The NBA's Absolute Dominance

Chapter 153 All-Star

With the season halfway through, the Heat's record couldn't catch up with the Bulls, and Tang Bei was somewhat disappointed. If things continued like this, the regular season MVP wouldn't be able to beat Jordan.

The Heat's offense is stronger than the Bulls', and they average more points per game, but their defense is not as good as the Bulls', and they allow more points, which is why their record is not as good as the Bulls'.

With the games leading up to All-Star Weekend now complete, the All-Star head coaches for this year have been announced: Phil Jackson for the East and George Karl for the West.

"Garbo, you're really not going to the All-Star Game?"

"I don't want to go. Minneapolis is freezing cold and not fun at all. Wet Tiger, you go by yourself."

"OK then."

"Wet Tiger, you're not allowed to flirt with those Hollywood actresses."

"Am I that kind of person?"

"Even if they try to seduce you, it's still not okay."

"Isn't that too cruel to them?"

"Wet Tiger, go feed little Monica for me."

"I've never fed it before, I don't know how. Why don't you let the zookeeper feed it?"

"Wet Tiger, you can go to the cage. It will eat by itself. You don't need to feed it."

"...Is this how you feed her? Garbo, then why don't you let me feed little Elena?"

"Because orcas don't eat people!"

On the 11th, Tang Bei, accompanied by Eric Fleischer, flew to Minneapolis.

On the plane, Eric Fleischer said, "Don, Fila America regrets it; they didn't sign you up for the endorsement deals on sportswear and accessories."

“I don’t mind if they sign it later,” Tang Bei said.

“That’s under discussion, but your domestic Li Lin brand has also contacted me, wanting to sign you for the endorsement rights for sportswear and accessories,” Eric Fleischer said with a smile.

"Li Lin?"

Tang Bei was taken aback.

Eric Fleischer said, "In 93, the best-selling athletic shoe brand in China was Double Star, with sales of 3 million RMB, accounting for 25% of the market share."

Second was Warrior (隨力) with 2.5 million units sold, accounting for 20.8% of the market share. Third was FILA (美国FILA) with 2.29 million units sold, accounting for 19.1%.

"These three companies are in the first tier. The fourth is Li Lin's 0.8 billion, which is just starting out. It mainly targets the running shoe market of 100 to 200 yuan and accounts for 6.7% of the market share."

"Nike and Adidas also belong to the second group. They only have sales outlets in a few first-tier cities such as Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou."

"Which one do you think I should sign?" Tang Bei asked.

“From a technical standpoint, we should sign a supplementary contract with Fila in the United States,” Eric Fleischer said.

"What conditions did Li Lin offer me?" Tang Bei asked.

"We haven't discussed the specifics yet."

Eric Fleischer knew that Tang Bei didn't understand investment, but Miss Garbo did, so he investigated a lot about Li Lin's company.

He said, "This company was established in 90 with an investment of 1600 million RMB from Jianlibao, and it has not yet publicly raised funds."

In 93, total sales of all products reached 1.5 million RMB, with a net profit margin of 10%. The company is currently in a phase of rapid growth, and its valuation is approximately 7500 million RMB.

"A valuation of only a little over ten million US dollars?"

Tang Bei was taken aback. Why would such a small company hire him as its spokesperson?

Eric Fleischer said, "Tang, you're not short of cash flow right now. If Li Lin Company is willing to use shares as a bargaining chip, like FILA in the US, I think it's not something you can't consider."

Tang Bei thought of FILA, a publicly listed company in the United States, whose stock price was rising steadily, and couldn't help but nod.

The passenger plane arrived at the airport at 3 p.m.

The weather is a bit bad. This month, Minneapolis is in the depths of winter, with cold and snow as the main weather conditions.

The wind was biting cold, and heavy snow was falling from the sky, with the snow piled up at least ten centimeters deep.

Fortunately, they were prepared in advance, as Tang Bei and Eric Fleischer were wearing thick down jackets, hats, gloves, and other protective gear.

Tang Bei's personal agent, Seth Rodman, had already arrived in Minneapolis and arranged a car.

After getting in the car, Eric Fleischer said, "The average temperature here is minus five degrees Celsius during the day and minus ten degrees Celsius at night. Don't catch a cold, Tang."

Seth Rodman said, "There's a blizzard tonight, and the temperature will drop to -25 degrees Celsius. Tang, once you're in the hotel, don't come out. Let me know if you need anything."

"OK."

The three arrived at the Wilson Hotel, where the All-Stars were staying.

Tang Bei has no hope of winning the All-Star Game this year because no one is helping him; the Smiling Assassin wasn't selected for the All-Star Game.

Of the five starters in the Eastern Conference, the Bulls had three: Jordan, Pippen, and BJ Armstrong.

