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Chapter 143: Indifferent Treatment, Beating Jordan (5000 words chapter, begging for monthly subscription!)
It is always a terrible thing to be obsessed with something.

Ron Artest, who should have been having a very happy holiday, is now stuck in a dead end.

When he was eight years old, because of his overly irritable personality, Artest's father sent this energetic child who always liked to shout loudly for no reason to an anger control treatment center for treatment.

At that time, under the doctor's advice, Artest finally chose basketball to vent his inner anxiety and uneasiness.

There is no doubt that it was basketball that put Artest's life on the right track.

But basketball can't change his character.

Because he believes that he has made great contributions to the Warriors' two consecutive championships.
So in July.
Through his agent Mark Stevens, Artest once again communicated with the Warriors management, hoping that the other party could give him that verbal commitment, "I need a sense of security. I have already regarded Oakland as my home!"

However, Artest was extremely disappointed.
Warriors President Rowell responded to Stevens, "Your contract still has a long time left, and it's far from time to discuss a contract extension."

Is it far from the time to discuss contract renewal?
Damn it!

Who the hell doesn't know that in two years the Warriors will sign Qin Yue to his first maximum salary contract in his career?

What if I come to you again to talk at that time and you reject me because you can't free up salary space?
As a veteran who has been in the league for eight years, Artest has always been very clear about how ruthless and heartless these bastards in suits are.

Therefore, the more he wanted to stay with the Warriors and the more he regarded Oakland as the last stop of his career, the more Artest needed the team to provide him with a sense of security.

In Artest's view, all he wanted was a verbal commitment.

If the Warriors are not willing to give him even a verbal commitment at this moment.
If we think about it from another angle, doesn't it mean that the Warriors had no intention of keeping him?

"They definitely just treat me as a disposable foot rag!"

Artest started to get stuck in a rut.

Although agent Stevens advised him: "Ron, the situation is not as bad as you think. As long as the Messiah is on your side, I don't think you need to worry too much about your future with the Warriors."

But Artest said: "Who doesn't know that the Messiah is on my side? But you have also seen the attitude of the Warriors management. They clearly don't want to keep me!"

In Artest's eyes, if the Warriors management's attitude was still so cold when Qin Yue had clearly expressed his support for him,
That only proves that the Warriors have long been prepared to use him up and then discard him.

This is a fact that Artest cannot accept.

Because I was in Indianapolis.
Artest completely broke up with the Pacers management because he could not get the sense of security he wanted.

then
With such a bad mood, Artest became more and more angry and accidentally sprained his ankle in a streetball game a few days ago.

During the offseason, it is not uncommon for NBA stars to participate in various streetball games.

after all
You can't let this group of energetic supermen stay at home and in the training hall all day during the holidays.

Moreover, Artest only needs about two weeks to recover from a mild sprain.

but.
Artest became more and more angry the more he thought about it, and he actually forced himself to play two more streetball games despite his injury.

"Is he crazy? He is playing with his career!"

On the phone, when Qin Yue learned about Artest's stubborn behavior, he was so angry that he really wanted to beat him up in person.

Fortunately, Artest did not suffer any serious injuries as a result.

This is a blessing in disguise.

In addition, he learned
Artest's foot injury, which was caused by his stubbornness, can be cured by surgery or conservative treatment.
Qin Yue, who was slightly relieved, immediately said on the phone: "Have him go and perform surgery for me right away! It's still the off-season, and he only needs one or two months to recover!"

Moreover, after a pause, Qin Yue did not forget to add: "With me on his side, he doesn't need to worry about not being able to get a decent pension contract in the future!"

Qin Yue didn't expect Artest to be so stupid.

You know, this summer
The one who should be more anxious than him should be Baron Davis, whose contract is about to expire.

In order to prevent Artest from continuing to get stuck in a dead end, after calming down a little, Qin Yue even called Artest himself and communicated with him for several hours.

just
On the phone, Artest, who had clearly recovered,
But after hanging up the phone, he started to dwell on the same issue again.

“I don’t do surgery, and I don’t accept conservative treatment!”

