warrior godfather

Chapter 502 We Are Different

June 6, Bay Area, San Francisco International Airport.

Zhang Yu and Stevens walked out of the airport side by side. Stevens was dragging a small suitcase. Zhang Yu was wearing sunglasses, but he would still be recognized by passers-by. People kept saying hello to him, and he smiled. Return the gift.

Someone in the sea would shout "Let` go, Warriors" excitedly, and Zhang Yu responded with a punch. It took the two of them a long time to complete this short distance.

Two days later, the finals between the Warriors and the Heat will begin. Stevens has nothing to do and comes to the Bay Area to watch the finals. Zhang Yu specially came to greet him in person.

After walking out of the airport, Zhang Yu took Stevens to a commercial Mercedes-Benz parked on the side of the road, opened the trunk, Stevens put the suitcase in, sat in the co-pilot, fastened his seat belt, and said with a smile :

"The fans in the Bay Area are very enthusiastic."

Zhang Yu said proudly:
"It's not the first time you've come here. We have the best fans in the world! The day we advanced to the Western Conference Finals, the fans were really enthusiastic. At twelve o'clock in the middle of the night, they were still jamming outside the Oracle Center to celebrate. My car refused to let me go, they had to let me give a speech, and there was no microphone, I yelled for 10 minutes before they let me go."

Stevens shook his head and said:
"Come on, Bulldogs fans are the best fans in the world, not NBA fans, they're not pure enough."

Zhang Yu did not refute, he nodded slightly:

"You're right, I remember when we won the championship for the first time, back to school, the whole school celebrated all night, my apartment was full of people, I was dragged to all kinds of parties all night, drinking a lot Beer, every student looks at me with admiring eyes, I can never experience that kind of atmosphere again... This time the Bulldog won the championship, and you also became the hero of Butler University, how does it feel? Isn't it very cool ?”

"A little bit, but the biggest feeling is a sigh of relief. I finally won the championship and lived up to the expectations of the teachers and students of the school." Stevens shrugged and said softly.

In March Madness this year, the Bulldogs went all the way, invincible, and finally won the NCAA championship again after four years.

This also allowed Butler University to completely consolidate its status as a prestigious school. The Bulldogs won the championship not only by relying on Zhang Yu and Curry, but it was not a flash in the pan. Even if Zhang Yu left, they were still champions.

Stevens' popularity reached its peak, and he became a nationally famous young coach, gaining wide acclaim in the industry.

Compared with Zhang Yu, who reached the top of the NCAA in his twenties, Stevens' age of 37 led his team to win the championship, which is easier to be accepted.

What's more, Stevens is a white man who was born in middle class Indiana and played college basketball. He is handsome and gentle. He is simply the most perfect model of a college coach and has won the love of many fans.

After the Bulldogs won the championship this time, many businesses even approached Stevens, wanting him to be their spokesperson, but he declined.

He just wants to be his own coach and doesn't want to be distracted by commercial endorsements.

……

Stevens sighed with emotion, and then said:

"However, the feeling of winning the championship is indeed different. When the Bulldogs did not win the championship two years ago, some NBA teams invited me to coach, but it felt more like an attempt to me. But after the Bulldogs won the championship this year, the invitation The number of teams I went to coach immediately increased, and my sincerity was much greater than before.”

"It's a pity that I just invited Steve to come to the Warriors as the chief assistant coach last summer, otherwise you can come to help me..." Zhang Yu said regretfully.

Stevens gave Zhang Yu a disdainful look:
"Even without Steve Kerr, I wouldn't have come to the Warriors. Let the head coach not do it, and I'll be your assistant coach? Why do you have so much face?"

"The Warriors are the defending champions! Can they be the same as those big teams?"

"Even if the Warriors are a dynasty team, the assistant coach is also an assistant coach. Unless you let me come to the Warriors as the head coach, then I will take office tomorrow."

"Ahem, let's forget it... Hearing what you said, you don't plan to continue coaching the Bulldogs anymore?" Zhang Yu asked.

