"At the beginning of the season, it was indeed because of being an undrafted rookie. Every week, competing for the starting position was the most important thing. I needed to do my best to gain a foothold on the court; but as the season progressed, things became It’s become pure, everything is just about the game, and it’s just about winning.”
Lu Ke said with a smile, while Laihe listened with a smile.
"This season, we have good opportunities. More importantly, we are still a young team. We are sprinting forward. No matter where the end point falls, it is an unexpected gain for us, and we will prepare for the future. . So instead of worrying about those off-field factors, it’s better to concentrate on the game and hope to achieve better results.”
This is the first time that Lu Ke and Laihe have a real in-depth communication. Although both parties understand each other's thoughts, open and honest conversations are still necessary. This is also the basis for establishing a good cooperative relationship between brokers and clients.
"Now that the playoffs are coming, I really don't have time to think about this." Lu Ke expressed his stance sincerely and said seriously.
Laihe's expression didn't change much, not even a small movement like his jaw. Instead, he asked another question, "What is your goal?" Lu Ke didn't understand and cast his gaze. Laihe explained To, "You just said, do your best and see where you can go this year. So, what is your goal?"
"Super Bowl." Without any hesitation, Lu Ke gave a confirmed answer.
Laihe carefully looked at Lu Ke's eyes and expression. He was confident but not arrogant, firm but not reckless. It once again reminded him of the scene when he first saw Lu Ke. Then, he nodded slightly and said with a smile. , “This is a good start.”
"So what's your opinion?" Lu Ke then asked. In this cooperative relationship, it is the players who make the final decision, but it is the agent who implements the players' ideas. They still need to get to know each other. "What exactly would you, a professional, suggest about my rookie contract?"
"Waiting." A simple word summed up all Lech's thoughts. "You have an excellent rookie season, and it is a rookie season that countless players dream of. Except for Kurt Warner, I really can't think of one." Better option. Unless you can win the Super Bowl."
Lech also joked a little, and then continued, "But the higher the starting point, the higher the expectations. The second season next year will be the real test."
Although Lech did not say it bluntly, there are too many cases in the league where the first-year students shine and the second-year students fall quickly. Those rookies who can’t wait to improve their salary after achieving good results in their rookie seasons will often encounter harsh treatment. closed doors. No team is willing to bet on a first-year player, and even sophomores still lack leverage.
Originally, Laihe was worried that Lu Ke's mentality was unbalanced.
The regular season is coming to an end, and there is only one and a half months left before the Super Bowl. Now Lu Ke is highly sought after. Just look at today's battle in the hospital and you can get a glimpse of the tip of the iceberg. Obviously, Lu Ke is the most popular player in the league. Ziji, even Roger Goodell mentioned Lu Ke's name many times during interviews.
It is normal for a twenty-two-year-old to have an inflated mentality, overconfidence, and even lose themselves; even if it does happen, they cannot be overly blamed because they are still too young after all.
Lech couldn't help but worry that Lu Ke had placed his position too high, causing his mentality to become unbalanced and breaking the balance between him, the team and the players. This led to today's conversation.
"The first priority now is the playoffs, and then the offseason training camp. Focus all your attention on continuing this year's excellent performance in the second season. Play steadily and move forward step by step. This is the most important thing. Lech still expressed his thoughts completely, "So, I was originally going to advise you to calm down now and don't be distracted. Everything will come to you after the rookie contract ends."
There were no grand words, but the simple words revealed strong self-confidence. This maverick agent in the league is obviously different.
After listening to Lu Ke's thoughts, Laihe realized that the original worry was unnecessary.
In the past, I was used to seeing black players spend money lavishly. After receiving the signing fee, they would start squandering money and quickly plunge themselves into debt and bankruptcy. Then they would drink poison to quench their thirst and demand higher wages, but they would just blindly let themselves go. Being in an inappropriate position offends the team and the league, and most importantly, the agent loses his cash cow, forming a vicious cycle.
Especially rookie players are prone to inflation.
After self-confidence accumulates to a certain level, it gradually turns into arrogance and arrogance, and even ignores one's own weight. For a little achievement, one starts to get carried away and ask for high prices. But they forget that this is a professional league. Every year, many talents pour into the league, and every year, more talents die.
Fortunately, Lu Ke is no ordinary young rookie.
