So I am the god of basketball?

Chapter 154 Embarrassed Shaq

Signing with the Lakers is the best choice at the moment.

First of all, the boss is not stupid, the general manager is also a very smart person.

Even as long as Phil Jackson does not come to the Lakers, the stability of the entire team can be guaranteed for a long time.

The instigator of the "Shaq O'Neal and Kobe Bryant Chaos" was "Zen Master".

This guy joined forces with Jeanie Buss, who wanted to take the position, and first forced the "logo man" away, allowing Kupchak, who seemed to have little energy, to take the position. Then in the team, combined with Shaquille O'Neal, they suppressed Kobe infinitely.

The attempt was to force Shaquille O'Neal away from Kobe so that he could continue to be the "Lord of the Lakers" and also give him the possibility of becoming the team's general manager or even president.

To be honest, Phil Jackson has definitely seen The Art of War. This guy started from three aspects: the owner's daughter, the "boss" of the team, and personal achievements. He abruptly made himself the face of the Lakers in the summer of 04. From the above, it seems that the person should be relied on the most.

Of course, this is also thanks to Kobe's immaturity. The "Eagle County Incident" is definitely a sharp knife for Phil Jackson. This incident intensified the conflict between him and Shaq. It also makes Kobe look like the "restless factor" of the Lakers.

To be fair, if the team rebuilds, then Kobe is the one who must be eradicated.

Moreover, the Lakers are the most sincere among these people, and Meng Lang has no reason to reject the Lakers.

There is only a "Zen Master" who dismisses get out of class gloomily and returns as the "head coach". He worked for the Lakers and won five championships, but he still didn't gain Buss's trust.

Then quickly complete the reconstruction around Shaquille O'Neal's remaining peak period.

Not to mention the New York Knicks. Dolan went to Jordan from the beginning. I gave him 3 million but didn’t agree, and added a blank check, but still didn’t agree. He turned to chase Meng Lang. Could he offer a higher price than this?

New York couldn't offer a lower price than Jordan. Meng Lang happily nodded in agreement, right?

But as far as the Lakers are concerned, they are not at a loss. After all, Kobe did not disappoint Buss.

This is the great thing about old Bass.

If he doesn't come, even if Kobe will still covet the position of boss, it will still be within a controllable range.

Meng Lang came here for Old Bass and the "logo man".

Simply put, after the "Big Apple City" recklessly pursued Jordan, it was already doomed that they would be "empty in a bamboo basket" this summer. No one with a little bit of backbone would choose to enter the "Big Apple City" at this time. This is a place Jordan wouldn't want to go even if he was given 3 million.

Don’t forget, if Phil Jackson doesn’t come, the “logo man” may not leave!

At this step, Phil Jackson ultimately failed to succeed until he left the Lakers for the second time.

However, as long as Meng Lang joins the Lakers this time, it should be impossible for Phil Jackson to join the team.

In this process, Phil Jackson also completed the transformation of his identity, from head coach to general manager.

Even if the current head coach of the Lakers "Silver Fox" Harris, who is also the future head coach of the Chinese Men's Basketball Team, still suppressed Kobe and refused to let him start, and finally packed up and left, the candidate for the next head coach will also be It won't be Phil Jackson.

Old Bass!

He decisively regarded Kobe as the absolute core of the "post-Shaquick O'Neal era", took away Jeanie Buss' position with the Lakers, and at the same time announced that he would not give Shaquille O'Neal a maximum salary. This series of operations is that Pat Riley earned Shaquille O'Neal blood.

The rest are all small cities. Without some connections, Meng Lang would not consider going to these places even with his commercial value.

If he doesn't leave, the operation of this Lakers team will not be bad no matter what.

There is no more, and there can be no more!

Cuban is rich, but he likes to operate on his own and doesn't listen to professional advice at all; Portland's boss is rich and willing to spend money, but it is a "cursed" city where there is no "injury exemption" "Before, Meng Lang really didn't dare to go.

One thing the entire league knows:

Chuck Daly is the most suitable head coach for Meng Lang.

