NBA: Miracle Workers

Chapter 120 The beauty brought by influence (daily chapter)
At 1998:6 on June 26, 16, many fans were waiting in front of the TV, waiting for today's "Oprah Winfrey Show".

With the labor agreement still in dispute, many media wanted to interview Michael Jordan to see his attitude. In the end, the local media in Chicago once again took the lead.

Michael Jordan, in a dark gray suit, seems to be in a good mood. Maybe Michael is still looking forward to it, hoping that the Bulls can continue to chase the championship.

After waving to the audience in the studio, there was a burst of cheers. After Michael Jordan took his seat, he found that there was another chair beside him:
"You invited other people today. It seems that I am no longer the protagonist!"

Michael Jordan laughed and joked, and there were yells of "Michael" in the studio again. Even if he didn't win the championship this year, no one blamed him.

Moreover, the fans in Chicago support McDuck even more. They want to see the drama of revenge. Everyone expects the Bulls to win the championship again.

Wearing a purple dress with her head tied up, Oprah waved her hand with a smile, signaling the scene to be quiet, and then said with a smile:

"The youngest MVP of the Finals, Clay-Lee! Mike, I hope you like this episode!"

Li You, who was wearing a black formal suit, also waved to the studio audience, which also aroused cheers from everyone. When he smiled and sat next to Maikou, the booing was even louder.

Michael Jordan rubbed his eyebrows, turned to Oprah and said:

"You invited this little guy?"

Li You didn't care about Maikou's words, instead he said with a smile:
"This is a dialogue between champions!"

The background of the studio is also very interesting. On one side is the scene of Michael Jordan winning five championships, and on the other side is a photo of Li You calmly putting up a finger and pretending to be an X in the Delta Center Arena.

"Let's talk about this year's championship first. I witnessed that 0.9-second lore. At that time, the United Center suddenly became very quiet!"

"Mike, talk about how you felt at that time!"

Oprah was not too polite, she smiled and exposed her scars when she came up, and the booing sounded from the studio, everyone loves to have fun and eat melons.

Michael Jordan smiled and shook his head, then said seriously:
"I admit that I made a mistake. I should have seized the time and should not have left any chance for my opponent."

"That game changed the series, but I believe the Bulls still have a chance to make a comeback. We need to be nervous in the regular season."

"I don't want to make any excuses. Although the Bulls are no longer young, I think our understanding of the game is better, or to another level!"

Michael made a higher gesture, and the atmosphere group in the studio also applauded.

There is no sense of disobedience in losing and blowing X. Noticing that Li You shook his head with a smile, Oprah quickly shouted:
"Li, it seems that you don't agree with Michael's point of view, tell me your opinion on that game!"

Seeing that Maikou was still unconvinced, Li You was not polite and said equally seriously:
"Competitive sports are cruel. They not only require a competitive mentality and tenacious fighting spirit, but also abundant physical fitness."

"I want to thank the Indiana Pacers. Of course, they may also be grateful to me. After all, the Knicks eliminated the Bulls."

The atmosphere group in the studio saw that Michael Jordan began to purse his lips, and then hecked loudly.

"The fact is, the Bulls are too old, and the Knicks are younger. Maybe Mikko has really reached another level, but I will use plenty of energy to bring him back to reality."

"Don't give me a chance, otherwise no matter how many times you fight, I will take away the victory!
"Oh!!"

Everyone followed suit and applauded loudly. Michael Jordan tilted his head, and without Oprah asking questions, he immediately replied:

"Your style of play lacks aggression, and you shoot too many three-pointers. I watched the finals. If Karl Malone hits a free throw, it's hard to win the championship!"

Once again, he teased the unlucky Malone, and everyone laughed. He missed key free throws for two consecutive years, and Malone became the object of everyone's ridicule during the offseason.

Although the media have recently started "what if", but Li You didn't care, and continued to respond with a smile:

"But in the end I won the game, I won the championship, I didn't care how many three-pointers I shot, I won anyway!"

