NBA: Miracle Workers

Chapter 90 Big Contracts and Championships

On Saturday, October 1997, 10, the preseason game was about to start, and the Knicks also gave the players a day off.

After Li You had breakfast, he continued to browse the news in the newspaper. Compared to watching TV, he liked to read text messages.

Ivana, who sneaked out of the school, casually took a look around in the apartment, and noticed that Li You had marked the news about the Apple stock, and then said in a low voice:
"Microsoft bought 1.5 million non-voting shares, but the stock price still hasn't risen. You must lose money, and Apple's stock price may still fall."

Putting down the newspaper, Li You looked at the blond white rabbit in jeans and a red T-shirt, and deliberately teased:
"Has Chapin School started teaching high school students how to trade stocks?"

It seems that she doesn't like being treated like a child, Ivana argues:

"The product is the key. Will you buy Apple's new products? There is no market for their new products."

Looking at the turbulent blond white rabbit, Li You felt that the other party must be overnourished:
"Go to school obediently, and then study stocks when you get to university!"

Li You took out the lady's cigarette that he had prepared, lit it, raised his eyebrows, and handed it over. After a moment of hesitation, Ivana still took it, took two puffs, and coughed again from choking.

Sensing that the blond white rabbit was in a bad mood, Li You was not interested in being a spiritual mentor, so he hooked his hands at him, and whispered in his ear:

"Take me to a good place tonight!"

She seemed to feel that she was making a mistake, but Ivana did not refuse in the end.

Tobacco and alcohol, combined with the blurred nightlife, can always make people forget their troubles.

The New York media also noticed some problems within the Knicks team. Oakley's salary this season is 285 million dollars, and the contribution of the old guy must be far greater than that.

There is nothing wrong with seeking a big contract at the end of his career, but it is difficult for the Knicks to meet the needs of this veteran.

However, unlike Pippen, although Oakley had conflicts with the management, the old guy who adjusted his mood in daily training and preseason games still worked very hard.

After playing in New York for many years, Oakley still has expectations, looking forward to getting a big contract here through his outstanding performance.

On the night of October 10th, Madison Square Garden, 9:92, in the preseason game, the Knicks easily defeated the Celtics.

On the spot MSG commentary seat, "Voice of New York" Marv Albert disappeared, replaced by Mike Breen.

The commentator Marv Albertan, who was caught in the scandal, was fired by MSG. In the new season, New York fans will no longer hear this commentary.

Knicks legend Walter Fraser also appeared on the commentary booth. The legendary guard will partner with Mike Breen to become the Knicks' home commentator for the new season.

The loud cheers from the New York fans at the scene seemed to bring the legend into memory, but Mike Breen suddenly said at this time:
"Lee's state is too good. Compared with last season, he seems to have fully adapted to the intensity of the league's confrontation."

After recovering from the memory, Walter Fraser also praised in a low voice:
"Last season, I witnessed Lee's performance in the playoffs, and the statistics could not fully demonstrate his ability."

"It is worth noting that after increasing the number of shots and playing time, Li's efficiency did not decrease but increased, which shows that Li can digest more possessions!"

"Coach Van Gundy can enrich the team's tactics. Different opponents can play different tactics, which is conducive to the team's championship."

Mike Brin followed suit and nodded. Having watched Li You play on the spot, he fully understood why Hook would award a large sneaker contract:
"Several new aids have performed after their debut. Chris Mills was the Cavaliers' starting forward last season and is currently serving as a substitute for the team."

"A forward player who averages 13.4 points per game, I don't think we need to worry about the firepower of the bench this year."

Walter Fraser was also very satisfied with this, and said with some pride:
"Chris Childs, John Starks, Chris Mills, such an outside combination can even become a starter in some weak teams!"

"The best time for the Knicks to win the championship this year. General manager Glenn Field has done an excellent job. We have enough depth in the lineup."

"."

Last season, he also served as the starter for the Cavaliers. When he arrived at the Knicks, he became a substitute directly. Chris Mills was naturally in a bad mood.

In the starting lineup, Larry Johnson firmly occupies the position of the small forward. This new aid is full of grievances, and he dare not make a sound in the locker room.

In the easy preseason, everyone has a chance. Li You also got to know Chauncey Billups.

Although the Celtics had planned to trade all of these buddies in exchange for Tim Duncan, the deal was quickly rejected by the Spurs.

"This is our great opportunity! I have a hunch that we will win the championship!"

Back in the locker room, Oakley yelled loudly while sitting in his seat, and the new atmosphere group led by Pete Meyers immediately booed:

"The Bulls can't do it, we will win the championship!"

Of course, Li You knew what Oakley was planning. If he won the championship this season, perhaps the management would keep the lineup for it, and a big contract would become within reach:

"We should establish home field advantage in the regular season."

Compared with the louder atmosphere group, Li You simply gave his own suggestion.

At the beginning of the season, the Bulls lacked Pippen, and the record would definitely fluctuate. As long as the Knicks seized the opportunity and widened the gap in winning games in one fell swoop, they could rush to the first position.

