NBA: Start by torturing Jordan and add points to upgrade

"Don't be so shameless." How fast did Bird react? He immediately understood what Angie meant, which was to shut up.

But unfortunately, Angie pretended not to understand Bird's words and continued, "Before the old man died, he talked to you once. Did he like someone on your team? This was his last wish. Do you know what the last words he said to me before he died were, Larry?"

"Did they ask you to go down and accompany him?" Bird turned his head away unhappily. He didn't want to pay any attention to this bastard at all.

Bird always thought he was a jerk, but today he sees that Ainge is more awesome!
Selling films directly at the funeral hall!

Don’t call him Danny Ainge anymore, call him Six Little Angie!

No moral integrity!

Unfortunately, Angie acted as if he didn't hear what Bird said at all, and continued, "The old man said that you have agreed to trade Parker, Ginobili and Granger to us, right?"

"Let's complete the transaction as soon as possible and fulfill the old man's last wish. Let him go in peace and have a good chat with God."

"Do you believe that I can send you up there to accompany that damn old guy?" Bird became angrier and angrier as he listened. He even wanted to punch Angie!

At the same time, he also understood why Auerbach chose Ainge instead of himself as his successor.

Compared to these two, I am still too thin-skinned! I am still too naive! I still have too much moral integrity and bottom line.

We should check whether these two bastards are related by blood!
Bird still remembers that Auerbach called him and asked him to fly to Boston.

When he flew over in a hurry, he saw Auerbach lying on the hospital bed, dying and looking like he would die at any moment.

Bird felt his eyes turn red in an instant.

He sat by the bed and talked with Auerbach for a long time.

From his fame throughout the United States during his college years, to his joining the Celtics, then winning three consecutive MVPs, and winning championships time and time again, the two of them became more relaxed as they talked, and there was so much warmth in the ward.

At least until this time, Bird felt that Auerbach asked him to come over just to chat and reminisce the past.

Until Auerbach suddenly said: "Larry, you are my best and favorite disciple. I really don't have much time. I have always had a dream. Can you help me?"

"Teacher, just say it!"

"Sell me Ginobili and Parker from your team! I think they would be a good match for Tim!"

"Go to see Satan!" It was fortunate that Bird reacted quickly enough and freed himself from the sad and relaxed mood in time, otherwise he would have really fallen into Auerbach's trap.

In the following days, Bird stayed in Boston because he knew that the old man would soon pass away, and he wanted to take advantage of this time to spend more time with his mentor.

But unfortunately, the old man was determined to make a deal with him and insisted on morally blackmailing him.

What are the 'last wish in life', 'the only thing I can't let go', 'I hope you can help me just this once in my life', 'Is our relationship as a teacher and apprentice worse than that of two foreigners?', 'It's not like I won't give you something in return'!
In short, highlight that there is no lower limit.

In other words, Bird is very stubborn and has inherited some of Boston's cold-bloodedness and ruthlessness. If someone doesn't want to sell, he won't give in no matter what.

Even Auerbach couldn't handle it, and you, Angie, just say a few words at the memorial service and I'll give him to you? Impossible! Absolutely impossible!

For the rest of the time, Bird completely ignored Ainge. No matter how much he talked, Bird just didn't respond.

angry.

angry.

Under such circumstances, the deal that Auerbach wanted to make before his death was never realized.

Bird boarded the plane back to Indiana with a feeling of frustration and indescribable sadness.

This time, he received a call from the team owner as soon as he got off the plane.

The content of the call was simple.

The team is a bit too strong now, it should be weakened at the right time.

The reason why the team owner made this request is actually very simple.

"When Stern activated the God Clause, he promised us that he would find a way to compensate us. Now the time has come for compensation."

"2007 is a great year for the draft. Several top rookies will participate in this draft!"

"Especially Kevin Durant and Greg Oden, these two guys are top rookies who can change a team and turn a bad team into an excellent team!"

"Bottom three. As long as our record is in the bottom three this season, the No. 1 pick next year will be ours! Stern has already promised us."

"By the way, in the next three years, the team must retain at least one All-Star player. It doesn't matter who it is, but it must be there! Because this season's All-Star Game has to be held in the rebuilt New Orleans, and next season has already been decided to be in Phoenix, and the season after that."

"That is, the All-Star Game of the 08-09 season has been designated as ours! We must make a lot of money by then and create enough hype! You know how much money we can make from an All-Star Game, right Larry? Everything is up to you! You can definitely handle it, right?"

"In short, you can take a proper rest in the last two seasons. The team's goals are these two, and they can be easily accomplished, right!"

After hanging up the phone with his boss, Bird kept thinking on the way back home.

What should I do?
Then, when he returned to his home, he finally made up his mind!