The reason is that this team has a BOSS who is smarter than anyone else and sees the long term:

Just take this configuration and look at the entire league. Is there anything better than this in this period?

Don't forget, "Meng Lang's disciples" are still waiting for him to train in the team!

Speaking of which, he is really curious now, what kind of wonderful expression would Kobe have on his face if he knew that he had also signed a contract with the Lakers.

It's just that after this meeting, Jerry West didn't call Talon immediately, wanting to sign a contract in a hurry. There was no news from him for two or three days in a row. Then Tyron learned from his source that West was preparing for a grand welcome ceremony.

When Meng Lang learned the news, he nodded with satisfaction.

Some men, after trying so hard to catch up with their "goddess", immediately stop cherishing her.

Now it seems that West is not such a "stinky man."

Although they have reached a "verbal agreement", it seems that this guy's "dog-licking behavior" will continue.

Meng Lang accompanied Madonna home on the day she was discharged from the hospital, and then no longer waited for West's call, he took Tai Lun and headed for New York.

Two or three days are enough for some news to gradually leak out.

More and more media are breaking the news: "Dream has reached a verbal agreement with the Lakers and is about to complete a formal signing. It is reported that this will be a contract worth up to 1.2 million!"

It should be said that these reporters are really capable. In this era, they can still have such timeliness, although the final amount will be a bit larger. But the speed of obtaining information is really not slow.

When the Orlando media saw the news, both of them were extremely anxious. In addition to ridiculing Meng Lang's traditional performing arts, they all focused on Pat Williams. Thinking that he is a useless general manager, he actually watched Meng Lang being snatched away by the Lakers, and would not even try to make an offer: "If we will lose Shaquille O'Neal in the same way, then please give me a chance on that day , hand over the resignation report together!"

How can such a waste lead the Magic to glory?

Pat Williams can't tell the truth. In fact, until now, he still insists on calling Talon, but Talon doesn't even give him a chance to make a quote. Every time he gets through, he only says, " Understand me, man, you've really missed the boat!"

What can he do?

He is also very helpless!

In fact, he was holding an unknown fire in his chest.

The trouble is obviously caused by the barking media and fans. Why do you blame me for not being able to wipe their butts for them?

Are the media and fans in Orlando so disgusting?

To be honest, at this moment, he felt a little regretful. He regretted that he had been so active in running around for this city to have an NBA team. The city simply couldn't remember this. They now remembered that he had just let Meng Lang go.

He really didn't dare to think about what kind of riots would happen if even Shaquille O'Neal was lost.

But the problem now is... Shaquille O'Neal may not be able to stay.

Because Meng Lang's words on "Draft Night" were so damn offensive.

Because of what he said, as long as the stars who renew their contracts with Orlando now move up the level, they are all doing it for a big contract.

You said this, is it possible for Shaquille O'Neal to stay?

He is a big boy, but he is also an ambitious big boy.

Pat Williams is very troubled. After being in this industry for such a long time, this is the first time he has felt such torture. ——Because what he has to face is not just the problem of how to renew Shaquille O'Neal.

There is another problem that urgently needs to be solved:

Hardaway, who was clamoring to turn back, has not settled down yet.

Not to mention, there is a Grant waiting there.

Each puzzle is more difficult to solve than the last.

What he didn't know was that Shaquille O'Neal was no better off than he was.

After the turbulent free market opened, Jordan, who had a bigger position than him, quickly got his 3 million contract with satisfaction. He has status, money and reputation. Although there wasn't much gossip about Meng Lang, by the time the gossip came out, Meng Lang and Los Angeles were already ogling each other. His movements were not as neat as Jordan's, but they were still very quick.

And those who are not as good as him, such as Howard and Mourning, got a contract that is slightly higher than the ordinary maximum salary contract, and they all signed successfully.

He was suddenly the only "big fish" left in the free market.

The New York Knicks offered him an olive branch at this time, but the reason is well-known:

The New York Knicks pursued Jordan first and gave him a blank check to fill out. Now turning around, just offering a maximum salary contract would probably be difficult to satisfy Shaq.

