Legendary star

Chapter 789 Comeback
"Hey, Tim, how are you doing recently? You are so old, so don't toss yourself too much. You are incomparable with those young people now. Take care of your health. Don't retire when you are playing. A whole body of injuries..."

One day in August 2012, after the end of the Odin National Fan Meeting, Meng Xu came to San Antonio alone. While cleaning up the "old house", he dialed Tim Duncan's phone number. After connecting, Meng Xu babbled a lot.

"My own body, I know better than you. Believe it or not, I can still hang you up now. If I have something to say, I will hang up. I will go to training soon." After the call was connected, before waiting After Meng Xu finished talking, Tim Duncan interrupted Meng Xu directly.

"I heard that you are strengthening now? You know, I have a lot of All-Stars under my banner now, and a few contracts have just expired. Do you think you are interested?"

Maybe it was fate, or maybe it was God's will. After Meng Xu retired, the other of the Wake Forest duo also began to step down from the altar and fell into the trough of his career. He was also selected for the first team in the 07-08 season. , Tim Duncan, who ranks in the top five of the MVP rankings in the regular season, suffered a sharp decline in the 08-09 season, and all data fell across the board. In the last season, the average data per game has dropped to 14 points and 9 rebounds per game. Now, although this is also related to the change of the Spurs' offensive core, Tim Duncan, who has missed the best team for two consecutive seasons, now feels really bad.

Affected by the decline of Tim Duncan's state, the Spurs' record is not as good as the next year. After reaching the Western Conference Finals in the 07-08 season and being eliminated by the Lakers, the Spurs have not made it past the second round for four consecutive seasons. -In the 08 season, he was defeated by the Mavericks. In the 09-09 season, he was swept by the Suns. In the 10-10 season, he was defeated by the Grizzlies while sitting on the first record in the Western Conference. This season, he finally reached the second round. , was eliminated by the Thunder again. The Spurs, who have won the NBA championship three times, can only be described as horrible, unbearable to look at, and ghosts and gods crying. Reinforcing everywhere in the free market, I hope to win the championship again while the GDP still has the power to fight.

"It has nothing to do with me whether to reinforce or not. I'm not the general manager of the Spurs. If you're talking about business, then you've found the wrong person. If you have nothing else to do, I'll hang up first." Listen When Meng Xu said he was going to introduce players to the Spurs, Tim Duncan on the other end of the phone was also very disappointed. After hanging up the phone, Tim Duncan shook his head, it seemed that he was thinking a little too much.

"This guy." Listening to the beeping sound on the other end of the phone, Meng Xu called Popovich after complaining, planning to introduce his players to him.

. . . . . .

"Long time no see, Greg." After walking into the Spurs Club with ease, Meng Xu came directly to the door of Popovich's office. After knocking lightly on the half-covered door, Meng Xu pushed He opened the door and walked into Popovich's office.

"Welcome home, Meng." Popovich, who was sitting at his desk, stood up from his seat when he saw Meng Xu walking in, walked up to Meng Xu, and came with Meng Xu A deep hug.

"Yes, Greg, every time I come here, I feel like coming home." After being separated from Popovich, Meng Xu unbuttoned his suit and sat down in Popovich's office on the sofa.

"Come on, Meng, who are you going to introduce to us? You know, we have never been rich. In terms of contracts, we may not have any advantages over other teams, but we will still try to provide a salary space. The largest contract within the contract.” Before Meng Xu came, Popovich and Meng Xu talked on the phone, so after a few words of politeness, Popovich went straight to the point. The Spurs are now in urgent need of compensation. Strong, to deal with the newly rising Thunder, and the Lakers who are still fighting.

The Odin brand controlled by Meng Xu now has more than a dozen All-Stars and quasi-All-Stars, including Dwyane Wade, Chris Paul, these superstars, so I heard on the phone After Meng Xu said that he would recommend a free agent whose contract expired to the Spurs, Popovich was very excited, and even checked all the players under Odin whose contracts had expired.

