Where the noise did not reach

Chapter 155 No If
Chapter 151 No Ifs

If the shoes aren't damaged, don't replace them.

Dick Vesach's mind was filled with the echoes of Xu Ling's words, and he felt an overwhelming surge of emotion, a mixture of absurdity and anger.

Foolish! Naive! Short-sighted!

Having worked in the league for many years and being well-versed in the rules of power, he now had to carefully try to figure out the thoughts of a mere twenty-year-old kid from across the ocean? And that bastard actually thought he could dismiss him with a single, dismissive remark?

To create the current situation, Visaci used all his connections to get the media to fan the flames and amplify Kidd's comments about tactics and rotation, ultimately causing a huge uproar.

This is his chance.

This was an opportunity he had been working hard to wait for, one that would allow him to return to the decision-making level and place his own people in key positions within the team.

Visachus jumped up from his chair and paced back and forth in the spacious office like a caged beast.

What does that damn Chinese guy know?
Does he think he understands how a team operates? Does he think Jaffaroni is the best coach for him? Or does he think that his attitude, his will, and his ideas can dictate how the team operates?
Visach's thoughts drifted uncontrollably into the darker corners of his mind. He thought of his brother, lying in the cold Arlington National Cemetery. A true American hero, died in the humid, sweltering jungles of Southeast Asia, at the hands of… those Easterners he could never trust. For what? For the so-called free world? But now, a young man from a red country, sharing skin similar to the enemy who tortured and killed his brother, had so easily taken control of his fate, Dick Visach's fate, and the future of the Memphis Grizzlies?
This is the greatest irony in the world! It is a trampling of everything he believed in!

Why? By what right? Just because he can score? Can dunk? Can sell jerseys?

What's wrong with this alliance, this country? The strength, discipline, and traditions we once revered... have they all been rendered powerless by that damned commercial value and superficial entertainment?
Visach felt nauseous. He walked to the window and saw the huge new poster of Xu Ling hanging at the entrance of the FedEx Forum stadium downstairs.

The Asian face on the poster wears a faint smile and has a firm gaze, as if everything is under control.

That's the expression! It's this seemingly indifferent expression that infuriates Vesacci the most.

What he fought for, schemed for, and was even willing to sacrifice his dignity for, seemed to this young man to be nothing more than an insignificant game. Because to him, these things were readily available!
"The shoes aren't broken?" Vesach sneered inwardly at the huge poster outside the window. "Idiot! By the time the shoes are really broken, your feet will have rotted away! The NBA isn't a fairy tale world; here, everything wears down and is constantly being replaced! By the time you realize your shoes don't fit anymore, your career might already be over!"

Visach took a deep breath and forced himself to calm down.

Anger solves nothing, and prejudice is the poison of power. He must use everything at his disposal.

Xu Ling's stance is certainly hateful, but it is not without flaws.

Moreover, he seems completely unconcerned about the team's operations or Jaffaroni's future; he simply wants to maintain the status quo.

This means that, if handled properly, Xu Ling will not become a staunch opponent of changing the coach.

The breakthrough lies with the boss, Michael Heisley.

For Heisley, the most important thing now is to help his cash cow regain its glory next season.

If Vesacci can prove that Jaffaroni is the one hindering the team, or even if Jaffaroni's use of Xu Ling would greatly increase Xu Ling's risk of injury, then Heisley might agree to let Jaffaroni go.

However, Vesacci must make the first move.

He needs to prepare a detailed report and a reliable coach candidate.

This candidate needs to impress not only Heisley, but also Jerry West.

Report: Visachus is ready.

However, the selection of a coach still needs to be considered.

If Yafaroni is to be ousted, then his successor must be someone who appears to be far superior to the current one.

Vesacci spotted Rick Carlisle among a list of unemployed coaches.

After last season ended, the Pacers did not continue to work with Carlisle.

Carlisle is currently unemployed.

As a mid-career coach, Carlisle has an impressive resume. Whether in Detroit or Indiana, he infused his teams with a unique style.

During his year-long hiatus, Carlisle received numerous offers, but he remained unmoved. He was unwilling to gamble his future on a rebuilding team in dire need of rebuilding, and instead looked forward to a mature team that could go further in the playoffs.

On the surface, the young Grizzlies seemed to fit his requirements. But Carlisle was already well-informed about Memphis through media reports—especially about the rising Chinese star. He admired Xu Ling's talent but had no interest in managing such a "rebellious" rookie. More importantly, his negotiations with the Lakers had entered a substantial phase.

After the season ended, with the Lakers having no hope of winning the championship, Phil Jackson once again stepped down as coach. The Lakers immediately approached Rick Carlisle and granted him considerable authority in negotiations. They convinced Carlisle that the Lakers now had enough patience to rebuild the ruins left by Kobe into a skyscraper.

It would be a wiser choice for Carlisle than to go to a poor, remote place like Memphis to serve a notorious young star like Eli Xu.