Am I that much worse than Jordan?

So Shaq wants to go to New York. ——Originally, he had communicated with Nelson, who was the general manager of the New York Knicks at the time, and asked him to trade Ewing with the Magic, and he would agree to go to New York.

"Big Shark" has all his thoughts written on his face:

I'm going to the big city!

But at this stage, I definitely can’t go to New York.

The best way may be to stay with the Magic first and see the consequences.

Can……

Meng Lang's words were still in his ears, and Meng Lang's experiences were still before his eyes. Just stay like this, and Shaquille O'Neal is not very willing.

Therefore, this "big shark" was "stranded".

But at the moment of this dilemma, Shaq's agent contacted Pat Riley from nowhere: "Man, if you want, we can go to the Heat!"

These words are undoubtedly the sound of heaven for Shaquille O'Neal. But he was a little confused: "Isn't it because they signed a contract with Alonzo?"

His agent said mysteriously: "I just released the news that Pat's offer and contract were given, and Alonzo's team contract was also signed, but Pat Riley has never followed the league's process..."

The idea of ​​"divine operator" is:

The Heat signed Mourning to a maximum salary under the "veteran clause", and then traded with the Magic, who also signed Shaquille O'Neal to a maximum salary.

The two exchanged owners.

"Pat would love to have you!"

The agent's last words were like being wrapped in honey, making Shaquille O'Neal lick his lips.

Miami is a big city, and the Heat immediately rose to prominence after Pat Riley left. They were ranked eighth in the Eastern Conference last season and already have the quality of a playoff-level team. Now they just need a "super insider." "Go save this team!"

What else is there to say!

“Man, I want to go to Miami!”

After leaving Orlando, he can get the highest-paying contract and show his ambition. It is still a big city. Shaquille O'Neal feels that his career is about to reach its peak!

His agent was also very happy. He put down the phone and immediately discussed the deal with Pat Williams. Of course, it would be more appropriate to describe it as coercion.

As an agent for a big-name football star, this is a traditional talent that everyone must have.

Shaquille O'Neal plans to "travel east to Miami", and Adidas' 96 ABCD camp will be held as scheduled.

In order to encourage the confidence of these children, Vaccaro called back his two "achievements": Kevin Garnett and Kobe Bryant, who was just selected in the draft this summer.

In the first season of his career, Kevin Garnett averaged 10.4 points, 6.3 rebounds, 1.8 assists, 1.1 steals, and 1.3 blocks per game, while shooting 49.1% from the field. With such a performance even though he is not yet the absolute core of the team, the 19-year-old Garnett has given the teams behind him more confidence in selecting high school students.

The increase in the number of high school students in 96 is proof that:

Kobe Bryant and O'Neal Jr. are both examples of players who entered the draft right out of high school.

Especially Kobe, the Lakers have provided two powerful players who have just been transferred from the Hornets, and they have attracted widespread attention from the outside world.

When Meng Lang appeared, Kevin Garnett couldn't help but come over and complain: "Christian is too much. Why does this guy have such a bad character?"

Throughout his rookie season, Garnett felt pretty good. In addition to getting along in the locker room, he knew that NBA rookies have a history of being tricked, and he was well prepared for this. But Laettner was too much, and his self-confidence was greatly affected by this.

Garnett feels that if it weren't for Laettner, his rookie season would have been better!

Meng Lang patted him on the shoulder: "It will be better if you complain to the management about these things!"

As the saying goes, children who cry get candy.

It’s actually similar in the workplace.

Especially since Kevin Garnett is still a "newcomer" in the workplace that attracts much attention, the power of "crying" is even more powerful. The original Laettner was sent to the Eagles for this reason.

In fact, Garnett had already "cryed" with the management. When he met Meng Lang this time, he just wanted to have one more person to stand up for him and have more strength. In terms of the ability to "cry", Kevin Garnett is the first in the league.

After taking the money, he also gained loyalty, and when he left, the fans could still applaud him willingly.

This was also the reason why Meng Lang's reaction was a little "bland".

(End of this chapter)