I was determined to be bad, but I went straight to the Basketball Hall of Fame

Chapter 504

In mid-April, when the playoffs were about to start, the Los Angeles Times suddenly threw out a big news.

Clippers owner Sterling's recordings of daily conversations have been exposed, all of which are related to racial discrimination and sexism.

This dropped a bomb to the NBA, which is preparing for the playoffs, and made public opinion focus on the Clippers again.

To say that the Clippers in the past two years are really the king of the NBA, from players to coaches, from managers to owners, and even to jerseys and team logos, they are hotly searched in turn.

It's just that most of them are not good things.

The content of Sterling's recording is even more water into the hot oil pan, frying crackling.

Because most players in the NBA are black, a dignified team owner discriminates against black players, and his words are quite explicit and ugly, who can bear it?

For a while, the coaches, players, and managers of all NBA teams issued statements protesting the discriminatory behavior of the Clippers owner.

But what is strange is that the only team that did not protest was the Clippers.

There are also many black players on the Clippers, including Curry, who looks quite fair, and is also black according to the principle of one drop of blood.

In fact, theoretically speaking, the one drop of blood principle is very unscientific. The so-called distinction between whites and people of color is a typical political distinction and blatant discrimination.

Because from a scientific point of view, many so-called blacks may have more white blood in their bodies than black blood.

Therefore, people like them should be collectively referred to as "mixed-race people", rather than simply black or white.

But because of historical factors and the principle of one drop of blood, many mixed-race people were kicked into the black and colored groups.

Today, American society is being backlashed by this kind of division, and various contradictions occur every now and then because of racial discrimination.

With the external environment criticizing Sterling, the inside of the Clippers is quiet. There are two main reasons:
First, the Clippers players are really not familiar with Sterling!
Except for Randolph and Ricky Davis, other players had little contact with Sterling.

Even for Randolph and Davis, it only takes one season to see Sterling more.

After Min Congda came to the Clippers, Sterling disappeared and rarely appeared.

Since he didn't show up, he wouldn't leave a bad impression on the players.

Sterling's daily stinginess, bad mouth, bullying of subordinates, discrimination in the workplace, etc., are not understood by everyone.

So don't look at other teams' protests, the Clippers' own players think it's nothing, and even wonder if other teams deliberately engage in such a moth to harm the Clippers?

The playoffs are approaching, and this kind of thing is used to disrupt the morale of the Clippers.

For example, the Los Angeles Lakers next door, the two teams are very likely to be competitors in the Western Conference Finals.

As soon as this incident happened, the Lakers looked very positive from the management to the players.

For example, Chris Paul said, "Sterling's words and deeds are unforgivable, and players in the league must stand up and boycott him. I think the Clippers players must take action."

Although what Paul said was just and righteous, everyone in the Clippers didn't get angry when they saw his unequivocal words and the way he secretly threatened to suppress the Clippers.

Therefore, after Sterling's inappropriate remarks happened, the Clippers players remained silent, and no one came forward to express their opinions.

Second, because Min Congda quickly issued a gag order to the whole team, no one is allowed to discuss this matter, nor is it allowed to express their views on this matter to the outside world.

Min Congda is well versed in the lack of freedom of speech. He knows that when the public opinion situation is in his favor, it is best not to say anything.

Advantage is always advantage as long as you don't talk.

Once you talk nonsense, it is easy to be caught by people with ulterior motives.

Therefore, it is better to say nothing and wait for Adam Silva to make a move.

Moreover, although Min Congda used this trick to deceive Sterling, and Sterling's daily reputation is not very good, he has no enmity with Sterling himself.

On the contrary, during the three years when Min Congda became the general manager of the Clippers, Sterling gave Min Congda full trust and great power-even if it was forced.

He didn't help Min Congda, but he didn't make trouble for Min Congda either. Anyway, he made Min Congda do a lot of things.

If it weren't for Min Congda seeing that he continued to operate like this, the market value of the Clippers would be higher and higher. He had to find another way to "miracle the country" and drive Sterling away. Given the current situation, Min Congda is unwilling to move. Stirling's.

After all, there is the nominal "Grace of Knowledge and Encounter".

