Compton Avenue.
The atmosphere of decadence and riots has not dissipated, because Zhang Jun has not returned here for a long time, and there are many young figures on the dilapidated basketball court.
Any child who wants to spend their childhood here will choose to throw themselves on the basketball court to shield themselves from the chaotic environment of the outside world. They pretend to be strong here and stay away from dangerous things such as gangs, drugs and bullets.
"You brat still knows how to come back."
Elizabeth was cursing, but when she saw Zhang Jun came back, she rummaged through the refrigerator for the first time, found the best ingredients, then turned and walked towards the kitchen.
"How long has it been since you came back this time?" Elizabeth asked cautiously.
Zhang Jun said casually, "I'm not leaving."
Elizabeth froze in the kitchen, picked up an iron spoon and walked out a few steps.
"You were expelled from school?"
"Is it because I don't have enough credits or because I made my female classmate's belly bigger?"
"You little bastard, I told you to go to school to study hard and be a useful person in the future, but now you are persuaded to quit by studying?"
"Can the school charge money? How much does it cost?"
Seeing Elizabeth's anxious expression, wanting to use the iron spoon on him but not knowing whether it was because the child was too old or too ruthless to do so, Zhang Jun said with a smile.
"I signed up for the NBA draft."
Elizabeth was stunned for the second time, and then she gave a long sigh with a smile on her face.
If you sign up for the NBA, you will not be able to return to the NCAA. Of course, the school does not count as graduation. They will retain their student status and credits. Students can find time to go back to school to complete the courses in the future, and only need to earn enough credits.
American universities implement the principle of wide entry and strict exit, which is the same for everyone. Many NBA players can even use their vacations to return to their alma mater to continue their studies.
"I don't know if you can do it, I don't want you to sign a big contract, as long as there is a team willing to let you realize your dream."
Elizabeth immediately became worried again, and started her own thoughts.
"A few days ago, Compton Avenue was very lively, and someone in the community came to announce the good news to me, saying that Zhang Jun led the team to win the NCAA championship."
"At first I wondered if that Zhang Jun was you, don't be some shameless guy with the same name as you, but when I heard it, I thought it should be you."
"You kid didn't embarrass your mother."
"But the next day Chuck Daly came to tell me that few players who won the NCAA championship every year played in the NBA, and even if they did, most of them were low-level players."
"He said that there was a man named Simon who led the University of Arizona to win the NCAA championship in 1997. He was also elected as the MOP of the Final Four. After graduating from university, he only worked as an assistant at the University of Arizona."
"There is also a man named Jimmy Hull who also won the MOP award and became a middle school teacher after graduation."
"Son, are you a MOP?"
Zhang Jun looked at Elizabeth with a worried face, nodded helplessly, and at the same time scolded Chuck Daly in his heart.
It's okay, you just talk about something messed up for Elizabeth.
Elizabeth, who heard that Zhang Jun is also an MOP, patted Zhang Jun's shoulder comfortingly, "It's okay, if you can't get into the NBA, there are other ways out."
But thinking that Zhang Jun didn't seem to have any other specialties other than playing basketball, Elizabeth couldn't help but sighed there to herself.
Zhang Jun patted Elizabeth on the generous shoulder and said: "When I have money, the first thing I will do is to buy you a big house, and then you will never go out to work again."
Elizabeth has heard this sentence many times. She knows that her son will never lie to herself, but it costs a lot of money to buy a big house in Los Angeles.
Elizabeth then said: "I don't know how your sister is doing in St. Bernardine alone. Although she is also in Los Angeles, it is a little far away from us. They say that CAA is a big company with good salary and good treatment."
"But big companies also have many rules, I'm afraid your sister won't be able to stand it."
Zhang Jun, who knew what Elizabeth meant, said directly: "I happen to be fine these few days, so I'll go see her tomorrow."
Elizabeth immediately calmed down, and began to prepare the food for Xia He tomorrow.
