A "Legendary Quest" titled "That Unforgettable Love" has been triggered for Zack, and he can choose whether to accept it. This quest reveals Michael Jordan's deep admiration for Zack, seeing him as his "true destiny" after their recent encounter.
To complete this quest, Zack must fulfill Jordan's expectations with his college performance over the next year.
Condition One: Zack's average regular season stats for the 2004-05 season must be at least "25+10+5" (points, rebounds, assists). Condition Two: Zack's draft projection when he officially declares for the 2005 NBA Draft must not be lower than a top-three pick, as determined by mainstream media predictions.
The rewards for completing this challenging task are substantial: a Legendary Random Physical Attribute Potential Pack, a Legendary Random Technical Attribute Potential Pack, and the coveted "Air Jordan" badge.
The "Air Jordan" badge is particularly enticing, as it grants "far superior hang time" and "significantly reduces the erosion of physical functions caused by age." The hang time effect scales with Zack's vertical leap, meaning the higher his jump, the more effective the badge.
Upon completing this quest, the system will also unlock a series of follow-up quests: either "The Undefinable Longing" or "The Basketball God's True Destiny," offering further rewards and potential upgrades.
Zack is stunned by the extent of Jordan's admiration. He quickly analyzes the difficulties of the quest, noting that achieving the statistical requirements in the ACC conference will be tough due to stronger competition. As for the second condition, if the 2005 NBA Draft order remains as he remembers, he'll essentially need to be a top-two pick, as only the Bucks and Hawks, holding the first and second overall picks, historically drafted big men within the top five that year.
Despite the monumental challenge, the rewards are too good to pass up. The thought of gaining "far superior hang time" excites Zack, given his already top-tier jumping ability. He envisions himself becoming a true "Air Jordan." The badge's ability to "significantly reduce the erosion of physical functions caused by age" is also a game-changer, offering a way to combat time, the ultimate enemy for athletes. Without hesitation, Zack accepts the quest, though he can't help but playfully grumble about Jordan's high expectations making the task so difficult.
Training and Transformation
Zack's life undergoes a dramatic shift upon returning to Winston-Salem from Charlotte. Tim Grover and his team have taken over, providing a detailed training schedule and even managing his meals. Grover emphasizes the importance of good eating habits for top athletes, assuring Zack he'll have a "cheat day" every weekend.
Having already developed good eating habits during his weight loss, Zack is more interested in the training content. Grover's team focuses on correcting his jump shot, aiming for a form similar to Carmelo Anthony's: a slight knee bend before a vertical jump, with legs coming together for balance in the air. Grover believes this, combined with Zack's incredible ball-handling coordination, lower body stability, and mid-air balance, will turn him into an "unsolvable jump shot machine." Zack is thrilled by the aesthetic of the new shot, joking that it explains why Kobe would keep shooting even after missing ten times.
Mastering this new shot requires immense practice: 100,000 made jump shots in 100 days. Grover assures him this intensity is "just right."
Zack notices that the training plan is clearly designed to develop him as a perimeter player. Grover explains that with Zack's coordination and flexibility, limiting him to a traditional inside role would be a "blasphemy" to his talent. Zack wholeheartedly agrees but insists on increasing his post-up training. He knows the importance of post-up moves in crucial moments, citing Jordan's own words about how his championships were won more by simple shots and post-up fadeaways than by flashy layups and drives. With his height and versatility, Zack expects many mismatch opportunities and wants to master post-up offense. He's committed to this long and arduous journey with a humble heart.
During a discussion about strength training, Grover shares insights into NBA players' weights. He reveals that Michael Jordan weighed around 108-110 kg during the Bulls' second dynasty to dominate with back-to-the-basket moves, and Charles Barkley maintained 125-128 kg at his peak to battle other dominant bigs. Grover emphasizes that weight isn't the sole factor in strength; bone structure and knee tolerance are crucial. He points out that LeBron James's ability to maintain 127 kg at his peak, while the taller Kevin Durant only reached around 110 kg, is due to James's larger bone structure and historical-level knee tolerance. Isaiah Thomas, the "175-pound strongest player on earth," gained 90 kg at his peak but lacked the necessary knee tolerance, leading to injuries.
Grover advises Zack to maintain his current weight of 121 kg until his knee tolerance is proven over time, a suggestion Zack accepts, especially before acquiring the "Air Jordan" badge. Despite constant strength training, Zack's current weight still allows for further strength potential, showcasing his exceptional talent. Grover believes Zack's ideal weight, given his 211 cm height and strength potential, will be around 128 kg, where he'll be muscular and dominant in mismatches.
Grover is astounded by Zack's flexibility and coordination, which seem unaffected by strength training – a rare trait also seen in Jordan. He wonders why such talent wasn't discovered until Zack's sophomore year. Zack attributes it to a "reward from God" after he turned his life around, a convenient explanation in America that Grover readily accepts.
The Son of God Rises
April is a busy month for Zack. Meanwhile, Lynn Merritt, a Nike executive who established a connection with Zack through Rachel, begins planning the next phase after learning of Michael Jordan's strong interest. Merritt knows that to maximize Zack's future value, Nike needs to start building his image now, much like they did with LeBron James.
Nike isn't worried about Zack signing with another shoe company later, as this early marketing investment shows their commitment. It's a matter of good business: even after losing the bidding war for LeBron, Adidas never regretted their early support. This goodwill can attract other stars in the future.
The question then becomes: who will help build Zack's momentum? Merritt chooses Ira Berkow, a Pulitzer Prize-winning New York Times columnist who previously wrote a feature on Zack during March Madness. Berkow is interested, respected, and his articles are always credible.
Considering Nike's ambition to capture market through Zack, Merritt decides on a distinctly name for this upcoming campaign: " Son of God." Merritt envisions " Son of God" becoming famous across America, seeing Zack as a future cash cow.
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