Volume One: I Came, I Saw, I Conquered! Chapter Four: Stevens Knows How to Twist the Knife "What? The Bulldogs have only made the Sweet Sixteen once in their history, and Ronan has never been a head coach before. They're asking the impossible!" Stevens, who had walked over from the side, had overheard their conversation and looked furious. "Don't worry. I won't let you or Coach Rickert down. Within three years, I'll bring an NCAA championship trophy to the Bulldogs." Zhang Yu's voice was quiet, but firm. Then he noticed the amusement in Stevens's eyes and realized he'd been had. He punched Stevens in the shoulder and laughed. "Rickert believes in you so much. I believe in what you can do, too. Go for it."...
"Ronan, I'm putting the team in your hands. You'll have all the authority a head coach should have," Micah said, walking to the entrance of the gym and leaning close to Zhang Yu's ear. "But the team hasn't tasted victory in a long time. I need to see a breakthrough. Otherwise, you won't be the only one whose job is on the line. The conservatives won't let this go, and a lot of people will be dragged into it—including me." "I won't let Coach Rickert's hard work go to waste," Zhang Yu said solemnly. "Rickert believes in you so much. I believe in what you can do, too. Go for it." "I won't let Coach Rickert's hard work go to waste," Zhang Yu said solemnly. Micah Shulsbury sighed. "So there's a lot more going on behind my appointment as head coach than I thought." "Make sure you're still the head coach next year before you say that." His apartment was on the third floor and measured only sixty square meters, but it was more than spacious enough for one person. "Are you already scared? Worried you can't lead the team to the Sweet Sixteen?" Stevens chuckled. "Uh..." Zhang Yu was stunned, momentarily at a loss for words. Micah Shulsbury sighed. "This is only happening because of Rickert. The conservatives on the board insisted on hiring a new head coach next season, but the president rejected their demand. So they countered by insisting the team make the Sweet Sixteen. Otherwise, they say, the Bulldogs shouldn't work with the youngest head coach in NCAA history. They think it's crazy." Zhang Yu understood that Micah Shulsbury's support for him had a lot to do with Rickert. Without Rickert's recommendation, Zhang Yu could have been as capable as anyone and still never become the Bulldogs' head coach. From the corner of his eye, he saw Julian Becko make a mistake during defensive drills. He went straight over to help Becko with his training. Zhang Yu said seriously: Zhang Yu fell silent. After a while, he finally spoke. "Make sure you're still the head coach next year before you say that." Zhang Yu looked at their director of basketball operations in alarm, but Micah Shulsbury didn't reprimand Stevens. Instead, he burst out laughing. "Uh..." Zhang Yu was stunned, momentarily at a loss for words. "Micah, let's have those board members form a committee and coach the Bulldogs themselves. They seem to think making March Madness is as easy as opening a bottle of wine that costs tens of thousands of dollars," Stevens said with a warm smile, as if making an earnest suggestion. "Ronan and I can pick up the balls. Let's see how those old men get the team into the tournament." Stevens was about to continue, but Zhang Yu raised a hand to stop him. Besides, I see a lot of my younger self in you: your hard work, your dedication, the way you live and breathe basketball... I believe you'll lead the Bulldogs to a miracle. "This is only happening because of Rickert. The conservatives on the board insisted on hiring a new head coach next season, but the president rejected their demand. So they countered by insisting the team make the Sweet Sixteen. Otherwise, they say, the Bulldogs shouldn't work with the youngest head coach in NCAA history. They think it's crazy." "Brad, I'll pass that suggestion along to the president." Zhang Yu understood that Micah Shulsbury's support for him had a lot to do with Rickert. Without Rickert's recommendation, Zhang Yu could have been as capable as anyone and still never become the Bulldogs' head coach. Stevens was about to continue, but Zhang Yu raised a hand to stop him. Micah Shulsbury sighed. "I understand. I'll do my best." Zhang Yu's voice grew heavy. NBA teams could assemble a powerful roster overnight through trades and the draft. Plenty of elite teams had languished for a decade or two, then returned to the top after a single trade. Plenty of weak teams had reached the summit with one successful draft pick. But a no-name NCAA team could only recruit the high schoolers the powerhouse schools had passed over. Its chances of becoming a Cinderella team were slim. "I understand. I'll do my best," Zhang Yu said, his voice heavy. Then he saw the amusement in Stevens's eyes and realized he'd been had. He punched Stevens in the shoulder and laughed. "Micah, there's something I wanted to ask you..." "..." ... "Make sure you're still the head coach next year before you say that." Of course, when Zhang Yu thought this, he forgot that he wasn't even as good as the people he was watching. Throughout the entire practice, he'd just stood on the sidelines and watched. He hadn't expected the situation he faced to be so dire. A rookie head coach was expected to lead the team to the NCAA Sweet Sixteen in his very first year. That was even harder than asking a rookie NBA head coach to reach the conference finals in his first season. Zhang Yu knew Micah Shulsbury hadn't taken his words to heart, so he said nothing more. As he walked Micah out of Hinkle Fieldhouse, Zhang Yu lowered his voice and said: Micah Shulsbury sighed. "I understand. I'll do my best." Zhang Yu's voice grew heavy. NBA teams could assemble a powerful roster overnight through trades and the draft. Plenty of elite teams had languished for a decade or two, then returned to the top after a single trade. Plenty of weak teams had reached the summit with one successful draft pick. But a no-name NCAA team could only recruit the high schoolers the powerhouse schools had passed over. Its chances of becoming a Cinderella team were slim. His apartment was on the third floor and measured only sixty square meters, but it was more than spacious enough for one person. "Are you already scared? Worried you can't lead the team to the Sweet Sixteen?" Stevens chuckled. NBA teams could assemble a powerful roster overnight through trades and the draft. Plenty of elite teams had languished for a decade or two, then returned to the top after a single trade. Plenty of weak teams had reached the summit with one successful draft pick. But a no-name NCAA team could only recruit the high schoolers the powerhouse schools had passed over. Its chances of becoming a Cinderella team were slim. "Make