Sports Medicine Master System

Chapter 403 - 341: Starting with Getting to Know Each Other

"What’s wrong with being mature?"

Nelson asked, taken aback.

From a team’s perspective, you don’t want to see a rookie enter the NBA, become a millionaire, and then waste his talent because he’s too immature to handle the pressure or gets sucked into the glitz and glamour.

The more mature, the better. It would be perfect if he could become the team’s cornerstone right away.

"It’s not that it’s a bad thing."

Chen Yu shook his head slightly and looked down, continuing to review James’s file.

It was an inch-thick binder containing detailed files on the 47 invited rookies, which Chen Yu had his people compile.

Of course, it was all publicly available information from news reports.

But it was still enough to glean a lot of information.

For example, this guy, like the vast majority of players in the league, had a tragic childhood.

His mother had him out of wedlock at sixteen and never told him who his father was. From a young age, James and his mother lived with his maternal grandmother.

Even so, they often couldn’t afford rent. Things got even worse on Christmas Day when James was three; his grandmother died of a sudden heart attack. The next few years were even more tragic for James. He and his mother moved more than a dozen times in just a few years until he was taken in by Frankie Walker, the father of a classmate. It was under Walker’s guidance that his athletic talents began to emerge.

Then, his career took off like a rocket. He won a state championship, was named to the All-American first team, appeared on the cover of *Slam* magazine, had his games broadcast live on ESPN, and played in the Nike All-American Camp.

In just two short years, he blew up, becoming a bona fide superstar.

From a psychological standpoint, a boy who endured such hardship from a young age and lacked a father figure would certainly be more sensible and mature than his peers, learning how to navigate the world.

Chen Yu was the same way, hungry for success and cherishing every hard-won opportunity.

Back in medical school, not only did Chen Yu study diligently, but to get into a professor’s research project, he spent a solid month cozying up to him—cleaning the lab, doing all sorts of odd jobs—all for the sake of getting a stellar letter of recommendation.

But Chen Yu knew well, as countless psychology textbooks and papers have discussed, that a father figure is crucial in a child’s development.

A good father is a good role model.

He sets a positive, proactive, and brave example, teaching his child through both word and deed how to face pressure, bear responsibility, and refuse to be broken by adversity.

But James had no such figure in his life. He was precocious, learning how to handle people and becoming polished. And once his athletic talent emerged, everything came too easily; he was too successful.

Chen Yu couldn’t help but worry: what would a guy who’s had such smooth sailing do when he finally faced a real setback?

After all, they were already calling him "Emperor." The entire league expected him to enter the NBA and become its most dazzling star.

But what if he failed after joining the league? What if he didn’t live up to everyone’s expectations?

The league is full of stars. Of all those top-tier players, how many actually win a championship?

Ewing was a legend, wasn’t he? And he still languished with the Nicks for years, only fulfilling his championship dream with the Phoenix Suns at the tail end of his career, just before retiring.

If that happened to a player like Ewing, how would James choose if he were put in the same situation?

Would he keep fighting, or would he give up and let himself be broken?

’He’s too smart—or perhaps *too clever*—and too successful.’ That’s why Chen Yu was worried.

After listening to Chen Yu’s explanation, Nelson thought for a moment and then said, "Chen, you can’t expect everyone to have a perfect personality, right? A person with a truly perfect personality probably doesn’t exist."

"Of course not."

A perfect personality belongs to a god; flaws are what make us human.

"I just see it as a potential psychological weakness, and we’re here to discuss his potential," Chen Yu said, looking at the screen. "Without a doubt, he’ll become a top-tier star."

James’s physical gifts were just too good.

They were on par with someone like O’Neal’s. He probably wouldn’t have to work too hard to achieve a high level of success.

"But, since this is a discussion about potential, I’m hoping he can fully realize his talent. That he can even surpass himself and strive for greatness, because he truly has that kind of potential."

Out of everyone in the world, only a few hundred people make it into the NBA.

And among those few hundred, only a few dozen become stars.

Of those dozens, maybe only a handful can become legends.

James had the potential to be one of that handful.

"Of course, that’s just a thought. As things stand, he’ll undoubtedly be successful. He’ll be a future star," Chen Yu added.

’With his outstanding physical gifts, his intelligence, his humility, and his self-discipline, if he doesn’t succeed, who will?’

Nelson nodded. He agreed on this point.

He’d seen countless scouting reports and media analyses. In his view, James was a surefire star.

It was just that Chen Yu’s expectations seemed even higher, reaching the level of "greatness"—the kind of greatness Jordan achieved.

Time passed, second by second, as players continued to arrive.

Chen Yu kept his eyes glued to the screen, doing his best to note his first impressions of each player’s personality as they arrived.

James continued to greet everyone, addressing each person by name.

"Let’s go."

Chen Yu stood up.

At 9:52 AM, all the players had arrived.

Not a single one was late.

Clearly, these rookies were taking this opportunity seriously.

