Soon after this interview video was posted on Hupu, the forum exploded.
The Jrs (abbreviation for Hupu netizens) were furious, and there were endless posts denouncing the NBA.
Why are Chinese fans angry?
Naturally, it's because they regard the Rockets as their own team.
In particular, Shuhao was successfully naturalized this season and became a Chinese citizen; Arab League also got a place in the Rockets.
Everything seems to be going in the right direction.
It happened that at this time, NBA rumors against the Rockets broke out.
Moreover, the league is targeting only because two Rockets players signed with Under Armor, not Nike.
This undoubtedly makes Chinese fans even more angry.
Under Armor...that's Shenfei's brand!
Shen Fei is not only the first Chinese to become the general manager of an NBA team, but now he has become the boss of China.
Moreover, Shen Fei made it clear very early on that he would help the development of Chinese basketball.
Yao Ming's return to health is on his hands;
Because of his help, the scholar was successfully naturalized;
Shen Fei's deal was also handled by Shen Fei, giving this young man who has already stepped out of the NBA a chance to prove himself again!
It can be said that in the six months since he took office, Shen Fei has made a lot of contributions to Chinese basketball.
Moreover, his brand, Under Armor, will also become Chinese in the future.
Today Yao Ming and the others announced that they will sign a contract with Under Armor, which is the best evidence.
It's good now. If the league suppresses the Rockets for Under Armor, isn't that targeting China?!
A junior named "Just because you are so beautiful" posted:
"The referee's problem has gone viral on the Internet, and the penalties that were unfavorable to the Rockets have been made into a highlight reel. It's now five minutes long, and there's still no replay!"
"And these penalties, without exception, were all made after Curry and George signed with Under Armor."
"It can be expected that this kind of suppression will be more obvious after Dayao, Yi Di, and Shuhao join Under Armor in a week."
"Brothers, I think we have to do something!"
This post quickly received a large number of replies, with fans offering suggestions and advice.
[Ouch, what are you doing!] commented: "David Stern should value our Chinese market very much, right? Maybe it will be effective if we jointly write some protest emails?"
[rnm! Refund the money!] suggested: "The referee issue has caused such a big fuss. I think the NBA and Nike will be more restrained in the future for the sake of face. What we can do is support Under Armor to show that The attitude of Chinese fans!”
[Putting aside reality] quoted and replied: "1. Doesn't Nike want to suppress Under Armor? Then we will help Under Armor take off! This is the best response to them."
[I flipped the table when I mentioned 58 again] Agreed: "Yes, I don't have enough money to buy a plane ticket to go to a beautiful country to watch football, but I can still do it if I buy a pair of sneakers to support it."
...
Everyone brainstormed and finally came to the conclusion that after Under Armor's new signature sneakers are launched, use practical actions to show support for the Rockets!
............
While the Chinese fans are in a state of rage, there is also a group of people in the beautiful country on the other side of the ocean who are agitated.
"I did as you asked! What's the result?"
"The Rockets won every game, but I was pushed to the forefront."
"There are a lot of people scolding me online now!"
"As I get older, I will retire soon, and I don't want to end up losing my security at the end of my life."
An old man with silver hair and a haggard face complained to several middle-aged men in suits and ties in front of him.
This old man is naturally the current NBA president-David Stern.
And several middle-aged people are executives of Nike Group.
"We didn't expect things to escalate so quickly."
"It didn't take long to suppress the Rockets, but public opinion has become so intense."
A senior executive put his hand on his forehead and said helplessly.
"Today's situation is even more unexpected than the above."
"How dare that reporter ask such a question at an official press conference and directly mention Nike..."
Another executive added, his face also full of confusion.
Probably because Nike has become stronger and stronger in recent years, their confidence has been inflated to the extreme, and they feel that no one dares to "take advantage of others".
"The key is, what to do now?"
"If this continues, sooner or later I will be drowned in the spit of Rockets fans!"
Stern said angrily.
"That's why we're here."
"Shenfei paid a high amount of liquidated damages, poached Yao Ming from Reebok, and poached Yi Jianlian and Jeremy Lin from us."
"His ambition is no longer concealed."
"It won't be long before the Rockets will become Under Armor's representative team. If they are allowed to win the championship...the consequences will be disastrous!"
One of the executives named Durst said sternly.
"so what?"
"You don't want to continue suppressing the Rockets, do you?"
Stern's tone was already a little excited.
"Don't worry, David."
"Of course the suppression will continue, but we can use a more covert method."
Durst said sadly.
"what way?"
Stern asked.
"The fans' focus next will definitely be the referee's call."
"In this case, let's let the referee call it 'pine'!"
"It doesn't matter how big or small the action is, as long as the penalty is negligible, the referee should not blow the whistle!"
Durst said with a smile.
"Blow into the pine? What's the use of that?"
Stern asked doubtfully.
"Think about it... during the game, if a player finds that a foul has not been whistled, what will he do?"
Durst asked rhetorically.
"The fact that he was not called a foul means that the action was within the limits... Then he may continue to test the referee's bottom line."
Stern replied.
Many experienced defensive players do this.
They will even deliberately commit a serious foul at the beginning of the game, and then decide the defensive strategy for the entire game based on the referee's reaction.
"That's right!"
"So, if the Rockets' opponents find out that they are making big moves without being called for fouls, will they become more and more rude?"
"In addition, the Rockets are so strong and their opponents are lagging behind. Will it be easier for them to make extraordinary moves?"
The corners of Durst's mouth raised a sly arc, and his eyes flashed like a fox.
Stern was shocked when he heard this.
After so many years in the industry, his outlook has been refreshed again today.
"Oh...I'm getting old."
"You little Jiujiu, I really can't think of it."
"But you have to know that if you do this, it is very likely to cause injuries to the players!"
Stern has leverage over Nike, but he still wants to persuade the other side.
"You don't have to worry about this!"
"We just want to teach Shen Fei and his Under Armor a lesson. Once this goal is achieved, we will no longer target the Rockets."
"If you want to blame it, just blame him for being too high-profile!"
After that, Durst left Stern's office with a group of Nike executives.
The old man watched the vast group of people leaving and sighed silently.
"I hope nothing big happens..."
Stern looked at the sky outside the window and murmured.
He was about to retire, and he didn't want to ruin his reputation for a lifetime.