One Guard

The day after he made a vacation plan with Bill Duffy, the busy manager left Dallas in a hurry. Although both Yiyang and Wenxue try to keep Duffy, let him play in Dallas for a few days before leaving. But for Duffy, who has several players on his hands, the offseason is exactly when he is busy. So the ace manager had no choice but to politely reject Yiyang and Wenxue's kindness, and boarded the plane early.

But before leaving, Bill Duffy still gave Yiyang some instructions. "If the contract requirements of the Basketball Association are too harsh, don't hesitate to refuse!"

Duffy is very clear that even if Yao Ming joined the national team, the Basketball Association once made an excessive request to confiscate 50% of Yao Ming's NBA income. Although this regulation was not implemented later, you have to admit that the Chinese Basketball Association is indeed "problematic" in some aspects.

Now, China strongly supports players to play abroad, and there will be no more moves to ask players to pay their salaries. But Duffy still kept Yiyang in mind, God knows if the basketball association treats players like Yiyang who have returned from the United States equally?

"Don't worry, Mr. Duffy, I'm not a product of the Chinese Basketball Association, they can't do whatever they want with me." Yiyang smiled, and didn't take this matter too seriously. Yao Ming and the others had no choice but to join the national team. But what about myself? The purpose of joining the national team is not simply to play for the country. You have no sincerity, there are many teams waiting for me to join.

At this point, the matter about the national team and the entire holiday plan has come to an end. From now until July, it is a time for Yiyang to relax and rest.

After spending a few days separately in Dallas with Vignari and her mother, Wen Xue, the Mavericks finally got together again.

On June 19, Nowitzki's 33rd birthday, all the relatives, friends and teammates of the German gathered in his villa on the shore of Baiyan Lake. Dirk Nowitzki's birthday party, the Mavericks players will naturally not be absent.

"Is it really okay for me to dress like this?" Vignali, who was sitting in the co-pilot, was only wearing a loose short-sleeved T-shirt and hot pants, and Yiyang was also dressed very casually. Neither of them is the kind of person who likes to be restrained by formal clothes, so Yiyang and Vignali didn't plan to appear in suits and shoes when they came to this kind of private gathering.

But looking through the car window at the high-end residences and elegant rich people by the Baiyan Lake, Vignali was a little flustered. Her and Yiyang's attire seemed out of tune with the largest wealthy area in Dallas.

"Don't worry, Dirk's birthday, we shouldn't be so formal." Yiyang said, the car had already driven to the door of Nowitzki's mansion.

At this time, there was already a sea of ​​people outside the big iron gate of the mansion. Not because there were too many people at Dirk's party,

It's because the villa has been surrounded by reporters.

Seeing Yiyang's heavy-duty pickup truck approaching slowly, the flashes became even more connected.

"Isn't this a private party?" Looking at a group of reporters gathered in front of the mansion, Yi Yang was a little surprised.

"That's why they can only shoot at the door. If it's not a private party, if you drink a drink inside, you may be photographed close-up." When she was a model before, Vignali had already been used to such gatherings.

She opened the car door and landed on her feet confidently. Sure enough, the sound of "click click" from the shutter came out instantly and kept ringing.

After parking the car, Yiyang also got down, and took the gift he and Vignali brought to Nowitzki from the back seat. A box of good cigars, this is Yiyang's idea. An oil painting of Nowitzki lifting the O'Brien Trophy when he won the championship was Vignelli's idea. Yiyang's gift is more pragmatic, while Vignelli's gift is more Italian literary and romantic.

With these two completely different but sincere gifts, Yiyang and Vignali walked to the iron gate of the mansion.

In front of the door, two strong bodyguards are guarding this "last line of defense". Their purpose here is to prevent any idlers from entering.

"We're here to attend..." Before Yiyang could take out the invitation letter for the birthday party, the two bodyguards opened the door directly.

"It's all right, Mr. Yi, you don't need to show your invitation letter. Come in quickly, and stop murdering the film of these reporters."

Yiyang was taken aback for a moment, and then quickly walked through the gate leading Vignali. Just swipe your face card and come in? After this person became famous, it was really different. In the Wood District, Yiyang heard the most words. "This is not the place for you, poor boy!"

However, now, he can shuttle freely in this kind of high-level birthday party. Life is really unpredictable sometimes.

Walking through a beautiful garden to the backyard of Nowitzki's mansion, Yiyang finally saw the crowd who came to the banquet. At this time, some people in the backyard are playing in the swimming pool, some are drinking and chatting, some are sweating on the tennis court, and some are having family-style outdoor barbecue activities around the grill.

From Yiyang's point of view, this is no longer a backyard of a house, but a playground. Everyone was having fun, and the atmosphere was in stark contrast to the tense state a week ago.

What reassures Yiyang is that this private party really does not require formal attire. Most were very casual, although there were a few people who were dressed very formally. That Terry guy, even jumping up and down the yard in just a pair of swimming trunks.

"Hey, Yi, you're finally here, everyone was talking about you just now!" Nowitzki's shout spread to every corner of the yard, and everyone turned their heads to stare at Yiyang , Yiyang and Vignali smiled at everyone embarrassedly.

"Come on, let's try Dirk's craftsmanship. This guy's German sausages are really impatient! Seriously Dirk, if you don't play basketball and cook barbecue, you may also become a member of the barbecue industry. legend!" Marion, who was wearing sunglasses next to the oven, waved to Yiyang. Yiyang and Vignali took gifts and leaned towards the oven.

"This is a present from Vignari and me, Dirk, happy birthday!"

"Oh, thank you and, of course, thank you too, this beautiful lady!" Nowitzki happily accepted the gift and opened it on the spot.

