TV ratings... The producer responsible for this program received feedback and remained calm, knowing it wouldn't be too high. Otherwise, they wouldn't have asked the American Cable TV Station to air it, broadcasting for free without any charge, almost sparing money.
The key is whether there are any spectacular dunks in the finals. The promotion that can be done is not just now; if there are a few spectacular dunks, then the publicity after the live broadcast can still keep up. Moreover, the reason for requesting live broadcast is that if the ratings during the live broadcast aren't high but the dunks are indeed exciting, this dunk contest will definitely be rebroadcast!
For other programs, rebroadcasts are not taken seriously, but the dunk contest is different.
McDonald's has placed its bets on Carter. If Carter doesn't participate, they might only choose to broadcast in a few states with the highest high school basketball popularity. Because of Carter, they have purchased advertising on American Cable TV Station. However, the producer now has a glimmer of hope—the Chinese teenager!
On the court, the host is introducing tonight's judges.
Julius Erving, the biggest name, started receiving cheers from the moment he walked onto the court. His popularity was no less than that of Jordan or Olajuwon ten years ago.
Another judge who received enthusiastic cheers from the audience was the Lakers' only Defensive Player of the Year in their team history—Michael Cooper.
The other three judges are relatively less famous, but they are all NBA players who have been selected for the All-Star game. Many students on site don't recognize them, but most of them know the Lakers' players—Andrew Tony, Larry Nance, Maurice Cheeks. The judges are primarily for the TV audience, to let them feel the weight and significance of this dunk contest. Where does the significance come from? Of course, it's the weight of the judges.
And when the host introduced their All-Star experiences and glorious moments on the NBA court, the onsite crowd followed with cheers.
The atmosphere is already heating up!
Zhang Hao listened to the cheers from the onsite audience, striving to suppress his excitement. He really wants to step onto the court immediately, but he knows that he needs to remain calm when going for a dunk to perform at his best. Passion is important, but calmness allows for a better performance.
Not sure if it's lucky or unlucky, after the judges mutually deferred for a while, Julius Erving, representing the judges, drew the first name from the lottery box, and it was Zhang Hao!
When the host confirmed the drawn name, the lights in the venue dimmed.
The big screen above the court and the TV broadcast turned to the self-introduction of the participating player. Since Zhang Hao was drawn, it was Zhang Hao's self-introduction.
The initial scene was a full-body shot of the slim and tall Zhang Hao, followed by the camera zooming in, focusing on the upper body, with Zhang Hao's fresh and youthful face appearing for the first time on the nationwide live broadcast screen.
"Hello, everyone, my name is Zhang Hao, English name Aix. I am a Chinese international student who has been practicing basketball for two and a half years. My hobby is basketball.
My goal is the sea of stars!
I am the man who will become the dunk king!"
Zhang Hao sensed a seemingly stagnant atmosphere onsite... Very helpless, no resonance at all!
No way, subtitles in Chinese, indeed not many people onsite can resonate; not even onsite, Zhang Hao reckons not even anyone in front of a TV could understand his joke, even if it's in English.
Feeling quite regretful... But soon after, the replay of Zhang Hao's dunk during the selection with three angles got the venue hyped!
This is the feeling!
As the lights came back on, Zhang Hao walked onto the court amid the host's introduction, along with Pierce.
Several hundred students from Inglewood High School led the cheers, but there were also boos, as the students from the Californian High School League's runner-up South California High School came today to boo this Inglewood High School duo.
In terms of collective honor and sense of participation in sports, Zhang Hao really admires the United States. A high school's team is highly recognized within the school and even the city.
Unlike during the selection, Zhang Hao clearly feels now that many people onsite hold extremely high expectations for him, especially the judges. He definitely needs to perform a better dunk than in the pre-selection.
Over there, Pierce put on a flashy pose when the camera aimed at him, as if saying—"Mom, look, I'm on the stage of the slam dunk contest finals!"
Then, Pierce honestly lifted the ball above his head, walked to the designated spot on the right side of the three-second zone on the side line.
The discussion, cheers, and boos at the site gradually quieted down. Whether supporting Zhang Hao, booing him, or just stirring up some excitement, everyone wants to see how Zhang Hao will dunk.
For Zhang Hao, his originally extremely excited emotions at this moment genuinely calmed down. Coming alone to the United States, with Pierce's care, he was able to grab the opportunity to play in his senior year and perform as the team's second top scorer in his senior year. In this aspect, he is indeed quite special.
Arriving outside the three-point line at a 45-degree angle on the right side, Zhang Hao patted his chest, ignoring external matters, even feeling his heart pounding.
Dribbling isn't his thing, Zhang Hao doesn't play fancy in this area, choosing a dunk without dribbling!
With every step forward, Zhang Hao felt like he was sprinting towards a place he wanted to go, sprinting to a step outside the right side of the three-second zone, and jumping!
In terms of jumping ability, Zhang Hao is indeed quite exceptional. He might not reach the very top level, but definitely has top-level jumping ability. He spread his legs and flew over Pierce's head, simultaneously taking the ball held by Pierce with both hands. Then he leaned forward and swung the ball from between his legs upward, completing a reverse double-handed dunk!