I’m Really Playing Basketball

In fact, Chen Xiao was not the only big fish in the NBA free market in 2005.

For example, the contracts of the two leading players of the Bucks, Ray Allen and Michael Reid, have expired this year.

For example, O'Neal, the head player of the Suns, can also jump out of his contract.

But there is no doubt that after the NBA Finals, all the teams in the NBA put their focus on Chen Xiao.

On June 21, 2005, the NBA Finals had only ended for five days.

The Ritz-Carlton, Cleveland was already full at this time.

Why do you say that?

Because at this time, the general managers of all NBA teams gathered in Cleveland.

And these general managers not only came by themselves, but also brought the head coaches of their respective teams, and even the head players.

For example, Danny Ainge, the general manager of the Boston Celtics, brought Celtics head coach Jim O'Brien and the team's leading player Paul Pierce to Cleveland early.

And the Celtics general manager not only brought people, but also brought a bunch of team tactical information. This was something Jim O'Brien and the famous Celtics coaches couldn't endure. Know how many special tactics and styles of play were designed for Chen Xiao day and night.

In order to be able to prostitute Chen Xiao for free this time, Danny Anji felt that his hair had turned gray these days.

For Danny Ainge, Chen Xiao is the future of the Celtics he is desperately looking for.

As long as they can get Chen Xiao, the Celtics will surely bloom again in his hands.

However, what makes Danny Ainge a little embarrassed is that he came to Cleveland with such a pile of information and so many people to meet Chen Xiao, but was rejected by Chen Xiao's agent Fei Gen. Let me tell you that Chen Xiao’s cell phone has been turned off and he is currently taking a break after the finals.

As for the next family matter, Chen Xiao doesn't think about it now.

This was said very politely, and Danny Ainge could see that Fagan did not object to Chen Xiao going to the Celtics.

As an agent for an NBA superstar, no one can resist the temptation to go to a big city.

The Boston Celtics are a big team in a big city.

This is the Celtics' advantage.

Therefore, although Danny Ainge is anxious now, he feels that he still has a chance.

Unlike some teams, Fagan didn't even offer this possibility and rejected it directly and tactfully.

For example, the Atlanta Hawks, Charlotte Bobcats, New Orleans Hornets, Memphis Grizzlies, etc., are teams like yours worthy of having the No. 1 player in the NBA?

The first person in the NBA must of course have an identity and status that belongs to the first person.

Have you ever seen an emperor living in a thatched house?

Have you ever seen a country’s capital choose a village?

Therefore, these days, as Chen Xiao's agent, Fagan has been staying here, constantly chatting and communicating with the general managers of some major NBA teams.

For example, Lakers general manager Kupchak, such as Seattle SuperSonics general manager Rick Sander, such as Houston Mosaics general manager Dawson, etc.

Now in the Ritz-Carlton Hotel, the general managers of all NBA teams are also divided into three, six, and nine grades.

The team closest to Fagan is considered by media reporters from all over the United States and the world who are also gathered here at this time to be the team with the most hope of acquiring Chen Xiao.

Among the teams in this circle, there is no doubt that the Los Angeles Lakers are considered the most promising team to get Chen Xiao.

Pete Vickers, a senior columnist for the New York Post, believed in a radio interview that if Chen Xiao were to leave the Cavaliers, his next stop would definitely be the Lakers.

"If Wonder Boy is going to go somewhere else, then I think he's going to go to the Lakers because Los Angeles is going to offer him a lot of money, and you know what Los Angeles means to America, to the world, and everything here. The exposure and fame you get are unmatched by other small cities.”

"Of course, you can say that New York can provide all this for Wonder Boy, but man, L.A. has Kobe, L.A. has Boozer, what does New York have? Of course, we know that Wonder Boy and Crawford have a good relationship as well. , However, this is not the same level. The Wonder Boy can compete for the championship immediately after going to Los Angeles, but when he goes to New York, he may not win anything."

Vickers said very confidently when talking about Chen Xiao's home.

In fact, Wicksay's remarks were the most mainstream voice at this time when there were rumors about Chen Xiao's next home.

In fact, the Lakers are also the team Feigen suggested Chen Xiao to go to.