Ewing is also very satisfied with his substitute. Chris Dudley is not a rookie. In addition, there is veteran Buck Williams behind him. His internal strength has also increased a lot compared to last season:
"This year we will be able to fight the Christmas War again, and the league has recognized our strength. Li is right, we must seize the two months!"

The gorilla is still the core leader of the team, and he took the initiative to speak out, and he was flattering for a while.

Several new aids are also very convinced of Ewing, the 50 superstars, the four major centers, and the gorilla is a qualified leader most of the time.

Larry Johnson glanced at Li You depressedly. "Auntie" had expected this situation a long time ago. The bald young marshal failed to make any changes, and the gorilla had to continue to be the core.

Alan Houston didn't notice the depressed look on "Auntie"'s face. As long as he can win, he is happy to accept his current role.

Starks also gave encouragement, and for a while, the Knicks atmosphere group simply loaned the championship, and the few people were blowing!
In the next few preseason games, the Knicks worked hard and kept winning. Their excellent state also made New York fans and the media excited.

The Bulls are fighting among themselves, and the Knicks are on the verge of breaking out. It goes without saying who is stronger or weaker.

On October 10th, after the preseason game with the Nets, the New York media began to loan the championship!
It's just that no one pays attention to the Knicks at this time, everyone is waiting for the news of the Bulls, and no one wants to miss out on the melons that can eat Mikou.

This season, Michael Jordan's salary is as high as 3314 million US dollars, which is currently the highest salary in the league!

And Pippen's salary this year is only $278 million, which can be called the second leader of the league's conscience.

The contradictions brought about by the US knife are irreconcilable, and more and more trading rumors appear in the Bulls.

Before the start of each season, MSG will interview the core players of the Knicks.

The main purpose of broadcasting such a program is to let New York fans understand the strength of the team and the status of the core players.

Last season, Li You was just a rookie, so he was naturally not eligible to appear on TV, but the new season is different.

As the star player in the team, with a large amount of sponsorship from Hook, the one on TV became Li You.

The 19th happened to be the weekend, and Li You was wearing a light blue formal suit, and accepted an exclusive interview with MSG. The program was mainly bragging X, and New York fans liked it.

After Mike Breen served as a commentator, he interviewed Li You for the first time:

"Li, can you talk about the goals of the Knicks for the new season? Regardless of external factors, just talk about the changes in the strength of the team."

Of course, Li You knew the preferences of New York fans, and answered confidently after hearing the question:
"Compared to last season, our bench lineup can take on more scoring tasks."

"And expanding the rotation can better control physical fitness. Last season, in the Eastern Conference Finals, physical fitness was also the reason for our loss. At present, this has been improved."

"Our goal is very clear, the championship!"

"I don't think the Knicks are worse than the Bulls. From the perspective of the lineup, we are younger, and the future is destined to belong to young people!"

Walter Fraser on the side was elated when he heard it. As a legend of the team, his butt was already crooked. At this time, he also said cheerfully:

"As Li said, this year is indeed a good opportunity for us to win the championship!"

"I believe Lee will be selected as an All-Star in the new season! Fans in New York, don't forget to vote!"

The 1998 All-Star Game will be held at Madison Square Garden in New York, and Walter Fred can be regarded as helping Li You canvass votes in advance.

The Christmas game, the All-Star game, the new season hasn't started yet, the fans in New York are cheering themselves up!
Coupled with the fact that the major sports media broke the news of the Bulls' infighting from time to time, there were more and more articles about loan championships.

Although the Knicks also have contract issues, they haven't been too troubled this season.

On the morning of October 10th, everyone in the Knicks completed the training session step by step, basically no adjustments in tactics, and continued to use the style of play from last season.

Jeff Van Gundy and the coaching staff are basically on-hook, only occasionally guiding new players to run.

Before the lunch break, everyone began to move around at will. Oakley saw that Ben Wallace was going to go to the iron again, subconsciously shook his head, and then said to Li You beside him:

"Ben is really talented, but it's hard to get too many opportunities in the team at the moment."

"I may not be in the team next year. Help me take care of him for two years. If you can't get a contract by then, forget it."

Li You was a little surprised, the old guy wanted to leave the team for a big contract? :
"We really have a chance to win the championship, and staying with the Knicks is actually a better choice."

Oakley didn't pay attention to Li You's words, but said in a low voice:

"This is the last chance of my career to get a big contract."

"At the age of 34, my physical condition has begun to decline. Once I get injured, I may leave the league."

"Maybe Pat gets preferential treatment, but I don't get that kind of treatment."

"Players make money by playing football, go where there is more money, never cut salary, never compromise with the team!"

Li You nodded, he felt the conflict between the players and the team firsthand.

For a good performance, the players hope to get a considerable salary, and the team naturally wants to squeeze the players in order to make a profit. The memory in his mind tells Li You that the labor agreement will soon go wrong.

Suddenly thinking of his own situation, Li You knew that the future of the Knicks team was poor, but the team was very rich!

"Is it impossible to have both a big contract and a championship?"

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(End of this chapter)