no shortcuts in basketball

Chapter 132 Wade’s decision, Yao Ming’s situation

Bosh was meeting with someone in the top conference room of a building somewhere in Chicago.

Although he didn't know how the other party knew exactly when he came to Chicago and "hijacked" him here at the airport, because of the other party's identity, he decided to turn off his phone and sit down and have a chat with the other party.

Because the other party is Pat Riley, the "magic operator".

There are many "godfather" figures in the NBA, and Riley is definitely one of them. As soon as he debuted as a coach, he led the Lakers to the "SHOW.TIME" era and led the team to the top four times.

After that, he went to New York to create the "New York Gangsters", fought bloody battles with Jordan every year, and led the Knicks back to the Finals four years later, but it was a pity that they lost to Olajuwon's Rockets 3-4 in the end.

Then he went to the Heat. Unfortunately, because of Jordan, he could only become a stepping stone again and again. It was not until 2006 that he won his fifth championship.

In Riley's own words: "I don't lose to Phil Jackson, just because I don't have the opportunity to coach Jordan."

His confidence can be seen from this sentence, and just like Russell using a cane and saying that he can beat the top five centers, no one thinks that his words are pretentious.

Faced with a character of this level, even if Bosh doesn't necessarily go to the Heat, he will sell the opponent's face.

It's just that Riley's opening operation directly stunned him.

This godfather-like figure first took out a little swan plush blanket from his bag and spread it flat on the conference table in front of him. Then he took out a championship ring from his pocket.

The silver-white ring, and the Heat logo on the ring surface, are the 2006 Heat's championship ring.

Just when Bosh couldn't understand what the operation was, Riley smiled and said: "Take it, carry it with you, and then give it back to me when you win the next championship ring."

Only then did Bosh understand.

Although he could somewhat guess Riley's purpose in finding him, after all, the Heat's exit in the first round last season was not considered a successful season, but Riley's method was really something he did not expect.

To be honest, he was shocked.

Seeing that Bosh didn't move, Riley didn't worry, but let the ring sit there, and then said something that shocked Bosh again: "I'm going to form the Big Three, you, Dwayne, and the third person. , you are the second one I am looking for."

He added Wade, plus the original Heat, and added some players, it is definitely enough to compete for the championship, and it is the top one.

In fact, in the history before Xu Yong was reborn, before James made the decision, the Heat, led by Wade and Bosh, were already the second-best team in the league after the Lakers in winning odds.

But now, Riley actually said that he wanted to form the Big Three!
He and Wade are both at their peak ages, which is not comparable to the old Big Three in Boston.

He could even vaguely guess who the third person was, although he felt that with that person's character, he would not join someone else's team and be willing to be a second-in-command.

Or is this just one of Riley's words?
In addition to playing basketball, Bosh is still a man of science and technology, and he is not so easy to be coaxed.

"I will find LeBron tomorrow. Of course I am not unprepared. We have reached a certain agreement." A person like Riley, at best he is called a "divine fortune teller", at worst he is an old fox. He naturally knows The principle of speaking human words when meeting people, and speaking lies when seeing ghosts, highlights the right medicine for the situation.

Sure enough, after hearing what Riley said, Bosh believed it.

Although he was shocked, he couldn't help but look forward to it.

Although the three of them have different status in the league, like the previous three Celtics, they were all complete losers last season.

And they are still very young, and they can do a lot more things together than the Celtics.

"And when you go to the Bulls, you are going to serve as Rose and Xu Yong, and you may even be the team's fourth choice. But in Miami, your status will be the same as the other two people, and Miami will have three cores." Lee continued.

Bosh was obviously moved. Although he could hear the truth of Riley's words, one thing was right. Playing with Wade James, who was also in the 03 class, it would definitely be easier for him to give the two young people a hand. .

Riley saw that Bosh was moved, smiled and reached out to indicate the championship ring on the table.

Bosh just hesitated, then got up and picked up the ring.

……

An hour later, Bosh met with Foreman at the United Center.

Forman showed full sincerity and outlined the team's plan. Bosh will be the core of the Bulls, and as the oldest player, he will also become the captain of the Bulls.

