basketball court controller

Chapter 106
The summer of 2000 was destined to be turbulent. A rookie who had just entered the league for two years won the Finals Most Valuable Player consecutively.

This is not the key, the key is that the player's contract has expired.

More importantly, there are many ruthless characters in the free market this summer, and Zhang Chen is not the most attractive one. Players who are so sharp on the outside, able to attack, defend, and organize are not the most attractive. The intriguing one is sure to be a mouth-watering big man.

One of the "Twin Towers" of the Spurs and now one of the top power forwards in the NBA, Tim Duncan has also become a free agent.

In addition, the big fish in the free market include Grant Hill, Tracy McGrady, Jaylen Rose, Reggie Miller, Eddie Jones, and various potential players, practical players, what kind of cloth? Ryan Grant, Ben Wallace, Tim Thomas, Kurt Thomas, Toni Kukoc, Glenn Rice, Mark Jackson, Rashard Lewis, Mobley...

It is impossible to list them all. Anyway, it is not too much to say that this group of people can change the pattern of the NBA for many years to come.

Under such circumstances, various gossips are flying all over the sky. Zhang Chen, one of the protagonists, has also spread various news with many teams. It is a pity for this year's draft because he has lost a lot of attention.

However, 2000 was already a small draft year, and the Miami Heat didn't have a first-round pick, and they didn't put much thought into the draft, and Zhang Chen's matter hadn't been settled yet.

In the end, they selected Eddie House in the second round. This player scored 40+ four times in a single season and scored 61 points in a single game to create a single-game scoring record for the University of Arizona. The Heat selected him to plan ahead. .

But in terms of scoring explosiveness, there is actually Michael Reid behind him, but this time Zhang Chen did not participate again, and the team ignored his so reliable suggestion last time, and his own whereabouts are still uncertain.

The New Jersey Nets selected Kenyon Martin as the No. [-] pick, the Grizzlies selected Stromile Swift as the No. [-] pick, and the Clippers chose Darius Miles with the money. The top three, you know how miserable this rookie is.

This session did not produce a single superstar, and the ones who were more stable were Mike Miller at No. [-], Jamal Crawford at No. [-], Hedo Turkoglu and others at No. [-].

In fact, the most interesting thing about the draft day is a transaction. The Clippers exchanged a future first-round pick from the Magic to this year's 10th pick and Maggette, and there are two additions.

This loss-making sale of the Magic is to clear the salary space, and they were preparing for it when they sent away Anfernee Hardaway a year ago. Among the most wealthy teams in the free market.

In fact, their slogan is to form the Big Three and become the first team in the league.

Including Zhang Chen, Tim Duncan, Grant Hill, Tracy McGrady and others were invited by them.

In fact, the Pacers also have a lot of salary space. Most of the contracts of this team that has reached the Eastern Conference Finals for two consecutive years have expired, but they have long indicated that they are not interested in the free market. Players whose contracts expire are renewed.

Reggie Miller even expressed his support for the team and called on his teammates to stay and challenge for the highest honor.

Of course, there are many teams that can't afford to sign a few players, and they can still do it with a maximum salary. This summer, the NBA is destined to be turbulent.

In a certain department of Dream Investment Company, everyone cheered loudly.

"Boss, you are amazing. You really accurately predicted the situation of the group of death. Neither Germany nor England really showed up. This is really amazing."

Facing the adoring eyes of those professional analysts, Zhang Chen was very calm.

"In fact, everything is traceable. Sometimes in competitive sports, you can't just care about paper strength. The running-in of players, the style and fighting spirit of core players all have a great impact. In addition to statistics, you also need to see statistics. I also The final judgment is made based on everyone's analysis data, and the credit belongs to everyone."

The audience burst into warm applause. Apart from admiration for Zhang Chen, more importantly, their bonuses for this month will be a crazy number, and they can't stop being excited.

"There is still a knockout round. This month everyone is going to be a little bit harder. After the European Cup is over, I will tell CEO Zhang that I will give you a long vacation." The result was the same as in memory, and Zhang Chen was also willing to play handsome. .

In fact, he didn't know what the analysis was, but he guessed right, and everything he said seemed taller. Just now, he saw someone taking a notebook to write down what he said, which made him feel refreshed.

But at the same time, the contract negotiations between Zhang Xiaomeng and the Heat collapsed, and Pat Riley asked to talk to Zhang Chen in person.

