NBA: Start by torturing Jordan and add points to upgrade

"Lin, are you really not considering joining my new team? I talked to Stern again tonight and there's basically no problem! And I've already chosen the position!"

"Charlotte! I have a very good fan base in North Carolina. The Hornets have moved away, and their Spectrum Center is vacant. I can use it and save a lot of money!"

"If you come here, I think we can compete for a championship in three years!"

"Michael, you don't want me to ask you the same question as last time, do you?" Lin Tian really didn't want to answer Jordan's question.

Given Jordan's vision in drafting, and his tendency to do everything himself, Lin Tian would never consider working with him.

Not considered at all.

What’s more important is that not only does he have a bad vision, he is also poor and stingy!

What kind of good person would start his free agent recruitment by saying that he can save a lot of money by using someone else's second-hand gymnasium?

With that kind of talk, you can't recruit any free agents.

Again, Jordan's team has had at least 20 top ten lottery picks in the 15-year history of the team. Even if Lin Tian's grandmother were to draft, he would be able to select three All-Stars.

But what about Jordan?

two!

At most, only Kemba and LaMelo Ball have been selected to the All-Star Game!
Apart from this, without exception, all are parallel imports!

This kind of vision...

Shaking!

Hell difficulty is not considered.

Then Jordan enthusiastically talked to Lin Tian about his plans for the coming year. He had to make a lot of preparations for the new team.

It can be seen that Jordan is very much looking forward to and excited about owning a team for the first time.

He obviously also felt that with his own abilities, he could build a truly king-level team in a matter of minutes!
"Lin, if you don't come, don't blame my team for beating you mercilessly! We will eliminate you again and again!" After looking into the future, Jordan looked at Lin Tian and gave him an 'ultimatum'.

"Yes, yes, beat me, beat me." Lin Tian curled his lips and rolled his eyes. You want to beat me?

However, Lin Tian did not dare to say anything harsh like 'Just come and I'll kill you in the playoffs' or 'You'll never win the championship with me on your team'.

There’s nothing else to it, it’s just too difficult!

Given the level of team building that Jordan has built, which has allowed him to make the playoffs twice in the past 20 years, it is really difficult to beat his team in the playoffs!

It’s really hard to come by!
After chatting with Jordan for a few more words, Arenas suddenly came, and with him was a timid-looking child about 4 or 5 years old.

"Is that your child, Gilbert? Children are not allowed to come here, and it's time for children to go to bed at this time." Lin Tian leaned comfortably in the chair. He was completely relaxed at this moment.

"He's the kid of a neighbor of a good friend of my distant relative's distant relative. He also likes playing ball and he likes you very much. My distant relative's distant relative...FUXX, forget it! Anyway, my friend asked me to do a favor and asked me to bring him to meet you."

"But I like this kid very much. If he plans to develop into basketball, I am willing to help him and take him to train or something."

Looking at Arenas, Lin Tian smiled. He didn't care how these complicated relationships were connected. Instead, he took the pen and jersey from the child and said, "What's your name, kid? What do you want me to sign for you?"

"Ja Morant!" the kid said excitedly, "I hope you can help me sign my dear Ja Morant. He will become the greatest point guard in the NBA!"

"Ja Morant?" Lin Tian couldn't help but look up when he heard the name. Wow, two generations of Holy Spear Rangers got together.

Is this really a fateful meeting?

Arenas also taught him personally?
I'm afraid I'm going to teach him something like a complete classification of gun models...

Lin Tian was too lazy to care about this wonderful fate. After signing his name, he handed the jersey back and said, "Gilbert, I think you need to send him home immediately. It's too late. This is not a good place for children to be!"

"If we're not careful, we'll be associated with some weird and disgusting accusations."

"His father is just outside the door! I'll take him out right now." Arenas blinked his eyes exaggeratedly, as if he would not waste his happy time playing house with this kid if he was not asked to do so.

Then the guy quickly pulled Morant and turned away, obviously eager to continue his happiness.

Not long after Arenas left, Big Ben also came over.

"Lin, my contract expires this year." Big Ben's voice was a little low and a little confusing. Needless to say, this guy drank a lot!
"My agent...well, Rob said that several teams have contacted him and are willing to offer me some contracts. The amount of the contract...is very large."

"Is it so big that you think the Pacers won't match it?" Lin Tian looked at Big Ben and understood this guy's feelings very well.