Steven paused for a moment, nodded slightly, and turned his head to look out the window, with some reluctance in his eyes, but more determination:
"The challenge of college basketball is too low, especially after you led the team to win two consecutive championships, Butler University is famous all over the United States, and it is not difficult to recruit students. Every year, many talented high school students can be recruited. It’s impossible to be bad, as long as you continue to fight step by step, this is also the reason why many famous schools have been prosperous for decades..."

"But the NBA is different. The NCAA is pure basketball. The NBA is more like a business. But here are the best players in the world, with the highest level of competition. No one knows who the next superstar will be. , no team will last forever, even the Spurs will be blacked out. It is more difficult to win in the NBA than in the NCAA. Every season is turbulent and unpredictable. This kind of game is interesting ..."

"It is not difficult to win the NBA championship. I have been in the NBA for three years, and I won the championship." Zhang Yu said.

"..." Stevens was silent, and he spoke after a while, "You freak!"

Zhang Yu laughed triumphantly:
"Haha, well, let's get down to business. Which teams invited you to coach? Come and listen, and I can give you some advice."

"If you don't ask, I'm going to tell you and ask for your opinion... mainly the Celtics, Suns, and Nuggets. Among them, the Celtics are the most sincere. I sent out interview invitations," Stevens said.

"The Celtics, the Nuggets, the Suns..." Zhang Yu muttered thoughtfully, "Then what do you think?"

Stevens said:

"I want to coach the Pacers most, of course, so I don't have to move, but the Pacers reached the Eastern Conference semifinals this year, and Vogel's coaching position is very stable...I am currently most inclined to go to the Celtics, Danny Ainge has made a special trip to Indiana to interview me several times. He is very sincere and promised that if I am willing to coach the Celtics, he will never interfere with my coaching and will build a team lineup according to my requirements. .”

"Sounds good, what about the contract? What kind of contract is he willing to give you?" Zhang Yu asked.

"Danny Ainge promised that as long as I take over the coaching position of the Celtics, the team and I will sign a contract of at least 6 million for 2000 years." Stevens replied.

Zhang Yu nodded slowly:

"Danny Ainge is indeed very sincere. Six years is the longest period of a coaching contract. 6 million is not too much, but for a rookie head coach who has never coached an NBA team, it is also very good. See Come on, he really believes that you can lead the Celtics to renaissance."

Stevens snorted:
"What is a rookie coach? The NBA's tactics are much simpler than the NCAA's. Give me a chance, and I will do as well as you!"

"Really?" Zhang Yu glanced at Stevens with a half-smile, "You also said that the NBA is a business field, and those big-name stars will not be like college students who obey your orders. In the Bulldogs, Everything is up to you, and all your instructions will be faithfully carried out."

He paused and continued:

"But in the NBA, the coach is at the bottom of the ecological chain. Superstars must be above the coach. Some veteran players dare to join forces to fight against the coach. And the management is pressing on it. Who do you use? , who you have to use, after all, sometimes you can’t buy tickets for winning games, but stars can sell tickets, and even if you don’t play well in a few games, you may dismiss get out of class, are you sure, you like this kind of utilitarian environment?”

Stevens was silent for a moment, and said:

"As long as Danny Ainge's commitment counts, I can control the team and I have the confidence to play good results."

Zhang Yu smiled and said:

"Donovan is good enough, right? He accepted the invitation of the Magic in 2007. He only played with the Magic for 6 days, then gave up his $550 million salary and returned to Florida State University to coach his 'obedient child'. Mike Montgomery has coached Stanford University for more than ten years, and his winning rate in the NCAA has reached an astonishing 70%. In 2004, he was hired by Chris Mullin to the Warriors. After two seasons, he went back in despair. Not to mention Tino, he went to the Celtics back then, and also served as the president, and he did a mess. Tell me, when they first came to the NBA, did they have the confidence to lead the team to achieve good results? ?”

Stevens turned his head, looked Zhang Yu up and down, and said:

"Why do you keep pouring cold water on me? You coached the Warriors, didn't you do a good job?"

