From the very beginning of the interview, Zack's smile won over Mullin and Montgomery. After a relaxed and pleasant fifteen-minute interview, Mullin and Montgomery confirmed it: Zack was the Warriors' Messiah!
"We can't take it slow anymore like before," Montgomery told Mullin after the interview.
Mullin nodded, "This 'Operation Overlord' is just the beginning. Next, I'll build the foundation for the new Warriors with Zack at the core."
Looking at Mullin, Montgomery quipped, "The commanders of both 'Operation Overlord' campaigns shared the last name Montgomery. Isn't that a coincidence?"
Mullin chuckled, "Since the last 'Operation Overlord' ended in Allied victory, this 'Operation Overlord' will surely succeed too."
Dreams Within Reach
Finishing the tryout and walking out of the training facility, Zack still felt a sense of unreality. But the next second, clenching his fists tightly, he was ready to firmly grasp his destiny.
Making a name for himself in the NBA. This was Zack's dream in both his lives, and his lifelong pursuit.
However, Zack, who now had the chance to personally achieve all of this, still had to wait. The NBA Draft wouldn't be until June 28th.
While waiting, Zack, having already completed his academic credits, not only had to adjust his mindset and attend his degree ceremony but also, under Schwarz's arrangement, had a final meeting with Nike.
"For years, Nike's annual financial reports have always included a 'demand creation expense.' This is a collective term for their spending on sponsorship deals, marketing, and advertising. Generally, they keep these expenses at 11% or 12% of their annual revenue. That means, if Nike offers a player a contract worth $10 million annually... it implies that during the contract's duration, he needs to generate over $100 million in returns for Nike each year."
Schwarz explained this to Zack before his final meeting with Nike.
Hearing this, Zack thought for a moment and then said, "So... conversely, does that mean if Nike believes you can generate a hundred million dollars for them each year... they'll offer you a sponsorship contract worth $10 million annually?"
Looking directly at Zack, Schwarz smiled, "You're very smart, smarter than many NBA players I've dealt with who thought they were experienced."
At that moment, Schwarz clearly understood that Zack's reverse interpretation meant he profoundly understood the cooperative relationship between Nike and NBA stars. Especially when Zack uttered the words...
"So now the question is, how much return does Nike think I can generate for them?"
The Nike Deal
Soon, in this meeting, Nike presented their final offer: 7 years, $60 million in guaranteed compensation, plus a $10 million signing bonus.
This contract, considering Zack's current commercial value, was absolutely astronomical. However, after meticulous calculations by Nike's actuaries, they believed that to prevent the tragedy of losing Yao Ming from happening again, it was absolutely necessary to deeply tie themselves to Zack with a seemingly sky-high, but in reality, guaranteed profitable contract.
If Zack remembered correctly, Nike's final offer for LeBron James's colossal contract back then was supposed to be 7 years and $77 million in guaranteed compensation plus a $10 million signing bonus. (Note ①)
However, Zack knew very well that Nike's reason for throwing $87 million at James back then was mainly because Reebok and Adidas were driving up the price. Now, with Nike having persuaded Kobe to switch to them in 2003 with a 5-year, $40 million contract, at this current point in time, their growing dominance showed genuine sincerity in this final offer.
Zack knew that this exorbitant agreement meant that Nike's executives were not only very optimistic about his potential in the Chinese market. It also meant that Nike, already becoming a dominant force, had absolute confidence in marketing him as the "Son of !!!" in their eyes.
According to the agreement, upon signing with Nike, Zack would immediately receive the $10 million signing bonus. Of course, this portion of money would be taxed. As for exactly how much tax, Zack didn't need to worry about that. Schwarz would ensure that every penny Zack received was calculated and legally optimized.
Additionally, in this agreement with Nike, even though Zack was a Chinese player, Nike required him to return to annually to participate in related promotional activities. Although Zack felt Nike was being a bit redundant, he suddenly chuckled when he noticed the partner Nike had chosen for him to promote shoes .
"This summer, we plan to arrange LeBron James to travel with you."
Furthermore, in this final meeting, Nike officially confirmed the name of Zack's signature shoe.
English full name: Nike-Overlord-Zack.
Chinese translation: 霸王秦岳系列 (Overlord Zack Series).
Like James, Zack's "Overlord" series would be designed by legendary shoe designer Tinker Hatfield. Originally, Zack was worried that Hatfield's designs for him wouldn't be trendy enough. But after seeing Hatfield's sketches for his shoes based on previous samples, Zack said with delight, "You really understand what young people like!"
Hearing this, Hatfield was surprised, then paused... and then Zack noticed that the legendary shoe designer's eyes seemed to be red?
It turned out that ever since working with James, Hatfield had been living in misery. "There are too many of them, too many ideas, too many choices."
That day, after complaining to Zack about the constant headaches of James forcing him to work overtime for various reasons, Hatfield suddenly squeezed Zack's large hand and said, "If every NBA player could appreciate things like you instead of constantly complaining, our work as designers would be so much easier."
At this moment, Zack finally understood why, in his memory, James's shoes always looked a bit odd. While most of James's signature shoes were incredibly comfortable to wear, for shoes... they need to look good to sell!
The Paul Predicament
After signing this 7-year, $70 million deal with Nike, which would surely exceed its total value in future royalty income, Zack also specifically arranged for Evans to visit the Bay Area while waiting for the Draft.
