Basketball: The Chosen Victim

Chapter 211 Damn it, I actually exchanged my Jordan for this pile of shit with my own hands!
In the president's office of the American Airlines Arena, Riley examined the five championship rings on his left hand while listening to Xiao Hua's phone call:
"How about it, Pat, this time I won for you to add Wu Di as a second-level criminal..."

However, Riley interrupted him when he heard the words:

"Stop this set of Adam, if you really help us, I will take the initiative to call you!"

Xiao Hua was a little ashamed. He didn't understand why Riley's attitude changed so much. After all, even if his real intention was to let the Heat and the Cavaliers kill each other, he seemed to be responding to the Heat's appeal!

But since Riley has said so, there is no need for him to entangle in this matter.

Although the Carnival Group represented by Riley has the seat of the chairman of the NBA board of directors, he also has a reputation as the successor of the NBA president. Therefore, he made his request to Riley:

"You guys must do whatever it takes to win G7!"

"The alliance shouldn't have helped you in the first place. Your behavior of forming a group has destroyed the balance that the alliance has finally achieved. Look at this year's alliance labor agreement negotiations. One of the reasons for the shutdown..."

Riley interrupted him again:

"If there's nothing to talk about, why does the league pay you such a high salary? Watching the ball?"

"Adam, I'm sitting in the middle of the board of directors now. You don't even have a permanent seat on the board of directors. Do you think you are qualified to teach me how to do things?"

Xiao Hua was so stunned that he was almost furious. Although Stern had already started preparing for his succession, he had not completed the succession after all, so he was indeed not eligible to attend the board meeting.

But he really wanted to say that you were able to join the board of directors only because you were Mickey Arison's henchman.

But he changed his mind again, Mickey Arison's obedient attitude towards Riley, as well as the sky-high salary and gift of ownership shares when Riley was hired from the Knicks, and the discretionary decision-making power that has never changed , Alisson is like a dog's leg...

Seeing that Xiao Hua was restrained by himself, Riley nodded in satisfaction.

In fact, the power of the NBA board of directors is not as great as that of the usual company board of directors. After all, there are so many team owners, it is difficult to reach an agreement, and often requires the coordination of the president.

He just took this opportunity to bury some notions of self-respect in Xiao Hua's subconscious.

Xiao Hua has not ascended to the throne of president yet, he has established the dominance first, and then when the next two people discuss things, many things will become easier.

Riley paused before saying:
"Stop talking nonsense, especially when I'm in a bad mood! We will continue to strengthen in the summer, and at that time, maybe you will have a chance to perform! Hehe..."

Coming to the field, the Eastern Conference Finals G5 was staged on time at 6:[-] p.m. Eastern time.

The knights who lacked Wu Di were ruthlessly crushed by the Heat as soon as they came up.

Especially James, without Wu Di's restrictions, he began to fly into the sky and escape from the ground, omnipotent.

Just after the first quarter, he scored 18 points, leading the Heat to a 19-29 double-digit lead.

The other players also revived and continued to attack the Cavaliers' fragile defense. Even the substitute players on the bench were eager to get back on the court.

Only Bosh was staring at Wu Di, as if trying to confront Wu Di at the mental level, although Wu Di didn't bother him at all.

There was a rare smile on Riley's face, this is the script that this year's Eastern Conference Finals should have!

No matter what kind of tactic, if James makes a move, Wade makes a move, Bosh makes a move, the opponent will be defeated!

The Heat fans who had been suppressed for a long time were completely released. They roared and shouted, more excited than Christmas.

In contrast to the Cavaliers bench, the faces of the players are generally not very good-looking.

Without Wu Di's takeover, the magic power of Miami tactics and Vice City tactics is no longer, and the efficiency of the Cavaliers is greatly reduced.

They weren't jealous of Wu Di's ability. After all, Varejao and Williams, who were dissatisfied with Wu Di, had already been traded, and the ones left now were all in their positions.

But the honor belongs to everyone. Originally, if the league did not impose additional penalties, they would have a high probability of winning the Heat at home in the next game and winning the Eastern Conference Finals, but now, it is a sudden increase in variables.

Not only the health problems of other players, the Heat also have more time to adapt to the Cavaliers' tactics, and the home court advantage is gone...

The balance of victory gradually tilted, and when the whistle sounded at the end of the second quarter, the score came to 37-54, with the Heat leading by 17 points!
"Dirty guys in Cleveland, the game is over, the victory belongs to the Miami team!"