It’s time to get to work!
He first asked someone for a copy of the NCAA team's game schedule, and then based on those times, he booked several round-trip tickets to Arlington and Ohio.

These two places are the University of Texas and Ohio State University.

Both schools welcomed a super newcomer this year.

Kevin Durant and Greg Oden!

Bird is ready to test these two people.

At the same time, since the decision was made to give up and rebuild completely, Bird no longer held on.

After booking several round-trip flights between the two places over the next few months, he started making calls.

The first call Bird made was to Brad Miller: "Brad, I'm sorry, I'm sorry to inform you now, but we have decided not to renew your contract. The team has some new ideas and hopes to start implementing them in the new season."

"So, sorry, we have to start over."

Then Bird called Angie again.

"Make me an offer, asshole. Make me an offer I can't refuse. You only have this one chance! If you play games with me there, I promise I won't answer any of your calls again!"

Like Ainge, Bird never talks too much nonsense. Neither of them is the type to like talking nonsense.

"Paul Pierce!" Ainge also knew Bird's character. Since he said he didn't want to play games, Ainge was simple and direct, and quickly gave the person the team wanted to trade: "But you have to give us an extra small forward!"

"Let's just use Danny Granger. This guy can't be a starter anyway. With Josh Howard and Paul, there's no place for him. Send him to me as a bonus."

"In fact," Bird said quickly, "I have decided to rebuild. There is only one player on our team who is not for sale! That is Danny. Maybe he will become our leader in the next stage?"

"So, you guys are selling Josh too?" Angie became interested immediately after hearing this.

"As long as the price is right!" "Paul Pierce, plus the 2007 first-round draft pick, in exchange for three of your guys!"

"Who will balance the salary?" Bird hit the point with another sentence.

The salary of the three people on my side has reached 2000 million. If the other side wants to take all three away, they will have to add at least 500 million as a bonus.

……

Ainge and Bird, two extremely smart people, went straight to the point without any gimmicks, and the negotiations progressed at an amazing speed!
After a few rounds of discussion, the two of them quickly reached an agreement in less than three days!
The Celtics packaged Paul Pierce and Vin Baker, who was basically retired and had only one year left on his contract, along with their first-round draft pick next year, and sent them to Indiana.

Bird offered Josh Howard, Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili to complete the deal!
As soon as this deal came out, everyone couldn’t help but sigh: The Celtics have become stronger!

This transaction is equivalent to exchanging a 50-yuan bill for three 3-yuan bills!
Some people even believe that the Celtics exchanged one $50 bill for three $50 bills!
Although the three players of the Pacers are not as good as Pierce in terms of personal ability, after all, these three players of the Pacers are young, are in their peak form, and are still in a stage of continuous improvement.

The Celtics only paid a first-round draft pick and a nearly 30-year-old Pierce, and got three extremely excellent players who have the opportunity to grow into All-Star level players. It was definitely a huge profit!

Anyway, the Celtics still have Duncan and Howard in the interior. With these two people, the Celtics' bottom line is there! As for how far the Celtics can go in the end, it depends on how they run-in!
As for the Pacers, everyone saw it after they made this deal.

Pacers Supermarket Sale!
They're rebuilding from the ground up!

As a result, Bird's phone was quickly flooded with calls, and countless people came to inquire about the price. Bird was also willing to chat with everyone.

After all, if you are going to rebuild, then rebuild it thoroughly!
Then a few days later, Bird traded Bonner, Brezek and others one after another!
Although Pierce is still on the team for the time being, everyone knows that Bird just didn't get the right price, otherwise he would have traded Pierce long ago!

In short, the Walker Supermarket is still open for business!
After this series of trades, the Pacers are now completely unrecognizable!

Now in this team, there are only two people left who once built a dynasty with Lin Tian and won the championship with him.

Haslem and Christie!

Judging from what Bird said, the young Haslem will be an important member of the team's next reconstruction. He will serve as a leader in the locker room and lead everyone with his experience. As for Christie, this year is the last year of Christie's contract.

This guy's condition has been declining rapidly. He only played 7 games last season due to injury. It is still a question whether he can recover from his injury and return this season.

Christie, who has achieved success but is also plagued by injuries and has won all the honors possible, has reached the age of retirement.

After this contract is over, he will definitely retire directly!

Next season will be Christie's 1997th season with the Pacers since joining the team at the 10 trade deadline!

He is the only one in the entire Pacers team, besides Bird, who has been with Lin Tian for 7 years and witnessed the entire Pacers dynasty. He is also the only one, besides Lin Tian and the management, who has 6 championship rings!
Just based on these 6 rings and 10 years of dedication to the team, even if Christie is just a puzzle-type role player, Bird has decided to retire his No. 13 jersey and let his figure float forever in the sky of Conseco Center.

