NBA: Miracle Workers

Chapter 676: "Good Brother"'s Persuasion (Daily Chapter)
On Monday, August 2009, 8, with the news released by The Charlotte Observer that Bobcats owner Bob Johnson intends to give up 10% of his shares, the countdown to the team's complete sale has begun.

As the offseason approaches, many of the club's financial decisions have been put on hold, and the Bobcats are already heavily in debt, with the new owner having to assume approximately $1 million in debt.

The NBA is currently polarized. On the Knicks side, MSG split up and reorganized, combining its sports businesses and listing them on the market. Despite huge investments in basketball, it is still profitable.

In contrast, many teams were affected by the financial crisis last season. According to Forbes, the average value of each team dropped by 3%.
Nearly half of the teams suffered losses, with the Magic, Pacers, and Wizards seeing ticket revenues drop by more than $400 million;
There are also some teams whose home ticket revenue does not exceed 50. The Grizzlies, Bucks, and Timberwolves are the most typical representatives.

The polarization caused many teams to protest. The "Championship Game" affected their vital interests. Coupled with the unsatisfactory economic situation, the league had to appease everyone this time and announced it to the public for the first time:
"The NBA will work to improve the competitive environment before the next collective bargaining agreement negotiations begin."

"."

Over the weekend, ESPN reported on the relevant content for two consecutive days and also connected with Mark Cuban, the representative of the capital, and gave an impressive evaluation of the current situation of the league:
"The current league lacks vitality, and our costs are increasing compared to the 07-08 season."

"When the championship becomes a game between several teams, it will be difficult for the league to return to its heyday in the early 90s. Fans want to see competition, not a basketball show."

This statement was recognized by some basketball critics, but more people remained silent because the NBA is essentially a "basketball reality show" and an entertainment business competition.

As for Cuban's complaints, everyone can understand it. After all, in addition to the Knicks and the Cavaliers, the Mavericks also spent a lot of money. After "spending and getting beaten" for several consecutive years, it is natural that they are in a bad mood.

The two Eastern Conference teams had excellent records and met in the divisional finals, but the Mavericks were still the same. After being eliminated in the first round, Nowitzki looked completely finished and the possibility of returning to the finals was getting smaller and smaller.

As the NBA announced its schedule, many teams began to speak out that it might be a bit difficult to make money in the new season, but the league should help everyone make sure they don't lose money.

On Tuesday, the 11th, that evening, ESPN's PTI sports talk show welcomed a heavyweight guest.

On the 11th of next month, Michael Jordan will be inducted into the Hall of Fame, and the deputy GOAT will have another highlight moment. This episode is a special interview to warm up for subsequent activities.

Shortly after the show began, host Michael Wilbon interviewed Michael Jordan face to face. Michael Jordan was very happy about being inducted into the Hall of Fame and had a constant smile on his face.

The bald Michael Wilbon started by talking about his retirement life, but soon asked a relatively sensitive question:
"Looking back on your career, what experiences do you regret? The decision to retire after three consecutive championships? The loss in the Eastern Conference Finals in 98?"

When answering related questions a few years ago, he would still talk about "regret", but today, Michael Jordan, wearing a brown baggy suit, has completely let it go. He no longer recalls the past, but raises his eyebrows and smiles and responds:
"Looking back, my career has been wonderful enough. At least I completed a three-peat, and my teammates and I won five championships."

"I've been watching the game right now and there are a lot of great players in the league, but it's a shame that they don't get a lot of credit."

"Whether it's a championship or a failure, I have no regrets now. These are all gifts from God."

Michael Wilbon was a little surprised by McDunk's attitude, but when he thought about the stars in the league who were losing, he felt that his words did make some sense.
Even though the Hall of Fame has begun, the inductees have to communicate with their recommenders in advance, and the organizers have to start preparing. When the two talked about related topics, Michael's smile became even brighter. The other inductees did not have such a grand appearance as him.

At the last event, the ticket price was less than 300 US dollars, but this time it more than tripled. That’s how popular the deputy GOAT is!
When talking about the Bobcats' problems, Michael Jordan did not say anything directly, but he gave a relatively positive answer about completely buying the team:
"My goal after retirement has not changed. I want to own a team. As for the team's debt and operational issues, I believe everything will be fine!"

"Like many North Carolina people, I have blue blood, and the Bobcats have a special meaning to me."

