The Fifth Point Guard

"Hey, Jalen, why are you here in Cleveland?"

Shentong and Jay Chou couldn't help but cherish each other.

Shentong admires Jay Chou because he is the number one person in the Chinese music industry in Shentong's heart and the ceiling of the Chinese rap industry.

Jay Chou admired Shentong because he felt that Shentong's basketball level was similar to his own, but he was a little taller. Seeing Shentong dominate the NBA, it was like a bigger version of himself playing in the NBA, which gave him a full sense of immersion.

"Shen, don't you know yet?"

"what do you know?"

"You have been appointed by David Stern as the NBA's image and promotion ambassador in Asia!"

"What?"

Just when Shentong was still confused, team publicist Susan had already come over.

"Shen, congratulations. You are already the NBA's ambassador in Asia. In the next week, our team will go to China, Japan and South Korea for three regular season games to help the league open up the Asian market and promote its popularity."

It seems true!

STO did not expect that in this time and space, Stern, in order to promote the NBA globally, would actually use the image ambassador trick that had never been done in the previous time and space.

"Here, here is the invitation. There will be an ambassadorial summit in New York tomorrow night. You and LeBron are both going to go there."

"Hey, LeBron is an ambassador too?"

"Deng Deng Deng Deng!"

Say James, James will be there.

Shaking the invitation in his hand proudly, James smiled and said, "I am our American ambassador."

“Actually, there are two image ambassadors in Asia and ten in the United States, and there may be more in the future,” Susan explained.

As a plan for David Stern to promote the NBA league as a brand, image ambassadors from each continent play a very important role.

Stern hopes that these players from all over the world can use their popularity and skills to help the NBA promote and realize the NBA's grand ambition of globalization.

According to Susan, the league has selected a total of 20 players this time to serve as NBA ambassadors to help the league promote its work.

Asia’s ambassadors are STO from the Cleveland Cavaliers and Yao Ming from the Houston Rockets.

There is no dispute that Shentong was elected. Not only in Asia, but actually in the world, Shentong is a very well-known player. Of course, the support in Asia will be relatively higher.

Yao Ming's selection is also very normal. As a player produced in China's CBA, it is more meaningful for Yao Ming to be elected as an ambassador, and his popularity in the country is no worse than that of Shentong.

Of course, both players are from China, but there is no way, there are currently no players from other Asian countries joining the NBA.

Therefore, the heavy responsibilities shouldered by Shentong and Yao Ming are not small.

But Shentong is not worried at all. He knows that soon Haddadi from Iran, He Shengzhen from South Korea and Yi Jianlian from China will join the NBA one after another.

The Japanese media has criticized the failure of their own Yatsuta Tagashi to be elected as the Asian Ambassador, but they can only blame Tagashi's poor quality.

Although he represented the Dallas Mavericks in the summer league in July 2003 and signed with the Nuggets in September, he was fired after only playing three preseason games.

Only in 2004, he briefly made 4 appearances as a substitute for the Phoenix Suns, but was fired again after just over a month.

Finally, in 2005, less than two months after signing with the Los Angeles Clippers, he was fired for the third time before the start of the official season.

With three consecutive years in and three out of the league, this kind of continuous failure experience, apart from Liu Bei during the Three Kingdoms period, could shamelessly counterattack, no one else could do it.

So don't blame the alliance for not giving Tian Woyong the title of Ambassador. Even if it was given, he probably wouldn't have the face to accept it.

Compared with Shentong and Yao Ming, Tian Woyong is nothing.

As for the Korean media, they really have no shame in comparing Ha Shengzhen with Shentong and Yao Ming.

After all, in the 2004-05 season last season, Ha Shengzhen only averaged 1.4 points, 0.9 rebounds and 0.3 blocks per game.

Therefore, after the debate on whether Shentong's ancestors were Koreans came to no avail, the Korean media also disappeared.

In addition to STO and Yao Ming representing Asia, NBA European ambassadors are represented by Germany's Dirk Nowitzki, Spain's Pau Gasol and Russia's Andrei Kirilenko.

The European leagues are relatively more mature than the Asian leagues. In addition to each country's own leagues, there are also intercontinental competitions such as the Champions League, which has also led to a steady increase in the level of basketball in Europe year by year.

In addition, Argentina's Manu Ginobili and Brazil's Nene are ambassadors for South America.

