NBA: Miracle Workers

Chapter 850 The Captain's Legacy (Daily Chapter)

On Thursday, February 14, 2013, Valentine's Day, the NBA league, which was about to enter its holiday season, only had two games.

However, most onlookers weren't paying attention to the match results. Just yesterday, the New York Times suddenly reported a "bombshell" piece of news:
"Players' union executive director Billy Hunter may face removal from office following an independent audit."

Billy Hunter's contract expires in 2016, with a contract value of $1050 million. In an interview with a New York reporter, he readily acknowledged the audit results and even stated directly:
"If I'm laid off, I expect to receive full payment."

This attitude had a huge impact within the players' union. Many players knew that the old man would definitely abuse his power for personal gain, but they didn't expect that he would "drop the pretense" after the audit.

Meanwhile, sources revealed that the U.S. Attorney's Office is investigating the authenticity of a contract with NBPA involving the investment company of Billy Hunter's son, Todd.

During the term of the agreement, the players' union may not cancel or withdraw from the agreement for any reason and will pay $60.2 annually.

The father and son's "team" embezzlement has thoroughly enraged the union members, and at the All-Star Weekend annual meeting on the 16th, the calls to remove Billy Hunter grew louder and louder.

While New York was enjoying the drama firsthand, neighboring Philadelphia seemed less interested. The Philadelphia Inquirer focused more on the 76ers' current situation, and the interviews in the paper disappointed many fans.

"Kobe Bryant's shooting percentage has been declining every month since the start of the season, and his shooting percentage so far in February is 42.1%."

After losing to the Bucks last night, Kobe Bryant, looking sullen, gave an interview, admitting his shooting percentage had declined while reiterating his attitude towards basketball:

"I'm not in a slump, I'm just having bad shooting."

Such an excuse naturally failed to satisfy the curiosity of the onlookers. As the 76ers' losing streak against the Knicks continued, the respect of the Philadelphia reporters gradually waned, leading them to press for answers again:
"I've taken 35 three-pointers lately, but only made one. Kobe, when are you going to find your shooting touch again?"

"I lost some of my rhythm and am still in the process of adjusting."

"As for the 35 attempts, I've never cared about that. Whether I make the shot or not, as long as there's an opportunity, I'll definitely take it. I believe I can make the next shot!"

Kobe made a strong statement, but this time Philadelphia fans weren't buying it. More and more people on Twitter were criticizing the Mamba, and the reason for this situation is quite simple:
"Li's accuracy rate has exceeded 60% since January."

With one team declining month by month and the other rising month by month, most Philadelphia fans who were hoping for their first win against the Knicks were now in despair. The gap was widening and no one could stop the losing streak.

With the All-Star Weekend approaching, Kobe, who didn't get a starting spot, could only board the plane with a dark expression. Not only did Philadelphia fans begin to question him, but fans across the ocean also started to be "confused".

-

Friday the 15th, Greenwich, Connecticut, was still bathed in silvery white light.

The recent heavy snowfall brought by the storm in Northeast China even caused a "snow emergency." Fortunately, Greenwich was not the core area of ​​the snowfall, and Li You's Peninsula Estate did not suffer much damage.

The cold weather has also affected the girls. Apart from those who went to Washington for work with Kim, the few who stayed in Greenwich have been wanting to stay in their rooms all the time.

Scarlett, who attended the "owners' gathering" a few days ago while heavily pregnant, became the most diligent person in the family, preparing heartwarming drinks in advance with the help of the housekeepers.

On Valentine's Day, everyone indulged a bit, but the succubus, being very considerate, wanted to take care of her loved one.
The third floor had been upgraded with a huge bed. Upon seeing Scarlett, Catherine kissed Li You and sat up straight. As a peer, the increasingly mature girl still had a very hot figure.

Looking at the naked Catherine, Elizabeth, nestled in Li You's arms, was still a little embarrassed. Last night, her "sister" had helped her unlock even more knowledge.

"If only the Netflix board were as easy to talk to as our committee."

Wearing a loose nightgown, Scarlett Johansson handed out hot milk while complaining about her recent experiences. Since buying into Netflix's board of directors and becoming an executive director, the two sides have been unable to reach a major cooperation agreement.

Fortunately, the stock price has gradually recovered this month; otherwise, those who couldn't wait would have decided to exit.

Catherine, who was smiling as she served Li You hot milk, didn't care about such things. Being able to invest in some art films and TV series was already an improvement for a small production company.

She even had the chance to become a director, which almost fulfilled her previous dream. Catherine turned and squeezed next to Li You, saying with great satisfaction:

"Anyway, they have already accepted the new board members, and we have plenty of time in the future."

While the two were chatting, the Olsen sisters woke up on the other side. They both raised their left hands, which were adorned with rings, and were very pleased with the gift.

As Elizabeth squeezed next to her younger sister, she noticed the exchange between her older sisters and quickly whispered to Li You:
"Honey, can we buy some more stocks?"

It's unclear whether Netflix's stock price can return to $300, but according to professional assessments, the influence of streaming media is likely to increase year by year, and women don't want to miss out on the opportunity to make a fortune.

