Rekindling the dream of becoming a star

Chapter 378 Avengers Alliance

July 2019 was arguably the most frenzied NBA offseason in nearly a decade.

On July 3, the Warriors officially announced that All-Star starting forward Kevin Durant would be traded to the New Jersey Nets via a sign-and-trade.

Nets: Acquire Durant, send out a 2019 first-round pick;

Warriors: Receive D'Angelo Russell (sign-and-trade, 4 years, $1.17 million) + Trae Graham + Shabazz Napier.

Then that afternoon, the Nets officially announced that Kyrie Irving had signed a four-year, $1.42 million maximum contract with the Nets as a free agent.

Meanwhile, DeAndre Jordan announced on social media that he would be joining the Brooklyn Nets.

The league is in turmoil. The Nets made it to the playoffs last year as the sixth seed in the East, and this season they have made strong additions to form two superstars. Although Durant will have to wait another year and his Achilles tendon recovery is uncertain, the Nets' moves have already caused a stir in the entire East.

As if a fuse had been lit, teams that had been quietly negotiating began to make official announcements one after another.

Khris Middleton (Bucks, 5 years, $1.78 million, staying with the team)

Kemba Walker (Hornets → Celtics, 4 years, $1.41 million, sign-and-trade)

Al Horford (Celtics → 76ers, 4 years, $1.09 million)
Tobias Harris (Pistons → 76ers, 4 years, $1.390 million)
Nikola Vucevic (Magic, 4-year, $1 million contract, stayed with the team; traded in 2020)

Malcolm Brogdon (Bucks → Pacers, sign-and-trade)

Julius Randle (Pelicans → Knicks, 3 years, $6300 million)
With the update of the transaction information, the big deal that everyone had been waiting for finally arrived.

At 7:3 AM on July 5th, the Lakers officially announced that All-Star starting forward Kawhi Leonard has committed to joining the Lakers on a 3-year, $1.03 million max contract, and the Lakers will form an unprecedented super team of three stars.

The alliance was shocked, and North America was in an uproar.

The media, reporters, fans, teams, and league management—without exception—were almost completely silent.

One reporter exclaimed in surprise, "This is a familiar scene!"

James's signature super team, combining the league's top three power forwards and small forwards, allowed him, at the age of 35, to build a super team even more terrifying than the Heat's Big Three.

Some were shocked, some were angry, and some were disappointed.

Leonard's fans were extremely disappointed. Leonard's decision to go to the Lakers and be second to James has led countless fans to criticize him for being weak on social media.

"I thought he was the future king, but it turns out he just wanted to be LeBron James's crown prince, waiting to inherit the throne..." A Twitter account with Leonard's Raptors jersey number as its profile picture left a heartbreaking message.

His comment received widespread recognition and was shared and tagged.

Leonard's team may have underestimated the negative impact of this decision.

With the Lakers firing the first shot in the West, news of other Western powerhouses strengthening their rosters followed.

Spurred on by the Lakers, the Nuggets initiated their ultimate plan to strengthen their roster. The management had lost all patience, and what should have been a three-way trade in March 2021 turned into a one-way trade between the Nuggets and the Magic.

The Nuggets acquired: Aaron Gordon

The Magic acquired: Gary Harris, RJ Hampton, and a protected 2025 first-round pick.

The Nuggets strengthened their offense and defense at the power forward position, and Gordon finally joined the Nuggets, the team he was destined for.

The Rockets and Thunder began plotting, and they reached an agreement in just two days.

Harden and Paul have reached an irreconcilable point due to the playoff loss, and Westbrook is also pressuring for a change of heart, taking advantage of his upcoming contract year.

After lengthy and unsuccessful attempts at communication, the Thunder made the decisive decision to make a trade at a time of great upheaval in the entire league.

The Rockets acquired: Russell Westbrook;
The Thunder receive: Chris Paul, the Rockets' two first-round picks in 2024 and 2026, and two first-round pick swaps in 2021 and 2025.

The person most hurt by this trade is Paul George, who was on vacation. He posted three tweets in a row: the first was a question mark, the second was an exclamation mark, and the third was an ellipsis.

This guy, who was first Leonard's backup, has now become SGA's nanny-level bodyguard. He and Paul will waste their youth together for this future star.

However, judging from the future trajectory, wherever Paul George goes will only be a waste of time, so it's not a pity.

The busiest people were the reporters, including Wojnarowski, Shams Charania, and renowned journalist Haynes. They were eager to sift through all sorts of rumors to verify their authenticity, trying to be the first to release the news.

