Upon arriving in San Antonio from Houston, He Ximeng immediately received a call from Duncan: "Want to go out for a big meal?"
San Antonio didn't have any particularly grand restaurants. To be honest, Duncan knew San Antonio even less than He Ximeng did at this point.
As expected, Duncan's so-called big meal was just the Western restaurant next to the Spurs' club.
A steak each, a cup of coffee each.
No alcohol during the season, but they could drink cola. However, He Ximeng felt that cola with steak was a bit incongruous. Without red wine, coffee would have to suffice.
Joining Duncan was also Spurs head coach Popovich.
"We meet again, Mr. Ximeng!"
"It's a pleasure to see you, Mr. Popovich!"
"Thank you for your advice a year ago, which made me decide to tank... Tim is too outstanding. I am now full of hope for the team's future..."
Popovich thanked He Ximeng right away, which made him feel a little embarrassed. In fact, even without He Ximeng, Popovich would have eventually chosen to tank to get Duncan. He Ximeng's appearance merely helped Popovich make up his mind sooner.
"You're welcome! I'm well aware of Tim's ability. The Spurs choosing Tim will absolutely not be a loss! It's also his honor to come to the Alamo City and receive your guidance..."
"Don't say that! I'm also being thrust into this role. This is my first time as a head coach. Let's help each other and progress together, Tim..."
While Popovich's words were humble, the statement about being a rookie head coach wasn't entirely inaccurate.
"The greatest coaches also grow from rookies! I believe you will become the greatest head coach in the league in the future... And you too, Tim, you will grow into the league's strongest power forward..."
He Ximeng was quick to say "historically the best" and "league's best." If Popovich and Duncan didn't both recognize He Ximeng's character, they might have thought he was a con artist.
After all, Popovich was currently a rookie coach, having only coached 6 games in total.
Duncan was also a rookie power forward. Although he was playing near All-Star caliber stats, he had only played 6 games and still had a long way to go to become the league's all-time best power forward.
"What about you? Ximeng, when will you come to San Antonio and join me?" Duncan asked the question Popovich most wanted to ask.
At last year's draft, Popovich thought the 18th pick was enough to show the Spurs' sincerity, but unfortunately, they were snatched by the Lakers. Judging by last season's performance, the Lakers had made a huge steal.
He Ximeng's current court vision, playmaking ability, and three-point shooting were enough to make the Spurs salivate!
Imagine, with David and Tim as an invincible twin towers in the paint, and He Ximeng's three-point threat on the perimeter, coupled with He Ximeng's top-tier organizational skills... would the combined Spurs team be far from sweeping the league?
But sadly, the Spurs missed the opportunity to take flight early.
If Popovich had paid more attention and secured a lottery pick in the top 14, would they have been snatched by the Lakers?
In the quiet of the night, Popovich would also review his decisions from last year. Perhaps he had been too conservative...
But the die was cast. They missed it, they missed it. At least during their rookie contracts, the Spurs couldn't pry He Ximeng away from the Lakers and bring him to San Antonio. But what about after the rookie contract?
Popovich's foresight had always been long-term. The current Spurs could be among the league's strong teams with their twin towers, but David Robinson's peak was already here. It was hard to say how many more years he could maintain this form! Finding a reliable partner for Duncan was Popovich's most important task in the coming years. And in the current league, Popovich couldn't think of anyone else who would fit Duncan better than He Ximeng...
Facing Duncan's soul-searching question, He Ximeng dared not speak definitively but also didn't want to deceive Duncan, so he gave an ambiguous answer: "After my rookie contract ends, I will seriously consider transferring to the Spurs...
"At that time, you'll have to prepare some salary cap space for me..." He Ximeng turned and jokingly reminded the not-yet-old Popovich.
"No problem!" Popovich patted his chest.
Popovich's mouth was notoriously good at tricking people in the league. The current league hadn't yet realized the old man's talent. But even if he could fool the entire league, he couldn't fool He Ximeng, who had lived two lives...
He could only hope that Popovich wouldn't disappoint him then! His first contract after transferring to the Spurs shouldn't be a pay cut, right?
The meal lasted for over an hour.
Besides talking about basketball, He Ximeng and Duncan had many other topics to discuss.
For example, they talked about the recent situations of their teammates from the Wake Forest University team. Apart from He Ximeng and Duncan, none of the other teammates had entered the NBA. They all completed their university studies according to plan, either pursuing further education or starting jobs in companies.
Wake Forest University had a high ranking nationwide, especially in North Carolina, and was very well-known. Finding a stable, high-paying job wasn't difficult.
After discussing teammates, He Ximeng also asked about the recent situation of Duncan's girlfriend, Amy!
As the first overall pick, Duncan's rookie year salary was nearly $3 million, plus his endorsement deal with Nike brought him millions more in income! Upon graduating from college, he entered the ranks of a near-millionaire. And as long as he wasn't injured, his income would only increase. For Amy, how could she let go of such a cash cow?
Amy, at this point, did nothing but live in a mansion and buy luxury goods. Her daily schedule consisted of either meeting a personal trainer to maintain her figure or a beautician to preserve her appearance! She was adopting the attitude of "You handle the earning, I'll handle being beautiful."
Duncan said that Amy was already pushing for marriage and wanted to have a few "little monkeys" with him, but he hadn't decided if he wanted to enter the sacred bonds of matrimony so quickly.
He Ximeng had "contributed significantly" to Amy and Duncan's relationship. Now, hearing that Amy was already looking for a personal trainer, He Ximeng had a premonition. Women who don't work, have money and free time, and aren't willing to be lonely... this was clearly the prelude to a vast Hulunbuir grassland!
He Ximeng quickly advised Duncan to reconsider carefully! Amy, especially an unemployed Amy, was not a good candidate for marriage! Whether men or women, they must have a job. With a job, people wouldn't feel empty, lonely, or cold... especially people like them who had to fly all over the country to play basketball! Sometimes, during consecutive away games, they would be away for a whole week...
He Ximeng's words had gone this far; he was almost directly pointing out: Amy alone at home was not safe!