Chapter 6

December 6, 2005, Beijing.

"Run, run! Don't be lazy!"

The U18 National Youth Team's training, which began in November, was nearing its end. After the summer training camp in the United States, these young talents representing the future of Chinese basketball had undergone a month of training and then returned to their respective clubs or provincial youth teams for further training and matches.

With the 2006 U18 Asian Youth Championship approaching, the Chinese team, which had been defeated by the up-and-coming Iranian team in the previous tournament, began another round of training at the end of the year.

"The goal for next year's tournament is only the championship! Even a single loss is considered a failure!"

The coach said this.

In the previous tournament, the Chinese team failed to reach the final, missing a great opportunity for a three-peat. This time, the domestic authorities were highly concerned. Even without the strict orders from the sports department, the pressure from the media and fans was already overwhelming for these young players.

"Huff... huff... huff... huff..."

Chen Mu was panting heavily, his hands on his knees, sweat dripping continuously.

After the previous training ended, Chen Mu flew to the United States with his agent, Daffy, to participate in the 2005 NBA Draft, but unfortunately, he was not selected.

Realizing the gap, Chen Mu trained intensively. With Daffy's help, he underwent a month of individual training in the United States. After being exposed to the most advanced basketball concepts and techniques, Chen Mu's skills improved significantly. On the offensive end, he was no longer just a player who relied on second-chance points after grabbing rebounds.

However, Chen Mu's body remained stiff, and he himself did not know why. In the original timeline, although Chen Mu only played street basketball, he always had a good feel for the game and could be considered a decent shooter.

But after entering this body, the soft, silk-like feel he had in the original timeline seemed to have disappeared. Every time he touched the basketball, his wrist felt as if it were frozen, making it very difficult to perform proper hook shots or jump shots.

To address this issue, Daffy hired a private coach who had previously provided shooting instruction to multiple NBA players to give Chen Mu one-on-one training.

"Chen, your wrist is too stiff. The ball's arc is poor, and it lacks spin. If this problem isn't solved, your offense will be hard to improve," the private coach concluded.

However, continuous footwork and position training did improve Chen Mu's post play. At least among his peers in China, he was no longer considered terrible.

"No, this level is not enough to make it in the NBA. I need to train harder and never lose confidence!"

After resting for a while, Chen Mu returned to the court to practice his offensive skills. At that moment, a staff member ran over and shouted, "Chen Mu, your phone is ringing!"

"Oh, I'll be right there!"

Chen Mu jogged off the court, took the phone from the staff member, and saw the number. He was suddenly dazzled.

"...Daffy??"

When he answered the call, Chen Mu hadn't even had time to speak when he heard a burst of rapid-fire words from the other end.

"Chen! Book a flight to the United States immediately! Hurry!"

"What? What's going on?" Chen Mu asked, confused. "Didn't you say that after the season started, no team was willing to sign me? And that I couldn't even get into the summer league or the NBDL, and that I should train for two more years and re-enter the draft?"

"That was before, now it's different!"

Daffy was very excited, almost shouting into the phone in broken Chinese. "I succeeded... no, you succeeded! I've secured a contract for you!!!"

"Really?!"

Chen Mu was stunned. Could Daffy really pull off such a magic trick?

"Of course it's real! I swear!!"

Daffy had just received the news and was so excited that he mixed Chinese and English in his speech. If Chen Mu hadn't improved his English during his training in the United States, he probably wouldn't have understood what Daffy was saying.

"Which team? How long is the contract??"

Chen Mu was extremely excited. If what Daffy said was true, he would soon be able to step onto the NBA court and become a globally recognized basketball star!

"What kind of contract? Ha, Chen, you're thinking too highly of yourself!"

Daffy chuckled. "Free agent signings are mostly finalized before the season starts. Those who want long-term contracts find their teams at that time. You missed that window."

Chen Mu was confused and asked, "So what do you mean...?"

"Ten-day contract!" Daffy shouted. "A team is willing to give you a ten-day contract, effective immediately. They're waiting for you to come and save the day!"

"Ten-day contract..."

Chen Mu recalled that in the original timeline, he had encountered this concept while playing games.

A ten-day contract is a type of contract that NBA teams use to fill roster spots when they are short-handed due to injuries or trades. This contract is valid for only ten days, during which the signed player can join the team's roster and play in games. During this period, the team will consider the player's performance and the recovery of injured players to decide whether to extend the contract for the rest of the season.

Of course, this is the ideal scenario. In most cases, players on ten-day contracts don't even get playing time. It's just a precautionary measure, and teams are unlikely to rely heavily on such short-term players.

After the ten-day contract expires, most players don't get a season-long extension or even another ten-day contract. They often have to leave the NBA and wait for the next opportunity.