sure you're still the head coach next year before you say that." NBA teams could assemble a powerful roster overnight through trades and the draft. Plenty of elite teams had languished for a decade or two, then returned to the top after a single trade. Plenty of weak teams had reached the summit with one successful draft pick. But a no-name NCAA team could only recruit the high schoolers the powerhouse schools had passed over. Its chances of becoming a Cinderella team were slim. From every angle, Stevens was the best choice to succeed as head coach. Micah Shulsbury patted Zhang Yu on the shoulder. Besides, I see a lot of my younger self in you: your hard work, your dedication, the way you live and breathe basketball... I believe you'll lead the Bulldogs to a miracle. Rickert's wholehearted recommendation, the struggle between the conservative and liberal factions on Butler University's board, and, most importantly, Zhang Yu's ability to coach a team—every one of those factors had been essential. After Micah Shulsbury left, Zhang Yu continued to supervise practice—or, more accurately, to watch the other assistant coaches run it. His eyes lingered mostly on Stevens's back. In his previous life, Zhang Yu had mainly handled the team's offensive schemes as an assistant coach. That was the area of basketball strategy he'd studied most thoroughly. Brandon Miller handled the team's defense, Terry Johnson worked on players' skills, and Stevens was more of an all-rounder. As the team's first assistant coach, he oversaw a little of everything and served as the link between the staff and Rickert. "If you already know, why ask? Coach Rickert gave me my chance. He recommended you, so of course I'll do everything I can to help." "Rickert believes in you so much. I believe in what you can do, too. Go for it." "Are you already scared? Worried you can't lead the team to the Sweet Sixteen?" Stevens chuckled. "Don't worry. I won't let you or Coach Rickert down. Within three years, I'll bring an NCAA championship trophy to the Bulldogs." Zhang Yu's voice was quiet, but firm. "Make sure you're still the head coach next year before you say that." "..." ... Stevens was about to continue, but Zhang Yu raised a hand to stop him. "I won't let Coach Rickert's hard work go to waste," Zhang Yu said solemnly. After afternoon practice, Zhang Yu ate at the university cafeteria, then returned to his apartment. Zhang Yu fell silent. After a while, he finally spoke. His apartment was on the third floor and measured only sixty square meters, but it was more than spacious enough for one person. "Rickert believes in you so much. I believe in what you can do, too. Go for it." Stevens had mentioned during an earlier conversation with Zhang Yu that he also wanted to experience the NBA. Zhang Yu understood that Micah Shulsbury's support for him had a lot to do with Rickert. Without Rickert's recommendation, Zhang Yu could have been as capable as anyone and still never become the Bulldogs' head coach. Stevens's expression turned serious. "If that's the case, why should I help you? If the Bulldogs don't make the Sweet Sixteen, I can be the team's head coach next season." From every angle, Stevens was the best choice to succeed as head coach. "Micah, let's have those board members form a committee and coach the Bulldogs themselves. They seem to think making March Madness is as easy as opening a bottle of wine that costs tens of thousands of dollars," Stevens said with a warm smile, as if making an earnest suggestion. "Ronan and I can pick up the balls. Let's see how those old men get the team into the tournament." Micah Shulsbury sighed. The two exchanged a look, then burst out laughing. "So there's a lot more going on behind my appointment as head coach than I thought." "Micah, there's something I wanted to ask you..." "Ronan, I'm putting the team in your hands. You'll have all the authority a head coach should have," Micah said, walking to the entrance of the gym and leaning close to Zhang Yu's ear. "But the team hasn't tasted victory in a long time. I need to see a breakthrough. Otherwise, you won't be the only one whose job is on the line. The conservatives won't let this go, and a lot of people will be dragged into it—including me." "Brad, I'll pass that suggestion along to the president." Besides, I see a lot of my younger self in you: your hard work, your dedication, the way you live and breathe basketball... I believe you'll lead the Bulldogs to a miracle. Zhang Yu looked at their director of basketball operations in alarm, but Micah Shulsbury didn't reprimand Stevens. Instead, he burst out laughing. "Brad, I'll pass that suggestion along to the president." Rickert's wholehearted recommendation, the struggle between the conservative and liberal factions on Butler University's board, and, most importantly, Zhang Yu's ability to coach a team—every one of those factors had been essential. "Micah, let's have those board members form a committee and coach the Bulldogs themselves. They seem to think making March Madness is as easy as opening a bottle of wine that costs tens of thousands of dollars," Stevens said with a warm smile, as if making an earnest suggestion. "Ronan and I can pick up the balls. Let's see how those old men get the team into the tournament." "Brad, I'll pass that suggestion along to the president." Zhang Yu understood that Micah Shulsbury's support for him had a lot to do with Rickert. Without Rickert's recommendation, Zhang Yu could have been as capable as anyone and still never become the Bulldogs' head coach. Stevens was about to continue, but Zhang Yu raised a hand to stop him. Micah Shulsbury sighed. "I understand. I'll do my best." Zhang Yu's voice grew heavy. NBA teams could assemble a powerful roster overnight through trades and the draft. Plenty of elite teams had languished for a decade or two, then returned to the top after a single trade. Plenty of weak teams had reached the summit with one successful draft pick. But a no-name NCAA team could only recruit the high schoolers the powerhouse schools had passed over. Its chances of becoming a Cinderella team were slim. "I understand. I'll do my best," Zhang Yu said, his voice heavy. Then he saw the amusement in Stevens's eyes and realized he'd been had. He punched Stevens in the shoulder and laughed. "Micah, there's something I wanted to ask you..." "..." ... "Make sure you're still the head coach next year before you say that." Of course, when Zhang Yu thought this, he forgot that he wasn't even as good as the people he was watching. Throughout the entire practice, he'd just stood on the sidelines and watched. He hadn't expected the situation he faced to be so dire. A rookie head coach was expected to lead the team to the NCAA Sweet Sixteen in his very first year. That was even harder than asking