Just like the protagonists of countless online novels he had read in his previous life, Lin Ran was also a time traveler.
He traveled back to 1990 from 2024.
Lin Ran felt sick when he thought that he would have to wait 34 years before he could collect the 9 Hearts of Steel again.
But his journey through time was not without its merits.
Still like countless online novels in previous lives, Lin Ran also received the blessing of the system after traveling through time.
The most powerful player development system in the basketball world, as the name suggests, is a development system that focuses on training the host to become a top superstar in the basketball world.
It’s just that the speed of this development is hundreds of millions of points faster.
Lin Ran traveled through time and was drafted, and was directly selected by the Lakers in the second round.
The system also began to distribute the first system reward.
The result was out of control.
After Lin Ran gained countless statistics in the regular season and defeated everyone in the playoffs to enter the finals.
His system has basically been cleared.
To put it simply.
Jordan originally thought that the Lin Ran he saw in the third year of the 92-93 season was the strongest form.
In fact, Lin Ran, whom he met in the first finals of the 1990-91 season, was already at the max level.
Luodan has been beaten by a max-level account for three whole years!
Defeating Jordan and the Bulls for three consecutive years made Lin Ran feel bored.
So he resolutely chose to retire.
However, he is still quite interested in the STC every year.
Regularly teaching these rookie future NBA stars how to behave is Lin Ran's greatest pleasure every summer.
Especially as the years progress.
The beaten rookies are becoming more and more interesting, which doubles Lin Ran's happiness every summer.
Especially this year.
I looked at the list handed over by Phil Knight.
Allen Iverson of Georgetown University.
Ray Allen of the University of Connecticut.
Georgia Tech's Stephon Marbury.
UMass’ Marcus Camby and more!
After briefly browsing the list, which almost covered all the elites of the 1996 golden generation, Lin Ran's lips slightly raised.
There is no doubt that this year’s STC will double your happiness!
"I don't think there's any problem."
Lin Ran handed back the list: "The specific list can be decided after the STC is over."
Before the start of STC every year, Nike will draw up a signing list.
After the STC is over, the final invitation to sign will be made based on the performance of these rookies in the training camp.
In the final analysis, it is to take the lead in signing these young people with potential to long-term contracts before they can make a name for themselves in the league.
Focus on value for money!
There is a saying that Lin Ran scorned this kind of purely capitalist behavior at first.
But think about the annual revenue share of the VL series...
These rookies have to be signed, and they have to be signed fiercely!
"By the way, we are also paying attention to a high school student."
Phil Knight took out another document: "This kid is from Lower Merion High School and just broke Wilt Chamberlain's total scoring record for high school students in the Southeastern Division of Pennsylvania."
“Kobe Bryant, Joe Bryant’s son.”
"Our guys have seen tape of his game, and he just beat Jerry Stackhouse in Philadelphia the other day."
Jerry Stackhouse, the scorer selected by the Philadelphia 76ers with the third overall pick in the 1995 draft.
In his rookie season, he averaged 19.2 points per game and had outstanding scoring ability.
The result is that such an NBA player with outstanding scoring ability was beaten by high school student Kobe Bryant just a few days ago!
It was this duel that made the young Kobe choose to skip college and bring his talents directly to the NBA.
"Thankfully, we listened to you and didn't sign with Jerry."
Phil Knight couldn't help complaining: "Otherwise, I might regret it very much now."
Jerry Stackhouse was also part of the VL signing plan.
But Lin Ran vetoed it with one vote.
Now Phil Knight finally understands the reason why Lin Ran refused to sign Stackhouse.
What's the use of signing him if he can be beaten by a high school student?
A pure loser!
"Breaking up Jerry Stackhouse is nothing."
Lin Ran disagreed: "Kobe Bryant? He is still too young."
"Even though he's young, our guys see a lot of you in the way he plays."
Phil Knight continued: "We want to create the concept of 'the next Lin Ran', and Kobe may be the best candidate."
The next Lin Ran? !
Lin Ran almost couldn't stop hearing this concept.
In a previous life, everyone was marketing the next Michael Jordan gimmick.
As a result, now, marketing has become the next me?
"You know, the 1-3 generations of the VL series have always been the ace in the sneaker market, but that is all your credit."
Phil Knight expressed his helplessness: "Since you retired, the sales of the 4th and 5th generations of the VL series have been average."
"We have to find a new angle to market the VL6 generation that we plan to launch in the second half of the year."
The first generation of VL, due to Lin Ran’s popularity and commercial value, was a phenomenal product in the sneaker market when it was first launched.
In the same year, AJ Zhengdai was directly pushed off the altar.
The VL1-3 generations are all god-like shoes, whether in terms of actual performance or sales, they are god-like existences.
However, with Lin Ran's retirement, the number of subsequent spokespersons was weak.
VL4 and 5 generations gradually fell from the altar.
Coinciding with AJ's official power, Jordan once again became the dominant player in the sneaker market.
Although both the AJ series and VL series are products of Nike.
But who doesn’t want to have two super aces at his disposal?
Now AJ is at its peak, but VL is declining, and its market share is even surpassed by Adidas's shoes.
This is not what Phil Knight wants to see.
Therefore, taking advantage of the entry of the 1996 golden generation, Nike hopes to use the slogan "The Next Lin Ran" as a gimmick to reignite the popularity of the VL series.
The two most popular sneakers on the basketball shoe market are both from the same company!
"So you also invited Kobe?"
Lin Ran was more interested in STC's final invitation list than who would be his next one.
"certainly..."
Phil Knight said meaningfully: "We also want to see if he is really as good as the rumors say."
April 25th, US time.
The NBA playoffs of the 1995-96 season officially started.
The Chicago Bulls have become the focus of media attention.
They faced the Heat with Alonzo Mourning + Tim Hardaway in the first round of the playoffs.
Then in G1, the Bulls won by 17 points, G2 by 31 points, and G3 by 21 points.
In the three games, they beat their opponents by an average of 23 points per game!
The Heat were beaten 3:0 so quickly that the media even ridiculed:
"The Miami Heat didn't even make it to the opening of the STC in 1996!"
Yes.
Just the day after the Heat were eliminated on May 1.
May 2nd, US time.
The annual STC-Supernova Training Camp officially opens!