"Chen, Kupchak assured me that if you can come to the Lakers, you will not be Kobe's successor. You should understand what this means."

Of course, Chen Xiao understood that as long as he went to the Lakers, he would at least have a chance to compete with Kobe for the boss on an equal footing.

It can be said that the owner of the Lakers, Buss Sr., and the general manager of the Lakers, Kupchak, are very enthusiastic and sincere.

But, after Feigen said that, Chen Ling remained silent.

Because Boss Kobiko never called him.

His personal phone number was not turned off.

And Boss Ke has his personal phone number.

It was obvious that Ke Boss didn't call him when all his friends on the private phone called him.

Boss Ke doesn’t want Chen Xiao to go to the Lakers.

(PS: This is not made up by a fisherman. Before Garnett went to the Celtics, his first choice was the Lakers, because Garnett felt that he and Kobe had a good relationship. They admired each other and should be good partners. So Garnett called Kobe, but Kobe didn't answer. It was Garnett who called more than 20 times, but Kobe didn't answer. Faced with the temptation of being teammates with Garnett, Kobe chose Silence, such silence is of course rejection, but Kobe didn't want to hurt his and Garnett's feelings and chose to refuse. Kobe later apologized to Garnett, and Garnett also accepted Kobe's apology. We are still good friends. Why did Kobe refuse to cooperate with Garnett? I think Kobe was jealous of his talent. He just left a fat guy. The boss position is not yet popular and a new competitor came in. Of course I don’t want it. I deduct 1. I think Kobe Although I want to be successful, but I don’t bother to win the championship in such a group way, I am proud to deduct 2. If I feel that I have both, I will deduct 3.)

Since Boss Ke didn't welcome him to the Lakers, Chen Xiao certainly wouldn't go.

However, the people outside didn't know what Chen Xiao was thinking, and they were still hyping up the news that Chen Xiao would soon announce that he would join the Lakers.

And Lakers general manager Kupchak and Lakers coach Byron Scott have become the most dazzling stars of the Ritz-Carlton Hotel.

To be honest, with so many NBA general managers living in the Ritz-Carlton Hotel, Kupchak has indeed become the envy of many people now.

Danny Ainge, on the other hand, is of course very upset to see the media from all over the United States and even the world surrounding Kupchak.

This guy acted as if he had already got Chen Xiao.

Danny Ainge was very disdainful of this.

but……

"He must have gotten a promise from that Fagan guy!"

With Danny Angie's IQ, of course he can guess this.

Feigen did promise Kupchak to help persuade Chen Xiao.

Fegan is indeed with Kupchak on this matter.

This is very important to Kupchak.

In the NBA, agents can make decisions about players.

So, although Chen Xiao hasn't met him yet, Kupchak feels that his hopes are really great.

Seriously, Kupchak hasn't been successful with the Lakers since he kicked his teacher Jerry West out of the Lakers to take over as the general manager of the Lakers.

After sending O'Neal away and getting Kidd, the highly anticipated Corgi combination failed, which put Kupchak under great pressure in the Lakers.

Historically, because of Kobe's success in leading the Lakers, it became a classic for Buss and Kupchak to retain Kobe over O'Neal and Kobe.

But now, they receive boos from Lakers fans every day.

Old Buss is the boss, so he doesn't have to bear any blame. But as the team's general manager, Kupchak's pressure can be imagined. He has to shoulder the blame, and the boss's blame must also be shouldered.

Kupchak now urgently needs a masterpiece of his career as Lakers general manager.

Gasol, who traded Jason Kidd to the Grizzlies, was tricked by his teacher Jerry West. This cannot be regarded as his masterpiece.

Seriously, after understanding Jerry West's intentions, Kupchak regrets his decision to trade Kidd every day.

Chen Xiao!

When he sent Kidd and Battle away, he really gave away a golden opportunity!

If he hadn't traded Kidd with the Grizzlies, he wouldn't have to worry at all now.

With Kobe, Kidd, Battle and Boozer lined up like this, how could Chen Xiao refuse to join?

However, although the decision to trade Kidd was wrong, it was so wrong that Bass criticized him for getting rid of Chen Xiao if he couldn't get him back.

But, fortunately, there is another village where there is a bright future.

