129:103.
The Chicago Bulls got off to a good start in the 2003-2004 season at the United Center.
Su Feng was the biggest highlight of this game. He scored 37 points, 4 assists, 3 rebounds and 1 steal.
This is the highest scoring debut by a rookie in Bulls history, higher than Michael Jordan. Jordan only scored 16 points, 7 rebounds and 7 assists in his debut.
In terms of scoring, he is less than half of Su Feng.
Although Su Feng showed a single scoring method in this game, it was highly functional.
However, the highest score is the highest score.
Surpassing all rookies this year, this is the highest scoring debut among the 2003 rookies.
Originally, everyone was looking forward to the debut of the chosen sons LeBron James and Carmelo Anthony. However, who would have thought that the limelight would be stolen by a second-round pick.
Anthony made his debut against the Spurs and scored 12 points, 7 rebounds, 3 assists and 1 steal, helping the team defeat the San Antonio Spurs 80-72.
LeBron James scored 25 points, 6 rebounds, 9 assists and 4 steals in his debut, but lost to the Kings.
Before Su Feng's debut data came out, James was undoubtedly the brightest.
However, as Su Feng scored 37 points in a single game, the most shining data was taken away by Su Feng.
This is something no one expected.
Because no one has ever regarded Su Feng as a popular rookie, he is just a second-round pick.
However, as Su Feng broke the debut scoring record for all active players, second only to the record set by Wilt Chamberlain, the basketball emperor in ancient times, Su Feng immediately became a man of the hour.
After the game, Coach Bill also took Su Feng to the post-game press conference.
The post-match press conference is an important display window for players, and usually only the team's leader players can go there.
But Su Feng enjoyed this treatment in his first game.
Before playing, the team's public relations manager also reminded Su Feng to relax. He was worried that 18-year-old Su Feng would say the wrong thing because of nervousness.
After all, NBA reporters are known for being picky. They can praise you as a superstar, or they can trash you as worthless.
Once you are labeled negatively by the media, you will never be able to take it off for the rest of your life.
Looking at the entire history of the NBA, there is only one player who can truly tear off the media label: Allen Iverson.
But you can't say he's completely removed the label.
What Hibbert, the Bulls public relations manager, didn't expect was that Su Feng was very calm and had a smile on his face. He is even more fluent than his compatriot, last year's No. 1 pick Yao Ming: because his English is better than Yao's, he doesn't need a translator.
"My happiest thing is to help the team win. We Chinese like to talk about a good start. The first game must start, because victory in the first game often heralds good luck for the entire season."
When Su Feng was asked how he felt about scoring 37 points and breaking the historical record, he said humbly: "The fact that I scored so many points exceeded my expectations, thanks to the assists of my teammates and the tactical arrangements of the head coach."
“I just show up in the right spots and have a soft touch.”
Su Feng's high emotional intelligence speech exceeded everyone's expectations.
As NBA reporters, they are used to NBA players claiming how awesome they are, that I am the best in the world, that my talent is invincible, and that everything I do is because I can do anything.
I wish I could take all the credit on myself.
Now that there is such a 'team' player, they are really not used to it.
A reporter from the Chicago Tribune then asked Su Feng which ball he liked best in this game.
Su Feng's honest answer: It's the first one. It was the first data I left in the NBA database, which means the beginning of everything.
Then, he asked him about the interview with Wen Baker yesterday, and the fact that Wen Baker had been talking trash to him tonight.
Su Feng took this opportunity to emphasize again: "We just met by chance. I was being interviewed at the time. He had a communication disagreement with the waiter about the coffee cup. The matter was actually very simple, but the reporter reported it."
He ignored the fact that Wen Baker was giving him trouble on the court.
Because Wen Baker did not have a substantial impact on him, and he got super coordination talent from him, and benefited a lot from him that night.
