no shortcuts in basketball

Chapter 245 He is different from Jordan

"Xu?"

"Xu."

"Ok?"

After Xu Yong and Ross finished the phone call, Xu Yong's mood fluctuated greatly and he was lost for a while. It wasn't until Schwartz called him several times that he came back to his senses.

"Are you okay?" Schwartz noticed that something was not right about Xu Yong's state.

Xu Yong shook his head.

Seeing this, Schwartz didn't ask any further questions, but instead chatted about the next arrangements.

"In half an hour we are going to Hollywood to attend the press conference of "Space Jam 2", and after that we will transfer to Beverly Hills to attend..."

"Jeff, I want to go back to Chicago." Xu Yong interrupted him.

"You want... to go back to Chicago? Now?" Schwartz was stunned. This came too suddenly. If he went back to Chicago now, not only today but also tomorrow's activities would be cancelled. The loss would be huge.

"Yes, help me arrange the trip, and I'll make a call." After saying that, Xu Yong took his cell phone and went out.

Schwartz came to his senses, and although he was confused, he took out his phone and started making arrangements.

When he arrived at a deserted corner, Xu Yong called Foreman directly on his cell phone.

The line was busy at first, then picked up.

"Xu, I'm a little busy right now. How about I call you back later?" Foreman obviously put someone else's call on hold and then transferred his call.

"Gall, Derek's transaction is suspended for now." Xu Yong said calmly.

Forman was silent for a while, and after a while he said: "Xu, you know this is not my decision alone, it is the management's decision..."

"I know. I will return to Chicago today. Please help me arrange a meeting with Raunsdorf." Xu Yong's tone remained calm.

"Okay, let me say hello to Raunsdorf first." But Foreman heard the unquestionable tone in Xu Yong's words.

"Gal, if Derrick gets traded before I get to Chicago, I'm going to be a king for a while."

"I understand." Foreman quickly hung up the phone and should have contacted Raunsdorf immediately.

After putting down the phone, Xu Yong's mind flashed back to the scene when he went to Rose's house for dinner the day after winning the championship, and the two of them were on the balcony dreaming about the dynasty.

Thinking back to Ross's state of complete emotional breakdown on the phone before, Ross really never thought about leaving.

Schwartz made arrangements quickly, and he was already on the plane an hour later.

After getting on the plane, Xu Yong rested on the soft chair in the first class cabin.

He didn't have much contact with Raunsdorf, so he didn't know what the next meeting would be like.

When he thought of this, he thought of the grievances between Jordan and the Bulls management.

Jordan's second retirement was obviously because he was older, his strength had declined, and he retired bravely.

But in fact, Jordan was only 35 years old at that time. He had no major injuries and was still averaging 33.5 points per game in the Finals.

Let's look at his performance with the Wizards when he came back for the second time at the age of 38. If he didn't retire at that time and maintained his training intensity, he would have no problem playing until the age of 40.

The fundamental reason for his retirement was the conflict between him and general manager Klaus, or more directly, his boss Raunsdorf.

The boss wanted to sell Pippen for reconstruction, but Phil Jackson and Jordan disagreed, so in the end it was Krause who came out to say that Phil Jackson would not renew his contract unless Pippen was traded. The result was that the Bulls Things fell apart, and Jordan had to compromise or retire, and he chose the latter.

Now, although the reasons are different, the situation is somewhat similar to that then.

If he doesn't say no when Rose is about to be traded, what if Butler is also traded in the future?

Especially since he had already sent the message through Battier before, Raunsdorf still chose to do this. This was obviously the same method he used to treat Jordan on him.

When he arrived in Chicago, Forman made a special trip to wait for him at the airport, and then went with him to the Raunsdorf estate.

"Mr. Raunsdorf originally planned to go to Hawaii for vacation. After learning about the situation, he deliberately stayed." Foreman explained in the car.

Xu Yong just smiled and said nothing.

