basketball purple front

Chapter 385 The Helmsman
After walking a few steps, I saw a white-haired old man sitting in a wheelchair and was slowly pushed out.

And this person Tang Qian knew, he was the famous father of the Lakers, Dr. Jerry Buss.

A genius who dropped out of high school and got a Ph.D. in chemistry at the age of 24.

Because of this title, he was honored as "Dr. Bath" throughout his life.

This person's experience is extremely legendary. He once made more than one million dollars with only 1000 dollars, and then he has been going smoothly. From a poor boy with a poor family, he has become a rich man in Los Angeles. At the age of 46, he became attached to the Los Angeles Lakers and bought the Los Angeles Kings, the Los Angeles Forum Arena, and the Los Angeles Lakers for $6750 million.After that, the Zijin Army was in his hands, shining brightly.

Even if Tang Qian didn't witness that period of history with his own eyes, he was still fascinated by these words, these names, and these stories.

Show. Time.

OK.

The first $2500 million contract in NBA history.

The first seven-year, $7 million contract in NBA history.

Dominant era 16 NBA Finals.

10 NBA championships.

……

In short, the old man in front of him is the real ruler of the Los Angeles Lakers since 1979.

It's a pity that Tang Qian knew that he was going to die soon, and next month, the ruler of the Lakers would die, leaving the Zijin Army who had struggled for half his life.At the age of 80.

He is a true fan of the bosses of the 30 teams in the NBA, and everything about the Bass family is also on top of the Staples Purple and Gold Army.

Therefore, he is different from most NBA owners. He is a professional sports owner, and sports is his main business, not a sideline.Therefore, his devotion and emotion to the Lakers are not comparable to those oligarchs who are just playing games.

And this person has a characteristic, that is, his eyes are extremely sharp and accurate, and he can often grasp the opportunity for the rise of the next generation of the Lakers.

"Magic" Johnson, "Skyhook" Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, James Worthy, Shaq O'Neal, and Kobe Bryant are all his masterpieces, because of Los Angeles, because of the Lakers, their history Leave a name and shine brightly.Don't say that these are the masterpieces of the general manager. It is true that the contribution of the general manager cannot be ignored, but whether to sign or pay for it in the end is the boss's business.So everything about the Lakers after 79 is closely related to him and inseparable.

Although Tang Qian didn't know why Kobe brought him here, as long as he could see Jerry Buss himself, it would be a worthwhile trip for him.But soon, he found another familiar face, she was pushing the cart behind Jerry Buss... Bonnie Laughlin.

"Hi~ China Hot~ Long time no see~ You are much stronger than before~" After seeing Tang Qian, Bonnie Laughlin took the initiative to say hello with a smile.Tang Qian was taken aback, and quickly echoed: "It's Ms. Laughlin. I didn't expect you to be here. It's been a long time~" Speaking of this woman, she is still Tang Qian's NBA "guide". If it wasn't for her, Tang Qian might not be with the Los Angeles Lakers at all now, or even enter the NBA at all.So Tang Qian showed gratitude and respect to her in his eyes.

"How about it, Jerry, isn't this little oriental guy very polite?" Bonnie Laughlin turned to look at Jerry Bustow, and from the address, the relationship between the two of them seemed really abnormal , at least on a very intimate level.But these have nothing to do with Tang Qian, because he only cares about how the other party treats him, and if he treats him well, he will definitely treat him equally.

He didn't even bother to think about the gossip and gossip from the outside world.

This is his way of doing things, simple, pure, direct.

"Well, yes, yes, this kid is indeed different from those little guys before." Jerry Bass said with a smile, but it can be seen that his smile is also weak, not because he is dissatisfied with Tang Qian, But his physical condition is really too bad.It seems that saying a few words will consume a lot of vitality in the body.

Even if Tang Qian is not a doctor, he can probably tell that the old man in a wheelchair in front of him is already sunset and his life span is numbered.This is the doomed trend of a person's life, and nothing can be changed.

"Mr. Bass, this is hot. I want him to be a part of the team." Kobe looked at the old man with a respectful look and attitude, not like a black mamba at all. "Being part of the team? Kobe, isn't he now?" Jerry Buss asked with a smile pretending not to understand.