What is the difference between him stabbing Sterling like this and James who wants to leave the Cavaliers and go to the Heat?
James was persuaded to come back by him, but he himself embarked on Lu Fengxian's road of no return.

The last person with such skill and power was named Auerbach.

In the Celtics, during the 1969-year turbulent period from 1979 to 10, the Celtics changed their owners 7 times.

Several owners bought the team for two years and then changed hands because they disagreed with Auerbach.

If the owners of other teams disagree with the general manager, they must let the general manager leave and replace the manager.

But the Celtics are different. It is the owner who leaves. You sell the team and replace it with someone else. The shopkeeper will not move.

From this point of view, Auerbach can be called the number one villain in the NBA.

Compared with Auerbach, Min Congda still has to face, he did not openly confront Sterling and add insult to injury.

It's too much to make a small report behind the scenes, and then jump out and pretend that you don't know anything, and make up for it again, it would be too inhuman.

Besides, Sterling has not lost money in the past three years, and the market value of the team has soared. With the replacement and then selling, it is not a problem to double his assets.

In this way, Min Congda also repays Sterling's "kindness of knowledge".

Sterling himself also remained silent on this matter, saying nothing, as if he had expected it.

He wasn't even in Los Angeles. After the incident, he went on vacation in Florida and declined all interviews.

Of course, this kind of evasive and shrinking behavior cannot escape the sanctions of the alliance.

Adam Silva has been prepared for a long time, and he will perform a big show of killing chickens and monkeys for all the bosses and shareholders.

Two days after the recording was exposed, Adam Silva personally held a press conference and announced the results of the investigation and punishment of Sterling.

Require Sterling to sell all of the team's equity, withdraw from the NBA shareholders' meeting, and impose a $250 million fine.

Min Congda was envious when he saw the fine of 250 million US dollars. It would be great if he could let Silva pay the fine to himself.

How could there be such a good thing in the world, Sterling had to return to Los Angeles to start dealing with his own team equity.

At this time, there are still two days left before the official start of the NBA playoffs.

The Clippers actually want to change the boss, which is definitely a big trouble for some teams.

At that time, people's hearts will fluctuate, and a good season may be ruined.

However, the Clippers were very stable up and down, and there was no sign of turning the world upside down.

Because in the past three years, Sterling has been in a state of disappearance, and the team is supported by Min Congda.

If the boss is changed, as long as Min Congda, the general manager, does not move, the Clippers will not change.

Min Congda is ready for new boss Michael Jordan.

Jordan's money alone is not enough. He will form a syndicate with several small shareholders, including Min Congda.

Sterling's stake in the Clippers will be swapped directly for Jordan's stake in the Bobcats.

After getting the shares of the Bobcats, Sterling can be sold to local rich people in Charlotte.

At that time, the god of basketball will become the owner of the Clippers and "assist" Min Congda in completing his bankruptcy!

In Min Congda's view, Jordan is a perfect candidate.

There is not much money, and it has to be pieced together to win the Clippers.

Enough stinks and bad luck at the management level.

All the good luck in basketball in this life was spent as a player.

Although this operation will be more troublesome, as long as it can be completed, Min Congda will be the biggest winner.

Take the most solid step on the road to complete the bankruptcy task!
April 4, the first game day of the NBA playoffs.

In the morning, Min Congda woke up early, turned on the TV and watched the morning news to learn about the latest developments in the incident.

Although the league just issued an order the day before yesterday to force Sterling to auction the team, it is impossible to complete the transaction immediately in just two days. Learn about the situation.

According to the timetable, this equity replacement may be completed in May and June.

The playoffs should be over by then.

Min Congda packed up and drove to the Staples Center.

After arriving at the office, he received a call from the league president's office.

Take the encrypted line.

When Min Congda heard that it was Adam Silva, for some reason, he felt slightly uncomfortable.

"Good morning, Mr. President, do you have any good news for me?"

"Good morning, Smart, it looks like you're in a good mood, but it's not good news."

When Silva said that, Min Congda's heart sank.

"Let me ask you Smart, what did you say to Jordan last time you went to see him?"

"What? I...Of course I hope he can take over the Clippers."

