Transitioning from training surrounded by a crowd to practicing alone in the yard, Zhang Yang found the shift quite natural, and the solo training even more enjoyable.
The presence of two outstanding trainers, a host of regular trainers on fixed team salaries, a videographer for daily shoots, occasional visits from the observing owner and general manager, and the watchful eyes of the coaching staff... it all inevitably brought pressure.
In fact, he quite liked training with the group, but he also enjoyed some alone time now and then.
For instance, during the season, he favored the training rhythm, sometimes needing to train with his teammates, other times finding a court to practice on his own.
After a few days of happy solitude, he couldn’t stand the loneliness any longer and arranged to train at Tuhang Stadium with Felton and Alan Anderson, the two teammates he got along with best.
The three of them performed physical conditioning exercises taught by Grove.
As for this aspect, this summer, Zhang Yang only briefly touched on it as Grove had devised a lightweight strength training plan for him.
Felton and Rondo, however, were a different case, Felton had undertaken a full physical training for the first time last summer with Grove, and Rondo did the same this summer. Felton, who turned 22 last summer, and Rondo, who turned 21 this February, had both fully matured physically.
When it came to Zhang Yang’s strength and stamina training, Jordan and Grove decided it was best to play it safe after some deliberation.
Zhang San is due to bump heads with another first high school number one draft pick.
Jordan may not openly admit to his past mistakes, but after seeing the failure with Kwame Brown and witnessing how Milicic turned out — still managing to secure a salary of 7 million US dollars after his rookie contract expired... The same mistake couldn’t be repeated with Zhang Yang.
Of course, what made Jordan so patient and accommodating had a direct connection to the instant sell-out of multiple store inventories upon the release of ’Zhang Yang generation.’
As a 19-year-old FMVP with his first signature shoe, this buff made it the hottest item of the summer.
In the words of sneaker collectors — the significance of owning this pair of shoes is even higher than the AJ1s, as they were born alongside a 21st-century basketball legend.
Zhang Yang wasn’t in a rush with this aspect of training; optimizing his technique, strengthening his skills, enhancing his shooting — those were his current priorities.
Of course, he wouldn’t neglect physical training. When he tired of shooting and technical practices but didn’t want to rest, he would join Big Fatty Boss to work on his conditioning.
Last season, Felton taught Alan Anderson some endurance training methods. They might not be entirely suitable for Alan, but the details and philosophy behind the training were much better than what the average skills trainers could provide — better than nothing.
This was also why Felton was favored by the younger players; whatever he knew, he was genuinely willing to teach to teammates who wanted to learn, making him very approachable in this regard.
After practicing all morning, the three went to have lunch together. During their post-meal chat, they talked about the recent failures in player acquisitions.
Felton, "Matt wanted to come back to our team, but the salary negotiations with Michael didn’t go well and he was snatched up by the Mavericks."
After being traded to the Trail Blazers last season, Matt Carroll played impressively alongside Roy and Randolph, averaging 13.3 points, 3 rebounds, and 1.6 assists per game, with an average of 2.6 three-pointers made per game at a 42% success rate.
With Yao Ming, Garnett, and Kidd changing teams causing a league shakeup, several teams commenced an arms race; efficient shooters like Matt Carroll sparked a bidding war.
Matt Carroll’s preference was, firstly, to not continue with the Trail Blazers and, secondly, to return to play for the Bobcats.
He went undrafted after college graduation in 2003, his shooting in the summer league caught the Trail Blazers’ eye, and he was signed for two years at a non-guaranteed minimum salary of 700 thousand US dollars... A nightmare start to his career, those familiar with the situation of the Trail Blazers back then would understand.
After enduring a devastatingly poor season, eventually traded to the Spurs, he hardly got court time, until being picked up by Bickerstaff in the summer of 2004. He averaged 9 points per game in the 04-05 season and received a guaranteed two-year contract for 2.39 million US dollars in the summer of 2005.
Although he was treated as a commodity and traded away by the team last season, thus missing out on the championship with Big Fatty Boss and Zhang San, Matt Carroll’s first choice after his contract expired was still the Bobcats.
But Jordan offered only a 2-year 6 million or 3-year 9 million contract and was not willing to offer anything beyond 3 years. In the end, Matt Carroll accepted the Mavericks’ 4-year 21.29 million full mid-level offer.
Zhang Yang, "The boss is still so stingy, huh!"
Felton, "Yeah, Matt is worth more than 3 million a year, especially since he actually wanted to come back."
Alan Anderson, "Michael isn’t stingy, right? My agent and I thought I could get up to 2 million a year, and he gave me 5 million for 2 years."
Alan got 2.5 million a year?
This surprised both Zhang Yang and Felton.
million a year — that kind of salary is something one would only expect with a championship bonus. Normally, given Alan Anderson’s performance last season, just a little over 1 million would be more realistic.
After lunch, the three returned to the gym and checked the latest roster and salary details on the NBA official website.
Gerald Wallace left, and Okafor, who was previously the second-highest earner, was now the fourth!
The highest earner was Mike Miller, with a salary close to 9 million, who signed a 6-year contract for 48 million in ’05, with over 27 million remaining for the last three years.
Muhammad, 4 years averaging 6.5 million a year.
Cardinal’s salary next season was 5.85 million, an expiring contract.