The debt of $1 million was not a problem. Michael Jordan was determined to own a team. Although he had a poor eye for people, he always believed that he could build a successful team and at least make it to the playoffs.

The show also talked about the problem of his older sons. Both of his sons did not enter the NBA. For this, Michael Dunk did not blame him too much. Basketball requires talent, but his sons do not have it. He plans to practice trumpet recently.
Michael Jordan was in a good mood and even made jokes from time to time as he talked about basketball, work and family.

At the end of the show, when talking about the new NBA season, McDunk did not talk much about Li You, but took this opportunity to advise his little brother:

"I know everyone is looking forward to Li's 8th consecutive championship, and so am I. We will witness this great moment together."

"You all know that privately, Li and I have a very close relationship. We both have our own brands, which are developing well now. I never worry about him because Li knows how to deal with it."

"Lee has been very mature since he entered the league. He doesn't look like a young man. He has his own understanding of life and basketball. Perhaps this is also God's preference."

When talking about this, Michael smiled and spread his hands in front of the camera, but soon changed his tone and began to advise:
"It's not a pleasant feeling to be a background board. I understand the pressure that the media brings to players. Like Kobe, he is very good and works very hard, but many people are too harsh on him."

"Whether they win or lose, I hope the players can reconcile with themselves. Allen Iverson, seeing him like this now, it hurts a little."

"There is nothing wrong with pursuing victory, but sometimes you also need to think about your family and your life. When everything is over, time will give a fair answer."

"."

Iverson, who bid farewell to basketball, cried to Larry Brown not long ago. The tears of the master and apprentice were photographed by the local media in Charlotte, which is why Michael Dunk talked about this matter.

As for Kobe, the Mamba has gone "crazy". The Los Angeles Times reports every day that Kobe is burying himself in the training hall, updating his training team, introducing technological training methods, and it seems that he is planning to gain weight in the new season.

The Lakers have been slow to bring in a qualified small forward, so Kobe plans to do it himself. Michael Dunk, who often receives text messages from his little brother, is not optimistic about this. After all, he is 31 years old and is not young anymore.

Thinking of the "crazy" Kobe, Michael Wilbond is also hard to comment. If the players choose to lie down and punch in for basketball games, the current environment in the league is actually very comfortable.

As long as they play tough before the game against the Knicks and praise Li You after the loss, the star player will get attention.

Brush up on the stats, sign a big contract, and occasionally brag with the GOAT in business, basketball life is wonderful!

But if they resist the Knicks, they will most likely become clowns in the end. Even if Li You does not make personal attacks, the crazy New York fans will "strike back hard", and some fun will only last for a few years.

At the end of the show, Michael Wilbon agreed with McArthur's point of view and also tactfully advised him that he always felt that if the Mamba continued to lose, the new season might completely collapse:

"When we look back at the history of the NBA, in addition to championships, there are countless moving moments. Thank you Mike Dunk and every player who has worked hard for this. It is you who make basketball so wonderful!"

It was Wednesday the 12th, and the ratings for last night's PTI show skyrocketed. Old fans are looking forward to the Hall of Fame next month.

Also selected this time are David Robinson, John Stockton, Jerry Sloan, C-Vivian Stringer and others. This class can be said to be a gathering of Li You's "victims."

David Robinson, who was inducted into the Hall of Fame, has not spoken out yet, and the same goes for John Stockton. Both of them had the opportunity to win the championship, but now they can only rely on "scraps" of data to hold the scene.

The organizers have also upgraded the venue, and with one month left, Michael Jordan will be fully present.

As the active player whose playing style is most like that of Michael Jordan, Kobe has received more attention in the past two days. The topic of "Jordan's successor" has not been discussed in the past few years, but it can be revived at this time and attract some attention.

At the Toyota Center training hall in El Segundo, some media reporters spotted Bruce Bowen. Bowen, who had already bid farewell to basketball, suddenly appeared and immediately attracted the attention of several people.

The Lakers' team reporter broke the news via Twitter at noon, and the relevant news left some fans scratching their heads:

"Bruce Bowen will join the Lakers coaching staff in the new season, and Tim Duncan believes his old teammates can change the team's temperament."

"."

The Knicks' return of Charles Oakley makes sense, as rookie Ibaka needs guidance. The Lakers brought in the Spurs' former "thug," and many fans finally realized the problem:

“Is basketball going to go back to the way it was?”