"what?"

"I will wait until the regular season starts and the Warriors management realizes my importance before I have surgery!"

"But Ron, didn't the Messiah ask you to have surgery right away?"

"I just helped Messiah win two consecutive championships for the Warriors, and this is how the Warriors management treated me.
I must make them realize my importance! Otherwise, even if the Messiah is willing to stand by my side in the future, I will definitely be kicked out! "

Facing Artest's well-reasoned argument, Stevens pondered for a moment and said, "But what if you anger the Messiah because of this?"

Artest smiled and said, "I have shed blood and made contributions for the Warriors. Besides, even if I wait until the regular season starts to have the surgery, I will only miss a period of time at most.

The Messiah will not be so cruel, and I think he will definitely continue to stand by my side."

Stevens frowned and said, "Ron, I have to remind you that next season, you have a chance to win three consecutive championships."

Artest curled his lips and said, "Three consecutive championships, so what? Didn't the Chicago Bulls still have to wait for Scottie Pippen to return? Since the Warriors don't see my importance, what's wrong with me being willful once?"

Stevens groaned and said, "I think we should discuss it with Messiah before making a decision."

Hearing this, Artest suddenly exploded and said, "You are my agent, not his agent!"

After a brief pause, Artest said: "I can give the Warriors management one last chance, but if they are still so indifferent to me,
No matter who advises me, I will wait until the regular season starts before undergoing surgery!"

In late July, at Artest's request, Stevens contacted the Warriors management again.

then
Artest and Stevens received the following response from President Rowell: "I've already said that you still have a long time left on your contract, and it's far from time to discuss a contract extension."

CEO's office.

Looking at Rowell who was unwilling to give Artest a verbal commitment, Mullin reminded him again and again: "You should know that Messiah has said that he will stand on Ron's side."

Seeing this, Rowell spread his hands and said, "Chris, didn't we divide the work early on? You are responsible for building the team, and I will be responsible for renewing the contracts with the players.

When Ron's contract expires, he will be a veteran in his 30s, and I can't take the risk of offering him a high-paying long-term contract."

Then, Rowell added: "Chris, the Messiah Clause is coming out. I think you should know
If we plan to keep all the championship players, how bad will our salary cap be when we complete the contract extension with Messiah? "

Seeing this, Mu Lin sighed.

This is a very simple math problem.

If the Warriors try to retain all the championship players while offering Qin Yue a super-max salary, their total team salary in the future will be...
It is bound to exceed 8000 million US dollars.

Although considering the Warriors' income in recent years, they are not unable to afford the penalty of luxury tax.

But in Rowell's eyes, under the premise that team owner Chris Cohan has decided to sell the team
Of course, we should save any money we can.

At this stage, the Warriors' salary cap space remains healthy.

The team's market value is also growing rapidly.

By the end of the 08/09 season at the latest, the Warriors' market value will be second only to the New York Knicks.

That would be the highest point the Warriors' market value has reached in recent years.

therefore
If Cohan intends to sell the team at its highest market value, it will take at least one to two years for Cohan to negotiate with the other party.
In Lowell's opinion, there is no need for the Warriors to waste money on veterans such as Artest and Davis who are destined to be past their prime by then.

"Have you ever thought that if our lineup cannot match Messiah's ambitions, it will affect our future contract renewal with Messiah?" Mullin reminded.

Rowell nodded and said, "Chris, aren't we talking about whether to sign Grant Hill?"

Hill, who will become a free agent this summer, has become a hot commodity in the free agent market.

Although Hill's injury history and his age, which is about to turn 35, have led many to question whether he still has gas in the tank.

But given that Hill currently only wants to go to a championship team and only wants a veteran minimum salary
To put it another way, in the face of Hill's extremely low asking price, his previous problems that would have discouraged others are no longer problems.

Just like Westbrook, who earns $40 million, is a "cancer", but my turtle, who is willing to take the minimum salary, is the perfect championship puzzle.

In the NBA, the cost-effectiveness of championship puzzle pieces is always greater than their abilities.

