Stoudemire and Marion were worried that once the Suns completed the construction of the new lineup, they might be sold to a team they didn't want to go to. That would be bad, so they urged their agents every day to put pressure on the Knicks.
.
The deal couldn't be completed quickly, and D'Antoni became anxious and began to put pressure on the management.
In the end, due to the pressure from D'Antoni and the three of them, Isaiah Thomas chose to take a step back.
On July 26, a big deal happened.
Suns trade Amar'e Stoudemire for Shawn Marion.
The Knicks paid Jamal Crawford, Trevor Arizacott Thomas, an unprotected first-round pick in 2005 and an unprotected first-round pick in 2007.
After this transaction occurred, the media immediately responded.
"The Smiling Assassin has made great contributions. He single-handedly hollowed out the Suns' championship lineup. With the addition of championship coach D'Antoni, the Knicks will become the most championship-competitive team in the new season." New York Sports.
"The Suns' main lineup in the new season is still strong. Old K, Kenyon Martin, Kurt Thomas, Jamal Crawford, and White Chocolate will still be a championship-level team." Miami Daily.
Barkley accepted an interview with the media and specifically talked about the Suns' transaction, saying: "The Knicks' transaction was indeed successful. Although they paid two unprotected first-round picks in the future, with the current Knicks lineup, this
The value of both picks is not very high, and they are probably among the bottom picks in the first round.
In fact, the Suns are not at a loss. Since the players want to leave, the management cannot keep them, and the management has completed the transaction in advance. I will continue to be optimistic about Old K's team in the future."
…
On July 25, Dayao came to the capital.
Early in the morning on the 26th, Lao Wang and Dayao came to the national team to report.
This year's men's basketball team, the twelve-man roster has been officially released.
Insiders: Wang Tiejun, Yao Min, Wang Zhizhi, Du Feng, Yi Jianlian.
Small forward: Zhu Fangyu, Li Nan.
Defender line: Guo Shiqiang, Zhang Yunsong, Liu Wei, Wang Shipeng, Sun Le.
In addition, the head coach is Mr. Jiang.
It turns out that Liu Yumin wanted to hire a head coach from the NBA and asked Lao Wang to recommend one, but Lao Wang disagreed because the rules of the NBA are different from those of international basketball, so hiring a head coach from there might not be the right thing to do.
After reporting in, Liu Yumin arranged a media conference for the men's basketball team to meet with the media.
According to the above meaning, it must be a bit low-key. After all, the goal of the men's basketball team this time is obvious, which is the gold medal.
The men's basketball team doesn't talk about this gold medal, the Basketball Association doesn't talk about it, and the General Administration doesn't talk about it, but the media has already helped decide it, and people all over the country know it, so it's impossible to keep a low profile. A bunch of reporters are here every day, so it's better to be more generous.
Declare the goal directly.
At the press conference, the men's basketball team officially announced that it will strive for Olympic gold medals in this Olympics.
Later, the men's basketball team began internal training.
This men's basketball gold medal is also the most important gold medal this time, so during the training, people from above came down from time to time to express condolences. Director Yuan, the top leader of the General Administration, came down twice a week, which made everyone nervous.
Time soon came to August, and the Athens Olympics came.
"Old K, we have arrived in Türkiye."
"Be careful, it's not very quiet over there."
On the morning of the 27th, Stoudemire called and said that he and Marion had arrived in Türkiye with Dream Team 6.
Lao Wang naturally understands Stoudemire's thoughts. He understands Stoudemire's departure. Because if Stoudemire does not leave in the past two years, if he delays for another two years and averages more than ten points and a few rebounds per game, his next contract will be worrying.
With his potential and strength, he can produce All-Star statistics on other teams.
However, he still had some objections to Xiao Si and these guys, and he actually ran away without informing him.
"You were right to leave, but it was wrong not to tell me. You little bastards, you know, this is called running away." Lao Wang cursed.
Stoudemire said awkwardly: "Old K, I, I talked with Nash and the others, but we were afraid that you would get angry, so we didn't dare to call you."
"Then you dare to fight now?" Lao Wang said angrily.
Stoudemire hesitated: "Aren't we going to compete in the Olympics? If I don't call now, I'm afraid you'll beat me up when we meet."
"Ha..." Lao Wang shook his head and laughed.
Then Marion also called, and Nash and Joe Johnson also called one after another.
Lao Wang has only one attitude. Since he chooses to leave, he must play in other teams and don't waste his talents.
Time entered August, and on the 3rd, Dabao called Sissi who was filming out of town.