"Can it be the same? I am the owner of the Warriors. I have the final say on everything about the Warriors. It is easier than coaching the Bulldogs." Zhang Yu said.

"..." Stevens was speechless, and he said after a while, "Then according to you, NBA head coach is a hellish job, so I should stay at Butler University, right?"

Looking sideways at the rearview mirror, Zhang Yu said:
"Of course not, I just want you to have a clear understanding of the job of an NBA head coach. Although I have not encountered such pressure, my coaching staff is all experienced. I am actually conservative. , Coaching is the most humble profession in the NBA, there is no one, only those players who look at the water cooler have a lower status than us, unless you are a very prestigious and qualified coach."

"But you are not. No matter how good your performance in the NCAA is, you are a rookie head coach in the NBA. Danny Ainge's promise may not be useful. He himself may be fired at any time... In short , if you want to come to the NBA, you have to be mentally prepared to take on everything, especially the Celtics are not doing well now, and they will definitely lose more and more games. At that time, the fans will be the first to scold you, and you will face a lot. A lot of pressure."

Stevens chuckled lightly:
"Stress? The thing I'm most afraid of is pressure. Those who don't know how to play, feel free to scold them. At worst, I'll go back to Indiana and continue to coach the Bulldogs."

Zhang Yu praised:
"Very well, in this case, let's go to the Celtics!"

"You also think the Celtics are my best bet?"

"No, the Nuggets are your best choice, but the Celtics have the greatest sincerity, so you can only go to the Celtics."

"why?"

Zhang Yu explained slowly:
"The Nuggets are a small club. George Karl resigned. There is a lack of stars in the team. There is no performance requirement. The style of play is biased towards the team, which is easier to control. But the Celtics are a rich team. The former He won the championship again in a few years. The boss, management, and fans all have requirements for his performance. There are too many famous people in history, and the management team is mixed. If you go to the Celtics, you have to make quick results, otherwise it will be difficult for Danny Ainge to protect you."

Stevens nodded slightly, and Zhang Yu continued:
"But since Danny Ainge is sincere, then this opportunity cannot be missed. This is the first rule of a rookie head coach. Never let go of the opportunity to coach a team, let alone the Celtics, it is the Kings, A bad team like the Timberwolves should go if they have the chance.”

"Okay, I understand. After the finals are over, I will contact Danny Ainge and sign a contract with him."

"Okay, but don't sign a six-year contract with the Celtics. Sign a four-year contract with an annual salary of around $400 million. Otherwise, you will suffer too much. I got news that Danny Ainge should be planning a contract. With a big deal, the Celtics will rebuild very quickly, and you don't have to wait too long, and you should be able to produce results." Zhang Yu said.

"I see." Stevens nodded.

"Don't blame me for not reminding you. When the Warriors and the Celtics meet, I won't be merciful. The Garnett incident made Stephen and the others hate the Celtics very much." Zhang Yu laughed.

Stevens snorted:
"I need you to show mercy? A season is nothing more than two games. I will remember how many points you beat me, and I will return them all in the future!"

"Haha, okay, I'll wait!" Zhang Yu laughed and said, "But before that, I'll win a few championships first, hoping that the Celtics can make it to the finals. It's too boring to just play against each other in the regular season."

"You think long-term enough, you should first think about how to win the Heat, James is in a very hot state now, have you figured out the tactics to deal with the Heat?" Stevens said.

At this time, Zhang Yu had already driven into the Glenview community. He slowed down and said:

"Of course, tonight I'm going to have a meeting with the coaching staff, decide on the tactics, and then let the team practice for two days... Do you have any suggestions?

Stevens raised his right hand and stroked his chin:

"Compared with last year, the Heat's tactics this year have changed a lot. Your tactics have to be changed too. However, the Heat's tactics are too single and lack of changes. It is easy to restrain. If I were you, I would first target the Wade, he is now the biggest shortcoming of the Heat!"

　Thank you RED for your tip!
　　
　
(End of this chapter)