On June 26, 1998, at 16:00 in the afternoon, many fans were waiting in front of the TV, waiting for today's "Oprah Winfrey Show".
While the labor agreement was still in dispute, many media wanted to interview Michael Jordan to see his attitude. In the end, the local Chicago media once again took the advantage.
Michael Jordan, who was wearing a dark gray suit, seemed to be in a good mood. Perhaps Michael Jordan was still looking forward to the Bulls' continued pursuit of the championship.
After waving to the audience in the studio, there was a burst of cheers. After Michael Jordan took his seat, he realized that there was another chair next to him:
"You invited other people today. It seems that I am no longer the protagonist!"
Michael Jordan joked with a smile, and there were shouts of "McDun" in the studio. Even if he didn't win the championship this year, no one would blame him.
Moreover, the fans in Chicago support McDuck even more. They want to see the drama of revenge. Everyone expects the Bulls to win the championship again.
Oprah, wearing a purple dress with her hair tied up, smiled and waved her hand to signal for silence, and then said with a smile:
"The youngest MVP of the Finals, Clay-Lee! Mike, I hope you like this episode!"
Li You, who was wearing a black formal suit, also waved to the studio audience, which also aroused cheers from everyone. When he smiled and sat next to Maikou, the booing was even louder.
Michael Jordan rubbed his eyebrows, turned to Oprah and said:
"You invited this little guy?"
Li You didn't care about Maikou's choice of words, but said with a smile:
"This is a conversation between champions!"
The background of the studio is also very interesting. On one side is the scene of Michael Jordan winning five championships, and on the other side is a photo of Li You calmly raising a finger and pretending to be X in the Delta Center Arena.
"Let's talk about this year's championship first. I witnessed that 0.9-second victory. The United Center suddenly became very quiet at that time!"
"Mike, talk about how you felt at that time!"
Oprah was not polite either. She laughed and opened her scars when she came up, and cheers rang out from the studio. Everyone loved it.
Michael Jordan smiled and shook his head, then said seriously:
"I admit that I made a mistake. I should have grasped the timing and not left any chance to my opponent."
"That game changed the series, but I believe the Bulls still have a chance to come back and we need to be tight in the regular season."
"I don't want to make any excuses. Although the Bulls are no longer young, I think our understanding of the game is better, or to another level!"
Maikou made a higher gesture, and the atmosphere team in the studio also applauded.
There is no sense of disobedience in bragging after losing. After noticing Li You smiling and shaking his head, Oprah quickly responded:
"Li, it seems that you don't agree with McQueen's point of view. Tell me what you think of that game!"
Seeing that Maikou was still unconvinced, Li You was not polite and said equally seriously:
"Competitive sports are cruel. They not only require a competitive mentality and tenacious fighting spirit, but also abundant physical fitness."
"I want to thank the Indiana Pacers. Of course, they may also be grateful to me because the Knicks eliminated the Bulls."
The atmosphere team in the studio saw Michael Jordan start to purse his lips, and then started to boo loudly.
"The fact is that the Bulls are too old, and the Knicks are younger. Maybe McDunner has indeed reached another level, but I will use abundant physical fitness to bring him back to reality."
"Don't give me a chance, otherwise no matter how many times we fight, I will take away the victory!
"oh!!"
Everyone followed suit and cheered loudly. Michael Jordan tilted his head and immediately replied without asking Oprah at the side:
"Your style of play lacks aggressiveness and you shoot too many three-pointers. I watched the finals. If Karl Malone made free throws, it would be hard to win the championship!"
The unlucky Malone was teased again, and everyone burst into laughter. After missing key free throws for two consecutive years, Malone became the target of ridicule during the offseason.
Although the media has started to talk about "what if" recently, Li You didn't care and continued to respond with a smile:
"But in the end I won the game, I won the championship, I don't care how many three-pointers I took, I won anyway!"
