Champion Rules

Chapter 174, Page 170: Why aren't you smiling? (Seeking monthly votes!)

Robert Salvo is in the midst of an unprecedented crisis, and the Phoenix Suns owner is on tenterhooks as he faces the possibility of losing the soul of his team this summer.

This shrewd businessman consistently refused to offer 34-year-old Steve Nash a maximum contract. In his view, a veteran who had never touched a maximum contract in his career was even less deserving of such treatment in his twilight years.

He was certain that the Canadian point guard would succumb to reality, after all, Phoenix held the glory of Nash's two MVP trophies, and every floor there was soaked with his sweat.

And although 34 years old is not a top salary, it is the age when he should be working hard. How could he possibly abandon the brilliance of the company he created and go to another place?

Even if he wanted to leave, Phoenix fans wouldn't agree.

A person with a sense of shame would never betray the fans who have always supported them.

However, the growing crowd of protesters outside the American Airlines Center is shattering his arrogance with subversive slogans.

"It's okay, Steve, you can go."

"Leave now, save yourself. You no longer owe these people anything; you have given everything for us."

“You can leave, and then we can let that idiot Robert sell the team.”

"Free Steve, and get rid of Salvo!"

This collective defection stemmed from a series of foolish actions taken by Salvo after he took over the team.

Because of his stinginess, he caused the Suns to lose Joe Johnson and Jason Richardson for nothing.

Because of his penchant for meddling in team affairs, he single-handedly destroyed the foundation of the fast-paced style of play, trading Shawn Marion for Jermaine O'Neal.

Fans even envy LeBron James, who suffered a disgraceful summer. Although the King has hardly ever beaten anyone in recent years, he even lost to Dwight Howard, the least prominent member of the Dream Team, this season.

But at least he has a boss who loves him.

Daniel Gilbert is willing to spend a huge sum of money to renovate Quicken Loans Arena to match LBJ's status.

They are willing to bring in the people LBJ needs and get rid of the people he doesn't need.

Regardless of the Cavaliers' record, LeBron James always receives support from management.

What about Steve Nash? This team was once incredibly close to the championship, and he dedicated himself to the team, but the team owner kept making some incomprehensible decisions.

Robert Salvo was only interested in cutting costs while maximizing Steve Nash's value. As for the championship, it seemed to be of little use to him.

This kind of two-way exchange between management and star players is a luxury that Steve Nash sought throughout his entire career but could never obtain.

If LeBron wants to play for the Cavaliers until he's 38, Cleveland fans would definitely give him their full support, because the Cavaliers deserve it.

But Steve Nash has no reason to sacrifice himself for this kind of boss.

He's 34 years old, and this is his last chance to get a max contract and his last chance to compete for the championship.

Phoenix fans have seen everything Steve Nash has done for the team, and they love him so much that they actually support his departure.

Their collective defection, defying the norms of competitive sports, demonstrates their deepest love for Nash.

Raja Bell sat by the swimming pool in Steve Nash's house, the Arizona sun turning the water into shimmering gold. For the fifth time, he slammed the Phoenix Herald onto the wicker coffee table, the yellowed pages already crumpled at the edges.

"The New York Knicks actually want to sign Baron Davis to a four-year max contract? These stupid bastards, they just freed up salary cap space and they're already looking for the next poison pill contract. Steve, I told you before, Sam Presti is an idiot, he can't see anyone's worth!"
Even more foolish, the Los Angeles Clippers actually tried to outbid the Knicks with a five-year max contract. I suggest that everyone in the management of NBA teams should undergo a series of rigorous IQ tests, lest this league look like a league of idiots.

The palm leaves by the pool rustled in his anger, but Nash remained as still as a desert cactus.

He didn't answer Raja Bell; he simply leaned back calmly in his deckchair, fully basking in the unique heat of Arizona.

"Have you made up your mind?" Bell continued. "You don't still want to stay in Arizona, do you? Look at what the fans have done for you. You shouldn't feel guilty."

On the rattan coffee table, the front page of the Phoenix Herald featured the bizarre scene of Phoenix fans holding up signs demanding their star player leave.

The 34-year-old veteran glanced at the newspaper, then gazed through the sweltering heat at the red-tailed buzzards circling overhead—these desert raptors always managed to find the most energy-efficient gliding trajectory in the hot air currents, just as his surgical passes always found the perfect angle to cut through the defense.

