……

Brian Carter still had no idea that his intense training had already left a great first impression on some people.

He took a cab, carrying a big bag of items from classmates meant for the players or for autographs, and arrived at the US West Arena. It was exactly 11 a.m. As soon as Brian Carter got out of the car, he saw a group of reporters at the entrance of the arena.

When Brian Carter walked over, the reporters, who had already seen his photos and knew what he looked like, hurried to take pictures.

As Brian Carter approached, a few people came up to greet him.

At first glance, Brian Carter immediately recognized them: future top coach Steve Kerr, and the current Suns head coach Alvin Gentry. He didn’t recognize the other staff members, but they helped him carry his things into the arena.

With an official smile, Kerr came up to shake Brian Carter’s hand.

Brian Carter quickly reached out first—manners are important.

Kerr grasped Brian Carter’s right hand with his right, and patted the back of Brian Carter’s hand with his left, smiling as he said, “Hardworking Chinese boy Noah, hello! I’m sure you know who I am. If you say you don’t, I’ll be so sad—I only retired a few years ago!”

Brian Carter was a bit stunned. That was a lot of enthusiasm, and it felt like he was trying to be funny even though he wasn’t really that humorous.

“Of course, Mr. Kerr, you’re the best three-point shooter in my mind,” Brian Carter immediately replied with a compliment.

He knew it was all for show, but the other party meant no harm—it was just business.

Besides, Brian Carter wasn’t saying anything insincere, just something nice. Compared to the original Brian Carter, he might not be as good at flirting, but he was much more experienced in dealing with people, always knowing the right thing to say.

In NBA history, among players who attempted more than 200 three-pointers, Steve Kerr ranks first in career three-point percentage. Among players who made at least 50 threes in a single season, Kerr’s 52.4% three-point percentage is also the highest ever.

This compliment perfectly avoided the fact that Steve Kerr was a role player—regardless of makes or attempts, there’s a gap between Kerr and Reggie Miller.

No one hits a smiling face. Although Steve Kerr didn’t have the same “shared experience” sentiment as Gentry, most people like to hear nice things, and Kerr was no exception. Three-point shooting was the proudest part of his basketball career.

“Noah, come on, let’s stand here…” Kerr enthusiastically guided Brian Carter to stand between him and Gentry for the reporters to take photos.

After the photos, Kerr and Gentry led Brian Carter into the arena’s training court.

Once inside, the person who caught Brian Carter’s eye made him want to complain…

That guy was just too “dazzling”—his physique was so exaggerated, he dominated the view…

Shaquille O’Neal!

Brian Carter saw that this guy was actually practicing free throws with total concentration!

“Hey, hey, hey, if this guy practiced free throws this hard every day, would he have missed over 5,000 of them? Even DeAndre Jordan learned to shoot free throws, and this guy’s touch is way better than Jordan’s…” Brian Carter thought to himself.

As if just noticing Brian Carter had come in, O’Neal walked over on his own initiative: “Hello, you’re Noah, right? I watched your training video—so cool! Let’s work hard together!”

After saying that, O’Neal spread his arms wide for a hug. Brian Carter saw O’Neal and, after his initial internal complaints, felt a surge of excitement as he got closer.

A superstar! The most dominant center in NBA history!

But after hearing O’Neal’s words, Brian Carter really wanted to reply, “Work hard together and turn into a ball like you?”

“Hello, Noah, I’m Steve…” Nash, still wearing a back brace, also came up for a hug.

Stoudemire, Jason Richardson, Grant Hill… one after another, Suns stars came up to hug Brian Carter.

Brian Carter had originally looked forward to training with these stars for a day, playing a game together—maybe he wouldn’t get many minutes, but it was absolutely a dream come true.

But when actually face-to-face with these stars, Brian Carter didn’t know what to say. His mind gradually went blank…

“They’re alive, these are real, living NBA stars!”

Chapter 0010: You’re the One Who Can’t Last!

Brian Carter’s reaction didn’t surprise anyone. It was totally normal. The Suns had done similar events before, after locking in their playoff spot in the West, and all the “lucky ones” chosen for those events reacted the same way.

Surrounded by the “care” of a group of stars, Brian Carter was passed around for hugs, and under the guidance of the press officer, took group photos…

Brian Carter more or less understood now what a “charity event” was. So these guys all saw him as someone with a terminal illness?

“Is kidney deficiency a terminal illness?” Brian Carter thought, feeling like he really was terminally ill…

A bit dazed, after finishing all the “show” activities under the “care” of a bunch of NBA superstars, Brian Carter was led by Gentry and Steve Nash—the team’s most popular star—into the locker room, where there was a locker labeled “SUN.”

Brian Carter looked around and noticed a problem: his locker was in the best spot, and he didn’t see Nash’s locker anywhere!