Noticing what else Miko wanted to say, Li You smiled and sped up his speech, teasing:

"What I want to say is that not every player has extraordinary talent like Michael!"

"Bang!" "Bang!"

"Continuously relying on low positions, then ignoring the defense, quickly turned around towards the bottom line, finished leaning back in the air, and easily stuck out his tongue!"

"Then stay in shape, watch the opponent fall, take the shot calmly, then the basketball falls into the basket, and pat the defender after landing!"

"Don't provoke Black Jesus!"

"NO! He is the only one in the league who plays like this, and my style of play is more universal."

"I hope young people will be inspired after watching this year's playoffs. As long as the ball is put into the basket, three-pointers can kill the game!"

Li You imitated Mike's expression, which caused the atmosphere group in the studio to burst into laughter. Michael Jordan shook his head with a smile, and immediately asked back:
"Listen, young players must maintain the ability to think independently!"

"50% [-]-point shooting? Universal? Are you serious?"

Seeing that the two continued to choke, Oprah put her forehead on her face, laughed and said:

"OK! Let's take a break and be back soon!"

"."

Fans were entertained on Friday afternoon's episode of "The Oprah Winfrey Show."

The two refused to give in to each other in the show, and their completely different basketball concepts also made the people who eat melons happy.

While learning about Li You's "superstar standard childhood", Michael Jordan also expressed his wishes:
"I want to win another championship!"

This is the first time Michael Jordan has spoken publicly since Phil Jackson's departure.

Chicago fans were overjoyed. They wanted to see the Bulls keep the lineup and keep playing. They wanted to see the sixth championship banner raised over the United Center arena.

It is a pity that after this program was broadcast, the media reporters did not interview the Bulls management. Obviously, the two sides have different ideas.

The Bulls owner still has a negative attitude towards continuing to spend a lot of money to let Mike play.

There was a tacit agreement among everyone on the show that the issue of labor agreements was not mentioned.

Michael Jordan will not accept a salary cut. This is the will of the players union. As the most successful superstar, Michael must take the lead.

As the newly promoted FMVP, Li You naturally wants a super maximum salary similar to Kevin Garnett.

The players are all in the same camp. Everyone just wants to make a lot of money, limit salaries, and reduce salaries. Those are bad strategies and the product of compromise.

After the show, there will naturally be a social dinner. The Drink, a fashion nightclub founded just last year in downtown Chicago, has become the first choice for everyone.

There is a luxury bar, a spacious dance floor, a private lounge, and fancy cocktails. After its opening, it attracted many celebrities.

The Bulls' management staff is also there, and this is an opportunity for Michael Jordan to ease the relationship with the opponent.

Hook's Mark Parker has not been promoted or raised recently, but the signing of Li You has also given him unanimous praise internally.

At this time, this man was chatting with a certain professor from the University of Chicago Law School. The black professor who likes basketball has always been a loyal fan of Mike.
"Let's listen to the opinions of those who have experienced it. Li, don't you want to go to law school? The University of Chicago is also a good choice!"

Mark Parker, who was holding a glass of wine, greeted Li You, tilted his head and signaled him to go to the dance floor and let him accompany this enthusiastic fan.

The scene was not noisy, and the music did not keep chanting sutras like black nightclubs.
The law school professor in casual attire looked amiable, smiling and clinking glasses with Li You:
"I really want to see Miko's finale. Seriously, I watched G4 in front of the TV and didn't eat all day!"

"But I like to see different types of young stars grow up, Lee, congratulations on winning the championship!"

When Li You saw this, the memory in his mind rolled over, and after clinking glasses, he also joked:
"Imperfection may also be a good thing, and everyone may be able to watch him continue to play again!"

As soon as the two finished talking, Michael Jordan, who was a little drunk, came here, put his arms around the shoulders of the two and said loudly:

"Damn choice! Come play golf with me for a few days!"

Seemingly falling out with the Bulls' management again, Michael simply stopped thinking about it and decided to indulge in the world of golf.