But at this moment, basketball wisdom cannot answer this life choice.

It was precisely because of the actions of the Phoenix fans that he was even more reluctant to leave.

"Raja, I should have let them taste the sweetness of a championship. For 40 years, this team has never had a number one draft pick, never won a championship, and never experienced being number one in any aspect. They trusted me so much, thinking I could do what Charles Barkley didn't do."

Now, I could certainly go to a team with a better chance of winning the championship. But I'll always feel guilty if I can't lead them to one.

Raja Bell shrugged: "As long as Robert Salvo is still the owner of this team, we can't lead anyone to a championship in Phoenix. You know his style. Even if one day he trades Amar'e for Vince Carter or Ben Wallace, who can't fly anymore, I wouldn't be surprised. If Sam Presti is the second biggest idiot in the world, then only Robert deserves to be number one."

Steve Nash did not refute this, saying that leading this Suns team to a championship would not be an easy task.

His expectations were high, but if he continued in Arizona, it was very likely that neither he nor the Suns would win a championship in the end.

At that moment, Sam Presti's text message echoed in his mind.

He got up from the recliner and took off his sunglasses: "I'm going on a long trip the day after tomorrow. Go home and wait for my news."

"Where are you going?"

"Portland."

"I'm glad you've finally figured it out. I'll wait for your call. I'm still the same Steve; I'll follow you wherever you go."

Nash looked at Raja Bell. He couldn't lead Phoenix to a championship. But at least, he couldn't let down the man who had supported him from the very beginning.

I'll call you right away.

After saying that, Steve Nash plunged into the pool.

The moment he plunged into the water, the sighs of Phoenix fans burst like bubbles in his ears. The splashing water droplets refracted iridescent light under the blazing sun before quickly dissipating. Like everything he brought to Phoenix—beautiful, yet ultimately meaningless.

Two days later, Steve Nash appeared in Portland.

This city, known for its roses and steel, is now restless due to the undercurrents of the free market.

The Portland Trail Blazers were one of the teams that pursued Nash this summer.

A few days ago, the Trail Blazers' management pulled off a brilliant financial maneuver—they negotiated a buyout of Reeve LaFrentz's contract, deciding to pay his remaining $1200 million salary over five years. This means he will now only occupy approximately $240 million of the Blazers' cap space each year.

This move is like grinding a boulder into dust and scattering it into the Columbia River, instantly freeing up enough salary space in the roster to swallow up superstars. As a result, this young guard of heroes, featuring Brandon Roy, LaMarcus Aldridge, and Greg Oden, will have the opportunity to welcome a crucial mentor.

Trail Blazers owner Paul Allen is completely different from Robert Salvok. This billionaire has always believed in the truth that "money builds dynasties" and he is very willing to spend money on his team.

Giving a 34-year-old player a maximum salary is not a problem at all for him.

He firmly believes that a mentor like Nash can completely change the team's previously terrible locker room culture and lead his talented young players onto the right track.

Now that Nash has appeared in Portland, most media outlets are speculating that his next team will most likely be the Trail Blazers.

Although Nash never said what his purpose was in going to Portland, for adults, some things don't need to be said so clearly.

Strangely, the two-time MVP, like amber dipped in resin, vanished completely from the streets of Portland the moment he appeared on the media radar.

A nervous Robert Salvo tried to find Nash but couldn't get through to him on the phone.

Charles Barkley believes that Nash must have had a secret meeting with the Trail Blazers that he didn't want to be discovered, and he was hiding it because he didn't want Robert Salvo and Steve Kerr to find him.

Since we can't find Nash, we should just look for players from the Trail Blazers.

ESPN reporter John Hollinger found Brandon Roy in Seattle and was surprised that he wasn't in Portland.

“Brandon, didn’t you recruit Steve Nash in Portland?”

“Recruit Steve? No, I texted him, but I didn’t meet him.”

"Then why did Steve go to Portland? Was he going to meet with the team's general manager, Kevin Pritchard?"

"I really do not know."

Then, Brandon Roy saw a bunch of news articles online praising his acting skills.

Fans believe that Brandon Roy deliberately showed up in his hometown of Seattle.

The purpose was to convince people that Steve Nash had not met with the Portland Trail Blazers.