The basketball level in South America is also very good, but the lack of international influence and publicity capabilities has hindered the development of South American basketball.

Just like football, although it is a powerful country in this sport, its domestic league has limited international influence, and players have gone to play in European leagues with greater influence and exposure.

This is also the case in basketball.

Hakeem Olajuwon from Nigeria and Dikembe Mutombo from Congo are the league's African ambassadors.

Finally, the ambassador of Oceania is Andrew Bogut, who entered the NBA as the No. 1 pick this season.

In addition to the above ten international player ambassadors, there are also ten NBA image ambassadors in the United States.

Shaquille O'Neal, Tim Duncan, Kevin Garnett, Tracy McGrady, Kobe Bryant, Jason Kidd, Vince Carter, Allen Iverson, LeBron James, Dwyane Wade.

This list includes the top players in each of the five positions on the court, and they are all regulars in the league's best lineup in recent years.

But the most regrettable thing is that the Wizards' "general" Gilbert Arenas was unfortunately lost.

In the past two seasons, Arenas' popularity in the league has skyrocketed, but he still has not been included in the ambassador list.

In fact, looking at the ten players on the ambassador's list, it is indeed impeccable.

Not to mention the four major shooting guards, these are the objects of worship by a group of fans.

O'Neal and the two famous power forwards are full of dominance inside. They are both figures who can change a team.

Kidd is currently the player with the strongest offensive and defensive capabilities in the league and the strongest organizational ability. He is a master who can lead the Nets to the Finals twice.

As for James and Wade, they are the most popular players among young fans at the moment.

One has already won a championship, and the other, partnered with O'Neal, also has a chance to win the championship.

Speaking of the new generation of stars, in addition to Arenas, Carmelo Anthony, one of the two most famous players, was also very angry about his loss.

Facing the media, Anthony said bluntly: "I'm used to being ignored. In fact, I think I'm playing very well, but unfortunately I can't get into the league's attention. Maybe one day I will make some big moves. Only then can we attract the attention of the league. The Denver Nuggets and I will perform well, and I will always keep those judges in mind. Their voices will keep appearing in my ears, telling me, 'You can't do it, you can't do it.' This will be my key to moving forward. motivation."

"So, Jaylen, you haven't told me yet, why did you come to Cleveland?"

"I am the guest singer invited to this Ambassador Summit."

After listening to Jay Chou's words, Shentong understood instantly.

Stern obviously has greater ambitions in this time and space. In addition to inviting these player ambassadors from various continents, this ambassador summit also invited some entertainment stars from various continents to increase the influence of the league. power and popularity.

In addition, various sponsors of the alliance also received invitations to the summit.

The next night, STO, who received the invitation, took his fiancée Nina Dobrev to the Ambassador Summit.

The stars shined at the event.

Journalists from all over the world crowded the summit gate.

On the same day, STO asked Susan to help call an extended Rolls-Royce nanny car, and set off together with Dobrev, who was dressed up.

In the car, Shentong skillfully took out two pairs of sunglasses from his arms.

Dobrev lowered his head and looked out, revealing the beauty of his white chest. Then he sat back and asked doubtfully: "My dear, it's already night, why do you still need to wear sunglasses?"

Shentong smiled and said, "Believe me, you will know it in a while."

When STO's car arrived at the door of the hotel where the summit was held, people immediately surrounded him.

Shentong carried forward the gentleman's style and got off the car first, then held Dubov's hand to guide his fiancée to get off.

When Shentong came out, the flash lights on the scene did not stop, and various "pop", "pop" and "pop" shutter sounds came one after another.

Although there was already a field of white flowers in front of him and he couldn't see anything clearly, Shentong still took Dubrev to pose a few friendly poses before slowly walking into the door.

As soon as he entered the door, Dubov stuck out his naughty little tongue and smiled at Shentong: "Now I know why I wear sunglasses."

Shen Tong smiled.

Smart girls are cute in their own right, aren't they?

Jay, who is already the king of Asian pop music, was the first to sing at the party.

What he brought was the song "Compendium of Materia Medica" which was just composed this year.

If Hua Tuo is reincarnated, all worship of foreigners will be cured, and foreigners will come to learn Chinese characters and stimulate our national consciousness.

Live, United States.

Hearing Jay singing this song here, Shentong couldn't calm down.

This sense of pride in Chinese culture going abroad makes Shentong proud even more.

Jay Chou deserves to be the ceiling of Chinese music creation.

