At noon that day, the Houston Mosaics announced that team superstars Charles Barkley and Clyde Drexler would retire at the same time.
In fact, these two people are still very capable, and they have jointly led the team into the playoffs. Barkley averaged superstar statistics of 19.5 points and 12.1 rebounds per game in the regular season, and Glider averaged 19 points, 5 rebounds, 6 assists, and 1.9 steals. It’s just that
Both of them had two championships in hand, so after their contracts ended, they chose to retire without any hesitation.
Lao Wang called and invited the two of them to come to Los Angeles to watch the Lakers game, and the two readily agreed.
"Charles, you and old K only played for one season. I also played with him for one season and helped him win a championship. Why can't you join his trading company and I haven't heard any news?" Glider was very depressed.
said.
Barkley said proudly: "Because I was traded by the team, and you had to leave on your own."
Glider yelled: "Forget it, he was traded because you didn't want to support him. If you were willing to stay with the Suns back then, the Suns would definitely have a dynasty.
Think about it, Old K won three consecutive championships when he first entered the league. His status in the league must be unprecedentedly high now, and he is absolutely capable of surpassing everyone, including Jordan, Chamberlain, and Russell."
Barkley said helplessly: "You are indeed right, I don't deny it, but I only had one year left on the contract at that time. Even if I stayed, the 1994-year-old K signed a big contract of nearly 200 million US dollars, and I wanted to renew it at the same time.
According to the contract, do you want me to get a minimum salary with the Suns? I was still in my prime at that time.
So no matter what, the Suns could only defend their title at that time. It was too difficult and almost impossible to achieve a dynasty. Old K also knew this, so he never blamed me."
The glider was startled and couldn't help but nodded.
Buckley smiled and patted Glider on the shoulder and said, "The reason why Old K didn't call you is probably because I didn't think of you at the time."
Glider was almost furious at this sentence. What do you mean you didn't remember it? This time I saw old K, I had to ask him clearly, otherwise he would lose face with his friend.
Buckley added: "I tell you, there was still one share left at that time, and none of us dared to ask for it. One share was five million. What if we lost money? Thunder Lord Dan Marley couldn't raise the money, so Old K borrowed it.
He has two million.
Do you think Old K is good to his brothers? Look at the treatment of the two thousand brothers in his martial arts gym. Let me tell you, I really regret not staying with the Suns at that time, I regret it."
"I regret you so much." Glider said angrily.
…
On the 2nd, the league will announce a batch of individual honors.
Lao Wang is somewhat looking forward to DPOY among them. He ranks first in defensive efficiency this season, so he deserves this honor.
If you can get DPOY and be the scoring leader at the same time, then you will truly be number one in offense and defense.
At 9 o'clock, the official announced various honors through ABC TV station.
The first one is Rookie of the Year. There is no suspense about this. Tim Duncan, who was at his peak when he debuted, won the award.
Then there is the All-Rookie Team, then the Sixth Man of the Year goes to Danny Manning, the Most Improved Player goes to Alan Henderson, and the Coach of the Year goes to Del Harris.
Lao Wang immediately made a congratulatory phone call. This was the first time Harris received this honor. For a head coach, it is one of the greatest honors, not much lighter than the championship.
Harris seemed very happy and laughed continuously during the call.
Finally, the league announced the winner of DPOY. Lao Wang got his wish and joined the league for six seasons, winning this honor for the first time.
The system also awarded 200 points.
That afternoon, Feizhu and Glider arrived in Los Angeles together, and Lightning arrived not long after and moved directly into Lao Wang's villa.
After settling in, the four of them went to the tennis court behind to play doubles for a while. During the break, Drexler asked depressedly: "Old K, are we friends?"
"Yes, that's a very strange thing to ask." Lao Wang said doubtfully.
Buckley, who knew it well, suddenly laughed. Glider glared at Feizhu and said, "Then you guys set up a trading company without me?"
Lao Wang was stunned, slapped his thigh and said: "Oops, Claude, after all, I forgot about you."
"Ha ha……"
Buckley burst out laughing and fell from his chair onto the grass.
"Can't you laugh to death?"
Glider was depressed and angry, so he stretched out his leg and kicked Barkley, which really made the fat pig right.
"Old K, it seems that we can't be friends. You have thought of them all, but you are missing me. This means you don't treat me as a friend! How can I have the nerve to be your friend?" He felt aggrieved and asked again.
Complained to Lao Wang.
Lao Wang was also very embarrassed. This was a serious matter. Damn it, Buckley. This guy didn't even remind him at the time.
After thinking about it, he could only make amends and said: "Let's do this. I will give you 10% of my share. I didn't want it at the beginning. My wife and two sisters have 30%. The domestic trading company also belongs to me.
I still account for the majority of the profits from these businesses."
"I think it's okay. Old K is indeed a good friend. So don't be polite, Claude." Lightning said with a smile.
