Yang Zheng Initiates Counterattack Against Journalist’s Remarks; Journalist Responds That Yang Zheng Should Focus on Training and Pass the Physical Test First

Recently, there has been a lot of buzz about Sichuan player Yang Zheng not passing his physical test.

Today, journalist Jia Lei posted again about this matter. The original post reads as follows:

“This afternoon, Yang Zheng called me and asked me to delete the video and all reports related to him, saying that my reporting has caused him great distress. I agreed to delete the live stream video, which was indeed content he shared during his personal live stream, but he felt that this segment could easily lead to misunderstandings, and he didn’t like it. Reporting on the physical test results is normal CBA coverage. Whether I delete them or not doesn’t matter because the physical test is open to all media, and any media present have the right to take photos and videos and publish the results. I was just the first reporter to release the results.
I got to know Yang Zheng several years ago when I covered a streetball game. At the time, I thought he had exceptional talent. Perhaps some people don’t know, but Yang Zheng won the Beijing Slam Dunk Contest and the MOP award at Sunset Dongdan in his youth. These honors are achievements that many young people of his age can only dream of reaching. I believe he absolutely has the ability and talent to play in the CBA, but a lack of professional systematic training for a long time has made it difficult for him to adapt to the intensity required by the CBA physical test in the short term. Although the preparation period between this year’s CBA draft and the physical test was relatively short, Yang Zheng still has two more opportunities for retesting. Two months is ample time. For many professional basketball players, 31 is still an age where they can maintain peak form. I believe that with Yang Zheng’s talent and perseverance, he can definitely pass the physical test and stand proudly on the CBA court, silencing all those who doubt him. As a Beijing lad, let your skills speak! Go, Yang Zheng! Looking forward to the day you step onto the CBA court!”

However, these words clearly upset Yang Zheng, and he promptly posted a rebuttal:

“Speechless. When I called, did I say your report was causing me trouble and ask you to delete it? I never mentioned deleting the physical test video. What I said was that I accept whatever the results of the physical test are. You didn’t watch the live stream and posted it anyway, which is typical of clickbait accounts. I think you’re a seasoned journalist, so if you want to know something, you could come directly to me instead of selectively reposting videos from other clickbait accounts. At the physical test site, two guys were following me around filming, and I didn’t say a word. I asked you why you only picked the 17-fold and shooting segments to post but not the full squat scores. You said that since I failed the 17-fold, it didn’t involve other projects, yet you also posted the shooting segment, which wasn’t involved either. We’re not three-year-olds; we both know what topics generate buzz and what don’t. You’re not a kid anymore, admitting these things isn’t shameful. You also mentioned we’re both Beijingers. My parents taught me to be reasonable and respectful. We had a good conversation on the phone, and then you posted this tweet. I really didn’t expect that. It would have been better if I had expressed my lack of approval from the start, at least giving you respect as an elder. But regardless, your wording is impeccable. There’s no need for you to respond. I’m just explaining myself briefly, or else people will start cursing at me again. The internet is like this; a few unclear words can cause trouble for a month or two. I’ll stop here to avoid sounding like quarreling old women at the village entrance.”

Following this, the two engaged in a verbal spat, as shown in the images above.

However, Jia Lei’s final statement suggested that Yang Zheng should focus on passing the physical test first. Currently, Yang Zheng has not provided a new response.