NBA: Starting with Jokic template

Chapter 143 Thoughts (35)

"Huh...I'm full."

Lin Chuan unbuttoned his shirt to give his stomach more space.

Looking at Yao Ming, whose belly was bigger than his, Lin Chuan couldn't help laughing.

"Brother Yao, your belly is really exaggerated."

When Yao Ming heard this, he immediately covered his stomach with his hands.

“It will be reduced.”

After having a good meal and a few drinks, the two chatted for a while about the taste of the food in front of them. Yao Ming said that what Lin Chuan recommended was indeed good and it made his Chinese stomach very satisfied.

After chatting for a while, Lin Chuan suggested going to his house and sitting for a while.

The two of them came to Lin Chuan's small apartment, which had not yet expired.

After walking in, Yao Ming turned around and looked around, somewhat surprised.

He touched here and there, somewhat curious.

"I didn't expect the place you live in is so small."

"The rent for this house for a year is only equivalent to your salary from playing a few games of basketball."

"more or less."

Lin Chuan scratched his head,

"After all, I had just signed a second-round draft contract when I rented this house, and I didn't know how it would turn out."

"Hey, you drive a Ferrari, which is not much more expensive than your house."

Yao Ming changed into slippers and walked into the house, jokingly saying.

"That's different, that was a gift from Durant, I didn't spend any money."

"But the gas bill is quite high, and it still hurts to drive it."

Yao Ming walked into the kitchen and saw some oil stains on the wall that had not been completely wiped off.

"It seems you cook a lot for yourself."

"That is."

Lin Chuan followed Yao Ming in.

“It saves money.”

Yao Ming smiled and shook his head.

"You will definitely be able to sign a maximum salary contract next time, but what do you think about your future plans?"

Yao Ming suddenly spoke, and Lin Chuan also fell into thought.

"Actually, I haven't thought it through yet."

The two of them sat down at the dining table. Lin Chuan put his hand on his chin.

"In fact, when I first entered the NBA last year, I still believed in some things."

"Mutual achievement, loyalty, and high salaries for veterans."

“These stories sound wonderful.”

"But last year, we were the champion team, but Harden, who contributed to our championship, was traded away without mercy."

"And the reason is just to save those millions."

"I even went to the general manager's office to plead for Harden, but he didn't agree to anything except making promises."

“That was when I saw the true nature of this alliance.”

"No matter how much people say or how sensational the story is, the NBA is still a business league at the end of the day."

Hearing Lin Chuan's complaint, Yao Ming also sighed.

He is the loyal one that Lin Chuan mentioned.

He devoted his entire NBA career to the Rockets.

But in the end, he didn't even make it past the first round.

The championship that one longs for all his life seems unbelievably far away.

However, the last contract was a five-year maximum salary contract.

As for Lin Chuan, he has already received the highest honor and his strength is obviously top-tier in the NBA. It is understandable that he wants to have more pursuits and ideas.

"So what do you think, Lin Chuan?"

Lin Chuan sighed. "To be realistic, it's a contract issue."

"I also understand the current salary space of the team. I have to be ruthless to trade him in order to give me the biggest contract."

"Besides, as a second-round pick, I only have a two-year contract, so according to the rules, I can't sign a Bird clause with the team."

"If I sign the contract early, I can only sign a middle-class contract, which is about 3-4 million per year."

"If another team offers me a maximum salary that's tens of millions less, what should I do?"

"Even if the team can match, they still have to trade a lot of players away."

"And... I still remember the faces of the management."

They both fell silent, and Lin Chuan continued,

"If we talk about ideals, we should pursue our own honor."

"In the Thunder, no matter how well I play, Durant is the boss of the team, unless he steps down or leaves the team."

"It can be seen from the official MVP list that not only reporters and the media, but also the officials think so."

"So far this season, Durant and Trey are the unbeatable No. 1, and the best I can do is third, just because I'm not the boss of the team."

Yao Ming raised his eyes and looked at Lin Chuan.

"But aren't you good friends and brothers?"

"Tsk."

Lin Chuan smiled.
"Yeah, of course we are good brothers. Not only me and Durant, but also Westbrook."

"But so what."

"We are still good brothers with Harden, and that doesn't prevent him from being traded to the Rockets by the ruthless and heartless management."

"Besides, come to think of it, the same thing happened to the OK team. Even when they won three consecutive championships, they still argued over the boss."

"The strongest duo in history eventually fell apart."

At this point, Lin Chuan suddenly thought of something and continued,
"Not long ago, I remember when I won the AMVP, Westbrook kept staring at me, as if he was eager for it."

"In fact, ever since I started to play well, I have been ranked second in the team's pecking order, and everyone has accepted this."

"But, Westbrook, the former No. 2, has never been asked for his opinion."

"Not only did I become the second-in-command, I also did a lot of his work. He was the point guard, but I was the one controlling the ball for a large portion of the time on the court. Although he never showed it, he must have been unhappy no matter how you think about it."

“Perhaps if we continue to cooperate, we will collapse one day.”

Yao Ming was silent for a while, then he said,

"It's been more than a year since I retired, and I actually regret my decision."

"Given the Lakers' invitation, I stayed with the Rockets."

"Although it has become a good story, but if I had gone to the Lakers at that time, would I have won the championship now, and would I still be playing in the NBA, and maybe even against you?"

Speaking of this, Yao Ming himself sighed deeply.

He picked up the cup beside him and drank some water.

I suppressed the bitterness in my heart.

He was young and energetic at the time and had no idea that this decision would affect his whole life.

He misjudged the reality and lost his chance of winning the championship.

Now I can only sit on the sidelines and watch the game.

"So, Lin Chuan."

Yao Ming looked at Lin Chuan and his tone became more serious.
“I only have one suggestion.”

“Just do what’s in your heart.”

“Ignore other people’s opinions and make a decision that’s only good for you.”

"Whether you leave or stay, it all depends on your own ideas and you should find the best path for your future development."

"Maybe it sounds selfish, but it's the best way to do it in this league."

Unexpectedly, Yao Ming would support him unexpectedly. Lin Chuan looked up at him with wide eyes.

After a moment, Lin Chuan nodded and accepted Yao Ming's opinion.

"I understand, thank you."

(End of this chapter)