There is no such thing as a coincidence, it's just a matter of finding a step.

However, Raunsdorf's attitude showed that the other party was still afraid of him.

After all, he is 26 now, not 35.

In the living room of the manor, Xu Yong soon met Raunsdorf.

There wasn't much greeting, just a brief hello, and Xu Yong made his intention clear.

"I hope the team keeps Derrick." He didn't lay out too much, because Battier came to see him before, so his attitude should actually be clear to Raunsdorf.

Raunsdorff gradually lost his smile after hearing this, and then glanced at Forman.

Forman is now his microphone, and asking him to talk to Xu Yong in person would be too derogatory to him.

"Xu, we all want to keep Derek, but if we keep Derek, we will lose Jimmy. Five teams have already offered him a maximum salary offer." Forman said immediately.

"Is there any big problem between Derek and Jimmy? I didn't hear about it." Xu Yong looked directly at Raunsdorf and said.

Raunsdorf looked at Forman, Forman looked at Xu Yong, and Xu Yong skipped Forman and looked directly at Raunsdorf. This triangle scene looked very embarrassing.

"It's not that there is a problem between them, but the problem of the team's salary space for next season." Foreman was smart and stood up as he spoke. By the time he finished speaking, he was sitting next to Raunsdorf. It was like he was face to face with Xu Yong again.

"Can't you keep both of them at the same time?" Xu Yong continued to ask. He didn't care about Foreman's little moves. Although he and Foreman had a good relationship, he knew very well that the general manager and the boss were the real superiors and subordinates. relation.

Raunsdorf smiled at this time and took out a box of cigars from under the table. Xu Yong asked knowingly.

"If we keep them at the same time, even if we don't reinforce in the new season, even if we just fill up the lineup, we will still need to pay a luxury tax of close to 6000 million, so our current trade plan is to send him to Houston in exchange for Jerry M.L. and the trade exception, your national team teammates," Forman explained.

"So... is it because of money?" Xu Yong had no chance of what Foreman said later, but looked directly at Raunsdorf.

"Running the team is a matter for the management. It involves many rules, such as luxury tax. We don't understand it very well. Just leave it to people who understand." Raunsdorf smiled and took it from the box. He took out a cigar and handed it to Xu Yong.

Xu Yong did not reach out to pick it up.

The atmosphere was a little awkward.

"Xu, Mr. Raunsdorf also likes Derek very much, but we need to consider the future of the team." Foreman hurriedly spoke to ease the atmosphere.

Raunsdorf took back his cigar, and the smile on his face disappeared. He had given Xu Yong the steps and had no intention of getting down.

"Okay, then let me talk about the future." Xu Yong looked at Forman.

"Although I am not a manager, everyone now knows that the salary cap will be 2400 million more next summer, which means that if we keep Derrick next year, we will not exceed the salary cap next year, so the team is thinking of signing other players when the time comes. ? Or maybe you think Derek’s contribution in six years is not as good as the 6 million luxury tax?"

Xu Yong looked straight at Foreman. Foreman was speechless. He couldn't answer this question.

Generally speaking, there is nothing wrong with spending money on a championship, but it is Raunsdorff who sits next to him who has the final say whether he wants to spend money.

"Derek made sacrifices for the team last season. If he was traded immediately after winning the championship, people on the team would feel that the sacrifice in Chicago was meaningless. When everyone is playing for themselves instead of the team, Who can guarantee that we can continue to win in the future? Gal you?"

Foreman lowered his head.

Raunsdorf's move to light a cigar also stopped.

"In the past three seasons, Rose was healthy only in one season, so who can guarantee that he will be healthy in the new season?" He looked at Xu Yong and asked.

"I need the team to keep Derrick." Xu Yong did not answer the words, but turned his attention to Raunsdorf, once again expressed his desire to keep Rose, and changed his attitude from "hope" to Became a "need".

"Without Derrick, I can't guarantee that the team will defend the title." He then added.

