Chapter 283 The first ten million annual salary of the alliance appears
"Patrick, your contract is over, has the team made an offer for you?" Oakley asked.
A dull smile appeared on Ewing's face, and he nodded: "We've already discussed it with the agent, and it's more than $21 million in two years."
Oakley was stunned and said in surprise: "Then you are the first player in the league with an annual salary of tens of millions?"
There was Larry Johnson who signed a 100-million-yuan contract. So far, it is only a 100-million-yuan contract. However, Larry Johnson has not yet received an annual salary of tens of millions. It will probably take until the 1998/99 season to achieve an annual salary of over 10 million.
The current annual salary is about three to four million, so Ewing's annual salary is very scary, and Jordan's annual salary is only three to four million.
Ewing nodded and said: "Next season it will be more than 18 million, and the next season it will be 3 million."
"Why is it arranged like this? Isn't the gap between the two seasons too big? And it's only for two years. The management is too stingy." Oakley frowned.
Shaking his head, Ewing whispered mysteriously: "Don't you know, Michael's contract ends next season."
Oakley was startled and immediately realized, the Knicks were trying to free up salary space for the 1996/97 season and wanted to poach Jordan?
When he thought of this, he immediately became excited.
When Jordan first joined the Bulls, he was Jordan's bodyguard with a knife. Pippen even received a slap in the face from him. If Jordan joins the Knicks, who can withstand Ewing and Jordan's inside and outside combination? He is guaranteed to win three consecutive championships.
Dynasty!
Phoenix and Lao Wang took Yu Feihong to the martial arts gym again and watched the game with dozens of brothers.
Of course Zhang Lili and others also went. Now their income is not high, so they can afford a meal.
"Tiejun, do you think the Spurs or Mosaic will win?" Lao Zhang asked while chewing on the chicken feet with sauce.
"I can't tell, it depends on the coach's tactical arrangements and the players' performance on the field." Lao Wang thought for a moment and then said: "The Spurs lineup is more reasonable, but if the mosaic tactics are appropriate and the inside performance is good, the chance of winning will be greater.
Although David Robinson is strong, Dameng is still stronger."
"They still have home field advantage." Lao Zhang said with a nod.
"But Mosaic injured the main shooting guard, and the outside line is even weaker, so it's hard to say." Lao Wang said.
Zhang Lili said: "The Spurs are stronger on the perimeter, but they are not like the Bulls. The Bulls' perimeter strength lies in offense, and even more in defense, but the Spurs are not. Their perimeter defense cannot block the Mosaic team's perimeter, so Mosaic wants to win.
It mainly depends on whether they can play a strong low-post offense."
"It's useless for anyone to win, they will all lose to us in the Western Conference Finals." At this time, Lao Wang said in an unquestionable tone.
Lao Zhang was startled. With the strength of the Suns, this is really true.
Su Qun said excitedly: "Old K, if you can win the MVP this time and lead the team to win the championship, and get the FMVP, you will definitely be stable for a while. The four hard honors in a single season, no, plus the scoring champion, it will be the top five hard things.
Honor, that’s super great.”
"I hope so too!"
Lao Wang chuckled, but shook his head and said: "Let's not talk about the championship. My chance of mvp is not the greatest. Jordan and Dream have the greatest chance. If I don't give it to Jordan, there is a high probability that it will go to Dream."
"To Dameng?" Everyone was stunned.
Lao Zhang thought for a while and said: "It's really possible. Mosaic's record is the best in the Western Conference. One more win is also a winner. And one more thing, the good news will not go to outsiders!"
"Personal data is much better than Mr. K." Su Qun said unconvinced.
"MVP doesn't just look at personal data." Lao Zhang said, shaking his head.
At this time, the game started, and everyone's attention was focused on the game.
In the end, Mosaic relied on its strong inside strength to win the tiebreaker, eliminate the Spurs, and advance to the Western Conference Finals.
In this way, the Eastern and Western Conference Finals matchups are out. The Eastern Conference Finals is between the Bulls and the Magic, while the Western Conference Finals is between the Mosaics and the Suns. The former has home court advantage.
