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Chapter 134 Invitation Letter
Due to the tight schedule of this shrinking season, after the press conference, Popovich took the players and team staff and flew back to San Antonio overnight on the flight that night.

In the early morning of the next day, Yang Ke and Leonard, who had just woken up, were eating breakfast. At this moment, a message came to their ears through the phone. The NBA is announcing the changes of this year's All-Star Weekend through the official TV station. matter.

When Yang Ke turned on the TV and tuned to the official NBA TV channel, the host was announcing that the 2012 All-Star Rookie Challenge in Orlando would be played in a completely different form from the past.

"Is it really restructured? I don't know what the rookie challenge will be changed this year."

Eating fruit salad, Yang Ke was not surprised by this. In fact, as early as a few months ago, he heard rumors that the 2012 Rookie Challenge would be restructured. Now, one month later, those rumors have become fact.

As soon as Yang Ke finished speaking, the host announced: The 2012 Rookie Challenge will use a mixed team of freshmen and sophomores to fight against each other. Former NBA superstar Barkley and O'Neal will serve as the general managers of the two teams respectively. The two will each select 2 players from the shortlist through the draft on February 16, local time.

Frowning, Leonard expressed his confusion about the restructuring of the Rookie Challenge: "Mixed teams for confrontation? And players are selected through the draft?! Or a former NBA superstar to lead the team, the Rookie Challenge made it so fancy ?”

"In order to attract more attention."

Yang Ke curled his lips. Every year during the All-Star Weekend, the Rookie Challenge gets the least attention. Thinking about it, you can see that the reason why the league wants to make major changes to the Rookie Challenge is to increase its influence.

"Will this change work?"

Putting down the knife and fork, Leonard was a little worried about this. After all, as long as nothing happens, both he and Yang Ke will participate in this year's Rookie Challenge.

"I don't know."

Yang Ke shrugged. He is not a professional in promotion either, so he doesn't know all about it.

After breakfast, Yang Ke wiped his mouth clean with a piece of paper, and after throwing the paper into the trash can, he stood up from his seat and said, "The only thing I know is that no matter what the Rookie Challenge Restructuring will have a big impact on us."

"Too."

Leonard thought for a moment, then nodded in agreement. For them in the NBA, the biggest purpose of participating in the All-Star Weekend is to have fun.

The reason why the league set the All-Star Weekend in the middle of the league is to increase income and influence on the one hand; on the other hand, it is also to provide players with an opportunity to adjust and recuperate.

Therefore, most of the players participating in the All-Star Weekend adhere to the attitude of relaxation first and competition second.

"Let's go, we should go to the training hall."

Looking at the time, he found that it was still an hour and a half before the meeting time requested by Popovich, so Yang Ke turned off the TV and went to the entrance to pack up his equipment.

After a while, Yang Ke and Leonard in sportswear each walked out of the apartment with a backpack on their backs, and took a taxi to the training hall.

The door of the training unit is open, and the cleaning staff of the training hall came here early to carry out routine sanitation.Yang Ke and Leonard walked straight into the instrument room while greeting the cleaning staff.

After taking two bottles of energy drinks at the door, the two each found a device and started repetitive and boring training.

With the rapid passage of time, as the training continued, Yang Ke and Leonard were already profusely sweating, and the sweat wet their clothes as expected.

"Yang, here is your invitation letter!"

After practicing for an unknown amount of time, Borrego pushed the door open, holding two thin cards in his hand. He first looked at the situation in the instrument room, and then walked towards Yang Ke with both feet.

"Invitation card?"

Looking up suspiciously, Yang Ke saw Borrego approaching and the card in his hand, and immediately pressed the pause button and jumped off the treadmill.

Walking up to Yang Ke in a few steps, Borrego smiled and handed over the card in his hand, and at the same time said succinctly: "Well, the league invites you to participate in the three-point shooting contest and skill contest of the All-Star Weekend."

It was actually an invitation letter sent to him by the Alliance.

Yang Ke was taken aback for a moment, then recalled the related videos he had seen on the NBA official website in the past, and subconsciously asked: "Shouldn't this kind of invitation letter be delivered by a special person sent by the government? I remember there should be a simple interview."

Borrego shook his head with a smile. As a rookie, it is normal for Yang Ke not to understand the details of the All-Star Weekend. Then he said: "The league will send someone after the players accept it. Otherwise, if they are rejected, they will It made the scene very embarrassing.”

"So, can I also refuse?"

Yang Ke suddenly realized and nodded. After Borrego said this, he also reacted. No wonder there have been media reports in the past that such-and-such superstars rejected the invitation of the league's slam dunk contest.

"of course can."

Borrego nodded lightly. There are enough players in the league, and the official has not yet reduced to the point where players are forced to participate.

"However, I think you'd better not refuse. After all, you are still a rookie. Participating in this type of entertainment event is beneficial but harmless."

Thinking that Yang Ke was going to reject this invitation, out of concern for Yang Ke and consideration for his future development, Borrego put forward his own opinion, "Again, as far as I know, those who have confirmed to participate in these two projects Players are not easy."

"Oh? Who are there?"

With a towel over his head, and his sweaty jersey clinging to his body, Leonard paused practice and walked over, holding a half-drunk drink bottle in his hand.

"Skills contest, currently confirmed are: Irving, Rose, Westbrook, Paul, Curry, Parker was supposed to participate, but considering his physical injury, he finally withdrew."

Nodding his head towards Leonard, Borrego immediately reported a series of names, although the Skills Challenge has always been a show for top point guards in the league.But this is the first time in history that so many top defenders have played in the same game.

"Wow, this lineup! This year's skill competition will definitely be very interesting!"

Leonard shouted excitedly, and at the same time decided in his heart that he must watch it when the time comes, then he thought of something, turned his head to look at Yang Ke, and said, "Yang, I think, you can indeed refuse, anyway, you will get rewarded if you participate. No good ranking."

(End of this chapter)