After the game, Xu Yong invited DeRozan, Harden and Willis to have a meal outside.

We talked about the game at the dinner table and the atmosphere was very harmonious.

When they were almost done eating, Willis took Harden out for a walk, leaving DeRozan and Xu Yong alone in the restaurant.

Because they had met last time, the two did not seem awkward.

"James said you are a natural basketball superstar." Xu Yong started the conversation.

"Really? That's just flattery among friends. I'm just an apprentice and I still have a lot to learn." DeRozan smiled and shook his head.

DeRozan seems even more low-key and humble than Harden.

"To be honest, I never thought that James would change so much. I'm really lucky to have you as a friend," DeRozan continued.

"Again?" Xu Yong noticed the details in DeRozan's words.

"Yes, didn't he tell you about high school?" DeRozan was a little surprised.

Xu Yong shook his head. What Harden told him was "Revenge of the Black Prince", which did not mention Harden's own changes.

But this did arouse his curiosity. After all, if Harden was talented enough from the beginning, he wouldn't have to go to a suburban high school.

And he had always wondered why Harden chose college because of Pera. It seems there is indeed a story behind this.

"That's right, that's not a past worth remembering for him." DeRozan said to himself.

Then he saw Xu Yong's reaction, recalled Harden's attitude towards Xu Yong, and then said: "Actually, there is nothing that cannot be said. James was fat when he was a child because he ate too much sugar, and he also had asthma."

As soon as DeRozan started describing it, Xu Yong's expression changed from curiosity to surprise.

It is understandable that eating too much sugar leads to obesity. In the United States, poor children who have no snacks like to eat cheap sugar that can relieve hunger.

But Harden has asthma? He didn't know that!

You have to know that asthma is a respiratory disease. It is difficult for people with this disease to engage in high-intensity exercise, let alone play in the NBA.

"It's amazing, isn't it?" DeRozan anticipated Xu Yong's reaction and said with a smile, "Because of these reasons, plus he was only about 1.8 meters tall at the time, he couldn't dunk and could only squat in the bottom corner to shoot three-pointers. No one thought he could play professionally, except Coach Pera."

Xu Yong stroked his chin thoughtfully.

Harden had told him before that he started playing basketball at the age of twelve, and he was fifteen when he was in the first year of high school, so even if he started in the second half of his twelfth year, he had been practicing for at least two and a half years.

It is impossible that Harden only knows how to shoot three-pointers. It is more likely that he is afraid of strenuous exercise for fear of triggering an asthma attack.

"But in the end, he beat it, with the help of Coach Pera," DeRozan said respectfully.

His subsequent description also confirmed Xu Yong's conjecture.

Although Harden spent most of his time on the court squatting in the bottom corner waiting for opportunities, Pera was still able to keenly discover his talent during normal training.

Although he is fat, Harden's dribbling is extremely flexible and he has incredible passing vision, which makes Pera firmly believe that Harden has a bright future.

Thus, Pera's transformation of Harden began.

Losing weight is necessary, but asthma is more important.

Asthma has different degrees of severity. If it is already a serious condition, you can just lie down. Fortunately, Harden was only diagnosed with a mild case when he was diagnosed.

At this time, doctors usually ask patients to observe and avoid strenuous exercise.

But with Pera's encouragement, Harden made another choice, improving his physical fitness to reduce the probability of asthma attacks.

This sounds simple, but it is difficult to do because it is equivalent to challenging the limits of your body.

Pera developed a devilish training plan for Harden, and Harden finally persevered with Pera's encouragement.

About a year and a half later, Harden is no longer the guy who can only squat in the corner and shoot. He began to hold the ball and organize the offense more often.

In Pera's vision, Harden's goal is to become a heavy-duty point guard like Baron Davis.

And it was at this time that God discovered Harden and gave him ten centimeters taller.

"James can dunk easily." DeRozan's description was vivid. Although he and Harden did not go to the same high school, as childhood friends, he basically knew what Harden had experienced.

"But he still didn't want to attack the inside. He was afraid that too much physical exertion would trigger asthma, even though he had actually overcome it." DeRozan continued, sitting up straight when he said this, as if this story had reached its most special part.

Although asthma can be suppressed, it cannot be cured, so it is normal for Harden to have concerns.

But after all, asthma is not a disease like Barrs' dilated heart, it will not cause instant death, and even if it occurs, it can be treated with portable drugs.

What's more, Harden has already controlled him well through training, so this concern is more psychological.

"In order to get Harden to attack the basket more often, Coach Pera and James reached an agreement that as long as Harden gets more than 6 free throws in a game, he will treat James to a meal or a hamburger. If James fails to do so, he needs to make a certain number of shuttle runs."

When Xu Yong heard this, he was stunned for a moment, then laughed out loud.

Because he always likes to commit fouls, Harden has had nicknames such as "Magneto" and "One-Point King" in history.

It turns out that Pera is the source of all evil!

But you know what, this method really works.

Harden's family is not well off, so a meal or a hamburger is a very worthwhile reward for him.

After DeRozan finished speaking, Xu Yong also had a new understanding of Harden.

As he was previously known, Harden was not a proactive person, but he was smart enough to judge what would help him, and after that, he was willing to change.

Note that this is real intelligence, not the kind of shrewd character that the media creates for oneself.

This also explains why Harden has been able to continue to evolve throughout history.

You have to know that with Harden's physical fitness, theoretically he cannot reach the heights he has reached in history.

But now, under the influence of Xu Yong, Harden has completed the evolution of his desire to win ahead of schedule. It is very exciting to see what heights he can reach in the future.

"Tell me the story of you and James." DeRozan then looked at Xu Yong.

Xu Yong nodded.

They are going to have a storytelling session.

But before he finished his story, the protagonist of the story came back.

And he was holding a bag in his hand.

It seems that they were not out strolling, but went there specifically to buy things.

"Xu, this is a gift. Thank you for helping James." Willis said as he took the bag from Harden and took out a gift box from it.

It's a fine sports watch, and looks expensive.

Xu Yong knew Harden's family situation and wanted to refuse, but Willis's next words made him give up.

"Please don't reject a mother's heart."

"Thank you, Aunt Willis. I will treasure it." Xu Yong took the gift with a smile.

He really needs a sports watch; it's not convenient to hold a mobile phone all the time to time training.

Willis is so smart. When he took Harden out, he obviously wanted to pick out a truly useful gift.

Facts have proved that she made a good choice.