a rookie NBA head coach to reach the conference finals in his first season. Zhang Yu knew Micah Shulsbury hadn't taken his words to heart, so he said nothing more. As he walked Micah out of Hinkle Fieldhouse, Zhang Yu lowered his voice and said: Micah Shulsbury sighed. "I understand. I'll do my best." Zhang Yu's voice grew heavy. NBA teams could assemble a powerful roster overnight through trades and the draft. Plenty of elite teams had languished for a decade or two, then returned to the top after a single trade. Plenty of weak teams had reached the summit with one successful draft pick. But a no-name NCAA team could only recruit the high schoolers the powerhouse schools had passed over. Its chances of becoming a Cinderella team were slim. His apartment was on the third floor and measured only sixty square meters, but it was more than spacious enough for one person. "Are you already scared? Worried you can't lead the team to the Sweet Sixteen?" Stevens chuckled. NBA teams could assemble a powerful roster overnight through trades and the draft. Plenty of elite teams had languished for a decade or two, then returned to the top after a single trade. Plenty of weak teams had reached the summit with one successful draft pick. But a no-name NCAA team could only recruit the high schoolers the powerhouse schools had passed over. Its chances of becoming a Cinderella team were slim. Micah Shulsbury patted Zhang Yu on the shoulder. Besides, I see a lot of my younger self in you: your hard work, your dedication, the way you live and breathe basketball... I believe you'll lead the Bulldogs to a miracle. Zhang Yu looked at their director of basketball operations in alarm, but Micah Shulsbury didn't reprimand Stevens. Instead, he burst out laughing. "Brad, I'll pass that suggestion along to the president." Rickert's wholehearted recommendation, the struggle between the conservative and liberal factions on Butler University's board, and, most importantly, Zhang Yu's ability to coach a team—every one of those factors had been essential. "Micah, let's have those board members form a committee and coach the Bulldogs themselves. They seem to think making March Madness is as easy as opening a bottle of wine that costs tens of thousands of dollars," Stevens said with a warm smile, as if making an earnest suggestion. "Ronan and I can pick up the balls. Let's see how those old men get the team into the tournament." Micah Shulsbury sighed: Both men exchanged a look, then burst out laughing. "Micah, there's something I wanted to ask you..." "Ronan, I'm putting the team in your hands. You'll have all the authority a head coach should have," Micah said, walking to the entrance of the gym and leaning close to Zhang Yu's ear. "But the team hasn't tasted victory in a long time. I need to see a breakthrough. Otherwise, you won't be the only one whose job is on the line. The conservatives won't let this go, and a lot of people will be dragged into it—including me." "Brad, I'll pass that suggestion along to the president." Besides, I see a lot of my younger self in you: your hard work, your dedication, the way you live and breathe basketball... I believe you'll lead the Bulldogs to a miracle. Zhang Yu looked at their director of basketball operations in alarm, but Micah Shulsbury didn't reprimand Stevens. Instead, he burst out laughing. "Brad, I'll pass that suggestion along to the president." Rickert's wholehearted recommendation, the struggle between the conservative and liberal factions on Butler University's board, and, most importantly, Zhang Yu's ability to coach a team—every one of those factors had been essential. "Micah, let's have those board members form a committee and coach the Bulldogs themselves. They seem to think making March Madness is as easy as opening a bottle of wine that costs tens of thousands of dollars," Stevens said with a warm smile, as if making an earnest suggestion. "Ronan and I can pick up the balls. Let's see how those old men get the team into the tournament." "Brad, I'll pass that suggestion along to the president." In Zhang Yu's inherited memories, Stevens had been the most respected assistant coach on the Bulldogs' staff. He'd arrived at Butler University in the summer of 2000 as an unpaid volunteer, under difficult circumstances. "Make sure you're still the head coach next year before you say that." "Don't worry. I won't let you or Coach Rickert down. Within three years, I'll bring an NCAA championship trophy to the Bulldogs." Zhang Yu's voice was quiet, but firm. "I know. I'll do my best," Zhang Yu said, his voice heavy. NBA teams could assemble a powerful roster overnight through trades and the draft. Plenty of elite teams had languished for a decade or two, then returned to the top after a single trade. Plenty of weak teams had reached the summit with one successful draft pick. But a no-name NCAA team could only recruit the high schoolers the powerhouse schools had passed over. Its chances of becoming a Cinderella team were slim. Micah Shulsbury patted Zhang Yu on the shoulder: "I know. I'll do my best," Zhang Yu said, his voice heavy. Zhang Yu knew Micah Shulsbury hadn't taken his words to heart, so he said nothing more. As he walked Micah out of Hinkle Fieldhouse, Zhang Yu lowered his voice and said: From the corner of his eye, he saw Julian Becko make a mistake during defensive drills. He went straight over to help Becko with his training. "Don't worry. I won't let you or Coach Rickert down. Within three years, I'll bring an NCAA championship trophy to the Bulldogs." Zhang Yu's voice was quiet, but firm. Zhang Yu knew Micah Shulsbury hadn't taken his words to heart, so he said nothing more. As he walked Micah out of Hinkle Fieldhouse, Zhang Yu lowered his voice and said: Of course, when Zhang Yu thought this, he forgot that he wasn't even as good as the people he was watching. Throughout the entire practice, he'd just stood on the sidelines and watched. He knew the apartment wouldn't be very clean, but he hadn't expected it to be this filthy! "Ronan, I'm putting the team in your hands. You'll have all the authority a head coach should have," Micah said, walking to the entrance of the gym and leaning close to Zhang Yu's ear. "But the team hasn't tasted victory in a long time. I need to see a breakthrough. Otherwise, you won't be the only one whose job is on the line. The conservatives won't let this go, and a lot of people will be dragged into it—including me." Zhang Yu knew Micah Shulsbury hadn't taken his words to heart, so he said nothing more. As he walked Micah out of Hinkle Fieldhouse, Zhang Yu lowered his voice and said: "I won't let Coach Rickert's hard work go to waste," Zhang Yu said solemnly. "I won't let Coach Rickert's hard work go to waste," Zhang Yu said solemnly. "Ronan, I'm putting the team in your