Li You glanced at the Bulls personnel leaving behind him, and suddenly realized one thing:

"No player can be above management, not even No.1 in history"

In the past few days at the end of June, major sports media finally captured Michael Jordan's presence.

At Lemonte's Cagliari Country Golf Club, Mikko held a charity golf tournament, inviting friends and celebrities, but did not give interviews for several days.

The blue sky, white clouds and green grass, the beautiful environment can really make people feel happy.

Li You, who is not good at the game, plays soy sauce all the way, which makes Michael Jordan very happy. It seems that when he sees Li You stretching his legs, Michael Jordan is in a good mood.

Charles Barkley, with his twitching swing, became the joy of everyone
At the beginning of June, Glider Drexler officially announced his retirement, and the old Big Three disintegrated. Considering Olajuwon's state, Barkley may have to grow his thighs.

Unlike Li You, who played soy sauce, Barkley came to Chicago mainly to recruit Pippen, the second head of conscience.

Barkley, who also has great skills, will also chat with Li You, but this guy has no idea of ​​joining the Knicks:

"I'm not interested in playing with Oakley, he doesn't like me, and I hate him!"

Li You, who was playing soy sauce, helped the white hat on his head, and wished the veteran who was still chasing the championship by the way:

"Perhaps you will succeed in recruiting this time, but I am not optimistic about your cooperation! I wish you good luck!"

"."

Playing golf is of course just a pastime, this kind of activity is mainly for making friends.

Everyone knows that Li You has recently signed a bunch of endorsements, and has become a walking beauty. Identity is very important, but beauty is also very important.

At least everyone will give him a smile, even if he is from New Mexico, no one is laughing at Li You.

Playing golf during the day, gambling and playing cards at night, gathering people to play ball when bored, and having a silver party after drinking high.

For a whole week, Li You couldn't stand it no matter how energetic he was.

On July 1998, 7, Priority Sport headquarters on LS Street in Chicago.

Manager Mark Bartelstein watched Li You sign contracts one after another with blank eyes, and kept imagining the future:

"This is just a preliminary cooperation. Everyone likes New York very much. For sponsors, this is the best city to advertise."

"We will continue to receive sponsorships. It's time for you to hire an assistant. I don't want to receive reminders of breach of contract. Li, you need to pay attention too!"

McDonald's is the most generous, with 3 million US dollars in three years, and there are many specific requirements, and the contract includes incentive clauses.

Every time a new product is released, Li You has to cooperate with the shooting of an advertisement, and then cooperate with participating in the activities organized by McDonald's:

McDonald's All-High School All-Star Game, McDonald's Training Camp, McDonald's Charity Game, etc.
Pepsi is also very generous, at least more generous than Sprite. After becoming the official beverage sponsor of the NFL, the other party continued to throw money, 5 million US dollars in five years, part of which was a reward clause.

There are no requirements for Spalding's basketball contract, just a pat advertisement, a simple five-year $5 million.

Some clothing and cars are just gifts. Dodge had a good performance in the French Rally in early June, caught up with the Knicks to win the championship, and sent a new "championship" commemorative edition car.

After Li You signed these contracts, he saw that there were still many on the side, and then looked at the Nintendo contract in his hand. He was a little confused for a while:

"I can understand game companies. Why do these high-calorie food companies believe that athlete endorsement products will have a positive impact on sales?"

Mark Bartelstein shrugged. For perfectly rational people like them, buying food is only about taste and ingredients:

"Perhaps if the tastes are not too different, fans will support their stars?"

"."

As for the beautiful knives sent by sponsors, after being selected by Mark Bartelstein, Li You refused to accept them.

After a busy morning, Li You, who was preparing for lunch at noon, got up and tidied up his clothes. Looking at his dark circles in the mirror, he couldn't help rubbing the center of his brows:

"I was hurt by alcohol again, and I have to quit drinking during the offseason."

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(End of this chapter)