At the same time, Wade was also invited by Riley to the office where Bosh had been, along with Wade's agent Thomas.

"We will form the Big Three next season." Riley cut to the chase.

Wade was confused. He originally planned to come to Chicago to meet with the Bulls, and then he bought a house by the way. First, he received a call from James, asking him if he still remembered the meeting to play together in the All-Star Game, and now he was told by Riley. Group Big Three.

He was a little out of his mind.

Of course, what he can guess is that one of the Big Three mentioned by Riley is James.

If not, there's no need for James to make that call to him.

In other words, James and Riley are likely to have hooked up a long time ago. This word may not be very good, but they have communicated.

But no matter what words are used, the feeling that the president of the old club took the lead in contacting the core of other teams to form a team is... very uncomfortable.

"So which three people are they?" Of course Wade pretended not to know and then asked.

"You, LeBron, and Chris Bosh."

"Chris has agreed to come to Miami." After finishing speaking, Riley then added.

Wade looked at Riley in surprise. He really didn't expect Riley to move so fast.

In other words, James and Bosh have already agreed to Riley and are waiting for him?

"I want to think about it." However, Wade was not deterred by this attitude.

He is different from James and Bosh in two ways.

First, he has played with the Heat for so many years and knows Riley well enough.

That is, just a moment ago, he caught a detail. What James told him on the phone before was only the possibility of playing together, and did not say that he must go to the Heat. This is different from what Riley said;

Second, he already has a championship, and he is not so eager for what he has.

Especially when the Big Three that Riley mentioned are really assembled, he feels that it will be the most difficult road.

Winning is certainly a good thing, but winning with this lineup is a matter of course.

It would be unimaginable to lose.

Riley was not in a hurry, but just nodded in agreement.

He and Wade have differences, otherwise Wade would not have the idea of ​​playing for the Bulls.

But there is still room for maneuver.

……

After leaving the building, Wade knew that Bosh was also in Chicago and called the other party. Bosh had also finished meeting with the Bulls there, and the two met in a coffee shop.

"LeBron didn't say he was going to the Heat." After sitting down, Wade got straight to the point.

Contrary to what others think, Wade and Bosh are connected privately, and their relationship is not bad.

Bosh nodded. Although he was calmed down by Riley, as a man of science and engineering, he thought about it later and realized that Riley said he would find James later, so Riley was empty-handed. .

"But I want to work with you." Wade continued.

No one is stupid. Although he has a good relationship with James, it is precisely because of their good relationship that he knows that his and James' playing styles are in conflict.

But unlike Bosh, Bosh can attack inside or off the ball, and the two of them cooperate very well.

And if it's just the two of them, it's a normal team. No one would think that they must win the championship if they form a team, and there won't be so much pressure whether they lose or win.

"Me too." Bosh nodded.

To be honest, it doesn't matter to him whether James is James or not. He and James have never contacted each other before. He will agree to Riley. The main reason is because Riley said Wade will stay with the Heat.

"So what's the plan?" Bosh asked.

"Chicago, let's go together." Wade said directly.

"Then they still need to make a deal." Bosh touched his chin and said.

After communicating with Foreman before, he already has a clear understanding of the Bulls' lineup.

Although the Bulls can theoretically secure two maximum salaries, they are only the lowest starting salary of 25% of the salary cap, and you can't give others the full minimum salary, right?
So if both he and Wade go, the Bulls will have to vacate two positions. In addition to trading Hinrich, they also have to trade Luol Deng.

This is not an easy thing. To be honest, Deng's performance last season and his five-year contract of more than 6000 million yuan are not so easy to handle.

"I'll have a second meeting with Chicago, and if they can do it, we'll go." Wade continued.

"What if they can't?"

"Then we'll go back to Miami." Wade was unambiguous.

Although he and Riley have differences, if he can't return to his hometown, he would rather go back to Miami. He has lived there for seven years and has made many friends and connections. There is no need to go elsewhere. Toss that hard.

Bosh nodded, plan, pass.