hands. You'll have all the authority a head coach should have," Micah said, walking to the entrance of the gym and leaning close to Zhang Yu's ear. "But the team hasn't tasted victory in a long time. I need to see a breakthrough. Otherwise, you won't be the only one whose job is on the line. The conservatives won't let this go, and a lot of people will be dragged into it—including me." Rickert's wholehearted recommendation, the struggle between the conservative and liberal factions on Butler University's board, and, most importantly, Zhang Yu's ability to coach a team—every one of those factors had been essential. "Don't worry. I won't let you or Coach Rickert down. Within three years, I'll bring an NCAA championship trophy to the Bulldogs." Zhang Yu's voice was quiet, but firm. "What? The Bulldogs have only made the Sweet Sixteen once in their history, and Ronan has never been a head coach before. They're asking the impossible!" Stevens, who had walked over from the side, had overheard their conversation and looked furious. He hadn't expected the situation he faced to be so dire. A rookie head coach was expected to lead the team to the NCAA Sweet Sixteen in his very first year. That was even harder than asking a rookie NBA head coach to reach the conference finals in his first season. Zhang Yu looked at their director of basketball operations in alarm, but Micah Shulsbury didn't reprimand Stevens. Instead, he burst out laughing. "Uh..." Zhang Yu was stunned, momentarily at a loss for words. "Micah, let's have those board members form a committee and coach the Bulldogs themselves. They seem to think making March Madness is as easy as opening a bottle of wine that costs tens of thousands of dollars," Stevens said with a warm smile, as if making an earnest suggestion. "Ronan and I can pick up the balls. Let's see how those old men get the team into the tournament." Stevens was about to continue, but Zhang Yu raised a hand to stop him. Besides, I see a lot of my younger self in you: your hard work, your dedication, the way you live and breathe basketball... I believe you'll lead the Bulldogs to a miracle. "This is only happening because of Rickert. The conservatives on the board insisted on hiring a new head coach next season, but the president rejected their demand. So they countered by insisting the team make the Sweet Sixteen. Otherwise, they say, the Bulldogs shouldn't work with the youngest head coach in NCAA history. They think it's crazy." "Brad, I'll pass that suggestion along to the president." Zhang Yu understood that Micah Shulsbury's support for him had a lot to do with Rickert. Without Rickert's recommendation, Zhang Yu could have been as capable as anyone and still never become the Bulldogs' head coach. Stevens was about to continue, but Zhang Yu raised a hand to stop him. Micah Shulsbury sighed. "I understand. I'll do my best." Zhang Yu's voice grew heavy. NBA teams could assemble a powerful roster overnight through trades and the draft. Plenty of elite teams had languished for a decade or two, then returned to the top after a single trade. Plenty of weak teams had reached the summit with one successful draft pick. But a no-name NCAA team could only recruit the high schoolers the powerhouse schools had passed over. Its chances of becoming a Cinderella team were slim. "I understand. I'll do my best," Zhang Yu said, his voice heavy. Then he saw the amusement in Stevens's eyes and realized he'd been had. He punched Stevens in the shoulder and laughed. "Micah, there's something I wanted to ask you..." "Make sure you're still the head coach next year before you say that." NBA teams could assemble a powerful roster overnight through trades and the draft. Plenty of elite teams had languished for a decade or two, then returned to the top after a single trade. Plenty of weak teams had reached the summit with one successful draft pick. But a no-name NCAA team could only recruit the high schoolers the powerhouse schools had passed over. Its chances of becoming a Cinderella team were slim. Micah Shulsbury patted Zhang Yu on the shoulder: Besides, I see a lot of my younger self in you: your hard work, your dedication, the way you live and breathe basketball... I believe you'll lead the Bulldogs to a miracle. Zhang Yu looked at their director of basketball operations in alarm, but Micah Shulsbury didn't reprimand Stevens. Instead, he burst out laughing. "Brad, I'll pass that suggestion along to the president." In Zhang Yu's inherited memories, Stevens had been the most respected assistant coach on the Bulldogs' staff. He'd arrived at Butler University in the summer of 2000 as an unpaid volunteer, under difficult circumstances. "I won't let Coach Rickert's hard work go to waste," Zhang Yu said solemnly. "Ronan, I'm putting the team in your hands. You'll have all the authority a head coach should have," Micah said, walking to the entrance of the gym and leaning close to Zhang Yu's ear. "But the team hasn't tasted victory in a long time. I need to see a breakthrough. Otherwise, you won't be the only one whose job is on the line. The conservatives won't let this go, and a lot of people will be dragged into it—including me." "I know. I'll do my best," Zhang Yu said, his voice heavy. NBA teams could assemble a powerful roster overnight through trades and the draft. Plenty of elite teams had languished for a decade or two, then returned to the top after a single trade. Plenty of weak teams had reached the summit with one successful draft pick. But a no-name NCAA team could only recruit the high schoolers the powerhouse schools had passed over. Its chances of becoming a Cinderella team were slim. "I know. I'll do my best," Zhang Yu said, his voice heavy. He knew the apartment wouldn't be very clean, but he hadn't expected it to be this filthy! From the corner of his eye, he saw Julian Becko make a mistake during defensive drills. He went straight over to help Becko with his training. Of course, when Zhang Yu thought this, he forgot that he wasn't even as good as the people he was watching. Throughout the entire practice, he'd just stood on the sidelines and watched. "Ronan, I'm putting the team in your hands. You'll have all the authority a head coach should have," Micah said, walking to the entrance of the gym and leaning close to Zhang Yu's ear. "But the team hasn't tasted victory in a long time. I need to see a breakthrough. Otherwise, you won't be the only one whose job is on the line. The conservatives won't let this go, and a lot of people will be dragged into it—including me." The board members had demanded that Butler University hire a new head coach next season, but the president had rejected them. Their next demand was that the Bulldogs reach the Sweet Sixteen. Otherwise, they said, the team shouldn't work with the youngest head coach