"Sister, my mother has agreed. I am going to Athens to watch the Olympic Games. Are you happy to go with me?"
"But I just joined the team and the filming hasn't started yet?"
"It hasn't been filmed yet? Who is the director? Give him the phone number and I'll ask for leave. Let's see if Wang Dabao's reputation works well in the entertainment industry."
"Don't worry, the Olympics haven't arrived yet..."
"Sister Sissi, please stop fooling me. How many days are there? Which is more important, you filming, or watching the Olympics with me?"
"Dabao, you keep forcing me, I'm so annoyed with you!"
"It's just annoying, you can't beat me now. In two years, I will be taller than you, hehe!"
"Dabao, you are getting more and more outrageous, and you are starting to bully me? Just wait!"
"Stop blabbering and give him the phone quickly."
Over there, Sissi was in a dilemma, holding her cell phone and looking at her mother.
"What's wrong?" Liu Xiaoli asked.
"Dabao wants me to accompany him to Athens to watch the Olympic Games. He wants to ask for leave for me because the filming can't be done." Sissi said as she pressed the microphone.
"Then what else can we do? I'll go find the director. Give me the phone."
Liu Xiaoli took the phone and said enthusiastically to Dabao on the other end of the phone: "Dabao, this is Aunt Liu. Please wait a moment. I'll go talk to Director Du."
"Aunt Liu, please excuse me." Dabao said familiarly.
"Why are you being polite to Aunt Liu?"
Liu Xiaoli found Du Jifeng, pointed to the mobile phone and said: "Director Du, Dabao needs to see you for something. The phone is open. Can you see?"
Du Qifeng was startled and asked in a low voice: "Wang Dabao?"
"certainly."
Liu Xiaoli nodded and handed over the phone.
Du Qifeng felt like he was asking a nonsense question. Who in the entire entertainment industry didn't know the relationship between Liu Yifei and the eldest son of the Wang family of Feige Film and Television? Half of his investment in this movie was Feige. If Dabao wasn't Wang Dabao, which Dabao could he be?
I just don’t know what this little demon king of Fengshen Street wants to do with me?
"Hello, Mr. Wang? Hello, hello, I'm Du Qifeng..." He took the phone and greeted him warmly, just like he was greeting an adult.
He had to be enthusiastic because Wang Dabao had such a high status in the entertainment industry. He was not only the eldest son of Feige, but also the first-tier celebrities in the Mainland. At least half of the ten big names in the entertainment industry were Wang Dabao's connections.
Among the top celebrities in Hong Kong, such as Cheng Long, Li Lianjie and others, they are also Wang Dabao's connections.
He is the operating president of China Star. His boss Long Wu has a very good relationship with Wang Dabao's family. Many of the company's movies are released in Hollywood through the Wang family's relationship, so he and his boss behind him can also be regarded as Wang Dabao's connections.
.
As for Hollywood, because of the K-era club, Wang Dabao knows all the famous stars, and his network of contacts may be wider than in China.
If he offends this kid who is less than ten years old, especially if this kid is still a little devil who gets into trouble every day, there will definitely be unexpected troubles waiting for him. Fei Ge does not need to do anything, he can do a lot of things with his personal connections.
Even his boss Mr. Long Wu would not let him offend this doll.
Even though he is considered a great director, he is still a bit weak when facing this eight-year-old baby.
"Director Du, I'm Wang Dabao, excuse me! By the way, I heard from my sister that the investment in this drama is 300 million yuan, which is too little. My sister's heroine, 300 million yuan is not enough. If you make the scene bigger, I
Give you another 200 million?"
Du Qifeng was confused, what does Wang Dabao mean by this? Is Feige going to check my account?
"Don't dare, don't dare, Mr. Wang, the investment in this drama is enough and it won't exceed the budget. I'll keep an eye on it every day."
"You're welcome. I don't ask my mother or father to get money. I have money myself. I have shares in several companies in the K era. I can't spend the billions in dividends every year. I personally watched Uncle Cheng Long's movie last year.
I invested 30 million and made a lot of money. Next year, Uncle Li is going to shoot Huo Yuanjia, and I am also going to invest 100 million to let my sister be the heroine."
Du Qifeng is really a loser. Young Master, are you here to show off your wealth?
"Well, Director Du, my summer homework is a bit difficult. I need my sister to give me some advice. Do you think it's okay to ask for a month's leave for her?"
Du Qifeng was speechless. Your excuse is too fake. Can you seriously think of an excuse, such as going to Athens to watch the Olympics?