This is a loyal guy. Ever since Lin Tian rescued him from the abyss of the Bullet Team, he has fought side by side with Lin Tian for a full 6 years!
In the past 6 years, Big Ben has always been the most loyal little brother to Lin Tian. He is always by Lin Tian's side. He always supports Lin Tian and even joined Pelinka's agency with Lin Tian early on.

Now, because of the Pacers' financial situation and knowing the team owner's business strategy, Big Ben obviously doesn't think the team will continue to keep him.

"Yes, if Rob didn't lie to me." Ben said, "He received at least three four-year contracts worth more than 3 million!"

"Then go get it! Just like Vince, playing basketball is not just for the dream, but also for the money!" Lin Tian said easily: "If you are here to ask me for advice, then the advice I give you is the same as the one I gave to Vince."

"If someone else offers you 4 million for 4000 years, and the Pacers offer you 4 million or 3700 million for 3800 years, then I would advise you to stay. But if Larry can only offer you a 4 million contract for 2800 years, then I really don't know why you should stay."

"I know it's important for guys to be together, and I know the most important thing for everyone to be together is to have fun, but Ben, you have to get the damn money!"

"I'm not short of money!" Big Ben was unexpectedly firm this time: "I'm different from those other niggers. I don't live an extravagant life, and I don't have too many hobbies of spending money. I know that as long as I don't gamble, take drugs, or invest, the money I earn is enough for me to live a luxurious life."

"So Lin, I'm not here to ask you what choice I should make next or how much money I'll get. I'm here to ask you if you will leave next summer."

"If you don't leave next summer and will continue to stay in Indiana, then I don't care whether it's 4 million for four years or 2800 million for four years. But if you are ready to be great next summer, then I think there is no need for me to stay here."

"I follow you!"

Seeing this black iron tower-like guy expressing his true feelings, Lin Tian couldn't help but sigh. Daben is really kind!
But unfortunately, Lin Tian is not a very nice person.

Especially, his heart is still dirty.

"Larry, you bastard, how can you live with your conscience by letting Ben test me like this?" Lin Tian yelled at the dark shadow behind Ben, indicating that I saw you.

Originally, Lin Tian was just shouting for fun, he didn't think Bird was really there.

But what he didn't expect was that as soon as he finished speaking, Bird walked out from the bushes.

"I knew you would find out, but I really want to hear your answer." Bird didn't feel embarrassed at all. Instead, he sat down on the other side of Lin Tian and said, "We've had a lot of fun working together over the past few years, haven't we?"

"Let's have a chat a year in advance! This will affect all our future strategies and team building ideas. You are not planning to launch a surprise attack on me next summer and catch me off guard!"

Looking at this guy who was using morality to blackmail him, Lin Tian could only sigh helplessly.

He is a dirty guy, but he still has some bottom line.

At least Bird played the friendship card very well.

"Larry, what I said to Ben also applies to me. If the Pacers offer me 5 million for 2 years, I will never leave. But if they are only willing to offer me 5 million for 1 years or something else, why should I stay here?"

"I'm a simple person. I deserve Indiana. I've brought everything to them. I have a clear conscience. Do you want me to take a pay cut to work for the capitalists? Sorry, that's impossible!"

"Larry, do you think Brother Simon will give me 5 million for 2 years?"

Bird smiled bitterly and said, "As you said, maybe the most is 5 million or 1 million for five years. If a lunatic really offers you a super-max salary using the 'God Clause', the Simon brothers will definitely not follow suit."

"It's not just about money, but also because they know very well that Stern doesn't want guys like you to stay in Indiana for too long. You are here and influence his globalization policy. If you stay, they may not be retaliated against."

"But if you leave, Stern will owe them a favor, maybe he will compensate us with a No. 5 pick in 6- years?"

At this point, Bird knew very well that this conversation didn't need to continue.

He patted Lin Tian on the shoulder, took a glass of wine, clinked glasses with Lin Tian, ​​then turned and left.

Only Da Ben was left sitting there, and he asked tentatively: "Lin, where is your next home? Have you thought about it? I can go there first and then wait for you."

"Get lost!" Lin Tian kicked Da Ben impatiently, then suddenly pulled him over and said, "Where are you going? Is there any place you want to go?"

"Detroit!" Ben Ben said with a sly smile, "I think that place is a perfect match for me! And Joe is the general manager there, he will protect me! I have a good relationship with Rasheed, and he said Chauncey and Richard are also good guys!"

"But unfortunately, Rob didn't want me to go there. He thought Detroit was a cold and chaotic place, and the economic environment was not good. I couldn't make enough money there."

When Lin Tian heard what Daben said, he felt relieved.

Going to Detroit is definitely the best choice for Ben!