The Eastern Conference Finals starts on the 22nd, and the Western Conference Finals starts on the 23rd. The competition format is a best-of-seven game, with a 22111 schedule.
The next day, the 21st, Wang Tiejun got up at eight o'clock. After washing up and having breakfast with Yu Feihong, he turned on the TV and tuned to the ABC TV sports channel.
Like him, Da Meng in Houston also got up at this time, sitting on the sofa and staring at the TV, looking much more nervous than Lao Wang.
Last year's MVP was given to Jordan, and he felt that it should be given to him this year. He had a hunch.
In Chicago, Jordan also turned on the TV.
However, his mentality is still quite peaceful, because he already has 4 of these honors, and what he wants now is not this, but defending the title, and more importantly, the dynasty.
"When will it be announced?"
Yu Feihong washed some fruits, cut them and brought them over, and asked nervously.
She knows that the honor of MVP is equivalent to the Oscar for Best Actor in the film industry, and Lao K is one of the most important candidates for this award.
"Nine o'clock, five minutes to go." Lao Wang didn't look nervous, but some small movements showed that he was not nervous.
For example, squeeze your fists from time to time, drink water from time to time, etc.
At nine o'clock, ABC's sports morning news begins. NBA will announce the MVP winner through this news program today.
The male host talked for a long time, listing the personal data and team records of several people who were most likely to win this honor, whetting his appetite, and finally said: "Friends in the audience, now is the most important moment.
, let’s watch an advertisement first.”
"Oh! I will never watch this ad."
Lao Wang scolded and jumped up, ready to go up and change the channel.
"Ha ha……"
But then the advertisement came out, and Yu Feihong burst into laughter.
Lao Wang also laughed helplessly and sat back again.
Because this is an advertisement he endorses for a global first-tier brand selling fitness equipment, the channel cannot be changed.
"Old K, is your sneaker contract about to expire? I heard you last time." Yu Feihong asked.
"It expires in February next year, before the All-Star Game." He nodded.
"Mammoth Company is not going to renew your contract in advance?" Yu Feihong asked.
"They would like to, but CAA will not renew my contract with them in advance. If I lead the team to win the championship this time, my worth will be different."
Lao Wang explained, and then said with a strange expression: "The year before last, they planned to build a factory in China, but in the end they failed to do it for some reasons. Although they sold a lot of shoes through me, I heard that the situation is still not very good now.
It can’t compete with several other big brands.”
"It won't go bankrupt, right?" Yu Feihong said.
"I don't know, if it weren't for me the year before last, their boss would have gone bankrupt," he said.
While we were chatting, the host came back and said: "Dear viewers, I would like to invite Mr. David Stern, President of the NBA League."
Then the familiar smiling face of David Stern appeared on the TV screen. In his hand was an unopened delicate envelope with a white background and gold edges.
At this moment, Phoenix's Wang Tiejun, Chicago's Jordan, and Houston's Olajuwon all widened their eyes and opened their ears.
Even guys like O'Neal and David Robinson are the same. They are also in the top ten of the MVP rankings. Although the chance is not great, what if the people who voted are crazy?
David Stern had already opened the envelope, pulled out a folded piece of letter paper, opened it, and took a look at it. He didn't show any surprise.
As the president of the alliance, everything is operable. The name on this letter was typed with his permission.
Of course, he only knew and agreed with the result. The winner was not decided by him, but was indeed selected by 117 media people.
Under normal circumstances, he would not influence these results. After all, people in the company talk a lot, and if the media exposed it, his face would not look good.
The development of the league cannot be separated from the media, and it is impossible for him to offend these media people.
"In the NBA, in the 1994/95 season, the regular season MVP winner is, congratulations, Hakeem Olajuwon."
As David Stern's voice sounded, some people were almost crazy with joy, while others were disappointed.
"I knew it, I knew it, it's mine, it's mine..." Dameng, Houston, shouted excitedly.
"Damn it, I knew it." Phoenix, Lao Wang was a little depressed, but in a good mood.
"Forget it, let's fight next year." Yu Feihong advised.
