Tearing Up the Contract

The reporters on site were quick to sensationalize the story.

"LeBron James Impressed by Youngster, Intends to Recruit Him to the Heat!"

"Yellow-Skinned Guard Scores 10 Points in 5 Minutes, Catches LeBron's Eye!"

"Defending Champions Could Add a New Member; Another Streetball-Style Guard After White Chocolate!"

And even more exaggerated: "LeBron Continues Teaming Up! Recruiting China's Top Current Star!"

Although it wasn't entirely false, calling Jiang Lin China's top current star wasn't an overstatement since he was the only Chinese player in the NBA. However, LeBron recruiting him to form a superteam was a bit of a stretch.

These headlines generated a lot of buzz. Jiang Lin became famous overnight, even more so than if he had crossed over Wade. The media frenzy was immense.

The next wave of questions for the reporters shifted to the 23 vs. 24 showdown.

The Heat's press officer sent a segment of the interview to a key figure in Miami—Pat Riley.

Jiang Lin would undoubtedly see this interview video. LeBron's subtle olive branch was deliberate. He knew better than anyone how it felt to be completely disoriented by Jiang Lin's dazzling moves. 

Despite the next game potentially not being as explosive, the skill Jiang Lin demonstrated was undeniable. LeBron could appreciate the finesse and subtleness of Jiang Lin's ball-handling, something he felt firsthand. Such talent should stay close, in his team, not elsewhere. 

LeBron's endorsement caused a bit of hesitation among the Lakers' management. 

Following the loss, Lakers GM Mitch Kupchak convened a meeting with his staff and coaching team. The first part of the meeting focused on identifying reasons for the loss to a strong team. The second part discussed potential changes to the roster, including the fate of Jiang Lin, who scored 10 points in this game.

The video of LeBron's interview reached Kupchak during the meeting. Initially, they all agreed not to renew Jiang Lin's contract since Nash's return was imminent, making Jiang Lin redundant. 

But LeBron's comments, along with movements from other teams, caused a bit of doubt. Additionally, owner Dr. Buss liked Jiang Lin's playing style. 

The ball-handling coach compiled a highlight reel of Jiang Lin's 10 points, showing each impressive play. The room was abuzz with discussion.

Kupchak, who had managed the Lakers for 17 years, made a decisive call. He decided not to renew Jiang Lin's contract but offered him a spot with the South Bay Lakers in the G-League for development, reconsidering next year.

He emphasized that this season's goal was to win the championship. Developing rookies wasn't part of that plan, as evidenced by their sacrifices in draft picks. Plus, D'Antoni's coaching style favored a tight rotation, especially in the playoffs. 

"I agree."

"Me too."

"Alright, let's decide on that. Now, let's focus on Howard's playing style."

…

"Damn, Kupchak is ruthless," Jiang Lin thought as he received a notification while putting on his jacket in the locker room.

The Lakers announced on their official website that they would not renew Jiang Lin's 10-day contract, making him a free agent and removing his name from the roster.

It was a cold and impersonal statement.

For a temporary player like Jiang Lin, the team's higher-ups didn't need to inform him personally. Even players with long-term contracts often weren't notified about trades or releases in advance, let alone someone like Jiang Lin.

But Jiang Lin smiled. Kupchak, the legendary GM who built the Shaq-Kobe dynasty, had declined over the years, making poor decisions like assembling two failed F4 teams and poor draft picks. 

Reflecting on the past, the Shaq-Kobe era was a product of Jerry West's groundwork. With peak Kobe and peak Shaq, they were unbeatable unless internal conflicts arose.

After being let go by the Lakers, Kupchak became the president of basketball operations for Michael Jordan's Hornets, making baffling decisions like trading Kemba Walker for Terry Rozier, losing their best player for nothing.

So, Jiang Lin wasn't surprised by the outcome. It would have been shocking if Kupchak had kept him. The man's vision was always off.

A team operations officer handed Jiang Lin a single-season contract for the South Bay Lakers, hoping he would develop in the G-League. Jiang Lin immediately tossed it into the trash can.

Even a clay figurine has some fire in it, and as a fiery 20-year-old, he used this contract to vent his frustration.

Who watches the G-League? No broadcasts in China, and barely any in the U.S. It wasn't even worth considering.

"Do you know what you're doing, rookie?" The operations officer turned pale, astonished by Jiang Lin's bold move.

"Yes, I do. Goodbye, City of Angels." Jiang Lin shouldered his backpack, smiling brightly, ready to embrace the life of a streetball wanderer.

"Aren't you afraid you'll never play for the Lakers again?"

"Afraid? Not at all. Tell Kupchak I'll come back and score 60 points, and then crush the Lakers."

(The next chapter will reveal which team Jiang Lin will join. Any guesses? I have it planned already. Let's see if anyone gets it right.)