After eating, Zhang Jun came to the stinking ditch with some clean food. Chuck Daly was shaking his head and watching the video tape. It was the first round of NBA G2 on April 20, 1986. The Bulls and the peak Celtics Dynasty game.
"Young Jordan is just a scoring machine at this time. He made 22 of 41 shots, 19 of 21 free throws, and scored 63 points. He has become the only player who can score 60+ in a single game in the playoffs so far. .”
"But guess what, the Bulls lost in two overtimes and the Celtics swept the entire series."
"Celtics Bird Bird 36+12+8, Refrigerator Kevin McHale 27+15, Danny Ainge 24 points, DJ Dennis Johnson 15+8, Chief Parish 13+9, Bill Walton 10+15."
"Boy, which one do you think is more important, 63 points or 36 points?"
Chuck Daly took the food and ate it unceremoniously, without looking back at Zhang Jun, pointing at the TV screen and commenting with relish.
Zhang Jun naturally knew that Daly was asking him about Jordan and Bird. He thought for a while and said, "I think winning is more important."
Dali let out a laugh, his eyes almost narrowed into slits, and repeatedly motioned Zhang Jun to beat his back for him.
"You kid summed it up brilliantly."
"That's right, the Bulls won, and Jordan's 63 points will naturally be praised by all the fans, but if the Celtics win, Larry Bird is the one who should be praised by the world."
"And that night, all the media were praising the almighty Larry Bird. On the contrary, Jordan, who could only fight alone, was even notorious. People thought he was a ball bully and a cancer."
"Bill Russell also said after that game: Jordan's fancy style of play will only please the audience, he will never win the championship."
Although everyone knows the following things, Jordan was once pushed to be the number one player in basketball, but at that time, the verbal criticism that Jordan encountered was indeed the most serious among all stars.
Daly suddenly became quiet at this time and said: "Jordan has to thank Phil Jackson, he taught this guy who can only score how to control his desire to score, and use his ability to attract double-teams to make his teammates better. good."
Zhang Jun couldn't help but look suspicious and said: "What the **** are you talking about, you stinky old man, you are almost as good as my mother, you are a **** man."
Daly changed his previous mood, turned around and looked at Zhang Jun seriously, and said, "The NBA is no better than the NCAA. There are too many talented people here~www.mtlnovel.com~ who are more talented, able to score, and more breakthrough than you. There are a lot of great people out there.”
"If you want to get ahead in this place, you still lack a lot of things."
Dai Li watched Zhang Jun grow up, and he knew the character of this boy who was always fearless, and he also knew his arrogant and aggressive temper.
Every time Daly thinks of this, there will always be a figure in Daly's mind. He thinks that Zhang Jun is a piece of jade in the rough. He doesn't want him to spend 7 years like that person before he knows how to win the championship.
Of course, Daly thinks that Zhang Jun is the same as that person, as long as he wins a championship, no one in the world will be able to stop him.
Zhang Jun gave Dai Li a white look. No wonder the other party said those things to Elizabeth.
"So what should I learn?"
Daly was very satisfied with Zhang Jun's attitude, and said seriously: "You should learn from Jordan, O'Neal, Duncan, Magic Johnson, and Larry Bird, learning how they play the game and how to score in the paint."
"This way you can be the next Michael Jordan, and I'm sure you can."
Zhang Jun breathed a sigh of relief and said seriously: "But I am not Jordan, O'Neal, Duncan, Magic Johnson, or Larry Bird. I am Zhang Jun."
"I will only become Zhang Jun, not anyone."
Looking at the back of Zhang Jun leaving, Daly couldn't help but smile wryly. Now these young people always feel that no one is as good as themselves, but how do they know that those people standing on President Hill used to be like this when they were young? vice temper.
Daly stood up and still couldn't help shouting: "Boy, you really need a good head coach."
Without looking back, Zhang Jun waved his hand and said, "Okay, Daley."