On June 20, at the New York headquarters, the NBA League held a board meeting.

  "The ratings of the finals were too bad. Without Old K, the game lost its appeal, and the tickets for the finals were also very low. Someone must be responsible for all this."

"When old K and Michael Jordan were here, our ratings in the finals could reach 50 million. Jordan retired and old K came back. We originally expected him to help us make money, but you killed him. Now How much viewership is left in the finals? Ticket prices are not half of what they were at that time. In this finals series, we lost at least hundreds of millions of dollars, and someone must be responsible for this.”

  Board of directors From the very beginning, the bosses complained constantly and expressed their anger to David Stern.

David Stern said wearily: "Recently, several broadcasters have continuously put forward their opinions to us, and even threatened us to re-sign the broadcasting contract. This shows that we have indeed made some wrong decisions. If you have any ideas, say Come out."

   The 29 bosses or their authorized agents, from this sentence, we can understand Stern's attitude. This is to find a scapegoat.

   But they don't care, because Stern is indeed a very capable manager, and they can't do without Stern. As for other executives, who cares about them?

   Sun team boss Mrs. John personally participated in the board of directors, she was the first to express her opinion, said seriously:

"Mr. Stern, I believe everyone knows how much Old K has contributed to the league, but after Old K's comeback, all of us have seen how the league treated him. I am very disappointed. The league He did such a short-sighted behavior.

   I think it's time to right the wrong, someone has to pay for our losses, whoever it is, let him out. "

   "I agree with Mrs. John, someone has to pay for this." Blazers owner Paul Allen said.

  Next, the bosses with the same interests expressed their support.

David Stern agreed to many requests made by the bosses, but finally made his only request, saying: "I hope you can allow the league to maintain the suspension of the old K, otherwise the league will lose its decency, the league and the ball." The team will lose its prestige and deterrence in front of superstars like Old K, and your long-term interests will also be damaged as a result."

This is about the game between the management and the labor. Changing the order will definitely boost the arrogance of the players, and it will definitely be detrimental to the management. The bosses discussed it. Except for Mrs. John who clearly objected, the other bosses agreed, so it was passed. Turn's request.

  Ms. John has no way to compete with everyone, but the old K's suspension is the biggest loss to the Suns. She asked the league to compensate the Suns, and David Stern and other bosses agreed.

  Outside the conference room, Xiao Hua was a little panicked, because Mr. Stern actually excluded him from the meeting of the board of directors this time, and didn't let him do any related work. What does this mean? Is he marginalized.

   "No, it can't be like this. Mr. Stern promised me last year to let me be the vice president. I can't just sit back and watch myself be marginalized."

  The board of directors went on for two hours. After the end, he immediately went to Stern, but was rejected. He was not allowed to enter the president's office, which made him feel cold.

  Ten minutes after the board meeting ended, Stern suddenly appointed a new special assistant to the president, and Xiao Hua, the former special assistant to the president, was relieved of his post as special assistant to the president.

   Then the NBA President's Office began to issue a series of executive orders, and a series of personnel operations at the league's senior management level began. There were personnel transfers and direct dismissals.

  The first one to be affected was Xiao Hua, the former special assistant to the president. After he was dismissed from the position of special assistant, he received a dismissal letter from the personnel department.

  In the end, a total of thirteen executives were purged, accounting for half of the league executives, and the entire management team underwent a major change.

  June 27th, NBA draft day.

  Madison Square Garden has a good attendance rate. This year is the year of the draft, and there is a lot of attention.

  The first few rows are small green rooms, and rookies who are predicted to be at the top of the draft are invited to enter the small green room, which is the position that receives the most attention from the media.

  Zhu Fangyu and Wang Shipeng sat in the auditorium, next to two managers of Ace Company.

  The two of them have not been absent from Tiejun summer camp these years, they go every year, and then under the arrangement of Wang Tiejun, they entered the NCAA again, and now they will officially enter the professional world.

   "Old Zhu, your draft market is not bad. Maybe there is hope in the first round, but I may not have much hope in the second round." Wang Shipeng said suddenly.

Zhu Fangyu glanced at Wang Shipeng, and it was obvious that this old friend was very nervous. He comforted him: "Don't think too much, even if we go to Europe to play, it's not bad. Brother Liu and the others are doing well there, and they've all joined the national team , are still the main force. In fact, European basketball is more suitable for the national team, it is not bad to go there, and you can earn a lot of money.”

  Wang Shipeng couldn't help but nodded excitedly: "Yeah."

   Jr. Colangelo was sitting on the court at this time, having final discussions with D'Antoni and Jr. Van Gundy.

The Suns don't have any good picks, just the No. 24 pick in the first round and the No. 24 pick in the second round. In addition, they also traded Marbury for Nash. Round 26 pick.

The Suns have been targeted by the league. So far, it is difficult for Colangelo Jr. to complete a quality deal, because the old K has been suspended for 50 games. The Suns have also lost their appeal to the free market. Strong players believe that the Suns have no hope of winning the championship next season, so now the Suns' reinforcements are almost entirely dependent on the draft.

