When pride still matters

Chapter 349 Da Fei likes you

News of Yu Fei's move to Seattle spread quickly.

If even Bucks fans didn’t believe it was going to happen before it happened, what about fans of other teams?
Of course I won't believe it.

Because the SuperSonics are the worst team in the Western Conference, and the Bucks have just completed two consecutive championships, have healthy salary space, and have many strong young players who are still under their rookie contracts. For a person who aims to surpass Michael Jordan, He definitely should not have left the Bucks.

But Yu Fei left anyway.

The reason was that the Sonics were facing relocation, and he decided to respond to the call of his hometown elders and do his best to change what was about to happen.

This quickly formed a chain reaction, and Yu Fei's negative reputation was reversed in an instant. Even fans of the teams who had been beaten by him would send him blessings.

"How many players are going to give up the opportunity to win three consecutive championships and join a bad team at the bottom with the goal of saving their hometown team? I mean, in the next 100 years, are we going to see something like this happen? Everybody Everyone knows that I have problems with Frye, but this incident made me become his fan. As long as he does not lead the SuperSonics to the Finals in the next three years and become my fierce rival, I will support him in this matter to the end. ."

Well-known hacker Bill Simmons wrote in his column.

Just as people around Yu Fei expected, the move to the SuperSonics had a decisive impact on Yu Fei's reputation.

The interview was over, and Yu Fei was about to leave the scene with the help of security, but the fans were too enthusiastic.

As we all know, Da Fei is a big core with the ball, and he is extremely suitable for the attributes of a space-based inside line.

The reason why Lewis wants to join forces with Yu Fei is also very simple. Not only is Da Fei's dominance of four championships in five years in Milwaukee trustworthy, but also how Kwame Brown can step on him from a cat to a dog by his side. He was a parallel import, but now he says he is the number one center in the league and no one objects to it.

Yu Fei said to him: "Remember what I told you? Make the best decision for your family."

Like Yu Fei and Karl, this contract is also 1+1 with player options.

".!!!"

Yu Fei was interviewed by the Seattle Times at the scene.

On the other side, Supersonic is working on completing various matters agreed with Yu Fei in advance.

Hearing this, a reporter from the "Seattle Times" was so excited that his fingers trembled: "Clay Bennett is a native of Oklahoma. Everyone here knows that he wants to take the team away, and we are still facing the ball." These problems may cause us to lose the Sonics, Frye, do you have any solutions?"

First, they fired PJ Carlesimo, who was about to become a regular, and then signed a 1+1 two-year contract with the Bucks' championship coach George Karl (the same as Yu Fei).

In the end, Yu Fei jumped onto a grassy slope outside the airport. At this moment, everyone was watching. He took the microphone from the reporter and shouted: "Let's save the Supersonics together!"

Lewis had some bold ideas.

Last season, Lewis averaged 22 points per game as the fourth position and shot 39% from three-point range.

The biggest beneficiary of this incident is Kwame Brown, whose contract has become larger as a result.

In early July, when Yu Fei and his team arrived in Seattle, all influential local media and thousands of fans gathered outside the airport.

They roared Yu Fei's name, just like believers seeing the arrival of gods.

There were also members of the crowd from the "Save Our Sonics" group chanting slogans they have spread around the league.

However, this slogan has an additional name.

Bell apologized to Yu Fei and signed with the Magic.

With a smile on his face, Yu Fei said the words he had prepared early in a comfortable speaking speed and tone: "When no one cared where I played, I was just a kid from western Washington state. This is where I walked, where I ran, where I cried, and where I bled. It will always have a special place in my heart."

This is something the Sonics cannot satisfy, and it also puts Bell in a dilemma.

As the only All-Star in the Sonics, Rashard Lewis didn't want to be with the Sonics, let alone become the first star of the Oklahoma SuperSonics after the team relocated, so he initially decided to He will terminate the remaining two years of his contract this summer.

In terms of statistics, Brown averaged 11+7 and 10+6 per game in the past two years, but he won the championship and had a single game performance of 20+10 against top insiders such as O'Neal Jr. and Duncan, which made him brag. Capital, and therefore entered the dream team's training list this summer.

