The Whip of the God of Basketball

(I'm sorry, I made a mistake...it's a side story of the Silver Empire...)

Before looking for the team's technical coach and offensive coach, Leon and Morey must first go back to Boston. First of all, the 2002 draft is about to begin. Due to losing the first round of this year and only having the 21st pick in the second round, the Celtics will no longer send a scouting team to the rookie training camp this time. A scouting friend sent him some player information and reports for reference.

Secondly, as the head coach, Leon has more work to do. As Leon and Morey predicted earlier, affected by various factors such as the 911 incident and the launch of the new live TV contract, the league's total revenue last year experienced a rare decline, resulting in a drop in the league's salary cap this year. From $42.5 million last season, it dropped to $40.27 million.

This makes the salary space of many teams suddenly tense, and there are almost no big fish in the free market this year. More attractive ones, such as Kings point guard Mike Bibby, who shined in the Western Conference finals, but the Kings are absolutely impossible. Abandoning Bibby, they have prepared a big contract for Bibby in order to continue the team's glory and continue to hit the championship.

Therefore, the number one task of the Celtics in the offseason is not to fish in the free market, but to stabilize their position. First, renew the contract with the team's twin star, Paul Pierce, to prevent Pierce from testing the waters of the free market. The number one fish on the board.

"The salary cap is down this year, as you predicted, which means we won't have any cap space until we re-sign Paul. We have zero cap space. But we're about to talk to Paul's agent, He will be given a maximum salary. Of course, Paul's luck is not very good, and the salary cap has fallen, so his starting salary will be about 10.07 million US dollars. But this year Walker's salary will reach about 12.3 million, including other players The salary, especially the guy who is due next year, we have less than 2 million room left, which is left over from the retirement of Dennis Rodman.” In the Boston Celtics headquarters office, Ainge and Lay Ang calculated the player salary account for this season.

Angie's settlement in front of Leon is not to tell Leon that the Celtics will do nothing in the free agent market this year, and of course it is not to teach Leon how to calculate the team's salary space. In order to remind Leon, he spent a bit too much money when recruiting coaching staff.

After seeing Leon's offer to Siegfried and Hess, Angie almost jumped off the stool. Although he also supported Leon's expansion of the coaching staff, he did not expect Leon to spend so much money, especially The cash check was paid in advance directly to Hess, and the amount was already equal to the player's basic salary. You must know that the salary of coaches in the NBA is much lower than that of players. Not to mention compared with superstars, the salary level of some top champion coaches is even the level of a middle-class contract.

And Leon verbally directly gave a physical coach a salary level equivalent to the player's basic salary, without the approval of the team president and the board of directors, how could this not make Angie furious. Because there is also an offensive coach and a technical coach in Leon's plan. Although the coach's salary will not be included in the salary cap, as the team president, he must be responsible for every signing and every penny spent .

Looking at Angie who was a little anxious, Leon calmly took back the salary table that Angie put in front of Angie, and then said: "Although I am the head coach of the Celtics now, I have not yet been with the ball. team to sign a contract. If you think that the salary I set for my team members is too high, then you can deduct part of my salary as compensation. And shorten the contract period to see if I can contribute to the team this season. The team brings some help. In this way, the pressure on me will be greater, and maybe I will do better."

Hearing what Leon said, Angie smiled disdainfully and said: "Fox Leon, do you know what I hate the most about you? That is that you always put on a prophetic, omnipotent self-confidence. Do you think that NBA head coach is so easy? Do you think what you think is what you think? Do you think that you make a gesture of salary reduction to contribute to the team? Look at your resume, and those of the NBA Comparing the head coaches, your basketball experience is almost blank! Salary cuts, are you one of those superstars with super overpaid salaries? Need you to cut salaries to subsidize others? Your team...don't let me Laughing, Fox." Angie exploded at Leon without warning, and in the office of only two people, Leon's suggestion of a salary cut angered Angie.

