vncnus Chapter 495: Final Destination Confirmed Immediately! The Chinese Men's Basketball Team...
Chapter 495: Final Destination Confirmed Immediately! The Chinese Men's Basketball Team...
The incident that Lin Tian and Indiana fans caused on the day of the championship parade is destined to become another legendary story in the history of sports in North America and even the world.
A two-way journey, mutual understanding, basking in honor, and departing gracefully!
Lin Tian's seven years with Indiana, from beginning to end, are destined to become a story worthy of being written about in the entire history of sports.
In the next 10, 20 years, or even longer, many people will tell this story again and again, discuss it repeatedly, and then write it into memoirs.
Of course, those are things for the future, and not something Lin Tian needs to worry about right now.
He now has only one task—
As for the men's basketball team, we hope he can return to the team as soon as possible to train together and then compete in the Olympics at the end of August.
The men's basketball team adopted a very humble attitude, using words like "hope," "as much as possible," "best," "mutual support," and "absolute understanding."
Lin Tian, who is not easily swayed by force, naturally wouldn't deliberately make things difficult for others. He promised to finalize his contract as soon as possible and then return to the team in early July to train together.
It's worth mentioning that after Director Xin caused that mess this year, the General Administration initially wanted to protect him because of the team's good performance. However, Director Xin was too stubborn and refused to compromise, leaving the higher-ups helpless.
Fortunately, the mistake he made wasn't a big deal, but it wasn't a fundamental error either; it was just a common-sense mistake. He was simply transferred away from a powerful department and sent off early to happily study the shape of the Earth.
Lin Tian was also very familiar with the person who would replace Director Xin.
Director Li Yuanwei.
What sets him apart from some others is that he is a true basketball person. He majored in basketball during his school years and has spent his entire life working with basketball.
He doesn't have any bureaucratic style. The famous "Wang Bugui" incident was also handled by him personally after taking office. After multiple communications with Wang Zhizhi, he finally succeeded in getting Wang Zhizhi back to the men's basketball team.
During his tenure, his "Polaris Reform Plan" was hailed as the most creative, courageous, and potentially spurring Chinese basketball onto the right track in history.
These include the professionalization of the CBA league, various aspects of league packaging, sponsorship, and new attempts, as well as the five-year cooperation agreement with the University of Memphis of the NCAA, which sends 15 Chinese coaches to the University of Memphis for study and further training each year.
He spearheaded the construction of Hope Primary Schools and basketball courts across the country, bringing basketball to remote schools. It was also from him that the Chinese men's basketball team began employing foreign coaches. Harris, the first foreign coach in the history of the Chinese men's basketball team, was recruited from the NBA.
It can be said that, thanks to Director Li's efforts, basketball has become increasingly influential in China, firmly establishing itself as the second most popular sport in the country after football!
The only pity is that since his retirement in 09, his "North Star Project" was completely scrapped and started from scratch. All his efforts were wiped out by his successor. The league and basketball, which had just gotten on the right track and were developing well, were forced to start from zero again.
Although his North Star Project has many shortcomings and many aspects that deserve scrutiny and discussion, his approach of simply copying the models of North American leagues such as the NBA, NFL, and NHL to develop the CBA may not be the best way out for Chinese basketball.
But at the very least, he was the person in the history of Chinese basketball who dared to make changes and was most willing to make changes.
But one thing is true: he is a true basketball man.
Lin Tian also believed that his cooperation with Director Li would be more enjoyable than his cooperation with Director Li's predecessor.
However, Lin Tian was not in a hurry to meet with Director Li; he needed to finalize his contract first.
As speculated by the public, at this stage, only five teams are willing to communicate with Lin Tian and have in-depth discussions.
Bird's guess was also correct; a five-year, $200 million contract with an average salary of $40 million was something no one would be willing to offer.
For example, Lin Tian's former team, the Bulls, also had Krause. No one knows how Krause talked to Reinsdorf, but this fat guy who once planned to keep Lin Tian and trade for geniuses like Jordan and Pippen also came to Lin Tian with full sincerity.
1.2 million over 5 years!
The starting salary is 2100 million, and the salary in the final year can reach 3000 million US dollars.
Given Reinsdorf's notoriously stingy nature, this contract is absolutely huge!
However, Lin Tian didn't think much of it and rejected Klaus.
Because he only asked Klaus one question, and he completely stumped Klaus.
Does the team have any plans to pay the luxury tax in the next few years?
This one question alone made Klaus break out in a sweat.
Klaus really wanted to give Lin Tian a rosy picture, to let him know that the Bulls definitely had a bright future.