Then, the Chinese reporter stood up and asked Su Feng in Chinese: "You scored such a high score in your first game and are the Bulls' highest-scoring player. Have you ever thought about participating in next year's Olympics? Now fans are very concerned about this." This is a matter of fact, because everyone feels that we lack guards. Also, do you think you can become a superstar in the NBA? Domestic fans admire Iverson, Kobe, Carter, and McGrady very much. You are in the same position as them. Do you think you can become a superstar in the future? Can you reach their height?"
The Chinese reporters asked a lot of questions and they were a bit dense.
Su Feng thought for a while and answered one by one: "If I have the opportunity to participate in the Olympics, it will be my honor."
"I have a lot of confidence in the future and I hope to reach the level of those superstars one day."
Su Feng said humbly.
In fact, in his mind, he felt that he not only wanted to reach the level of these superstars, but also surpass them.
Because at heart he has always been a person who pursues excellence and transcends excellence.
The Chinese reporter then asked Coach Bill in English what he thought of Su Feng.
Coach Bill said: "It's great. He is the fastest newcomer I have ever seen to integrate. He has exceeded our expectations. I think he will have the opportunity to quickly become a rotation player of the team and even enter the starting lineup."
Coach Bill is very considerate. He knows what the Chinese reporters want to hear.
However, what the Chinese reporter said next made him stunned.
Other reporters at the scene were also in an uproar.
"So do you think Su Feng can become a superstar like Iverson, Kobe, Carter, and McGrady? They are in the same position. Su said he is very confident..."
The Chinese reporter obviously doesn't know much about the NBA's strength ladder divisions. He was not even a reporter who specialized in basketball before.
When he said these words, the scene was in an uproar.
He realized he might have said the wrong thing.
Because even Su Feng was stunned.
Head coach Bill coughed slightly awkwardly and said, "Su is very young. It's hard to say what will happen in the future. Maybe? Young people are always full of hope!"
he answered reporters.
And helped Su Feng to cover up: "I like young people who are confident very much. This is the driving force for them to move forward."
…
After returning to the backstage after the press conference, the media manager joked to Su Feng: "You performed very well. You were not nervous at all. You are better than many famous superstars. Maybe you can be a crisis public relations manager in the future."
Su Feng smiled and punched him. Su Feng always had the magic power to quickly get to know others.
When he leaves the court, his approachability is hard to resist. Although he is so handsome.
In fact, this game made many businessmen notice Su Feng's characteristics. His handsome and three-dimensional facial features make him always recognizable at first sight on the court.
In the NBA, he is definitely the most handsome, and even in Hollywood where there are so many superstars, he still has a place.
Most importantly, there is something very charming about his face.
This is 'vital talent'.
Nike called Su Feng's agent Jason Thomas after the game. This was their third offer to Thomas, and they were even a little impatient.
They lost Yao Ming this past summer. The Chinese team responsible for negotiating a contract extension with Yao Ming was only willing to offer Yao a four-year contract worth $1.6 million. At the same time, they offered LeBron James, the 2003 No. 1 pick, seven years worth $9,200. The largest sponsorship contract in history worth US$10,000.
LeBron James is a small forward with great commercial value and great talent potential. Everyone is optimistic about his future. In contrast, Yao's commercial value is not that high in Nike's mind: because the center does not sell shoes.
No one will pay for a pair of sneakers just because a center wears them. Even the NBA's No. 1 center Shaquille O'Neal and No. 1 power forward Tim Duncan can't drive sneaker sales. This is an ironclad fact.
However, they ignored Yao's Asian market.
This led Yao Ming to choose to sign a seven-year, $50 million contract with Reebok.
But after all this is done, Nike wants to make up for it and regrets it too much.
But now, God seems to have heard their sincere prayers and sent them a young Chinese defender. Su Feng.
Although Su Feng is not as gifted as Yao Ming, he is only a second-round pick and comes from a humble background.
But he is Chinese, he is a defender, he has a charming face, and he performed well in the summer league and preseason.
Nike believes that Su Feng has a good chance of staying in the NBA. Although his style of play does not attract fans, he is positioned as a role player.
But the title of Asia's No. 1 outsider is enough to make Asian fans pay for it.
