noveldrama
Chapter 935 935 559 The End of an Era_2
Chapter 935 935 559 The End of an Era_2
?Chapter 935: Chapter 559: The End of an Era_2 Chapter 935: Chapter 559: The End of an Era_2 Durant’s decision brought basketball back into his life. Yu Fei was not surprised by Durant’s decision; from the moment Durant chose not to apologize for the burner account incident, this outcome was destined. Not apologizing meant he did not want to mend the relationship. Nevertheless, he still gave his all in the games, which was a form of redemption in itself, wasn’t it?
Most importantly, a player like Durant could not possibly settle for being beneath someone during the peak of his career, and Nike couldn’t tolerate this situation either. Thus, this was the result of a collective will. Durant was simply going along with his own and others’ desires.
Yu Fei reflected on the five years he had worked with Durant since 2007. He was tough on Durant, to a point where he might be considered harsh, but this motivation was selfless. If there was any personal agenda, it was to make Durant better.
As he got older, Yu Fei increasingly cared about his teammates’ thoughts, because he did not want Scottie Pippen to write a tell-all book criticizing him like he did with Jordan.
Looking back, Yu Fei thought he was somewhat responsible for the lack of concern over Ray Allen and Michael Redd’s successive trades during his early days with the Bucks. He was too young back then, incapable of empathetic thinking, only focused on what he cared about. Allen’s and Redd’s feelings and thoughts were beyond his concern.
Thus, Red requested a trade because he couldn’t advance his position and eventually became a stranger, while Allen remained a spectator during the chaos at The Palace of Auburn Hills, later isolated by the whole team and forced to request a trade.
This is why Yu Fei chose to give Durant a hand after the burner account incident erupted. He didn’t know where the season would have gone if he hadn’t done so, but it certainly wouldn’t have ended like it did. Only then could he say he had no regrets.
Durant played so energetically in the playoffs that he surely felt remorse and guilt about his past actions, but many things can’t be undone. People can’t overcome the force of time; mistakes can only be gradually dimmed by time. Durant simply realized in a moment of sudden enlightenment that the source of the tragedy was his unending envy and rage, and the unattainability of his desires. Therefore, leaving was his choice.
The day after Durant requested a trade, Roy called Yu Fei to ask if he had contacted Durant.
“I don’t plan to do so,” Yu Fei said, “I respect his decision.”
“He apologized to me,” Roy said, “just last night, he apologized for everything.”
Yu Fei paused, “Really? That’s good.”
“So, you really don’t want to keep him?”
“That’s not it, Brandon,” Yu Fei said, “He won’t change his mind, all we can do is wish him well.”
Because, if it were Yu Fei, he would have done the same. Jealous of others’ talents, envious of others’ limelight, longing to be someone, they were the same kind of people.
Yu Fei ultimately didn’t take a stance.
Silence is often an attitude in itself.
The SuperSonics knew what to do next.
Presti was bound to be the most tormented person this summer, his empire on the brink of ruin due to Durant’s departure.
Meanwhile, pressure from the owners was suffocating him.
Clay Bennett’s attitude was to deny the fourth max contract, so Chris Bosh, who was willing to stay and fight for a fifth consecutive championship, was bound to be disappointed.
Indeed, Bosh had made his stance clear several days ago, but the SuperSonics had shown no response, which deeply hurt him.
Now, the SuperSonics had absolutely no time to consider Bosh’s contract renewal issue.
They needed to expedite Durant’s trade.
By now, Durant was the most valuable commodity in the League.
At only 23 years old, he was already among the top five players in the League, and moreover, his contract wasn’t up until the summer of 2016.
Presti conceived a trade strategy that seemed perfect.
He reached out to New Orleans, hoping to exchange Durant for the Hornets’ first overall draft pick.
Since the Hornets had enough salary cap space, they could absorb Durant’s huge contract.
If the trade were to happen, the SuperSonics would not only gain Anthony Davis, a generational talent, but also shed a max contract, thereby freeing up enough space to sign Bosh.
Such a two-for-one scenario was, indeed, a tempting prospect.
But the Hornets thought: why should we cooperate?
Durant’s value and this year’s first draft pick were comparable, but the Hornets, being a rebuilding team, couldn’t provide Durant with the competition he needed, and moreover, the market in New Orleans was too small. Previously, before Paul was drafted by the Hornets, the team’s owner had considered relocating due to lack of local support, only to have Paul revive the team’s fortunes. But now, Paul had left, ownership had changed, and a small-market team starting anew simply couldn’t cater to a big star like Durant.
Durant was great, but the Hornets would rather bet on Anthony Davis becoming an even greater player after entering the NBA.
Presti’s plans were foiled.
He couldn’t afford to dwell on the failure of Plan A, because the enthusiastic New Yorkers had opened up Plan B for him.
The Knicks had the second overall pick in the 2012 draft.
The 2012 draft was considered comparable to those of 2003, 1996, and 1984.
And in terms of depth, it might even compare to the 1985 draft (nine All-Stars).
Apart from the first pick, which could select a historically talented player like Anthony Davis, the second pick could also select a potential All-Star with star potential.