In Angie's eyes, Leon has always been too arrogant. Although he admits that Leon is indeed a genius, deep down in his heart, he cannot accept the fact that he is more like Auerbach than himself and is more qualified to inherit Auerbach. His two speeches at the press conference some time ago, as well as the recent agreement with the assistant coach without authorization, and the salary cut today finally made Angie's inner anger explode.

But Angie didn't get Leon's counterattack, he still sat calmly opposite, holding the document in his hand, and said in the unhurried tone that Angie hates the most: "Danny, if this way of expression can make your heart If you feel better, or if it is more conducive to communication, you can continue. But I want to say that if you can realize that everything is for the strength of the Celtics, then those minutiae and worldly issues will not be included. It is within the scope of my consideration. If you consider your dignity, face and some illusory things when you consider the problem, then I will send you a sentence, 'so-you-are-overpaid' (you don't Worth the price)."

"So-you-are-overpaid" was Auerbach's mantra. He likes to use this mantra to spur those players. Even if they have worked hard enough, the bishop will still feel that they have not tried their best and are not worthy of their salary level. .

After Leon finished speaking, Angie stopped talking, and the office fell into an embarrassing silence. At this moment, Leon's phone rang. He glanced at the caller ID, and it was Auerbach calling.

"Good morning, Arnold, I'm back in Boston...yes, I'm at headquarters now, with Danny...yes, yes, two guys are done, who else?  …………… Got it, I will contact him." After a brief conversation of a minute, Leon hung up the phone and watched Angie continue to be silent.

"What instructions does the old man have?" Angie broke the silence, his words obviously softened, as if he realized that his rage would have no effect on an ice cube like Leon, not to mention he wanted to know, Auerbach What news did you give Leon again.

"Dave Cowens will be the assistant coach of the team, he will be the technical coach. If possible, I hope you can give him a suitable salary."

"What? Cowens is going back to the Celtics as an assistant coach? Are you kidding me!" Angie couldn't believe his ears. You must know that when he left the Celtics, Cowens was almost in conflict with Auerbach. No, and in the 1996 draft, he would rather trade Kobe to the arch-rival Lakers than let him go to the Celtics, which made Auerbach almost mad.

For some unknown reason, Cowens actually agreed to use the Celtics as an assistant coach, and he was still a relatively low-level technical coach. For the manager position, although the results are not ideal.

"He must have made some sacrifices, sacrificing his pride, self-esteem and face, in exchange for a reliable technical coach for the Celtics, you know, how solid Cowens' inside skills are, and His appeal and ability to influence players. The Los Angeles Lakers have four assistant coaches, the most in the league, and I think we need more." At this time, Leon's tone was like a good teacher, and Angie listened There is actually a feeling of shame. I just yelled at Leon because of my inner jealousy and dignity, which is really a narrow-minded expression.

"I see. I will meet Dave in person and have a chat with him. After all, he and the Celtics had some misunderstandings in the past. If these misunderstandings can be resolved through this cooperation, it will be a great thing." Angie finally nodded, expressing her approval to Leon.

"Also, I know you still want to hire another offensive coach, do you have someone to choose?" Angie asked again.

"It's already there. It's Rick Carlisle. He is the only offensive coach I want." Leon made no secret of his favor for Carlisle. Wanted Carlisle to be his assistant coach.

But Carlisle is the best coach of the season, let a best coach be the assistant coach of the Celtics? It was just a dream, and Anji shook his head again and again, expressing that it was impossible.

"Nothing is impossible. Since he can't come this season, then leave the seat empty and leave it to him next season."

The two chatted for a while in the office. Angie expressed his apology to Leon, saying that he hadn't controlled his temper just now. After all, as a team president, the pressure is also very high, especially the team has just changed the owner.

Leon nodded to express his understanding, but before leaving, he took out another document from his pocket, threw it on Angie's desk, and said, "Didn't you say that the team still has less than two million yuan? Sign him, I need such a player." After speaking, he opened the door and left the office without waiting for Angie's response.

Angie looked at the document on the table, it was a player's profile, and the player's name was "Zhizhi-Wang."

"Fuck-your-ass, son-of-*****!" Angie couldn't help cursing.