As the NBA champions for the past two years, among Hill's many potential next homes, the Warriors are far more attractive to him than any other team.

In Rowell's view, this will be a very cost-effective signing. The Warriors only need to provide a guaranteed veteran minimum salary to easily sign a player who played 65 games for the Magic last season and averaged nearly 15 points per game.

"So, you are ready not to renew the contract with Ron and Barron?" Mullin asked curiously, seeing that Lowell wanted to go for the cost-effective route.

Hearing this, Rowell nodded and said, "Chris, as long as we have the Messiah, we will never lack the championship puzzle pieces that are eager for the championship."

At this moment, Mullin did not deny Rowell's team building ideas.

But in Mullin's view
Rowell clearly underestimated the importance of Artest and Davis to this Warriors team.

On the 27th.

The Warriors officially completed the signing of veteran Hill.

When Qin Yue, who was trying to recruit Gary Payton to be his personal trainer at the time, saw this news, he immediately felt that the Warriors had made a good deal.

Although the Warriors team doctors cannot guarantee Hill's health issues like the Phoenix repair shop can.

But considering that Hill played more off the ball in the later stages of his career, as long as the Warriors can strictly control Hill's playing time
In Qin Yue's opinion, Hill will definitely be a great help to him on the court.

And
As a gentleman on the court, Hill can also slightly improve the gangster image that the Warriors have left on the public in the past two seasons.

For Qin Yue, who always claimed to be a modest gentleman
He really couldn't understand why people labeled him as a "bandit leader".

In addition, on the day when Qin Yue successfully kidnapped the retired old Payton to Oakland with the promise of "high official position and generous salary",
Many Eastern Conference teams showed the world.
They are eager to make a big splash in the new season.

Stan Van Gundy, who completed his studies during his vacation, has officially arrived in his loyal Orlando with his "one star, four stars" tactics.

At the request of Van Gundy, the Magic management quickly finalized two deals.

They first traded JJ Redick, Carlos Arroyo, Tony Battie and the team's two future draft picks to Indiana for Stephen Jackson, who was determined to leave the team.

Then, through a sign-and-trade deal, the Bulls used two future draft picks and Darko Milicic and James Augustine as bargaining chips to trade Rashard Lewis from Minnesota.

"Martial Saint", who did not want to rebuild with the Pacers, had already submitted a trade request to the team as early as last season.

However, Bird, who has always been shrewd, will also wait for the right chips to appear before selling "Martial Saint".

Regardless of his character, Redick is indeed the player who can impress Bird.

And what about the Timberwolves?
Since Lewis was extremely eager to prove himself after leaving the Supersonics, in order to avoid the "Minnesota War God" Lewis affecting the team's plan of tanking, the Timberwolves decided early on not to renew Lewis' contract this summer.

Now, since the Wolves management can use a sign-and-trade method to exchange Lewis for Milicic, who is only 22 years old and still has potential, as well as two draft picks, the Wolves management naturally want it.

And unknowingly.
The Magic have already joined the Eastern Conference melee in the new season.

Under Van Gundy's Moneyball system, they have Howard, Jackson, Turkoglu, Lewis, and Nelson.
Even Qin Yue, who had always believed in James's strength, couldn't help but take a breath for his good brother.

Obviously, the good days in the East where you could get through with just any lineup are gone.

On the 28th.

According to ESPN, the Chicago Bulls and the Atlanta Hawks have officially reached a deal to swap Marcus Camby and Tyson Chandler.

This summer, after signing Maurice Peterson from the free agent market, the Hawks successfully poached Mike Budenholzer from San Antonio to lead the team, and quietly put together a strong team.

When Tyson Chandler, Josh Smith, Maurice Peterson, Joe Johnson, and Deron Williams line up
Another upstart in the Eastern Conference has challenged the Cleveland Cavaliers, the top team in the Eastern Conference last season.

ESPN commented: "As the worst finals team in NBA history, it seems that the Cleveland Cavaliers' success in reaching the finals has successfully aroused the jealousy of other teams in the East."

