However, in this era...
Who exactly is his own template?
On this day, considering that he still had to complete the system-issued task of "That Unextinguished Dream," Qin Yue gave Borko two different answers.
During the interview, Qin Yue unsurprisingly expressed to Borko his desire to become Barkley’s successor.
But privately, Qin Yue told Borko, "I don’t think there’s a template for me in today’s NBA.
I’ve chosen a path that no one has taken before; I’m going to be the most unique in this era of the NBA."
Borko was quite satisfied with the private answer Qin Yue gave himself.
But just as he promised Qin Yue, this answer would not be disclosed in the short term.
"This answer will only display its value when you prove in the NBA that you are the most unique one," Borko told Qin Yue.
The interview concluded, and a week later, Ira Borko officially published the interview article in The New York Times.
In the article, Borko detailed Qin Yue’s portrayal from the perspectives of his classmates, friends, and his high school and college coaches.
Additionally, with Borko’s focused description, the depiction of Qin Yue’s journey of self-realization and self-redemption was vividly portrayed on paper, touching countless readers.
Even when it highlighted Qin Yue’s eventual receipt of that gift from God after overcoming hardships...
Many believed that after facing such trials, this was the reward heaven ought to bestow upon him.
He deserved his talent.
He deserved to have it all.
Of course, after this day, what truly made Qin Yue a household name...
Was Borko’s concluding comment in the report:
"He successfully found himself in just nine months... and proved himself, so now let’s hypothesize, what if we give him another year?
It’s no exaggeration to say... this ’Son of China’ has already become my top pick for next year’s NBA draft!"
Back then, since Borko dared to bet on James within just a few hours, why wouldn’t he go all-in on Qin Yue after a comprehensive examination?
Borko believed his judgment would not be wrong.
From March Madness till now, Qin Yue is currently the most promising young player in American College Basketball to transform the league’s landscape.
This summer, with Grover’s assistance, his dynamic talent would continue to be unlocked.
And after realizing his path, he also possessed an incomparable heart.
He is confident, sunny, and cheerful.
In Borko’s eyes, if such a Qin Yue were merely described as possibly making the lottery or top five next year, then this Pulitzer Prize winner might as well go home and sell sweet potatoes.
In May of that year, Borko’s interview article, much like the one he wrote on James back then, successfully incited a frenzy from the outside world.
Particularly domestically, this time, even without the domestic media’s embellishment, the column article from The New York Times was impactful enough.
The top draft pick of 2005?
Could Qin Yue possibly become another NBA No. 1 draft pick from China after Yao Ming?
The Son of China shines in American College Basketball.
Qin Yue becomes renowned across America.
When such words, fervently exciting domestic basketball enthusiasts, appeared in the same report...
As Nike executive Lynn Merritt predicted, Qin Yue unsurprisingly became the focus of the entire basketball world in May.
"He turned words into swords and armor to fight for us, Ira’s article... incredible, truly incredible!"
On this day, after reading Borko’s interview report on Qin Yue, Merritt exclaimed with joy.
Beside him, Merritt’s assistant asked curiously, "What’s next, do we continue promoting the image of Qin ’Son of China’?"
Hearing this, Merritt resolutely shook his head and said, "No, the timing is just right now."
As one of the masterminds behind creating the "Chosen One" identity for James, Merritt understood very well that young players need to be marketed with discretion and, more importantly, patience.
At this moment, Qin Yue had already achieved significant fame.
Merritt just needed to wait for it to further develop.
As for the next level of marketing...
It certainly needed to be after the new NCAA season officially began.
Merritt knew clearly that as long as Qin Yue’s performance in the new season satisfied people’s fantasies and expectations, then he only needed to gently push...
"Get in touch with Sonny for me... I need to see him." Merritt said, turning to his assistant.
Although Qin Yue had already known beforehand about Borko’s highly influential status as a journalist, he clearly underestimated Borko’s prowess and Nike’s determination to build him as the future figurehead for the Chinese market...
In late May, before the next phase of intensive training officially began, many of Qin Yue’s external attributes experienced a significant increase.
Based on the visual data provided by the Mountain Peak system, Qin Yue’s dribbling ability had now surged crazily to 67, with mid-range and three-point shots increasing to 65 and 63, respectively.
Additionally, under Grover’s extreme squeezing, Qin Yue’s strength attribute also soared to the current 84, while speed, agility, and jumping increased to 73, 70, and 74, respectively.
Before the start of the NCAA regular season next season, Qin Yue was now absolutely confident that he could complete his transformation through this summer’s intensive training.