Raunsdorf's face instantly turned ugly. No one had ever spoken to him like this before. When the management wanted to trade Pippen, all he heard from Jordan was "no hope." But Xu Yong said It's Chi Guoguo's threat.

"What if Rose is left and the team can't defend the title?" Raunsdorf asked.

"Then I won't do anything to interfere with Derek's affairs."

"That's it." Raunsdorf put down his cigar and agreed directly.

The conditions proposed by Xu Yong will be beneficial to him no matter what the outcome is.

Of course, more importantly, Xu Yong's attitude was more determined than he expected. If he persisted, he would fall out with Xu Yong because of Rose, which would be more than worth the loss.

After all, Xu Yong could bring him much more than 6000 million.

After coming out of Raunsdorf's manor, Foreman and Xu Yong sat in the car again, but it was different from when they came. This time Foreman drove the car himself and Xu Yong sat in the passenger seat.

"Xu, you scared me." Foreman said in shock after the car drove onto the road.

Xu Yong turned to look at him doubtfully.

"You know even Michael would never dare speak to Mr. Raunsdorf like this," Foreman explained.

Xu Yong smiled, Jordan didn't dare?He doesn't think so, but the conflicts between players and management in that era were mostly between the general manager and the players, with the boss just behind the scenes.

What he said was that he had learned some experience from Jordan's failed struggles and came directly to Raunsdorff behind the scenes.

and……

"Gall, times have changed," he continued.

Forman was stunned for a moment when he heard it, and then he laughed.

As the NBA continues to develop and grow, players' voice is indeed becoming larger. This is the biggest difference from the Jordan era.

The car arrived at a traffic light intersection, and Foreman turned his head: "Xu, can I say a few words as a friend, not as a general manager?"

Xu Yong nodded and said to him.

"You said Derek sacrificed for the team last season, but what about the sacrifices the team made for him in the past two years? If it were other stars who could play, I believe that with the abilities of you and others, maybe last year they would have led the way. The team won the championship.”

"If Derek had trade value in the past two years, would he still stay in Chicago?" Xu Yong did not answer, but asked rhetorically.

Foreman was stunned for a moment, then laughed.

Yes, his hypothesis does not actually exist.

The Bulls can deal with Rose now because Rose played a good season and regained some trade value.

"But is it worth it?" Foreman put away his smile and looked at Xu Yong seriously.No matter how you look at it, it is not worthwhile to have a conflict with the boss over Rose, who is no longer at his peak and is now on a standard premium contract.

"It's worth it." Xu Yong did not hesitate, nor did he explain too much to Foreman.

After his phone call with Ross, he rethought his principles.

He still won't be like James, saying to the management who I must need, but if you can't even protect important teammates, how can you lead the team?
It should be the same when Jordan protected Pippen.

……

After sending Xu Yong back to the airport, Foreman returned to the team office, where he first dealt with the transaction negotiations.

They had only reached a verbal deal with the Rockets before, but the deal had not been formally submitted to the league, so they could go back on it, but such going back would only worsen the relationship between the two managers.

In fact, when he was on the phone, he could hear that Mo Gou on the other side was already a little bit ready to curse.

After finishing the transaction, he made another call, this time not to Rose's agent, but directly to Rose.

"Derek, we ultimately couldn't negotiate that deal and you're going to stay in Chicago."

"Really?" He could hear Rose's excitement on the other end. Rose was not angry because he was on the verge of being traded. He just wanted to stay in Chicago.

"Really, the other party asked us for more chips, and we felt that keeping you was a better choice." Foreman explained.

"Thank you, Gal." Rose's voice became choked again.

This thank you made Foreman blush a little.

"Derek, it's a blessing to have a teammate like Xu."

It was impossible for him to tell Rose what happened at the manor, but he had actually told Rose the reason why things really changed.

……

After the meeting with Raunsdorf, Xu Yong flew back to Los Angeles that night.

