So I am the god of basketball?

Chapter 130 "The Breakfast Club"

The 95 draft has come to an end.

This year's high-profile show isn't that crazy.

The "No. 249 pick" signed a three-year contract with the Clippers with a starting salary of 162 million, and Kevin Garnett signed a three-year contract with the Timberwolves with a starting salary of million... But even so, their contracts have already This is an upper-level contract in this league.

Especially for Joe Smith, this is a contract that a super giant can get.

There is only one result of the collapse of "prices":

Either reprice or cause chaos.

It is also for this reason that when July comes, there are no big deals like in previous years. Everyone is waiting for the "labor negotiations" to come to an end.

The current situation is turbulent, and many problems cannot be solved in one summer.

Therefore, David Stern decided to take a long-term view and resolve the immediate matter first. To this end, he specially formulated a rule to quickly solve the problem: if the proportion of BRI (basketball-related income) used for player salaries exceeds 51.8% , the bosses have the right to ask for a renegotiation of the agreement after three years.

This was originally a 6-year contract, but in this way, it was shortened to 3 years. No matter what problems occurred in these three years, they can be solved in three years.

Time is not long, which means there are many potential problems and there is no need to draw a conclusion immediately.

However, from the perspective of a latecomer, Meng Lang knew that this agreement to quickly resolve this summer's disputes and start the new season normally had laid huge foreshadowing. Because both labor and management believe that they have suffered a huge loss.

So much so that the longest "lockout" in NBA history occurred in the summer of 98!

This was a "general strike" that lasted almost a season. During this "strike", many All-Star players died. Among them is the famous "Rain Man" Sean Kemp.

Of course, even David Stern did not expect that player salary increases would rise to that level in just three years. This is not mentioned for the time being.

In short, the "labor agreement" ended smoothly.

Magic owner Richard DeVos was furious.

Because during the negotiation process, the owners of the other 28 teams had signs of vaguely attacking him: "These guys actually think that players like Meng should increase his competitiveness in the market and allow other teams to pursue him. When the time comes, offer a contract with a higher salary than an ordinary maximum-salary contract!”

This is really a "good abacus"!

Richard is not a fool. He clearly understands that this is to make the Magic's salary space tighter in the summer of 96. Fortunately, he argued with reason: "If this is the case, then what was the purpose of establishing the veterans' clause in the first place?"

The "veteran clause", also known as the "Bird clause", allows the parent team to offer a higher than ordinary maximum salary when signing the next contract with veterans who have entered the league for three years. Theoretically, there is no cap on this price.

This is also the reason why Ewing can receive a salary of 1800 million in an era when the salary cap is only two to three thousand.

Now, in order to disrupt the Magic, these guys actually tried to come up with another clause to compete for Meng Lang.

It's a pity that the people who want to trap him are other alliances besides him.

In the end, David Stern weighed in and came up with this "supernova clause":

Players who have been elected MVP during their rookie contract, or have been selected to the All-Star Game as a starter twice in the All-Star voting, or have been selected to the best team of the year twice, when signing the next contract, other teams can Given a maximum salary contract that is 10% higher than the ordinary maximum salary, the effectiveness of the parent team's "Bird Clause" remains unchanged.

As soon as this contract came out, it also aroused strong dissatisfaction among the Orlando media: "Isn't this forcing the Magic to disband the team in 96?"

Originally, the salary space was not enough to sign two maximum salaries, but now one of them is destined to become a "super maximum salary." How can the Magic team have such a large market value?

Other media applauded because it meant that in the summer of 96, their team was profitable!

The disintegration of the Magic's "five-star lineup" in 96 has obviously become a major trend...

Not to mention, no matter who it was, the players of other teams or the general manager breathed a sigh of relief.

After all, if this is to allow the Magic's "five-star lineup" to exist for a long time, then other teams are destined to accompany it.

After this Magic team achieved a record of 73 wins and 9 losses, and after they won the playoffs and won the championship, no one believed that anyone in this league could stop them.

Even Jordan...

The possibility is not very high!

Because, it’s too buggy!