One sensational trade after another emerged from their Twitter accounts, constantly pushing the boundaries of what fans could possibly know, with countless fans expressing their feelings through social media accounts.

"The entire league has gone mad! No, everyone has gone mad!"

"Every strong team in the league is frantically strengthening its roster, and All-Star players are actively seeking opportunities to team up. Stars are spending all night communicating with their agents, management, and close friends to find solutions," a reporter commented.

"Damn James, damn Durant, these two shameless scoundrels who love taking shortcuts the most in history, they've messed up the whole market." Of course, there were also angry pundits condemning them.

A-Smith expressed his views for three consecutive days.

"If the league management continues to turn a blind eye to this, it will be the league's future that collapses."

"Listen, what are the consequences when a league with 30 teams has everyone knowing in the offseason that the championship will only be won by three or four teams?"

Would you go see a movie with spoilers? It costs over ten dollars, and you just sit bored in the theater?

"No, this movie was terrible. The empty theater is a reflection of what NBA stands will look like in the future."

"Fuck the Lakers, go to hell! LeBron, you'll never earn my respect."

"And you, Kawhi, I misunderstood you. You may be a competent second option. But you will never be a leader! Lowry was the leader with the Raptors, and you weren't with the Lakers either."

The rhetoric surrounding A. Smith also managed to influence public opinion, causing the Lakers' reputation, as well as that of James and Leonard, to plummet.

The quietest team, ironically, was last season's champions, the Los Angeles Clippers.

Fans left messages on the official website, and reporters looked for interview opportunities.

They finally caught Chen Fang in Panshi.

"Oh, what do you think of the Lakers' trades?" Chen Fang smiled.

"I've read the script for The Avengers."

"But I'm not Thanos, and they're not Iron Man or the Hulk."

"This is the eve of the Lakers' collapse. I will prove everyone right with the results of next season."

Chen Fang's remarks became the hottest topic of discussion that day, but both fans and media felt that Chen Fang was just being stubborn and argumentative.

With the Clippers' current roster strength on paper, they are not even in the same league as the Lakers. Now that Leonard has been brought in to restrain Chen Wang, James can do whatever he wants.

This is also a common view among the public.

On the morning of July 6, Clippers fans finally heard some encouraging news.

Jimmy Butler of the 76ers was traded to the Los Angeles Clippers via a sign-and-trade.

76ers: Patrick Beverley, Montrezl Harrell, and a protected first-round pick in 2020.

Los Angeles Clippers: Jimmy Butler arrives with the Clippers on a four-year, $1.4079 million, fully guaranteed contract he signed with the 76ers.

Jimmy Butler's contract with the Los Angeles Clippers is a two-step process.

The Clippers will exercise Butler's contract for the 2019-20 season, with a starting salary of $3274 million.

Furthermore, Butler will be able to sign a three-year, $1.46396 million contract extension in 2021, using his Bird rights to sign the league's maximum contract, averaging $4879 million per game per year.

This trade was far-reaching, but only in retrospect can we truly understand its significance. And at this moment, Butler's arrival at the Clippers has not completely alleviated the anxiety of Clippers fans.

Clippers beat reporter Tomer Azarly offered a different perspective: Butler's arrival will completely solve the Clippers' only weakness, and alongside Chen Wang, there will be an All-Star caliber, reliable, and playoff-tested super warrior.

From this moment on, the league will no longer be able to double-team Chen Wang with impunity, which is the biggest significance of Butler coming to the Clippers.

Broderick Turner, an NBA columnist for the Los Angeles Times, also offers fans a fresh perspective from his unique viewpoint.

Broderick: "I can't imagine how big the Los Angeles derby will be next season."

"The entire league, the entire world, will be focused on Los Angeles. There are four such events each season, each more suspenseful than the last. It's like an opera, with each climax building up to a new one as the plot unfolds."

"Of the 10 best players in the league, Los Angeles has 5. In the 4 derbies, 5 superstars will fight for honor and dignity."

"The feud between Chen Huang and James will reach a historic level next season. Isn't James doing everything he can to recruit Leonard to avenge the humiliation Chen Huang brought him?"

"But Emperor Chen's iron will would not allow James to seek revenge. He recruited Butler, the toughest man in the league, to deal with this top-tier Big Three in history."