Unfortunately, Lin Tian understood those two Bulls guys, and Klaus also understood Lin Tian.
This guy not only doesn't eat the pie, but if Lin Tian's drawing of the pie doesn't satisfy him, he might even pull the pie down from the void and stuff it all into Klaus's mouth!
He'll eat himself to death.
Aside from Klaus' disappointment, the contract offered by Cuban was quite sincere.
1.4 million over 5 years!
This crazy guy's net worth in the NBA is actually only in the lower middle range. He is a true self-made millionaire, which means he is really poor and can't compare with those big families.
The fact that he dared to spend so much money despite being so poor is enough to show how obsessed he is with basketball.
Unfortunately, this guy, while crazy, wasn't that crazy.
His proposed team development plan was actually quite poor.
His method for clearing salary cap space was very simple and brutal: let Nash go, buy out Finley, then trade Jamison for nothing, plus Walker whose contract had expired.
In other words, after this guy's actions, the Mavericks' players, apart from Nowitzki and Lin Tian, will be in a very bad state.
That's fine, anyway, Nowitzki is there to cover for us, right?
More importantly... Cuban's actions of buying out Finley and letting Nash go are something that Dallas residents hate.
The people of Dallas, known for their simple and honest character, have held a grudge for many years against Cuban for these two actions—for letting go of a team legend, a local hero, and a popular player!
Although Lin Tian was confident that he could make the people of Dallas completely forget about Finley and Nash and feel his greatness in at most half a month, how to put it?
Mr. Lin, I don't want to suffer any more grievances than for half a month.
Of course, there's an even more important reason: Dallas's offer wasn't the highest!
And there's Paul Allen too!
Even a top-tier big spender like Paul Allen couldn't afford to spend 2 million over 5 years. Asking him to spend 1 million a year just for Lin Tian would be too much for him.
After all, during the years when the Trail Blazers were burning through cash the most, their annual salary expenditure was only 80-90 million. If Lin Tian were to be given 200 million over 5 years, the Trail Blazers' annual salary expenditure would probably double, reaching close to 200 million.
This was in the early 21st century, when the salary cap was only around 5000 million!
It's terrifying to even think about.
Moreover, after the old man's crazy spending spree a couple of years ago, he's already past the point where he'd throw money around recklessly.
It's always good to be frugal.
However, his wealth and generosity remained unchanged, and the salary he offered Lin Tian was still very high!
1.6 million in 5 years!
The starting salary is 2500 million, the average salary is still 3000 million, and there is a 10% increase every year thereafter, with the final year's contract reaching 3500 million.
To reiterate, in today's league, a third of the teams have a total salary of only 3-4000 million US dollars. Lin Tian's salary alone is equivalent to the annual expenses of those bottom-ranked teams!
Of course, Lin Tian absolutely deserves this money!
Allen's offer to Lin Tian was basically the highest among the four teams.
Why are there four teams?
Because Lin Tian has already rejected Jordan.
Lin Tian had already rejected Jordan's offer before Jordan even made an offer.
That genius would go to Charlotte and play Hell Mode with Jordan.
Unless Jordan hands over the general manager position to him as well, and promises that he will not interfere in any team personnel or tactics, and will be content to be a mascot, Lin Tian will definitely not go to Charlotte.
Jordan's response to Lin Tian's request was simple: Get lost!
So why are Allen's offers generally the highest?
Because James Dolan hasn't made an offer yet!
This guy is sitting in Lin Tian's villa right now; even Knicks general manager Walsh isn't there yet, it's just Dolan himself.
This guy was incredibly outgoing. He went to the liquor cabinet, grabbed a bottle of wine, propped his feet up on the coffee table in the living room, and casually said, "Do you have any leaves here? I'd love to try flying them a couple of times. Maybe after I do, I can give you 200 million over five years?"
"What are you doing? What are you doing with your phone? You're not really going to call some drug dealer, are you? I'm just kidding, FUXX, who are you calling?"
"I'm calling the police." Lin Tian showed the number '999' on his phone, looking like he was about to press the call button at any moment.
"Fuck you! I was just kidding." Dolan quickly put his foot down, grinning to hide his embarrassment. "I've been abstaining from this stuff for years, I haven't touched it at all! By the way, I'm also a New York ambassador!"
"I give a speech every month, sharing my experience of drug rehabilitation and my painful past. I am dedicated to pulling people out of the abyss of suffering. I have always been a person passionate about public welfare! I have a bright and loving heart."
"Put that away," Lin Tian waved his hand impatiently. "How much? Name your price!"
"Can't we talk about something else first?" Dolan looked utterly wronged, almost as if he was about to shed a few tears. "I thought our relationship was better, after all, we've had so many wonderful memories together."