For players with lower projected draft positions, they needed to use Chen Yu’s invitation and fame to increase their exposure.

Meanwhile, for the projected lottery picks, an endorsement and evaluation from Chen Yu—the league’s top team doctor and training expert—was incredibly valuable.

Teams across the league truly bought into Chen Yu’s methods.

Inside the warehouse, the crowd of players buzzed with conversation.

James and Carmelo Anthony were standing together talking.

They had known each other since 2001 and had always kept in touch.

"LeBron, how do you think Chen will test us? Like the combine?" Anthony asked in a low voice, his eyes roaming over the people around them.

Like the towering Bosh, who stood out like a crane in a flock of chickens with his long neck.

And the equally tall Chris Kaman.

All the hot prospects, the potential lottery picks, were here—everyone except for Milicic, who was over in Europe.

"I don’t know," James said, shaking his head with a determined look. "But my agent told me Chen is the real deal, a master trainer. He uses a lot of innovative training methods, so maybe it’ll be different. But no matter how he tests us, all we can do is give it our all."

Anthony nodded. Just as he was about to say more, Chen Yu and his group appeared at the entrance to the warehouse.

The bustling warehouse fell silent in an instant.

All the rookies turned to look at Chen Yu, their faces a mixture of expressions.

Wade’s gaze was the most intense of all. He even wondered, ’Could Chen Yu be holding this workout to prepare for the draft? Is he evaluating me to decide whether to pick me?’

"Everyone."

Chen Yu clapped his hands to get their attention, then said with a chuckle, "First, I want to thank you all for coming to Phoenix to participate in my rookie potential training camp. I’ve only met a handful of you, so most of us are still strangers."

"Since today is the first day, I think we should start by getting to know one another. After all, it’s fate that brought us all here."

"Everyone, follow me."

Chen Yu beckoned and led the group deeper into the warehouse.

The crowd followed.

"Hello, Dr. Chen. I’m LeBron James," James said, stepping forward to greet Chen Yu with a touch of formal deference.

"Hello. I’ve heard a lot about you," Chen Yu said with a friendly laugh. "It’s a shame the Phoenix Suns don’t have the first pick this year, or we’d definitely be taking you."

But Chen Yu noted that out of all 47 players, only James had actively worked his way to the front of the crowd. And he was the only one who had stepped forward to introduce himself.

Just moments before, he had been standing in the middle of the pack, slightly off to the side.

What’s more, there were nearly twenty chairs set up in the waiting area.

James hadn’t sat down. Many of the players hadn’t. Only nine of them had taken a seat.

James grinned and replied humbly, "Thank you for the kind words, Dr. Chen. I actually really admire the Suns. It’s a great team, and both Penny and O’Neal are my idols."

Chen Yu smiled and nodded.

’This guy really is too polished.’

Soon, Chen Yu led everyone into a training area deeper inside.

But all the training equipment had been cleared away to the corners. In its place, long tables lined three walls, laden with drinks and food. Lights and speakers were set up overhead, transforming the space into what looked like a buffet reception.

James looked around, his eyes filled with curiosity and confusion.

Chen Yu took two steps forward, picked up a bottle of beer, and said with a smile, "Gentlemen, like I said, today is about getting to know one another. So why be so formal? Feel free to mingle. And just so you know, I’ve prepared a lot of great food."

Australian lobster, caviar, expensive pastries, and even chefs preparing dishes on the spot.

This party alone cost tens of thousands of US dollars.

The players glanced at each other, completely baffled as to what Chen Yu was up to.

"Music!"

Chen Yu waved to someone in the distance, and the DJ immediately started playing music.

Flashing colored lights began to sweep across the room.

The players exchanged glances, but eventually, a few broke the ice and started to get some food.

Chen Yu grabbed another beer and walked over to Wade.

"How’s the knee?" Chen Yu asked, handing him the beer bottle.

On his left knee, he was still wearing the knee brace Chen Yu had recommended.

"It’s good," Wade said reservedly.

"I watched your last game," Chen Yu said, making small talk. "You were truly outstanding."

At the end of last month, Wade had led Marquette University to the Final Four by defeating the Kentucky Wildcats. In that game, Wade posted a spectacular triple-double with 29 points, 11 rebounds, and 11 assists.

Before that game, Wade wasn’t getting much attention, and his projected draft position wasn’t very high either.

But after that game, he blew up, becoming a nationally recognized superstar rookie.

Nearby, James was still with Anthony.

"Is this really a test?" Anthony asked, dumbfounded. His hands didn’t stop moving, though, as he shoveled a piece of succulent, sauce-drenched lobster meat into his mouth.

James stared intently at Chen Yu talking with Wade, then shook his head.

He had expected Chen Yu to put them through some rigorous tests, but he never imagined the first day would be all about eating and drinking.

Seeing Chen Yu finish his conversation with Wade and move on to someone else, James hesitated for a moment, then said decisively, "Stop eating. Let’s go meet some other people."

He immediately walked toward Wade.