in NCAA history. They thought it was crazy. But in the basketball operations department's investigation, Stevens had strongly supported Zhang Yu, which had finally convinced the board to drop the idea of making Stevens the head coach. "I know. I'll do my best," Zhang Yu said, his voice heavy. NBA teams could assemble a powerful roster overnight through trades and the draft. Plenty of elite teams had languished for a decade or two, then returned to the top after a single trade. Plenty of weak teams had reached the summit with one successful draft pick. But a no-name NCAA team could only recruit the high schoolers the powerhouse schools had passed over. Its chances of becoming a Cinderella team were slim. Micah Shulsbury sighed. "I know. I'll do my best," Zhang Yu said, his voice heavy. Both men exchanged a look, then burst out laughing. "So there's a lot more going on behind my appointment as head coach than I thought." "Micah, there's something I wanted to ask you..." "Ronan, I'm putting the team in your hands. You'll have all the authority a head coach should have," Micah said, walking to the entrance of the gym and leaning close to Zhang Yu's ear. "But the team hasn't tasted victory in a long time. I need to see a breakthrough. Otherwise, you won't be the only one whose job is on the line. The conservatives won't let this go, and a lot of people will be dragged into it—including me." "Brad, I'll pass that suggestion along to the president." Besides, I see a lot of my younger self in you: your hard work, your dedication, the way you live and breathe basketball... I believe you'll lead the Bulldogs to a miracle. Zhang Yu looked at their director of basketball operations in alarm, but Micah Shulsbury didn't reprimand Stevens. Instead, he burst out laughing. "Brad, I'll pass that suggestion along to the president." Rickert's wholehearted recommendation, the struggle between the conservative and liberal factions on Butler University's board, and, most importantly, Zhang Yu's ability to coach a team—every one of those factors had been essential. "Micah, let's have those board members form a committee and coach the Bulldogs themselves. They seem to think making March Madness is as easy as opening a bottle of wine that costs tens of thousands of dollars," Stevens said with a warm smile, as if making an earnest suggestion. "Ronan and I can pick up the balls. Let's see how those old men get the team into the tournament." "Brad, I'll pass that suggestion along to the president." NBA teams could assemble a powerful roster overnight through trades and the draft. Plenty of elite teams had languished for a decade or two, then returned to the top after a single trade. Plenty of weak teams had reached the summit with one successful draft pick. But a no-name NCAA team could only recruit the high schoolers the powerhouse schools had passed over. Its chances of becoming a Cinderella team were slim. Micah Shulsbury patted Zhang Yu on the shoulder: "I'll be afraid? I won't just lead the team to the Sweet Sixteen—I'll bring a championship to the Bulldogs!" Zhang Yu's words rang out with conviction. Zhang Yu narrowed his eyes and thought, Brad, I hope we can stand together on the NBA Finals stage someday. Micah Shulsbury left, and Zhang Yu continued to supervise practice—or, more accurately, to watch the other assistant coaches run it. His eyes lingered mostly on Stevens's back. Stevens silently added that, given his personality, he'd never say any of that aloud. "Are you already scared? Worried you can't lead the team to the Sweet Sixteen?" Stevens chuckled. Micah Shulsbury patted Zhang Yu on the shoulder: "So there's a lot more going on behind my appointment as head coach than I thought." "..." And Zhang Yu had only become an assistant coach for the Bulldogs two and a half years ago—later than Julian Becko, Mike Green, and the other juniors had joined the team. From the corner of his eye, he saw Julian Becko make a mistake during defensive drills. He went straight over to help Becko with his training. "Ronan, I'm putting the team in your hands. You'll have all the authority a head coach should have," Micah said, walking to the entrance of the gym and leaning close to Zhang Yu's ear. "But the team hasn't tasted victory in a long time. I need to see a breakthrough. Otherwise, you won't be the only one whose job is on the line. The conservatives won't let this go, and a lot of people will be dragged into it—including me." But when Zhang Yu thought this, he forgot that he wasn't even as good as the people he was watching. Throughout the entire practice, he'd just stood on the sidelines and watched. And Zhang Yu had only become an assistant coach for the Bulldogs two and a half years ago—later than Julian Becko, Mike Green, and the other juniors had joined the team. "Brad, I hope we can stand together on the NBA Finals stage someday." "So there's a lot more going on behind my appointment as head coach than I thought." After afternoon practice, Zhang Yu ate at the university cafeteria, then returned to his apartment. "That's why I'll have to resign tomorrow. You two carry on..." Stevens shrugged, then suddenly turned and shouted, "Julian, slide your feet! Got it? Don't let me see that clumsy footwork again!" "..." Zhang Yu had just asked Micah Shulsbury why the university hadn't chosen Stevens. Micah told him that, although Rickert had recommended Zhang Yu, Stevens had been the board's first choice. But Stevens had strongly backed Zhang Yu during the Basketball Operations Department's investigation, which had finally convinced the board to drop the idea of making Stevens the head coach. Micah Shulsbury left, and Zhang Yu continued to supervise practice—or, more accurately, to watch the other assistant coaches run it. His eyes lingered mostly on Stevens's back. Zhang Yu knew Micah Shulsbury hadn't taken his words to heart, so he said nothing more. As he walked Micah out of Hinkle Fieldhouse, Zhang Yu lowered his voice and said: From the corner of his eye, he saw Julian Becko make a mistake during defensive drills. He went straight over to help Becko with his training. "Don't worry. I won't let you or Coach Rickert down. Within three years, I'll bring an NCAA championship trophy to the Bulldogs." Zhang Yu's voice was quiet, but firm. He knew the apartment wouldn't be very clean, but he hadn't expected it to be this filthy! From the corner of his eye, he saw Julian Becko make a mistake during defensive drills. He went straight over to help Becko with his training. Of course, when Zhang Yu thought this, he forgot that he wasn't even as good as the people he was watching. Throughout the entire practice, he'd just stood on the sidelines and watched. "Ronan, I'm putting the team in your hands. You'll have all the authority a head coach should have," Micah said, walking