"Wow, I can't wait for the new season to start. Here's a little-known fact: On October 22nd, the Los Angeles Clippers, as the home team, raised their first-ever championship banner at Staples Center in front of LeBron James and Kawhi Leonard, and received their championship rings."

"Just imagine how interesting the Lakers' losers' expressions will be at that moment. The game on the 22nd is bound to be a clash of titans, a battle that will be the final showdown from the very beginning."

"Whether it will be Chen Huang humiliating his defeated opponent again, or the Avengers getting their perfect revenge, this will be the biggest suspense of the 2019-20 NBA season."

"It is foreseeable that the Los Angeles basketball market will reach an unprecedented peak due to the reinforcements made by both teams at this moment."

"This is why the league hasn't interfered. The NBA is entering a new phase. Will it be the stubbornness of the older generation led by LeBron James, the succession of the throne by the middle generation led by Kawhi Leonard, or the rise of a new generation of kings? There are too many exciting questions to answer."

ESPN has already listed the Lakers as the strongest team for next season, followed by the Clippers, Nuggets, Rockets, and Thunder.

As for the Warriors, they are completely ignored. Even Warriors fans have almost disappeared, and there are no updates on their social media.

After losing everything, rumors have circulated that the Warriors will tank next season.

The relentless cycle of dynastic change is truly cruel.

In the Eastern Conference, the 76ers are ranked first in the power rankings, followed by the Bucks, Celtics, Raptors, Nets, and Pacers.

This is also the prediction of the top ten teams in the East and West for next season by mainstream media.

The first week of July continued in a flurry of activity, while Chen Fang was putting his own plans into action.

As he predicted, the national team lost all three closed-door games, losing by 37 points to the Ontario Agua Caliente Clippers of the Development League and by 12 points to the Los Angeles EYBL Seawolves, a group of 18-year-olds.

Three games: one involving college students, one involving a professional team, and one involving high school students. The combined net loss was 73 points.

The point differences in the three games also reflect the strength of the three teams: the professional team lost by 37 points, the college team by 24 points, and the high school team by 12 points, a perfect tiered data representation.

The Chinese national training team has lost all face; their underwear is practically ripped.

Wang Xuan had been holding meetings for three days straight and had reached a point of despair. He now felt disgusted just looking at Li Nan's face and regretted that he had been impressed by Li Nan's high emotional intelligence in dealing with people, but had overlooked the fact that Li Nan had absolutely no practical experience or skill level in professional competitions.

The three matches exposed Li Nan's rigidity and sluggishness in his on-court response, as well as the fatal flaw of the players' weak basic skills when facing high-intensity attacks.

Chen Fang watched every single game live, and he was the most dazzling person there.

Whether it's the Clippers developing their affiliate teams or the EYBL Seawolves, he's always around before and after games, getting autographs and photos.

However, to the national team's embarrassment, Chen Fang neither participated in the post-match debriefing nor sat with the team to participate in the tactical arrangements throughout the match.

He seemed like an outsider, not a member of the national team. This naturally aroused resentment among some players and coaches, and there was a lot of private gossip. Zhao Rui witnessed this twice. He tolerated it the first time, but he lost his temper the second time, and a verbal conflict ensued.

They were already angry because they had lost the game.

The two groups already had old grudges in the CBA, and coupled with Zhao Rui's stern personality, the situation immediately became intense. If Yao Ming hadn't been nearby, things would have gotten much more interesting.

Afterwards, team leader Wang Xuan severely criticized the parties involved, and was even more furious after learning the whole story of the conflict.

"Why don't you look in the mirror and see if you're even worthy of being Chen Wang's teammate? What right do you have to complain?" This angry remark after the meeting also proved that Wang Xuan was still on Chen Fang's side.

Upon hearing this, Chen Fang, who was about to leave, simply smiled and instructed Sun Lexian to call Zhao Rui over.

As soon as Zhao Rui arrived, Chen Fang stopped him from speaking and said first, "Don't say anything. We'll keep our brotherhood in our hearts."

One sentence made Zhao Rui feel comfortable; some words have drastically different effects when spoken by people of different statuses and positions.

"And don't tell me anyone is gossiping behind my back. I value performance on the court. If he scores, I don't mind if he says a few more words."

Chen Fang's second sentence also expressed his attitude, which made Zhao Rui wonder: "Then why did you call me here?"

"What, can't we catch up if there's nothing else to do? You've been here for several days and I really haven't had time to entertain you. Now, let's take this opportunity to have a good chat, brothers."

