Chapter 95: The Curse of the Center After the First Defeat
In just a few hours, news of Wang Zelin's facial injury had spread throughout the sports world.
When the Chinese fans on the other side of the ocean got the news, they felt that the sky that had just risen in their hearts was about to collapse again.
Just last year, China Mobile Great Wall Yao Ming made a brief comeback and then retired due to injury. Not long after, he directly announced his retirement.
Yi Jianlian, who once attracted much attention and expectations, was hampered by his glass-like nature and became more and more injured and dragged down by fighting. In the end, he became more depressed and frustrated, and said goodbye to the NBA.
And now, those damn injuries have plagued the Chinese players again!
At this time, the Trail Blazers' injury report has not come out, and there are a lot of discussions about Wang Zelin's injury. For example, there are disfigurements, sometimes facial fractures, and more outrageous versions directly saying that Wang Zelin will retire due to injury.
As various versions of injuries gradually came out, the Chinese sports circle completely exploded.
The time difference between China and the United States is about 12 to 13 hours. When the American Wang Zelin fell into sleep, Tianchao Sports Station had suspended the broadcast of many sports projects and launched a specific program about Wang Zelin's prospects after his injury.
"Although the specific injury has not been revealed so far, judging from the game video sent back by the NBA, the injury is on the bridge of the nose on the face..."
"Fortunately, the king's injured part is not a body part that has a huge impact on professional athletes. There is a high probability that it will not affect his basketball career..."
"It is worth mentioning that this is the king's first injury since he entered the professional game at the age of 18. The recovery ability of young people is far beyond that of middle-aged and elderly people. What we have to wait for now is the official news from the Trail Blazers. I also hope that the king can be safe and return to the game as soon as possible."
Under the specific program commentary launched by Tianchao Sports Channel, the hearts of countless Tianchao fans were temporarily soothed.
?……
NBA headquarters.
David Stern held an internal meeting regarding the fact that Wang Zelin and Griffin were both injured.
One is White Monster, who was born as the number one pick, one of the young idols that the league is currently promoting, and a rising star.
The other is the Chinese center who emerged out of nowhere. He has a tendency to revitalize traditional centers since his debut and is loved by old-school players such as O'Neal.
Coupled with his status as a Chinese player, David Stern has gradually regarded him as the next Yao Ming.
But who would have thought that something like this would happen during a regular season game.
On the night of the incident, David Stern, who was preparing to learn French at home, was so angry that he lost all interest. He asked the three referees in charge of that game and the general managers of the Clippers and Trail Blazers overnight.
Fortunately, after the injury reports of Wang Zelin and Griffin came out, the former had a broken nose and the latter had a mild ankle sprain, both of which were minor injuries that would not affect their career prospects.
"Gentlemen, everyone is aware of the injuries of King Tianchao and Blake. What we need to discuss now is the penalty of that offense and defense."
David Stern, who was sitting at the main seat, knocked on the table, attracting everyone's attention.
"Mr. President, I think Wang Zelin should be severely punished. It was just a normal regular season game. His reaction was too violent, which led to this tragedy."
To Stern's left, a thin bald man replied respectfully.
This person is Adam Silver, the current vice president and chief operating officer of the NBA, and the most powerful competitor for league president after David Stern retires.
Silver passed an internal vote in October this year and became the new NBA president after Stern retired in February 2014. Although Stern did not agree with the heir's "business first" philosophy, he could not stand up to the board of directors. Those old guys just followed Xiao Hua's trick.
"Um……"
Stern glanced at Xiao Hua coldly, obviously not satisfied with this answer.
"Stu, tell me what you think."
David Stern sets his sights on another vice president.
"What fans are most concerned about now is not the punishment arrangement, but the physical condition of the two players. Since the players' injuries are not serious, I think the punishment should be lenient."
On the right side of David Stern is Stu Jackson, the NBA's executive vice president of basketball operations. Although he lost the vote for the new president, he is still Adam Silver's strongest competitor.
"How can this be done!"
"Why not? The offense and defense between Wang Zelin and Griffin was justified no matter who was punished. I don't understand why Mr. Xiao Hua insisted on punishing the former severely."
The noise from Adam Silver and Stu Jackson filled the conference room, but judging from the reactions of other senior executives around them, it was clear that they were used to it.
"Okay, stop arguing."
David Stern pounded the table to stop the argument between the two.
"As Stu said, fans are concerned about the players' injuries. In tomorrow's official report, our focus will be to explain to the outside world that Wang Zelin and Blake Griffin's injuries are not serious, and that the punishment will be treated lightly."
"But……"
Adam Silver feels that David Stern's approach has long been outdated, and expresses incomprehension and even disdain for the latter's emphasis on the Chinese market.
"Okay, I'm tired. That's the end of today's meeting."
David Stern ignored everyone's reaction, stood up and left with his cane.
It seems I can only study French tomorrow night.
…
"The center curse returns to Portland!" - "ESPN"
"On the glass-like attributes of Chinese players!" - "Los Angeles Times"
"A genius ruined by injuries!" - "Sports Illustrated"
…
"Curse Nima!"
"Glass man Nima!"
"A bunch of idle turtles!"
Early on the next morning, when Wang Zelin went downstairs to have breakfast, he saw various news reports on his mobile phone.
The one that hurts him the most is undoubtedly the "Center Curse" created by ESPN!
Torn City, Center Cemetery, Ominous Place...
To this end, ESPN teamed up with a bunch of guys to list out the Trail Blazers' injury history, ruthlessly revealing the eternal pain in the hearts of Portland fans.
Since the team was founded, three No. 1 picks and countless talented insiders have fallen in Portland.
Bill Walton, Sabonis in the post from ancient times to the present... Oden in the past few years.
Roy, the representative from inside and outside, even the head coach has won the bid.
After watching it, some fans joked: "If you hate a player, send him to Portland!"
Under the double blow of ESPN's exaggeration and historical data, the focus of the outside world is not the end of the Blazers' seven-game winning streak, but that Wang Zelin will become the next talented insider who is about to fall.
After all, this kind of thing is already the norm in the Trail Blazers.
For a time, even many Portland fans were full of pessimism, as if Wang Zelin was about to retire.
That’s so fucked up!