There are really a few stars under the Odin brand whose contracts expire this season. Russell Westbrook of the Thunder and Andre Iguodala of the 76ers are all free agents now, especially the 76ers. Andre Iguodala, the player Popovich has always wanted.

However, these players have their own agents. Although Meng Xu's opinion can influence their decision to stay, generally speaking, Meng Xu will not interfere with their contract renewals with their home teams.

"Hurry up." Looking at Meng Xu who was sitting there laughing, Popovich finally couldn't help it. Who is it? You should give me a letter. I've been preparing for a long time. Why do you Not even a fart.

"Greg, what do you think of me!" Feeling that Popovich's appetite was almost lost, Meng Xu finally sat upright, and then spoke seriously.

"You?" After listening to Meng Xu's words, Popovich was stunned, and even licked his ears with his fingers, for fear that he heard it wrong: "Meng, who did you just say? Are you saying it again?" ?”

"I, who else but me." After saying the answer solemnly again, Meng Xu couldn't help laughing anymore.

"Don't scare me, I'm afraid my heart won't be able to take it." For Meng Xu, Popovich has always had regrets. Over the years, Popovich has repeatedly dreamed that Meng Xu is still in the Spurs. Sometimes, even after waking up from the dream, Popovich has to close his eyes and think about it for a while, because only then will Popovich see the scene of Meng Xu and Duncan fighting side by side, although Meng Xu only played for the Spurs I spent two seasons, but in those two seasons, I left the Spurs with fond memories and endless regrets. To this day, there are still countless Spurs fans who have repeatedly mentioned that if Meng Xu hadn't left the Spurs back then , What kind of scene would a Spurs with a complete Wake Forest duo look like, and the Spurs No. 5 jersey left by Meng Xu is still empty and no one dares to wear it.

"Greg, I'm not joking with you. Tim has always said that I owe San Antonio a championship, so I'm here to pay off the debt this time." Seeing Popovich with a serious face and a look of expectation , Meng Xu also put away his smile, adjusted his clothes, and said to Popovich with a serious face: "I want to bring a championship to San Antonio."

"Ok, ok, ok..."

After confirming that Meng Xu was not joking, Popovich said several good words in a row, then got up and walked to his desk, took out a key from his coat pocket, and opened a locked door on the desk. small drawer.

"Look at this contract, if there is no problem, you can sign it." Take out a stack of A4 paper from the small drawer, and pick up the marker pen on the table and lightly draw a few strokes on it Afterwards, Popovich handed the stack of A4 papers to Meng Xu.

"This contract?" Looking at the stack of yellowed A4 papers in front of him, Meng Xu's thoughts went back to more than ten years ago. - Buford talked about the scene when the contract was renewed. The Spurs offered Meng Xu, whose contract expired, a four-year contract extension totaling 4 million US dollars, but was rejected by Meng Xu. I did not expect the text of the contract at that time , Popovich has maintained until now.

"Will this contract be too big?" Seeing that the 4 in the column of years has been painted by Popovich as 2, Meng Xu asked Popovich, 2 years, 4060 million US dollars, such a contract For a team like the Spurs that does not pay the luxury tax, it is definitely a big burden, and Meng Xu is not short of money now, 2000 million and 200 million are no different for Meng Xu, so Meng Xu just I hope Popovich can reduce the amount of the contract a little bit.

"Meng, this is what you deserve. If you agree, you can sign your name here, and then I will send you the official contract text." Popovich shook his head and rejected Meng Xu's willingness. The salary cut hints that the Spurs' salary space is not plentiful, but for a player of Meng Xu's level, the Spurs will never offer him a contract that embarrasses everyone.

"Okay." After taking the marker pen handed over by Popovich, Meng Xu signed his name on the last page of the contract.

"Welcome back, kid. I've been waiting for this day for 11 years!" After the contract was signed, Popovich held Meng Xu's hands tightly, and his eyes sparkled with crystal light.

(End of this chapter)