At the exact same time the Clippers defeated the Suns,
a mysterious high-level meeting was being held at the NBA League Headquarters.
The league was preparing to fully operate and promote the global influence of a certain super rookie or superstar.
In other words: it was about "god-making!"
As early as Stern's era, Michael Jordan was successfully elevated to god-like status and received extra care from the league.
Jordan indeed lived up to expectations, ushering the NBA into its golden age.
To this day, the NBA is still benefiting from his legacy.
However, it cannot be denied that Michael Jordan had a profound influence, which led many teenagers to start following the NBA.
In the post-Jordan era,
the league also heavily promoted many players for the "god-making project."
For example, Shaquille O'Neal, Kobe Bryant, and LeBron James, and now Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Jayson Tatum.
But they did not reach Jordan's heights, though they did bring profound global influence and commercial value to the NBA.
Besides their own abilities, all of this was inseparable from the league's operations.
Of course, there were quite a few "defective products" of the "god-making project," including Vince Carter, McGrady, Iverson... these superstars who were highly anticipated but only experienced a brief period of glory.
Kai Chen, who burst onto the scene this season, put up historical-level individual statistics in his rookie season, and his team's record was firmly number one in the entire league.
After a third of the season, Kai's performance showed no signs of decline; instead, it seemed to be on an upward trend.
Such a performance also caught the attention of NBA executives, led by Adam Silver.
"Kai Chen's performance on the court, commercial value, and influence are currently in a league of their own!"
"He has the potential to become the face of the NBA's new era!"
New York, NBA League Headquarters
In the executive meeting office, Adam Silver said in a deep voice to the other executives.
Recommend Kai as the new face of the league!?
The other executives were not surprised!
The league's direction has long since changed; the Golden State Warriors are dominant, LeBron James is already 35 years old, and after joining the Los Angeles Lakers this season, the team's record is not very good.
After LeBron, Durant, Curry, and others retire, the league is very likely to experience a vacuum period of declining stars for a long time in the future, which is extremely detrimental to the league's development!
Currently, there might be no one more suitable than Kai Chen in the league!
As this year's third overall pick, although he participated in the draft as a senior, Kai is only 21 years old this year.
As a rookie, Kai has put up historical-level individual statistics this season, averaging 44.3 points, 5 rebounds, and 6 assists, which is unique in the entire league's history.
In terms of influence, Kai's commercial value, backed by the Chinese market, is beyond words.
If these don't convey how hot Kai is, then let's look at the sales speed of his first signature shoe!
800,000 pairs of sneakers in 5 minutes!
Even if you brought Michael Jordan over, it would be hard to break this speed.
But the NBA is not just Adam Silver's decision alone!
Any major decision made requires discussion among executives, followed by a unified vote.
For instance, on the matter of "god-making" around Kai, there were serious disagreements among NBA executives.
"Kai is excellent, I don't deny that!"
A chubby man with a receding hairline said, "But in NBA history, there has never been a precedent of 'god-making' outside of the local talent!"
"What's more, for a Chinese player, who can guarantee that Kai Chen won't suffer from injuries like Yao Ming in the future, leading to a regrettable retirement!"
"Exactly, Tom is right!"
As soon as the man with the receding hairline spoke, it immediately sparked discussion among the other executives.
After all before Kai Chen, China players who came to the NBA had careers that failed to be sustained and were constantly criticized.
And the most crucial point of the NBA's "god-making project" is that the player must have long-term competitiveness.
Facing the challenge from the man with the receding hairline, Adam Silver frowned, organized his words for a moment, and said in a deep voice, "Tom, what you said makes a lot of sense!"
"But we cannot see how Kai's future will develop; the 'god-making project' itself is a gamble!"
"If we win the bet, the NBA will reach a whole new level!"
"Michael was a very good example back then!"
Adam Silver showed no weakness and directly brought up Michael Jordan.
During the offseason, due to Morey, the cooperation between the NBA and China had once fallen into collapse.
He had finally apologized and banned Morey to regain the opportunity to cooperate with China.
And now, with Kai's emergence, cooperation with China will inevitably accelerate.
That market behind Asia!?
Are you still trying to stop me??
Calming down for a moment, Adam Silver continued, "I still maintain my proposal to strongly promote Kai as the new face of the league!"
"Please trust me, everyone, Kai will lead the league to a whole new level!"
"If Kai fails, then I will also resign as president!"
After hearing this, the other executives pondered for a moment and decided to trust Adam Silver this one time.
They all raised their hands in agreement!
At the same time, Los Angeles, Beverly Hills
"Kendall, we've broken up!"
Kai Chen himself was unaware that he had become the next face of the league; at this moment, he was being tormented by Kendall!
"How could I not know that we broke up!!!"
Seeing Kai's forced expression, still refusing to open the door for her, Kendall was furious: "Tell me, what did you mean by that remark during today's game!!"
"What could I mean?"
Kai spread his hands, saying innocently, "I just wanted to annoy you!!"
"Kai Chen! Are you sick or something!?"
Hearing Kai's words, Kendall felt like she couldn't breathe: "You dumped me, and then you came over to deliberately annoy me?"
Kai nodded, then teased, "Kendall, if you still want to experience my little friend, there's no need to find such flimsy excuses!"
"Just say the word, and we can go up to the master!"
"experience my ass!!!"
"Hahaha!"
With that, Kendall threw her LV bag directly at Kai.
"Oh my..."
Kai dodged the attack with a snake-like movement, picked up the bag from the ground, "Thank you, rich woman, I'll accept this bag on your behalf!"
"Goodbye, don't let the door hit you on the way out!"
"You!!!"
Watching Kai's departing back, Kendall launched into an intense tirade.
The sounds of her outburst echoed for a full hour.
Finally, under the persuasion of security personnel and many curious neighbors, Kendall left in a huff.
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