Chapter 93: Bold Words, Official Signing

Yang Rui and Raptors manager Glen Grunwald met in New York and finally finalized the contract.

His demands were so simple that Glen thought he was young and inexperienced. In the end, Yang Rui insisted on signing for only one year and said, "Just pay me whatever you think is fair. If I perform well, we can renew the contract next year."

No one else in the league would make such a request. Glen wondered if he was getting old; negotiating an NBA head coach contract felt like shopping for groceries without haggling.

Yang Rui knew that a lockout was coming, reducing the season to just 50 games, so the salary wouldn't be high anyway. Signing for one year was a strategic retreat. The Raptors had several promising rookies for the new season, and as long as they stayed, they would definitely perform well.

He didn't aim to bring in big-name stars, just to keep a few rookies, and the management would certainly give him face.

In his previous life, an unremarkable assistant coach, Butch Carter, replaced Darrell Walker as head coach and almost led the team to the playoffs in 1999.

This guy only coached the Raptors for a little over two years and was extremely incompetent. Despite having speed-oriented players like Carter, McGrady, Dee Brown, and Christie, he insisted on playing a half-court offense focused on defense for two years. In the shortened season, the team averaged only 91.1 points per game. Calling him brainless wouldn't be an exaggeration.

As long as Yang Rui successfully led the Raptors to the playoffs, other teams would likely try to poach him next year. The Raptors would have to offer a high salary to keep him, much higher than Glen's previous long-term offer.

Yang Rui's condition was that Tom Thibodeau must be the first assistant coach. Another member of a championship team joining them, poaching from the Knicks' coaching staff, was a buy-one-get-one-free deal that Glen was happy to agree to.

After the agreement, Yang Rui and Thibodeau immediately flew to Toronto, officially signed the contract, and held a press conference.

Raptors owner Chad Petty personally attended to welcome them: "Jerry Yang just helped the Knicks win the NBA championship. He turned an offensively ugly team into the most powerful offensive team. His ability makes people overlook his age. Every player I've asked said they were excited to have him as a coach."

The Raptors, who had been eliminated early, were on vacation, so who knows if the owner actually asked them? It was just a gimmick.

Glen also said, "We have full confidence in Jerry. He will definitely turn the Raptors into an offensive powerhouse."

Yang Rui was the star of the press conference. When asked about his thoughts, he said, "I am eager to become a head coach and have a bigger stage. When this opportunity came, my family and I were thrilled."

A reporter asked, "What do you think of the Raptors?"

"This is a young and promising team. Unfortunately, the previous coach didn't know how to develop talent and wasted a lot of potential, like Tracy. Last season, he was just a role player... He has the potential to be a star swingman. And there's Camby and Doug Christie; they left a deep impression on me."

Yang Rui sent a signal: "I will make good use of you."

He feared that Camby would leave like in his previous life. The Raptors traded him for veteran Charles Oakley, which was insane. Both were role players, so why trade a promising big man for an overpaid, declining veteran?

A reporter asked, "Will they be the core of the team next season?"

Yang Rui said, "I'll have to assess that specifically."

Another reporter asked, "Labor negotiations are not going well, and the new season is likely to be locked out. Without enough time to gel, have you thought about how to face this challenge?"

"By running simple and understandable tactics and gelling during the regular season. There's a Chinese saying, 'When soldiers come, we block them; when water comes, we cover it with earth.' I will do my best to help the team win."

A reporter asked, "What is your goal for the new season?"

"To turn the Raptors into a high-scoring team and make the playoffs," Yang Rui answered straightforwardly.

This answer stunned everyone in the room. Even Glen was surprised. Yang Rui had bet with the Raptors that they would make the playoffs, but there was no need to make it public. Once it was public, it had a different meaning; failing to achieve it would invite criticism.

The reporters were immediately excited; this was big news.

Someone asked, "The Raptors were at the bottom of the Eastern Conference last season. Is this a requirement from the management? Do you think it's too difficult?"

"It's not a requirement from the management; it's my personal belief in the Raptors' potential. Once people have a goal, they become highly motivated."

A reporter asked, "How confident are you in achieving this?"

"Fifty percent. I don't think the Raptors are a bad team. There are many outstanding young players here. As long as they trust me, we will create miracles together," Yang Rui said with a smile.

Owner Chad was stunned. If the Knicks hadn't just won the championship with outstanding offense, even the Jazz and Bulls couldn't stop them, he would have suspected the team had hired a madman.

No one thought the Raptors could make the playoffs. Coming from the youngest head coach in history, this statement would definitely make headlines in Canadian sports news.

Sure enough, Toronto media reported this extensively, and Chinese fans were thrilled. Many said they would start following this team, which had been at the bottom since joining the NBA, in the new season.

The management predicted that home game attendance would definitely increase, and the courtside advertising boards and broadcast rights would also be secured. Regardless of winning or losing, they could make more money.

Just one day after signing, the Raptors showed signs of a "turnaround," and Chad was very pleased. He praised Glen's operation and invited Yang Rui to dinner to discuss the upcoming season.

Although the Raptors had the second-worst record in the league, they didn't get a top-three pick in the draft lottery, only the fourth pick. Chad was very upset about this, but the attention Yang Rui brought made him feel a bit better.

Other media outlets also reported on the Raptors' news, with considerable coverage.

"Knicks coaching staff splits, Tom and Jerry join the Toronto Raptors."

"At 24, Jerry Yang becomes an NBA head coach, setting a miraculous record for a Chinese-American genius."

"From first in the East to last in the East, Jerry Yang says he will lead the Raptors to rise and win with offense."

"The most arrogant declaration in history, Jerry Yang says he is confident in leading the bottom team to the playoffs."

Fans spread even more exaggerated rumors. At just 24 years old, Yang Rui suddenly became a head coach, and most fans were curious about his past. They started looking up his information and, upon discovering he was an orphan, admired his achievements even more.

Without a strong background, relying solely on personal ability to become an NBA head coach was extraordinary.

Riding the wave of the Knicks' championship, Yang Rui's name suddenly entered everyone's sight, including NBA Commissioner David Stern.

Yang Rui had no money or connections to get the media to hype him up. To gain more popularity and exposure, he could only make bold statements and set seemingly impossible goals to attract attention.

What he didn't expect was that his bold words would trigger a butterfly effect, and the league commissioner was considering promoting him.