He had thought of this kind of result a long time ago, because the team did not make any big moves this season. He had already explained this issue to Pat Riley, but unfortunately he didn't pay much attention to it.

After all, the other party is the mentor who selected him into this alliance, so this face still has to be given.

Although Zhang Xiaomeng had already said that Zhang Xiaomeng had full authority to represent him, in fact he couldn't turn his back on anyone.

Thinking back to when I first joined the team, I would feel a little apprehensive when I walked into Pat Riley's office, but now, my mood is a different kind of complicated.

"Zhang, let me tell you straight to the point. You only need to wait another year before you can get the biggest contract. The team will build a dynasty around you and Alonzo..."

"In a team like the Heat, you only need to play basketball, and you don't need to worry about anything else. I believe you can clearly distinguish between immediate interests and long-term interests. How about it? It's just that you will get the maximum salary one year later. You will get everything."

"Or, the team can make up for your salary loss this year in other ways. We know that you have an investment company. Mr. Arihan may be able to help you in this regard. He told me more than once that he appreciates you .”

Pat Riley also has no choice. The team has no salary space to give Zhang Chen a maximum salary, and even if he is willing to give up some players now, it may be too late.

He didn't free up salary space in advance, at least so far it is not a loss, at least the team won another championship, if Hardaway, Mashburn and others were sent away before, he felt that the team would not have current grades.

Yes, even now, the most important player in his heart is Mourning. Mourning's 1700 million yuan contract will get a salary of nearly [-] million U.S. dollars next season. The total salary of Heat players also exceeds the salary cap by a lot.

Moreover, all the players of the Heat played very well at the critical moment of the game. Even if Zhang Chen is the one who played the best, it is impossible to give up the hope of winning this season and prepare for the renewal of his contract with the maximum salary. In the last quarter, the use of momentum like a rainbow affected Pat Riley's judgment.

"Coach, I remember we talked about this issue a year ago, and I should have made it very clear at the time." Zhang Chen also has his own plans, and his pursuit is endless. He and the team also have a mutually beneficial relationship. The maximum salary is only part of the team's respect for him. If the Heat can't do this, it means that they are not sincere enough.

If Pat Riley asked him to make a decision slowly, don't contact other teams first, and wait for him to figure out a way, he might agree, but now the other party's intention is to let him make sacrifices, which makes him a little upset , His performance in the team is obvious to all.

But this situation is not unacceptable at all. The key is that the team should have made up their minds long ago not to give him a maximum salary, but they have not had an open and honest talk with him, which is obviously not trusting him enough.

"Yes, your request is also very reasonable, but the current situation is the most appropriate considering the overall situation, and the team's combat effectiveness will not weaken. Whether it is this season or next season, or even in the long-term future, the team Will always be a championship candidate.”

"I've planned everything, Zhang. No one in the league knows better than me how to help a team succeed. Trust me, this is the right path."

Pat Riley's idea is very good, but he is from the perspective of the team. Compared with the head coach, he is more of a member of the Heat's management team.

Be part of the other party's ambitions, or pursue your own path.

Pat Riley is very good, but the desire to control is too strong. Originally, the paths of the two sides could not conflict at all.

"Maybe I just thought about my own side." Zhang Chen sighed secretly, but because of this, it is very difficult for a super strong team to appear, and the NBA will have a crowded and exciting situation.

He only heard Pat Riley's strong self-confidence, but he probably wouldn't explain the specific details to him given his temper. No wonder some players said that he was a dictator.

"Coach, I don't want to make a decision right away, I also want to know the sincerity of other teams."

Pat Riley frowned slightly, "Zhang, you have to think about it. Many amazing and talented players are slowly sinking because they don't have a suitable system and partner. Basketball is not as simple as you imagined."

Zhang Chen smiled, "Yes, but there are some things, who can say for sure."

"Zhang, you should be more sensible. Are you so impatient for the maximum salary?"

Zhang Chen bowed deeply to Pat Riley, turned around and opened the door and walked out. There are many risks in the career of an athlete, and who can say what will happen in a year, although with his ability, There is no need to rush this, but it is an aspect of mutual respect.

Everyone has their own aspirations, and after success, they want to be more successful.

Walking outside, breathing in the not particularly fresh air, Zhang Chen suddenly felt inexplicably relaxed.

He called Zhang Xiaomeng, "Let's get in touch with other teams."

As for himself, it's better to go out for a stroll first, he hasn't wandered freely outside for a long time.

(End of this chapter)