"If you say another word, you can go back to New York."
"Alright, alright," Dolan said, raising his hands in surrender after he'd had his fill of showing off. "I'll name my price now."
However, Dolan's eyes lit up, and he asked with a mischievous grin, "How much did they pay you?"
"2 million over 5 years." Lin Tian snorted irritably and said directly, "Are you here to discuss the price or just to chat?"
"I don't believe anyone would offer you 2 million over 5 years! Even that idiot Paul Allen wouldn't do that."
"Compared to him, I think you're the one who's being sucked up." Lin Tian was too lazy to waste words with this guy, so he leaned back on the sofa and said, "Hurry up and give me your final offer, and I promise I won't haggle with you anymore."
"Great! I knew you'd be my good buddy." Dolan laughed heartily, then cut to the chase, saying directly, "After our analysis, discussion, and very rigorous research, we've got two contracts for you!"
"1.4 million over 4 years, starting salary of 3500 million, and also 3500 million in the final year! I'm absolutely confident in this price. Although it's only for 4 years, I think it's highly likely to be higher than the total amount of those bastards offered you for a five-year contract!"
"There's another one, 5 years for 1.6 million. The average salary and the salary in the last year of this contract are a little worse than the other contract, but the total amount is 2000 million more. This is the price my family gave after taking into account your competitive state, ability, team expenditures, budget and other factors."
"But I think, given your personality and situation, you'll most likely still choose the four-year contract!"
As soon as Dolan said this, Lin Tian immediately analyzed why the Knicks would offer an average contract instead of the incremental contracts currently popular in the league.
What can we say about the Knicks now?
Allan Houston, the team's only high-paid player, has had his contract expire. Given his current condition, ability, and injury history, his market value is now only at the mid-level.
Even if Houston re-signs the team to a mid-level exception contract, the team's second-highest paid player will still be Charlie Ward, who earns $300 million a year.
The rest of the team, apart from the rookies, are either on minimum contracts.
In terms of salary levels and payroll alone, this Knicks team is undoubtedly the most shabby and unremarkable team in the entire history of New York.
In this situation, even if the Knicks give Lin Tian this maximum salary contract, the team will not have to pay too much luxury tax until the contracts of players like Stoudemire and Anthony expire.
Even if their rookie contracts expire and the team re-signs them with high salaries, Lin Tian's average contract value will not increase, which will save the Knicks a lot of money.
After all, Lin Tian's contract is subject to double the luxury tax, with an annual salary of 3500 million and 3900 million. If the team exceeds the luxury tax threshold, the difference in luxury tax alone could amount to 800 million!
Dolan's contract, which is the same amount every year, will save the team at least 1500 million over the next two years!
This also shows that this guy is definitely not the traditional, purely large water tap.
This guy knows how to save money when he needs to.
"I have received your contract. I appreciate your sincerity. Please go back and wait for further notice, Mr. James Dolan."
"What do you mean?" Dolan immediately panicked when he heard Lin Tian give him the boot, his composure vanishing in an instant. "You can't do this to me! I've waited for you for so many years!"
"I told you not to look like a wronged woman. I didn't say I wasn't going." Lin Tian pouted and looked at this guy who was once again showing his sycophantic nature. "Robert will contact you. He will discuss the details of the contract with you."
"So, you agreed?"
"No, I'm just going to negotiate the price with you. I'll only go if I'm satisfied with the price."
"But you just said that once I gave you my bottom line, you wouldn't haggle anymore!"
"Yes, that's what I said." Lin Tian nodded and said, "So Robert will try to bargain with you, but I won't."
"You bastard, you tricked me!"
"Don't easily trust others, especially when it involves your interests." Lin Tian patted Dolan on the shoulder and said, "You're a seasoned capitalist, how could you fall for this kind of trick?"
"Alright, I need to pack my bags and go back to China for team training. If you need anything, contact Robert. He can represent me. Once you've finalized your agreement, just bring the contract for me to sign."
Dolan shook his head helplessly, extremely disappointed, sighing repeatedly, his face full of regret and grievance. He stood up unsteadily and walked out of Lin Tian's villa with reluctance.
Then, the instant the house door behind him closed, the dejection and disappointment on his face vanished, replaced by a smug smile: "Luckily, I still had some tricks up my sleeve, otherwise I would have really been fooled by this kid!"
"You still can't escape my grasp, Lin, you'd better come to the Knicks obediently!"
At this point, Dolan excitedly jumped high on the spot, then did a quick tap dance, muttering triumphantly, "Revival! Revival! The Knicks are revived in my hands!"