A player like Grant is considered a "second or third leader" in other teams, but he can only be considered a "fourth leader" in the Magic.

As for the "LV" combination, no matter which one of these three people is picked out, they are probably the "big boss" of a team, right?

This lineup, five years after its release, will be the "Dream Team" of the United States. With a "maximum number" roaming around the league, everyone naturally wants to disband it as soon as possible!

And this purposeful clause soon got its name:

"Meng Lang Clause"!

This alliance, because of Meng Lang, has gradually begun to have huge shocks!

Pat Williams soon learned the news, and his first reaction was:

Let out a long sigh.

It contained the helplessness that anyone could hear.

As a result, it is impossible for him to renew his contract with Meng Lang in advance this summer.

Of course, the phone call still needs to be made. This is a sign of respect for a "supernova". But both he and Meng Lang know very well that their real signing will be next summer. Not now.

and so……

His conversation with Meng Lang ended quickly, and he expressed the Magic's respect.

Then, comes the real challenge:

Shaquille O'Neal and Grant.

Get rid of these two people first this summer, then next summer, using the Bird clause, the Magic can still maintain the "four-star lineup."

Ok……

No matter how he calculated it, Anderson had to be traded.

However, it's okay, a wing with some defense and three-point shooting is still easy to find.

The key is to keep the "LV" combination and Grant.

His first call was to Cobra's agent.

Grant heard that Pat Williams wanted to renew his contract early and was very happy to quote his price:

At least tens of millions of dollars in annual salary!

After all, Ewing has 1800 million. Even if a player like him is not as good as Ewing, there can't be a million gap, right?

It can only be said that the New York Knicks gave this league a not-so-good start.

This is the "NBA version of the Sarajevo Browning Gunshots"!

Pat Williams' silence was deafening.

This number was so much higher than he originally expected that he didn't know how to bargain for a while.

This phone call made Grant aware of his place in Pat Williams' heart. Joy turned to anger.

"If we can keep the 'LV' combination, we should be able to continue the dynasty!" After talking with Grant, Pat Williams once again lowered his requirements.

There is no way, in this era, it is doomed to be impossible to maintain the "LV" combination with Grant.

He doesn't offer a price, others do. But in this case, the subsequent contract extension with Shaquille O'Neal cannot be missed. He had to prepare well. But what he didn't expect was that Richard somehow got the news that his contract renewal was not going well, and actually decided to let someone else take over the next contract renewal with the "Shark".

"Pat, you are a great general manager. What you have brought to this team will be something that no one will forget. It's just that when negotiating with players, it's better to have a tougher attitude. We are the ones who The master who gave them money!”

Richard's words made Pat Williams feel bad. But the big boss of this team is Richard, and his orders are the "imperial edict" of this team. Even he can only wait for the results.

But based on Richard's theory, he knew very well that the future of this Magic team would only be bleaker.

"I'm sorry, we can't give you a higher price than Anfernee. This is our greatest sincerity. Shaq, I hope you can understand this team and this city. We selected you with the No. 1 pick and let you Becoming a superstar here, this is what Orlando brings to you, we will make it up to you in the future, believe me, we will become better partners in the future..."

Shaquille O'Neal listened to the voice on the phone.

In fact, he couldn't listen anymore, but politeness made him choose to endure.

until……

I can't bear it anymore!

"Shark" hung up the phone directly, and then called Pat Williams: "Pat, why didn't you discuss the contract extension with me? 7 million in 7 years? Tell me, this is not yours. I mean, otherwise, please trade me immediately, I don’t want to stay with the Magic for even one second, this is not disrespecting me, it is insulting me!”

really……

Pat Williams had a headache. He could only try to comfort him: "Man, there are some changes above, so this situation will happen, but please believe that everything will change. This is not the final answer. Give it to me again." Give me some time!”

O'Neill probably heard the fatigue in Pat's tone, so he hung up the phone without saying anything else.

"I don't have to stay in Orlando!"

He muttered.

His original plan to start special training from today was also disturbed, and he decided that it would not be too late to wait until August to start training again.

7 million in 7 years?

1 million in 1 years?