Although Jerry has a high IQ, how could Fagan allow Chen Xiao to leave Cleveland and go to the Grizzlies?

Behind Fagan and Chen Xiao, Nike is finally looking forward to Chen Xiao leaving the Cavaliers. This time, he will definitely go to a big city and a big market.

The big market in a big city may not mean that much to Chen Xiao, but it means a lot to Nike, Feigen and the others.

Therefore, they will definitely stand firmly on their side.

In other words, Chen Xiao is surrounded by all my people!

"So, Jerry, what are you going to fight me with!"

Looking at Jerry West who came in from the outside with a somewhat unsightly face at this time, Kupchak's face lit up.

Of course he knew where Jerry West was.

Chen Xiao now refuses to answer all calls.

After they came here, they could only wait to be received by Chen Xiao, they would not be able to meet Chen Xiao's people.

However, Chen Xiao also promised them that no matter which team he joins, he will make a decision before the draft.

In this case, they were all willing to wait here, waiting for Chen Xiao's interview.

After all, this person is Chen Xiao!

And the price they got for Chen Xiao, the number one player in the league, was almost zero.

Cavaliers owners Gund and Paxson have announced to the media that the Cavaliers will unconditionally support Chen Xiao's choice.

Chen Xiao can go wherever she wants, and they will not set any conditions.

This decision of the Cavaliers has not only received strong support from the players and fans of the Cavaliers, but has also been praised by the entire NBA.

Isn't this a noble act?

The opportunity to get Chen Xiao at no cost is not just waiting, but what the heck, let alone before the draft, even before the start of the season, they are willing to wait.

Of course, for most teams in the NBA, they can only wait here honestly for Chen Xiao's interview. However, not everyone is like this, and some people can have other ways. .

For example, on the first day he came here, the head coach of the Kings, Adelman, got the opportunity to meet Chen Xiao privately through Peja's relationship and went to Chen Xiao's home to meet him.

For example, Doc Reeves, the head coach of the Magic, brought Ginobili to meet with Chen Xiao on the first day by virtue of his status as Chen Xiao's senior at Marquette University.

Yes, Chen Xiao has many close friends in the NBA, and these close friends have the right to visit Chen Xiao's house freely, and they can bring their friends to visit.

And today is the fifth day after the finals, and it is also the third day they have come here.

On this day, the first person to visit Chen Xiao's house was Jerry West, through the relationship between Battelle and Kidd.

Jerry West had the opportunity to visit Chen Xiao's house.

Looking at the look on Jerry West's face at this time, Kupchak is not stupid, Mr. Jerry must have failed this time.

Mr. Jerry with such a good eloquence, in the end, he still can't match the small market of Memphis.

To be honest, Mr. Jerry chose to join the Grizzlies, which he did not expect.

Although he knows that Mr. Jerry is a person who likes challenges.

But the difficulty of leading the rise of the Grizzlies is probably as difficult as leading the rise of a team like the Warriors and Clippers.

Whoever can lead the current Grizzlies, Warriors, Clippers or Bobcats to rise will be recorded in the annals of NBA history.

However, although Kupchak was laughing in his heart, he still greeted him with great respect on his face.

Kupchak and Jerry West, who were chatting at this time, did not notice the envious and jealous eyes of Danny Ainge next to them.

After Danny Ainge and others watched Kupchak and Jerry West chatting with envy and jealousy, he glanced angrily at Pierce next to him.

He hates this big ass so much!

Wonder Boy wanted to be your friend, but you guy with a head that reaches up to his butt actually refused!

Well now, it has hindered our chances of getting the Wonder Boy and the progress of our Celtics' rise.

If I can't get Wonder Boy this time, I will definitely trade you this season!

To be fair, Danny Ainge has traded Pierce countless times.

Last season, Pierce was offered to trade for Chris Paul, whom he admired very much, but was ultimately rejected by Jordan.

Chris Paul was Jordan's bait, how could he be traded away?

It can be said that Danny Ainge trades Pierce every season.

However, what is surprising is that it has never been traded.

Faced with such a look from his general manager, Pierce snorted coldly in his heart while being disdainful.

He also had strong objections to Danny Ainge, the executioner who traded away his brother Antoine Walker.