"Next time you come to Miami, let you see for yourself what a nightmare is!"

"Get ready to make an emergency call for your fake emperor, we will tear him to pieces next time at home!"

……

When the Cavaliers players returned to the locker room from the player tunnel, the fans on both sides of the tunnel kept sending taunting threats.

Soon, Riley's secretary approached Scott and asked the latter to take Wu Di to the Heat's president's office.

Although Scott guessed this step, Scott was not happy.

On the way, he covered his mouth and whispered to Wu Di:

"Things have become tricky. Today's performance on the field shows that our lineup relies too much on you. Riley probably needs to test our reality before making a promise. Don't let him see the flaws... "

Wu Di nodded, took a deep breath, and followed Scott into the Heat president's office.

Riley is full of style, he sits on the large boss chair, his expression is not angry and pretentious.

His right hand is full of five championship rings, just like wearing the Infinity Gauntlet of Thanos, but it is missing the soul gem on the back of his hand.

On the bookshelf behind him, there are three best head coach trophies and six golden championship trophies neatly placed.

Why are there six championship trophies, but only five championship rings?

Because one of the rings was thrown at Bosh when he recruited him.

Although the outside world thinks that James' status is much higher than that of Bosh, Riley spent more resources on Bosh when he recruited the two giants last summer.

He believes that recruiting Bosh, James does not need him to work hard.

In fact it is.

When a group of teams were still racking their brains to set up various attractive conditions to recruit James, James had already decided to defect to Miami.

Next to Riley stood a Hollywood actor in a suit and leather shoes, and also the producer of "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest", Michael Douglas.

Although Douglas is the president of Hollywood, he is a crazy fan of Riley.

How crazy?
He once admitted that the hairstyles for his Oscar-winning actor roles were all copied from Riley.

Douglas had surgery for throat cancer last year, but in this round of the series, he still appeared on the sidelines of the Heat regardless of the weather.

On this occasion, Riley even invited him over.

On the one hand, it can be regarded as a platform for Riley, and on the other hand, it can also be regarded as a witness to the verbal agreement reached by the two parties.

The four of them did not exchange any pleasantries, only silence.

In front of Riley's large black desk, there was only one chair, but Riley asked Scott and Wu Di to come over, obviously not planning to let Wu Di sit down.

But Scott didn't sit down.

Riley stared at him, a mocking twitch on his lips.

The silent confrontation was staged suddenly, and the air in the office seemed to freeze, forming a sharp contrast with the dancing auditorium outside the floor-to-ceiling windows.

Scott is a coach who respects players very much, but when he was in the Hornets before, he was forced by Paul and fired by the management.

Before leaving, Riley had to make some mockery before giving up.

But this time, Riley was not interested in it. He shook his head, then looked at Wu Di sharply, and broke the silence:
"Huang Pi'er, I want to confirm, did you come up with the previous tactics?"

Scott looked at Wu Di, and his Adam's apple rolled involuntarily. This question seemed simple, but it was full of traps.

If Wu Di admits, it will be equivalent to dismantling him on the spot, and Riley will also mock him in front of the reporters, which will seriously affect his authority in the eyes of the Cavaliers management and players...

But if Wu Di doesn't admit it...

That is to lie in front of Riley, then Wu Di's momentum will naturally be a little weaker, and he will fall into a disadvantage in this contest of mental strength!
Wu Di narrowed his eyes, Riley was nicknamed a fortune teller, but this time he made a wrong calculation!

The Miami tactic, also known as the elevator door tactic, really wasn't his idea!

He smiled and shook his head as an answer, acting as a riddler.

Riley's eyebrows were raised upright, and Wu Di's answer was flawless, but this was what made him feel very uncomfortable!

He gave Scott a deep look again, and Scott straightened up instinctively in an instant, it was this look!
It was this nightmare-like look that made him terrified and made him lose sleep all night!

Nearly ten years of mental manipulation and devil training directly trained all the superstars of the team until they were reimbursed for the injured season. Even O'Neill, who had a relatively good personality, was trained to collapse by Riley, crying while trying to pinch Riley's neck... …

However, Riley suddenly laughed and said:
"Don't try to fool me. I know Byron's level very well. He can't think of such a tactic even if he wants to break his head."

Wu Di smiled even brighter:

"not me!"

Scott's nervous palms were almost sweating, but Riley continued to smile and said:
"Who the hell came up with that?"

