NBA: I'm really just an ordinary coach

On the last day of June, Dazhi and his group of four returned to Portland again.

Dazhi had terminated the cooperation with the personal assistant and agent who had confronted the Basketball Association.

The personal assistant was easy to deal with. He terminated the contract with the agent in advance and paid a considerable amount of liquidated damages.

This matter was spread to China through the mouths of Su Qun and three others, and it also eased the tense relationship between Dazhi and the domestic side.

Some things cannot be concealed, and there is no need to conceal them.

When the four people came back, Su Qun also brought back a piece of news that Director Xin, who is in charge of basketball in China, wanted to talk to him.

Coming from the later generations, Tang Feng is naturally no stranger to this Director Xin.

‘"Trust people, trust ghosts, trust Lan Cheng." These seven simple words are how netizens in later generations evaluated Director Xin.

That night, during the conversation with Dazhi, Dazhi also mentioned Director Xin, and let Tang Feng know some of the inside story.

It can only be said that in this matter, Director Xin's silence at the critical moment made the matter develop towards an uncontrollable situation.

Although he did not have a good impression of Director Xin, Tang Feng still decided to have a chat with Director Xin.

If Dazhi's problem is to be resolved, the director of the Basketball Management Center cannot be avoided.

"Is that Xiao Tang?"

After answering the phone, Tang Feng raised his lips slightly when he heard the voice coming from the other end, and a playful smile flashed across his face.

A very distinctive name

"Hello, Director Xin, I am Tang Feng"

"Well, I've heard about you. You went abroad at the age of 18, and in just five years, you became the head coach of the Trail Blazers. Not bad, very good. The development of the Chinese men's basketball team needs young talents like you."

Tang Feng smiled and said politely,"Director Xin is too flattering. I personally can only be considered to have some ability at best, but it is mainly because of the good training of the country."

In order to avoid this kind of courtesy,

Tang Feng did not give Director Xin a chance to speak, and continued,"You should have known that I decided to recruit Dazhi into the Trail Blazers, and Dazhi agreed.

In other words, there will be two Chinese people appearing on the same team at the same time, just like Dazhi entered the NBA that year and Dayao was elected the No. 1 pick this year. This is the first time in history.

I personally think this is a gratifying thing."

"Just speaking from this matter, it is like this."

Listening to this plain voice, Tang Feng changed his tone and said in a very sincere tone:"First of all, I want to express my position to you here. In the matter of Dazhi, no matter what, it is all his fault.

Before recruiting him, I also knew that this might be a pit of fire, and I, who was not yet firmly established, would be trapped in it.

But I know that I have no choice.

Because I am a Chinese, and it is not easy for the country to train a player like him. His personal ruin is a small matter, but the hard work the country has poured into him will be wasted. At the same time, it will also bring some negative impacts to the country, which I cannot accept.

When recruiting him, I repeatedly emphasized that people cannot only think about themselves, nor can they forget their roots.

As far as I personally feel, I think he has deeply realized his mistakes and is willing to correct them. He is willing to pay out of his own pocket to terminate the contract with those two people, which is his attitude of admitting his mistakes."

"Who hasn't been young? Being able to recognize one's mistakes and being willing to correct them is a good comrade, but that alone is far from enough.

Helping the national team win the Busan Asian Games, reaching the top eight in the Indianapolis World Championships, and winning glory for the country, this is what he needs to do most, and it is also his mission."

Tang Feng echoed,"Yes, Director Xin is right, the Asian Games and the World Championships must be played, and we must do our best to play well.

Winning glory for the country is something that many people dream of. If he doesn't cherish this opportunity, it is a blatant crime."

"Well, well said, Xiao Tang, although you are young, you have a very profound view of problems, which is very good."

Tang Feng selectively ignored the compliment from Director Xin and continued,"Thank you Director Xin for the compliment. This is the general tone. Now that the general tone has been set, I will talk about the specific practices.

You should also be aware of the situation of the Trail Blazers.

Before I came, this team was called the 'Portland Prison Team', and it was imperative to tear it down and rebuild it. This is what I have been doing since I became the head coach. Tearing down and rebuilding is easier said than done.

Especially for a young head coach like me, the pressure from all sides is suffocating.

To be honest with Director Xin, I have been holding my breath. I want to show these arrogant Americans that their so-called impossible is just a joke. I want to tell the world here that nothing is impossible in front of the Chinese."

"Well, our Chinese nation has always been brave enough to face difficulties and create miracles."

"Well, that's what I think.

Now, I have persuaded most of the players in the team to come to the stadium on July 3 for semi-closed training.

Such semi-closed training may be rare in my future coaching career.

Everything in the Trail Blazers is new.

The new coaching team, the new lineup composed of players and rookies from different teams, and the brand-new tactical system are the most suitable environment for Dazhi. He can start from scratch and get familiar with and control the team's tactical system.

I also have high hopes for Dazhi and hope to train him into one of the core players of the team.

And this semi-closed training is a key, the key for him to improve his own strength and integrate into the team.

If he misses this training, when the new season starts, even if I want to give him a chance, I can only let him play in garbage time, because he can't keep up with the team's progress and rhythm, and I can't slow down the team's progress because of him.

So, this summer, he will stay in Portland for training.

Of course, this does not conflict with serving the country.

Dazhi and the national team players are old acquaintances. They also understand each other well and there is almost no need for adjustment. When the national team comes to the United States, let Dazhi go to join the national team."

After a slight pause,

Tang Feng changed the subject and said,"Speaking of this, I still have an immature idea. Please give me some advice, Director Xin.

Is it possible for our national team to come to the United States for training some time in advance? The training conditions here are still very good.

As for the location, it would be best to choose Portland.

As for the stadium, accommodation and so on, I can let my acquaintances here contact and communicate, and try to minimize the cost.

Of course, I also have my own little selfish thoughts. When the time comes, I will play a few friendly matches with our national team to test the training results.

If conditions permit, after the World Championships, we can continue to train here to prepare for the Busan Asian Games." There was a brief silence.

The voice on the other end of the phone came again

"It's not impossible for Dazhi to stay with the Trail Blazers for training, but he needs to issue a statement to apologize for his irrationality during this period."

Hearing this, Tang Feng smiled and said quickly:"This is what I should do. Our domestic reporters Su Qun, Yang Yi and Yan Xiaoxian are also here. I will ask them to do an exclusive interview with Dazhi on this matter later and let Dazhi apologize in the most sincere tone and attitude."

"Calculating the age, you are the same age, you are even younger than him, but you are much more mature than him.

Regarding the training you mentioned, I personally think it is a good idea, but it is still difficult to implement it. We need to hold an internal meeting to discuss it, and then I will contact you."

"OK, I'll be waiting for your call anytime."

"Well, let's do this for now."

After ending the call, Tang Feng let out a long sigh.

The matter was finally resolved.

Director Xin was not as unkind as imagined, but his philosophy on basketball was a bit paranoid, and everything was based on the national team, such as reducing the number of league games and increasing national team training.

And he was the right remedy, admitting his mistakes, playing the sympathy card, and expressing his thoughts and goals.

Then, he proposed to help the national team come here for training and play a friendly match with the Trail Blazers.

Unlike the NBA China Games later, at this time, being able to play a friendly match with an NBA team was something that many people didn't even dare to think about.

This was extremely tempting for Director Xin, who valued the national team more than anything else.

This was also an important reason why Director Xin finally agreed to let Dazhi stay in the Trail Blazers for training.