Basketball Legends: Strikers Are King

After the 2011 draft ended, the off-season free market began to surge.

Nowitzki, who single-handedly defeated the Heat's Big Three in the Finals, did not guarantee a complete championship lineup in the summer. Tyson Chandler, Caron Butler, Barea and Brewer successively

leave.

Qi Tian also successfully impressed the Pacers through training and signed a 4-year rookie contract with the team worth 2.5 million US dollars, of which the first two years are partially guaranteed and the last two years are not guaranteed.

Qi Tian's annual salary in his rookie season is only US$540,000, and whether he can get the full annual salary depends on the team manager's face.

For comparison, Kyrie Irving, the No. 1 pick in 2011, had a four-year, $24.02 million contract, with the final two years being team options.

This is the difference between first-round picks and second-round picks. When signing the contract, the first-round pick's contract is guaranteed for two years. If the team's expectations are not met during these two years, the team can break out of the contract and let the rookie become a rookie.

A free man, the truly free kind;

Second-round picks can only get partially guaranteed contracts, and the length of time and salary depend on the team. If they are not careful, they will disappear from the league.

"Fortunately, we have finally gained a foothold!"

Qi Tian was in a good mood. On the day he signed the contract, he and Jack went to have a big meal together, with Jack paying the bill.

However, his good mood did not last long, and he received a shocking news:

Because the salary issue could not be negotiated, the league was suspended!

"real or fake?"

Qi Tian threw down the napkin in his hand and looked at Jack, who was still on the phone.

Jack gave him a reassuring look, and after listening to the call, he said to Qi Tian:

"Seven, there is a saying that 'Heaven will confer a great responsibility on...'. Why does it come from?"

Qi Tian was not in the mood to answer him, but asked for specific details.

Jack coughed lightly and explained to him.

It turns out that due to the increase in broadcast rights fees, the league's revenue has increased rapidly, but the players' salaries have not matched it. The players' union, as a representative, has put forward opinions to the league and the owners, wanting to increase prices.

Naturally, capital did not want to increase expenditures, so it vetoed the players' union's proposal. Unexpectedly, the players' union was not interested in making a living, so it immediately organized a strike.

The league could only appeal to the labor arbitration institution, but the arbitration institution failed to help both parties reach a consensus.

"This is not a good thing for you."

Jack looked at his employer and made a judgment.

"How to say?"

Jack whispered:

"This shutdown has actually started in May. It seems that a consensus will not be reached in the short term."

He made the point:

"Once the suspension lasts too long, it will inevitably affect the summer league and preseason games, and it is even possible to start the regular season directly."

Qi Tian understood what he meant and said uneasily:

"If there is no summer league and preseason, then I can only try my best to get playing time in the regular season."

Jack nodded and said:

"And if the schedule is affected, you will have fewer opportunities to play."

"Then isn't this broken?"

Seeing Qi Tian's anxious look, Jack shook his head and said:

"Didn't I say that for you, it's not necessarily a good thing, but it's not necessarily a bad thing either."

"why is that?"

Jack whispered:

"Once the schedule is affected, the density of games will inevitably increase. In order to avoid injuries to the team's main players, the coach is likely to let them rest. In this way, the playing time of substitutes and even role players in back-to-back games will increase. This is

Your chance!"

"As long as you can quickly adapt to NBA-level defense and perform well, this lockout will be an opportunity for you."

Qitian suddenly realized.

After all, he is an experienced agent who is keenly aware of the opportunities hidden behind the shutdown.

Jack held Qi Tian's hand and said:

"Whether you can soar into the sky, or even whether I can follow you into the sky, depends on this season!"

Qi Tian excitedly held his agent in his arms and said:

"Don't worry Jack, I will definitely be able to enter the rotation and even become a starter!"

The two of them looked at each other and nodded before getting up and leaving.

A waiter carrying a plate was stunned for a moment when he saw the two of them, and quickly supported:

"Congratulations, you must have the courage to face yourself."

The two of them didn't know why. When they lowered their heads and saw their hands holding each other, they immediately knew that the waiter had misunderstood.

They laughed, first firmly let go of their hands, and then ran away in the eyes of the waiter's blessing.

…

As expected, the lockout affected the new season. It was not until early November that labor and management reached a consensus and the regular season was shortened from the previous 82 games to 66 games.

Many players who had nothing to do took advantage of the opportunity and went overseas to play ball. The number exceeded 70.

Due to successive losses in the playoffs, New Orleans Hornets point guard Chris Paul decided to leave the team. The Los Angeles Lakers immediately made a big gamble and offered Odom and Gasol in an attempt to let Paul and Kobe form the strongest perimeter in the new era.

combination.

However, the former owner of the Hornets was in deep trouble. He had already put the team up for sale, and the management rights were temporarily returned to the league. Other teams did not want a powerful team to suddenly appear in the league, so they unanimously rejected the deal.

Under Stern's famous "basketball reasons" announcement, the deal for Paul and Kobe to join forces went bankrupt before it could take shape.

Soon after, Paul was successfully traded to Los Angeles, but his new club was the Los Angeles Clippers.

After Christmas in 2011, on December 26, the long-awaited opening game of the new season will finally begin.

The opening game of the new Pacers will start on the 27th. The opponent is the eternal little player in the league-the Detroit Pistons.

…

Qi Tian, ​​who has been training alone for two months, finally received the notice that the entire Pacers team will begin a month-long team training in September to prepare for the preseason games and games that arrived in a hurry but too late.

Preparing for the regular season.

Kent informed Qi Tian of the news and said to him with a smile:

"Aren't you a little lonely during these two months of training?"

In rookie training, in addition to the rookies of this season, there are often rookies from the previous season. Three or five people are together so that they don't look lonely.

It's just that the Pacers' second-year rookies, George and Stephenson, have already entered the rotation, so they have the confidence to miss rookie training.

Qi Tian naturally knows that he can't compare with the other two yet. He is still working hard for his rookie contract.

After Kent left, Qi Tian practiced for another hour before packing up and returning to his apartment.

"The whole team is training. I've been waiting for a long time."