### Chapter 12: System Functionality! Beginning the Tryout Journey! (Five Chapters, Please Follow!)

"He's crazy, that kid is crazy!!" The operations officer rushed out of the locker room, claiming Jiang Lin had gone mad from the shock of not being able to play in the NBA and was now speaking nonsense.

"Kobe, I look forward to our next encounter," Jiang Lin said, staring at Kobe's locker. One reason he didn't want to be Kobe's teammate was that he wanted to face him as an opponent on the court and compete with the legend.

Jiang Lin's confidence stemmed from achieving two accomplishments in this game, which would grant him rewards from the system. Youth is a time for boldness and arrogance!

Today, the Lakers' cold-hearted rejection fueled his determination to come back stronger and repay them doubly.

"Where to? I'll give you a ride," Metta World Peace offered, pulling up in a Range Rover.

"The airport." Jiang Lin tossed his backpack into the backseat and hopped in.

"OK, I have a feeling that the next time we meet, you'll be beating us," Metta joked, cigar in mouth, sunglasses on, as he sped away from Staples Center.

"Trust the process."

…

A single stone creates a thousand ripples, and the fans were buzzing.

Hupu News: Jiang Lin Unemployed, NBA Dream Shattered?

Fox Sports: Lakers Backup Guard Jiang Lin's 10-Day Contract Not Renewed. Will Any Team Pick Him Up?

Woj: Multiple Tanking Teams Interested in Developing the Chinese Player. For Market or His Aggressive Drives?

Some Lakers fans debated fiercely on Reddit.

Uncle Sam: "Oh no, not that guy. He just crossed over LeBron tonight!"

KobeIsGod: "Kobe only scored 21 points, 4 assists, 4 rebounds tonight, but played 42 minutes and took 28 shots… I'm embarrassed to admit it."

PurpleLegend: "They just cut him? What a pity. His dribbling made me wet. I was studying his moves!"

YAOYAOYAO: "If they don't want him, fine. Surely some team will pick him up."

"Yeah, we complained about management signing a Chinese player just for money. Now they listened and cut him, isn't that good?"

"Kobe, Nash, Howard—there aren't enough shots to go around. Best of luck to JIANG!"

"Go to New York. They're tanking!"

"Come to Memphis. We need this sharp edge!"

"San Antonio needs Parker's successor!"

"Noxus will rise again… Sorry, wrong scene."

These were just small distractions. A rookie who scored 10 points wouldn't generate as much heat as the 23 vs. 24 debate. Soon, fans returned to discussing who was better, Kobe or LeBron.

After a brief uproar, even Chinese fans moved on to the next big game between the Spurs and Thunder.

As for Jiang Lin's future, fans didn't concern themselves too much. Only CBA teams showed interest, hoping to bring him back to play in China.

…

In the car with Metta, the windows down, the cold wind of the City of Angels hitting their faces, Jiang Lin hummed Sam Hui's "Genius Idiot Dream" while listening to the radio.

The evening NBA news recapped the Heat vs. Lakers game in about 30 seconds, mentioning only Kobe, LeBron, and Wade.

"The Heat are unstoppable, now on a 9-game winning streak!"

Metta switched channels, landing on a Los Angeles station playing LeBron's interview. Both men heard LeBron's meaningful words, hinting at recruiting Jiang Lin.

"Wow, LeBron is really something…" Jiang Lin thought, impressed by LeBron's vision to even consider recruiting a fringe player like him.

"Congrats, you won't have trouble finding a job. The Heat will definitely take you. They don't even have a full bench."

"I'm not one to join if I can't beat them."

"Can't beat them, join them? Haha, interesting!" Metta pondered the phrase and found Jiang Lin even more intriguing.

"So what's your plan?"

"I'll follow up on the contacts you gave me and go for tryouts."

"Cool!" Metta gave a thumbs up.

At Los Angeles Airport.

"Brother, this is where I leave you. You'll be a star. Keep pushing."

"No doubt!! Met

ta, I'll remember this ride. Next time, it'll be my home game, and I'll treat you!"

"Deal!" Metta lit another cigar and drove away.

Jiang Lin remembered this kindness, slung his big bag over his shoulder, and walked into the terminal like a wanderer.

Finally, he had time to check the system.

He asked a key question: "Streetball Superstar System, if I want to keep getting stronger quickly and acquire other stars' skills, what should I do?"

After playing today's game, Jiang Lin was eager to become stronger, to win in front of 20,000 fans!

"The host needs to continually train. Upon reaching certain achievement triggers, you can earn special abilities by completing tasks!"

"Is training considered an achievement? What are the triggers?"

"No, training is the basis for achievements. For example, if the host wants to learn Curry's long-range three-pointers, then during training, you must hit 20,000 long-range threes. This meets the trigger condition, activating a challenge task. The task might be to hit a long-range three in an NBA game, and those 20,000 practice shots are the trigger!"