Reborn Industrial Tycoon

Chapter 485 Successful interception

"Qian Qian Boy" is not a complimentary title, but more like a ridicule.

The high school draft was not favored by everyone, and when an endorsement deal worth tens of millions of dollars came out, it felt like a thousand people were criticizing it.

Many college students who have performed well in the NCAA feel that I have not received tens of millions of dollars in endorsements. How can you, a high school student, earn these tens of millions of dollars?

So as soon as the nickname "Million Boy" appeared, Kobe instantly gained a lot of negative fans.

Some sports commentators also published articles saying that the so-called tens of millions of dollars in endorsements were nothing more than a self-directed and self-acted hype aimed at boosting Kobe's draft pick.

There are many famous people, and Kobe has a hard time speaking out in the face of rumors.

In a blink of an eye, it was the day of the draft.

Kobe was wearing a black suit and a blue and purple tie, sitting in the "Little Green Room."

"Little Green Room" is a special term in the American sports draft. In the NBA draft, players who receive official invitations to enter the draft green room are selected through the vote of the NBA team general manager. Generally, there are 14 to 20 players.

people.

A dozen other people in the small green room looked at Kobe with strange looks, most of which were not friendly.

As a high school player participating in the draft, Kobe was originally an outlier. Coupled with the recent "Million Kid" incident, Kobe has been pushed to the forefront.

Nowadays, everyone is a competitor on the same starting line. If you can receive endorsements but I don’t, then I will definitely be envious of you!

At this time, Kobe seemed very nervous. Five minutes ago, his agent Tellem had told him that the Lakers and the Charlotte Hornets had reached a consensus. The Hornets would use the 13th pick to select Kobe and then exchange the center for the Lakers.

Divac.

Although he already knew the result, Kobe was still looking forward to a miracle. He hoped that Philadelphia could use the No. 1 pick to select him.

With Kobe’s competitive character, not being number one means losing!

What's more, Kobe himself is from Philadelphia, and he prefers to play for his hometown.

Finally, the Philadelphia 76ers made their choice. NBA President David Stern walked to the stage, opened the small piece of paper in his hand, and announced: "The Philadelphia 76ers chose Allen Iver.

Sen!"

Applause rang out, and Iverson stood up to accept everyone's congratulations. In everyone's eyes, this was a natural result.

Only Kobe had a disappointed look on his face. The miracle did not happen. The 76ers did not choose him.

In front of the TV, James Bond curled his lips and said: "There are so many outstanding young men this year, how could the Philadelphia 76ers use the No. 1 pick to select a high school student! I think this Kobe should really go to college for a year and come back again."

If you participate in the draft, you might have a chance to be selected as the top pick!"

Li Weidong next to him laughed: "Even if Kobe goes to college for a year, he will not be the number one pick. When the NBA draft next year, there will definitely be a better choice than him in the little green room."

Li Weidong knew that in the 1997 NBA draft, a man who ruined most of the league participated in the draft. For this man, Popovich even lost his face!

That man's name is Tim Duncan.

Given Duncan's ability, if he had participated in the draft in 1995, he would have been the No. 1 pick; if he had participated in the draft in 1996, he would have been able to compete with Iverson, and perhaps he would have defeated Iverson by virtue of his status as an inside player.

After all, it was an era of insider players. The team would mess up for the top insiders, but they would not mess up for the top outsiders.

Therefore, even if Kobe participated in the NBA draft after his last year in college, he would still be defeated by Duncan. It is not because Kobe lacks ability, but because he was born at the wrong time.

At this time, the draft was still being broadcast on TV.

The Toronto Raptors with the second pick selected Camby, the Vancouver Grizzlies with the third pick selected Raheem, the Milwaukee Bucks with the fourth pick selected Marbury, and the Minnesota Timberwolves with the fifth pick.

Ray Allen.

The sixth pick originally belonged to the Dallas Mavericks. This pick was exchanged with the Boston Celtics, so the Celtics selected Anthony Walker with the sixth pick.

None of these six choices seemed to have any problems at the time. Even if it were to be done over again, these six people would still be the top six picks.

Before the 1996 NBA draft, there was a saying of "96 Super 6", which meant that in the 1996 draft, 6 superstars would be born, namely Iverson, Camby, Raheem, Marbury, and Ray.

Allen and Walker.

Therefore, the top six picks will inevitably select six of them. And the future performance of these six people, if placed in the draft in a normal year, will be worthy of their draft picks. The worst among the six has also made the All-Star.

In an NBA draft in a normal year, there would be no legend like Kobe Bryant, no superstar like Nash, no All-Stars like O'Neal, Peja, and Big Z, and no Ben Wallace.