Bowen, who was having lunch with his old teammates at the time, was in a good mood. When Duncan left, he was the first to stand up and attack, but after the reconciliation, he was recognized again and the old guy forgave his teammates.

"Pop and I have talked about this. Now many teams are putting pressure on the league. The last championship will not be that easy."

"Just like in '98, the audience wants to see a special game, and the Knicks took advantage of their opportunity, and now your opportunity has come."

While cutting steak and gossiping about the league environment, Bruce Bowen was eager to see Li You get into trouble. If the league had not brought out the "stepping clause", he would not have fallen so quickly.

Looking at his old teammate in a flowered shirt, Duncan shook his head. He had a deep understanding of how powerful the Knicks' home court whistles were. He could only rely on his home court to deal with the refereeing issues:

"I want to hear your opinion. Which players do you think the team should add?"

Bruce Bowen looked a little strange. He knew that he was here to take the blame. Phil Jackson also wanted to save face. If there was any problem, the bad reputation would be his. He was prepared for this:
"Small forward? How about Stephen Jackson, the Warriors seem to be planning to trade him, or you put Matt Barnes in the starting lineup."

"Putting aside prejudice, both of them have been in New York before. If they can increase their outside shooting, they should be able to integrate into the team quickly."

When he heard the two names, Duncan's eyes twitched slightly and he immediately lost his appetite. Many famous role players on the market came from the Knicks and had rings on their hands.

As long as he thought about the two reunited and sharing championship experience in the locker room, Duncan felt uncomfortable and immediately rejected the recommendation of his old teammate, and reminded him again:

"The Buss family doesn't plan to spend more. Losing in the finals puts us in a passive position."

"Yee, I know, Tim, if you want to win a championship, you have to add depth to the roster. You know better than anyone how the Spurs lost."

Bowen, who was eating meat with big mouthfuls, glanced at his old teammate and noticed that he looked unhappy. Then he smiled and suggested again:
"Let me check out the locker room situation first. With you here, we don't have to worry about the performance. There's still a chance to complete the deal before the All-Star Game."

"As for Kobe, I'll talk to him. It's useless to just train. He's just cheating himself."

Duncan nodded. There were some things he couldn't say, but with the help of his big brother, he could also persuade his partner to give up his fantasy. In the new season, the Los Angeles Spurs would strike hard.

Soon the two stopped talking about these issues. When talking about the future, Bowen heard that Duncan planned to go home and a smile appeared on his face again. No matter how good Los Angeles is, there is no sense of belonging. San Antonio is their home.

On Thursday the 13th, the British sports media were still laughing about Manchester United's loss to Chelsea in the Community Shield on Sunday.

When Giggs assisted Rooney to score a lob and brought the game into a penalty shootout, Li You pulled Natalie Dormer to celebrate happily in the stands of Wembley Stadium.

In a matter of minutes, Lampard opened the scoring, Giggs' penalty was saved by Cech, and it was the turn of the Russian Abramovich to celebrate with his female companion.
In the end, Kalou sent the ball into the upper corner of the goal, Chelsea secured the victory, Manchester United lost the first trophy of the new season, and Li You in the stands was also photographed with his hands spread out.

After the game, one of the two bosses expressed his desire to take back the championship, while the other boasted of a "four consecutive championships". Before the start of the new season, the competition between the two teams sparked heated discussions among commentators.

Manchester United will have its first game on the 16th. Li You has been staying in Manchester these days and was photographed traveling with Katheryn Winnick that afternoon.

Katheryn Winnick is about to welcome her ninth child. She has been staying in Canada to take care of the pregnancy and occasionally lives in the UK. There are too many media in New York and her family doesn't like boring news.

When he returned to Cheshire's home in the evening, while the housekeeper was preparing dinner, Li You took care of the blonde girl who was about to give birth. Although the two were about the same age, Catherine was a little nervous about the child:
"Will it be a boy? I'm a little scared."

Catherine, who had her blonde hair tied up, had gained some weight. She was leaning back on the sofa, looking at Li You who was buried in her arms, and whispered subconsciously.

Li You, who was about to form the Li football team, stood up and hugged the blonde girl in his arms. After a low kiss, he said seriously:
"Don't worry, dear, our life will get better and better! God will bless you."

"."

(End of this chapter)