"God, how can you say that? Smart, you have always been very Smart, you are confused about this matter. You told Jordan on the front foot that you wanted him to take over the Clippers, and Sterling had an accident on the back foot, then he must be suspicious It was you who set up Sterling. Under such circumstances, how could he trust you and want to take over the Clippers?"

There is indeed nothing wrong with Silva saying that, but Min Congda is not really stupid, but because his starting point is wrong.

He asked Jordan to take over the Clippers. The ultimate goal was to bankrupt the Clippers, and he didn't plan to work together to make them bigger and stronger.

Therefore, it is inevitable that there will be omissions in the rhetoric, and the consideration is not comprehensive enough.

"Then... Jordan doesn't want to take over the Clippers?"

"He has already refused, and the method of share replacement is too complicated. Since Sterling chooses to auction, let's wait for someone to bid. Only by letting the Clippers achieve good results this season can they get a good price."

"Hey hey~ Then... can we not sell it?"

When Min Congda heard that the highest bidder got it, wouldn't that be the end of the game?

At that time, it will be taken by Ballmer, and the Clippers will never go bankrupt in this life!

Doesn't it mean that if he steals chickens, he will lose a lot of money, and those who backstab will always be backstabbed?

"You say you don't sell it and you don't sell it? Do you really think the Clippers belong to your family? Okay, your position as the general manager of the Clippers is very stable. Don't think too much about it. Keep the team safe and prepare for the playoffs!"

After finishing speaking, Silva hung up the phone. Min Congda was at a loss when he heard the beeping busy tone on the receiver.

Sitting blankly on the chair, Min Congda thought about it for a while, then suddenly slapped the table and cursed: "Damn, this guy must have been fooled by Silva! Why did you ask me to find a syndicate to buy the Clippers myself? I can also become a small boss myself. When something happens to Sterling, I will take a drastic drudgery, and the one with the highest price will get it? Even a small boss like myself can’t do it, isn’t it just a waste of time to fetch water from the bamboo basket?”

Thinking about this clearly, Min Congda knew that he was still played by Silva, who made someone else's wedding dress, and borrowed a knife to kill someone.

This kind of feeling made Min Congda very upset. Everyone originally took what they needed, but now that you have achieved the goal of cutting out dissidents, you don't take me seriously?
Sitting in the office, Min Congda's thoughts changed suddenly. It seemed that the situation was irreversible, and it was Min Congda himself who caused it.

But it is not entirely without scope for redress.

Min Congda sorted out his thoughts. First of all, the recording did leak out, but after editing, the most serious part did not leak out.

If that part leaked out, there would be absolutely no place for burial. As expected, he kept a line so that we could meet each other in the future. This also gave Min Congda room to maneuver.

Second, Min Congda still has a very important card in his hand: NBA-Batman.

Before the recording leaked, Min Congda sent a tweet: something big will happen to the Clippers.

Immediately following the Sterling recording incident, he became a prophet again.

After that, Min Congda did not use NBA-Batman to make any comments.

This will be a public opinion trump card for Min Congda to fight back.

Third, the decision on the final auction of the Clippers must be issued by the court. At present, the Los Angeles court has not yet given the final result.

Therefore, although public opinion feels that the overall situation has been settled, it can still be rescued legally.

Moreover, the source of this recording is doubtful. Min Congda knows that this is an illegal wiretapping, and theoretically it cannot be used as evidence.

After sorting out his thoughts, Min Congda picked up the phone and told Ada, "Call me Mrs. Sterling and tell her that I have something to talk to her about."

A minute later, the call came in, and it was Sterling's wife, Shelley Sterling.

During the period when Sterling was fined, Shelley Sterling took over the duties and took care of the Clippers.

Of course, the specific affairs must be handed over to Min Congda.

"Mr. Smart, what's the matter?" Mrs. Sterling's voice was stiff on the phone.

She has always distrusted Min Congda, the Chinese general manager who appeared out of nowhere and was deeply trusted by her husband.

"Mrs. Sterling, come to the Staples Center to watch the game tonight. It's the first game of the playoffs. I have something to talk to you about."

"If there is anything we can talk about, the team's affairs will be handled by you."

"I can't handle this matter, I need your help."

"Is there anything else you can't handle with the Clippers?"

"Of course, for example, the matter of returning the ownership of the Clippers to the Sterling family."

(End of this chapter)