But I never expected that the four kings of Detroit would gather together in this way.

As for what Ben said about Pelinka not letting him pass?
"You are the boss and he is just an employee. He has no right to decide where you should go. Tell him that you should go to Detroit! As for whether he agrees or not? If he disagrees, you can find another agent!"

"Good idea!" Big Ben laughed and stood up, then also joined in the joyful ladder climbing.

Big Ben had just left, and the stool he was sitting on was even still warm, when Christie arrived.

In other words, Christie came with his wife.

Well... Christie couldn't possibly show up alone at this kind of event.

He either doesn't come, or he must bring his wife with him.

"Lin, I have something to discuss with you." Christie scratched her head and said shyly, "My wife and I have written a book and it's about to be published. We hope you can help write a preface."

"Book? You wrote it?" Lin Tian looked at the two people in shock, and said incredulously: "What book? Novels or poems, you are not old enough to write memoirs and autobiographies yet."

"Neither. It's about our love for each other, our relationship, our life before and after marriage, our way of getting along with each other, and our views on love and marriage."

Christie's wife Jackie smiled and said, "The title of the book is "Uncommon Love"! Doug said you are his best friend, and we all think you can help."

"No, I can't help." When Lin Tian heard this, he shook his head and refused without even thinking: "How can I write that? I'm just a basketball player. I don't understand anything about literature."

Are you kidding me? Would Lin Tian dare to interfere in the relationship between these two people? Would Lin Tian dare to write a preface for the book they wrote?
If he writes the preface today, tomorrow 10 girls will line up with the book and ask Lin Tian to explain it to them.

What can I say about asking Lin Tian to write the preface for this kind of book?

How is this any different than asking a Muslim to write about a hundred ways to cook pork?

They all sound unreliable and can kill people.

"But you are a top student at the University of Pennsylvania. You are the best psychology graduate in the world. You are a true genius, Lin." Jackie did not give up and said, "We think you can also share your views on love in the preface."

“I share mine?”

Lin Tian pointed at his nose. Good fellow! It seems that your book is a book on debate skills, right? I wrote the preface in the beginning, and the content of the entire book is to refute the views and opinions in my preface. It is completely wrong, right?

Seeing Jackie's expectant face and Christie's embarrassed face, Lin Tian felt that if he didn't agree, he would be pestered for a long time, so he said: "Then I will write it now?"

"Great! Let's find a quiet place?" Jackie's eyes lit up instantly, and she gave Christie a reproachful look, as if to say: See, I knew he would agree.

"That's not necessary. I don't plan to write too much." Lin Tian took out the pen that Morant had just handed him, and then took a small note from his side. There was a phone number written on the note, which was secretly given to Lin Tian by a bikini girl.

Now Lin Tian wiped off the number with tears in his eyes, then wrote a sentence on the back of the note and handed it to Christie: "This is the preface I wrote for you."

"So short?" Christie was stunned for a moment, and Jackie snatched the note from his hand.

As for Lin Tian, ​​he decisively chose to run away before she saw the contents of the note.

I can't stay with this psychotic couple anymore, otherwise the second half of the night will really turn into a debate competition.

Then, Lin Tian heard Jackie's dissatisfied curses and Christie's screams from behind.

This guy got beaten again!

As for the reason for being beaten, Lin Tian knew it very well.

His preface is indeed just one sentence.

“Although I haven’t read this book, I totally disagree with the views in it—Lin!”

Simple and direct, hitting the mark!

…………

On this night, fans and players all over the United States and around the world are watching this game.

This final game of the finals and the last game of Jordan's career attracted a lot of players to watch.

And it was after the end of this game that many players took action.

For example, Iverson, who was on vacation, called the 76ers' management overnight and said, "Either trade me or find me a real helper! I can't stand watching others perform on the highest stage of basketball like this!"

"I want to win the championship!"

For example, McGrady called the Orlando team's medical staff and wanted to know whether Grant Hill could play next season.

"Sorry Tracy, we don't know... because theoretically, he should be healthy this season, but he didn't even play 30 games, and theoretically, he should be able to recover next season, but..."

McGrady felt a headache at the series of theoretical answers from the team's medical staff, and he was beginning to waver.

Hill is always unable to play, and Duncan, the big man who never speaks, looks like he is ready to run away after the end of next season. By the next season, the team will be a situation where he is the only one holding on.

McGrady doesn't like the feeling of fighting alone, especially for the Magic!

In other words, his relationship with the Magic management has been broken since the Magic management completely disregarded his feelings and insisted on sending his good buddy Mike Miller away.