An abandoned general at the level of a soldier.

However, in 1996, as long as you didn't choose Kobe, you made the wrong choice!

In the next 7 to 12 picks, except for the New Jersey Nets, all other teams selected post players, and four teams selected centers.

Big centers were obviously more popular in that era. It is for this reason that Camby beat Ray Allen and Marbury. If Iverson hadn't been too unbelievable, perhaps Camby would have become the golden generation of 1996.

of champion.

For those teams in the lottery, choosing a center is the safest choice.

With the 13th overall pick, the Charlotte Hornets selected Kobe Bryant.

This Charlotte Hornets is not the Charlotte Hornets of the current NBA, but the current New Orleans Pelicans.

At that time, the Charlotte Hornets first moved to New Orleans and became the New Orleans Hornets, and then changed their team name to the Pelicans.

The current NBA team, the Charlotte Hornets, was formerly the Charlotte Bobcats and later changed its name to the Charlotte Hornets.

The Hornets chose Kobe. No one from any team was surprised. Everyone already knew that the Hornets had reached a deal with the Lakers. The Hornets would use Kobe's signing rights to trade for Lakers center Divac.

Generally speaking, no team will deliberately cut off players in this kind of draft outside the top ten. If the team selects a certain player, as long as the news is released in advance, other teams will often take advantage of it. This can be regarded as the best choice for each team.

Unspoken rules.

Things like cutting off Hu always happen in the first few picks, and the team will only do this when it encounters a player that it really likes and absolutely needs.

For example, in the 2009 NBA draft, Curry was originally going to the Knicks, and the Knicks also made a commitment. However, the Warriors really wanted Curry so much that they drafted Curry ahead of schedule. At that time,

When it was announced that the Warriors would draft Curry, both Curry and his son had confused expressions on their faces.

However, for those who don't know, the Hornets using the 13th overall pick to select a high school guard is simply crazy!

Many Hornets fans who were watching the draft in front of the TV began to curse and send all kinds of greetings to the family of the Hornets general manager.

In addition to Kobe, there are other better choices, such as Steve Nash, the king of the West Coast, Peja, who has already made a name for himself in the Greek League, and Delk, who won the NCAA championship.

Even if you have to choose a high school student, Jermaine O'Neal is better than Kobe! After all, he is a big center with a height of nearly seven feet. If there is a big center and you don't pick a shooting guard, isn't it a brain cramp?

It was only later that the news of Kobe Bryant's exchange for Divac came out, which calmed the resentment of Hornets fans. Fans began to feel that trading a high school guard for a starting center would be a huge profit.

However, a few years later, when Kobe became a legend, the Hornets' operation of giving away Kobe became the biggest laughing stock in the NBA. The Hornets general manager was scolded by his own fans again.

But in fact, given the draft atmosphere at the time, selecting Kobe with the 13th overall pick was already beyond expectations.

1996 is a big year for the draft. There are many outstanding college students participating in the draft. If high school students participate in the draft, don't say anything and lower them by ten picks first.

Inside players are also more popular than outside players. Kobe, as an outside player, will drop another five picks.

Since the basketball system at that time valued the inside, the status of point guard was higher than that of shooting guard. Therefore, as a shooting guard, Kobe had to drop another five picks.

In other words, the draft has not yet begun. High school shooting guards like Kobe will start with the 20th pick.

In the eyes of scouts, if you have to choose a high school student, O'Neal Jr. is definitely a more suitable choice. Although Kobe and O'Neal are both minors, O'Neal is a center after all and is more stable than Kobe.

In fact, the uncertainty of high school shooting guards was Kobe's biggest weakness back then.

High school students have not experienced college basketball experience, so uncertainty is inherently high, and shooting guard is the position with the greatest uncertainty among the five positions.

Before the draft, Kobe also participated in trial training with many teams. His performance in the trial training was also very good, and he defeated many college players in confrontation training.

However, the "uncertainty" dissuaded most team managers. Even though Kobe performed very well in the trial training, the team managers were still unwilling to take the risk in choosing Kobe.

No one can guarantee that a high school guard can adapt to the fierce competition of the NBA. Even if Kobe Bryant can eventually adapt to the NBA, shooting guards are relatively weak in the system at that time and are not worth cultivating.

The basketball system at that time was mainly based on the inside, and shooting guards could only be regarded as tactical supplements.

At that time, most shooting guards were actually swingmen, such as Drexler and Hardaway. Their playing style was more towards small forwards.

Another type of shooting guard is a pure three-point shooter, similar to Reggie Miller and Ray Allen. However, shooting requires talent, so there are only a handful of such three-point shooters.