"No, Mr. Buss, I mean." Kobe said, looked at Tang Qian, and then continued: "Let him become a real part of the Lakers, just like James Worthy." James Worthy West, a real Lakers fan, should have heard this name. He is one of the representatives of the Purple and Gold Corps Show.Time in the 80s, the right-hand man of "Magic" Johnson, the No. 50 pick, NBA7 superstar, Naismith basketball celebrity Memorial Hall, 3 NBA All-Stars, [-] NBA Championships, and even an FMVP career resume.But the meaning of Kobe's words is obviously not that. Tang Qian didn't understand his core, but Old Buss had already understood.

James Worthy is also one of the best assistants, similar to Pippen, because his personal singles ability is not top-notch, so after leaving the magician, he quickly fell down.He is similar to Amare Stoudemire in the early stage. He needs a good defender to pass the ball to him in order to stimulate his full energy.But Kobe's most important point is James Worthy, who eventually retired his jersey with the Lakers.So the key to the phrase "let him become a real part of the Lakers" on the 24th is here.

What is a "real part"?For most NBA players, the teams they belong to are all part-time companies, and they are just part-time employees.Only a very small group of people can truly integrate into the core of this enterprise, and they are "jersey retirees".That's right, the retired jersey is the real family and the real team.

Kobe understands, and so does Buss, but is it worth it just to do this?
You don't have the right to retire jerseys, at least in the Lakers, if you don't have dazzling contributions, then don't even think about hanging high on the zenith of the Staples Center.Look at these famous names, Wilt Chamberlain, Elgin Baylor, Jerry West, Kareem Jabbar, Alvin Johnson, James Worthy, Gail Goodry Odd, Jamal Wilkes, and Shaq O'Neal, who is about to hold a jersey retirement ceremony in April this year.Do you have the nerve to keep pace with them while enjoying the gaze and worship of 2 spectators at the Staples Center?
"A real part?" When Old Buss talked about the work of the Lakers, he changed his previous gentle image and immediately became shrewd and capable, as if the slumber in his body had been virtually reduced a lot. "Bryant, are you sure?" Old Buss called Kobe by his surname. This is one of his work habits, which is used to express seriousness and seriousness, and to distinguish between life status and work status.Kobe's answer surprised people, only to hear him say: "I'm not sure, so I want Mr. Bass, you have a look, you decide."

"Let me see? Aren't you afraid that I'll be confused?" Jerry Buss asked.

Kobe still said seriously: "I believe in you, just like you believed in me unconditionally back then."

Old Bath's encouragement and influence on Kobe's life are incalculable. Without his strong intervention and shelter, it would be hard to say whether Kobe, who was deeply involved in the "Eagle County Incident", could continue to stand up.After all, under such circumstances, the outside world blamed him, the advertisers gave up, and the fans rejected him. No matter how strong Kobe was, he might be a little bit lost. After all, he was only a young man in his 20s. be strong.But the old Bath gave him the biggest booster, that is, he was chosen, O'Neal was sent away, and he was offered a 7-year contract with the highest price in the NBA at that time.

What does this mean for Kobe, who was rebellious at the time?It means giving charcoal in a timely manner, it means supporting in the quagmire, and it means the grace of rebuilding.Don't think it's an exaggeration, Old Buss kept him and made him the boss, just to give him a chance to regain the top. You must know that countless capable NBA players actually lack this kind of opportunity.And the stage in Los Angeles is big enough, wide enough, enough for Kobe Bryant to avenge his shame and return to the spotlight.

Especially the transoceanic phone call that old Buss made to him at that time hit Kobe's strength and softness.

"Son, I'm sorry, according to the rules of the league, I can only give you so much, but I hope you can understand that I really want to give you more."

A passage that seems ordinary, but directly penetrates the steel-like heart of the No. 24 shell.

It was also from that moment that his attitude towards the helm of the Lakers changed from a boss to an elder to a mentor.

Believe me, in this world, there are very few people like Kobe, very few.

Not even the great Michael Jordan is included.

"Okay." Old Bass only said a simple word, then looked up at Tang Qian and said, "Oriental boy, come and push me, let's chat for a while." Tang Qian nodded and walked to Behind the old Bath, who replaced Bonnie Laughlin said: "Mr. Bath, where are we going?"

"Let's go there. There are many things I like there. When I get old, I like to look at old things and feel nostalgic." Old Bath said.

"Well, I see." After speaking, Tang Qian followed the instructions of Old Bass and slowly left the room.

After the figures of the two of them left, Bonnie Laughlin said, "Bryant, what do you think? Are you serious?" Kobe looked up at Bonnie Laughlin, nodded and said : "Of course, otherwise why would I bring him here?"

"What do you like about him? I remember you brought Pau Gasol here last time, right?"

