Slam Dunk: My Study Abroad Career in Northern Hunan

High draft pick arrives in Minnesota
When the bus used by the Timberwolves to take Budao to the arena stopped at the entrance of the Target Center Arena, the place was already overcrowded.

The enthusiastic players in Minnesota found out through some channels that the Budokai would arrive today, and they squatted at the entrance of the arena early.And how could this scene of fans "warmly welcoming" the team's rookies be without reporters?
Although Minnesota is a small ball market, there is no shortage of media.

As soon as the bus to pick up Wu Dao arrived, "enthusiastic" fans had already surrounded the bus. This scene was quite akin to the prosperous scene when Dayao landed in the NBA in the future.

It's just that at that time, Houston fans welcomed their No. [-] pick, but Minnesota fans...
"Timberwolf, are you worthy of us?!"

"RNM, refund the money."

There was a fan who seemed to have walked into the wrong set and expressed his request kindly in English.On the bus, coach Phillip Sanders, who was having a cordial exchange with martial arts, was just about to get off the bus.

After hearing this shout from the fans, he immediately stopped getting off the car.

Sure enough, after the fans gave a sincere shout, the fans' emotions were immediately aroused.

All kinds of shouts came.

Wu Dao sat in the car and listened carefully. Fortunately, the fans' curses were not directed at Wu Dao. Although some people released their "AOE" a little too widely, the vast majority of fans were still "rational". Everyone is scolding the Timberwolves management.

Yes, what's the use of scolding him as a martial artist when the management chooses someone?
He was a high school player who got lucky and was selected by the blind Timberwolves executives. For many Minnesota fans, if the Timberwolves hadn't selected Wu Dao this year, many fans would not have cast their eyes on Wu Dao.

After the draft, fans angrily criticized the team management. This kind of thing is too routine in the NBA.

"Wudao, you stay in the car first, I'll get off first."

"Don't worry, I'll take care of it soon."

Coach Phillip Saunders was quite responsible. When he saw that the bus seemed to be unable to drive into the stadium, he immediately said to Budao and signaled Budao to wait and get off the bus.

"No need, coach."

"I'm not some cute little girl."

"And my face won't make it difficult for people to see you, right?"

Wu Dao waved his hand and rejected the coach's kindness.

Facing the surging fans, hiding behind the coach is not a wise choice.From Budo's point of view, this was a good opportunity to communicate closely with the fans, and he couldn't miss it.

Standing up from his seat, Wu Dao walked towards the bus door. Seeing Wu Dao planning to get off the bus, Phillip Sanders immediately wanted to stop him, but he didn't have time. At this moment, Wu Dao got off the bus from the back door.

"Ok?"

"Asian?!"

"That kid is this year's rookie!"

"so high"

The feeling of watching people on TV is completely different from watching people in reality. The height of Martial Arts, who just graduated from high school this year, has reached 207cm, and his weight has also reached 107kg.

In high school, he did not deliberately gain weight, but kept exercising, and his weight was close to 110KG unknowingly.Although his height and weight have increased, his martial arts speed and ball skills have not been affected in any way.

On the contrary, martial arts, which has just gone through a period of rapid development, has made great progress in terms of explosive power.

Although I don't know why he has not grown in height, the fine fuzz around his mouth that Martial Arts used to have has long since turned into a beard that needs to be shaved.

Budo has short, streamlined hair, is tall and has long legs. Although he weighs close to 110kg, he still looks lean.

The fans gathered in front of the bus had all quieted down at this moment, carefully looking at Wu Dao who had just stepped off the bus.

Although he is of yellow race, Wu Dao's skin is very fair, even one degree whiter than that of white people, and he has a handsome appearance and a solid figure.

More importantly, the fans were shocked by the height of the martial arts. At this time, they all raised their heads slightly and examined the martial arts.

Although Wu Dao is young, he is very energetic. Facing the surging fans, he is not timid at all. Instead, after watching the fans quiet down, he actively waved to a camera lens, then smiled at the fans and said:

"Hello Minnesota fans."