However, everyone now knows that the Suns and Old K are the league's public enemies. When the team invites draft players for trial training, many rookies with strength and potential reject the Suns' invitation. The rookie who passed the position went to the Suns for trial training.

  At eight o'clock, the draft begins.

  The knight carefully handed over his envelope.

  Little Green House, LeBron James was nervous. Although his hometown team, the Cavaliers, had promised to pick him, he was still nervous until the last moment.

  David Stern opened the envelope with a smile, pulled out a piece of white letterhead, glanced at it and smiled even wider, and then read: "The Cleveland Cavaliers, selected LeBron James from Cleveland."

"ah!"

   raised his fist violently, James stood up excitedly, and then hugged his mother Gloria James beside him.

   Anthony, sitting on the left, was disappointed that he lost the No. 1 pick.

  Popovich is also very disappointed, the **** Cavaliers chose the person he wanted most.

   Not long after, he handed in his own envelope and selected Milicic.

   Next, the Nuggets selected Anthony, the Raptors selected Bosh, and the Heat selected Wade.

  At this time, James was being interviewed by ESPN TV in the next cabin.

  Miss Loya, a host in her forties, smiled and asked, "LeBron, congratulations on becoming the No. 1 pick in 2003. You are the best one! It can be seen that you are very excited now."

   "Thank you, I am very lucky. Yes, I am really excited now, the No. 1 pick is worthy of my talent." James said excitedly.

   "So LeBron, what kind of expectations do you have for your career?" Miss Loya asked.

Hearing this question, James immediately became more excited, and said with gestures: "You know, the championship, yes, the dream of every player who enters the NBA, I look forward to getting it and having a perfect career. "

"Before you, Tim Duncan was at the peak when he debuted. He entered the league in 1997 and won the championship in the 01/02 season. He spent five seasons. Yao Min, who entered the league in 2000, also reached the peak when he debuted. It took him only three seasons to win the championship. LeBron, how many seasons are you going to use?" Miss Loya asked.

  James said excitedly: "They are all great superstars and have a perfect career, and I hope so too.

   But I don't know the specific time, I just participated in the draft, maybe three years, maybe five years, I am looking forward to it. "

   "You have mentioned old K on many occasions and said he is your idol, is it still the case now?" Miss Loya said.

James sighed and said: "Old K disappointed me a little. His violent incidents disappointed me. I always hoped to be a dominant player like him, but now I don't want to be like him. He is full of enthusiasm for the league. The destructive power has brought about a very large negative impact."

  At this time, the outside draft continued, and the Suns had reached the No. 24 pick. Colangelo Jr. wrote a name at the last moment, put it in an envelope, and handed it up.

  In the auditorium, Wang Shipeng and Zhu Fangyu became more and more nervous, because neither of them had been selected yet.

  David Stern took the envelope handed in by the staff, glanced at Little Colangelo, smiled, and opened the envelope.

   "The Phoenix Suns selected Zhu Fangyu from the University of North Texas."

   "Ah, Lao Zhu, the Suns have chosen you! You are going to play next to Lao K, it's great!" Wang Shipeng almost jumped up, his face full of envy.

   "Hehe..." Zhu Fangyu laughed silly.

   "Congratulations, Zhu." Josh Howard, who was in the past, said enviously.

  He and Zhu Fangyu are teammates, and they play in the NCAA together.

   "Thank you, Josh, you will be soon too." Zhu Fangyu said hurriedly.

  Ten minutes later, Colangelo Jr. handed over his envelope again. This time, he used the No. 26 pick to select a swinging defender, Josh Howard.

   Zhu Fangyu is Marion's first substitute, Josh Howard is Joe Johnson's first substitute, and the second substitute at the third position.

  He plans to let Joe Johnson start at the second position next season, focusing on training.

Old K couldn't play in the first half of the season, and there was no insider, but he didn't choose an insider rookie, because in his two positions, there are no insiders who are attractive, and those with potential and strength have already been selected. up.

  So he had already discussed with the coaching staff. Before the old K came back, the Suns played real small ball tactics and did not want a center.

"I?"

  Josh Howard was stunned. He didn't expect the Suns to choose him, so that he and Zhu would continue to be teammates.

   "Josh, I didn't expect that. Congratulations." Zhu Fangyu smiled happily.

   "Thank you, Zhu, this result is really good." Josh Howard said excitedly.

  Wang Shipeng next to him was very disappointed, and he was always lost until the end of the draft. He still didn't hear his name. Although he was mentally prepared, he still couldn't avoid disappointment.

   Next, he will go to Europe for trial training under the arrangement of Ace Brokerage Company.

  The draft is over and the trading window is open, but there is still a freeze period, and the official signing has to wait for the end of the freeze period.

   On the afternoon of the 28th, at the Lakers headquarters, Jerry West, who had just returned from New York, received visiting veteran postman Karl Malone and his agent.

  He and the postman have been in contact since the Western Conference Finals, and now the contract has almost been negotiated, and it is only waiting to be finalized.

  The postman is 40 years old and doesn't have high requirements for the contract. The Lakers offered a one-year contract of 1.5 million, and he agreed directly.