Nodding, Lao Wang said: "The MVP is given to Dameng. He is pitiful. He has played football all his life without even getting an MVP, so I gave it to him. Then I killed him and entered the finals. This is quite fair."
"well!"
At this moment, in San Antonio, David Robinson saw that one of the three super centers, Da Meng, had won the MVP, and he sighed with disappointment.
He entered the league three years later, two years younger than Dameng, and has fewer hard honors than Dameng. So far, he is not an All-Star, but only has a rebounding champion, a blocked shot champion, and a DPOY three times.
All-Defensive Second Team, two All-Defensive First Teams, two All-NBA First Teams, one All-Second Team, two All-Defensive Third Teams, and two Best of the Month.
Dameng has been on the best team five times, and has been on the best defensive team five times, including four offensive and defensive teams in a single season. These alone have surpassed him. Now Dameng has won the MVP again.
Dumping him further.
Similarly, Ewing, who is far away in New York, has a similar mood.
Fortunately, he will get a big contract soon, and his mood will soon improve.
However, he did not expect to be stabbed severely by his own fans at noon.
"We must make a transaction. Patrick Ewing cannot support the Knicks at all. He is always soft at critical moments. The management should use him to replace Old K."
"Yes, Old K is our New Yorker. His contract is over. The management should bring Old K back to New York."
At noon, a New York TV sports program aired a video interview with Knicks fans. Several fans openly asked the Knicks management to trade Ewing and proposed a trade target.
"These bastard fans!" This made him so angry that he almost vomited blood.
In the afternoon, the New York media began to add fuel to the flames, demanding that the Knicks management take action immediately.
The Knicks management, which had just settled the contract with Pat Riley, was very upset, but they took things as they were doing and began to internally discuss the possibility of trading Ewing for K.
"Those bastards, the Knicks, what do they want to do? David, we can't let Old K come to the East." After Jordan learned the news, he immediately called his agent David Frank.
He is well aware of the strength of Old K. Once he replaces Ewing and joins the Knicks, the Knicks' lineup and financial resources will pose a huge threat to the Bulls, so it is better for Old K to stay in the West.
David Frank is not only his agent, but also Barkley's agent and Ewing's agent. He is currently in New York negotiating with the Knicks about Ewing's contract extension.
"I understand, don't worry, Michael, this matter will not succeed."
After David Frank learned the news, he was also very annoyed. He has several superstars under his command, but the most important one is of course Jordan, so he really doesn't want to see Old K come to the East.
At three o'clock that afternoon, the Miami Heat announced that the team had reached an agreement with Pat Riley, who had just resigned from the New York Knicks. Starting next season, the famous coach will coach the Heat and also serve as the Heat's head coach.
The position of General Manager.
At the same time, David Frank held a press conference to publicly condemn the Knicks management in front of the media and criticized their attempt to trade Ewing.
He said angrily: "Ewe has done everything for this city and this team. He is a symbol of this city and he is loyal to this city. But now someone wants to trade him. This is extremely shameful.
Unacceptable.
I just want to say that if Ewing is traded, then this team will not get any superstars, because if they come here, they can be traded at any time."
Given David Frank's influence in the league, the impact of this press conference was huge, and it immediately put tremendous pressure on the Knicks' management.
…
The next day, May 22, Phoenix left for Houston and entered the rhythm of the Western Conference Finals.
The Suns' wives and family members also chartered a plane to go there. There were twenty or thirty people of all sizes, and Yu Feihong was among them.
At noon, the Suns held a press conference in the hotel.
"Old K, the Suns have completed two rounds of sweeps, are you still confident to complete the third round sweep?" a Houston TV reporter asked.
"Sweep Mosaic?" Lao Wang's spirit instantly lifted, and he felt excited.
"Why not?" he gave his answer.
This answer not only made the media exclaim his arrogance, but also shocked his teammates.
"This bastard, he actually wants to sweep us away?"
In the restaurant of Mosaic's training base, the angry Dameng punched the dining table, spilling all the soup in front of him.
On the opposite wall, a news program from a local TV station was playing, which was the scene of the Suns' press conference.