"I am what you call a parallel import rookie, my name is Martial Arts."

"Thank you for welcoming me so warmly at the entrance of the arena, and also thank you for your attention and support to me!"

"thank you all."

Wu Dao's calm and shameless words immediately made the fans around him laugh.Although they were dissatisfied with the Timberwolves' management, fans subconsciously calmed down after seeing this rookie.

Not to mention, the physical condition of martial arts is really quite intimidating.

Not to mention the handsome face that can easily make people feel good, just looking at Wu Dao's long hands, people can't help but have some expectations for Wu Dao.

And a few fans who were close also noticed that not only did the martial artist have long hands, but his hands were also very big!

Just looking at the appearance, he is even better than Garnett, who they regard as a future star.

Since joining the Timberwolves in 1995, Garnett has experienced two seasons, 95-96 and 96-97. After playing with the team for two years, he has already gained his own fans.

On the way to the arena, Budao could see posters with Garnett's photo through the bus window and even from the burger shop on the street.

The guy who would soon rock the league was simply too popular in Minneapolis.

Therefore, when the thought "This guy looks similar to Garnett" appears in the minds of fans, it means that the first impression left by martial arts on the fans is not only good, but also quite high!

"this boy"

Phillip Sanders, who hurriedly stepped off the bus, was already ready to wipe his ass for martial arts, but unexpectedly, the fans became much calmer. This scene also made Phillip Sanders quietly breathe a sigh of relief.

"That's right~"

"The fan who just asked for a refund"

"I'm sorry! I didn't play with the Timberwolves before, otherwise I would have refunded your money."

"If you want a refund, I'm afraid you have to ask Kevin and the others to refund it to you."

"Of course, they may not retreat~"

"I think you can try to watch me play in the future. If my performance does not satisfy you, I think I will refund your ticket price."

"Of course, I don't think I will give you a chance to refund your money."

Budao saw the fans looking at him quietly, clapped his hands, and said to the crowd with a smile.And his words immediately made everyone laugh.

Seeing that the atmosphere was good, several reporters rushed to Wu Dao with their microphones in hand and asked questions directly to Wu Dao:
"Mr. Martial Arts, do you think the Timberwolves used the fourth overall pick in exchange for you to come to the Timberwolves? Is this transaction worth it?"

"Do you think you deserve your spot?"

Phillip Sanders wanted to stop the reporter, but did not stop him and let the other party finish his question.Regarding media interviews, after the draft, many people actually wanted to talk to this high-ranking yellow player.However, the Timberwolves team management refused. They thought that now that Wu Dao is more controversial, Wu Dao's humility or confidence during interviews will have some negative impact on him. .

The best way is actually to accept the interview after martial arts has performed on the court.In this way, no matter whether the martial artist is humble or confident at that time, there will be no problem.

Looking at the media reporters rushing to Wu Dao, Phillip Sanders frowned and wanted to drag Wu Dao into the arena first.

The media is a double-edged sword, and Philip Sanders does not want martial arts to be affected by outside voices.

Over the years in the NBA, many players have been destroyed by the media.

Excessive attention is not necessarily a good thing.

"The fourth pick?"

"Although I was actually selected with the fifth overall pick, it would not be wrong to say that the Timberwolves traded for me with the fourth pick."

"Whether it's the No. [-] pick or the No. [-] pick, I think it's too low for me."

"Of course, I know very well that no matter what I say now, it won't make any sense."

"I made up my mind from the moment I decided to bring my talents to Minnesota."

"I will prove to everyone that choosing me was one of the wisest decisions the Timberwolves management has ever made!"

"Okay, I'm going to meet my seniors!"

"Goodbye~"

Wu Dao smiled and said towards the camera pointed at him, with a confident smile on his face.It’s not been a year or two since we played in the United States. Wu Dao knows very well what the fans here want to see.

He is not worried that someone will have an opinion against him because of his arrogance. What's more, Martial Arts does not feel that his attitude or words are arrogant.