The Sonics gave him a two-year, $2 million contract.

Yu Fei's seemingly ordinary words revealed a huge news to the outside world.

The Sonics have just suffered a setback in signing Raja Bell, and are now having trouble signing Carter.

"Frye and Bennett reached an agreement that the Sonics will stay in Seattle until the summer of 2010?"

Everyone whispered.

Then they had problems signing Kwame Brown and Raja Bale.

Mainly there is a problem on Bell's side.

"Fry, save our Sonics!!!"

However, Yu Fei came unexpectedly.

Lewis believes that Da Fei will not find an insider who is more suitable for him than himself.

"We all know you were successful in Milwaukee. What prompted you to come back to Seattle?"

He didn't just come here with enthusiasm, he had a plan.

So who is the league's top space insider? Rashard Lewis, of course.

Yu Fei said: "Mr. Bennett promised me that he would work with me to find a way to keep the Sonics. We will get this done before the team's contract with Key Arena expires."

Before Yu Fei started to save the Sonics, he first let people see his amazing commercial value.

Orlando offered Bell a four-year, $4 million contract.

On the first day back in Seattle, Yu Fei’s camp kept announcing that they would become partners with major local brands in Seattle.

Moreover, Brown may use his momentum to steal a spot on the Dream Team.

Due to these considerations, Lewis decided not to leave, and he wanted to execute the last two years of his contract.

Sonics general manager Sam Presti has seen nothing like it.

If Lewis doesn't go, they won't have room.

If there's no room, why sign Carter?
Presti contacted Yu Fei immediately and informed him of Lewis's decision.

At that time, Yu Fei was training with Carter.

After hearing the news, he said mockingly: "Sometimes being too charming is not necessarily a good thing."

"What do you mean?"

Carter was stunned for a moment.

"You can't come to Seattle." Yu Fei said.

It's certainly a shame for Carter, but he's not the kind of player no one wants.

The strongest team on the free market is the Orlando Magic.

After confirming Howard's talent, they wanted to build a competitive team for Warcraft during his rookie contract.

After grabbing Bell, Rashard Lewis is another target for them.

But unexpectedly, Lewis, who had been in trouble for a season, actually chose to stay in Seattle, which forced them to spend a lot of money to sign Vince Carter, who was no longer a demigod.

Carter accepted the invitation and turned around and left the Warriors, which had recently achieved a black eight miracle.

At this point, the Sonics' offseason operations have come to an end.

Only Kwame Brown who originally planned to meet with Yu Fei for the Sonics came, and the others were unable to make the trip due to one or another reason. However, looking at the SuperSonics' lineup, Yu Fei feels that there is still much to do in the new season.

In addition to themselves and Brown, the Sonics acquired Kevin Durant, Brandon Roy, Channing Frye and Josh Childress through several years of messing up, plus Rashad who stayed on the team. ·Lewis.

On paper, Seattle has a great seven-man rotation.

Yu Fei can't worry about other things for the time being.

This summer, Yu Fei made a good psychological preparation and officially accepted the call from the American Basketball Association. In mid-July, he went to Las Vegas with Kwame Brown to participate in the training camp of the Dream Team.

Although there is no World Series this year, because the US team only finished third in last year's World Championships, they have to prepare for this summer's American Olympic Qualifiers.

Compared with the 2004 generation who have been actively participating in national team competitions since 03, Yu Fei is a newcomer to the national team.

But this is an integral newcomer to Team USA.

Because Yu Fei is the number one in the league, and the number one player in the NBA can basically be equated to the number one active player in basketball.

For the American team, which has lost three consecutive world championships, if anyone can make the Dream Team great again, it must be Yu Fei.

Therefore, the xenophobia from within the team has not affected the Dream Team's coaching staff.

On Yu Fei's first day in Las Vegas, Coach K excitedly told reporters: "Our strongest man is already in the lineup!"

Then, the reporter, who never takes things too seriously, asked: "Last year you said that as long as Frye joins the US team, he will become the team's captain. Is this statement still valid today?"