Although his worries proved to be unnecessary, Lech was still thankful that he had a frank face-to-face communication with Lu Ke today, which was very important for his work.
"You mean, for example, defending the Super Bowl?" Then, everything that should come will come. Even if Lu Ke does not request it, the contract will automatically be put on the table. Lu Ke picked up the knife and fork and said with a smile, his voice rising.
Lech was stunned for a moment, and then realized the source of the question corresponding to this sentence. A smile appeared in his eyes, and he nodded slightly, "Yes, for example, defending the Super Bowl title."
Later, Laihe also picked up the knife and fork, and the two of them officially started to enjoy lunch.
"You just said that advertising sponsorships have been coming to your door recently. Is this true?"
"Yes, but I told them that everything will wait until the playoffs are over. This year, no matter how the team performs in the playoffs, you have proven yourself, so we can wait and don't disturb you. The pace of the game.”
"So you're saying I'm hot now?"
"……Yes."
"Ha ha."
After lunch, Lech made a special trip to escort Lu Ke to the San Francisco 49ers training base, and then walked away. Lu Ke walked towards the training ground. He always felt that there was something else he had forgotten to do. , and then the phone rang. After seeing the caller ID, he immediately reacted:
Emily Puwo, he actually forgot to call Emily.
"Hey, Emily." Lu Ke took the initiative to say hello, "Sorry, I was busy just now and forgot to call you back." During lunch, Emily made three calls, but Lu Ke didn't call her. Pick it up.
"That's good. I thought you would refuse to answer my call because your identity is different now." Emily said jokingly.
Lu Ke didn't panic, "If I remember correctly, when you called me before, it was as a reporter, not as a friend. So, I don't think the relationship between us has changed. "
"Sure enough, you are still so difficult to deal with." Emily shook her head with a chuckle.
"Thank you for the compliment." Lu Ke's calm tone made Emily laugh happily, "So, why did you suddenly come to San Francisco? And you actually came to interview sports news? What on earth is going on?"
"If I told you that I was on vacation right now and showed up at the hospital just because I wanted to get together with old friends, would you believe it?" Emily said half-jokingly.
"That depends on what it is." Lu Ke's answer made Emily laugh, clearly refusing to believe it.
"Phew!" Emily breathed out heavily, as if she was adjusting mentally, and then said in one breath, "You know that Jay is in the hospital now, right?"
"No...I don't know...when did it happen?" Lu Ke frowned slightly. After the game last night, at the post-game press conference, he also saw Jay. At that time, Jay was still Jumping around.
"Last night, or early this morning." Emily said simply, "His knee was bruised. The doctor said it was not a serious problem, but he needed to wear a plaster. He will not be able to run the news in the past two weeks. He must Asking for leave. He was injured because of me. I was chasing a piece of news yesterday and accidentally met Jay. He reached out to help, and then something happened..."
"In short, this is all my fault." Emily simply concluded without continuing.
Lu Ke could already come to the conclusion, "So, you helped Jay come over to run the news this morning? That boy, he could actually call me, so that I could complain about him directly. I just have a cold, nothing. It’s necessary to be secretive.”
"He feels that friendship is friendship and work is work. Taking advantage of friendship to find out news will make things difficult in the future. It will be difficult for you and it will be difficult for him," Emily said simply, "But for me, that doesn't apply because I'm the social version and you're the sports version. There's no intersection except this one time. How about it, are you sure it's just a cold?"
"Yes. Miss Puwo." Lu Ke chuckled and said in a serious voice, "This has been officially confirmed. You can rest assured to tell that guy Jay to send out the press release." After falling, Lu Ke remembered another important thing, "Wait a minute, when you came to San Francisco this time, was it a business trip or a job change?"
"I have officially been sent to San Francisco." Emily replied simply.
"So you and Jay..."
"Just friends. Don't make random guesses." Emily could hear the meaning of the words without Lu Ke finishing his words, intercepted him in time, and said seriously.
"Friends, of course, friends." Lu Ke also nodded seriously and replied, "Very good, then another day, let's get together as a group of friends and have a meal. After the season is over, well, there is still a lot of money left after the season. It’s still important to spend lots of time gathering with friends.”
After talking to each other like a friend, Emily on the other end of the phone was at a loss. Finally, she hung up the phone and could only roll her eyes in protest.