"James, what's got you so happy?" The door opened again, and Lin Tian's head popped out. Looking at the disheveled Dolan, who almost stumbled and fell to the ground, he pointed to a camera on the door and said, "I forgot to tell you, I have surveillance cameras here, so if you want to celebrate..."
"It's best to go further away."
"FUXX! Lin, FUXX!" Dolan felt that this was the most shameful and humiliating moment of his life. He cursed all the way and then quickly got into his car. The driver, who was already waiting in the car, stepped on the gas and the luxury car disappeared in the blink of an eye.
Seeing Dolan's disheveled figure, Lin Tian couldn't help but laugh.
This team selection process was much easier than the last one; the decision was made almost instantly.
As for the final outcome, we'll have to see what kind of contract Pelinka can secure for Lin Tian, and how many tricks that old fox Dolan has up his sleeve!
However, Lin Tian didn't worry about any of these things. He directly called Pelinka and told him the specific situation and his requirements.
As for Lin Tian's requirements, there are simply two points.
1. The higher the contract amount and average salary, the better.
2. You must have at least one year with an annual salary of over 4000 million.
Jordan beat him to the first $3000 million man, so Lin Tian is going to become the first $4000 million man in NBA history!
Although with the changing times and the development of the league, Lin Tian's record of 4000 million will only last for more than ten years.
In less than 20 years, the league will have many players with $5000 million and $6000 million in salary.
However, we'll talk about the future later.
Anyway, Lin Tian wants this right now!
He felt that only in this way could he be worthy of his status and position.
Lin Tian has given the task of setting things up. As for how Pelinka negotiates and how Dolan bargains, that's their business. Professionals should do professional things. Lin Tian is only responsible for signing and watching the results.
After giving Pelinka his instructions, Lin Tian quickly packed his clothes and went to sleep.
The very next morning, Lin Tian boarded a plane bound for China.
It's time to go train with the national team; everyone's waiting for me!
To be honest, the Chinese basketball team is currently at its absolute peak!
With Lin Tian, the NBA's number one player, Yao Ming, a top-five center in the league, and Da Zhi, who has already established himself in the league and proven his ability as a main rotation player, plus Yao Ming, who has also made it to the NBA, the three Great Walls plus Lin Tian form the core of the Chinese team.
With these four players establishing the core of the team, Hebei China Fortune has also made bold changes in the past two years. In the Asian Cup and Asian Championship matches of the past two years, they have gradually begun to use young players more boldly, allowing the veterans to rest more.
Veterans like Liu Yudong, Sun Jun, Zheng Wu, Hu Weidong, and Gong Xiaobin, who were active on the field from the 90s to the early 21st century, have gradually faded out of the national team without anyone noticing.
If we only consider age in today's Chinese national team, Lin Tian has actually become one of the oldest players. Lin Tian can't help but sigh at how fast time flies.
I've actually started to become a veteran myself.
In addition to his ability, status, and leadership qualities, Lin Tian has rightfully become the team captain for the first time this year.
After Lin Tian arrived in China, he rested in the capital for a few days as usual, met with the two old men, and then joined the team to start training together.
Here, Lin Tian not only met his long-lost teammates from China and his old acquaintance, former Lakers head coach "Silver Fox" Harris, but also met for the first time Director Li, the new generation leader of the Basketball Association.
Director Li seems like a somewhat contradictory person. He looks refined and scholarly, a typical "scholar," but whenever he talks about basketball, the development of basketball in China, and his grand ambitions, his eyes immediately ignite with fighting spirit and drive.
He may not be good at basketball, he's a pure theorist like Jeff Van Gundy, but he has an absolute love for basketball. He has devoted all his energy and effort to basketball.
It remains to be seen whether his "Polaris" project will be able to be truly completed this time.
After nearly half a month of joint training, the team once again set off for Europe for a series of training camps and warm-up matches, during which the Hebei team naturally achieved another winning streak.
Aside from a few games where Harris rotated players extensively to assess their form and competitive spirit, resulting in losses, Hebei China Fortune once again achieved a perfect record in all other games where they fielded their full starting lineup!
They continue their dominant position on the international stage.
As time went on, in mid-August, Harris finally announced the team's official 12-man roster after a game!
This is a roster that has clearly undergone a major overhaul, bringing in many young players!
This is a team that combines the strongest current players with many young talents who may become the new pillars of the team in the future.
My main message is: I want both the present and the future!
The final roster for the Chinese team is as follows.