When Japan was defeated, the top brass of the American Basketball Association were all disappointed, but their biggest consolation was that the best player in the country was not on the team.

Old K does not expect Yu Fei, who has always refused the national team, to join it this year.

Therefore, he ignored the wishes of James and others and directly told the media that Yu Fei would become Captain America if he came.

But it's not that simple.

At least, it's not so simple that as soon as Yu Fei comes, someone will cheer for him, so he immediately wears a yellow robe.

That's not how it works.

"You know," Old K said tactfully, "Taking into account his resume, Frye is the ideal captain candidate in my mind."

The correct translation of this sentence is: But he has not proven himself in the training team yet.

In addition to veterans like Duncan and Garnett, the US team has basically assembled all the elite players this year.

In addition to those already famous players, there are also potential new stars like Durant and Oden in the training team.

The first day Yu Fei and Brown entered the camp was also his first meeting with Durant.

"Fry, nice to meet you."

Durant, like all highly regarded rising stars, tries to look more mature than his actual age.

But the problem is, this is not their true appearance.

Even for James, a large part of the maturity and stability he showed to the public in his early days was team packaging.

"What should I call you?" Yu Fei joked, "Kevin? KD? Or a kid who likes foot-washing water?"

Durant was a little embarrassed when thinking of this past incident: "I was a kid who didn't understand anything at the time. You know, when I got the opportunity to talk to the great Frye, I decided to say something special."

Yu Fei didn't take this matter to heart. He then asked: "I heard that your hometown is in DC?"

"Yes, I was born there."

"When I have trouble with No. 23, who do you support?"

Yu Fei asked as if investigating the ingredients.

"Michael, we all supported Michael at the time." Durant knew how to suppress first and then strengthen, "But after Michael traded you, I no longer supported him."

Kwame Brown on the side was secretly relieved for Durant.

If he hadn't said the second half, Brown couldn't imagine how this kid would have spent his rookie season.

"You came to Las Vegas a week earlier than me. Tell me, how is the situation here?" Yu Fei began to turn the topic to the training team.

Durant also relaxed: "The people here are very nice and take good care of me. There is a lot of love between us."

"Don't talk nonsense." Yu Fei said gently, "Tell me who is the leader of the training camp."

Durant began to sweat on his forehead: "Ephrey, I don't know."

"You do not know?"

"I don't know who's in the leadership position because I don't usually attend their rivalry games."

Although Team USA has a tradition of bringing young people to experience the Dream Team, this summer is about Olympic qualification.

The U.S. team has been humiliated in the past few years. If it wants to make a bigger fool of itself, it will be defeated in the Olympic qualifying rounds and ultimately not even qualified for the Olympics.

To ensure nothing goes wrong, young people like Durant are generally not recruited, so their main purpose here is to gain experience.

"Then tell me who you hate the most here."

"No," Xiao Du now focuses on a person with high emotional intelligence, "Everyone is very good to me."

Yu Fei almost didn't recognize him.

"Okay, what about LeBron?" Yu Fei said with a hidden smile, "I heard that he was unhappy that I came here?"

"Um. Well, I think LeBron should..." Durant looked at Yu Fei's face, "You should be welcome, but..."

Yu Feixiao asked: "But what?"

"Yesterday, LeBron publicly lectured us, saying that the future of the American team lies with us. They hope that everyone will put the glory of the American team first, no."

Yu Fei was obviously smiling, but Durant's fear became deeper and deeper.

"What don't you want?"

Yu Fei asked.

"Don't only care about yourself like some people do." Durant emphasized, "This is what LeBron said."

"Ok."

Yu Fei patted Durant on the shoulder and walked to the locker room.

Durant blinked and looked to Brown, wondering how he was doing.

"It's okay." Brown nodded, "I can see that Da Fei likes you."

Durant felt relieved. Kwame Brown is a well-known loyal dog. He has said so, and he is definitely not wrong.

But Brown's next words made Durant sweat: "Just like he used to love LeBron."

PS: That’s just one chapter today. New maps, new main lines, hundreds of thousands of words of information were crammed into my brain, and I really needed half a day to think about it.

(End of this chapter)