When he got off the plane, he saw a missed call from Ross, but he didn't answer it because it was already late at night.

He waited until the next morning before calling Ross back.

Ross's mood had calmed down a lot at this time, although it could be heard that he was still very excited.

The two chatted for a long time, and at the end of the chat, Xu Yong also mentioned the promise between him and Raunsdorf.

"We have no retreat except to defend our title."

If he fails to defend his title, not only will he have to fulfill his promise, Rose will most likely be traded away.

"We can definitely do it." Ross said firmly.

Rose's matter has been settled, which also means that it will be difficult for the Bulls to make big moves in the free market this year.

And the team still has some losses.

The biggest loss was James Johnson, who switched to the Celtics with a one-year, $1 million contract after opting out of the player option.

The championship has been won, and Johnson is going to seek a big contract for himself, which he cannot get with the Bulls.

To fill Johnson's departure, the Bulls signed veteran Tayshaun Prince.

Prince is 35 years old this year. The former "old prince" has become an "old prince". Moreover, after his speed has declined with age, he can only play power forward. However, with his height of 2 meters and wingspan of 06 meters, he can only play power forward. There is still some deterrence on the defensive end.

Then, the cool move came. The Bulls split their mid-level exception and signed Matthew Dellavedova with a two-year, $2 million contract.

Dellavedova performed well with the Cavaliers last season, especially his impressive defense against Rose, but the Cavaliers were only willing to give him a one-year base salary this summer, and the Bulls decisively extended an olive branch upon seeing this.

On the one hand, Hinrich suffered a severe decline due to age and injuries last season. The new season will most likely be his last year, so others need to share the pressure of substitutes instead of signing veterans. Although Dellavedova The talent is relatively poor, but he is highly motivated to defend and has a certain level of three-point shooting and organization, so he is a perfect fit.

On the other hand, signing players from the Cavaliers is poaching and weakening the Cavaliers, so why not do it.

The Cavaliers did not follow up on the offer, because they had already targeted a new backup point guard in the free market. It was Mo Williams, James' former knife guard and James' recognized former weakest All-Star player.

As for Dellavedova, in fact, he could have chosen to stay in Cleveland. After all, as an undrafted player, that is where his career started, and the reputation of joining an opponent who defeated him is not very good.

But for role players like them, the starting point is actually the same. Johnson wants to get a big contract for more opportunities, and Dellavedova wants to get a bigger stage. For him, if he can get on the Show yourself on the stage of the finals and get a big contract. Nothing else matters.

Then, the Bulls renewed Artest's contract with a one-year minimum salary and Justin Holiday's one-year minimum salary, and the reinforcement work was completed.

As for Osman, whom they selected in the draft, he was released in Europe like Jokic last year.

Oh, by the way, Jokic has arrived in Chicago and started training at the United Center with the help of Malone. Xu Yong was in a hurry to go back and didn't have time to meet face-to-face.

As for other teams, the championship teams have not changed much in the past few years. This environment is still very good for the Bulls.

Well, just when Xu Yong was thinking this, the big one came.

As the free market freeze period came to an end, the Lakers took action.

The Lakers sent Howard and DJ Augustin and received Gasol and Reggie Jackson from the Thunder.

The Lakers' previous move to pick Okafor in the draft meant that there was a high probability that Howard would be sent away, and now this has been verified.

Although the Lakers have suffered some losses based on the results of the transaction, this is Howard's current value.

His trade value has plummeted in the past two years with the Lakers, and the early extension contract he signed with the Pacers only has the last year left.

In fact, the Lakers had great ideas at the trade deadline last season, but they never found a suitable partner. Now the Thunder have jumped out.

The Thunder's lineup has been running in for four years and finally fell short. If they want to beat the Bulls, they must make some changes.

The management finally chose to take a chance. After all, there was a sensitive matter at this time. Durant's contract will expire next summer.