People who have watched "Slam Dunk" can probably understand the basketball system. The top center is the standard for a strong team, the striker is the team's ace, the point guard is the team's brain, and as for the shooting guard, if not

The marksman has basically no role.

Of course, there is a special case among shooting guards, and that is Jordan.

However, there is only one Jordan. Jordan's strength is unprecedented. No one would think that this high school guard from Philadelphia will become the next Jordan.

Kobe's physical performance is pretty good, but compared with Jordan, it is indeed a notch behind. Moreover, Kobe was only 17 years old at the time, and compared to adults, his body was slightly thinner.

The 17-year-old Kobe has not yet unlocked all his offensive skills. At this time, no one will compare him with Jordan.

As a shooting guard, Kobe does not yet have the qualifications to be a swingman, nor does he have the shooting percentage of a sharpshooter. His future is too unpredictable. Choosing Kobe requires enough courage and courage!

In the end, only Jerry West, the general manager of the Lakers, showed his courage and was worthy of the title of "Godfather".

…

The NBA draft is still being broadcast on the TV. The first round of the draft has ended, and all the stars that Li Weidong is familiar with have also been selected.

Li Weidong pondered for a moment and said: "James, please contact Kobe's agent again and congratulate him!"

"Just congratulations?" James Bond asked.

"Tell him that in addition to the 10 million U.S. dollars in endorsement fees over six years, Feiyue Sports will launch at least one signature sneaker for Kobe every year!" Li Weidong said.

"Signed sneakers? Are you serious?" James Bond asked with a surprised look on his face.

"Of course I mean it!" Li Weidong paused and then said: "We have to sign Kobe as soon as possible, because the summer league is coming soon. Once Kobe performs well in the summer league, he will be seen by other brands.

If so, it won’t be our turn!”

…

At the North American headquarters of Adidas, the bearded scout found executive Blair again.

"I just received news that the Los Angeles Lakers used their starting center Divac to exchange Kobe's signing rights from the Hornets! It seems that the Lakers are very optimistic about Kobe."

The bearded scout paused and then said: "And Los Angeles is a big city, and the players there will have more commercial value. So I suggest that Kobe should be signed immediately."

"The Lakers may be really optimistic about the young man Kobe, but their main purpose of trading Divac is to free up salary space so that they can sign O'Neal. So I think the signing of Kobe should wait a little longer." Blair

He said calmly.

"Wait? When? Didn't you say before that you would sign him as long as he entered the NBA? Now he has entered the NBA." The bearded scout asked anxiously.

Blair replied: "There are too many uncertainties among high school defenders. I think we need to observe for a while. The summer league will be in a few days, right?

At that time, all rookie players from each team will participate, including some undrafted rookies and players from the Development League. We just want to take a look at the gap between this high school student and an official professional basketball player.

In addition, before the regular season, there is a preseason game, and all the players on the court will be NBA players. We also need to observe whether he can adapt to the NBA game rhythm.

You asked just now when I will wait, I think at least the pre-season will be over before I can make a decision!"

…

Tellem came to Kobe.

"There is good news. The previous sports brand is not only willing to offer you a six-year endorsement contract worth 10 million US dollars, but is also willing to provide you with signed sneakers, no less than one pair every year." Tellem said.

"You mean my signature sneakers?" Kobe also looked surprised.

"If you are willing, you can see your signature sneakers on the market this winter." Tellem continued; "To be honest, I also think this condition is incredible. Signature sneakers can only be enjoyed by superstars.

treatment!”

Compared with simply being an endorsement, compared with launching signature sneakers, they are two completely different treatments.

In the NBA, there are many stars who have signed endorsement contracts with sports brands, but most of them only endorse products, and only a few of them can actually have their own signature sneakers.

In the future 2021, Chinese sports brands will sign many NBA stars. At that time, with the support of Chinese brands, only 22 active players could have signed sneakers.

This also includes stars like Anthony, Rose, and Rondo who are no longer in their playing years, as well as make-up players like McAway.

In 1996, you could count on your fingers the number of active players with signed sneakers.

Jordan has his own AJ brand, which is unique in the NBA.

Grant Hill's Fila GH basketball shoes were the only signature sneakers at the time that could compete with AJ in sales.

In addition, Hardaway, Pippen, Barkley, Robinson, and O'Neal have their own signature basketball shoes.

Other superstars such as Olajuwon, Payton, Karl Malone, and Stockton did not have their own signature shoes in 1996.

Considering that Jordan's AJ brand is almost impossible to copy, launching signature basketball shoes for players is already the highest treatment in a star endorsement contract.

