The rest is just noise

In early July, Benjamin Wilson and Dennis Rodman announced they would test the free market.

This is a big deal.

Wilson played for the Knicks for eight years and was the absolute core of the team's seven consecutive championships. Without him, the Knicks dynasty would be incomplete.

"We will do our best to keep Benjamin in New York."

Elgin Baylor emphasized in an interview with the New York Times.

Oddly, few people asked whether Rodman would stay.

Because Rodman has become a problem player.

Even when Louis was coaching, he would suddenly disappear for several days, not attend training sessions on time, and even miss games without reason.

For Tomjanovich, there is too much uncertainty surrounding Rodman.

If even Louis can't make him play with peace of mind, then who can tame him?

Therefore, Tomjanovich made a bold decision.

That is to let Rodman leave.

Louis, whose contract has also expired, is much more low-key.

Because he is not a player, he does not need to announce with great fanfare that he is a free agent.

The eyes of the entire league are on New York.

During this period, personnel changes in various teams in the league occurred very frequently.

The Celtics hired team legend M.L. Carr as their new director of team operations.

Some people speculate that Carr will become Dave Gavitt's on-stage talking person, just like Baylor was to Louie.

But why doesn't this position belong to Bird?

Everyone is puzzled, but since Gavitt took over in Boston, the Celtics' operations have become strange.

So this situation that no one can understand is the norm.

Then, head assistant Gregg Popovich, who was highly regarded by Don Nelson, ended his assistant career in Golden State and went to San Antonio to serve as vice president of basketball operations and general manager.

The promotion from assistant coach to second-in-command and first-in-command of the team shows how much the Spurs recognize Popovich's ability.

Pat Riley was promoted to the general manager of the Trail Blazers, and at the same time, he dismissed his coaching position. He seemed to have lost confidence in coaching, but it was generally believed that this was a signal that Barkley was about to be traded.

The conflict between Buckley and Riley has become irresolvable. If Riley wants to continue to implement his high-pressure policies, someone must leave.

Jerry West steps down as general manager of the Lakers and is promoted to vice president of basketball operations.

Earvin Johnson (the tragic figure) was hired as the vice president of the Lakers (a vice president without any real power) and received part of the Lakers' equity.

Sports writers who couldn't stand their loneliness couldn't help but ask: "Leade

What’s Lu’s next plan?”

Subsequently, Madison Square Garden Entertainment announced that they planned to renew Lead's contract

exposed, and the group has extremely strong determination and belief.

In this way, Louis' contract renewal negotiations officially began.

His last contract was for 6 years and 12 million.

This time, MSG's negotiators started with a starting price of 18 million for four years, and then gradually increased it to 24 million.

You know, the annual salary of professional basketball coaches has just entered the million-dollar era.

In other words, any coach who can sign a contract worth $1 million per year is a top figure in the industry.

However, MSG offered a sky-high price of US$6 million a year, but it could not get a word of affirmation from Louis.

"Coach Lu, if you are not satisfied with the number, we can increase the price."

MSG's negotiators were helpless and Louis seemed distracted.

"The numbers are pretty good, but I'll have a bad conscience if I raise the price." Louis said modestly, "I'm not worth so much."

The negotiator asked cautiously: "So, it's not about numbers?"

"Of course not." Louis said, "I heard that the MSG equity transaction is close to completion?"

The negotiator nodded and said: "Yes, CVC

Systems

Corporation/Dolan's company) acquired 50% of the shares for $1.5 billion above market price."

Louis smiled and asked: "You definitely won't pay a high price for no reason, right?"

The negotiators seemed to understand something.

"Yes, Mr. Dolan will directly manage MSG." The representative understood, "Is this what you are worried about?"

Louis smiled and said: "You are really smart."

From this day on, negotiations between Louis and MSG ceased.

News that Louis' contract renewal negotiations were unfavorable also came out, so the teams that were eyeing Louis have booked flights to New York and prepared to come to interview with Louis.

The teams that sent negotiators for this purpose include the Los Angeles Lakers, the Dallas Mavericks, the Miami Heat, and the Washington Bullets. I’m afraid most of the teams will be mentioned. Let’s just talk about the teams that didn’t send negotiators.

Only the New Jersey Nets, Portland Trail Blazers and Golden State Warriors are not interested in Louis.

Someone wants to ask, are the Minnesota Timberwolves interested in Louis?