This is the attitude given by Shaq, who only earns 10,000 yuan a year!

He decided to call his agent and accept some shows to earn some extra money. "Big Shark" was still very popular with the TV station, and his agent quickly contacted him for a chat show, where not only he was a guest, but also Barkley.

On the way to the recording, he was quite happy.

But after recording, he became even more angry.

He had some altercation with Barkley during the recording.

Originally, he planned to kill Barkley with one sentence: "Those who don't have a championship should shut up!"

Unexpectedly, Barkley did not show weakness at all. Instead, he sarcastically said: "After you win a Finals MVP, I will. Is there anyone in this league who can't win a championship by cooperating with Dream?"

Shaq, who originally wanted to "kill", was killed in reverse.

He couldn't say a word, and all his enthusiasm for recording disappeared immediately, and he sat in silence until the end of the show. On the way home, he felt as miserable as a 3-pound "meat ball."

No, why?

My salary cannot be higher than Hardaway!

In the eyes of outsiders, I couldn't win the championship without Meng Lang!

Everyone is in the "LV" group, why should I be worse than these two people?

Why!

There was nowhere to vent his anger, and Shaquille O'Neal was almost suffocated.

Meng Lang didn't know about these bad things. He had been resting during this period, living a regular life every day, and the fatigue of a season disappeared. During this period, he responded to Madonna's coquettishness and went to Los Angeles to work hard for Madonna's wish to have a child.

He returned to Orlando before July 7.

On the day when ability cards are distributed once a year, he wants the system to know that his pious attitude has never changed.

This time, let’s get another “gold”!

At present, he is urgently lacking in two aspects:

One is confrontation ability, and the other is the ability to hold the ball and play from behind;

These are all abilities that can give him a huge improvement.

Especially the confrontation ability. If this is enhanced, not only the offensive end will benefit, but the defensive end will also benefit.

Because of his lack of explosive power, Meng Lang now mainly relies on his height and wingspan to interfere on the defensive end. When he encounters top singles players, he usually only gets blown away. Fortunately, Chuck Daly never let him defend those top singles players. Of course, this is normal. As the absolute core, his physical fitness should be used in more important aspects.

But if there was no problem with his confrontation ability, Meng Lang actually enjoyed the feeling of ravaging the opponent on both offense and defense.

Isn’t that what the team boss is like?

Play against what the opponent can best defend against, guard against what the opponent can best attack, and help teammates reduce pressure.

There can't be a "team boss" like this, right?

So how did he convince the public?

"system!"

With a pious heart, Meng Lang silently called up the system.

I can only hear...

"Ding, congratulations to the host for getting the Karl Malone power ability card!"

Wuhu!

This time it’s really “gold”!

Although the ability cards in the previous few years were all very good, they were not Meng Lang's first choice.

But this time the ability card is the confrontation-related ability that Meng Lang wants most at the moment!

Meng Lang quickly scrolled down to the properties page.

It can be seen that his upper body strength potential suddenly reached 98 points, his lower body strength also reached 98 points, and his waist and abdominal strength reached 99 points!

As his strength potential increased, Meng Lang's explosive power potential also reached 80 points!

You must know that this is already an All-Star level explosive power, which means that Meng Lang is already the league's first-class explosive power, which is not as good as the top ten or twenty explosive powers. It can be said to be no worse than others.

Now, he can be said to be a physically enhanced version of "Larry Bird". He is waiting to become the real "enhanced version of Larry Bird" when he has the ability to play in the back.

He wanted to ask Jordan:

Do you miss those years when you were beaten by Larry Bird?

Of course, whether he misses it or not, he will immediately feel that that familiar person has returned to this alliance!

Moreover, this familiar person was cultivated by him.

because……

On July 7, Meng Lang received an email from Chicago:

Dream, do you have time? If you want, you can come to the Berto Center and we can train together in the next month. I think you should have heard the name of this training department. Looking forward to hearing from you.

sender:

Michael Jordan!

When Meng Lang saw this email, his whole look changed.

Of course he knows the name of this training department:

The famous "Breakfast Club"!

(End of this chapter)