Therefore, he didn't have any fear in Danny Ainge's eyes.

Seriously, if it weren't for the request of Russell and the others, do you think he would be willing to come here and be received and reviewed by Chen Xiao like a minion?

With the return of Jerry West, the atmosphere at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel, which had been anxious and uneasy, suddenly became lively.

At this time, the Chinese reporters at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel looked at these high-ranking NBA bosses who were all excited, anxious, anxious, and uneasy about Chen Xiao's affairs. Everyone's face was full of " That kind of pride and satisfaction.

"When will we Chinese be able to influence the entire NBA situation like this?"

It has to be said that with Chen Xiao's success in the NBA, the national pride of the entire country has greatly increased.

The success of Chen Xiao and Yao Ming Battle in the NBA has really brought too many things.

And just when Jerry West came back and the Ritz-Carlton Hotel was bustling with activity, suddenly, an American reporter exclaimed loudly.

"Wonder Boy has made a decision!"

"Wonderboy posted on Facebook!"

"Wonder Boy has made his decision!"

As the American reporter shouted, everyone in the Ritz-Carlton started looking for their laptops.

For a moment, all the NBA-related personnel at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel who were already in a hurry were shocked, quiet, and looked at Chen Xiao's Facebook in disbelief.

That was a text picture that affected the entire NBA and the entire world!

“The last few days have been the most challenging days of my career.

I knew I was facing a crossroads in my career and life, and it was a particularly difficult choice.

What I couldn't really understand were the various emotional and profit considerations I would face during this process.

There are too many different options around me for me to choose from, and there are too many voices around me telling me what choices I should make for my own good.

I am grateful to every friend, brother, and family member who worries about me and considers my future.

With your care, I slowly began to understand what I really need.

My main goal in making this decision was based on career growth.

But I'm also at an important point in my career: I've had very significant success, I've been successful in Cleveland, I'm not a loser, I'm a winner, and after becoming a winner, I What needs to be considered?

Someone told me to become a more successful and greater person.

Therefore, I need to leave my comfort zone, leave a place where success can be easily achieved, go to a new city and community, a place where success is not easy in everyone's eyes, and try to succeed again.

Go there and build a kingdom, a dynasty, that is entirely mine.

With this in mind, I have decided that I will join the Charlotte Bobcats.

Two years ago, I came to Cleveland from New Jersey. At the crossroads of my last career, Cleveland accepted me, supported me, and loved me.

Cleveland and the Cavaliers taught me a lot about camaraderie and being a human being.

During the two years here, I feel that everything about me is improving, strength, conduct, honor, everything.

I can't express in words what this team and this community means to me, and the place they will always hold in my life and in my heart.

The memories and camaraderie extend far beyond the game. Those invaluable relationships challenged me in making this decision.

I know that this decision will be disappointing to many people. I also know that many of my friends are longing for something. I am not able to fulfill their expectations of me, which really makes me sad.

But I believe that at this point in my life and career, I'm doing what I feel is the right thing to do.

I will miss Cleveland and the part I played in building this incredible team.

I will always remember your respect and love for me, because I have the same respect and love for you.

I will always cherish my relationship with this team, especially the friends and teammates I have played with over the past two years, and all the fans in this community.

They have supported me in every situation and I cannot be more grateful for what they have meant to me growing up.

Before anyone cared where the hell I was going to play basketball, I was a kid from southern China.

I grew up all in China, in Jiangsu Province, in Yanshi. For the United States, whether it was Los Angeles, New York, New Jersey, Boston, Houston, Seattle, or Milwaukee, for me when I first came to the United States, there was no Nothing is the same, it's just an American city.

Wherever I go, wherever I run, I cry, laugh, and bleed.

When my laughter, crying, sweat, and blood slowly filled these places.

The meaning of these places to me has become not so simple.

Like Milwaukee.

It has always held a special place in my heart.

The people there saw me grow up. I sometimes feel like I'm their son.

Their passion is irresistible. But it drives me. I want to give them hope while I can. I want to inspire them when I can.

My relationship with Milwaukee is bigger than basketball.

Because there, I met many, many people who are more important to me than basketball.

I didn't realize this before. I realize now.

