Chapter 48: The Bronze Statue Outside Joel's Old Soldier Memorial Hall

  In the summer of 1998, nothing was different here for all Americans, but for the whole world, they were all crazy about the past French Football World Cup. However, at this time, the NBA unexpectedly locked out.

  This is a summer of football and a winter of basketball.

  "It's okay, coach," Garnett said a bit nervously to Zhu Fei. Now Zhu Fei was taking him to Wake Forest University, as a high school player who participated in the NBA draft, he and many other NBA high school players had great aspirations for the NCAA. It was just that due to various reasons, he missed college and missed the NCAA. Now Zhu Fei brought him to Wake Forest, which made him very nervous.

  Zhuang Fei looked at the wolf king in front of him, who still seemed a bit green, and smiled secretly in his heart. Then he continued to say: "Wasn't it you who asked me to bring you here? Why are you thinking of retreating now?"

  Jianai'er listened to Zhuang Fei's teasing, feeling a bit embarrassed.

  It's summer vacation now, and the campus of Vicksen Forest University is empty, but even in such a deserted atmosphere, Garnett can still feel Zhuang Fei's status here, because everyone who passes by Zhuang Fei has an extremely respectful attitude when greeting him.

  That's status for you, Garnett thought to himself as he looked at the person in front of him who was only a few years older than himself, his heart filled with envy and jealousy. Thinking about his own situation with the Timberwolves, it could be described as being isolated from the crowd, some things can't be bought with money. Garnett felt a little dazed at this moment.

  But Zhuang Fei naturally didn't know what Garnett was thinking in his heart.

  "Kevin, we're here."

  Ganete woke up from his thoughts and he and Zhuang Fei arrived at a small training hall, which was much smaller than the one of the Forest Wolves. However, Ganete had already heard the sound of training coming from inside the gym, which made him puzzled. He had specifically asked Zhuang Fei to bring him here to visit Viksen University today, and since school was on summer break, there shouldn't be anyone in the training hall, right? Did universities also train during summer vacation?

  "Kevin, don't be stunned, go in!" Zhuang Fei reminded and pushed open the door.

  Now Wicksen Forest is indeed on holiday, and so are the players, but the difference is that Wicksen Forest's training ground has some other people.

  "Ah, the coach is back." James Posey was just about to shoot when he saw the training hall door being pushed open and a Chinese man walking in. He naturally knew who this Chinese man was.

  The training hall fell silent in an instant, and everyone stopped what they were doing, looking towards the entrance.

  "I didn't expect so many people to show up today" Zhuang Fei glanced around, Deng Ken, Ka Te, Si Ze Bi Ya Ke, Zhan Mu Si Bo Xi, La Ga Bei Er, all five of Zhuang Fei's disciples were present.

  "I and Vince, Vory are back to school for training, the club's gym is not available now, except here, we have nowhere to go" Tim Duncan said with a smile. Carter and Szczygiel nodded in agreement.

  And on the other side, James Posey and Jamal Mashburn also chimed in: "This is our last season in college for Ragga and me, we want to make sure we're as ready as possible."

  In order to have a good draft pick, Xia Tian worked hard to maintain his state during the summer, which was also correct, Zhuang Fei nodded.

  Looking at his five hardworking disciples, he also felt a sense of pride and satisfaction. Zhuang Fei had never thought that it was he who brought glory to these people, even if there was no Zhuang Fei, these people would not be buried. What he truly felt proud of was that he changed the attitude of these players towards basketball, he made them change their desire for honor. This is what Zhuang Fei is most satisfied with. For these current or future multimillionaires and billionaires, whether they can maintain their passion and enthusiasm for basketball is the most important thing.

  "By the way, what is Coach doing back here today?" Duncan asked curiously. Zhuang Fei should be on vacation now, all NBA coaches are on vacation now, and players and bosses are negotiating. There's no need for a coach.

  "Look at this guy next to me, I came here for him today," Zhuang Fei smiled and introduced Garnett to the players behind him.

  "What? Isn't this Mr. Two Billion?" Deng said in surprise as soon as he saw Garnett.

  Mr. 20 million? Garnett let out a wry smile, he had grown accustomed to the ridicule and teasing from the media and players since signing that contract with the club. Duncan and Garnett knew each other, and they were old rivals too. Last season, Duncan was the most dominant inside player, leading his Timberwolves to a blowout win over the Spurs.