Surrounded by Phillip Sanders and others, Wu Dao squeezed out the crowd and rushed towards the Target Center Arena.Although the surging fans wanted to follow, they were stopped by security personnel.

Although the reporters wanted to ask more questions, they did not pursue him after seeing Wu Dao leave.

It's not like they gained nothing. At least they know that the rookie their team hired this year is a very confident boy.

At this time, in the Target Center Arena, the current members of the Timberwolves are warming up, and they are ready to welcome the rookies.

On the sidelines of the court, team owner Glen Taylor, team executive president Kevin McHale and other management personnel, as well as members of the coaching staff, were quietly waiting for the arrival of their rookie.

Soon, as noisy sounds came from the players' tunnel, Wu Dao, surrounded by a group of people, arrived at the players in the center of the target.

Wu Dao saw the Timberwolves players taking a quick glance at him and then warming up on their own, and a smile appeared on his face.

what is this?
Want to give him a showdown?

For such a routine operation, can you do something new?

Wu Dao was led by Phillip Saunders to the rest area, and then clapped his hands to signal the players to gather.

The "Timberwolves", which have just experienced a bad year, have actually roughly determined the team building ideas more than a year ago.

Wu Dao thinks he should be more important to the Timberwolves, right?
After all, Flip Saunders had already performed well during the team's trial training, and Flip Saunders put so much thought into inviting himself to join.

However, the fact is that martial arts is only moderately important to the Timberwolves. For the Timberwolves, martial arts is an important substitute. Maybe in the future, martial arts can be played and become the main force of the team, but now, his position is that of a substitute.

The reason why Flip Saunders gave Budao such easy guarantee of playing time is simply because Tom Gugliotta needs a substitute.

Just kidding, the Timberwolves have All-Star backup forward Tom Gugliotta, a high school student, and he still wants to start? !
But correspondingly, Philip Sanders also knew very well that Wu Dao was a proud person. He was already used to the boss's style of play in high school.

If Budo is asked to change his mind rashly, Budo may not be able to safely serve as a substitute for Tom Gugliotta.

And in principle, Flip Saunders also needs Wu Dao to have less possession of the ball and share more with Garnett and others.

Yes, after last season, the Timberwolves are more convinced of Garnett's value. They will bring in martial arts to assist Garnett!

Therefore, what the Timberwolves have prepared for Wu Dao today is the first lesson for Wu Dao to enter the NBA.

First of all, know your position on the court!

"Let me introduce to you, this person is called Martial Arts."

"He's this year's rookie."

"Wait a minute, you are going to have a practice match together, take care of the newcomers!"

Phillip Sanders shouted to everyone, then patted Martial Arts on the shoulder and said:
"Martial Arts, I won't introduce them to you one by one."

"You will have many opportunities to interact with me in the future."

"Let's warm up first."

"I will play practice games with my teammates later and feel the intensity of the NBA now."

It has been two years since Kevin Garnett joined the Timberwolves. With his playing experience and performance, he can be considered a veteran.

Different from the first time when Martial Arts met, Garnett followed Ryder beside him and said little.

But the Garnett I see now is obviously "mature", chatting and joking with his teammates around him.

After noticing Wu Dao's gaze, he walked in front of Wu Dao, grinned at Wu Dao and said:

"Rookie, welcome to the NBA."

"Today, I will take good care of you."

After two years of hard work in the NBA, Garnett has made great progress after breaking through the rookie wall.

Although I suffered some small losses in martial arts more than a year ago, things are different now.

Garnett didn't think he would be inferior to the high school student in front of him.

Garnett plans to make it clear to martial arts that the NBA and high school are different! ! !

After hearing Garnett's slightly provocative words, Budao also laughed happily.

He has been bored playing high school games for a long time, but now he can finally have some fun.

Wu Dao now roughly knows what the team's plan is. In fact, Wu Dao realized the team's plan when he saw the look in Tom Gugliotta's eyes.

In this case, let's give the team management a little shock first!
(End of this chapter)