My days of working at the NBA

Chapter 70 Marketing Genius

The third day of the trial training didn't go so smoothly.

Shooting has never been his strong suit; he only made 11 of 25 spot-up three-pointers, which is quite average, even a bit poor.

There was no other way; it was just last-minute cramming, so it's already pretty good that I managed to throw it this well.

His ability to finish at the basket while dribbling and shooting immediately after receiving the ball is also quite average.

Because he lacks ball-handling skills, receiving the ball in mid-range requires a sense of rhythm, which is not something he excels at.

However, shooting practice accounts for a significant portion of the tryouts.

In order not to expose more of her technical shortcomings, Xu Chunjiao asked Lawrence to appeal to the staff in advance not to participate in the 2v2 competition.

After finishing his shooting practice, Du Ze walked towards the tunnel.

He had only taken a few steps when a man in a suit stopped him: "Hi, Du, hello!"

Du Ze nodded in response, "Hello, what's up?"

He thought it was a staff member from the trial training site reminding him of what other tasks he needed to complete.

Lawrence leaned in from behind and whispered, "This is the Bulls' new general manager, Gar Forman."

Du Ze was slightly surprised.

The ugly guy is just like him, spending all his time on the basketball court and having only a superficial understanding of the outside world.

They didn't recognize many of the Bulls' players, let alone the management who rarely appeared in public. And this guy was the new general manager. How could that ugly guy even remember his name?

Surprising, isn't it? Amazing, isn't it?

Is this... still the ugly guy he knows?

These thoughts flashed through his mind, and Du Ze immediately responded politely, "Hello!"

Garr Forman smiled but went straight to the point: "I've looked at your physical test report and think your physical talent is excellent. The team would like to invite you to stay for a private tryout. What are your thoughts?"

Du Ze was naturally more than happy to accept this.

But as he opened his mouth, he immediately remembered Lawrence's advice to consult Xu Chunjiao before making a decision, so as not to ruin the plan.

He paused slightly before replying, "It's my pleasure, but I don't know if my agent has arranged any schedule for me, so I need to check."

They neither refused nor gave a polite answer.

Because this matter should indeed be handled by Xu Chunjiao. Making decisions privately would disrupt her plans, since the 2% commission isn't free.

Gal-Forman paused for a moment: "Your agent is Ms. Xu Chunjiao, right? She personally came to me and asked me to arrange a private trial for you. Didn't she tell you?"

as predicted.

As expected, the Bulls were part of Xu Chunjiao's plan; her guess was correct.

But after thinking for a moment, Du Ze still said, "She didn't mention it to me. How about I ask her later to see if she has booked a flight or hotel in advance? Once I confirm that she doesn't have any travel plans, I'll get back to you."

Gal-Forman was quite surprised; he hadn't expected Duze to not agree immediately.

But he quickly composed himself and changed the subject: "I watched your final game. Your performance was outstanding, especially your ability to protect the rim and provide help defense, which really impressed me."

Du Ze humbly replied, "Thank you for your praise. I was just doing my best to do what I was supposed to do."

Gar Forman: "I really like your attitude towards the game, and I really hope we can have the opportunity to work together. If you can stay in Chicago, we will soon witness the rise of the Bulls. I hope to see you at tomorrow's workout."

Du Ze smiled and said, "I hope so too."

After exchanging a few pleasantries, the two sides politely said goodbye.

No sooner had Du Ze returned to the hotel than he had Lawrence dial Xu Chunjiao's number, while he leisurely sliced ​​an apple.

After a ring, the call connected, and a lazy voice came from the other end: "Hmm, what's up?"

Lawrence sensibly turned on the speakerphone and, without beating around the bush, went straight to the point: "The Bulls let Durant stay for a tryout."

Xu Chunjiao paused for a moment, then remained silent.

Lawrence waited for a while before getting impatient: "What are you doing? Asleep?"

The voice on the other end of the phone said, "Just reject him."

Lawrence was completely stunned, his head filled with question marks: "Didn't you ask their general manager for a chance to give Du a solo trial? This... a refusal?"

It's simply unbelievable.

You begged someone for a one-on-one trial opportunity, only to be turned away and refused?

There are always new things happening every year, but this year there are especially many.

This operation sounds like a clinical manifestation of mental instability.

Xu Chunjiao's answer this time was very firm: "Yes, I rejected him."

Lawrence glanced at Duze instinctively.

Du Ze simply frowned and didn't react at all.

Lawrence couldn't take it anymore and asked directly, "Aren't you going to give me an explanation?"

Xu Chunjiao, however, remained nonchalant: "What explanation is needed for a refusal?"

Lawrence chuckled twice: "I mean, you need to give Du an explanation."

The general manager came over to invite him in person, showing him great respect and courtesy, but you made Du Ze turn around and refuse, saying he wouldn't train with you.

Does this make sense?

Du Ze waved his hands repeatedly, saying, "I don't need an explanation."

Lawrence was even more confused, completely bewildered by what the two were up to.

Xu Chunjiao chuckled softly, "It's still more comfortable talking to smart people, unlike some pigs who can't understand human language at all."

Lawrence understood this sentence perfectly: "You're insulting me?"

Xu Chunjiao said lazily, "Alright, I don't have time to scold you. I have to catch my flight to Detroit later. That's all for now. Contact me if there are any changes."

After saying that, he hung up the phone.

This left Lawrence like a trapped beast, wanting to charge wildly but unable to find an outlet, leaving him only able to stand there in a frenzy.

After all, you can't exactly take your anger out on your boss, can you?

But he was curious why Duze also thought they should reject the Bulls' offer, so he asked, "Duze, what are you guys thinking?"

Du Ze took a bite of his apple before mumbling, "What do you think of this news that the strongest forward in this year's draft refused a private tryout with the Bulls?"

Upon hearing this, Lawrence's eyes widened in disbelief: "You can do that?"

But on second thought, he's a marketing genius.

After swallowing the apple, Du Ze didn't answer the question. Instead, he said, "The Bulls' management already knows exactly how I performed during our joint workout in Chicago. Inviting me to a workout was just a gesture of goodwill. If I refused, so be it. What can they do?"

Lawrence nodded slowly, but quickly looked worried and said, "But...doing this directly offends the Bulls' management. Isn't that a bit too much?"

Leaving no way out, what if the teams ahead don't make a move? Then this move would be a terrible mistake.

Du Ze chuckled: "I wonder how many rookies, after being drafted, absolutely refuse to report to teams in small cities, acting like they'd rather die than submit. They've offended them enough, haven't they? But in the end? They still end up doing what they always have."

Lawrence thought for a moment and slowly nodded: "That's true."

Du Ze smiled without saying a word, quite satisfied with Xu Chunjiao's sudden marketing idea.

Moreover, he wasn't afraid of offending the Chicago management.

Teams prioritize their own interests; as long as things don't escalate into a complete falling out, these are all minor issues.

Someone like him could simply say which team he's booked a tryout with for tomorrow morning, and all the arrangements are made. Wouldn't that be enough?

What's the big deal about offending someone?