expect the management to have this idea. Damn it, since they chose me, why did they have to bring in a Chinese guy?

Due to the prestige of Korranglo, the Suns personnel did not say much and responded to the media with an official attitude

He and Liu Yumin can be considered national players of the same era. Currently, Liu Yumin has already taken on the role of deputy director of the basketball department in the sports committee, which is a much stronger development compared to his own.

Liu Chu, do you know him?" Zhang Heli hurriedly asked

At 4:00 PM, the Knicks arrived in Phoenix, checked into the hotel at 5:00 PM, and held a press conference

Indeed, Wang Tiejun is the primary target of media ridicule, labeled as a loudmouth, a delusional person, a Chinese laborer, a waste, and the top center in Chinatown by the media

Ewing treats the media as one would treat a leper; he has a particular disdain for journalists, and thus he coldly and rigidly stated: "That is their choice"

December 26, Christmas Battle

He was a former national player, considered one of the top power forwards in Asia, yet he still found no way to continue his basketball career in the United States. Now, a small guy doing manual labor has surprisingly managed to enter an NBA team, which undoubtedly leaves him astonished

Due to the serious nature of the incident, I have also looked into his case. I heard that he has never admitted to engaging in a fight, claiming that he was fighting those thugs to save a girl. However, the public security department has been unable to locate that girl, and he cannot provide any leads, so...

Oh, you said. "International calls are expensive," Liu Yumin stated directly without any further ado.

Zhang Heli immediately understood why Wang Tiejun would appear in the United States

When he saw the news about Wang Tiejun, he was truly shocked

At this moment, a basketball figure from China has taken notice of the news regarding Wang Tiejun. He is Comrade Zhang Heli, a former member of the national men's basketball team, a renowned Asian power forward, and a former national team coach

"Hello, who is this?" she hurriedly went over to pick up the microphone and asked

After careful consideration, he decided to meet Wang Tiejun in person. It is unprecedented for domestic players to join the NBA, even if it is just a ten-day contract. This is a groundbreaking event, and for someone so important, he could not afford to miss the opportunity to learn more about it

Liu Chu, I am Zhang Heli

Liu Yumin sighed and explained: "He is from the Cangzhou Sports School, with excellent physical condition, particularly outstanding arm span, and strong strength qualities. It can be said that he is the best center prospect in the country since Mu Tiezhu. He was selected for the national youth team in October 1990, but before he could join, he was imprisoned for a year due to injuries caused by fighting..."

I have seen him; he boasts of being the number one center and is quite a big mouth

I know, of course I know

"Patrick, what is your assessment of the Suns' signing?" a local reporter from Phoenix asked.

At 10 PM, in a cylindrical building affiliated with the National Sports Commission, in a certain single room on the third floor, Liu Yumin was preparing to rest when the phone suddenly rang

There is also another person, even angrier than Mark West, and that is rookie Oliver Miller

Oh, Lao Zhang, you have been in the United States for several years now. Have you returned to the country? she said with some surprise

"No, I mean if," the reporter explained

If that is the case, I will inform Mr. Colangelo that he has made an erroneous decision regarding the contract signing

"Not yet, still in the United States. Liu, here's the thing, I want to inquire about a person..." Zhang Lihe said over there.

Wang Tiejun, who is only 19 years old this year and plays basketball, should have come from a sports school in the country. Do you know which one? Zhang Heli asked

The Zhang family is a prestigious lineage, with ancestral ties to Kang Youwei and Liang Qichao. The maternal side of the family is also distinguished, as my mother and her six sisters all hold doctoral degrees and are professors. There are three aunts residing in the United States, and the family's circumstances are quite favorable

Zhang rationally explained: "He has now joined an NBA team in the United States, I think ... ... "

Upon receiving the news, Mark West, who was already preparing for his comeback, was extremely angry but felt powerless, left to stew in his own frustration