to the entrance of the gym and leaning close to Zhang Yu's ear. "But the team hasn't tasted victory in a long time. I need to see a breakthrough. Otherwise, you won't be the only one whose job is on the line. The conservatives won't let this go, and a lot of people will be dragged into it—including me." Zhang Yu had just asked Micah Shulsbury why the university hadn't chosen Stevens. Micah told him that, although Rickert had recommended Zhang Yu, Stevens had been the board's first choice. But Stevens had strongly backed Zhang Yu during the Basketball Operations Department's investigation, which had finally convinced the board to drop the idea of making Stevens the head coach. "I know. I'll do my best," Zhang Yu said, his voice heavy. NBA teams could assemble a powerful roster overnight through trades and the draft. Plenty of elite teams had languished for a decade or two, then returned to the top after a single trade. Plenty of weak teams had reached the summit with one successful draft pick. But a no-name NCAA team could only recruit the high schoolers the powerhouse schools had passed over. Its chances of becoming a Cinderella team were slim. Micah Shulsbury sighed. "I know. I'll do my best," Zhang Yu said, his voice heavy. "Rickert believes in you so much. I believe in what you can do, too. Go for it." "Make sure you're still the head coach next year before you say that." "..." Stevens was about to continue, but Zhang Yu raised a hand to stop him. "I won't let Coach Rickert's hard work go to waste," Zhang Yu said solemnly. After afternoon practice, Zhang Yu ate at the university cafeteria, then returned to his apartment. Zhang Yu fell silent. After a while, he finally spoke. His apartment was on the third floor and measured only sixty square meters, but it was more than spacious enough for one person. "Rickert believes in you so much. I believe in what you can do, too. Go for it." Stevens had mentioned during an earlier conversation with Zhang Yu that he also wanted to experience the NBA. Zhang Yu understood that Micah Shulsbury's support for him had a lot to do with Rickert. Without Rickert's recommendation, Zhang Yu could have been as capable as anyone and still never become the Bulldogs' head coach. Stevens's expression turned serious. "If that's the case, why should I help you? If the Bulldogs don't make the Sweet Sixteen, I can be the team's head coach next season." From every angle, Stevens was the best choice to succeed as head coach. "Micah, let's have those board members form a committee and coach the Bulldogs themselves. They seem to think making March Madness is as easy as opening a bottle of wine that costs tens of thousands of dollars," Stevens said with a warm smile, as if making an earnest suggestion. "Ronan and I can pick up the balls. Let's see how those old men get the team into the tournament." Micah Shulsbury sighed: Zhang Yu looked at the players, slowly lifted his gaze to the dome of the gym, and said, "I'll be afraid? I won't just lead the team to the Sweet Sixteen—I'll bring a championship to the Bulldogs!" His words rang out with conviction. Zhang Yu knew Micah Shulsbury hadn't taken his words to heart, so he said nothing more. As he walked Micah out of Hinkle Fieldhouse, Zhang Yu lowered his voice and said: Micah Shulsbury sighed. "I know. I'll do my best," Zhang Yu said, his voice heavy. NBA teams could assemble a powerful roster overnight through trades and the draft. Plenty of elite teams had languished for a decade or two, then returned to the top after a single trade. Plenty of weak teams had reached the summit with one successful draft pick. But a no-name NCAA team could only recruit the high schoolers the powerhouse schools had passed over. Its chances of becoming a Cinderella team were slim. "I'll be afraid? I won't just lead the team to the Sweet Sixteen—I'll bring a championship to the Bulldogs!" Zhang Yu's words rang out with conviction. Zhang Yu narrowed his eyes and thought, Brad, I hope we can stand together on the NBA Finals stage someday. Micah Shulsbury left, and Zhang Yu continued to supervise practice—or, more accurately, to watch the other assistant coaches run it. His eyes lingered mostly on Stevens's back. Stevens silently added that, given his personality, he'd never say any of that aloud. "Are you already scared? Worried you can't lead the team to the Sweet Sixteen?" Stevens chuckled. Micah Shulsbury patted Zhang Yu on the shoulder: "So there's a lot more going on behind my appointment as head coach than I thought." "..." And Zhang Yu had only become an assistant coach for the Bulldogs two and a half years ago—later than Julian Becko, Mike Green, and the other juniors had joined the team. From the corner of his eye, he saw Julian Becko make a mistake during defensive drills. He went straight over to help Becko with his training. "Don't worry. I won't let you or Coach Rickert down. Within three years, I'll bring an NCAA championship trophy to the Bulldogs." Zhang Yu's voice was quiet, but firm. He knew the apartment wouldn't be very clean, but he hadn't expected it to be this filthy! From the corner of his eye, he saw Julian Becko make a mistake during defensive drills. He went straight over to help Becko with his training. "Ronan, I'm putting the team in your hands. You'll have all the authority a head coach should have," Micah said, walking to the entrance of the gym and leaning close to Zhang Yu's ear. "But the team hasn't tasted victory in a long time. I need to see a breakthrough. Otherwise, you won't be the only one whose job is on the line. The conservatives won't let this go, and a lot of people will be dragged into it—including me." Just now, Zhang Yu had asked Micah Shulsbury why the university hadn't chosen Stevens. Micah told him that, although Rickert had recommended Zhang Yu, Stevens had been the board's first choice. But Stevens had strongly backed Zhang Yu during the Basketball Operations Department's investigation, which had finally convinced the board to drop the idea of making Stevens the head coach. "Brad, I'll pass that suggestion along to the president." Besides, I see a lot of my younger self in you: your hard work, your dedication, the way you live and breathe basketball... I believe you'll lead the Bulldogs to a miracle. Zhang Yu looked at their director of basketball operations in alarm, but Micah Shulsbury didn't reprimand Stevens. Instead, he burst out laughing. "Brad, I'll pass that suggestion along to the president." Rickert's wholehearted recommendation, the struggle between the conservative and liberal factions on Butler University's board, and, most importantly, Zhang Yu's ability to coach a team—every one of those factors had been essential. "Micah, let's have those board members form a committee and coach the Bulldogs themselves. They seem