Center: Yao Ming, Mo Bateer
Power Forwards: Dazhi, Du Feng, Yi Jianlian
Small Forward: Chen Ke, Zhu Fangyu
Shooting Guards: Li Nan, Zhang Jinsong
Point Guards: Lin Tian, Liu Wei, Zhang Yunsong
This lineup, apart from the backcourt duo of Zhang (born in 1973), Da Ba (born in 75), and Da Zhi (born in 77), consists entirely of players born in the 80s, including Yi Jianlian, who is said to be born in 87 but is only 17 years old.
Well, as for Lin Tian's age, it's best not to say, best not to say!
Anyway, if you ask, Lin Da Guanren is just an 18-year-old young man, about the same age as Yi Jianlian.
But no matter what, the Chinese men's basketball team has a very healthy roster!
While maintaining the team's top level, they are also undergoing a transformation without anyone noticing.
The only slight pity is Yi Jianlian. He originally wanted to go to Lin Tian's training camp to see if he could beat a bunch of his peers like his predecessor Yao Ming, and then find enough confidence to make a run for the NBA.
Unfortunately, the timing of this Olympics was too tight, and given Yi Jianlian's position in the team, there was simply no time to spare a month to train elsewhere.
However, Lin Tian also comforted his younger brother, saying that he would definitely give him a special favor next year.
Besides the Chinese national team players having made all the necessary preparations and already heading to Greece to begin their journey for the new Olympic Games, a number of significant events have also occurred in the NBA over the past two months.
For example, the draft was held at the end of June, and the Bobcats, who got the first pick in the first round, lived up to expectations and selected Ameka Okafor, who led the University of Connecticut to the NCAA championship this year and was named MOP, and was known as the last hope for the United States' frontcourt.
Well, coincidentally, the Celtics, who were ranked ninth in the East and had no chance of making any waves in this draft, suddenly had a stroke of luck after only one year of rebuilding and successfully got the second overall pick in the first round.
Then they selected another promising young talent, touted as the last hope for American centers.
Dwight Howard!
Rumor has it that Auerbach was so angry when the team was drawn second in the draft that he not only didn't celebrate, but almost exploded!
For the next 20 minutes, this guy kept cursing Stern for being a jerk who wouldn't give them the number one pick, causing them to miss out on a super rookie who could have made the team rise to prominence and become a top team in the league.
Then, when the Bobcats drafted Okafor, Auerbach repeatedly asked his assistants in disbelief if he was dreaming or if Stern had mispronounced the name. After learning that it wasn't Stern who mispronounced the name, but Jordan who had made a mistake, Auerbach raised his arms and roared.
"That son of a bitch Stern won't give me the number one pick, so I'll just take it! I'll pick the number one pick just like I would with the second pick! FUXX!"
Aside from the minor issue of the top two picks, there weren't many other noteworthy events in this year's draft.
If we really have to talk about it, it's that the Knicks, with the 13th pick, drafted a high school player.
Josh Smith!
The reason for choosing Smith, in Dolan's words, is: This guy can run, dunk, and make high-flying jumpers, that's enough!
The forest that suits us, the forest that is with us, will definitely get along very well!
Hmm... our Lin!
After much haggling and negotiation with Pelinka, and repeated inquiries from both sides, a new contract was finally reached.
A super contract that will go down in history!
1.5 million over 4 years!
Lin Tian and Pelinka rejected the Knicks' five-year contract offer, as well as many other offers from Dolan and the Knicks.
For example, suggestions such as finding endorsements for Lin Tian and supplementing his income from other sources.
Simply put, Lin Tian is going to get an annual salary of 4000 million!
If you don't give it to me, I'll go find Paul Allen.
In the end, Dolan was defeated, and all his previous schemes were in vain. In order to win over Lin Tian, whom he had been longing for, he finally chose to admit defeat.
The Knicks signed Lin Tian to a super contract with a first-year salary of $33 million, which will increase by $3 million each year thereafter, reaching $42 million in the final year, for a total of $150 million over four years!
3300 million, 3600 million, 3900 million, 4200 million!
This is Lin Tian's salary for the next four years. For comparison, in the 2003-2004 season, the Clippers' total salary was $3800 million and the Nuggets' total salary was $3700 million!
Furthermore, the Memphis Grizzlies' market value this season is $2.2 million, while the Bobcats, who just joined the league, have a market value of only $2.1 million.
It becomes crystal clear how outrageous Lin Tian's contract is, and how insane his 4000 million salary in the final year is!
But no matter what, the "Where is Lin Tian?" saga didn't last long this year, and it didn't drag on much. Lin Tian was even the first top player to sign a big contract during the entire offseason!
Besides Lin Tian, the second player to confirm his next team is... Tim Duncan! (End of Chapter)