Noticing that Maikou wanted to say something else, Li You smiled and sped up his speech and joked:
"What I want to say is that not every player has extraordinary talent like Michael!"
"Bang!" "Bang!"
"Continuously hitting in the low post, then ignoring the defense, quickly turning towards the baseline, leaning back in the air, and sticking out his tongue easily!"
"Then keep your body shape, watch the opponent's whereabouts, take the shot calmly, then the basketball falls into the basket, and pats the defender after landing!"
"Don't provoke Black Jesus!"
"NO! He is the only one in the league who plays like this. My style of play is more universal."
"I hope young people will be inspired after seeing this year's playoffs. As long as the ball is put into the basket, a three-pointer can kill the game!"
Li You imitated the McDuck expression, causing the atmosphere team in the studio to burst into laughter. Michael Jordan shook his head with a smile and immediately asked:
"Listen, young players must maintain their ability to think independently!"
"50 percent three-point shooting? Universality? Are you serious?"
Seeing that the two of them were still choking, Oprah pretended to cover her forehead and said with a laugh:
"OK! Let's take a rest and be back soon!"
"."
Friday afternoon's episode of "The Oprah Winfrey Show" kept fans entertained.
The two refused to give in to each other in the show, and their completely different basketball concepts also made the melon-eaters happy.
While learning about Li You’s “standard childhood for a superstar”, Michael Jordan also expressed his wishes:
"I want to win another championship!"
This is Michael Jordan's first public statement since Phil Jackson's departure.
Chicago fans are overjoyed. They want to see the Bulls maintain their lineup and continue to play. They want to see the sixth championship flag raised above the United Center.
It is a pity that after this program was broadcast, the media reporters did not interview the Bulls management. Obviously, the two sides have different ideas.
The Bulls owner still holds a negative attitude towards continuing to spend large sums of money to let McNair play.
There was a tacit agreement among everyone on the show that the issue of labor agreements was not mentioned.
Michael Jordan will not accept a salary cut. This is the will of the players union. As the most successful superstar, Michael Jordan must take the lead.
As the newly promoted FMVP, Li You naturally wants a super maximum salary similar to that of Kevin Garnett.
The players are all in the same camp. Everyone just wants to make a lot of money. Limiting salaries and cutting salaries are all bad policies and the product of compromise.
After the show, there is of course a social dinner. The Drink, a fashionable nightclub just opened in downtown Chicago last year, has become the first choice for everyone.
There is a luxury bar, a spacious dance floor, a private lounge, and fancy cocktails. After its opening, it attracted many celebrities.
The Bulls' front office was also there, and this was an opportunity for Michael Jordan to ease relations with the other party.
Although Hook's Mark Parker has not received a promotion or salary increase recently, the signing of Li You has also earned him unanimous praise internally.
At this time, this man was having a lively chat with a professor from the University of Chicago Law School. The black professor, who liked basketball, had always been a loyal fan of McQueen.
"Let's listen to people's opinions. Li, don't you want to go to law school? The University of Chicago is also a good choice!"
Mark Parker, who was holding a glass of wine, greeted Li You, tilted his head and motioned for him to go for a lap on the dance floor and ask him to accompany this enthusiastic fan.
The place was not noisy, and the music was not as intense as chanting in black nightclubs.
The law school professor, who was dressed casually, looked amiable and clinked glasses with Li You with a smile:
"I really want to see the perfect ending of McQueen. To be honest, I watched G4 in front of the TV, and then I didn't eat for the whole day!"
"But I like to see different types of young stars grow. Lee, congratulations on winning the championship!"
The memory in Li You's mind tumbled when he saw this person, and he joked after clinking glasses:
"Perhaps imperfection is a good thing. Maybe everyone can watch him continue to play!"
As soon as the two of them finished speaking, Michael Jordan, who was a little confused from drinking, came over, put his arms around their shoulders and said loudly:
"What a damn choice! Come play golf with me for a few days!"
