He spoke fluent English with a friendly tone.
Most importantly, he mentioned the term "sports medicine."
The concept of sports medicine had been around for a long time, of course. For instance, the International Federation of Sports Medicine was founded back in 1928.
But at that time, it was merely about combining medicine and sports, studying how to treat and prevent injuries that occurred in athletics.
It was only in recent years that it had entered a new stage of development, becoming highly integrated with medicine. Medical schools in the United States had only just begun to separate it into a specialized discipline.
For Yao Songping to bring up such a professional term right off the bat, it was clear he knew what he was talking about.
Upon asking, Chen Yu learned that he was a top student in China’s physical education field. He had pursued a doctorate at the Moscow State Institute of Physical Education, and his advisor was an internationally renowned expert in sports theory who had been researching the field for many years.
The group headed toward the training facility, chatting as they walked.
Compared to Li Yaoming, Yao Songping was clearly much more direct, bringing up the matter of Yao Ming participating in the draft.
"From the Basketball Association’s perspective, we certainly support our players going abroad, experiencing higher-level leagues, and improving their skills. Yao Ming is a great prospect. If he stays with the Eastern Team, they might dominate the Jia A for many years, but that would be the extent of it."
"It wouldn’t be of much help to Chinese basketball as a whole. But if he goes out there, realizes his potential, and raises his level, he can in turn inspire other players to go abroad. Helping the sport of basketball develop further would be an immeasurable contribution."
"Therefore, from this perspective, the club should step aside and yield to the national interest."
As he said this, Yao Songping shot a subtle glance at Li Yaoming.
It was obvious he was warning Li Yaoming and setting the tone for the discussion.
Li Yaoming’s expression didn’t change; he looked as if he were humbly listening to a lesson. Only he knew what he was truly thinking.
Chen Yu was even more clueless about the complex politics at play; he was just listening in for the entertainment.
However, Chen Yu did gather that this leader, Yao Songping, was very supportive of Yao Ming entering the NBA draft.
For the Suns, this was definitely a good thing.
Last year, Yao Ming not participating in the draft himself was one factor, but the conditions set by the Eastern Team were another major reason the Wizards were deterred.
They continued chatting all the way to the basketball arena.
The Eastern Team’s players were already training inside.
Chen Yu learned from the conversation that these players basically all lived at the school, in dormitories.
"So what are they considered, professional players or athletes?" Chen Yu asked.
What does it mean to be a professional player? It’s a job.
You clock in, you clock out.
Living together in a centralized manner like this was almost unimaginable.
Yao Songping smiled and said, "They are professional players, of course. But before being professionals, they have another identity: they are athletes cultivated by our country. Therefore, they have a responsibility to represent the country in competitions."
As he spoke, Yao Songping looked at Chen Yu with a smile. He was saying this intentionally for Chen Yu to hear.
Last year, when the Wizards came to scout Yao Ming, they were deterred by the Eastern Team’s huge buyout fee. That was one reason. Another was the Basketball Management Center’s requirement that Yao Ming must return to China for National Team games.
The Wizards found this point unacceptable, which is why the deal ultimately fell through.
But Yao Songping felt this was a principle that must be upheld. The National Team’s performance came first; even the clubs had to make way.
However, Chen Yu didn’t catch the deeper meaning behind his words. He just nodded and said, "Playing for one’s country is indeed a great honor. But things are a bit different in the United States. For international competitions, they invite players to participate."
As a doctor for the US National Team, Chen Yu knew this well. It wasn’t just basketball; the soccer team also used an invitation system. It wasn’t mandatory.
Chen Yu had just said it casually, but to Yao Songping’s ears, it sounded like Chen Yu was agreeing with his point of view.
"Dr. Chen, you’re absolutely right. Fighting for one’s country is a matter of great honor." Looking at Chen Yu again, his smile seemed a bit more genuine.
Chen Yu didn’t notice this change and looked over at Yao Ming and the others who were training.
They were warming up, with Yao Ming leading them as they ran laps around the court.
Li Quping came forward and explained, "Our facilities here are considered very good. We have a large weight room for all kinds of strength training, and we have cameras to record the players’ sessions. We can find problems in their training by reviewing the footage."
"You could say this is probably the best training base in the entire country." Li Quping said with considerable pride as he finished, then asked Chen Yu what he thought.
Chen Yu smiled. "Let me take a look around first."
While Yao Ming and the others ran their laps, Chen Yu followed Li Quping and the group to tour the other facilities.
For example, the weight room he was so proud of was decent in size, but the equipment...
Chen Yu kept a straight face and went to look at the other areas, like the locker room, physical therapy room, and so on.
When he returned from his tour, Yao Ming and the others had already started their training drills.
The training regimen was pretty standard—the usual stuff. Some were working on skills, others on physical conditioning.
Chen Yu finally had a moment to observe Yao Ming up close.
His body seemed very healthy, with almost no signs of past injuries.
He was practicing low-post offensive moves with an assistant coach. He noticed Chen Yu and gave him a shy smile before quickly looking away.
Chen Yu also noticed a player on the sideline. A middle-aged man, who was probably the team doctor, was wrapping his foot with a bandage.
Curious, he walked over. Chen Yu pointed to the earthy-yellow, square patch on the player’s foot and asked, "Is that an herbal plaster you’re using? May I ask what formula it’s based on?"
The team doctor stared blankly at Chen Yu, a question mark on his face. He clearly didn’t understand English.
Li Yaoming, who was standing nearby, quickly translated and then asked with some surprise, "Dr. Chen, you know about herbal plasters?"