After singing a song, the meaning is still unfinished.

"Dear, although I don't understand the song sung by this guy named Jaylen, I think the style of the song is very good and different from the songs I usually listen to."

Shentong put his arms around Dubov's waist and said affectionately: "It's normal not to understand. I usually listen to his songs and have to read the lyrics to understand what he is singing, but this is a song that contains Chinese culture and nationality. A pride song, so this song is really powerful.”

"oh"

It was the first time he saw the always proud Shentong showing such an expression of admiration. Dubov also thought from the bottom of his heart that Jaylen was really awesome on the stage.

The host at the scene came to interview Jay and asked a few questions about Chinese pop music. Jay's answers were all appropriate.

But when the host asked the last question, Shentong couldn't help but sweat for Jay.

The host asked: "Jaylen, your rap is so great, can you do a segment live? In addition to your amazing Chinese medicine, your Chinese food is also very good. Can you improvise a segment based on this topic?"

Seeing Jay's surprised expression, Shen Tong knew that this issue had not been discussed with Jay's agent beforehand.

In such a short period of time, it was simply too difficult for Jay to create live on stage.

Or, it is a derogation or ridicule of Jay's promotion of Chinese culture.

When he saw Jay showing an awkward smile, Shentong couldn't help but go up and sing a few lines for Jay.

Isn’t it just a rap involving Chinese food?

If it doesn't work, I'll use the trick to squeeze the bottom of the box: Look at this noodle, it's long and wide, just like this bowl, it's big and round

Who knew that after Jay looked up at the ceiling for 30 seconds, he raised the microphone and said, "I can, come on, it's the same song as before."

The host raised his eyebrows and looked very surprised, as did Shentong.

Can you improvise in less than 1 minute?

Shentong couldn't help but think to himself, it would be too embarrassing if he couldn't say a rap like Da Kuan Wan Noodles.

But then, Jay Chou's "Gourmet Edition Draft Compendium" completely overwhelmed Shentong.

"If the God of Cooking were alive, Western food would be suppressed

Foreigners come to learn dishes and inspire our national consciousness

Fried Chestnuts and Smoked Elbows

Fish Balls with Spiced Pigeon

Braised eggplant and roasted duck

Boiled beans with fragrant kidneys

Eat a piece of history in my own way

If you have nothing else to do, follow me and read a few words.

Braised Sweet and Sour Spicy GO! "

After singing the song, there was unanimous applause and endless whistles.

STO also gave applause without hesitation.

Dubov even slapped his palms red.

On the stage, the host raised his hands in the air and worshiped Jay.

Jaylen's impromptu rapping on the spot impressed everyone present, so much so that the second music star from Europe came on stage and jokingly said: "In order to avoid a cold start, don't ask me questions about the live creation just now." .”

This self-deprecating remark caused a burst of good-natured laughter.

After Jaylen came off the field, Shentong extended his palm to Jaylen.

"Oh, not bad!"

That night, there was a lot of excitement.

David Stern was on stage with high spirits and issued letters of appointment to the first batch of 20 NBA ambassadors.

Of course, there are benefits.

Stern announced the goals and plans of NBA globalization on the stage.

In order to adapt to the pace of internationalization, the NBA will do a better job in the development of peripheral products, including the production of souvenirs for some stars, NBA store merchandise sales, jersey sales, etc.

At the same time, the league will also establish NBA cable TV, NBA website, NBA City, NBA stores, NBA mobile buses and other entertainment projects. These promotion methods will also increase the NBA's advertising revenue.

Now the league's clothing includes Adidas, its sports shoes include Nike and Reebok, its beverages include Coca-Cola, its food includes McDonald's, its network includes AOL, and even children's toys are sponsored by Lego.

As early as the 2002-03 season, the NBA had 19 designated sponsors, and countless other advertising sponsors. Now these advertising sponsors are still increasing.

The 20 ambassadors on site are responsible for promoting the realization of these goals.

As a reward, Stern said that 20% of the NBA's advertising revenue will be distributed to these ambassadors every year.

It seems to be a very high reward. Even if it is divided among 20 people, each person still gets 1%.

It seems that Stern is determined to do something big.

As NBA ambassadors for Asia and the United States, STO and James will lead the Cavaliers to three countries in Asia and East Asia for three regular season games.

The opponents are the Rockets, Mavericks and Trail Blazers respectively.