Chapter 677 - 602: The Heartfelt Words of a Veteran Basketball Man

Chapter 677: Chapter 602: The Heartfelt Words of a Veteran Basketball Man

When he arrived, Su Jun and the others were waiting downstairs.

There were three of them in total, and they hurried over to greet Chen Yu as he stepped out of the car.

Chen Yu had seen a photo of Gong Luming and recognized him at once. Beside Su Jun stood a young man Chen Yu vaguely recognized as another basketball reporter, likely named Yang Yi.

Chen Yu had only brought his assistant, so there were five of them in total. They ordered a large spread of dishes.

Having visited China many times, Chen Yu was used to this kind of setting. He wasn’t in a hurry to discuss business, so they all made small talk.

At first, Chen Yu didn’t quite understand this "dinner table culture." But later, perhaps because his inner Chinese genes had awakened, he started to think it was actually quite nice. Useful information was often exchanged naturally over the course of eating and drinking.

Su Jun was just a reporter, after all, so his knowledge was limited. Gong Luming, having been with the National Team for many years, understood the situation much better.

He could speak at length about topics like training methods and the gap in equipment, demonstrating a thorough understanding.

"Speaking of which, Dr. Chen, domestic training philosophies have changed a lot in the past two years, and it all started with you," Gong Luming said with a sigh after downing a glass of liquor.

Chen Yu was a bit taken aback. He asked for clarification and learned the reason why.

It all started the year of Yao Ming’s draft, when Chen Yu and Brian came to Shanghai to scout him.

That was also Chen Yu’s first time in China.

He was then invited to visit the Modu Sports Academy, where he had a discussion with the coaches.

The change Coach Gong was talking about began at that moment.

"Your understanding of training intensity was a huge inspiration for us. It had an enormous impact," Gong Luming said, filled with emotion.

Previously, training in China was all about high intensity. The prevailing attitude was that you don’t back down for minor injuries. The motto was basically, "If it doesn’t kill you, train until it almost does," with the belief that more sweat and blood meant better results.

But after learning from Chen Yu, they realized that "high intensity" wasn’t about running players into the ground, but about purposeful, correct training.

The impact of this philosophy was huge. After the coaches at the Modu Sports Academy reduced basic conditioning like running and increased the proportion of skill-based training, their athletes’ performance improved noticeably.

Then, word spread from one person to the next, and soon the new methods were being used all over the country. Even Coach Gong was using them now.

That’s why Coach Gong said that training philosophies in China had already changed because of Chen Yu.

Chen Yu smiled. "I honestly didn’t know that. I was just speaking casually at the time. I had no idea they were completely unfamiliar with the concept."

Hearing this, Coach Gong couldn’t help but sigh again. "This is why communication is so important. In the last two years, the Basketball Association has hired foreign coaches and sent our own coaches abroad to study. It would be a lie to say there have been no results at all, but everything we’ve learned has been superficial. It’s not deep enough. We’re just making clumsy imitations, which only makes us a laughingstock in front of real experts."

As he spoke, he looked at Chen Yu and said, "That’s why I’m so thrilled you’re here in China this time, Dr. Chen, to help the National Team as a consultant. I truly believe this is a golden opportunity."

In the past, when the Basketball Association sent coaches abroad to study, the other side would just assign a few random coaches to teach them some basics and then send them packing.

So, just as Coach Gong said, they never learned the core principles.

Training is based on science, but it also relies on experience. Every top trainer has their own unique techniques—it’s how they make their living. Why would they be so quick to share all their secrets?

But with Chen Yu, it was different. Coach Gong felt that because of Chen Yu’s Chinese heritage, he still had a deep-seated affection for China and would be willing to share his real expertise.

Most importantly, Chen Yu himself represents the pinnacle of training in the world.

For the National Team, this was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. If they missed it, there was no telling when another one would come along.

Chen Yu just smiled. He’d heard this kind of talk many times before.

Across the table, Su Jun, also moved by the conversation, immediately stood up to propose a toast.

As the conversation continued, it eventually turned to the National Team.

