noveldrama
Chapter 965 965 569 Irresistible Conditions_3
Chapter 965 965 569 Irresistible Conditions_3
?Chapter 965: Chapter 569 Irresistible Conditions_3 Chapter 965: Chapter 569 Irresistible Conditions_3 This was the Clippers’ draft pick.
Arne Trem, after studying the Greek Freak for several days, decided to take Yu Fei’s advice and take a big gamble.
Almost every scout agreed that Giannis Antetokounmpo’s theoretical ceiling was higher than Noel’s, but no team would use a lottery pick to gamble on him. Because the level of the games he played in was too low, the skills he demonstrated could very well be illusory; such players are best gambled on in the middle or later part of the first round.
However, Trem, the rookie, directly used a lottery pick to secure the Greek Freak, which genuinely surprised his peers.
And this ended the last, and only, suspense of the draft.
Next were some potential stocks’ destinations.
New Zealand center Steven Adams was selected by the Jazz;
Kelly Olynyk was selected by the Raptors;
The German cannon Dennis Schroder was selected by the 76ers;
Tim Hardaway Jr. was selected by the Lakers;
French Spider-Man Rudy Gobert was selected by the Denver Nuggets and then traded to the Nuggets for cash and a 2014 second-round pick.
The rest are not worth mentioning.
This was the last draft hosted by Stern.
In 1984, when he first stood on this stage, he hosted the greatest draft class in NBA history.
And at his retirement, he was sent off by a draft class that seemed utterly disappointing.
The contrast between then and now is poignant.
But this was not Stern’s final moment.
His final moment would be in January 2014, the day he retired.
However, the last moments of the SuperSonics dynasty were approaching.
Yu Fei’s next team had not yet been determined, but Clippers’ incoming owner Steve Ballmer had already scheduled a meeting with him in early July.
This meeting was organized by Arne Trem; at that time, both parties would engage in formal negotiations.
Yu Fei had a decent impression of Ballmer but would not judge a person based solely on impression because he once had a good impression of Bennett as well.
Only through negotiations would he know what the other party thought.
The decision was imminent, and following the process James used when he returned to the Cavaliers, Yu Fei needed to do the same. It was essential for public relations.
Therefore, his team had been preparing in all aspects throughout June.
On July 1, Yu Fei’s camp published a farewell letter in the name of Yu Fei in “Player Tribune” and the “Seattle Times”.
The fans had long expected this moment.
When it happened, all they could do besides cursing Bennett was nothing else.
Seattle’s media chose to send blessings, and fans expressed their gratitude to Yu Fei in various ways.
The Mayor of Seattle called the period from 2007 to 2013 the most brilliant moment in Seattle’s professional sports history. In these short six years, sports culture became unprecedentedly important in this city of the middle class. The pride and cohesion the SuperSonics brought to the citizens were indescribable.
“The only thing we can be sure of is the moment Frye left, the SuperSonics were no longer the team we knew. But when we look up, we know his spirit will forever remain in Seattle,” said Greg Nichols, the Mayor of Seattle, “The honor of four championships closely binds Frye with Seattle, and this connection will never fade.”
A few days later, Yu Fei met Steve Ballmer at a hotel under the guise of attending a commercial event.
Yu Fei’s impression of Ballmer mainly came from his past life, knowing Ballmer was an extremely passionate owner, expressing his emotions just like a regular fan while sitting courtside. Throughout the years Ballmer had owned the Clippers, although the team was still plagued by bad luck, it was no longer embroiled in the off-court scandals of the Sterling era.
The Clippers no longer gave up on signing players due to financial issues, but unfortunately, championships couldn’t simply be bought with money.
The meeting was very low-key with very few attendees; representing the Clippers were only the owner Ballmer and general manager Trem, while Yu Fei had only Elizabeth Olsen present on his side.
Yu Fei displayed his usual confidence when facing Ballmer: “You have ten minutes to convince me to join the worst team in the NBA.”
Ballmer smiled and said, “I don’t need ten minutes. Frye, if you’re willing to join the Clippers, I will provide you with everything you need.”
“Everything?” Yu Fei looked skeptical. “Clay Bennett told me the same thing.”
Ballmer continued, “I am not Clay Bennett, nor am I Donald Sterling. I am just a person dreaming of owning an NBA team. Now, my dream is about to come true, but I won’t allow my team to inherit Donald Sterling’s disgrace. I want my team to be as successful as the greatest teams in history.”
Trem sat quietly aside; this legendary figure who had controlled Microsoft’s business empire had his own persuasive words to sway Yu Fei.
“I know, you don’t want to be controlled by others as you were in Seattle. So, I’ve made a decision,” Ballmer said with a smile: “Once I acquire the team, I will transfer 10% of the shares to a person you designate. Furthermore, every department, every position, every appointment in the team will be decided by you.”
Ballmer said lightly, “I don’t know basketball, so I need the greatest player in history to manage my team. Frye, aside from the owner’s position, everything else can be yours. Now, please give me an answer; are you willing to join my team?”
Elizabeth Olsen was stunned. Even though she didn’t understand the workings of professional basketball much, she knew how terrifying it was for one person to have the power to decide the dismissals and operational directions of an entire group.
In the history of the NBA, how many people had that kind of power? Moreover, Yu Fei was still a player. Even if this was behind closed doors, it would completely rewrite the existing landscape.
Elizabeth Olsen gently touched Yu Fei: “Frye, what do you think?”
This Los Angeles team, despite its long history, had almost no honors. However, joining this team meant he could stay close to his family for the long term and have control over the entire team.
Yu Fei knew that other team owners wouldn’t offer the same terms. Even if they did, their teams weren’t in Los Angeles.
Geographical location became key because his fiancée and children were here, and their careers were also flourishing here.
After leaving the metropolis of Seattle, if he wanted to enhance his business value further, Yu Fei’s options were extremely limited.
Therefore, this was an offer he couldn’t refuse.
Yu Fei smiled at Elizabeth softly: “I never thought I’d say this to a man much older than me.”
Then, looking decisively at Ballmer, he said: “Yes, I am willing.”
Arne Trem was incredibly excited; he knew the dark history of the Clippers spanning decades would end this summer.
In this world, if anyone could make the Clippers great, that person would definitely be Yu Fei.
Yet, before Ballmer completed the acquisition of the Clippers, Yu Fei still had to keep a low profile.
However, word soon spread that Yu Fei was selling his house in Seattle, and his Twitter account had also recently unfollowed the official SuperSonics account.
Everything was moving forward steadily; the SuperSonics had ultimately lost their savior.