Yao Ming!
After the Sydney Olympics concluded, He Xi Meng mobilized every connection he could to pave the way for Yao Ming to enter the NBA. After nearly a year of operation, his perseverance finally paid off. The Shanghai team reached a "staggered payment" agreement with Yao Ming, and Yao Ming also successfully obtained approval from the Basketball Association, planning to participate in the 2001 draft held in New York!
Before Yao Ming, two Chinese players had already entered the league: He Xi Meng and Wang Zhi Zhe.
And with the Lakers winning the championship this season, Wang Zhi Zhe became the second Chinese player, after He Xi Meng, to possess a championship ring!
With the precedent of two Chinese players successfully entering the NBA, many teams in the league turned their attention to China. Besides skill and talent, there was also the immense commercial value of the Chinese market. The "Xi Meng Dynasty" series, specially created by Nike for He Xi Meng, was subtly becoming Nike's most profitable shoe series after the Jordan series! The Chinese market contributed the most to this success.
Currently, Nike has also signed Da Zhi. However, Da Zhi's overall influence is not as great as He Xi Meng's, so he has not yet qualified for an independent brand operation. But Nike will launch a dedicated "Zhi" series under its main brand, which will be designed and operated by top designers from the China region.
Now, with Yao Ming clearing all obstacles and his eligibility to enter the league approved, the news immediately attracted the pursuit of many major brands such as Adidas and Reebok. This was because, prior to this, no fewer than ten league scouts had evaluated Yao Ming. Their conclusion was that Yao Ming's talent far surpassed Da Zhi's, and was even stronger than He Xi Meng's! He was the Chinese player with the greatest potential to date. He had a probability of over 75% of developing into an NBA All-Star (provided he was not plagued by injuries).
If Yao Ming participated in the draft, his pick would be no lower than third, and he had over a 60% chance of becoming this year's number one overall pick...
With such potential rookies, how could sports brands miss out?
However, when the representatives from Adidas, Reebok, and other brands saw Yao Ming's agent team, they instantly felt despair!
Yes, because they saw John's name.
Outsiders might not know who John is, but insiders knew his relationship with Nike.
Although John repeatedly denied having any employment relationship with Nike, all the stars under John – He Xi Meng, Duncan, Da Zhi, Ridnour, Ginobili, and now Yao Ming – had all become Nike's signed players. How could this be explained?
John's own explanation was that it didn't matter who he signed with; Nike was familiar and good for negotiating prices, so he signed with them...
Since Yao Ming was not available, these major brands, settling for the next best option, turned their attention to two other Chinese players who were also seeking to enter the NBA this year: Hu Wei Dong and Ba Te Er!
Hu Wei Dong, like Yao Ming, planned to enter the NBA through this year's draft. Ba Te Er, due to being over the age limit, would join a team directly through a non-draft route.
Thus, Adidas signed Hu Wei Dong, and Reebok signed Ba Te Er.
To expand their influence, the brands also helped Hu Wei Dong and Ba Te Er enter the NBA within their capabilities, which saved He Xi Meng some effort.
After the news of Yao Ming's participation in the draft was reported, the two high school players who were originally considered top contenders for the top pick, Kwame Brown and Tyson Chandler, began to hesitate!
This was because their chances of becoming the top pick had plummeted, and they even risked falling out of the top three.
Tyson Chandler was very confident, believing that even with Yao Ming in the draft, it wouldn't shake his position as this year's number one pick.
Kwame Brown, after careful analysis, chose to play one more year in the NCAA before entering the draft next year.
Michael Jordan had great expectations for Kwame Brown and wanted to use the Wizards' first overall pick to bring him to Washington. As a result, Kwame Brown, not daring to compete with Yao Ming, voluntarily withdrew from the competition, which greatly frustrated Michael Jordan.
And among the big men like Yao Ming, Chandler, Gasol, and Eddy Curry, Michael Jordan didn't particularly fancy any of them.
Yao Ming was too tall; Michael Jordan worried he would lack core strength and struggle with physicality, like Bradley.
Chandler was too raw; Michael Jordan worried he wouldn't have offensive skills and would have limited potential.
Eddy Curry was too fat; Michael Jordan worried he would lose his flexibility and footwork after signing a big contract and become a bust.
Gasol's situation was similar to Yao Ming's, lacking physicality and core strength.
Only Kwame Brown was just right! Not as tall as Yao Ming, not as thin as Gasol, not as fat as Eddy Curry, and not as raw as Chandler... Michael Jordan, after much deliberation, was most satisfied with Kwame Brown. He was confident that under his guidance, he could help Kwame Brown develop into a feared, top player in the league...
It was a shame, though, that this high schooler had a slightly soft disposition, backing down when facing strong competition. This point greatly displeased Michael Jordan. Because Old Jordan was a very tough person, he wanted his players to be like him, fearless, daring to confront and engage anyone, rather than changing their draft plans based on expert analysis that suggested they couldn't win.
So, while Michael Jordan was hesitating, an unfamiliar call came in.
"Hey, Michael, it's Simon. I want to talk to you about that number one pick you have!"
"Simon? Which Simon?" Michael Jordan didn't recall any manager leading an NBA team named Simon.
"He Xi Meng!"
"He Xi Meng? Spurs number 4?"
"Yes!"
"Are you kidding me? You're a player! What right do you have to discuss trades with me?"
"Uh... this is a bit complicated. How about this, wait a moment, I'll have the Spurs representative speak with you..."
"Hey, Michael, it's Gregg. I'm right beside Simon. Simon is correct, he does have the authority to discuss trades with you on behalf of the Spurs... as long as he doesn't sell the Spurs,"
"Uh... you guys in San Antonio really know how to have fun..."
On the other end of the phone, Michael Jordan sincerely gave Popovich a thumbs-up.
"We try," Popovich said humbly. "Getting old, can't compete with you young folks who know how to have fun... Anyway, let Simon talk to you. He's interested in your number one pick, and I'm also curious how he plans to exchange for it with you."