The two were outside a coffee shop in the park, with a wide view; they could see it as soon as they stepped outside.

This also demonstrates Chen Fang's open and honest attitude, and that he doesn't engage in any secretive or clandestine schemes.

"The upcoming Summer League will be even more challenging. Be careful to protect yourself and play your best." Chen Fang was also trying to comfort him. Although the plan couldn't be revealed, he wouldn't keep his brother in suspense.

"We played terribly, damn it, so pathetic, even high schoolers lost." Zhao Rui was very frustrated and felt aggrieved. They could have won the last game, but Li Nan's lineup in the last quarter was a recipe for disaster.

Hei Rui is a roguish yet tough guy, a brash and arrogant person who will never give a kind look to those he looks down on, but will be extremely loyal to those he respects.

So he had many brothers, but also many enemies.

"What are your plans? The atmosphere in the team is really bad right now," Zhao Rui asked, finally revealing a question he had kept hidden for a long time.

"First, let everyone understand their own level. Don't go into the World Championships in a daze and then try to make adjustments when you're about to fail. That would be ridiculous."

"What are your plans? I have no questions." Zhao Rui immediately gave his answer; he had figured something out.

Chen Fang glanced at it; after all, they had known each other for a long time and knew each other's work style to some extent.

"Keep the people you trust in calm, and also tell Minghui not to do anything. Wait for me to make a public statement, and then you can follow suit."

“Okay, I’ll take care of it.” Zhao Rui agreed without hesitation.

"Fight with all your might in the game, and don't give anyone a handle to use against you," Chen Fang advised.

"Alright, I'll head back now." Zhao Rui stood up casually to say goodbye. He knew things were tense right now, and although he wasn't afraid, he still had to be careful about the impact.

Ilya drove over, and Chen Fang was going to the hospital for a second check-up, which was very important as it would basically determine the timing of his comeback.

On the way, I chatted with Ilya. Chen Fang now has many things to take care of and is gradually delegating authority to trusted people.

Ilya is undoubtedly his right-hand man. His salary has doubled, and half of it is being invested. This money will generate more money and will be used for Ilya's retirement. Chen Fang has always been like this; he wants his own people to live better than him.

Upon arriving at the hospital, Dr. Fickel waited for a long time, and half an hour later, Chen Fang received the answer he wanted.

"The recovery is going very well. You can now take off the protective gear and start rehabilitation."

"This is the best news today." Chen felt half relieved; nearly two months of rehabilitation should be enough for him to get back into shape.

Before leaving, Dr. Fekir suddenly asked, "Next season will be tough."

"Yes, it's extremely difficult." Chen Fang asked curiously, "The professor is also very interested in it."

“I’m from Los Angeles, so of course I care. I heard that tickets for all four derbies are sold out.”

"Don't worry, if you want to come to the game, tickets are always available." Chen Fang reacted quickly, and the doctor also smiled. Everyone said that Chen Wang's mind was more superior than his skills, and now it seems that it is indeed true.

Back in the car, Chen Fang casually asked Ilya, "You've seen the reports about Broderick too?"

"I saw it. This is the most reposted news today. Everyone is mobilized."

Chen Fang put his hands behind his head, lay down in the back of the car and dozed off for a while. Then he heard Ilya, who had been waiting for a long time without a response, ask, "Boss, can we win?"

"If you remove the question mark, even if the Lakers have five superstars, I'm not afraid."

"This world won't remain unfair forever; those who take shortcuts will not be respected."

"I'm actually quite happy to see this result. I'll wait until the end of next season and see how the media tries to whitewash and praise him."

"Where to now?" Ilya asked.

"Go to this place, I'll send you the location." Chen Fang sent it via his phone.

"What's this?" Ilya looked at the location, somewhat surprised.

Manhattan Beach.

This is a community in Los Angeles where five of the wealthiest people live. It boasts prime ocean views and a private, enclosed beach. Celebrities such as Leonardo DiCaprio, Lady Gaga, and Jackie Chan live here. Prices start at an average of $800 million. It is also a popular residential area for many sports stars.

Butler swiftly purchased a 760-square-meter oceanfront villa yesterday. After securing a maximum salary and long-term contract, Butler's rapid property purchase reveals that he has long coveted the metropolis of Los Angeles.

This guy is a real estate fanatic. In his previous life, he bought no fewer than three mansions in Miami and also spent a fortune on a huge mansion in California. According to reports, he owns at least eight properties in Chicago, New York, California, and Miami.

