The United States has always conducted sports competitions this way, combining sports stars with entertainment figures quite effectively and successfully commercializing sports.
Therefore, the news of Sofia and "Golden Boy Lu Yang" attending the Memphis Pyramid Arena quickly made it to the front page of NBA news.
Soccer and basketball are inseparable!
As the world's number one sport, soccer's influence is undeniable.
Even though Americans are quite skilled at American football, in terms of influence, rugby and soccer are on completely different levels.
The fact is, it isn't that Americans don't like playing soccer; it's because they started late and need a foundation to catch up with soccer powerhouses. As a top-tier country, the United States doesn't allow itself to appear weak in the international community.
So they would rather vigorously develop other sports than join soccer.
Until the economic value of soccer repeatedly made Americans envious, and Europe, due to its varied meanings within soccer, never fully commercialized the sport to its maximum potential.
At this point, Americans could no longer hold back and extended their reach toward soccer.
In the future, Americans will exert multiple efforts, building and expanding the influence of Major League Soccer and increasing American capital's influence on European football.
Their ultimate goal is to establish a world super soccer league similar to the NBA, extremely commercialized and dominated by Americans!
So, don't say Americans don't love soccer; they just can't afford to love it presently.
This is why their perception of soccer stars is similar to soccer wilderness countries, resulting in a kind of heightened adulation for soccer celebrities.
This year's Golden Boy Award winner, willing to spare precious time during the competition to visit the United States, makes Americans even more favorably disposed toward him.
"Unveiling Super Football's rising star Lu Yang, his legendary journey, he might be soccer's future Jordan!"
"Unlike the new basketball star, Lu Yang has already defeated formidable adversaries multiple times! AC Milan, Juventus, Arsenal are all vanquished by him!"
"Let me tell you what incredible miracle Lu Yang has just created at the quadrennial European Cup!"
"A goal worth one hundred million euros, something basketball can't compare to! Made by Lu Yang!"
"Lu Yang: His favorite team is the Los Angeles Lakers because Jordan Bryant plays for the Lakers and the team includes two Chinese players!"
Thus, during pre-match media interviews, usually overlooked Yao Liang and Sun Yue were approached for interviews.
Yao Liang is alright; many consider him a budding superstar, potentially becoming a Lakers starter next year.
Sun Yue is truly just a benchwarmer, kept purely because of the Chinese market, with almost no playing time.
Yao Liang: "Thanks to Lu Yang's attention, as a Chinese, I'm also following Lu Yang's performance in European football. He's excellent, a role model for all Chinese athletes!"
"I wasn't wrong; although he is of Chinese descent, his contributions to Chinese soccer are indelible. I hope someday I can also build a bridge between the NBA and Chinese basketball like him."
Sun Yue: "My football idol used to be Zidane, now it's Lu Yang. I'm unsure how many fans he has in Europe, but I'm certain he has 1.3 billion fans in China!"
With these remarks, NBA media became even more excited.
Little did they know, upon checking, they were shocked!
Turns out Lu Yang is the revitalizer of Chinese football!
He led the collaboration between Italian football and Chinese football, helping many Chinese clubs establish partnerships with Italian clubs and founded the "Lu Yang Football Foundation" for young Chinese players and fans, even investing all his earnings into the foundation.
If a player like this were in the NBA, how great would that be?
Would the Chinese basketball market not open up instantly?
Now it's so difficult, the league keeps reminding the Lakers you must develop Yao Liang well and let him succeed!
Lu Yang didn't need nurturing; he already succeeded directly in Europe!
Statistics show that during the match night, Lu Yang and Sofia received more screen time than any player on the court.
Including the Lakers' superstar and the Grizzlies' Bear King Andrew Bogut!
This sparked Bogut's intense dissatisfaction.
As a central forward, Bogut was already wary of Yao Liang with super center potential, but he realized this match he received fewer camera shots than substitute Yao Liang, can he tolerate this?
Additionally, the Grizzlies surprisingly defeated the Los Angeles Lakers despite not being favored, allowing Bogut to relish the success.
Admittedly, half the fans in this match were there for Los Angeles stars, not to support the Grizzlies.
Therefore, after the match ended, Bogut stormed towards Lu Yang and Sofia's seats, executing a thug move—the hip thrust!
You could say this gesture was directed at Lu Yang or Sofia.
Ultimately, the conduct was extremely lowly!
This differed from the hip thrust in soccer celebrations.
The proximity on a basketball court is too close.
This gesture of hip thrusting is truly insulting.
Bam!
Lu Yang immediately stood up and charged at Bogut.
Bogut, standing at 2.13 meters, didn't expect the "little guy" to dare take action against him, and was caught off guard as Lu Yang knocked him to the ground.
Cameras captured this scene at lightning speed.
Many fans preparing to leave halted their steps immediately.