"Honestly, I don't quite understand either. Hard work? Skills? Strength? Potential? These things are too illusory. At least that's not why I brought him here."

"What is that? Although he is the one I signed, I don't think he has that kind of potential." Bonnie Laughlin said: "If you want to really join the Lakers, the threshold is high, you It’s not clear, is it? In recent decades, except for Shaquille O’Neal, no one has retired his jersey with the Lakers. Of course, your share is already guaranteed, so don’t think about it.”

Kobe knew what she meant. She was referring to the Lakers players after the 90s. Only O'Neal was selected.The rest, such as Jamal Wilkes, who retired last year, although his jersey was retired in 2012, is actually a player from the 74 class, and he withdrew from the NBA as early as 86.Pushing forward, the youngest retiree is James Worthy of the 82nd class.Then, apart from O'Neal, there is no other player on the Lakers who can receive this honor.Therefore, it is not surprising that Bonnie Laughlin would hold such an attitude.

"Let me tell you, I have this intuition, do you believe it?" Kobe suddenly said an unexpected answer.

Bonnie Laughlin was slightly taken aback when she heard the words, and opened her mouth after a long while, "Are you serious? Bryant?"

"What do you think?" Kobe said.

"Hehe~ A man's intuition?" Bonnie Laughlin smiled noncommittally.

Besides, on Tang Qian's side, he pushed Old Bus to a place similar to the collection corridor. He didn't know if he knew that his life was not long, so Old Bus was very relieved about Tang Qian, a "stranger". No worries or worries.

"These are all private collections, and they cannot be seen by the outside world." Old Bass seemed to be watching attentively, and opened his mouth while browsing and asked, "What do you think, child?" Tang Qian was actually too surprised to say anything now The words come, because most of this section of the collection corridor belongs to the glory days of the Lakers.Out-of-print photos, re-engraved NBA championship trophies, NBA championship rings, handprints of all successful and famous Lakers players, old newspaper records, etc., plus the embellishment of the purple and gold laser lights belonging to the Lakers, everything seems to be in the In the years and the majesty.

The years and events that belonged exclusively to the Los Angeles Lakers.

It is a feeling and feeling that cannot be articulated.

After a while, Tang Qian opened his mouth and said, "It's so great, so amazing, and so beautiful."

These words are usually a bit pretentious when used, but they can be used here, but they are just right, not oily and abrupt at all.

"Son, do you like the Lakers?" Old Buss asked again.

"I like it." Tang Qian replied.

"How much do you like it?" Old Buss said.

Tang Qian was taken aback for a moment, and after looking around, he said firmly, "I like it very much."

"Are you willing to be a real Laker?" Old Buss continued.

"The real Lakers?" Tang Qian didn't quite understand, but still felt something vaguely, so he nodded and said, "Of course, sir."

"Yeah." Old Buss also looked at these old things that belonged to the Lakers, and then said, "Then, who do you think you want to be?"

"James Worthy? Or..." Old Bass paused, then said, "Ervin Johnson."

Hearing this, Tang Qian was taken aback again. After thinking for a while, he replied seriously: "Ervin Johnson."

"Hehe, honesty is a very good thing." Old Buss smiled slightly: "It seems that Kobe underestimated your heart."

"I..." Before Tang Qian could speak, Old Buss interrupted: "There is no need to explain too much, boy, if you like it, go for it. Didn't Kobe come here step by step? Bonaparte once said, A soldier who doesn't want to be a general is not a good soldier, and if you think that way, it shows that you are also a good player."

"Haha~" Seeing the expression on Tang Qian's face, Old Buss smiled and said, "Don't worry, Kobe is different from Shaq. If you can really beat him, he won't have any emotions."

"Because, he is also a part of the big family of the Lakers."

"So, kid..." Old Buss asked in a calm tone, "Can you rule the entire alliance?"

"The Los Angeles Lakers ship only needs the best captain."

This was the first time Tang Qian saw Jerry Bass in his life, and it was also the last time he saw him, but everything tonight was unforgettable for him for a long time.

Even remember for a lifetime.

Because the old man in the wheelchair seemed to see something, seemed to discover something, seemed to be hooked.

This is not on the material level, but on the spiritual level, something that Tang Qian may have thought about before, but buried deep in his heart.

You could call it "desire".

You can also call it "wish".

What the heart wants.

Believe what you want.

PS: Thank you for your support. Tang Qian's growth is continuing, whether it is skill or heart.

(End of this chapter)