Unlike the Chinese, in the Chinese concept, it would be very reckless to open a gift in front of others. Usually, the host will open the presents one by one after all the guests are gone.

But there is no such rule in the Western world. Opening the gift immediately after receiving it is the most respectful way in their opinion.

"God, how do you know what I'm doing right now? Thank you for the cigars, too. I'll keep this box of cigars until the next time I pick up the O'Brien Cup again, so I won't be willing to take it out and light it! Nowitzki looked at the delicate cigar box and the fragrant cigars inside, his eyes were straight. Nowitzki didn't actually smoke cigars before. He had such a hobby thanks to Terry and Kidd. But once you're in this pit, it's hard to get out.

The cigars that Yiyang gave to Nowitzki were indeed pure and genuine. The Cohiba cigars produced in Cuba cost as much as 4,000 RMB per stick. Although Yiyang was recommended to him by someone else, he doesn't know much about cigars himself. But in Nowitzki's view, this gift can be described as full of sincerity.

Afterwards, Nowitzki unwrapped Vignali's gift. When a beautiful oil painting was displayed in front of the Germans, he suddenly burst out laughing.

"This might be the most special gift I've ever received today! Thank you Vignari, I'll hang it in my living room!"

A happy Nowitzki handed over the cigar and the painting to the servant, then picked up two glasses of wine and handed them to Yiyang and Vignari. "Thank you for coming to my birthday party, come on, let's drink this first."

The host raised his glass to toast, and Yiyang and Vignali naturally couldn't refuse. The three of them raised their wine glasses one after another and drank them all in one gulp. With the catalysis of alcohol, Nowitzki believes that Yiyang and Vignali can also integrate into the party more quickly.

"By the way, why didn't Madam come?" Yiyang and Vignali are not married yet, so the "Madam" Nowitzki refers to Yiyang's mother, Wen Xue.

Nowitzki has not forgotten his experience of inviting Yiyang’s family to spend Christmas with him last year. Yiyang’s mother is a great woman. She is not only for Nowitzki, but also for Nowitzki’s family. deep impression.

"She was afraid that she would look out of place when she came to the young people's party, so she asked me to bring her blessings."

"So that's it, it doesn't matter, when I have time, I will come to visit in person!" Nowitzki looked very excited, after all, the recent experience of the Germans is indeed too wonderful and wonderful.

Life is like a dream, and Nowitzki must be feeling his life like this. Because just a few days ago, the "German Chariot" just ushered in the first championship in his career. This 33rd birthday must mean a lot to him.

After talking with Nowitzki, Yiyang and Vignali also joined the party. Vignali is more open-minded, so she quickly played with other people. Yiyang is relatively quiet and restrained, only occasionally raising his glass to chat with acquaintances.

But Yiyang found that at this party where even Cardinal was playing crazy, there was a person just like himself, always holding a wine glass alone, smiling and looking at everything around him. Neither repelling nor actively joining.

This person is the legendary NBA shooter and the most important player introduced by the Mavericks in the middle of the season-Peja Stojakovic.

"What's the matter, Peja, don't you want to play?" Seeing that Peja was so abnormal, Yiyang simply took the initiative to chat with this guy who helped him a lot.

"It's nothing, I'm very happy!" Seeing Yiyang walking towards him, Peja raised his wine glass and bumped into Yiyang's.

"The life after winning the championship is really crazy! I am very fortunate that I can enjoy this honor at the last moment of my career." Peja smiled calmly, as if letting go of all the pressure.

"It won't be our last title, Peja."

"This won't be the last time the Mavericks win, but it's the last time I win. You don't know, I've already decided to retire!"

As soon as Peja said this, Yiyang's mind buzzed and went blank.

"Retired? But you can still play, Peja!" Yiyang was anxious, like a child who is about to say goodbye to his parents.

Although Peja has not been with the Mavericks for a long time, his help to Yiyang and the team has allowed him to integrate into the team and become a real Mavericks player.

Yiyang has not forgotten that Peja practiced shooting with him night after night. He also did not forget that in the Western Conference Finals against the Lakers, Peja scored 15 points and 21 points in two games at home, and Peja scored 6 points from beyond the three-point line in the fourth game against the Lakers in the semifinals. He made 6 shots. Those wonderful passes that appear and disappear, life-saving or killing three-pointers, fast and precise shots...

"You are only 34 years old, Peja! We can still win the championship together and experience another crazy summer!" It stands to reason that the task of convincing a player to play for an extra year should be handed over to the team management. But Yiyang, he couldn't help it. He was reluctant to leave Peja, and he was reluctant to leave the basketball court with this mentor-like figure. Every morning from now on, he will no longer be able to see the picture of Peja practicing shooting with himself... Another cruel fact that Yiyang, a rookie, has not yet adapted to the NBA—no matter how great you are, There will be a farewell!

"Being a professional athlete is God's favor for me. I have a lot of love and respect for the NBA game, but this is the time I think it's time to leave. I said to myself very early on that if I If my body and health cannot reach 100%, then I will choose to retire, and now I have achieved my own goals in my career, and the time for me to retire has come." Peja looked even more serious than Yiyang. Calm, because of his career, has no regrets.

As one of the greatest shooters in history, Peja has played for 5 teams, namely the Kings, Pacers, Hornets, Raptors and Mavericks. During the King's 8 seasons, Peja was selected to the All-Star three times and won the three-point contest twice. In the last season of the Mavericks, he won the coveted championship and has since retired.

Even the most romantic knight-errant is nothing more than that. After achieving success and fame, he quietly retreated amidst the applause of everyone.

Peja Stojakovic's long-range artillery fire finally stopped.

The Dallas Mavericks' championship lineup has begun to undergo drastic changes.