The management was annoyed that McGrady and Duncan were unable to lead the team to a breakthrough, while McGrady and Duncan were also angry that the management had done nothing and had not made any changes or reinforcements.

Maddie's mind also began to move. He was considering moving to another place.

Maybe, try my cousin? They are short of a small forward!
In Minnesota, Garnett once again called his mentor Saunders: "I need help! Just one Traril is not enough! I need a real top star to break the curse with me!"

San Antonio, Popovich, who just finished his tryout with LeBron James today, is extremely satisfied with James!
Then, he started looking for people, all the media, scouts or colleagues he could find, and asked them to help him spread the news.

"Carmelo Anthony is a genius, and the Spurs are considering trading for the No. 1 pick to ensure they get Anthony."

"Pat, I'm OK! Really, I'm OK! This time, I'm completely recovered!" Mourning put a newly-released medical report on Riley's desk.

Although the current Heat has lost its glory due to Alonso Mourning's injury, and the team is directly in the lottery this year, when Alonso recovered from his kidney disease, he once again found Riley, and he hopes to continue fighting for his mentor!
"Alonzo! Alonzo!" Riley shook his head helplessly and said, "I really think that's enough! You can rest now. Your body is no longer fit to continue fighting. Your body can't support the intensity of the NBA."

"It's better for you to retire!"

"I just want a basic salary!" Morning opened his hands and said in disbelief, "Basic salary is enough! I can do it every month, no! I go for a physical examination every week, and I will leave immediately if there is any problem! Pat, please, I just want a chance!"

"I'm really okay!"

"Alonzo! We don't need you now." Riley's tone gradually became stern: "We had a lot of fun working together. I miss that time very much, but it's all over, okay?"

"The team is now rebuilding. We need young people and fresh blood. We have to start from scratch. You should also start from scratch!"

"I just need a basic salary, even an unsecured one." Mourning looked at the heartless and indifferent Riley, as if he was meeting this cold-blooded old man for the first time: "Nothing? I just want to devote all my strength to Miami. I just want to win a championship for the team!"

"Alonzo, we don't need you anymore." Riley looked at Mourning and said, "If you want to chat for a while, I welcome you very much, but if you want to come back, I can only tell you: NO!"

"Your body..."

"It's my own body, and I know it well!" The irritable Morning lost his patience. He stood up, turned around and walked towards the door, then kicked the door open and left Riley's office without looking back.

"Idiot." Looking at the still shaking office door, Riley closed his eyes irritably and leaned back in his chair.

"I hope no team will give him a chance, and I hope no one will give him a contract. This idiot, is he really not afraid of dying on the court? FUXX!"

.........

With Jordan's inevitable retirement, there are several players on the Pacers who have reached the end of their contracts. They will most likely be poached by other teams, and the Pacers' strength will inevitably decline significantly.

In addition, this year's rookies are recognized as the strongest generation since 96, and several players are called top talents seen once in a decade.

Many teams are trying to find out if they can move their draft picks up a few spots so they can select a more suitable player to save the team.

With these reasons, this offseason is destined to be turbulent!

Teams that want to compete for the championship feel that the Pacers are finally about to fall, and they can make a push.

As for those bad teams and lottery teams, especially those teams that are not very satisfied with their draft picks, they try every means to inquire about prices everywhere so that their draft picks can move up a bit.

Undercurrent, no.

It was a blatant tsunami that started almost the same night after the finals!

The Pacers coaching and scout team, led by Bird and Carlisle, had almost no rest. They said goodbye to the players and returned to Indiana the day after the finals.

They want to try out players!
Because of the finals, the Pacers did not try out too many players. For the few players they invited, they only took a cursory look and did not have any in-depth communication.

After all, the Pacers, who are competing for the championship, don't have the time to do that!
And now, when the season is finally over, their draft work will officially begin!

This year the Pacers have two draft picks, the 29th pick in the first round and the 29th pick in the second round.

Well, okay, the two draft picks were the last in each round, but the Pacers had the best record in the league, so the draft picks had to be at the bottom.

But no matter whether the draft pick is earlier or later, the Pacers must go all out to study the rookies this year and choose them carefully!
After all, the two players the team selected in last year's draft were really not worth mentioning...

首轮第25顺位拿下的克里斯·杰弗里斯常规赛打了39场，场均上场5分钟，拿下不到1分1篮板的数据。

Temar Slee, who was selected with the 54th pick in the second round, only appeared five times, with a string of zeros in his stats. Then, in order to save luxury tax, he was cut by the team before the All-Star Game.

