The rest is just noise

The first pick in the 1997 first round?

Garcia Lynn's expression changed drastically.

"Coach Lu, this... this is against the rules!" Linn didn't expect Louis to be so direct. "The lottery drawing system is random, and we cannot guarantee that you will get the first pick in the first round."

"Come on, weren't you the ones who sent Ewing to New York in 1985?"

"That's New York's good luck. Coach Lu, don't be influenced by those stupid conspiracy theorists."

"Garcia, do you think this kind of thing can be hidden from me? I also watched the live broadcast. If there is nothing fishy, ​​why are the envelopes in New York dog-eared?"

"That's an equipment problem."

"Oh, really? Then why is Mr. President so nervous that he is sweating profusely when he draws lots?"

"To tell you the truth, your Excellency, the CEO, has developed sweat glands."

"But why did he let out a long breath of relief when he got the letter from New York?"

"It was the first time that the draft lottery was broadcast on television. It was understandable that the president was a little nervous."

"Really? I don't believe it!"

Linn knew that Louis was a hard-edged person, but this appetite was too big.

Next year's No. 1 pick... isn't that the Tim Duncan pick?

"This matter... is not something I can decide." Linn said hesitantly, "However, I will clearly inform the president of your request."

Louis smiled faintly and said: "Please be sure to let the president know that I am very willing to help the alliance implement new policies, but I cannot do these things for no reason, especially such thankless things. For the alliance, doing this

It helps to increase competition and diversity. If you can achieve this goal with the No. 1 pick, I think it will not be a disadvantage for you."

"And if you agree, I will not only support you in this matter, but also help you come up with an idea to restrict the super team."

Louis can always draw cakes.

"Of course, I want to see your sincerity first."

Garcia-Lynn could not make any promises, only that he would pass them on.

Louis said what he needed to say and didn't touch a single bite of the inferior Chinese food provided in the hotel restaurant.

"By the way, don't ask to meet in a hotel next time." Louis couldn't help but say, "You still have to pay attention to the occasion."

"Coach Lu, didn't you just say it casually?"

"I just said it casually. You really take things casually. How can you take over from David and become the president of the league in the future?"

"Do you think I have the potential to be president?"

Louis smiled and said: "Then I can talk casually?"

"Just casual, I won't take it seriously."

"Don't think about it, you're definitely out of luck."

"Coach Lu!" Lin En said anxiously, "That's not what you said!"

Louis laughed: "Mr. President, a person who pays so much attention to occasions, would not randomly choose a hotel or restaurant to discuss important matters related to the future of the alliance."

As long as they don't talk about business, Louis and Lynn are very relaxed.

With Lynn's current qualifications, as long as there are no major problems, there will be no problem taking over from Stern in the future.

In other words, the future of a bald man named Adam has been deprived of him.

Is Lynn better than that bald guy?

Louis doesn't know.

But if in the future there is a blind general manager who tweets randomly and triggers a political incident that transcends sports, Lynn will solve the problem before it gets out of hand.

Because the bald man was the one who enjoyed the success, Stern left him a business empire. I think back then, in order to establish contact with a big country in the East, he had to wait for several hours in the CCTV building before getting the opportunity to be contacted. This is not an easy job for him.

What the bald man cannot understand.

But Lynn is different.

The basketball bridge between China and the United States was built by him and Louis, and it was also a stepping stone for him to ascend to the league office. He will use all means to protect the fruits of his victory.

…

Afterwards, Louis attended a small meeting on behalf of the Lakers.

At the meeting, representatives from various companies had different opinions.

However, everyone has similar ideas about suppressing super teams.

But super teams are not easy to suppress.

Looking at the current super teams, such as the Heat, Knicks, and Trail Blazers, they do not rely on their own ball markets to attract players.

The Knicks' dynasty was created by Louis through the draft.

The Trail Blazers have always made good moves since they selected Jordan. The reason why they are able to form such a luxurious lineup now is mainly due to good timing of transactions and the owner's willingness to spend money.

The Heat are the most special. They were controlled by Louis in the early days of the team's establishment. The draft hit rate was extremely high, and the subsequent signings and reinforcements were very effective. In the summer of 1994, Dongfeng took advantage of the salary cap increase to sign Sampson and Drakes consecutively.

Le, used Gathers and a draft pick to exchange weak for strong to get Danny Manning, who is in the top six levels of the league, and directly stood out in the league.

What these teams have in common is that their owners are very willing to spend money.

Since they are willing to spend money, why not increase the cost of their spending?

More than ten years later, the NBA has already given the answer - super luxury tax.

You like spending money, right? Then do you like paying taxes? Double the kind.

If the boss is really determined to spend money, then even a super luxury tax cannot prevent the use of money ability.

The most typical example is the Warriors after 2019.

After two seasons of sluggishness, no one believes they will make a comeback in 2022. With the future championship situation unclear, whether to win now or in the future is a question.

But no matter which one you want, it will cost money. If you want both the present and the future, then you are not just burning money, you are throwing money directly into the sea.

The Warriors just made the choice that adults like to make the most, paying a huge luxury tax, and created a situation that won the present and controlled the future.

Moreover, when a hard salary cap is impossible to introduce, a super luxury tax is the best way. It can at least increase the operating costs of super teams.

The Heat's owner is not as rich as Dolan and Paul Allen.

Like Allen, it is hard to accept that he invests huge amounts of money every year but hardly wins a championship. If the cost doubles, will he continue to invest?

It's hard to say.

Listening to the opinions of each team, Louis had a general understanding of the needs of all parties.

The momentum of super teams dominating the league needs to be curbed;

The negotiation issue of rookie contracts needs to be resolved. There are too many rookies who threaten the parent team to benefit Europe if it retains the priority to renew the contract;

The dominance and court advantage of super insiders need to be limited by rules;

Basically it's these three things.

How to do it, Louis has the answer in his heart.

But he doesn't have to do something. If Stern can't sign Duncan to him, then let alone respond to league policies and actively promote the implementation of new regulations. He is already very disciplined in not causing trouble in the league office.

Who is he? If he doesn't take advantage, he will suffer. The alliance has given him such a good opportunity to take advantage, but if he is not allowed to have a good time because of his adherence to principles, can he be happy?

If he is unhappy, he may make the alliance unhappy as well. Being unhappy is the real unhappy thing.

Of course, there is another possibility that he does nothing and is indifferent to what is happening around him.

Neither take the initiative to stir up trouble nor passively take over the work, just let them play by themselves.

"Coach Lu, don't you have anything to say?"

Lewis Shafir was a little anxious when he saw that Louis had not expressed his stance.

His direction was always following Louis.

If Louis is indifferent to what happened in the small meeting, then he'd better not take any action, because Louis has no opinion now, which doesn't mean he won't have any opinion in the future.

If he takes a stand before Louis now, it will be a bit ugly to defect to Louis' banner in the future.

Although everyone knows that he is Louis' little brother, he is also the successful godfather of Miami basketball, and he is shameless.

"Lewis, now is not the time to make a decision." Louis said, "The key is the annual meeting after the season, so it's best not to say anything now."

Shafir said clearly: "I understand, I only have a pair of ears today. I have no mouth. I am mute."