Therefore, they made an offer of $500,000 for the first time.
The second time it was raised to $800,000.
The third time is now, they said they are willing to sign Su Feng for 5 million US dollars for 5 years.
Jason Thomas is very excited. In his opinion, money other than salary is pie in the sky.
He is very confident in his investment ability, but he just lacks a little capital now.
However, when he excitedly told Su Feng the good news, Su Feng replied: "Only 1 million US dollars a year? Isn't it too little?"
Jason Thomas was about to collapse at the time. He said: "Su, have you forgotten our predicament of wandering around before the draft and not even getting a trial notice? Now while the market is good, hurry up and sign."
"No."
Su Feng shook his head firmly: "I don't think my market has officially arrived yet."
Su Feng was very confident in himself: "Reject them."
Su Feng hung up the phone, and Adidas actually came to visit. They found Su Feng through the Bulls' public relations department, and they hoped to cooperate with Su Feng.
They were even more emotional than Nike and put forward an offer of US$6 million over five years.
Honestly, that's pretty high.
There are approximately 400 players on guaranteed contracts in the NBA. Only about one in 10 players has a formal sneaker endorsement contract.
Although most other players also have sponsorships: the sponsorship is often not money, but they give you some sneaker coupons, and you use these sneaker coupons to buy shoes.
Most of the forty or fifty players with formal endorsement contracts are worth hundreds of thousands of dollars a year. Only then can top stars reach the multi-million level, such as Kobe, Iverson, and McGrady.
LeBron James's $92 million contract is explosive, and he is leading the way. Before him, there was no practice of taking away more than 10 million US dollars from sponsors every year...except for Jordan, who owned shares, and Nike relied on him to take off.
If Su Feng signs this contract, he will be the number one shoe endorser for the Bulls.
I have to say, Adidas is very bold.
Moreover, they are very confident in the Asian market, especially the Chinese market.
However, Su Feng still refused.
In his mind, he is far from reaching the peak of commercial value.
He firmly believes that as the schedule progresses, he will definitely be able to copy more talents and climb higher mountains.
He even feels that he may not have the opportunity to directly compete with the chosen son LeBron James in the future.
So, why are you so eager to sell yourself.
…
Jason Thomas couldn't understand what Su Feng did.
When Su Feng saw the media reports, he was completely confused.
He was on a plane heading to New York, and team assistants were handing out the latest basketball news to the players.
Then, Su Feng saw his own news in a famous New York media. Although it is not on the headlines of the sports section, it is still very eye-catching.
The New York media has always been known for its vitriol.
"He scored 37 points and got carried away. The Bulls rookie actually compared himself to the four major shooting guards. 》
This headline is very mean.
When I opened the content, the whole screen was filled with disparagement of Su Feng’s skills. The author describes Su Feng as an out-and-out role player, a shooter who moves without the ball.
But he dreams of becoming a super core like the four shooting guards who can sweep away an army with the ball.
"...This difficulty is equivalent to making China a superpower comparable to the United States. I just want to say that this Chinese defender is full of illusions."
"Even if he never ages and works hard every year to improve his skills, he will never be able to reach the level of the four shooting guards. He should work hard to become more proficient in his shooting and running, and become a top role player next to the four shooting guards. That's what he should do..."
Su Feng took a special look at the author's name: Bill Simmons.
Su Feng remembered the name of the columnist.
He was filled with panic.
At this time, Hinrich sat over. He was holding another newspaper. The headline of the newspaper was: "Shocking!" The Chosen One is here, and the NBA has a new ruler. 》.
He said to Su Feng: "I will come back in Cleveland, and then we will find a way to give LeBron James a blow."
"I've long been unhappy with him. He's just a high school student. Why does he act like he's the future ruler?"
"He is not the son of the chosen one, he is the son of the media. If we give him a beating, we will become famous."
Hinrich is good at planning.
He's already thinking about Game 5 now.
But Su Feng was still thinking about how to make those bitter, arrogant and domineering New Yorkers see how powerful he was in New York.
…