For example, in the original timeline, Jeremy Lin signed a ten-day contract with the Houston Rockets during the season, only to be cut. However, Lin, being a talented player, managed to secure another ten-day contract with the New York Knicks, where he had a breakout performance, creating the famous "LINSANITY" phenomenon, and eventually signed a season-long contract with the Knicks, establishing himself in the NBA.

Upon hearing that Daffy had secured this type of contract, Chen Mu's initial excitement was dampened. He sighed and asked, "Which team?"

"The Suns!"

Daffy laughed. "The Phoenix Suns, they want to sign you to a ten-day contract!"

Two days later, Phoenix, Arizona, USA.

The US Airways Center was bustling with excited fans, shouting the names of their favorite stars.

"NASH! NASH! NASH! NASH!"

Among them, the cheers for the reigning MVP, Steve Nash, were the loudest. Many fans held up large posters of Nash, waving them to cheer for their hero.

Tonight, the Suns would face the Brooklyn Nets, two teams with star point guards and a beautiful playing style, which had attracted significant attention across the United States.

On the sidelines, in the ** TV broadcast booth, the famous loudmouth commentator and former NBA star Charles Barkley was making pre-game predictions. His words were broadcast through cable networks across the country.

"Charles, both teams have had good records so far, especially the Suns, who, despite losing their star center Amar'e Stoudemire, have continued to play a small-ball style under Nash's leadership, sweeping through the league."

Barkley's partner, former NBA player Kenny Smith, added, "The Nets, on the other hand, have a lethal backcourt trio, and their style of play is arguably the sexiest in the league. What are your predictions for this game?"

"Ha, sexy~"

Barkley's mouth opened wide, and he laughed without reservation. "Kenny, I like your choice of words."

"Indeed, the Nets' style of play is the sexiest in the league, although their frontcourt is a bit of a mess. But their backcourt is terrifying. My old buddy Jason Kidd, the half-man, half-god Vince Carter, and the Asian flyer Richard Jefferson—such a combination, tsk tsk tsk, if I were added, we could definitely win three championships, no, five championships!"

"Without even expanding the list to all backcourt players, only 'that guy' has achieved the feat of winning consecutive MVPs!"

Kenny Smith knew that the "that guy" Barkley was referring to was the basketball god they both faced during their playing careers—Michael Jordan.

"However, I think the Suns will find it difficult to continue their winning streak," Barkley continued. "Not only are the Nets on a strong run with Carter and Kidd in top form, but the Suns, despite a seven-game winning streak, still have Amare Diaw starting at center, which will eventually cause problems with rebounds!"

"Based on my judgment, the Nets will use their defensive strengths to slow down the pace and play a half-court game against the Suns. The Nets' backcourt will be a force to be reckoned with, and Carter will be like a god descending from the heavens! Ha ha ha..."

Ignoring Barkley's manic state, Kenny Smith began to read out the rosters of both teams.

"There are no surprises in the starting lineups. For the Suns, it's Nash, Bell, Marion, Thomas, and Diaw. For the Nets, it's Kidd, Carter, Jefferson, Cliff Robinson, and Nenad Krstic. From the starters, the Nets' backcourt is more glamorous, but the Suns' frontcourt is more versatile. Plus, the Suns have good bench players like Barbosa, House, and Kurt Thomas. Based on my judgment, the Suns have the edge in terms of overall strength."

"However, before the season started, the Suns let go of their only true defensive center, Stephen Hunter. So, the frontcourt defense will need more contributions from Kurt Thomas."

"Additionally, we noticed that the Suns' roster for this game includes the name of a 17-year-old Chinese player, Mu Chen, who they recently signed to a ten-day contract. It remains to be seen whether this Chinese big man, who failed to be drafted this year, will get a chance to play..."

The live broadcast continued, and the Suns' players were warming up on the court.

"Hey, Chen."

Chen Mu was practicing his post moves with the ball when he suddenly heard a familiar yet unfamiliar voice.

"I'm glad you're here in Phoenix. Daffy has told me a lot about you," Steve Nash said, walking up to Chen Mu and suddenly tossing a basketball high into the air. "Come on, let me see what you can do."

"...Okay, Steve."

Chen Mu smiled and took a few steps, charging towards the basket like a tank. He planted his foot just outside the three-second area and leaped, soaring towards the basketball still in mid-air, illuminated by the court lights.

==================

Alright, Chen Mu's NBA journey has officially begun. Fellow readers, what are you waiting for? Use your recommendations, favorites, and donations to cheer Chen Mu on!

(Chen Mu, flying through the air, dunks the ball over the rim, then points at the boneset porridge and shouts, "Stop using my name to ask for recommendations and favorites! I'll beat you up!")

Mobile users, please visit http://m.piaotia.net

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