Wu Di superstar spread hands:

"No comment! So, what the hell are we here to talk about? You want to learn our tactics?"

Riley's smile froze on his face. At this point in the chat, he had already started to fall into a disadvantage in the confrontation of ideas!

Damn!

How is it possible?
Wu Di is just a rookie!

How can there be such a strong will?
Riley snorted coldly, stood up and came to the coffee table next to him, picked up two goblets filled with red wine, and handed them over:

"After drinking this glass of wine, I think this year's championship should be between you and me!"

Wu Di took the wine glass, but didn't reply, just looked at Scott.

Scott gritted his teeth and extended:
"There can be no more injuries on the court in the Eastern Conference Finals!"

Riley sneered:
"I can't guarantee that your group of old, weak, sick and disabled will fall apart by themselves."

Scott raised his eyebrows and replied:

"I can't guarantee that your gang of mercenaries won't betray and abolish themselves."

Riley picked up the other two glasses of wine on the table, handed one of them to Douglas, and said to Scott:

"Byron, you always like to play against me so much! When will you grow up? Like Wu Di! Hehe!"

As he spoke, he clinked glasses with the three of them, and then the full amount of red wine was spilled into the air and into the other party's wine glasses.

This is an ancient etiquette, which indicates that there is no poison in the wine. Although it is not applicable now, Riley, as an old-school figure, still follows this tradition.

Riley raised his head and drank the red wine in the glass.

Wu Di and Scott also drank it down. Douglas was still recovering from surgery, so he just took a sip before giving up.

After drinking, the two left Riley's office without stopping any longer.

"Oh, that's unbelievable, Pat! Do you believe what the kid said?"

Douglas writhed his stiff neck and exclaimed:

"This kid, if he doesn't join the NBA and comes to Hollywood, he will definitely be a good player..."

Riley tapped the goblet with the ring on his finger, shook his head and said:

"Michael, I need to arrange some things alone, why don't you go back to the sidelines first?"

Douglas had no choice but to nod, and said with a flattering smile:

"Oh, by the way, you just need to rest assured Pat, I will definitely not say anything about today's conversation!"

Riley patted him on the back with a smile and sent him out:

"Of course!"

After sending Douglas away, Riley silently lit a cigar, looked at the No. 23 jersey hanging above the court, and was dazed.

Why didn't James continue to wear the No. 23 jersey when he came to the Heat last year and changed to the No. 6 jersey?
At that time, when James made this decision, countless media people came out and listed several major reasons at once, such as 6 is James’ lucky number, Brownie’s birthday is in June, and James’ goal is to get 6. 6 championship, 6 FMVPs, etc.

It's all bullshit!

In fact, there is only one reason, and that is that the Heat retired Jordan's No. 23 jersey!
James can't wear it at all!

Yes, Jordan didn't play a day with the Heat, but Riley retired Jordan's No. 23 jersey.

The Heat are also the only team that Jordan has not played for, but has retired his jersey.

It stands to reason that it shouldn't, after all, in the last few years of Jordan's Bulls career, that Bulls have always been a hurdle that the Heat can't get over in the East.

But Riley believes in the ultimate individual heroism.

Since the establishment of the NBA in 1946, it has gone through 63 finals, and Riley has participated in 16 of them, more than a quarter of the times, which can be described as a living legend.

And as the only person who has won championships in the positions of players, coaches, and presidents, Riley is called the godfather of the NBA, and it is by no means a vain name.

But at this moment, Riley was smoking a stuffy cigarette alone, and did not leave even though the game started.

He too understands why Jordan is Jordan!
Definitely not just physical talent.

In terms of physical talent alone, there will be at least five Jordans in the NBA, and more than three Jordans!
But after so many years, Jordan still has only one player and cannot be replaced.

After this season, though, Jordan will be a thing of the past...

And if Wu Di's physical endurance is enough, it is even expected to go further!
And such a player, Riley actually sent him away!
Finally, after James' iconic O-legged crab jumper, Riley couldn't help cursing anymore:

"Damn it, I actually traded my Jordans for this shit! I don't deserve the best general manager award!"

……

beep!
With the sound of the whistle at the end of the game, the score was fixed at 76-112. The Heat won by 36 points, and the big score came to 2-3!

Wu Di stood up and had a panoramic view of the Miami people's carnival. He had a hunch that the next time he came here, the probability of his flying state activation would be unprecedentedly high!

(End of this chapter)