Steve Kerr felt as if he had fallen into a bottomless abyss, completely insecure. If he couldn't control Steve Nash's movements and didn't know how big or how long the Blazers would offer him, it would be difficult for him to make matching moves.

Seeing Steve Nash resolutely leave for Portland, and seeing the fans' support for Nash's departure, Robert Salvo panicked. He ordered Kerr to keep Nash no matter what, even if it meant a maximum contract. Even if it meant trading Nash in a sign-and-trade, Robert Salvo wouldn't allow Nash to leave for nothing.

“That’s my damn asset! It can’t be stolen!” Salvo roared into the phone.

But Kerr was fighting a visible enemy; he didn't know the conditions the Trail Blazers had given Nash, and he couldn't even find Nash.

LaMarcus Aldridge participated in a radio program on Portland's KXRY radio studio.

When the host asked if he had met with Steve Nash on behalf of the Trail Blazers, LaMarcus Aldridge laughed: "I don't know how this rumor started, man, it's ridiculous. I haven't seen a single hair on Steve Nash's head since last week."

The radio host shook his head: "LaMarcus, your acting is far inferior to Brandon's. At least Brandon can keep a straight face, while you can't hold it in at all."

"Wait, I didn't!"

"Look, you're getting impatient. Just announce the good news to the Trail Blazers fans, LaMarcus, announce that the two-time MVP is about to become a member of Rip City."

“Listen, man, we do have plans to bring Steve in. But so far, we haven’t actually met him yet.”

"You've done a really good job keeping things secret, Lamar."

Steve Kerr was completely devastated. Robert Salvo had been pressuring him, but he didn't even know who Nash was negotiating with.

"Damn it! Is he participating in the FBI's witness protection program?! Even if he is, you have to find him for me, give him a three-year maximum salary, and keep him in Phoenix!" Robert Salvo on the phone was always furious.

After hanging up the phone, Robert Salvo was still reeling from the overwhelming protest banners from fans on television.

Those loyal supporters who once held up signs saying "We Believe" are now holding up signs that say "Free Nash" to cheer on Nash's disappearance.

Raja Bell's confusion also fermented in the sweltering Phoenix air. Although he could get through to Nash on the phone, the other party always brushed him off with the riddle of "waiting for good news."

Finally, after disappearing for four full days, a reporter from the Arizona Republic photographed Steve Nash returning to Phoenix.

When questioned by reporters, Steve Nash simply smiled and said, "I'm attending a dinner party tonight, and I think everything will be clear after tonight."

Raja Bell's anxiety was as sharp as the thorns on a cactus. Upon learning that Nash had returned to Phoenix, he immediately called Nash: "Will we have an answer tonight?"

“Yes, Raja, I’ve reached an agreement with them. Besides me, they’re also very willing to sign you at the same time. They have enough salary cap space to do so. Most importantly, we have a great chance to win the championship there.”

"You mean I can pack my bags now?"

"Yes, you can pack your bags now, buddy."

Raja Bell was thrilled. He was happy that Nash had finally taken this step, and he was happy that he no longer had to play for a fool like Robert Salvo.

He happily told his wife to pack her bags, and then asked his agent to find him a house in Portland.

But wanting to surprise his wife, he didn't tell her the final destination, only saying, "Anyway, it will be a better place than Phoenix!"

The shadows of the palm trees outside the window cast on his jubilant profile, as if even the Arizona sun was cheering for the decision.

He likes Portland.

The temperature there is pleasant, not as hot as Arizona. It's full of flowers and plants, unlike this vast desert where life seems to be nowhere to be seen.

As his wife packed her bags and came downstairs, ESPN interrupted with an urgent news report, and the truth was revealed in an instant, like a torrential downpour.

According to ESPN reporter John Hollinger, he found the only upscale restaurant in Phoenix that was booked out tonight and discovered the name on the reservation form: Lynn Santa Cruz. We have reason to believe that the new king of New York, who strikes fear into the hearts of the entire league, is Steve's final choice. Ladies and gentlemen, New York's dominance is back.

Of course, we wronged Brandon and LaMarcus. Those two poor young men never even saw Steve. Sorry Portland fans, they weren't acting.

Raja Bell's wife excitedly hugged her husband after seeing the news.

"Why didn't you tell me it was New York sooner?! Were you trying to surprise me? Oh my god! This is amazing!"

"Raju? Why aren't you laughing? Laugh!"

(End of this chapter)