   At the same time, Payton and his agent also came to Portland, and they were the pioneers who took the initiative to contact.

  The Blazers were very excited about Payton's initiative to contact. This time they were eliminated by the Suns. The problem with the back line is the key. The management hopes to strengthen the No. 1 position.

   Payton is 36 years old. He has a little demand for the contract. His agent quoted a two-year contract of 10 million yuan.

   But they just got Payton, and they turned around and saw Rasheed Wallace running.

  The agent of the troll asked the management to take the initiative to trade, because the team intends to train Randolph, which will affect his playing time, so he hopes to leave the Trail Blazers.

The management did not force him to stay. Rasheed Wallace only has one year left on his contract. This year's deal is a good deal, and the management hopes to push Randolph, who has performed well in the playoffs, to start at the fourth position next year. Rasheed De Wallace's importance has diminished.

  As soon as they put Rasheed Wallace on the shelves, they received offers from several teams.

  The Pistons, Lakers, and Nets all submitted their own offers.

"How to do?"

  The general manager of the Blazers, Bob Whithit, took several offers, and after careful consideration, he agreed to the Pistons.

It’s not that the Pistons offer a better offer. It’s because the Pistons pose the least threat to the Trail Blazers. It’s impossible to give it to the Lakers. It’s an enemy, and it’s not good to give it to the Nets. The Nets are the defending team. It’s impossible to give it to them. The problem can also increase the competitiveness of the East and achieve the purpose of consuming the Nets.

   "Carl, are you really leaving?"

  John Stockton called the postman. He got news from the team that the postman didn't renew his contract, so he knew the postman's plan.

  He knew before that the postman had this idea. The last time old K asked the postman if he wanted to hug his thigh, the postman didn't refuse.

   "John, I'm sorry, life without a crown is like a dog, I don't want that." The postman said in a very heavy tone.

   "You let me down too much." John Stockton, who had been mentally prepared, hung up the phone.

   An hour later, John Stockton's agent announced that Stockton had officially retired.

  On the same day, Ewing also announced his official retirement.

   "King Kong also retired?"

  Los Angeles, David Robinson, whose bones are still not healed, was a little emotional when he heard the news. He was the only one left among the three brilliant centers.

Although he was disappointed in the finals this time, next season is full of hope. The old K was suspended for 50 games, and the Suns have lost their competitiveness. With the postman joining the Lakers, the Lakers will definitely become the favorites for the championship next season. Team, his championship dream is about to come true.

  After the trading window opened, Colangelo was busy contacting those big fish in the free market, hoping to gain something.

   There are many big fish in the free market this year, Payton, Karl Malone, Alonzo Mourning, Divac, Jermaine O'Neal, Brand, Reggie Miller, Brad Miller.

   After a series of phone calls, I was very disappointed that the big-name players and players who were a bit pursuing did not agree.

  In the capital, a man came to Lao Wang’s house this day. Bart, a player from Shougang, was selected for the national team in 2002. He is not very familiar with him, but he does know him.

   "Do you want to go to the NBA?"

   "Well, old K, please help."

  Bart actually thought about it a long time ago, but he was not familiar with the old K, so he never approached him. Now that he is almost 28 years old, time is running out, so he bit the bullet and approached him.

   "Come with me, let me see your strength."

  Old Wang was not very clear about Bart's strength, so he got up and beckoned Bart to follow him to the training hall.

  Bart smiled wryly and had no choice but to follow.

   Half an hour later, in the Tiejun training hall, Lao Wang threw away the ball in his hand.

   "Bart, your athletic quality is not good, your movement is too slow, you are so slow!"

   "Bart, the speed is too slow. Without help defense, you can't keep up with the defense alone. If someone breaks through and cuts in, you can't keep up if you turn too slowly."

   "Bart, your mid-range shot is not very accurate, and your shots in confrontation are poor."

  A series of merciless evaluations were thrown out, making Bart dizzy and lose confidence.

Lao Wang is a bit regretful, because Bart is too old. The 75-year-old is only two years younger than him. When he opened the summer camp, Bart was already an adult. Otherwise, with his physique and his training methods, his athletic quality would definitely be better. it is good.

  He finally said: "I suggest you stay in China to play in the CBA and go to the NBA. Even if a team wants you, I'm afraid you won't have much chance to play. Instead of wasting time outside, you'd better stay in China."

  After being hit hard, Bart finally left in disappointment.

   But he has a strong desire to play in the NBA. Playing there for one year, he can earn as much as ten years in China, or even more. Old K is unwilling to help, so he decides to find a way by himself.

  …

   At ten o'clock in the evening on June 30, under the arrangement of the Lakers, Kobe came to a hot spring hotel in the Ed City, Colorado area.

  The Lakers arranged for him to undergo surgery here. He has already made an appointment to perform right knee surgery tomorrow and return to Los Angeles the day after tomorrow.

   On the evening of July 1st, after dinner, Dabao took his father, Lao Wang, to the basketball court behind South Street.

  Historically, his father and son played there every night. During this period, it became a place where BJ basketball fans gathered, and it was very lively.

   The call lasted until 9 o'clock, and the father and son came back.