When pride still matters

Chapter 447 You see how much I look like

After entering the new year, the SuperSonics' record is far ahead. In the All-Star voting, Yu Fei is scheduled to win the vote with a million-level advantage. In addition to Yu Fei, Roy and Durant have also won the favor of fans.

According to ESPN's predictions, the Sonics are likely to be selected to three All-Stars this season.

In the SuperSonics local area, Clay Bennett claimed that there are many investors in the Sonics' new arena. If the NBA did not stipulate that the construction of a new arena must obtain the support of the local government, the money could be raised solely through social financing. .

Compared with before flying in, the local influence of the SuperSonics in Seattle has increased sharply.

The Seahawks and Mariners in the same city feel this most deeply.

In previous years' financial reports, the Sonics were often the last to report, and they always lost money. But now, just two months into the new NBA season, the Sonics are hastily announcing that their revenue to date has been recouped.

In other words, starting from today, every penny earned by the Sonics is profit.

Bill Tinsley, a doctor of economics in Seattle, said: "The SuperSonics are the biggest bull stock in Seattle, and their economic benefits are increasing day by day. According to statistics, the economic benefits directly or indirectly caused by Seattle will bring 3-5 million US dollars to the city. Economic Effects."

For a franchise that can turn a profit on $7000 million in annual revenue, that's a staggering figure.

The huge economic effect ultimately comes back to the original problem.

"The Sonics' economic miracle was created in Key Arena. From an economic point of view, Key Arena is limiting the potential of the Sonics. From the perspective of the city's long-term development, the planning of the new arena is urgent."

Seattle Mayor Greg Nichols' attitude was initially vague and gradually shifted to the Sonics' side: "The Sonics have proven their cultural and economic value to Seattle. As long as they comply with the provisions of the bill, I Will vote in favor (of the new arena financing plan).”

Political correctness and economic recovery were the knock-on effects of the Sonics' championship run last season.

Everything seems to be going in the right direction.

However, despite being in the right place at the right time, there is still a force within Seattle that is blocking the advancement of the agenda.

MCCAIT: Make Citizens Care About Important Things is Seattle’s largest civil rights organization. Their purpose is to use active voices and social movements to urge the government to devote its energy and financial resources to the issues that are most pressing to citizens.

For them, helping the Sonics build a new arena is not an urgent matter.

When the Sonics were losing money for consecutive years, they believed that since the team was not making money, they should not spend taxpayers' money to build them a new arena. Moreover, the team owners were billionaires, so why should they use taxpayers' money to build them a new arena? Are these rich people getting richer? Now that the Sonics have started to make money, their behavioral logic has become, since the Sonics have started to make money and have social support, why spend taxpayers' money anymore?

More than half of Seattleites support MCCAIT, but that doesn't mean they all oppose building a new arena for the Sonics. There are bound to be differences of opinion within the organization at Nottingham University. The problem now is that almost half a year has passed since the SuperSonics won the championship, the recency effect has disappeared, and the minds of winning fans are no longer enthusiastic.

That's why Stern said one championship isn't enough.

Not only do they have to prove they have money, but they also have to keep winning.

"One thing I have to point out is that the money invested by the city government does not go into my pocket. The city government and other investors will become the owners of the arena." Bennett actively attended local TV stations in Seattle and gushed. Jedi talks about NBA economics. "Why do I say this is a good thing for Seattle? Because we have Frye. He can have a lasting impact on Seattle the way Michael Jordan impacted the economy of downtown Chicago in the 90s. I can guarantee you, 2.5 million US dollar financing will bring returns of five times or even ten times within ten years.”

Although the Sonics will not formally submit a financing plan to the city government until June next year, the publicity has begun like an election canvassing.

Yu Fei is the core of the propaganda.

The SuperSonics' external slogan is: Embrace Frye and exchange $2.5 million for a future of $50 billion.

Even Yu Fei himself doesn't know that he can bring an economic effect of US$50 billion to Seattle in the future.

However, he understands Bennett's approach of trying to impress the public.

Because the MCCAIT organization has played the card of "paying attention to specific people and things", it has to draw a parallel. This is a magic hedge.

In the past two years, Yu Fei's name and image have been abused by those behind him.

The result is that people in this circle can hear or see his name wherever they go.

His name began to become a symbol, and media attention began to surge.

Outside, Yu Fei had almost no privacy.

Kwame Brown envied the attention he received from countless eyes wherever he went.

Yu Fei rolled his eyes at him: "Being Fry Yu for one day may be a dream come true for you, but do you want to live like this all year round?"

"What's wrong with that?" Brown wanted to be like that.

Yu Fei sighed. Brown couldn't understand his pain because the other party didn't experience it personally.

Brown absolutely couldn't understand it. Not long ago, when Yu Fei and his rumored girlfriend Rachel Lefevre attended the "Twilight" event, it only started because the paparazzi photographed him talking to Twilight actress Kristen Stewart. YYDid he have anything to do with Christine?

And there is one piece of gossip about him almost every few days.

Media from different industries became interested in him and wanted to explore his secrets and dark side.