The nostalgic Bird has also decided that he must keep Christie in the team, let him retire in this city, and let him enjoy the cheers of the fans.

After failing to find a suitable offer to sell Pierce again and the transaction came to a temporary end, Bird picked up the phone again and called a guy he was quite optimistic about.

"Danny, if you have time, where are you now? Come to my office immediately. I have something to tell you."

"I'm at the gym. I've made an appointment with a trainer and I'm training right now, sir!" Granger's voice was filled with heavy breathing, and it was obvious that he had been training for a long time. "I'll catch my breath and come find you right away."

"No, wait, I'll come find you. Where are you? The gym or the weight room?" Bird hung up the phone, stood up, and quickly walked to the team's weight room. Sure enough, he saw Granger sweating profusely while training his upper body strength.

Looking at this hard-working and low-key guy, Bird nodded with satisfaction.

This kid asked Bird at the end of last season what he should practice in the offseason. Bird told him: Your upper body strength is too weak, you can't protect the ball when you break through, your shooting posture is easily deformed during confrontation, and sometimes the rebounds you grab are directly taken away by others.

If you want to train more during the offseason, prioritize upper body strength and shooting!

Now seeing how hard this kid is working, Bird is so pleased!
It’s no wonder that Bird would rather trade Howard than trade this kid who only averaged 7 points per game in his rookie season.

It didn’t disappoint me!
"Danny, you are very clear about the team's current situation, right?" Bird waited quietly for Granger to finish his strength training before he said calmly, "Do you know the team's goals for the new season?"

"Greg Oden?" Granger didn't say anything roundabout, but directly pointed out the team's purpose.

Are you kidding? The supermarket is already like this, and you still say the goal is to enter the playoffs and always compete for the championship. Isn’t that a lie?

"It may not be Oden, it could be Durant." Bird said lightly: "As for who we choose in the end, or who we can choose, it depends on you."

"If you perform well enough and don't disappoint me, I will definitely go after Oden with all my strength. But if your progress is not as good as expected or you don't work hard at all, then I will go after Durant."

"In short, the future of our team depends on you!"

"Me?" Granger said in surprise, "But I'm not that great sir! My goal for the new season is to be a starter."

"You are too modest. It is true that modesty is a virtue, but sometimes, modesty will slow down your progress. Lin and I have never known what modesty is."

Bird smiled and said, "Your goal for the new season should be to be an All-Star, and at least average 20 points per game! You have this opportunity because I have cleared all the obstacles for you. Tony, Manu and Josh have all left the team."

"But you are still here, you should know what this means, and you should also know how much I think highly of you."

"I came to you just to tell you in person: I think you are the leader and core of this team for the next 5-8 years! I hope you won't let me down, and I don't want to make a mistake."

"That won't happen, will it?"

"No sir! Absolutely not! I will try my best! I will give a performance worthy of your trust!"

"Very good." Bird nodded with satisfaction and continued, "Doug and Udonis will still be on the team in the new season. You can communicate with them more, understand their ideas, and see if there is a chance to learn more from them."

"Neither of them has ever been a star player, but they do have a lot of unique skills! They are all good things that can help you in the game and make you improve quickly!"

"I understand sir! I will never let you down!" Granger became more and more excited as he listened. At this moment, he wanted to stand up and salute, and let Bird give him the 'New Cornerstone Medal of the Team'.

Bird looked at Granger with increasing satisfaction. After encouraging him a few more words, Bird turned around and left the strength room.

Of course, if you ask whether Bird is really optimistic about Granger, then he is definitely optimistic! But if you ask how optimistic he is, then that's not the case.

At best, I don’t know if I can reach Pierce’s level.

Even if there are a few more players with Granger's potential in the team, Bird will definitely repeat the nonsense just now to every potential seedling.

Everyone is an indispensable part of the Pacers, everyone is the cornerstone that must exist for the Pacers to build the team, and everyone is the hope of the team.

Bird could repeat this 20 times if necessary.

It's just so shameless!
This move was taught to him by Lin Tian.

Back then, when Lin Tian just joined the team, he used the trick of "why don't we band together to beat Jordan" to successfully build up the team and let the Pacers win the first championship in team history.

At that time, Lin Tian also said the same line several times in a row!
At that time, Bird witnessed Lin Tian’s shamelessness for the first time!

Compared with myself, we can be called Crouching Dragon and Phoenix Chick!

Speaking of Lin Tian, ​​Bird has actually been forcing himself to lower his requirements and vision since he came in, and has been forcing himself to keep a calm mind.

After all, after experiencing Lin Tian, ​​the number one superstar in history, if Bird did not do this, but continued to focus on players of Lin Tian's level, then he would never have to recruit new players in his life.

After all, there is only one Lin Tian! (End of this chapter)