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

Chapter 573
No one would have guessed that after Jerry Buss's memorial service, his old friend David Stern was already plotting to change hands of the Lakers.

After all, this piece of fat has been stared at by many people for a long time. The golden signboard of the Lakers is too bright, and Jerry Buss and his family are really poor.

The little baby holds gold bricks in his hands, which will inevitably make people covet them.

However, Stern hoped that the Lakers' change of boss was not out of selfishness, but hoped that a more powerful boss could drive the Lakers, a powerhouse, and inject more vitality into the league.

Once the Lakers-Clippers duo in Los Angeles can compete against each other in the next ten years, the influence of the NBA in the California region will definitely exceed that of other professional leagues.

And California has always been the region with the most developed sports industry in the United States, the largest population engaged in sports work, and the best economic situation. It is the top priority for major professional leagues to compete.

It can be said that Stern used his old face and reputation for this long-term strategic layout, and made some shady communications and transactions with Min Congda by the way.

As Min Congda, who has traded a team once, he has gradually understood the entire process of this action.

First of all, it will always be the outbreak of public opinion incidents, and then it will be fermented with the help of promoters, followed by the intervention of relevant departments, and then the forced sale of assets will become the target of public criticism.

Because Min Congda has the "NBA-Batman" weapon of public opinion, he has the ability to shoot anyone in the back.

However, Min Congda, who only wanted to complete the task and take the little money, would not use this key weapon unless he had to.

After conspiring with Stern, he did not plan immediately, but told Stern that he had to wait for a perfect timing.

"Now that the old Bath people have just left, the Bath family will receive natural sympathy in public opinion. It is unreasonable to attack them at this time. We must wait until their actions are outraged, and then give a heavy blow. That's the best time."

Stern nodded and said: "Also, they are also very united internally now. If they are asked to sell the team at this time, they will definitely not do it. They will be unanimous to the outside world. Only let them go through struggles and cracks appear inside. There is a chance."

Stern added to Min Congda's words.

The two foxes, the old and the young, nodded repeatedly, expressing their approval of each other's words.

It must be admitted that although Stern didn't like Min Congda very much, what this guy did was very much to Stern's liking.

Stern even thought that if Min Congda could enter the league ten years earlier, he must find a way to train Min Congda to be his successor.

Stern would not have imagined that if you train him to be a successor, then his daily job goal is to bring the NBA out of business.

After the two reached an agreement, Min Congda got out of the car, went to his own car, and drove home.

On the way back, he thought about it in his mind. In the short term, there is no benefit in changing the owner of the Lakers.

But in the long run, once the Lakers have a boss with "unlimited money" like Ballmer, their combat effectiveness will definitely be further improved.

Looking at the lineups of the Lakers during the three-peat and two-peat championships, we know that except for an old version of F04 in 4, the Lakers did not have a lineup that could be called a galaxy battleship in any year. They have never formed a Big Three.

The OK combination, Gasol + Kobe are all dual-core.

Moreover, Kobe during the OK period and Gasol during the two consecutive championships are not considered top superstars.

The reinforcement of the Lakers during the offseason every year can only be said to be just right. The management has a unique vision, but the lineup is really not luxurious.

The Bass family has been quite generous in paying the luxury tax. Since 2001, the team has paid the most luxury tax in the season, so they have won the most championships.

However, due to the existence of the luxury tax and salary cap system, the Lakers can no longer form an ultra-luxury lineup that has made 80 finals in 11 years like they did in the 9s.

In today's era, if you want to continue the glory of the past, it is not enough to rely solely on the fame of your ancestors, you must be able to spend real money.

Min Congda naturally doesn't want him to come to the Clippers for someone like Ballmer who can't run out of money, but it would be best to let him go to the Lakers.

After all, the Heat and the Cavaliers are in the East, and the Lakers are not only in the West, but also a team in the same city. It is really good to have a rival in the same city for the Clippers.

"In order to make the Clippers go bankrupt, I decided to deploy another important plan of mine, the 'Bass Plan'! Try to change the name and surname of the Lakers in a short period of time and rise again!"

Starting from this conversation tonight, another important and long-term plan was born in Min Congda's mind, which he himself named the Bass Project.

The purpose is to change the owner of the Lakers, change to a more wealthy boss, and block the development of the Clippers.

Also starting tonight, Min Congda's work focus has shifted from the Clippers to the Lakers.

A general manager of the Clippers didn't care about the construction of his own team, but instead worried about the team next door.

However, the Clippers really have nothing to worry about Min Congda. The entire team is in a good and upward state, whether it is lineup, tactics or team atmosphere.

The record of the Clippers in the past few years also shows that a stable, non-frustrating and non-stingy management is enough to ensure a team's steady progress.

On the contrary, in many cases, some championship-level teams are wiped out by various manipulations by the management.

From February to the All-Star Game, the Clippers' record and field performance have become increasingly stable.