For them, making gods is fun, but smashing idols is also fun.

Yu Fei's ascension to the throne has just reached the position of Jordan after 1996, but the scrutiny he encountered was at the level of Jordan in 1993.

For the media, he still lacks a big scandal to complete his image - they don't believe that there are perfect people, as long as they are individuals, they have shortcomings. Jordan is addicted to gambling, Woods is addicted to beauty, Tyson has too many problems to mention, Magic is infected with the HIV virus, Bird does not speak human words. Starting from the baseball god Babe Ruth, to the third player in the history of modern sports A superstar Joe Namath, each with their flaws.

But what about Yu Fei’s shortcomings? Arrogant, retributive, relentless in pursuit of enemies, and no respect for seniors. Is there anything else?
As an athlete, none of this is a big deal.

Those media outlets that focus on bringing stains to the statue of God believe: "Fry Yu still needs a "Jordan Rules"-style book to expose his true face."

Yu Fei can easily deal with sports reporters, and he can tell everything about basketball issues.

But what about tabloid reporters, reporters who focus on social hot topics, and those entertainment reporters?

Yu Fei didn't have the energy to deal with these people.

He made a similar choice to Jordan. He closed himself off.

Starting from 2009, anyone who wants to interview Yu Fei needs to make an appointment with his assistant Lin Kaiwen and then wait for his consent.

Sports reporters who focus on basketball coverage are among the victims.

Because Yu Fei wants to treat the media equally.

This leads to these media staff who focus on basketball to try their best to write good words in their reports in order to get closer to Fei Fei.

It was during this period that Yu Fei encountered the restricted area set by Jordan for God and others.

Suddenly, a class gap began to emerge between the players and the media.

Sports reporters must treat Yu Fei carefully, and they must do everything possible to avoid making mistakes.

They imagined a scenario where once they made Yu Fei dissatisfied, they would never have a chance to get close to Yu Fei.

Because that's what Jordan did back then.

In mid-January, the SuperSonics visited Chicago.

A reporter from the Chicago Reader wanted to conduct a brief interview with Fei.

Yu Fei glanced at Lin Kaiwen.

Lin Kaiwen understood and stepped forward and said: "Fry will not be interviewed today. If you have any questions, you can ask them after the game is over."

"I just have one question."

The other begged.

Kevin Lin said impatiently: "Don't make me say it a second time, you can't get any answer from Frye now!"

The reporter was desperate.

When Fei Fei and Lin Kaiwen disappeared, the people around the reporter said dissatisfiedly: "That bastard is just a dog next to No. 44, why should he?"

The rejected sports reporter said with a pale face: "He relies on No. 44's willingness to keep him by his side."

Now, journalists who were denied access will fight for media access room permits after tonight's game.

Today is Yu Fei's first visit to Chicago this season. Countless media have gathered here, and the visit qualification is basically reserved by major newspapers. For these little shrimps, there is no better opportunity to get closer to Yu Fei.

That night, Yu Fei took the initiative to keep an eye on Ross.

And he had a question for Rose.

"Derek, you have to tell me why you chose No. 23 between me and No. 23."

Whenever Yu Fei said this, he would score on Rose's head.

"There's no other reason."

"wrong answer."

In the next round, Yu crushed Rose with a flying back attack.

Ultimately, Rose had an unforgettably bad game.

全场12投2中，对面的于飞几乎球球点名，在他头上砍下35分11篮板8助攻。

Some people think that Yu Fei treated Rose too harshly and bullied the small ones.

When Yu Fei arrived at the media interview room, dozens of media and nearly a hundred people gathered in a small room.

Each came with an eager desire to be called upon.

In Yu Fei's eyes, these people all seemed to have friendly smiles, which almost made him believe that the media at the scene were all his fans. They were all here for him and would never be detrimental to him.

But Yu Fei pointed to the local Chicago media to ask the first question tonight under the enthusiastic gaze.

"Frye, you scored 35 points tonight, but 24 of them were scored by Derek Rose. Is this encouragement or suppression?"

Yu Fei smiled lightly and said, "What do you think it is?"

The other party took a deep breath, knowing that his next answer would determine whether he could question Yu Fei in the future.

He knew that his colleagues at the scene were all spineless cowards who would kneel down and lick Yu Fei's smelly feet, but he was a reporter from Chicago, and in Chicago, there was only one God.

"I don't think you're being nice to Derek!"

the reporter said boldly.

"At the end of the draft, someone asked Derek who his favorite player was. He first said me, and then No. 23." Yu Fei answered slowly, "In the end, he said he preferred No. 23. I think about it. I wanted to go, but I couldn’t figure out why I was inferior to No. 23. So, in order to make him like me more, I decided to play like No. 23 tonight.”

Yu Fei did not increase his tone, and the expression on his face did not change. A slight smile was still hanging on the corner of his mouth, but to everyone, the atmosphere in the room suddenly became solemn.

Because Yu Fei stared at the Chicago reporters like a wolf and asked harmoniously: "Do you think I look like No. 23 tonight?"

(End of this chapter)