"Of course! Want to get back on screen? I've always thought the New York Moment was pretty good!"

As soon as Li You finished speaking, the two sisters shouted and squeezed forward. After watching the movie that had received a lukewarm response, they felt "overwhelmed with shame".

Watching the three "rolling" around, Elizabeth could only move to the other side. Although she had returned to New York University to continue her studies, the young woman was somewhat envious of her older sisters who had careers.

Will the global box office surpass $10 billion?

With her big, bright eyes blinking, Elizabeth asked softly, "The Avengers received numerous nominations and had a very successful box office performance. But when the movie was mentioned, Scarlett seemed unmoved, shrugging her shoulders and saying..."
"Maybe so. Disney made even more money this time, and there won't be any opportunities to invest in the next few movies."

The succubus is still regretting Li You's investment. The project took on huge risks when it was launched, but when it was time to make big money, it was monopolized by Disney.

Scarlett, who couldn't reach an agreement on the contract, became pregnant again despite her mother's advice. As for any sequel, she didn't care at all.

As the two whispered to each other, Catherine quietly embraced the naked young woman and whispered something intimately to her. Only then did Elizabeth realize that her sister and her sister had already bent over and buried their heads in each other's arms.

As Li You gasped for breath, Catherine kissed him, and the rising room temperature made Elizabeth's breathing quicken.

"We can pick up the kids and Happy later."

Upon witnessing this scene, the succubus's eyes flickered, and she whispered to the young woman in a slightly hoarse voice.

Elizabeth, her face flushed, eventually joined in, resulting in a "crushing defeat" last night with four against one.

His new talent is still being explored and developed, but dealing with multiple opponents is much easier than before. His pure strength improvement has allowed Li You to put troublesome matters behind him, and during the holiday he only wants to train hard.

-

After the election, Kim officially entered the Senate on January 6. Many people remained silent about what happened in New Mexico, and Lee Yu, who was deeply involved in the campaign team, became even more low-key.

Aside from showing affection on holidays, Li You spends the rest of his time either picking up and dropping off his sons or checking in at the Talidon training ground.

The media reporters, who had been unable to get an interview opportunity, were feeling frustrated. With various reports becoming increasingly outrageous, everyone actually wanted to learn more about Li You's life.

Saturday, February 16th, was All-Star Media Day, and media reporters who had been waiting for months finally got their chance.

When Li You arrived at the George Brown Convention Center, he was quickly surrounded by fans and reporters after arriving on the Happy Express to Houston that morning.

Although Friday is typically the peak of media day, yesterday afternoon lacked star power. After receiving confirmation, everyone was even more eager for Lee Yoo's arrival. After signing autographs and taking photos, Lee Yoo returned to his seat close to 11 pm, but the sports reporters present remained enthusiastic, proactively asking the onlookers questions they were interested in.

"Li, many fans are curious as to why you are no longer the captain of the Eastern Conference All-Star team?"

Chris Paul is the captain of the Western Conference All-Star team, while Li You voluntarily withdrew from the Eastern Conference, handing over the captaincy to Wade.

"Man, I've been supported by fans and selected as an All-Star since I entered the league. After all these years, it's time to give up this position. It's a kind of passing on the torch."

“I know Wade. He’s better than you think. There aren’t many stars left on the team these days, and I believe he will be an excellent role model.”

Li You's mention of "one man, one city" drew nods of approval from the reporters in the audience. Compared to other All-Star players, Wade, who won the highest honor, deserves respect.

TNT reporters were more interested in tomorrow's players' union annual meeting and proactively asked about the recent audit and future plans. Li You did not shy away from the question and responded honestly:

"Clearly, the union needs a thorough and comprehensive overhaul. Hunter did make some mistakes, but that's also related to everyone standing by and letting things happen."

“Derrick has stepped up, and I know he’s done a lot of work, but in order to fix the system’s flaws, both of them will most likely lose their jobs.”

"Personally, I would support Chris Paul as the new president. The union has gotten rid of its debts, and all we need to do in the future is to improve the system."

This response sparked considerable discussion among the audience. Li You's public support for Paul's candidacy for union chairmanship will undoubtedly change the internal dynamics.

“Hunter put tens of millions on the debtor union’s books, and we certainly didn’t take much responsibility for that.”

"To prevent a similar situation from happening again, we will speak out actively this time. LeBron has done a great job in this regard, and young players can learn from him."

Li You continued to add, and incidentally nominated James, which made the reporters below the stage even more excited. The "Banana Boat Brothers" were going to take over the union.

When ESPN asked about All-Star records, Lee Yu smiled and, when discussing statistics, remained humble and friendly, saying:
"I don't care about the statistics. I will give more opportunities to younger players during the game, which is also what the fans want to see!"

"."

The "megaphone" quickly posted Li You's answer on social media. On the other side of the venue, Wade, who was serving as captain for the first time, was still a little moved after receiving the "Li You Recognition Award".

It's worth noting that Kobe Bryant is also in the Eastern Conference All-Star Game. Li You's high regard for him prompted Dwyane Wade to take a serious look at tomorrow's All-Star Game during an interview.