On this topic, Coach Gong had even more to say. Perhaps it was because he’d had a few drinks and the alcohol was starting to hit. "I won’t even get into soccer. They keep talking about a ’promising future’ and a ’golden decade’... Let’s just talk about basketball. We may have made it out of the group stage and finished eighth, but does that mean there are no problems?"

"We can’t even get the ball into the post from the perimeter! And don’t get me started on our shooting. It’s bad enough that they can’t make a shot, but now they’re too scared to even try! You call that a small problem?"

"We’re relying solely on Yao Ming! If it weren’t for him, we would’ve been knocked out in the group stage long ago."

"But we only have one Yao Ming! If we expect him to do everything, we might as well work him to death and be done with it."

"And then you look at other teams... some of them even managed to upset the Dream Team!"

"Sorry, Dr. Chen, I didn’t mean..." The words had barely left his mouth when Coach Gong realized his mistake.

Chen Yu was, after all, an American, and could even be considered the Dream Team’s doctor.

"Don’t worry about it," Chen Yu said, waving his hand dismissively. "This year’s Dream Team can hardly be called a Dream Team at all."

’In Chen Yu’s mind, only Dream One, the team with Jordan, was the true Dream Team.’

Coach Gong nodded, still riding the high from the alcohol. "There are some people now—I won’t name names—who think our level in basketball and soccer is getting higher and higher. It’s like they believe we’re about to become number one in the world and win an Olympic gold medal any day now."

"But I’m telling you, we’re still far from it, and the gap is only going to get wider!"

"That’s why I’m so worried! I see it all happening, and it’s eating me up inside."

Coach Gong thumped his chest.

’We achieve one small thing, nothing to even write home about, and people are already getting complacent.’

’In reality, we’re still so far behind.’

Across from them, Su Jun was scared out of his wits. He quickly gave Yang Yi a push, telling him to check if the door to their private room was shut tight. Then he turned to Coach Gong and said, "Coach Gong, you’re drunk."

"I’m not drunk. I’m perfectly clear-headed."

Coach Gong waved his hand, his eyes beginning to well up. "Dr. Chen, I’m just rambling. Don’t take it too seriously. Once we leave this room, just pretend you never heard any of it. Just... take it as the heartfelt words of an old basketball hand."

Su Jun stood up and told Yang Yi to go order some soup to help sober him up.

Chen Yu didn’t mind, though. In fact, he found Coach Gong to be clear-headed and insightful.

’On the surface, things look like they’re flourishing, but in reality, the gap is only growing larger.’

Just then, Coach Gong suddenly pulled a notebook from his bag and handed it to Chen Yu.

It was a thick, leather-bound notebook. The edges were heavily worn, a clear sign it had been used frequently for many years.

"Dr. Chen, I know why you sought me out," Coach Gong said, patting his chest. "Su Jun told me you want me to be involved with the men’s national team. I’m all for it. Wherever you need me, I’ll be there. Even if you just want me to sweep the floors for the team, I won’t have any complaints."

’Su Jun was speechless. Coach Gong really must be drunk.’

Coach Gong patted the notebook in front of him again. "I’ve been the head coach of the National Team. I’ve coached the youth teams. I’m familiar with the clubs and the sports academies all over the country."

"I don’t know the specifics of how to fix things," he continued, "but over the years, I’ve seen so many promising young players. I’ve recorded them all in here."

"Some of these kids were really talented. But for one reason or another, they all ended up abandoning basketball. It breaks my heart to think about it."

He shook his head silently, lost in another memory.

Chen Yu picked up the notebook and opened it.

Song Linyu. From Gansu Province, born in ’84. Height: 203cm, Wingspan: 210cm. Notes: Excellent vertical, tireless runner.

Following the initial description was an account of his subsequent career.

Rushed back from an injury to play in the provincial games, resulting in a torn ligament. At sixteen, he was sent back to his original sports academy.

Chen Yu frowned slightly and continued to flip through the pages.

Page after page was filled with writing; the notebook was nearly full.

Staring at the densely packed handwriting, Chen Yu suddenly felt a surge of emotion.

’This is truly the life’s work of an old basketball hand. So many years of painstaking effort.’