What does it mean that the Cavaliers are the worst Finals team in NBA history?
Qin Yue feels that ESPN commented like this
He is deliberately lowering the value of the single-game assists and single-game scoring records he set in last season's finals.

"You don't really think that those records you set in the finals last season are valuable?" On the training ground, Gary Payton, Qin Yue's personal defensive coach, couldn't help but complain.

Hearing this, Qin Yue immediately glared at Payton.

But Payton said nonchalantly: "I'm not afraid to argue with you now, my miserable career has come to an end anyway.

And I must remind you that even if you want to fire me for telling the truth, you must pay me a penalty."

"."

"That was a record set in the finals!" Qin Yue defended himself after a long silence.

Payton shrugged and said, "Yeah, to set a record against the worst Finals team in NBA history, wow, that's really impressive!"

"."

"I suddenly regret hiring you to coach me on defense."

"Liquidated damages."

"."

That day, with just a few words of conversation, Qin Yue deeply felt the weight of the elders.

Moreover, the unruly Payton broke Qin Yue's defense several times in the following training.

"If your defensive footwork is not what you can make up for with talent, let me just say that my son who is about to enter high school can do better than you."

"But I do have talent, and talent is part of my strength!"

"Yes, a best defensive player who only relies on his talent to defend is indeed very capable."

"."

Under Payton's foul-mouthed advice
Although the content taught by the other party did open Qin Yue's eyes, Qin Yue still felt that this old man was definitely taking revenge for personal gain.

"I'm not as dirty as you think. In fact, I am very grateful to you. Because you provided me, an old guy with nothing to do after retirement, with a very interesting job." Payton smiled, seeing through Qin Yue's little thoughts.

Seeing this, Qin Yue asked curiously: “What do most NBA players do after they retire?”

Payton replied: "Either they switch to become commentators or coaches. But most of them have nothing to do and just eat and wait for death until the end of their lives."

After thinking about it for a while, Qin Yue suddenly had an idea: "Why not hold a league that only allows retired players to participate?"

Payton was surprised and asked, "A league that only allows retired players to participate?"

Qin Yue nodded and said, "Only retired players are allowed to participate, and stricter penalties will be used to reduce the intensity of the game. Players who participate in the game can receive part of the bonus as a pension, and they can also have something to do after retirement."

At this moment, Payton roughly understood Qin Yue's thoughts.

Although in American basketball, retired players will also participate in some wild ball games, but from Qin Yue's description, Payton knew very well that the other party wanted to hold
This is definitely not your ordinary baseball game.

But it is large-scale and systematic
A major league that allows these retired NBA veterans to experience the atmosphere of the stadium again.

Qin Yue comes from the future. He has seen the "BIG3" league to be established by Allen Iverson and Ice Cube in the future.

The game is played in a half-court three-on-three format, and the team that scores 60 points first in each game wins.

And after reaching a certain scale.
The league even has its own draft mechanism, which allows retired veterans who sign up for the league every year to join the teams through the draft.

"You are such a fucking genius. If this league is launched, I will definitely sign up." After listening to Qin Yue's description, Payton said excitedly.

Hearing this, Qin Yue said: "I plan to try to organize this league this summer. Funding for the league is not a problem. In addition, I can also raise some sponsorship funds for this league."

Qin Yue suddenly had the idea to organize the "BIG3" league, but his purpose was not to make money.

Because Payton had already told Qin Yue with his expression of extreme desire to participate in this event.
Successfully held the "BIG3" league.
This will inevitably allow him to gain the favor of more and more retired NBA players.

In the long run, even if Qin Yue continues to do his own thing on the court, he doesn't have to worry about encountering an "unknown old age" after retirement.

Qin Yue knew very well that if he wanted to become a true GOAT
On the field, he certainly had to find a way to intimidate everyone.

But off the court, he also has to let these retired players feel his blessing.

"Do you think Michael Jordan would be interested in signing up for this competition?"

"If he dares to participate, I have the confidence to beat him! At 28, I can't beat him at 33, but at 39, I'm not afraid of him at 44!"

Looking up at Qin Yue, I saw Payton said with confidence.

……

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(End of this chapter)