Even if the film itself was Fei Ge's film, it wouldn't hurt to film Liu Yifei's scenes later. He didn't want to offend Wang Dabao, so he agreed without hesitation: "Okay, I'll film other people's scenes first.
Save your sister’s scene for last.”
"Refreshing! Director Du, I have nothing to say. If you need investment in the future, don't look for Feige, just look for me. I will invest for you. If your movie wants to be released in the United States, I will take care of it. I am very familiar with Hollywood.
, you don’t need to find my mother’s Feige, I will throw a party for you at the K-era Club, from promotion to theaters, one-stop service. Let me tell you, Director Du, my parents didn’t even say a word to me at the club.
My words worked, my second aunt has always managed the club, and my second aunt loves me the most."
Du Qifeng smiled bitterly, is Wang Dabao going to start his own business?
After hanging up the phone, he politely said to Liu Xiaoli: "Sister Liu, did you hear that?"
"Thank you then." Liu Xiaoli nodded and smiled.
He said hesitantly: "Originally, it was ready, but Yifei can't take the photo, and the progress will be affected to some extent. There is no problem on my side, but I don't know about Yu Dong..."
"Don't worry, Director Du. Feihong promised Dabao to let him go to Athens to watch the Olympic Games. She must know that Dabao will ask Yifei to accompany him. These two children have been together since they were young and can't live without each other. I'll give her a call now.
"Liu Xiaoli said.
"Well, that's troublesome." Du Qifeng said.
Not long after, Sissi left the set in a nanny car.
On August 6, the first batch of members of the Chinese Olympic delegation set off for Athens, including the men's basketball team.
Lao Wang took the men's basketball team on the plane. As soon as he entered the cabin, he saw several weightlifters. In front of him were several gymnasts, several Olympic champions and world champions. Further on, there was the diving dream team headed by Guo Jingjing.
team, and further on, the men's and women's table tennis teams.
"Old K."
"elder brother."
"Brother K."
"Comrade Lao Wang."
Participating in the Olympics for the third time, he is an absolute veteran in the national team. He is almost the oldest among all athletes. There are very few over thirty years old. After all, he is probably the veteran Wang Yifu of the shooting team who is older than him.
Big, as we passed by, the athletes sitting there started to greet us one after another.
He said with a smile: "I have chased you for two Olympic Games. It depends on this one time. If I can't win the gold medal this time, I won't take a flight with you Olympic champions in the next Olympics. It's really bad."
Sorry!"
Guo Jingjing smiled and said: "Brother K, next time it is the BJ Olympics, our home stadium, there is no need to fly."
Lao Wang was stunned, glared at Guo Jingjing, and said, "Girl, do you think we have no hope of winning this time?"
"Haha..." The cabin burst into laughter.
"No, no!"
Guo Jingjing smiled and waved her hands quickly.
After arriving in Athens, in addition to the embassy, FIBA also sent people to pick him up at the airport.
The Chinese team won bronze and silver medals in the previous two Olympic Games. It is very strong and has the best player in basketball and several NBA players. This time the Olympic team was rated as the first team by most media in the world, and the evaluation is not there.
Under the Dream Six teams, they are the favorites to win the championship.
In order to promote basketball, FIBA has carried out a lot of publicity. As the first person in basketball, Lao Wang is of course the focus of FIBA's publicity.
The next day, FIBA came to visit and asked Wang to take a lot of promotional photos.
On the 10th, Lao Wang had just had breakfast with his teammates and was about to go to training when suddenly Marion called.
"Old K, it's over, it's over, we are being targeted by terrorists, damn, it's too scary!"
"What's going on? Sean, are you dead? No, are you injured?"
"Nono, I'm fine. I'm not dead or injured. Just now, a hotel next to our hotel was bombed. It's too bad. There have been explosions here and there in the past few days. I heard that more than 60 people were killed.
It's too dangerous here, I'm going to consider quitting the national team."
"Really? Sean, you're lucky. Come back to the United States quickly, otherwise your hotel may be bombed next time."
"No way. We are still 6 kilometers away from the hotel where the explosion occurred. It shouldn't be aimed at us."
"What the hell, are you talking about 6 kilometers away?"
"Well, Lao K, I used an exaggeration technique. It was actually very close. The sound of the explosion was very loud and we all heard it. And as you know, we visited the area nearby yesterday. It is a scenic spot. Oh,
We are so lucky that we didn’t stay in a hotel over there, God bless!”
"Okay, if anyone wants to leave, please tell me. I am very concerned about your safety."
"Now the embassy is here, many officials are here, we are moving out, and in a few hours we will have a warm-up match with Turkey, this damn place!"