This has an inseparable relationship with Mike Malone's adjustment and transformation of the team.

The defensive power of Leonard + George's double small front starting combination has become more and more prominent. Whether they are inside or outside, they have quite strong defensive control.

At the same time, on the bench, Harden, Butler, and Anthony Davis formed a powerful combination of talented substitutes.

The Clippers used offense to slaughter opponents at every turn before, and gradually controlled the point difference in each game to about 5 to 10 points.

Their wins seem to be more economical, and they are easy to control, and they control points very well.

To put it bluntly, I want to win you by as much as I want, and if I use a little more force, I will win by 20 points, and I will lose half by surrendering.

In the All-Star Game, the Clippers started four All-Stars, Curry, Harden, Gasol Jr. and Randolph played.

This is the second such grand event in the league after the Pistons were selected as All-Stars in 2006.

At that time, the Pistons were because they had a super record leading the league.

In terms of record, the Clippers are not as outstanding as the Pistons at the time.

But the popularity of the Clippers, especially among young fans, remains high.

In the three-point contest, Stephen Curry lost to Kyrie Irving and did not win the three-point contest.

And LeBron James, who has always claimed to participate in the slam dunk contest, still has not fulfilled his promise.

As he gets older, his chances of participating in the dunk contest are getting lower and lower.

After all, for James, if he loses the slam dunk contest, or the dunk is not perfect, the posture is too ugly, etc., it will become an indelible stain in his image.

Instead of adding black spots to yourself, it is better not to participate, to save yourself from embarrassment.

After the All-Star Game, the schedule of the regular season is gradually entering the final stage, and the records of each team have become clearer.

Those at the forefront of the league began to grab home court advantage, or maintain their strength, or make tactical preparations for the playoffs.

Those who are on the edge of the playoffs are naturally going all out to win every game and strive to make it to the playoffs.

And those who have missed the playoffs, because the NBA has not been relegated, of course, are for the high-ranking picks next season.

The same drama is staged every season, the difference is that the protagonist who sings on the stage is the one who sings and I come on stage.

As of the trade deadline at the end of February, the league did not stage a trade drama that pressed the line.

In the past two years, with the further tightening of the luxury tax policy, the pressure on the salary of each team has increased suddenly.

Therefore, every team is very cautious about mid-season transactions, unless they can really bring about qualitative changes, otherwise they are all small things.

Many transactions are not so much to strengthen the team, but to optimize the salary structure and save the team money.

From this perspective, the salary cap and luxury tax systems have indeed made the league more balanced, but at the same time it has also made the league's competition less courageous.

Many times, managers have to put a lot of effort into reading and understanding complex collective bargaining agreements and various contract terms.

When they deal with players, contracts, and trade issues, the first consideration is often not whether it is beneficial to the strength and development of the team, but whether it can save money, whether it can make room for the salary cap of next season, and whether it can be optimized. The salary structure of the team.

Since the establishment of the salary cap system in the 80s, after more than 20 years of development, the labor agreement has become so complicated that ordinary fans and basketball people can't understand it.

This is quite in line with David Stern's identity as a lawyer and the characteristics of the United States, which is "ruling the country with litigants and sticks".

Regulate all corners and corners with complex clauses. Once your rights and interests are violated and you need help, you must hire professional lawyers and managers to handle related matters for you.

However, the Clippers did not have any troubles in this regard. The Clippers management adhered to Min Congda's "no tossing" strategic policy, and remained silent until the trade deadline.

The phone bill of the Clippers general manager's office is much lower than before. The managers of each team know that the Clippers don't want to trade anyone in their hands, so they don't call much.

But there is one exception, and that is the general manager of the Houston Rockets, Daryl Morey.

He has been the general manager of the Rockets for several years. As a result, as soon as he made a name for himself in 09, the Rockets experienced a cliff-like avalanche.

Yao Ming was reimbursed for consecutive seasons, Ron Artest defected to the Lakers, McGrady's career was severely damaged and there was no possibility of returning to the peak, and the three cores even failed to play a few games together before breaking up.

Afterwards, Morey did not follow the traditional strategy of getting high-ranking draft picks by playing badly, but has been trying to use his record to maintain the box office. A rising star who has become the core player of the Rockets.

It's a pity that the Rockets belong to that kind of team in the league and are a bit famous, but it's not the kind that everyone likes to see.

Free agents are basically unwilling to come to Texas. Big-name players want to trade, make plans for their next home, and will not make plans for the Rockets.

They had Olajuwon in history and won two championships, which was already very popular. Later, they got Yao Ming and further developed their overseas commercial value. The boss made a lot of money, but he couldn't win a championship.

Morey knew that he had no vision in picking potential high-ranking picks, so he thought that it would be better to steal other people's semi-finished products than to cultivate them himself.

Looking at the entire league, who has the most semi-finished products and the best?That must be the Los Angeles Clippers!

The excellent semi-finished products that the Clippers have cultivated in the past two years almost make Morey cry.

