Chapter 47: Is Nash Still Alive?
After Xu Ling announced his participation in the 2007 NBA Draft, his phone began to be “bombed” by agents. Even some lesser-known agents wanted to try their luck, but Xu Ling’s choice was based on rationality.
First, he rejected Arn Tellem, who had a good reputation but questionable operational abilities; he also politely declined Bill Duffy, although the latter’s background as Yao Ming’s agent was very attractive, but selecting him just for that would be too hasty.
Ultimately, Xu Ling chose Leon Rose as his agent.
Rose’s pitch was not much different from other agents, and the reason Xu Ling decided to sign with him was probably that the two hit it off during their meeting and chat.
Rose looked like the chubby dumb white guy from comedies, and he even smiled in a somewhat honest way, but in reality, he was one of the smartest and most powerful agents in the NBA. His big-name players included Dwyane Wade, Chris Bosh, Carmelo Anthony, Chris Paul, Allen Iverson, and LeBron James.
After signing, Rose’s first suggestion to Xu Ling was to build his own team, not only with a life assistant but also best to find a financial advisor.
“I’ve seen too many NBA players go bankrupt at lightspeed after retiring,” Rose said. “They all think they can play until 60 and earn eight figures in US Dollars every year, but in reality, most of them are unemployed around 30, but that crazy lifestyle never stops. This actually destroys their lives.”
As an agent, Rose would handle Xu Ling’s subsequent contracts, commercial endorsements, and marketing promotions; if necessary, he could also arrange someone to take care of Xu Ling’s daily life. However, Xu Ling decided to arrange it himself.
He didn’t want to hire strangers to handle his life, and the first person he thought of was a familiar face around him.
So, the life assistant position was quickly decided, and this matter seemed very “hasty.”
One day, Xu Ling asked his roommate Roderick Craig, who could not pursue a professional basketball career due to a congenital heart condition: “Rod, are you interested in being my life assistant?”
Craig countered: “Haven’t I always been playing that role?”
Xu Ling laughed: “I mean, you quit the team, maybe even pause your studies, and be my full-time assistant.”
Craig said to give him a day to consider, but actually, he only took ten minutes to decide. As the son of an NFL legend, he seemed rough but actually knew what decision was most beneficial to himself.
From that day on, he officially joined Xu Ling’s team. Thus, Texas Tech University had one more player leaving the team after his freshman season.
During this time, Bob Knight also called Xu Ling, saying he had many friends in the NBA and that Xu Ling could contact him anytime if he needed anything. Although Xu Ling had only played one year under Knight, he used that spectacular year to win something that usually only players who stayed with Knight until graduation could permanently have—the coach’s friendship.
From the day he left the team, Knight would be his friend, a lifelong friend, and no matter when, he could call Knight for help. So, Xu Ling naturally thanked him and said he would call when needed.
What came next was waiting, at least that’s what Xu Ling thought. The NBA Lottery Draft would be held on May 31, with almost a full month left. During this time, he could use the school’s gym to keep training, stay in touch with his agent anytime, and watch the NBA playoffs by the way.
However, Rose clearly had no intention of letting Xu Ling live too comfortably.
Moreover, Xu Ling had indeed underestimated his commercial value.
Although there was still time before the NBA Draft, as one of the “Big Three” who strongly disrupted the draft landscape, he had basically locked in a top-five pick in this draft, and being selected in the top three was highly likely. Plus his Chinese identity and being an outside player, shoe companies could glimpse the huge business opportunity behind through his games.
Although Yao Ming had already succeeded in the NBA, the convention of “centers don’t sell shoes” was equally confirmed on him; otherwise, Nike wouldn’t have chosen to lowball when Yao Ming’s shoe contract expired, only for Reebok to swoop in. What truly resonates with fans, making them feel “I could be like him if I wear his shoes,” is always outside players.
The first to “bomb” Xu Ling with money was LN, the top shoe company from China. As the only shoe company in China with global financial power, LN’s offer was very generous—4 years, 50 million US Dollars.
The first time he heard this number, Xu Ling couldn’t help but feel his heart tighten. Fifty million US Dollars sounded like a pipe dream. But thinking about it, he might see all kinds of “astronomical figures” in the coming months, so there was no need to make a big fuss.
The offer itself was not outrageous, basically matching the market’s valuation of his current prospects. Although some doubted his potential to realize his talent in the NBA, with his performance on the NCAA court and draft position on par with Oden and Durant, this outside player with golden measurements was worth exactly that price.
Xu Ling consulted Leon Rose about this.
Rose believed the matter should not be rushed; LN’s offer was good, but its NBA influence was limited, and other companies would follow with bids.
What to do now was to hype this offer to attract other shoe companies. Xu Ling had no objection. He also hoped such free market matters would be decided by Hayek.
After that, Xu Ling spent a few peaceful days, then Rose used connections to arrange an exclusive interview with Xu Ling by Sports Illustrated《 columnist Grant Wahl》.