In the 1990s, it was much more difficult to get your own signature basketball shoes than it is now. Superstars could only be considered as the threshold for signature shoes. At that time, there were no has-been stars to make up the number.

Just imagine, so many superstars don't have their own signature boots, but Kobe can have one. What a temptation it is!

For Kobe, 10 million in six years may not be able to satisfy his ambitions, but signature boots are really so fragrant and sincere!

At this moment, Kobe was completely moved!

…

Adidas North America Headquarters.

"We were intercepted!" Blair snorted angrily, and then asked: "What is the origin of Feiyue Sports? Why haven't I heard of this brand before!"

"This is a niche brand in Los Angeles. It used to be mainly trendy, but it is said that this brand was founded in the 1930s and has a long history." The bearded scout introduced.

"The 1930s? You must be bragging! Adidas was only founded in 1949. How can such an unknown brand be older than Adidas!" Blair said with a look of disbelief.

The bearded scout said: "The fact that it was founded in the 1930s should be true. It is said that they still have a pair of sports shoes produced in that year on display in their store. They really look like the style of the 1930s.

And not long ago, they also launched a retro sneaker, which is very similar to the kind worn decades ago. The sales of that shoe are very good. I heard that 300,000 pairs have been sold across the United States!

And this time, they are also going to launch a signature basketball shoe for Kobe! This is a treatment that only a superstar can have. It is said that Kobe’s first signature basketball shoe will be on the market at the end of the year. Kobe is expected to wear his signature sneaker to participate in the National Games.

Star Rookie Game!”

"All-Star Rookie Game? Let's see if he can survive until then! This is the NBA, and maybe within a month, that high school student will be eliminated!"

Blair continued sourly: "Small brands like this don't understand the rules! A high school student who has just entered the NBA has not even played a game, and they gave him signed basketball shoes!"

…

Historically, Adidas did successfully sign Kobe Bryant.

At that time, Adidas only gave Kobe an endorsement contract after the regular season started.

Adidas probably saw Kobe's outstanding performance in the summer league and preseason games and believed that Kobe had unlimited potential, so they decided to sign Kobe.

However, the cooperation between Kobe and Adidas was not happy.

First of all, Adidas was unwilling to give Kobe Bryant a signature pair of shoes, but only let Kobe endorse Adidas sneakers.

Secondly, the sneakers that Kobe endorsed were really ugly in design, so sales were very poor. The worst one was even reduced to $40 and could not be sold.

As a star, the sneakers he endorses cannot be sold. This will not only affect Kobe's commercial value, but also affect his self-esteem.

With Kobe’s unyielding character, he would be embarrassed to wear his sneakers if he didn’t sell them first!

The third is that Adidas was not sincere in renewing the contract. At that time, Adidas gave McGrady a lifetime contract, but not only did Kobe not have a lifetime contract, his renewal price was not as good as Tracy McGrady.

Of course the proud Kobe couldn't accept this. He felt insulted and ultimately would rather pay liquidated damages than terminate his contract with Adidas in advance.

It can be said that Kobe and Adidas are completely a lose-lose cooperation.

…

Six years and 10 million US dollars, plus an endorsement contract for signature basketball shoes, also made Feiyue Sports popular.

In terms of the amount of endorsements, $1,000 for six years is not much.

In the same session, Reebok and Iverson offered a 10-year, 50 million contract, with an average of 5 million per year. In comparison, Kobe's contract was only 1.66 million per year.

It's just that Iverson was the No. 1 pick, and from the moment he entered the NBA, he was branded a superstar.

And Kobe was only a high school student, obviously a developmental hero. He had just entered the NBA at a wretched stage of development, and to get such an endorsement contract was obviously a waste.

What's more important is the signature sneaker. This is something that many superstars want, but it was obtained by Kobe, a high school rookie. There is no one in the entire NBA who has a psychological balance.

Jealousy is human nature. Overnight, Kobe became the target of public criticism and once again received a wave of negative fans.

If you want to wear his crown, you must bear his weight! In the upcoming summer league, countless people are waiting to see Kobe's jokes.

In the first game of the Summer League, the Lakers faced the Pistons, Kobe scored a game-high 27 points.

In the second game of the Summer League, Kobe scored 22 points, which was a slight decline.

In the third game of the Summer League, Kobe only scored 15 points, and the anti-fans started to party.

In the fourth game of the Summer League, the Lakers faced the Suns, Kobe Bryant showed off his power and scored 36 points!

The anti-fans were in dead silence.

In four summer league games, Kobe averaged 25 points per game.

This data in the summer league can already prove that he can become a qualified NBA player!

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