So his main purpose in coming here this time was to have fun and relax.

"Hey, Tang."

"Hey, Gary."

Upon arriving at his accommodation on the 23rd floor, he saw Gary Payton as soon as he stepped out of the elevator, who greeted him warmly.

“Michael and his friends are playing cards in a business room. I’m going to check it out. Do you want to come along?” Gary Payton said.

"OK."

Since they were just there to have fun, Tang Bei naturally wouldn't refuse.

He handed his luggage to Seth Rodman and Eric Fleischer, then followed Gary Payton back into the elevator.

The business room was on the 18th floor. The two pushed open the door and found a dozen All-Stars sitting around a long table. The room was heated and filled with smoke, the source of which was the cigars that Jordan and the other All-Stars were chewing.

It's not just current All-Stars, but also some retired stars, such as Magic Johnson, Larry Bird, and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.

Upon seeing Tang Bei, Jordan immediately shouted, "Hey Tang, Texas Hold'em, small blind 1,000, big blind 2,000, no limit on raises per hand, just started, let's continue playing after dinner until dawn, wanna play?"

Tang Bei walked over to the table and looked around. There were only eight people sitting at the table, each with at least $100,000 in front of them. The rest were just watching the show.

The dealer was a sexy black woman in a short skirt; I don't know where they found her.

The players were Jordan, Pippen, Magic Johnson, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Larry Bird, Karl Malone, Ewing, and Oakley, each with at least $50,000 in cash in front of them.

This group of people is definitely not temporary; they must have arranged it in advance, otherwise they wouldn't have prepared so much cash.

"How do you play this thing?"

Tang Bei has no interest in playing cards, especially gambling, but he's okay with playing occasionally.

"You'll get it after watching a few hands of cards," Jordan said.

“He may never learn,” Pippen said sarcastically.

Tang Bei glanced over and said, "It's a great pity that I'm not one of the Four Evils. It seems I'll have to prove myself again."

The expressions of the star players present immediately turned strange, and they all looked at Pippen.

"I didn't say anything."

Pippen immediately lowered his head and became meek, not daring to utter a single word.

Tang Bei sat down to Jordan's right, looked at a few hands of cards, and felt that it was about time.

He took out his wallet, which contained more than three thousand US dollars in cash, and he also had a cash checkbook on him.

However, he didn't plan to write a cash check for the time being, so he called Eric and asked him to send 100,000 in cash first.

Eric Fleischer, upon learning that he was going to play Texas Hold'em with Jordan, immediately reminded him:

"Tang, Michael Jordan's playing style is to apply maximum pressure, raise without limit, and then use his financial advantage to force his opponents to fold."

Another point is that he uses his extraordinary stamina to engage in prolonged, drawn-out battles, winning only after his opponent's energy is exhausted.

Jordan stared at Tang Bei with a strange glint in his eyes, as if he were eyeing a fat sheep. The others were the same; they all wanted to fleece a novice.

"I'll join you."

Tang Bei said something, then recited in Chinese with a devout expression: "May the God of Wealth bless me, may this newbie be blessed, may I dominate all sides, and may I destroy everyone I see."

This time it was Larry Bird's turn to be the dealer, the small blind was the Mailman, and the big blind was Ewing. The two of them put up $1,000 and $2,000 respectively, and then the cards were dealt.

Each person receives two cards, and then it's time to bet pre-flop. The betting starts with the first person to the left of the big blind, which is also called the "gun position," or Oakley.

"Shit! Your hands smell awful."

Oakley glanced at his cards with a stern face, then cursed and folded.

Tang Bei had watched many Hong Kong movies about gambling, such as God of Gamblers and King of Gamblers. He picked up a card and placed it in his palm, then lifted a corner to look at it. It was the 9 of Hearts. He then looked at another card. It was the Ace of Hearts.

He thought for a moment, and decided he couldn't give up on Old A, so he put up two thousand dollars according to the rules. This was the minimum bet, and it couldn't be less than the big blind.

Next up was Jordan, who casually tossed banknotes onto the table, puffed on a cigar, and said, "I got a pair, of course I'll call."

"A pair?"

To Jordan's left was Pippen. He looked at his cards and saw a pair of 8s, not too high, but not too low either. He just didn't know what kind of cards Michael had.

"I'll follow."

After thinking about it, he placed a bet of two thousand dollars.

Next up was the Magician, who folded, and then Kareem Abdul-Jabbar folded as well.

Larry Bird glanced at his cards; a pair of small 4s.

He glanced at Jordan and thought to himself, "Michael might be cheating. I'll bet on a 4-to-1 bet first."

"I'll follow."

He also threw in two thousand dollars.

"I'll follow."