to think making March Madness is as easy as opening a bottle of wine that costs tens of thousands of dollars," Stevens said with a warm smile, as if making an earnest suggestion. "Ronan and I can pick up the balls. Let's see how those old men get the team into the tournament." "Brad, I'll pass that suggestion along to the president." From the corner of his eye, he saw Julian Becko make a mistake during defensive drills. He went straight over to help Becko with his training. "Don't worry. I won't let you or Coach Rickert down. Within three years, I'll bring an NCAA championship trophy to the Bulldogs." Zhang Yu's voice was quiet, but firm. "Make sure you're still the head coach next year before you say that." "..." Stevens was about to continue, but Zhang Yu raised a hand to stop him. "I won't let Coach Rickert's hard work go to waste," Zhang Yu said solemnly. Zhang Yu fell silent. After a while, he finally spoke. His apartment was on the third floor and measured only sixty square meters, but it was more than spacious enough for one person. "Rickert believes in you so much. I believe in what you can do, too. Go for it." Stevens had mentioned during an earlier conversation with Zhang Yu that he also wanted to experience the NBA. Zhang Yu understood that Micah Shulsbury's support for him had a lot to do with Rickert. Without Rickert's recommendation, Zhang Yu could have been as capable as anyone and still never become the Bulldogs' head coach. Stevens's expression turned serious. "If that's the case, why should I help you? If the Bulldogs don't make the Sweet Sixteen, I can be the team's head coach next season." From every angle, Stevens was the best choice to succeed as head coach. "Micah, let's have those board members form a committee and coach the Bulldogs themselves. They seem to think making March Madness is as easy as opening a bottle of wine that costs tens of thousands of dollars," Stevens said with a warm smile, as if making an earnest suggestion. "Ronan and I can pick up the balls. Let's see how those old men get the team into the tournament." Micah Shulsbury sighed: Zhang Yu looked at the players, slowly lifted his gaze to the dome of the gym, and said, "I'll be afraid? I won't just lead the team to the Sweet Sixteen—I'll bring a championship to the Bulldogs!" His words rang out with conviction. Zhang Yu narrowed his eyes and thought, Brad, I hope we can stand together on the NBA Finals stage someday. Stevens silently added that, given his personality, he'd never say any of that aloud. "Are you already scared? Worried you can't lead the team to the Sweet Sixteen?" Stevens chuckled. Micah Shulsbury patted Zhang Yu on the shoulder: "So there's a lot more going on behind my appointment as head coach than I thought." "..." And Zhang Yu had only become an assistant coach for the Bulldogs two and a half years ago—later than Julian Becko, Mike Green, and the other juniors had joined the team. From the corner of his eye, he saw Julian Becko make a mistake during defensive drills. He went straight over to help Becko with his training. Zhang Yu's words rang out with conviction. But Zhang Yu had only become an assistant coach for the Bulldogs two and a half years ago—later than Julian Becko, Mike Green, and the other juniors had joined the team. Micah Shulsbury sighed. "Brad, I hope we can stand together on the NBA Finals stage someday." Zhang Yu had just asked Micah Shulsbury why the university hadn't chosen Stevens. Micah told him that, although Rickert had recommended Zhang Yu, Stevens had been the board's first choice. But Stevens had strongly backed Zhang Yu during the Basketball Operations Department's investigation, which had finally convinced the board to drop the idea of making Stevens the head coach. "I'll be afraid? I won't just lead the team to the Sweet Sixteen—I'll bring a championship to the Bulldogs!" Zhang Yu's words rang out with conviction. "I won't let Coach Rickert's hard work go to waste," Zhang Yu said solemnly. "Don't worry. I won't let you or Coach Rickert down. Within three years, I'll bring an NCAA championship trophy to the Bulldogs." Zhang Yu's voice was quiet, but firm. "Make sure you're still the head coach next year before you say that." "..." Stevens was about to continue, but Zhang Yu raised a hand to stop him. "I won't let Coach Rickert's hard work go to waste," Zhang Yu said solemnly. After afternoon practice, Zhang Yu ate at the university cafeteria, then returned to his apartment. Zhang Yu fell silent. After a while, he finally spoke. His apartment was on the third floor and measured only sixty square meters, but it was more than spacious enough for one person. "Rickert believes in you so much. I believe in what you can do, too. Go for it." Stevens had mentioned during an earlier conversation with Zhang Yu that he also wanted to experience the NBA. Zhang Yu understood that Micah Shulsbury's support for him had a lot to do with Rickert. Without Rickert's recommendation, Zhang Yu could have been as capable as anyone and still never become the Bulldogs' head coach. Stevens's expression turned serious. "If that's the case, why should I help you? If the Bulldogs don't make the Sweet Sixteen, I can be the team's head coach next season." From every angle, Stevens was the best choice to succeed as head coach. "Micah, let's have those board members form a committee and coach the Bulldogs themselves. They seem to think making March Madness is as easy as opening a bottle of wine that costs tens of thousands of dollars," Stevens said with a warm smile, as if making an earnest suggestion. "Ronan and I can pick up the balls. Let's see how those old men get the team into the tournament." Micah Shulsbury sighed: "Brad, I'll pass that suggestion along to the president." Besides, I see a lot of my younger self in you: your hard work, your dedication, the way you live and breathe basketball... I believe you'll lead the Bulldogs to a miracle. Zhang Yu looked at their director of basketball operations in alarm, but Micah Shulsbury didn't reprimand Stevens. Instead, he burst out laughing. "Brad, I'll pass that suggestion along to the president." Rickert's wholehearted recommendation, the struggle between the conservative and liberal factions on Butler University's board, and, most importantly, Zhang Yu's ability to coach a team—every one of those factors had been essential. "Micah, let's have those board members form a committee and coach the Bulldogs themselves. They seem to think making March Madness is as easy as opening a bottle of wine that costs tens of thousands of dollars," Stevens said with a warm smile, as if making an earnest suggestion. "Ronan and I can pick up the balls. Let's see how those old men get the team into the tournament." "Brad, I'll pass that suggestion along to the president." From every