unfinished glory

Chapter 168 New Team

After the Olympic Games, Li Chongxiao went to the United States to continue his routine training every summer after taking a short rest in China and receiving relevant commendations.

As early as when he returned to China to participate in the national team training, Ms. Wang Caixia, who was keen on buying a house, bought a house for him in Memphis, not far from the FedEx Arena.

The various decorations and facilities in the house have also been designed according to Li Chongxiao's aesthetics, just waiting for him to move in with his bags.

If Wang Caixia hadn't known that Li Chongxiao was too old to be manipulated, maybe even the hostess would have prepared for him.

Even so, Li Chongxiao did not escape the situation organized by his mother to have dinner with a few "little fans".

Li Chongxiao, whose life-long event was almost resolved, fled to the United States in embarrassment, only to escape Wang Caixia's thoughts of "holding a grandson".

……

On the morning of September 9, a little earlier than the Grizzlies' training time.Li Chongxiao finished the morning training and drove to the FedEx Arena. He and his boss Michael Heisley made an appointment to meet today.

This summer, the Grizzlies picked up a Li Chongxiao for nothing, which made the team management ecstatic but also a little worried.

They lack experience in dealing with superstars, and they want to do something to express their importance to Li Chongxiao, but they don't know how to do it.

During the offseason, in order to compete for Li Chongxiao, they recruited the former general manager Jerry West as a consultant. After getting Li Chongxiao, they even asked him to serve as the general manager again.

But even if it is a historical superstar like West, and after retiring, he is also a top management talent, but this cannot eliminate the mentality of the system team.

After all, the team managed by the LOGO man is the Lakers, and there are [-] championship flags flying over the Staples Arena, which makes every player who comes here feel awe.And the names on the back of the jerseys hanging on the roof are so overwhelming that any star dare not make mistakes.

But the Grizzlies have nothing. They built the team in 1995, just a little earlier than the Bobcats. They are the second youngest team in the NBA and even have a history of relocation.

The team's record is also lackluster. In more than ten years, there have only been three playoff experiences, and all three times they were swept out in the first round.

Not to mention an FMVP-level star like Li Chongxiao in team history, not even an All-Star player has appeared.

Although Li Chongxiao readily signed a five-year contract, the Grizzlies were still worried that they would not treat Li Chongxiao well and leave a bad impression in the league.By that time, not only Li Chongxiao will leave, but other stars probably won't want to come here either.

Back then, Francis was selected by the Grizzlies in Vancouver as the second pick, but he was unwilling to report. The team made a trade in desperation, which shows how difficult it is for a small ball market to recruit a star.

At the same time, what they are more worried about is that the team has a superstar and cannot achieve a record.Li Chongxiao had so many better choices not to go, but he came to the Grizzlies, definitely not here to retire.

If he cannot be given a satisfactory environment and a competitive lineup, Li Chongxiao will definitely leave within a season or two.

If you want to succeed in the NBA, the best route is the superstar policy. Now that you have a superstar, it depends on whether the team can seize the opportunity.

……

Regardless of the team's record or commercial considerations, the Grizzlies will try their best to keep the superstar.During the offseason, Michael Heisley instructed the team that all trades and signings must meet Li Chongxiao's needs.

This makes the team management very painful.It's not because Li Chongxiao is troublesome or too demanding, but because he is too desireless.

Regarding the operation of the team, Li Chongxiao didn't want to bother at all. Everything was done as you see fit. He didn't express any opinions on any transactions, and only focused on his own games and training.

The team made several trades and signings, and he ignored them when asked. Later, he got annoyed and declared to the team that he was going to retreat for training without seeing anyone.Including Michael Heisley came to the door, but also dismissed them with a few words.

Just when everyone was at a loss, West was more experienced in the league for many years.He could see the temperament of a player like Li Chongxiao, and advised everyone not to think too much, and to concentrate on strengthening the team is the right way.

So under the auspices of West, the team was on the right track.

……

Instead of going to the locker room, as soon as Li Chongxiao arrived at the arena, he was led to the boss's office, where West was also there.

The boss, Heisley, invited Li Chongxiao to sit down casually, and then chatted casually.

"Are you satisfied with our city? I used to come here in a hurry, so I didn't have time to visit." The boss asked with a little expectation.

"It's pretty good." Li Chongxiao said casually: "But I didn't pay much attention. This offseason, I participated in the national team's competition, and the daily training was a bit lagging behind. I stepped up to make up for it."

After he finished speaking, he smiled again: "However, I have seen posters all over the city. To be honest, it feels good to see my own head hanging in various places in the city."

The boss smiled reservedly, feeling that his painstaking efforts were not in vain.

West took over at the right time: "This is the city's gratitude to you. After all, you have many choices, all of which are better than us."

"It's a good thing you didn't go out, or the crazy fans would scare you." The boss raised his hand in a convincing gesture: "Our season tickets were sold out as soon as you announced your joining. , Now it’s hard to get a ticket.”

"It's not what I brought, but boss, you have been running the Grizzlies for many years, and you have brought joy to this city and these fans." Li Chongxiao was very humble, and then said confidently: "We Guess we can consider selling tickets to the playoffs now, how about two rounds?"

The boss and West looked at each other with surprise expressions.They asked Li Chongxiao to come here today, just to get in touch with each other, and they had no other intentions.

And the goal they set for the team is just the playoffs.Even if it cannot be completed, as long as Li Chongxiao performs well, it is acceptable.

But I didn't expect that the young man's spirit was too high, and he wanted the second round as soon as he came up.

The boss wanted to say something, but stopped before he could speak, motioning for West to speak.

"We don't have the idea of ​​a goal." West said: "Including the boss, including me, the uniform group, our main tone of defining this season is running in."

He leaned forward and continued: "The team won't put pressure on you this season, we just need you to play well individually."

"Our focus is on you. If you play well, next season we will build a lineup based on your characteristics."

Li Chongxiao grew up in the championship team, and the atmosphere of winning is strong. I really didn't expect any team to think this way.

In the Spurs, he heard the word "team" the most. He never thought that some teams would openly declare that players' stats are the priority.

He was stunned for a moment, and after thinking about it, it was inappropriate to say anything, so he could only reply cautiously: "I will weigh it."

Then the three of them left the office, and the boss personally introduced him to some facilities of the arena and introduced the staff of the arena.

(End of this chapter)