"For so many years, the Eastern Conference All-Stars have completely dominated their opponents under Lee's leadership. As the captain, I really hope to continue this tradition."

When a reporter asked about Garnett's undrafted debut, Wade raised an eyebrow, expressing respect, and then added:

"That's the NBA. We all know Kevin's ability, but time has taken away his excellent physical condition. For a veteran like him, I just hope he can stay healthy and finish the rest of the games."

Wade, displaying leadership qualities, showcased his captaincy with the support of James and others, while Kobe, seemingly ignored, continued speaking to reporters with a sullen face. The Mamba had had enough of the retirement issue.

"I can say definitively that if the Lakers extend an invitation, I would be willing to return to Los Angeles in the final year of my career."

"This is my promise to Dr. Buss; I want to share my championship experience in the locker room and build a Lakers team culture."

This was the first time anyone had heard this news. Some reporters looked at each other in disbelief. They really hadn't expected Kobe to have a chance to return to the Lakers. Jim Buss had long since stopped welcoming the Mamba.

Before the individual challenge began that evening, the news of Kobe "going home" before his retirement went viral on Twitter.

The news that Li You supports union reform has also sparked considerable discussion, and it seems that the removal of Billy Hunter and others at tomorrow's union annual meeting is a foregone conclusion.

The Toyota Center was exceptionally lively that night. Although the enthusiasm of fans to participate in voting had decreased somewhat, their passion for watching the game remained high.

Before the individual competitions began, TNT, as the broadcaster, started looking for gossip again. Reggie Miller noticed that the Knicks' three forwards were far apart, and jokingly remarked:
"Li should probably consider getting some boxing gloves for the players. It's said that boxing can help players fully integrate into the team."

Ernie Johnson laughed and then addressed the camera about the latest trade comments:

"It is said that the Pacers have contacted the Knicks and Danny Granger will start from the bench after his return. Coach Vogel hopes to continue to increase the depth of the roster."

The player involved in this trade is primarily Lance Stephenson. To achieve this goal, the Pacers will need to bring in a third party, and the trade will most likely be finalized after the All-Star Weekend.

The two quickly started talking about the Pacers, who had performed well in the last two seasons. Although Miller didn't like players from New York, he still supported the team's choice.

When discussing the veterans inducted into the Hall of Fame this year, Miller couldn't help but reminisce about the past, mentioning Gary Payton's experience with considerable sympathy:
"Many veterans have sacrificed too much for the championship. To be honest, even now, I still don't like this decision."

"Payton was fully capable of winning a ring, but unfortunately, his opponent was Lee. Losing to Lee's Knicks in the playoffs was also a testament to his ability."

The theory that one should "feel honored" even when losing is a concept devised by a New York Times columnist, and it has gained widespread acceptance among fans on social media.
When the three-point contest began, the shouts in the arena were deafening. Kyrie Irving, still sitting on the bench, smiled and chatted with reporters behind him, not forgetting to show off before going on the court.

"I'm sure they're all here to get second place!"

The moment he interacted with the camera drew cheers from the fans in the arena, and Kyrie Irving's popularity has risen again this season, with more and more fans liking this rookie who plays with "flashy" style.

Back on the bench, Curry glanced at Irving with some envy. Even though the Warriors' record had improved and they were on track for the playoffs, most commentators still didn't have high hopes for him.

Thinking about how he had worked so hard for so many years and almost got traded to Milwaukee, Curry's smile vanished, especially when he saw his opponent score 22 points to advance to the finals, which made him feel particularly bitter.

Matt Bonner was well-liked within the Spurs and the union, and Irving didn't target the nice guy; he simply wore a Knicks home jersey, made the sign of the cross in front of the camera, looked up, and muttered:

"God-Lee, protect me!"

Perhaps prayers really worked, as Bonner underperformed in the final, scoring only 18 points. When Irving entered the game, the cheers were deafening, and the rookie showed his clutch gene, scoring 23 points and lifting the trophy.

"Oh!!"

The fans in the arena gave the newly minted All-Star a thunderous roar. Kyrie Irving, beaming with pride as he held the trophy during his interview, was met with a joking question from Kenny Smith:
"Kerry, you seemed to be praying to God before you went on the field?"

"Yee is the God of Basketball, the God of Three-Point Shots! You know, without Boss's guidance, it would have been difficult for me to make such great progress."

Irving, behaving like a "devout believer," saw Kenny Smith nod and smile, and continued:
“I received coaching from Uncle Lee in high school, and since then I have changed a lot of my basketball habits. After entering the league, I was very eager to win the three-point contest.”

"I would like to present this trophy to Uncle Lee to thank him for his recognition and support!"

The director also focused the camera on Li You, who was smiling and clapping in the front row, and shouts followed. This made Stephenson, who was not being watched by anyone on the other side, extremely jealous.

In the Knicks, even being a sycophant requires seniority, and if you encounter someone like Kyrie Irving who has connections, it's even more impossible to compete.

Thinking about the frustration of constantly "battling" with rookies on the team, Stephenson silently shed tears and made a final decision:
"My career has only just begun, and I'll make you regret it!"

(End of this chapter)