Basketball Legend: When Pride Still Matters

Chapter 986 986 576 Im Not Targeting You_3

?Chapter 986: Chapter 576 I’m Not Targeting You_3 Chapter 986: Chapter 576 I’m Not Targeting You_3 “`
One of these was the Clippers’ broadcast contract with the local TV station, which would expire in the summer of 2014, presenting Ballmer with a good opportunity. The Clippers were earning 20 million US Dollars a year from this contract, and with the addition of the GOAT to the new season, if the team performed well, even returning to the playoffs with good results, the team’s influence and attractiveness would significantly increase. Ballmer was confident that he could negotiate a contract comparable to that of the Lakers, and by doing so, he would recoup his investment from this summer.

The last issue was the arena. The Clippers shared the Staples Center with the Lakers, but every time they played against the Lakers, the home atmosphere felt like a graveyard. This situation had to be improved. The Lakers had three championship banners hanging in the Staples Center, that deeply rooted sense of belonging and pride was hard to shake, so the best choice for the Clippers would be to find a new arena.

But achieving this goal required the team to perform exceptionally well. If Yu Fei could lead the team to good results, Ballmer would naturally speed up the plans for a new arena; if not even the GOAT could change the team’s situation, then a longer-term plan would be necessary. After all, the Staples Center had already become a landmark in Los Angeles, and from a traffic perspective, it was impeccable.

So, when a reporter asked Ballmer about his expectations for the new season, he replied, “A 50% win rate, returning to the playoffs, and going as far as possible.”

“What I mean is, we need to strive to go further. I don’t expect a championship; I know the timing isn’t right, but we have Frye, so anything is possible,” Ballmer said, “He led the last-ranked Supersonics to a championship in the 2007-08 season, couldn’t he overturn the Clippers’ thirty-year disgrace? If God really had to pick someone to end this history, it would definitely be Frye—he is the chosen one!”

When it was time for a group photo, Ballmer suggested letting Yu Fei stand in the center.

Yu Fei responded, “No, that position should be yours, after all, I haven’t made any contributions to the team yet.”

“I haven’t made much of a contribution either,” Ballmer demurred.

“No, your contribution is greater than anyone else’s,” Yu Fei said, “Frye came for you.”

Laughter and cheers erupted on the scene, as the media noticed the good relationship between the GOAT and Ballmer.

Many reporters at the event had attended the Supersonics media day in the winter of 2007, and some had attended for many years in a row, but they had never seen the GOAT and Clay Bennett interact so warmly.

There were rumors that Ballmer had secured the GOAT’s signing by granting him unprecedented control, and this inside story might be true. Otherwise, why would the GOAT hold the new owner in such high regard?

Ballmer got both face and substance, and naturally stood in the center, his face breaking into a smile, and at the photographer’s command, everyone struck their poses, and then, with a “click,” the photo was taken.

Did anyone hear the flipping of pages in the void?

From Buffalo to San Diego, and then from San Diego to Los Angeles, the Clippers’ 43-year history marked by disgrace finally took a long-awaited turn at this moment.

A brand-new era was about to begin.

The beginning of this era might be traced back to what Giannis Antetokounmpo said to the Greek media who came to interview him during the preseason: “I want to gain weight, practice shooting, develop a vision for the game… to help the team comprehensively, and ultimately play for the Greek national team. I am proud to be a Greek.”

This was a heartfelt statement from a new Greek who was legally still an international refugee before being selected by the NBA.

Without a doubt, this is a slightly humorous start for the Clippers.

Then, they met the defending champions, the Miami Heat, during the preseason.

This summer, the Heat let Trevor Ariza go.

Because they had four max contracts with Wade, Yao Ming, Love, and Curry, they could not satisfy Ariza’s desire for a big contract.

Subsequently, Ariza joined the Houston Rockets.

But did the Heat’s strength diminish as a result?

No, because third-year swingman Jimmy Butler stepped up.

Seeing the Heat’s lineup, if Yu Fei felt anything but surprise, they had a great chance of defending their title.

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Then, he saw Yao Ming sitting calmly by the court.

“What does this mean? Not playing in the preseason?” Yu Fei asked with a smile, “Are you letting down the fans?”

Yao Ming responded nonchalantly, “The fans will understand. Don’t they want me to play for a few more years?”

Yu Fei shook his head, unsure of what to say.

This summer, Yao Ming was once again called up by the national team, joining his old teammates to battle in the Asian Championship.

However, the men’s basketball team was clearly aging, as most of the players were from the BJ Olympics era. They were no longer at their prime. Facing the peak Iranian team, Yao Ming played nearly 40 minutes, furiously scoring 44 points and 20 rebounds, leading the team to a narrow 6-point victory over their opponents and successfully winning the championship in Manila.

Keep in mind, Yao Ming had just won the NBA championship with his team. Along with the national team’s training camp and the Asian Championship games, he could be said to have had no rest all year.

Resting during the preseason was the right decision.

Soon, both teams’ starters took to the court.

Even though it was a preseason game, the Heat put out their full starting lineup except for Yao Ming.

Yu Fei spotted Butler.

Suddenly, the comical image of Butler’s past life with his non-mainstream hairstyle disappeared, replaced with the image of a young Jordan.

“Stephen, did you guys really have to start this guy?” Yu Fei asked.

There was a slight change in Butler’s expression.

Curry said, “Jimmy is great.”

Then, an unanticipated disaster approached Butler.

Yu Fei’s aggressive close contact was exactly what Butler liked.

However, Yu Fei pretended to be outmaneuvered by him, luring his teammate to pass the ball, and then at the moment the ball arrived, he violently jostled for position and stole the ball—if it weren’t for the GOAT, he would’ve been called for a foul long ago—he did not enjoy this sort of thing one bit.

Butler was knocked to the ground.

Yu Fei immediately smashed the ball forward.

Antetokounmpo chased down the ball and then delivered to the audience an otherworldly dunk from beyond the three-point line.

“Ubuntu! Ubuntu!” Antetokounmpo shouted at Yu Fei, “We are great because of others! That’s it, isn’t it? GOAT? GOAT!”

“Others” didn’t have time to respond to him, only looking down at Butler on the ground, “It’s not personal, I just fucking hate number 23.”

PS: I have an unavoidable social engagement tomorrow, won’t have time to write, so I need to take a day off.