"Idiot, answer the question I just asked. Who wants to go back to the United States?"
"Maddie may want to leave, but no one else wants to leave at the moment."
"Is he the only one? You are so brave. I hope the terrorists will not come to find you tomorrow."
"Old K, don't scare me. I'm still standing on the street in shorts, and so are they."
"Haha, then I wish you good luck."
…
At noon on the 10th, Wang Dabao, who had kicked out all his summer vacation homework and the homework left by his second aunt, finally boarded the plane with the two assistants and bodyguards arranged by Sissi and Yu Feihong.
On the 12th, the day before the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games, the US men's basketball team finally arrived in Athens.
At this time, the Chinese men's basketball team was meeting to discuss the group stage situation.
The Olympic Games put too much emphasis on the gold medal of the men's basketball team, and Captain Yuan personally attended the meeting.
Twelve teams are divided into two groups, A. The members of Group A are Spain, Italy, Argentina, China, New Zealand, Serbia and Montenegro. The members of Group B are Lithuania, Greece, Puerto Rico, the United States, Australia, and Angola.
"This is the situation of grouping. Group A is the real group of death. There is no weak team, so everyone must not be careless and take every group match seriously." After introducing the situation, Liu Yumin said very seriously
said.
Next, leaders at all levels spoke. After Jiang Shuai, as the captain, Lao Wang also said a few words.
He has been in the national team since 1994. It has been ten years now. He has not been the captain since he played in the United States and could not fulfill the captain's responsibilities. However, as he gets older, his qualifications, reputation and status are getting higher and higher.
, it’s impossible not to be the captain, because he doesn’t do it. After the older generation retires, no one in the men’s basketball team dares to be his captain. Not only because of their seniority, but also because they are younger than him, he is the oldest big brother in the men’s basketball team.
In addition to him, Li Nan, who was selected for the national team in 1996, is also a veteran, but he is also one year younger than him and serves as the second captain.
No. 13, opening ceremony.
Lao Wang served as the flag bearer for the 1996 Olympics, and he was also the flag bearer for the 2000 Olympics. This was arranged by Yao Yao.
"Look, my dad, Sister Sissi, have you seen it?"
"I saw it. Uncle is so tall, can you not see it?"
In the stands, when the Chinese delegation came on stage, Dabao saw his father at first sight. Then he jumped, jumped, waved, and shouted as hard as he could. Unfortunately, Lao Wang couldn't hear him at all.
"Isn't this show too boring? It has no sense of high-end, no symbiosis, no allegro, and is not attractive at all. Sister Sissi, I'm sleepy. Let's play for a while."
After watching for a long time, Dabao yawned out of boredom and was too lazy to look any further. He leaned forward, put his legs on the legs of a bodyguard sister next to him, and his upper body fell on Sissi's lap. He hugged her waist and started to sleep.
"Dabao, are you really good at traveling so far to sleep here?" Sissi skillfully hugged Dabao to prevent him from rolling down, and complained helplessly.
After the opening ceremony, the Olympic Games officially kicked off.
The first group match of the men's basketball team is on the 15th, and the opponent is Spain.
Spain has two NBA players, the first is the core Pau Gasol, the No. 3 overall pick in 2001, and the other is Raul Lopez of the Jazz.
In comparison, China has four NBA players, Wang Tiejun, Dayao, Da Zhi, and Zhu Fangyu, as well as two rookies, Yi Jianlian and Sun Le.
Although Spain is very strong, the world's mainstream media and most professional media believe that the Chinese team can win this group stage.
Major gambling companies have opened odds for this game, and most of them are that Spain has higher odds, and they are more optimistic about the Chinese team winning.
"The professionalism of bookmakers deserves our attention. I even think they are more professional than professional media, so we cannot let them down. We must win this game."
Lao Wang waved a stack of newspapers in his hand, shouted something, and then shouted to his teammates: "Brothers, who hasn't placed a bet yet? Hurry up and don't waste the opportunity to make money."
"Snatch!"
There was a knock on the door, and Lao Wang turned around to see Liu Yumin standing at the door with a dark face, looking at him helplessly and saying: "Tie Jun, don't mess around, it will have a bad impact."
Lao Wang laughed and said hurriedly: "It's just a joke, Director Liu, don't take it seriously."
"That's good."
Liu Yumin gave the others a warning look and closed the door from the outside.
"Hurry up, if you want to buy it, hurry up, I'll have someone place a bet." Lao Wang turned around and shouted in a low voice.
Others rushed forward laughing and joking, and the room suddenly became lively.