Yes, although Louis and Krause are bitter rivals, this does not prevent the Timberwolves boss from viewing Louis as the team's savior.

For them, as long as Louisken joins, even if the condition is to kick Klaus off, they will do it.

From this point of view, Jerry Krause's career is actually in Louis' hands.

The first person Louis met was the Heat's godfather, Lewis Shafir.

He suspected that Shafir came here to have a good time because there were no vacancies in the Heat's management and coaching staff.

"Lewis, I want to know what you are doing here." Louis said dissatisfiedly, "You are the president of the Heat, and Billy is your coach. What do you want me to do at your place, clean the house?"

Shafir laughed: "Our general manager position is still vacant. We just lack an extremely smart genius like Coach Lu!"

"You want me to quit being the CEO of New York and go to work for you in Miami?" Louis' smile seemed to be carrying a knife.

"Coach Lu, actually I just missed you and came to see you." Shafir immediately dropped the topic, "Besides, we haven't seen you for so long, don't you miss me? Coach Lu, you are in the league with me.

Best friend!"

Louis laughed in anger, and he began to believe that the rumors about Shafir were true.

This person can switch back and forth between serious negotiations and jokes.

"Tell me, why are you looking for me?" Louis didn't believe that Shafir came to New York specifically because he missed his friends.

He probably doesn't have that much free time.

"Hey, let's not tell secrets. Coach Lu, what do you think is the biggest difference between Miami and New York?"

"What do you think?"

"I think it's because we don't have a real superstar. New York has Patrick and Benjamin. It's really unfair!"

"Actually, Patrick is only half a superstar, and Benj is leaving New York soon, so you can compete fairly with New York."

Shafir's eyes lit up.

"Actually, I came to New York this time just to stop by and see if, uh, I can sign Benjamin."

Louis knew this guy wouldn't come to New York for no reason.

It's a joke to say that I miss him.

Louis looked at him jokingly, "You don't think I will help you convince Benj, do you?"

"How could it happen? Coach Lu, you are almost too busy with your own affairs. You definitely don't have time to take care of my affairs. Don't worry, I will take care of this matter."

Shafir looked hesitant, as if something was wrong.

Louis asked warily: "Do you have anything else to say?"

"Can I say it?"

"Don't you want to say it?"

"Then what I said?"

"I'll give you three seconds."

Shafir immediately said, "Do you think Ralph Sampson might leave Boston?"

I’m a fool!

Even if he had an idea for Wilson, he actually had an idea for Sampson?

Moreover, Louis feels that the Heat really have a chance.

Miami has a strong lineup, but it lacks a backbone who can calm the scene. Although Sampson is no longer in his prime, he can still be regarded as a superstar.

If they can get him to join, the Heat will go from being a competitor that the Knicks didn't care about to becoming a serious rival that needs to be taken seriously.

If Sampson cares about his posthumous reputation, he should leave Boston this summer.

The choice of his next stop is crucial to him.

He is already 34 years old and does not have much time to waste. If he cannot lead the team to win the championship as the undisputed boss of the team before retiring, there will be a lot of trouble when evaluating his historical status.

From an inappropriate perspective, how do fans view Kevin Durant's two championships in Golden State after it was almost certain that he would not be able to make a difference in Brooklyn?

Don’t we think so?

If Durant is replaced by other top forwards in the league, wouldn't it be possible to win those two championships with the Warriors? If it is so easily available, how should its value and weight be defined?

One thing is certain, that is, there is a gap in quality between champions.

Thinking about it this way, it may not be possible for Sampson to leave Boston, but inevitable.

"I think there's a good chance he'll leave Boston, but" Louis asked, "do you have enough cap space?"

Shafir's face suddenly became ugly: "As long as Ralph can come, I can create space even if there is no space. Will no one want Hank Gathers?"

Oh, this may be the millionth time Lewis Shafir has toyed with the idea of ​​trading Gathers, but he often doesn't act on it.

But Louis still couldn't help but feel sorry for having such a general manager behind Gathers. He was different. A loyal person like him would not bother to say bad things behind the players' backs if they had any dissatisfaction with them.

, he will only rant in person. If you don’t believe me, you can ask Ewing, Bird, and Thomas.

"I don't think Ralph would want to join a Heat team without Hank Gathers."

"That's it, then I can only sign a short-term contract with Ralph first, and then re-sign a long-term contract after the contract takes effect. The rules allow me to do this, don't they?"

So why would he want to trade Gathers?