During March Madness, Xu Ling first appeared on the cover of the magazine after defeating Oden; after leading the team to the national championship, he and his teammates appeared on the cover of the April second issue.
The outside response was enthusiastic; many fans, especially those from Texas, wanted more information about Xu Ling—his mysterious background, “cool” personality, indifference to fans, and legendary emergence out of nowhere. Wasn’t it worth more coverage? So, Wahl got the assignment, connected with Rose, who also wanted to keep building momentum for Xu Ling before the draft, and both sides hit it off.
On the day of the exclusive interview, Xu Ling first had to shoot the cover photo.
The photographer asked him to wear casual clothes, spin a basketball on his index finger, and wear a black hat with a question mark on it.
At the start of the interview, Wahl noticed Xu Ling drank coffee without sugar.
So he asked: “You drink coffee without sugar? That’s very much in line with your ‘cold-blooded killer’ style on the court.”
“No,” Xu Ling smiled in response, “I just don’t want to see in your article ‘Eli addicted to sweets, NBA prospects worrying.'”
Wahl laughed out loud; this was a good start.
A pleasant interview began.
During it, Wahl brought up Xu Ling’s shocking rejection of Bill Duffy as his agent.
After all, Duffy already had successful experience working with Chinese players, making him an ideal choice no matter how you look at it.
“It was like this: Bill said to me then, ‘I can make you the next Yao Ming.’ And I told him, ‘I prefer face-up offense.'”
After hearing Xu Ling’s account, Wahl couldn’t help saying: “That’s indeed a refreshing way to blow up a deal.”
The interview gradually came to an end, and the atmosphere quietly shifted.
“Last question, Eli.” Wahl’s gaze became serious. “You’ve forever become part of NCAA history, and soon the NBA door will open for you. You’ve made fans worldwide crazy, and shoe companies crazy. From an unknown name to the center of attention, all in half a year. Is there any secret behind this? Or, do you have anything to say to the fans who see you as their idol?”
Xu Ling didn’t answer immediately; he took a sip of black coffee without sugar.
His eyes through the cup seemed to be pondering a profound philosophical question.
Moments later, Xu Ling set down the cup and looked straight into Wahl’s eyes.
“Secret?” he countered, his voice carrying a unique, convincing calm. “My secret is—I don’t believe in secrets. I’m just being myself. As for what to say to the fans… no, I won’t tell them here what the world is like; I’m not even smarter than many of them, I have no such obligation.”
Wahl smiled and asked: “Then what is your obligation?”
“For that question, I suggest you ask the Florida fans. They spent a whole game personally witnessing my ‘obligation.'”
After the interview, Xu Ling left alone. A little later, Wahl saw him at the training court edge—he was alone, silently doing catch-and-shoot drills over and over.
He was a special person. Not arrogant, not aggressive. But this conclusion might be contradictory: he was also not friendly at all.
Sitting in front of him for an interview, you wouldn’t feel any discomfort. Answering ordinary questions, you could even catch the humor flickering in his words. But once the topic turned to basketball, he was like a different person. Something cold, focused, almost sharp, silently emerged, separating him from the surroundings.
Wahl thought of Larry Bird, but he didn’t have Bird’s outward sharpness and mockery;
He thought of Charles Barkley, but he wasn’t like Barkley with his laughing and cursing, full of scandals;
He wasn’t Payton, not Kevin Garnett, not Kobe, and certainly not the so-called “college Jordan” he once claimed to be.
He was another kind of existence.
Perhaps he was exactly the type of player that never truly appeared in the NBA’s long history.
Unique personality, unique charm.
Maybe the next 10 years, the NBA would become spectacular because of his arrival?
Grant Wahl couldn’t be sure, but he already had a draft in his mind; he now had a strong desire to write.
That night, Xu Ling was watching the Spurs vs. Suns Western Conference Semifinals Game 4 with Red Raiders teammates; the game was in the intense fourth quarter when Rose called again.
Xu Ling had to take the call.
“How was the interview with Grant?”
“It was fine, he’s a good guy.”
“You’ve been bored lately, huh?”
“A bit.” Xu Ling glanced at the game on TV. “I’m so bored I’m watching games.”
On the other end, Rose laughed: “Don’t worry, you won’t feel bored soon. I’m calling to tell you, LeBron James really admires you; he wants to meet you.”
Right at that moment, Xu Ling saw Steve Nash on TV get knocked flying into the scoreboard by Spurs’ Robert Horry during the last 20 seconds while bringing the ball past halfcourt.
“Ah?!!!”
“Don’t be nervous, LeBron is a good guy, he’s young too, and he loves making friends with young talents like you.”
“I’m not nervous.”
“So it’s settled?”
“You arrange it.”
By now, Xu Ling had demystified these once-unattainable NBA players; meeting was just that, and they might face off fiercely on the court later.
Moreover, Xu Ling now only cared about one thing; he hurried over and asked: “How is it? Is Steve Nash still alive?”
Pushing a friend’s book: coach story《Coach: Starting from Coaching Big Yao》