  "Tim, stop joking around, Kevin is getting embarrassed," Vince Carter said with a smile. Garnett saw the sparkle in Carter's eyes and they were from the same draft class, you could say they knew each other since high school and even played together in the McDonald's All-American Game.

  Jianai'er got along well with others under Carter's introduction, and Zhuang Fei also felt a bit more at ease.

  "Tim, come here, I have something to entrust you with."

  ........

  ........

  "What? Coach, you want me to be Garnett's teacher during this break?" Duncan's wide-open mouth could fit two eggs.

  "Right, unwilling?" Zhuang Fei frowned and asked.

  "No, you misunderstood" Duncan saw Zhuang Fei frowning and hurriedly explained: "I've never taught anyone to play basketball before, I'm afraid I won't do well"

  "There's nothing that can't be done, I need you to show all your strengths in front of Garnett, and he will naturally learn from you slowly. You're good at bullying people, aren't you? Your task is to teach Garnett a lesson during this break, the more miserable the better." Zhuang Fei said with a sly smile, making Duncan feel a chill. In the end, Duncan nodded as if he understood but not really.

  Garnett didn't know about this, but after hearing that Zhuang Fei let Duncan accompany him during the off-season, Garnett was very happy. Who is Duncan? A player in the All-Star lineup of the league, a real superstar, such an accompanying practice is not easy to find.

  Let Garnett train with Duncan, let Duncan abuse Garnett. This is Zhuang Fei's idea after careful consideration. Zhuang Fei found that Garnett has been playing too far outside in the Timberwolves' position for several seasons, and it would be more accurate to say he is a small forward rather than a power forward. Such a Garnett is not what Zhuang Fei wants. According to his understanding, Garnett doesn't seem to like pushing his position inside either. In Zhuang Fei's tactics next season, Garnett's role on the inside will be very important, similar to Duncan's role in the Spurs. Now, Garnett can't even dominate in the NBA, let alone in the NCAA. However, for a highly competitive and arrogant player like Garnett, direct teaching may not have much effect. It would be better to let him experience the gap between himself and Duncan, and then he will strive to catch up on his own.

  He never doubted whether Garnett had the talent to grow into a player like Duncan.

  ........

  ........

  "This is the Joel Veteran Memorial Stadium"

  Zhuang Fei brought Garnett here and then left, as the head coach of the NBA he now needs to avoid suspicion, can't have too much contact with players, so most of the current NBA head coaches are on vacation, Zhuang Fei is no exception.

  So the task of familiarizing themselves with Vicksburg naturally fell to Duncan and his companions, who as young people of similar age had a lot to talk about and soon became acquainted.

  As the home of Vicksburg's Veterans, the Old Courthouse Museum was naturally a must-see for Garnett.

  "It's a lot worse than NBA arenas," Duncan said. Garnett nodded in agreement, indeed it was slightly inferior.

  "But this stadium's atmosphere is nothing short of amazing," Carter said with a hint of nostalgia.

  "Yes, 15 thousand fans screaming wildly and that one song that gives you goosebumps when the King of the Underworld arrives, it's really a fun place" Szczepiak added.

  When Szczbiak mentioned the arrival of Demon King, Garnett also laughed. All American basketball fans know this song that praises Zhu Fangyu.

  "It seems like this stadium is going to be renamed next year, did you guys know?" Raghabell said with a mysterious smile.

  "A name change?" Carter and Duncan looked at Ragabell curiously.

  "This is also what I heard Coach Bill mention a few days ago, the principal intends to rename the gymnasium as ZF Memorial Gymnasium in the first game of the new season, and the school board has agreed. You see, that one covered with black cloth is the coach's bronze statue," Ragabe said, pointing forward.

  This news shocked Carter and Duncan out of their wits.

  "This thing you all have to come back for, Vince, Wally, your jerseys will be retired that day too"

  "Jersey retirement?" Carter and Szczepanik muttered, their excitement clearly visible on their faces. Duncan's jersey was retired last year, when all the Vicksburg players were green with envy, now it's their turn and they can hardly believe it.

  Just as these Vicks Forest players were getting into their stride, Garnett was somewhat downcast.

  The arena naming, the jersey retirement, these are honors, right? If one day I also retire, will the Timberwolves also retire my jersey? This makes Garnett, who has never received any honor, filled with an unprecedented longing for honor.

  Humans are very strange creatures, assimilation and degeneration are always just a thin line apart.

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