Security here is extremely strict. Only after the owner has registered will the security guards escort them to their destination and leave after confirming that the owner has appeared and that everything is in order. After all, the property management fee plus the security fee is astronomical, even in the United States.

Butler was delighted. He was in the empty room, planning how to furnish it, when he saw Chen Fang arrive. He then warmly showed Chen Fang around.

After walking around, the two of them stood on the huge balcony on the third floor, gazing at the blue sea and sky, feeling the sea breeze.

There were no tourists here; the beautiful beach was nearly deserted.

"It really is great." People are always eager to broaden their horizons, and Chen Fang was immediately itching to try it out.

"I heard you rent a place? How much is the rent?" Butler asked.

11W.

"Tsk tsk, that's a bit more than my annual property security fee."

"I have convenient transportation; it's only a fifteen-minute walk to both the base and the company," Chen Fang emphasized in response to Butler's teasing.

"You should buy a house. Don't worry about the property tax. As long as you take good care of it, the appreciation of the house will be enough to offset the loss and you can even make a profit."

"Oh, it seems you're quite experienced."

“Yes, even though I bought this house after only a few days here, the property value won’t drop. Don’t consider those manor houses; those are the most unstable. For properties like mine, the market demand is very high.” Butler spoke knowledgeably about real estate.

"I'll think about it." Chen Fang was somewhat tempted. Ever since winning the championship, reporters had started appearing at the entrance. The community had helped to drive them away a few times, but because it was a public place, it was difficult to find a legitimate reason to resolve the issue.

“You made me lose a lot of money.” Butler’s words made Chen Fang roll his eyes, and then he heard him explain: “I have already found a very nice villa in the heart of South Beach, Miami, with floor-to-ceiling windows, ocean views, a private dock, and a top-notch gym.”

"I paid a deposit of 5 yuan, and now it's gone."

"Don't blame me for your own problems," Chen Fang snorted.

This caught Butler's attention. He examined it closely and suddenly burst into laughter.

"I've discovered a secret about you."

"what?"

“You’re a money lover too,” Butler said, revealing his observation. “I’ve studied micro-expressions, and when I mention money, you immediately squint and your ears change.”

"Everyone says you're very generous, but why is it different from what I've observed?"

Chen Fang smiled slightly: "I am only generous to people I trust."

“I understand, so do I.” Butler wasn’t angry at all. He turned around and continued to look at the sea.

"Your information is very accurate," Butler said quietly after looking at it for a long time.

"Always like this."

“My agent told me that coming to the Clippers was the right decision. In just two days, he said my business value had increased by 50%.”

"Nothing excites me more than going up against the Lakers' Big Three."

"So, I bought a villa to treat myself," Chen Fang asked with a smile.

“Yes, I was kicked out of my home by my mother when I was 13. Then I slept on park benches, under bridges, and on my friend’s sofa. Every day I dreamed of having a home of my own, a home where no one had the right to kick me out.”

“Until my freshman year of high school, my brother, Jordan Leslie, took me to his mother, hoping she would take me in.”

"Do you know? At 15, I had my first regular bed, hot meals, and encouragement from my family."

"I play basketball so hard because I know that I can't find a sense of existence or a way to make money anywhere else except basketball."

Chen Fang listened quietly to the story about Butler, which began to circulate after he became a star in the league, but many details were known only to him.

He endured hardships that most people have never experienced and bore psychological pressures that he shouldn't have had at his age. If you understand his behavior from this perspective, it makes perfect sense.

"I don't know what strange ideas you might have in the future, but you'd better not have any in the next few years." Chen Fang didn't try to comfort Butler after listening to his narration; instead, he gave him a warning.

This annoyed Butler a bit, but he laughed when he heard the next sentence.

"Because if the sky falls, I'll hold it up!"

"Winning is more important than anything else."

Chen Fang stared into Butler's eyes and said, "I hope we don't hold grudges overnight. We should speak our minds now and then. At any time, we should be the most unhindered teammates."

“That’s what I was thinking; you beat me to it,” Butler replied.

“It seems we’ve reached a further consensus, a perfect conversation!” Chen Fang said, extending his hand, and the two shook hands tightly.

"Beat the Lakers."

“Yes, Captain,” Butler replied loudly.

After leaving, Chen Fang looked at the rows of large sea-view villas lining the street and suddenly said to Ilya, "Work hard this year, and next year I can buy a big villa!"

“Okay, brother!” Ilya replied loudly.

(End of this chapter)