"Hakeem, calm down. Old K is like this. Let alone sweeping us, he can even say that he will sweep the Bulls after entering the finals in a few days."
Buckley helplessly grabbed the tablecloth and wiped his face haphazardly. He was about to drink soup when it was splashed on his face.
"That's right..."
Dameng snorted coldly, suddenly realized, and said to Barkley dissatisfied: "No, Charles, what do you mean after entering the finals in a few days? Do you think we will lose?"
"..." Buckley was startled and smiled helplessly.
To be honest, he is really not mentally prepared to win. With a mosaic lineup that is already weaker than the Suns, and with the main shooting guard injured, how can he beat the Suns?
"This kid, last time belittled our three super centers, and now he wants to sweep us. I am not done with him. This time we are going to drag them to death in the Western Conference Finals just like he brought down us last season. I would rather take advantage of Jordan."
Dameng said viciously.
Buckley opened his mouth, shook his head and said nothing.
In terms of friendship, Lao K is his brother, but Michael Jordan is also his old friend for many years. The friendship is very deep, so he can only help each other.
That night, the Eastern Conference Finals began.
In the end, the Bulls defeated the Magic, 101:115, and won their first home game.
O'Neal scored 39 points, 17 rebounds, 7 assists and 3 blocks, destroying the Bulls' interior, but such an all-around performance still couldn't save the team.
The reason is that the Bulls are wide open inside and he can't follow him. Even if he can follow, he won't be willing to follow him. It would be too tiring.
Clifford Robinson, who was opposite him, frequently got open shots and scored 28 points in the game. His shooting percentage was as high as 57%, which was much higher than his efficiency in the regular season. This season, his shooting percentage in the regular season was only
46.2%, ten percentage points higher.
Including Jordan's 34 points and Pippen's 25 points, the Bulls' iron triangle jointly contributed 87 points. Added in Toni Kukoc's 11 points, the four scored 98 points.
The Magic also have Hardaway and Nick Anderson on the outside. They are known as one of the most offensive guard combinations in the East, but they only contributed 34 points together. Together with Cobra Grant's 13 points and O'Neal's 39 points, the four of them teamed up to blast
Scored 86 points, but still lost by 14 points.
After watching this game, the atmosphere in the Suns team was a bit dull.
"O'Neal fought like this and still lost." Robert Horry sighed.
"The Bulls are already so strong before Jordan puts his all into it. If we reach the finals, can we beat the Bulls?" Drexler also felt worried and uneasy.
At this time, Lao Wang stood up and said to everyone: "Don't worry, I'm physically stronger than O'Neal and I won't let Clifford Robinson score so many points. Don't underestimate yourself. We can win against the Bulls."
Kevin Johnson also stood up and said: "Old K is right, our offensive ability is no worse than the Bulls. In terms of rebounding, Old K can grab better than O'Neal. We are better than the Magic and better than the Bulls."
Nodding, Lao Wang shouted loudly: "So from now on, don't destroy your own morale. Those words that we can't win and the bull is too strong, take them all back to me and don't let me hear them again."
Having said this, he glared at Horry and then at the glider. Both of them lowered their heads in embarrassment.
The next day, the 23rd, was the day of Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals.
Regarding the Western Conference Finals, the media is generally optimistic about the Suns.
The Suns failed in the tiebreaker in the last Western Conference Finals. This season they have one more glider to strengthen their strength. After sweeping two consecutive rounds, Wang Tiejun openly shouted the slogan of sweeping the Mosaic team. The fierce momentum displayed by the Suns was far away.
Super Mosaic Team.
The Mosaic team finally reached the Western Conference finals through a tiebreaker. According to Zhang, they are at the end of their game and cannot defeat Lu Zhen. How can they be the opponent of the Suns?
"Old K, don't try to sweep us. We will try our best in the Western Conference Finals. We will do to him what he did to us last season."
Dameng said this at the Mosaic team’s press conference.
"Hahaha... Dameng, you are such a good person, go ahead and try your best to get into the tiebreaker, hahaha..." Jordan looked at the TV and laughed excitedly.