angle, Stevens was the best choice to succeed as head coach. Zhang Yu understood that Micah Shulsbury's support for him had a lot to do with Rickert. Without Rickert's recommendation, Zhang Yu could have been as capable as anyone and still never become the Bulldogs' head coach. "I won't let Coach Rickert's hard work go to waste," Zhang Yu said solemnly. "Ronan, I'm putting the team in your hands. You'll have all the authority a head coach should have," Micah said, walking to the entrance of the gym and leaning close to Zhang Yu's ear. "But the team hasn't tasted victory in a long time. I need to see a breakthrough. Otherwise, you won't be the only one whose job is on the line. The conservatives won't let this go, and a lot of people will be dragged into it—including me." "I know. I'll do my best," Zhang Yu said, his voice heavy. NBA teams could assemble a powerful roster overnight through trades and the draft. Plenty of elite teams had languished for a decade or two, then returned to the top after a single trade. Plenty of weak teams had reached the summit with one successful draft pick. But a no-name NCAA team could only recruit the high schoolers the powerhouse schools had passed over. Its chances of becoming a Cinderella team were slim. "I know. I'll do my best," Zhang Yu said, his voice heavy. Zhang Yu knew Micah Shulsbury hadn't taken his words to heart, so he said nothing more. As he walked Micah out of Hinkle Fieldhouse, Zhang Yu lowered his voice and said: Micah Shulsbury sighed. "I know. I'll do my best," Zhang Yu said, his voice heavy. NBA teams could assemble a powerful roster overnight through trades and the draft. Plenty of elite teams had languished for a decade or two, then returned to the top after a single trade. Plenty of weak teams had reached the summit with one successful draft pick. But a no-name NCAA team could only recruit the high schoolers the powerhouse schools had passed over. Its chances of becoming a Cinderella team were slim. His apartment was on the third floor and measured only sixty square meters, but it was more than spacious enough for one person. "Are you already scared? Worried you can't lead the team to the Sweet Sixteen?" Stevens chuckled. NBA teams could assemble a powerful roster overnight through trades and the draft. Plenty of elite teams had languished for a decade or two, then returned to the top after a single trade. Plenty of weak teams had reached the summit with one successful draft pick. But a no-name NCAA team could only recruit the high schoolers the powerhouse schools had passed over. Its chances of becoming a Cinderella team were slim. Micah Shulsbury patted Zhang Yu on the shoulder: "Brad, I'll pass that suggestion along to the president." Stevens's expression turned serious. "If that's the case, why should I help you? If the Bulldogs don't make the Sweet Sixteen, I can be the team's head coach next season." "I'll be afraid? I won't just lead the team to the Sweet Sixteen—I'll bring a championship to the Bulldogs!" Zhang Yu's words rang out with conviction. Zhang Yu narrowed his eyes and thought, Brad, I hope we can stand together on the NBA Finals stage someday. Micah Shulsbury left, and Zhang Yu continued to supervise practice—or, more accurately, to watch the other assistant coaches run it. His eyes lingered mostly on Stevens's back. Stevens silently added that, given his personality, he'd never say any of that aloud. "Are you already scared? Worried you can't lead the team to the Sweet Sixteen?" Stevens chuckled. Micah Shulsbury patted Zhang Yu on the shoulder: "So there's a lot more going on behind my appointment as head coach than I thought." "..." And Zhang Yu had only become an assistant coach for the Bulldogs two and a half years ago—later than Julian Becko, Mike Green, and the other juniors had joined the team. From the corner of his eye, he saw Julian Becko make a mistake during defensive drills. He went straight over to help Becko with his training. "Ronan, I'm putting the team in your hands. You'll have all the authority a head coach should have," Micah said, walking to the entrance of the gym and leaning close to Zhang Yu's ear. "But the team hasn't tasted victory in a long time. I need to see a breakthrough. Otherwise, you won't be the only one whose job is on the line. The conservatives won't let this go, and a lot of people will be dragged into it—including me." But when Zhang Yu thought this, he forgot that he wasn't even as good as the people he was watching. Throughout the entire practice, he'd just stood on the sidelines and watched. He knew the apartment wouldn't be very clean, but he hadn't expected it to be this filthy! "Brad, I hope we can stand together on the NBA Finals stage someday." "I won't let Coach Rickert's hard work go to waste," Zhang Yu said solemnly. "I won't let Coach Rickert's hard work go to waste," Zhang Yu said solemnly. "Ronan, I'm putting the team in your hands. You'll have all the authority a head coach should have," Micah said, walking to the entrance of the gym and leaning close to Zhang Yu's ear. "But the team hasn't tasted victory in a long time. I need to see a breakthrough. Otherwise, you won't be the only one whose job is on the line. The conservatives won't let this go, and a lot of people will be dragged into it—including me." "Brad, I'll pass that suggestion along to the president." Besides, I see a lot of my younger self in you: your hard work, your dedication, the way you live and breathe basketball... I believe you'll lead the Bulldogs to a miracle. "I'll be afraid? I won't just lead the team to the Sweet Sixteen—I'll bring a championship to the Bulldogs!" Zhang Yu's words rang out with conviction. "Don't worry. I won't let you or Coach Rickert down. Within three years, I'll bring an NCAA championship trophy to the Bulldogs." Zhang Yu's voice was quiet, but firm. He knew the apartment wouldn't be very clean, but he hadn't expected it to be this filthy! "Ronan, I'm putting the team in your hands. You'll have all the authority a head coach should have," Micah said, walking to the entrance of the gym and leaning close to Zhang Yu's ear. "But the team hasn't tasted victory in a long time. I need to see a breakthrough. Otherwise, you won't be the only one whose job is on the line. The conservatives won't let this go, and a lot of people will be dragged into it—including me." Rickert's wholehearted recommendation, the struggle between the conservative and liberal factions on Butler University's board, and, most importantly, Zhang Yu's ability to coach a team—every one of those factors had been essential. "Don't worry. I won't let you or Coach Rickert down. Within three years, I'll bring an NCAA championship trophy to the Bulldogs." Zhang Yu's voice was quiet, but firm.</final>
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