Postman Carl Malone got the 7 and 8 of diamonds and thought he could make a bet, so he bet on the first bet.

Next up was Ewing, who also blocked the card.

Thus, pre-flop betting begins, four players fold, five players bet, and then the dealer deals three community cards: the 2 of diamonds, the Queen of spades, and the 10 of hearts.

Tang Bei has the 9 of hearts and the Ace of hearts in his hand. There is a 10 of hearts in the community cards, which can be used to bet on a flush, a straight, or a straight flush.

After seeing the three community cards, Jordan remained calm and didn't even look at his own cards, showing great confidence.

The postman's expression was so-so; you could bet on a flush, or you still had a chance to make a straight.

Pippen looked unwell; the three community cards were of no use to him.

Larry Bird's expression remained unchanged, but he was inwardly annoyed; his pair of fours and three community cards were of no use to him.

Next comes a new round of betting on the flop, starting with the first person to the left of the dealer, the Postman.

The postman thought for a moment, then decided to place a bet, throwing in three thousand dollars.

Tang Bei had no cash left and said, "I'm getting off now. I'll pay you when the money comes. I'll owe you three thousand US dollars for now."

"OK."

Jordan smiled, and then it was his turn. He simply counted out ten thousand dollars and threw it up.

"Nima's!"

Tang Bei couldn't help but curse.

The postman muttered something, seemingly regretting his actions.

Pippen looked at his cards again: an 8 of spades and an 8 of clubs. Things didn't look good. After thinking for a moment, he finally decided to fold.

The last bet was placed by Larry Bird, who held the 4 of clubs and the 4 of spades. The community cards were useless to him, and he could have called if the bet was small. But he folded when the bet was $10,000.

"You two, want to join?" Jordan asked with a hint of murderous intent in his eyes.

The mailman gritted his teeth. If he called again, he would have to add another seven thousand dollars, which seemed risky, but he chose to fold.

"And you, Tang?"

Jordan stared at Tang Bei with a commanding gaze and asked.

Tang Bei glanced at Jordan, looked at his own cards, and then at the community cards. Although he could try for a flush or a straight, the chances weren't very high. If he didn't get it, the best he could get was an Ace, and Jordan had just said that he had a pair.

To take the risk or not?

He thought for a moment and said, "I'll go with it. I owe you ten thousand dollars."

"OK."

A hint of joy flashed in Jordan's eyes.

He was a pair of Js, and he didn't steal the machine. He said it on purpose to make others think that he was stealing the machine.

Thus, only Tang Bei and Jordan remained at the table to place their bets.

Next, the dealer dealt the fourth community card, which turned over to reveal a Jack of Spades.

Tang Bei's heart skipped a beat when he saw the Jack of Spades.

A flush is impossible, as there are only three hearts in total including the community cards, but there is still a chance for a straight.

The four community cards are the 2 of diamonds, the Queen of spades, the 10 of hearts, the Jack of spades, the Ace, and the 9. The fifth community card can be either the King or the 8 to form a straight.

The postman frowned when he saw the fourth public card.

He no longer has the chance to get a flush, but he has the chance to get a straight, missing a 9 in the middle.

"Three?"

Jordan stared at the Jack of Spades, a hint of joy in his eyes, but no one could see it.

Next, it was time to bet on the turn, and Tang Bei bet first.

He stared at Jordan for three seconds, then said, "Ten thousand dollars. I owe the person on stage twenty thousand dollars."

“I’ll take it, and I’ll add another 30,000.”

Jordan's imposing presence led him to throw in $40,000 without hesitation.

"Michael won again," Ewing said enviously.

“Don’t be impulsive,” Gary Payton said.

"What the hell!"

Tang Bei cursed and muttered to himself, "I'll just gamble on the newbie's luck."

He continued, "Okay, I owe the stage a total of fifty thousand US dollars."

Seeing that he hadn't gotten Tang Bei to fold, Jordan regretted it. He hadn't raised enough; if he had raised by $100,000, he would have bet Tang would have folded.

Next, the dealer dealt the fifth community card and turned it face up immediately.

Tang Bei and Jordan both stared at the public card. Tang Bei was a little nervous, while Jordan, who already had three Jacks, seemed very relaxed.

The fifth community card is the King of Diamonds.

Tang Bei's pupils dilated slightly, but his expression remained unchanged, as immovable as a mountain.

Once Jordan understood the situation, he realized the card was useless to him, but it didn't matter.

Three Jacks is already very good; better hands don't come out often. He's been playing cards for so many years and rarely gets a hand bigger than three Jacks.

With five community cards, the only possible hand types are straights and three of a kind. Four of a kind, flushes, and full houses are not allowed.

He has three Jacks, which is already quite high. The chance of him getting a straight is very low, so he can take a big gamble.

(End of this chapter)