He had always thought herbal plasters were unique to China.
Chen Yu nodded. Of course, they had plasters in the United States.
It was just that the plasters in the United States were different from the ones Chen Yu had made himself.
The plasters Chen Yu made were traditional Chinese medicinal pastes created according to the information from his system.
The American plasters, to be precise, should be called gel patches. They were a topical method for delivering medication, not fundamentally different from a spray. As far as Chen Yu knew, they were first developed and produced in Japan and South Korea before spreading to the United States. American pharmaceutical companies also generally outsourced their production to companies in Japan and South Korea.
And they had only one purpose: pain relief.
When it came to pain relief, Americans were especially fond of it. No matter the illness, big or small, painkillers were always involved.
"I also make herbal plasters for the players in the United States. They’re mainly for reducing swelling and improving circulation to disperse blood stasis," Chen Yu explained.
The team doctor blinked, looking at Chen Yu in disbelief. "You actually know about improving circulation and dispersing blood stasis?"
Chen Yu nodded. "Actually, there are many traditional Chinese medicine clinics in the United States because of the large Chinese population. I’ve studied these things, so not only can I make herbal plasters, but I also understand Acupuncture, Moxibustion, acupressure, and even fire cupping. I believe these methods are actually very effective for athlete recovery."
Chen Yu’s words left not only the team doctor stunned but also Li Yaoming, who was translating. A foreign doctor who knew so much about traditional Chinese medicine, even understanding Acupuncture? That was incredibly rare.
"He injured his ankle, didn’t he?"
Chen Yu looked at the player. He didn’t even need the Eye of All-Seeing to tell that his ankle was a bit swollen. It was likely a sprain.
The team doctor nodded dazedly.
Chen Yu continued, speaking in Chinese as the classical text was nearly impossible to translate, "The ’Meridian Vessels’ Chapter of the *Lingshu* states that the Bladder meridian governs diseases of the sinews, like ankle sprains. Following the principle of treating a lower-body ailment by selecting upper-body points, one can use points on the eyebrow, wrist, and ankle. Whether through Acupuncture or acupressure, it’s beneficial for relieving sprains, swelling, and inflammation."
The team doctor clearly understood. His jaw just about hit the floor. He stared wide-eyed and said, "You even know the *Lingshu*?"
He came from a surgical background, but his hospital practiced integrated Chinese and Western medicine, so he had been exposed to many TCM theories. Knowing of the *Lingshu* was normal for him.
But knowing of it was one thing. Even he wouldn’t dare claim to truly understand the abstruse medical theories within the *Lingshu* or to have studied them thoroughly.
But for Chen Yu, a foreign doctor, to understand this stuff... it was simply unbelievable.
Seeing the team doctor’s reaction, Chen Yu found it a bit strange. "Did I say something wrong? I’m actually not that knowledgeable about this. I came to China with the intention to learn, so if I’ve made any mistakes, please point them out."
After translating, Li Yaoming asked in a low voice, "Old Yang, did Dr. Chen say anything wrong?"
He shot him a look that said, ’You’d better not just say whatever.’
Old Yang understood the look and said with a wry smile, "General Manager Li, I don’t even understand the things he’s talking about! How am I supposed to judge if he’s right or wrong?"
Traditional Chinese medicine is difficult, especially when it involves meridians and acupoints. That’s the most fundamental core of TCM. Who could possibly know it without years of dedicated study?
In any case, he didn’t.
Just then, Yao Songping stepped forward and asked in surprise, "Dr. Chen, you also understand traditional Chinese medicine?"
Chen Yu nodded. "Of course. Like I was saying, I believe some TCM treatments are a great help in treating sports injuries. As the team doctor for the Suns, I routinely use methods like Acupuncture and acupressure to treat our players’ injuries, such as sprains and muscle strains. The results are excellent."
"In this area, I actually find that Western medical treatments are somewhat limited, focusing mainly on anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects. They’re not as versatile as TCM methods."
"And besides methods like Acupuncture, I think Chinese herbal medicine is also very effective. For example, herbal plasters and prescriptions. Did you know, with the Suns, I also use certain herbal formulas to help players improve their stamina and speed up their recovery."
"This has been a very positive experience. In fact, before this season started, I even spoke with David about preparing to promote this experience to all the teams in the league."
"So, a major reason for my visit this time is to study properly here in China, the birthplace of traditional Chinese medicine."
Chen Yu’s speech left Yao Songping and the others completely dumbfounded.
The men exchanged glances, their expressions turning very peculiar.
"Do Americans really use Acupuncture? Look, he said it himself, not just Acupuncture, but they even take Chinese herbal medicine! And he’s preparing to promote it to all the teams? By the way, the David he mentioned... is that David Stern?" Li Quping asked in a low voice.
Li Yaoming frowned. "I always thought the United States had high-level training and advanced medical care. Was it because of traditional Chinese medicine all along? Director Yao, is our TCM really that amazing?"
He looked at Yao Songping.
He rarely traveled abroad and had no idea this was the situation outside of China.
But Yao Songping was a leader who often went abroad for inspections and research. He should know something about it, right?
’Don’t ask me! I don’t know any of this stuff either!’ Yao Songping thought to himself.
But from the way Chen Yu talked, it sounded like traditional Chinese medicine was a huge deal in the NBA.
This, strangely enough, filled Yao Songping with a sense of pride.
Traditional Chinese medicine... that was one of China’s national treasures.
If it weren’t for Chen Yu today, Yao Songping would never have known that traditional Chinese medicine was so powerful.

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