Two days later, Wade and Foreman had another meeting.

Unlike the last time he only talked about his hometown, this time Wade directly talked about his thoughts.

Forman was a little surprised at first, but then became excited.

Originally, he only wanted one of Wade or Bosh, but he didn't expect that both of them were coming.

As for what Bosh considers, he is naturally clear. After Hinrich and Deng are sent away, the Bulls' starting lineup next season: Rose + Wade + Xu Yong + Bosh + Noah, and then find some cost-effective substitutes. , he has a chance to do what Klaus once did!
As for the problem of ball possession, let Thibodeau have a headache. Anyway, that guy doesn't have a lot of hair.

……

"Where are you?"

Xu Yong, who was training in Tempe, received a call from Yao Ming.

After learning that he was in Tempe, Yao Ming said he would come over in two days.

Yao Ming didn't say much on the phone, and Xu Yong didn't think too much, thinking it was related to the World Championships.

When Yao Ming arrived, he drove a rented car to pick him up.

"If you had told me earlier, I would have gone to find you." Xu Yong said with a smile after receiving Yao Ming.

"It's all the same, I just came out to catch my breath, and I can also talk about the World Championships." Yao Ming relaxed with his hands behind his head.

By the way?

Xu Yong heard the unexpected key point.

The World Championships were just an accident. Why did Yao Ming come to him specifically?
The two went to Chinatown.

Xu Yong didn't come to Chinatown much because he was busy with training and competitions. He came here once when he was buying a copper coin bracelet for Harden.

If there were any more, it would be the Shanghai cuisine chef who invited Yao Ming to dinner from here.

This time they also went to the store opened by the other party.

The owner of the store is from Shanghai. When he saw Xu Yong and Yao Ming coming, he was very excited.

Although I'm not a fan, I know all the famous Shanghainese in the United States.

The two went directly to the reserved private room and chatted while eating.

At first they only talked about the taste of the food, Yao Ming drank some wine, and then slowly, it was the main topic.

"I'm a little confused now." Yao Ming's expression was rare for Xu Yong to see.

Xu Yong is just a listener.

"You know I have lived in Houston for eight years since I came to the United States in 2002, and the team has been very good to me in the past eight years. But this year, they hope that I can renew my three-year short-term contract. Even if they ask me to cut my salary, I'm willing to do so." Yao Ming said and drank another drink.

Xu Yong also took a drink from his glass.

He can understand what Yao Ming said, because Yao Ming is the kind of person who attaches great importance to emotions, and he should be prepared to be a Rockets for the rest of his life.

However, he is not surprised at all by what Yao Ming is encountering now.

One is because the Rockets have a stingy owner Alexander. Looking at the Rockets' results this year, if he had been willing to spend money before, the Rockets would not have been unable to enter the finals even once.

The second is Mo Gou, the general manager of the Rockets. He really lives up to his name. In history, he has been able to trick Harden into cutting his salary and then turn around and refuse to admit it. This kind of person is the most loyal dog of capitalists. Everything is based on interests. .

Realistic analysis shows that although Yao Ming's attendance rate last season was not bad, his injuries are irreversible. Even if Yao Ming stops playing, it is unknown whether he will still be able to play in three years.

So from the perspective of the team, the three-year maximum salary is the safest. Even if Yao Ming goes out early, the loss will not be too great. If there is more, the reconstruction will be delayed by one year.

But there is really only interest in this, and there is no human touch at all.

Forget about McGrady, how much money did Yao Ming make for the Rockets?

"Brother Yao, I have two or three words." Xu Yong raised his glass.

"I came here just to listen to what you said." Yao Ming said seriously after clinking glasses with Xu Yong.

At this time two years ago, if Xu Yong hadn't given him advice, he might have retired by this time.

So although Xu Yong is young, I am willing to listen to his words.

Moreover, the authorities are obsessed with the bystanders, and the only one who can give him advice now, except for those in Team Yao, is Xu Yong.

"I think it's time for you to leave the Rockets." Xu Yong said seriously after finishing his drink and putting down his glass.

(End of this chapter)