The common point between these two is: they are pure water cooler managers who have made almost no contribution to the team. And then, except for the training camp at the beginning of the season, their names have never been mentioned.

No sense of existence!
After these two draft picks were basically wasted, Bird and Carlisle dare not relax at all in this year's draft!

You must give it your all and choose carefully!
As a team that has picked up outstanding talents such as Ginobili, Parker, Arenas, Harrington and others in the middle and low draft, the Pacers will want to avenge their previous defeat and prove their strength in the 03 draft!
Our reputation cannot be ruined just because of this failure in the 02 draft!

Therefore, after the finals and before the draft, in order to make the right choice with these two draft picks, Bird, Carlisle, and the entire coaching and scout staff worked day and night, like crazy!
In less than half a month, they organized five group tryouts of varying sizes, and then selected more than 5 players from these five tryouts for the second round of individual tryouts.

Their goal, if not to select Parker or Ginobili who have the potential to be All-Stars, is to at least select someone like Christie who is qualified for the team's rotation!

Then, it’s the day of the draft!
To be honest, Bird's eyes were already blurry because of trying out so many players. He hadn't decided who to choose until two hours before the draft.

What a headache!
So, not knowing how to choose, Bird once again used his ultimate move!
There is a mouth under the nose, ask!
"Larry, I told you that you can't do without me, so I told you not to ask me for advice last year." An hour before the draft, when Bird had a headache reading the rookie reports alone, Lin Tian walked in.

Well, this is Bird’s secret weapon, ask Lin Tian!
Although he still doesn't understand how Lin Tian can see so accurately, how he can point out all kinds of capable and brave people with just a finger every time!

In the team’s extremely successful draft experiences in the past few years, Lin Tian’s shadow was there every time, and every time it was Lin Tian’s contribution!

The only draft that Lin Tian didn't participate in was in 02, and then...

It doesn’t matter if you don’t mention it, it doesn’t matter if you don’t mention it!
"Come on, Lin, let's have a good chat!" Bird smiled and did not retaliate against Lin Tian's words. He even took out a bottle of whiskey and poured a small glass for Lin Tian.

"Can you help me take a look at these rookies? Give me your professional opinions."

"Larry, where is your rebellious look?" Lin Tian was a little confused when he saw Bird's expression that looked like he deserved a beating.

No, one is picked at the end of the first round, and the other is picked at the end of the second round. Can they make Larry Bird tear off his face and smile?

"Oh, it's because the Lakers are under too much pressure." Bird sighed and said, "Last year, Jerry West got Kirilenko, who was called a genius by everyone. Then, Prince, who they got in the first round, was also called upon to take over in the fourth game of the finals!"

"From the looks of it, Prince will be reused next season! But look at our guy, he doesn't look like that at all!"

"This is a great year for the draft! Everyone is talking about how great this class is. As Larry Bird, how can I put my face aside if I choose another dud?"

"You're not afraid that your pick is bad, are you?" Lin Tian exposed Bird without hesitation: "You're afraid that the Lakers' pick is too good! You scored 29+58, he scored 28+57, such close draft picks, such close choices, if they pick two capable players, you'll be in trouble."

"Next season, it will be West who will ask you to borrow the villa."

"So, give me some recommendations! Otherwise, I will lend him your villa!" Bird said as he pushed the stack of draft reports directly in front of Lin Tian, ​​indicating that you can take a look.

"So many?" Lin Tian was overwhelmed when he saw at least 4 to 50 draft reports. He was too lazy to even do the initial screening of Bird's face: "Are you giving me all the information of the rookies participating in this draft?"

The reason for asking this is that after Lin Tian flipped through it casually, he found some very outrageous names.

LeBron James and Carmelo Anthony.

This fucking alliance is run by your family, right?

Can you pick these two? Do you expect the management of the first 28 teams to be crazy?

Mr. Lin thought he was here to be a judge in the finals, to select one from several candidates and then cast the crucial vote. But you, Bird, asked me to participate from the open auditions?
No, this means I should start looking at the registration manual directly!
Lin Tian didn't want to pamper Bird, so he stood up and said, "I can't come for this, please ask someone else, I'm busy, I'm going to sleep."

Seeing Lin Tian stand up and leave, Bird dared not to be polite anymore, and quickly stood up and said:

"Come here, here's another screened copy, take a look, take a look!" Bird looked at Lin Tian flatteringly, not feeling embarrassed at all: "I was thinking of letting you take a look at the whole thing, in case there's someone I accidentally missed?" (End of this chapter)