It seemed that he and the Bulls' management had broken up again. McQueen simply stopped thinking about it and decided to indulge in the world of golf.
Li You glanced at the Bulls personnel leaving the field behind him, and suddenly realized one thing:
"No player can be above the management, not even the first player in history."
In the past few days at the end of June, major sports media finally captured Michael Jordan's presence.
At the Cagliari Country Golf Club in Lemont, McNair held a charity golf tournament and invited friends and celebrities, but did not accept interviews for several days.
Blue sky, white clouds and green grassland, the beautiful environment can really make people feel happy.
Li You, whose skills were poor, played the whole game, which made Michael Jordan very happy. He seemed to be in a good mood when he saw Li You pull up and dunk.
Charles Barkley, who twitched his golf swing throughout, became everyone's delight.
At the beginning of June, Glider Drexler officially announced his retirement, and the aging Big Three disintegrated. Considering Olajuwon's state, Barkley may have to become a big player.
Unlike Li You, who is just a soy saucer, Barkley came to Chicago mainly to recruit Pippen, the second-in-command.
Barkley, who also has great skills, will also chat with Li You, but this guy has no idea of joining the Knicks:
"I have no interest in playing with Oakley. He doesn't like me and I hate him!"
Li You, who was so worried, held up the white hat on his head and wished the veterans who were still chasing the championship:
"Maybe you will be successful in recruiting you this time, but I am not optimistic about your cooperation! I wish you good luck!"
"."
Of course golf is just a pastime, this activity is mainly for making friends.
Everyone knows that Li You has signed a lot of endorsements recently and has become a walking beauty. His identity is very important, but his beauty is also important.
At least everyone would smile at him. Even though he was from New Mexico, no one was laughing at Li You.
Play golf during the day, gamble and play cards at night, get together to play ball when you're bored, and have a silver party when you're drunk.
For a whole week, Li You couldn't hold it back even if he was full of energy.
July 1, 1998, Priority Sport headquarters on LS Street in Chicago.
Agent Mark Bartelstein watched the dull-eyed Li You sign one contract after another, constantly imagining the future:
"This is just an initial cooperation. Everyone likes New York. For sponsors, this is the best advertising city."
"We will continue to receive sponsorships. It's time for you to hire an assistant. I don't want to receive reminders of breach of contract. Li, you need to pay attention too!"
McDonald's was the most generous, offering 10 million US dollars over three years. There were many specific requirements, and the contract included bonus clauses.
Every time a new product is released, Li You has to cooperate in filming an advertisement, and then has to participate in activities organized by McDonald's:
McDonald's All-High School All-Star Game, McDonald's Training Camp, McDonald's Charity Game, etc.
Pepsi-Cola is also very generous, at least more generous than Sprite. After becoming the official beverage sponsor of the NFL, Pepsi-Cola continued to spend money, US$10 million in five years, part of which was bonus terms.
Spalding Basketball's contract has no requirements, just a simple five-year, $5 million contract.
Some clothing and cars just give away products. Dodge performed well in the French Rally in early June and caught up with the Knicks to win the championship, so they sent a new "Championship" commemorative edition car.
Li You signed these contracts and saw there were many more on the side. He looked at the Nintendo contract in his hand and was a little confused for a moment:
"I can understand game companies. Why do these high-calorie food companies believe that athlete endorsement products will have a positive impact on sales?"
Mark Bartelstein shrugged. For these absolutely rational people, buying food only depends on taste and ingredients:
"Perhaps if the tastes are not too different, fans will support their stars?"
"."
As for the beautiful knives sent by sponsors, after being selected by Mark Bartelstein, Li You refused to accept them.
After a busy morning, Li You, who was preparing for lunch at noon, stood up and tidied his clothes. He looked at the dark circles under his eyes in the mirror and couldn't help but rub his eyebrows:
"I was hurt by alcohol and sex again, and I have to stop drinking during the offseason."
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(End of chapter)