Take any one, and Morey feels that they can become the core of the team to cultivate, the kind that wakes up with a smile in his dreams.

Of course Morey like Curry dare not think about it, but Harden, Butler, George, Leonard, and Morey all very much hope to be traded to the Rockets.

Especially Harden. Before Harden was a double star, Morey had no hope, but since Mike Malone came to the Clippers, Harden became the sixth man. Morey thought that with Harden in the Clippers With the change of status in the team, his psychology is likely to fluctuate accordingly. Maybe he wants to be the boss of another team?
Before the trade deadline, Morey kept calling the Clippers' office and telling Olshey that he hoped to trade for Harden, or the next best thing, Butler can do it, George can too.

As a result, Olshey said that Mr. Smart would not agree to these transactions, and the Rockets really have no good bargaining chips, they are all broken copper.

It's just that under the tactical bonus of the Rockets, they played a pretty good performance, and there is actually no potential to tap.

After dragging until the trade deadline passed, the Clippers remained unmoved and did not make any trades.

Morey knew that this season was hopeless, and he put his hope in the offseason, hoping that there would be conflicts in the Clippers and the young people would fall apart.

At that time, this will definitely be a gluttonous feast for the alliance, and Morey must be the first vulture among them.

For this reason, Morey did not hesitate to find a way to contact Harden in private.

Because Harden doesn't have an agent, and the agent is his mother, so Morey tried to find a way to contact Harden's mother.

As a result, Harden's mother told Morey righteously, "Harden will not leave Los Angeles. This is his home. He is going to play here. Don't even think about it! If you call to harass me again, I will report to the alliance!"

For Harden to play in the Clippers, Harden's mother is 100 million support, and the Clippers' benefits are really good, and they also take great care of the Clippers' families.

Not to mention, Los Angeles is Harden's hometown, who wouldn't want to play in his hometown?
Morey hit a soft nail. He still didn't give up. After much deliberation, he felt that he still had to get in touch with the Clippers' supreme ruler, General Manager Smart who kept his word.

At this time, it was already March, and the pattern of the playoffs had gradually become clear.

And Min Congda was indulging in the preparations for the "Bass Project" and couldn't extricate himself.

He doesn't care about the team's trade and tactics at all, and tries to inquire about news related to the Lakers every day.

At this time, Morey came to the door and sent text messages and emails, saying that he wanted to communicate with Min Congda.

Min Congda had some contact with Morey before, but he didn't have a good impression of him. He was too shrewd and calculating.

Although trading with such a person is conducive to the decline of the Clippers, the problem is that the system always disagrees, and he can't help it.

After being harassed several times, Min Congda finally answered the call from Morey, and exchanged polite greetings for a while.

When asked "whether there is a possibility of trading young players in the team", Min Congda gave an affirmative answer.

This made Morey happy, thinking that he still needs to find the right master.

But Min Congda thought, if the system hadn't stopped him, one person in the team would count as one, and they would all have been sent away!
When talking about the conditions, Min Congda also said generously: "Do your best. I have never asked for a high price. However, during this offseason, the value of the players on my team may increase. If we win the championship, If you want to trade them, it will be very difficult."

Min Congda expressed his worries. He is not so confident now that the Clippers will definitely not win the championship.

Although I haven't watched the game very much recently, I can tell just by watching the videos and scores that the Clippers are quite stable and strong. He really sweats for the Heat and the Cavaliers.

According to Morey, Min Congda is really confident, but the Clippers do have confidence.

The two sides have had preliminary contact and communication, and Morey believes that the channel for trading Harden or a certain young player has been opened.

With so many young potential stocks like the Clippers, there is definitely no way to keep them all. At that time, I can pick up one and cultivate it well, and the reconstruction will be successful!

Min Congda thought that the Rockets were considered a strong team in the west at the beginning, but now they have fallen into such a situation, and they should actually support them.

So, Min Congda said: "Morey, instead of thinking about trading, why not try the draft? The draft is always the best way to rebuild."

Morey said embarrassingly: "My draft level is far behind yours..."

Min Congda was very ashamed when he said this, and he thought that he would have known that you would help me choose, otherwise the Clippers would not be so strong.

Min Congda patted his chest and said: "Don't worry, if you have high-ranking picks, I can provide draft suggestions! I have always been a helpful person."

Morey is such a shrewd person, he didn't believe that Min Congda would really help him, but in order to improve the relationship with Min Congda, he agreed.

Anyway, the Rockets' performance this year is really not good. They won the lottery for two consecutive years, and there is no way to support it.

It must be bad, find a way to get a high-ranking pick, and change the luck of the team.

For some reason, Morey felt that since 10, his luck with the Rockets has been bad.

Many of the deals he conceived and presided over, and many of the players he fancyed, ended up being nothing.

It seems that since Yao Ming retired, luck is no longer on the side of the Houstonians.

(End of this chapter)