Remember that time in 2001 when I was standing like a gangster in the Marquette University training facility?

It was Ron who led me into the halls of basketball, it was Tom and Tim who opened the door to basketball for me, and it was Dwyane who taught me the meaning of basketball.

I'm thinking, it's really nostalgic.

I have always wanted to let myself indulge in the past, but I know that the better the past, the more I have to step out of the beauty and move towards the unknown future.

And that's the challenge!

I could feel that it took me a long time to convince myself to take on such a challenge before I left. I needed to convince myself that I would have the courage to start over again after I succeeded.

Obviously, I was eager to do things differently.

Michael was right, I wanted to do what he couldn't do, so I made this decision.

Charlotte, to me, is like any other strange American city.

For me, who has been in the United States for four years, I never thought that this city would have a special meaning in my life.

Now, I hope, I can be a better player and a better person here.

I want to learn enough from here what I want to learn.

When I choose to come to Charlotte, I will try to treat Charlotte as my second home like Milwaukee, New Jersey and Cleveland, even though we are still strangers.

But I am ready to leave the crying, laughter, tears and blood here.

I went to Charlotte because of Jordan and CP3.

In order to get me, Jordan made a lot of efforts, many efforts that moved me.

Jordan said he loved that I could be a leader in Charlotte and he was willing to do whatever it took to do that.

I believed everything he said because I felt the sincerity, the sincerity in his eyes.

I believe what he said, if we come together we can do miracles.

You never thought a miracle would happen in Charlotte, right?

And that's what we do!

Now, I want to build a new achievement.

And the hardest thing to leave is what I built with those people.

I've talked to some of them and will talk to others in the future.

We exchanged thoughts with each other and we both knew that nothing could change what we had accomplished.

LeBron, we are brothers for life.

I would also like to thank Mr. Gund and Mr. Paxson for giving me two wonderful years, two years of complete trust.

I'm writing this because I want a chance to explain myself without interruption. I'm fine with everyone here. I don't want anyone to think that Mr. Carlisle and I don't get along. LeBron and I don't get along. good.

I also don’t want anyone to think the Cavaliers are a disunited team.

This is absolutely not true.

No matter where we go, we are all knights!

I'm not going to have a press conference or a party.

After this, it's time to get to work.

When I left Cleveland, I had a new mission.

I'm looking for a championship again.

I had won two before.

Already know this feeling, in New Jersey, in Cleveland.

But Charlotte, the city has never felt like this.

Without a doubt, my goal is to win as many championships as possible here.

I don’t guarantee a championship. I know how difficult this is to achieve.

I have a dream, but I also know the reality that this will be a long process, much longer than it was in 2005.

My patience will be tested.

I knew I was going to have a new coach and a young team.

I need to be the leader and once again bring a group of people together and help them get to a place they didn't know they could get to.

That would excite me.

I now see myself as a mentor and I am excited to lead these talented young people.

I think I can help Chris Paul become one of the best point guards in the league.

I can't wait to reunite with Chris Paul, one of my favorite friends.

I know, Chris Paul isn't everything to the Bobcats.

My feelings for the Bobcats will start with Chris Paul and Michael Jordan.

I think their weight in my heart also goes beyond basketball.

So, I'm up for the challenge!

I, Chen Xiao, will now come to Charlotte with my talents! "

The atmosphere in the Ritz-Carlton Hotel at this time was extremely tense, extremely quiet, and extremely scary.

Everyone is staring at the computer.

Suddenly, everyone raised their heads again.

And when Danny Ainge, Kupchak and others looked around frantically, they could not find the only missing general manager in the NBA.

"Michael Jordan!"

Kupchak, Danny Ainge and so many others are gnashing their teeth.

Jerry West and Rod Thorn closed their eyes and sighed.

Some were angry, some were shocked, and some sighed.

And some people seem to have become gods...

Red wine, cigars, smiles.

In front of the computer in the hotel room, Michael Jordan exhausted all his strength and collapsed on the sofa behind him.

I finally got him!

ps: This chapter was quite difficult to write. It took almost six hours to write. When I finished writing, I found that the time was almost 11 o'clock.

A big chapter of almost 8,000 words, today may only have this chapter. Finally, thank you for your waiting and support, thank you everyone.