Buckley also agreed, asking Glider to take out the money and treat everyone to a meal to make up for Old K's loss.
"Old K, whatever you say will be whatever you say from now on, we are brothers."
If Glider didn't agree to anything, he quickly nodded and wrote the check immediately.
"Okay, after the playoffs, you come with me to China. You know I have a summer camp, which I hold every year, and I invite a group of American trainers. You go and help me." Lao Wang took the check.
Then he laughed.
"No problem, I'll take Barkley with me." The glider quickly agreed.
"OK OK, I just happened to see Old K's Fengshen Street. I heard that the basketball stadium has been renovated, so I want to go take a look." Barkley said with a smile.
"Then let's go together. I plan to go to China for vacation with my family." Lightning said with a smile.
"Welcome!"
Lao Wang smiled and said to Lightning again: "Kevin, the shares I promised you are gone, but my words still stand. If we have the opportunity in the future, we will open a profitable company."
"It's a deal." Lightning smiled.
"It's a deal." Lao Wang nodded.
"Don't forget me." Buckley shouted quickly.
"And me, don't forget me this time." Glider said quickly.
…
No. 3, Knicks vs. Celtics, Trail Blazers vs. SuperSonics.
At noon, Jazz arrived in Los Angeles.
The current Jazz, except for Sabonis who is limited in playing time due to age and injuries, is really strong. They tied the Lakers in four regular season games, and the Lakers lost in eight games.
, mainly because they lost to super strong teams like the Jazz, Trail Blazers, and Knicks.
This time the Lakers faced the Jazz in the second round, and no media believed that the Lakers had the ability to win. Even the media in Los Angeles were very cautious.
After arriving at the hotel, at the request of the media, the Jazz held a press conference at 1:30 noon.
Zhang Lili and Su Qun also attended the press conference with a three-person camera crew.
"Coach Sloan, are you optimistic about this second-round series?" The host first pointed to a third-party media, a reporter from the Miami Daily asked.
Jerry Sloan said seriously: "We will play this series with the most caution, but we are also optimistic that it is time and our Jazz will advance to the Western Conference Finals."
"Postman, are you going to fight against Old K?" The next reporter is a reporter from Salt Lake City Sports News.
Hearing Old K's name, he felt the pressure. Karl Malone couldn't help but take a deep breath and said: "I hope the coach will arrange for me to play against Old K, and I also look forward to another showdown with Old K.
But we are always just a part of the team, so my opinion of this series is not the game between me and old K, but the game between Jazz and Lakers. There is no win or loss between me and old K, only the game between Jazz and Lakers.
Win or lose in time.”
"What do you think of Old K?" the reporter asked.
Karl Malone said: "There is no doubt that although I have many conflicts with him, I will not deny it, and I even disdain to deny it. He is a great superstar who is ruling this era and trying to create his own.
dynasty."
"What will you do?" the reporter asked again.
A proud look appeared on Karl Malone's face and he said: "I will not admit defeat. I will do everything in my power to stop him. Our Jazz will surely shine with our own light."
"The postman's confidence is very strong!" Zhang Lili murmured among the reporters below.
In the evening, Zhang Lili and Su Qun went to Lao Wang's house to watch the game together. Barkley and the others were there, and everyone talked about the series between the Lakers and Jazz.
"Old K, how confident are you of beating the Jazz?" Su Qun asked.
Lao Wang was silent for a moment. He was surrounded by his own people, so there was no need to brag. He said: "If there is no big bug, playing Jazz is just a matter of hands. But with the big bug, it depends on how the scene is performed.
If we play well, both the Trail Blazers and Knicks will be defeated. If we play poorly, everyone will suffer from cold hands and poor tactical coordination, and we may lose against the Jazz.
Anyway, in a series, there are wins and losses. Try to play every game well, hit every ball well, and never give up a rebound or a point."
Lao Zhang and Barkley nodded again and again. The four regular season games were indeed as Wang Tiejun said. The Jazz without the bug lost to the Lakers who had just started to adjust. But with the bug later, the Jazz won two and lost one, and the winning rate was higher.
Wang Tiejun turned on two TVs as usual, and asked the cook to prepare some dishes to go with the wine. He poured some red wine, and the others did as they pleased.
At eight o'clock, the game between the Knicks and the Green Team started, and the other team was half an hour late.
As soon as the game started, it entered the most intense state. The green team's troika cooperated with each other, with Kidd organizing the game in the middle, Walker pulling Oakley out, and David Robinson playing O'Neal alone. The offensive end was quite good.
On the defensive end, David Robinson couldn't guard O'Neal, but there was a mutual explosion, and the Admiral's scoring ability was even more powerful than O'Neal.
On the outside, Kidd tried his best to defend Jordan. Although he couldn't defend him, he still made Jordan quite uncomfortable.
The Green Team's troika faced off against the two giants, the Knicks, and the game was exciting, with ratings rising steadily.