The two parties had not reached an early contract extension before. It can be understood that a larger contract can be signed in the summer, but it also puts a lot of pressure on the management.

After the trade, the Thunder's starting lineup for the new season will be: Harden, Robertson, Durant, Ibaka, and Howard.

This lineup looks quite shocking, especially the intensity of the interior defense is instantly full.

Of course, they have learned from the experience of the Cavaliers last season. Fans are cautiously optimistic about this kind of super lineup. They will only know if it can last the season.

The Lakers' lineup after the trade: Reggie Jackson, Kobe Bryant, Ariza, Gasol, Okafor.

This lineup, Ye Qing is back.

When Xu Yong saw this deal, his mood was more complicated than others.

Although Kobe has not announced it yet, he knows that the new season will be Kobe's [retirement tour season].

When the Lakers made this deal, except for Reggie Jackson, a potential point guard who performed well in the Finals last season, the rest should be to give Kobe Bryant a perfect final season, so what's the use of Gasso? What about a more perfect trade?

After Xu Yong saw the news of the transaction, he called Kobe that day and went directly to him.

When two people meet, it's a duel full of physical confrontation.

Although Kobe is still no match for Xu Yong like last time, Xu Yong can feel that his physical condition is much better than in the past two years.

"I feel like I can stop you in the new season." After sitting down, Kobe was very motivated.

Xu Yong laughed when he heard this. The Bulls are in the East and the Lakers are in the West. The implication of Kobe's words is that he feels that he can still lead the Lakers to the finals again.

This is nothing short of a fantasy.

But this is indeed what Kobe would say, after all, his Gasol is back.

"I'm waiting for you." Xu Yong said with a smile. He originally thought about asking about retirement, but he gave up that idea and even looked forward to it.

When the time came to mid-July, the reinforcements and transactions of each team were coming to an end. It was at this time that Xu Yong began to swipe the screen.

On the night of July 7, he and Theron’s son Xu Hao/Michael Xu Guagua was born.

Hao means sky, and like his word yong, it has the same pronunciation as half of the word. Theron hopes that the little guy will be stable, but he hopes that the little guy can cross the limit of the sky.

Moreover, this little guy weighed 8 pounds when he was born. At first glance, he looked like he was going to do big things.

After having children, Xu Yong and Theron finally posted photos on social media and announced the name of their child.

Social media is blowing up.

"I just said that Sai Huang must be pregnant. I didn't expect it to be Xu Yong's child. I was so shocked."

"My dad is No. 1 in basketball, and my mom is a South African diamond. Will I lead the way in the future?"

"That's why the name is Michael Xu and not James Xu?"

"Because he's a 'real.baby'."

"Theron is tall and beautiful, and Seo Yong is handsome and strong. The genetic combination of these two makes me really look forward to what Michael Seo will look like when he grows up."

"Maybe... yellow-skinned Beckham?"

"All hope for the future of the league lies here. He must like basketball!"

……

Before fans here have recovered from Xu Yong's social media messages, the premiere of "Space Jam 2" has begun over there.

On the first day, it received 2400 million at the North American box office, topping the box office list of the day.

As a fan, and for a movie with a niche theme like basketball, the box office is quite outstanding.

You must know that the total box office of "Space Jam" in North America was only 8000 million.

And with good reputations on Rotten Tomatoes and IMDb, the reviews on social media after watching the movie are also good.

Many people find that compared to 1, its plot is obviously more fulfilling, and it is one of those rare sequels that is better than the original movie.

This also attracted more movie fans with a wait-and-see attitude to watch the movie.

Moreover, "Space Jam 2" was released on Friday, and the weekend box office will continue to rise. If it accumulates word-of-mouth, the movie's box office forecast is very optimistic.

It hasn't even been released yet in China, and it will be obvious to the naked eye that there will be a wave of box office harvest.

Winning the championship, having a child, and selling well at the box office, Xu Yong has become the most enviable human being on the planet this summer.

(End of this chapter)