Yes, with the signing bonus deposited, Zack now needed to quickly pick a luxurious mansion with a great environment and convenient transportation to be his new base.
It must be said, the lives of the wealthy are indeed rather dull.
That day, looking at Paul, who had already traveled to Atlanta and Portland before the Draft, Zack couldn't entirely empathize with his junior.
It was rumored that after trying out Paul, the Trail Blazers, who unexpectedly landed the #3 pick, had officially decided to trade their draft pick with the Jazz. Sadly, for Paul, this "Stuart Little"... the Blazers' management simply wasn't interested.
As for the Jazz, who intended to trade for the pick, it wasn't because they wanted to draft Paul. It was because Jerry Sloan was very satisfied with Deron Williams's tryout performance, and the veteran coach was ready to bring Deron to Salt Lake City.
"Your tryout performance in Portland... was it that bad?" Zack asked, looking at a dejected Paul.
If Zack remembered correctly, historically, Paul had refused the Blazers' tryout invitation and publicly stated he wouldn't play for the Blazers, then known as the "Portland Jail," which led to the Blazers eventually trading the pick.
But in this life... what kind of topsy-turvy plot was this?
Clearly, Zack's emergence had completely derailed the 2005 NBA Draft from its original trajectory. The original Paul certainly had the confidence to refuse the Blazers' tryout. But after that March Madness final... his complete domination by Deron in the game had actually hurt his draft prospects compared to history.
After all, the original Paul had carried his team and led a not-so-strong Wake Forest to March Madness for two consecutive years. But now? Due to his poor performance in the March Madness final, people were bound to think that Paul was simply riding Zack's coattails.
So, to protect his draft stock, Paul had no choice but to go to Portland.
And then...
"How was I supposed to know the Blazers invited Deron Williams for a tryout that day?" Paul said, looking up at Zack, utterly miserable.
Hearing this, Zack understood. Although he didn't know why the Blazers ultimately didn't pick Deron, could Paul ever have a good time when Deron was around?
"What about your tryout in Atlanta then? Atlanta has the #2 pick this year. What impression did you make on them?" Zack continued to ask.
At this moment, Paul broke down. He slowly leaned on Zack's shoulder and said, "Deron Williams also accepted the Hawks' tryout invitation that day."
Zack: "..."
No, seriously, dude! Deron is really bullying him, isn't he? Wherever Paul goes for a tryout, he just follows? Is it really "eat, sleep, beat Paul?"
"It's okay... you can still go for tryouts in Milwaukee and New Orleans. I remember the Bucks and Hornets also sent you tryout invitations," Zack comforted, patting Paul's back.
"No! No!"
The next second, after saying two horrified "no's," Paul told Zack, "I'd rather play for the Bobcats than go to Milwaukee or New Orleans!"
Having grown up in Winston-Salem, Paul wasn't against playing for his hometown team, the Charlotte Bobcats. But Milwaukee and New Orleans... are those even places for people to live?!
"But you can't just refuse the Bucks and Hornets' tryout invitations, can you? It's clear now that the teams with the second and third overall picks won't be picking you," Zack told Paul.
Hearing this, Paul, whose mindset had completely collapsed, told Zack, "If that's the case... then I'd rather accept the Hornets' tryout invitation. At least Hornets coach Byron Scott likes me."
He certainly likes you, because if it weren't for you... with Scott's coaching level, how else would he ever get Coach of the Year?
That day, looking at Paul, who was living a completely different life than his own, Zack suddenly said with a touch of loneliness, "I'm so envious of you guys who can go everywhere for tryouts. Unlike me, every day I'm either negotiating agreements with one sponsor or discussing collaborations with another. Do I even look like a player about to go play in the NBA? I've completely turned into a businessman."
Seeing this, even though a frustrated Paul had no evidence, he still delivered a powerful "cannon punch" to Zack's chest.
Please, be a normal person, Zack! As the noble and only choice for the 2005 NBA Draft, your life is going great, but do you know how miserable I've been lately?
Before the Draft, aside from Zack, many young players, including Paul, actually had no idea which team would select them. They could only frequently accept tryout invitations from interested NBA teams. Maybe today it was Atlanta, tomorrow Chicago, the day after in Los Angeles... they desperately tried to prove themselves in every tryout, hoping to be chosen by a team they liked. And even worse, some even had their travel expenses for tryouts paid by their agents.
Zack was destined not to empathize with these players. Because he was about to become the #1 pick in the 2005 NBA Draft.
The Stage is Set
June 23, 2005... As Tim Duncan led the San Antonio Spurs to defeat the Detroit Pistons in Game 7, this Finals series, whose ratings made Stern want to chop himself up, finally concluded.
Zack's senior, Wake Forest's "longest river," with a steady performance of 20.6 points, 14.1 rebounds, 2.1 assists, and 2.1 blocks per game in the Finals, surpassed his teammate Manu Ginobili, who shone brightly in the series, to earn his third career NBA Finals MVP award. After shaking off the gloom brought by the Athens Olympics and last season, Duncan had truly entered a moment of clarity.
And a few days later, on June 28th.
Duncan's junior, Wake Forest's "tallest mountain"... was about to enter the NBA as the #1 pick!
please vote and visit mypatreon
belamy20