However, Carlisle did not intend to reject the offer outright. As a professional coach, he understood the principle of "never closing any door."

So when his longtime friend Dick Vissach called to ask if he would be willing to go to Memphis for a prestigious job, Carlisle cautiously replied, "As far as I know, you don't need any coaches."

“Perhaps we’ll run out of them soon?” Visach said meaningfully.

Carlisle said carefully, "If there are any changes to your coaching staff in the future, I will definitely consider this opportunity seriously."

Carlisle then hung up the phone and shook his head slightly. He had said these polite words far too many times in the past year—the real meaning was quite the opposite.

Visachus never knew what he was expecting; he only knew that he was taking the first step toward success.

However, he could never take the next step.

The day after Visachust spoke with Carlisle, the headline of the sports section of the Memphis Business Daily, an article by Frank Murtaugh, was like a resounding slap in the face.

The title was: "Eli Xu: No one is a better fit for the Grizzlies than Coach Jaffaroni." Then, Murto quoted Eli Xu in the article: "We would all love to play under Mark."

When Vesacc saw the report, he felt a chill run down his spine. He had been laying the groundwork for this since the end of the season, but perhaps he shouldn't have called Xu Ling to test him; the call only alerted the other party.

Now, all his efforts have been in vain.

Xu Ling knew that he only needed one sentence to save Yafaroni.

Then he said it.

Visach's scheme has crumbled, shattering his hopes of reaching the decision-making level. He must return to the damned sales department and continue waiting, but how long? A year? Two years? Or until Jerry West retires?
These things made Visachus feel like a clumsy clown. He could even imagine West's reaction when he heard about it.

Ah, that capricious man did something capricious; regardless of what others asked for, he gave Jaffaroni a second chance.

Kidd's complaints at the end of the season will fade away, and from now on, even those who have doubts about Jaffaroni should stand closely with the Lord.

This is truly an unequal battle.

This is also why Vesacci initially made that phone call to test Xu Ling.

He couldn't bear the cost of being hated by Xu Ling.

However, even though he was so careful and kept himself completely hidden behind the scenes, apart from Xu Ling, probably no one realized his eagerness to get rid of Jafaroni. But even Xu Ling would only take that phone call as a test from the management.

Management wanted to change coaches? He disagreed, it's that simple.

That day, Vesach met West at the team's training facility.

Because Jaffaroni went to California temporarily, West was conducting tryouts for this year's rookies.

The old man looked perfectly fine, as if he had no idea what was happening outside: "Dick, have you read the newspaper?"

Visach feigned ignorance: "Oh? A newspaper?"

“Today’s Business Daily,” West said. “Eli publicly endorsed Mark, and I’m glad he finally did something good.”

“Yes, Jerry,” Visach smiled palely, “it’s a good thing.”

West nodded casually, his gaze already turned to the court, watching the young rookies running around, as if he were just having some trivial chatter.

“Look at that kid, his footwork is amazing.” West’s gaze settled on a big man on the court. “Sometimes, the simplest and most direct way is often the most effective.”

Visach didn't know how much West knew, nor whether the other man was implying anything; he simply didn't want to stay any longer.

So Visach quickly headed upstairs to his office.

Even with strong resentment and dissatisfaction in his heart, Vesacci could only continue to wait, as things had come to this point.

Xu Ling and Jaffaroni's honeymoon couldn't last forever. Kidd's patience was also limited.

Five months from now, they will be starting a brand new season, a long season, and it will be another difficult journey.

Injuries, losing streaks, and tactical bottlenecks will erode any seemingly solid relationships.

The resentful Visachus was destined to be unable to feel the joy that Jafaroni was experiencing at this moment.

He thought his position as head coach was in jeopardy, and that he might end up like those unlucky guys who achieved great results but were forced to step down on trumped-up charges.

However, Xu Ling appeared like a savior, saving his precarious job.

Jaffaroni was at a loss as to how to deal with this superstar who had just finished his rookie season.

"Coach, after a few days of tryouts, which rookie do you like the most?"

During a training break, Xu Ling asked a lighthearted question.

“I think DeAndre Jordan is good,” Jafaroni said, “but Jerry has doubts about his basketball IQ.”

DeAndre Jordan? That's a good candidate.

Xu Ling joked, "Indeed, I think Kevin Love has the highest basketball IQ among this year's rookies. Jerry would probably like him. Let's draft him."

“If that’s the case, I would prefer Derrick Ross as an option,” Jafaroni said seriously.

Xu Ling then revealed a knowing smile.

With Rose, wouldn't it be perfectly legitimate to get rid of that old guy who always loves to nitpick about tactics?
This old guy, he's only been with the new team for a few days and he's already acting up again, wanting to see Coach Gong. He's absolutely despicable.

“I understand you, Coach,” Xu Ling said. “I like Rose too.”

Then Jafaroni couldn't help but think how wonderful it would be if Ross could come to Memphis and join forces with Xu Ling.

Unfortunately, no if.

(End of this chapter)