After one quarter, the two teams were actually tied.
"The green team played well in this quarter, probably because of the stimulation from ESPN." Lao Wang said with a smile.
"If the Green Team does not resolve the conflict between the troika, it will inevitably follow in the footsteps of the Mavericks," Barkley said.
Zhang Liji said with a smile: "I think it's only temporary. None of the three people obeys the other, but there is no real team leader among them. In the end, I think the green team will be broken up. It depends on Dan
Does Nianji have the courage?"
Having said this, he sighed: "The leadership ability of a team leader is a very important invisible ability. Without this ability, internal strife will easily occur, and the team will not be able to exert its strongest strength.
Among the super centers, O'Neal is a little bit behind. Whether in the Magic or the Knicks, he is not the leader of the team."
Lao Wang smiled and said: "The big shark is very funny. He is suitable for being a friend, but not suitable for being a leader."
Lightning said: "David Robinson is not good either. He is not a leader in the Spurs, he is just the core on the court. The leader in the locker room is General Johnson."
Glider continued: "Ewing is no good either. He is the core in the Knicks, but the leader has always been Oakley.
Barkley laughed and said: "It's interesting to think about it. A bad guy like Oakley, who is not even a star, can actually defeat two super centers, Patrick and O'Neal, in the locker room and become the leader of the Knicks.
His ability shows.
It’s just that these two guys, Patrick and O’Neal, are not up to par. If I dare to take my leadership position and kill Oakley, I’ll beat him in the locker room every day.”
Glider said disdainfully: "Old K snatched your position, and you were also traded to Houston in disgrace?"
"Haha..." Everyone laughed.
Buckley said angrily: "Old K, that's my brother, how can I compete with him?"
When he said this, he fell silent again. After a few seconds, he said to Lao Wang: "Old K, to be honest, I regretted it a long time ago. I should have stayed with the Suns."
Lao Wang punched Barkley and said with a smile: "Come on, do you think I want you to help me with your basic salary? I'm not that kind of person. Besides, if you don't mosaic, who will help that old guy Dameng get it?"
Championship?"
"Haha, let me tell you, without me, Dameng would be empty-handed for the rest of his life. He has to thank me..." Buckley immediately boasted.
Lightning said: "Speaking of Da Meng, among the super centers, only Da Meng is the true team leader, and the old hooligan is not a good person."
Barkley turned his head and said: "I don't admit this. When I won the championship in 1996, I was the leader, and the two of them supported me."
"Then why did Dameng win the FMVP?" Glider said in disbelief.
"Because I already had it, I gave it to him," Buckley shouted without blushing.
"Haha..." Everyone laughed again.
Lao Zhang patted Lao Wang on the shoulder and said with a smile: "But when it comes to leadership ability, Jordan is one of the best, but Tiejun is not inferior to him at all in this aspect."
Lao Wang said disdainfully: "Brother Zhang, don't brag about him. Jordan is a leader. Do you think Pippen obeys him? Pippen openly believed that the Knicks are O'Neal's team. Doesn't Jordan lose face? He loses face."
Arrive at grandma's house.
Does Cobra Grant obey him? After leaving the Bulls, he never mentioned Jordan. Does Big Chong obey him? The Knicks didn't want a contract of more than two million, but he asked the Jazz for a contract of one million."
Everyone was startled and couldn't help laughing again. Lao Zhang also shook his head helplessly and laughed.
At this time, the competition of another group started.
I was really stimulated by ESPN. The SuperSonics, whose own strength should be much weaker than the Trail Blazers, actually fought hard with the Trail Blazers in the first half, fighting to the death.
Lao Wang said with emotion: "I think the league should thank ESPN. It was ESPN that made teams like the SuperSonics realize their shame and become brave again. These two games can be so exciting."
"Haha..." Several people laughed again.
Almost two hours later, the Knicks defeated the Green Team at home with difficulty. The victory came down to the last second. David Robinson missed the buzzer-beater and the Knicks won the G1 game.
On the other side, the Trail Blazers withstood the attack of the SuperSonics. It was relatively easy to win, but it was not easy either. The victory or defeat came down to the last five minutes.
Although both the Green Team and the SuperSonics lost, their performance was recognized by the media and fans.
Wang Tiejun had to admit that these two teams played bloody games. Although the defeat was honorable, it was impossible for the Knicks and Trail Blazers to advance to the Eastern Conference Finals and the Western Conference Finals without putting in a lot of effort.
At this time, he became more wary of Jazz.
He said to Barkley and others: "I'm sure that both the Knicks and the Trail Blazers will be in a tough fight in the second round."
"The Pioneers should feel relaxed, right?" Su Qun asked.
Lao Wang shook his head and said: "Don't underestimate the SuperSonics. Their lineup is very thick and stronger than the Trail Blazers' bench. Moreover, the main lineup scores very evenly and is very strong on both offense and defense."
