Early the next morning, after the league's official penalty results came out, all parties were shocked.
Spurs fans and Wizards fans are undoubtedly the happiest. Malone was suspended for two games. Although it is not much, these two suspensions are extremely fatal and will directly crush the Jazz's championship dream.
Lin Yu and the Wizards were also extremely happy. They were happy for Ben. This time, Ben was only suspended for one game. Originally, Ben was already prepared to be suspended for more than ten games.
The next second game is still the home court of the Wizards. The result is predictable. The Wizards will go on the court and work hard to improve their statistics for FMVP.
Although all the generals are as close as brothers, the temptation of FMVP is still too great.
If Kobe and McGrady win this honor, they will directly break the record and become the youngest FMVP in NBA history.
If McGrady and Daba get it, they will become the second rookie season MVP in NBA history after Magic Johnson. The significance is self-evident.
Weber also wants this FMVP. He has already won the regular season MVP and double MVP in a single season. That is the stepping stone to becoming a historical superstar.
Even Peja is eager. He wants to be the greatest Serbian player and set a precedent for Serbia in the NBA.
In fact, the later MVP Jokic was also a Serb. What Peja failed to do, the little chubby Jokic did it.
They beat the Jazz wildly in the first two games, winning the first game by 50 points and the second game by 47 points. There has never been such a disparity in the finals in NBA history.
In the third game, we came to the home court of the Utah Jazz.
The home court of the Jazz is a well-known home stadium for the Devils in the league. However, the fans at the Devils home court were also dumbfounded tonight. They watched helplessly as Stockton, who had returned from suspension, was ravaged by the Wizards. Their throats seemed to have been stuffed with torn cotton wool and they were unable to say anything. The sound comes.
This game can be called the Eight Immortals crossing the sea, each showing his magical powers.
Ben and Rose are back. Buss, Webb, Tracy McGrady, Peja, Kobe, Nash, O'Neill and Billups are all sent on the court one by one by Lin Yu. Bowen is currently suspended, and he is completely unable to play.
There is no doubt that G3 of the finals was another one-sided massacre, with the team winning by 41 points.
Without Malone, Stockton is like an old man in a wheelchair, and the role he can play on the court is limited.
And Kobe kept challenging him. He pinched Kobe, and Kobe elbowed him three times. He scolded Kobe, and Kobe had a hundred words waiting for him.
Jazz fans have no expectations at all. What will happen even if Malone returns from suspension?
It would be better to die early and be reincarnated early. They really couldn't bear to witness Jazz being tortured like this again.
In the fourth game, the attendance rate at the Jazz's home court was even less than 60%. This was the finals, and the attendance rate of less than 60% also broke the worst record in history.
But no one is paying attention to this trivial record now, because after this game is played, the NBA will have countless historical records.
Malone returned and appeared on the sidelines. His head and face were still bruised and swollen, and he looked much worse than Ben.
It's not that Da Ben really took advantage of him, but Da Ben's skin color is much darker than Ma Long, and the bruises are not so conspicuous.
"Brother Lin, please translate for me and Da Ben."
"If there's a fight tonight, let me do it. We can't let Big Ben suffer all the time."
Before the game started, Daba took the initiative to talk to Lin Yu.
Lin Yu shook his head, "Don't worry, we won't do anything tonight. Ma Long is not that stupid."
"If he gets beaten twice in a row in one series, he will become the biggest joke in NBA history, not inferior to Te'Lon Hill."
"We didn't fight him in a group in the first game. That's because we want to win the championship and don't lose too much fighting power. If he dares to be a scumbag tonight, let's fight him together, even if all five people on the field are expelled. We also have a top-notch lineup on the bench.”
"Ma Long knows this very well, so it is impossible for him to take action. He is not a fool."
Daba smiled and nodded. He could always find some shining points in Lin Yu. As for the ability to analyze situations, Daba felt that he would never have it in his life.
"Dudududu!"
G4 of the Eastern Conference Finals started with the referee's whistle.
The Jazz players played weakly on the court, and even coach Sloan lost his former grace. He stood on the sidelines with eyes blank, not knowing what he was thinking.
The game on the field looked a bit boring, without any collisions. If it weren't for the bruises and hematomas on his face, it would have been impossible to tell that Malone had a bloody battle with Big Ben a few days ago.
Lin Yu certainly doesn't think Malone has suddenly changed his gender. He just doesn't want to be beaten by a group of Wizards players tonight. If there is a chance to regain the field in the future, Malone will definitely be soft. Lin Yu is extremely sure of this.
With two minutes left in the game, the point difference had reached 26 points. Sloan subbed Malone and Stockton, which was regarded as surrender.
Lin Yu didn't bother to change people. After all, he only had two minutes. It wouldn't be enough for him to change people.
Stern is also sitting on the sidelines tonight. He needs to be there in the deciding game to present awards to the possible championship teams.
Stern had a smile on his face from the beginning to the end of this game. Although this round of the finals was a failure and had the lowest ratings in the past ten years, the league did not lose money at all because the previous Eastern Conference Finals made real money. It's too much.
The ratings of the Eastern Conference Finals tiebreaker ranked first in history, and even the finals of other seasons could hardly compare with this game.
Tickets for that Washington Wizards game alone sold for more than seven million U.S. dollars. Tickets for some key events will definitely increase in price. The Wizards' average ticket price per game is only a few dozen dollars. That night's average ticket price soared to It’s close to four hundred dollars, but even so it’s still hard to get a ticket.
Two minutes later, the referee blew the whistle to end the game, and the score difference between the two sides was fixed at 33 points.
At the moment the whistle sounded, all the players on the bench rushed onto the court and cheered. They had worked hard all season, passed five levels and defeated six generals, and now it was finally time for a great harvest.
champion!
"We are the championship!"
"Long live the Wizards!"
The wizards were ecstatic, with tears of excitement in their eyes, cheering and laughing, enjoying this hard-won glory together.
The only regret is that the championship was won at the Jazz's home court, and the attendance rate at the Jazz venue was less than 60%, so it seemed a bit deserted.
But Lin Yu and the Wizards didn't care. They were immersed in the joy of winning the championship.
Kobe and others rushed to Lin Yu's side. Several people lifted Lin Yu up and began to parade around the court. All Wizards players knew that without Lin Yu, they would not be able to taste the joy of winning the championship.
Reporters rushed onto the scene and began looking for their targets for interviews.
Lin Yu saw Zhang Weiping again and waved to him repeatedly.
"Congratulations, Coach Lin." Zhang Weiping came forward with a smile to congratulate him. He had stayed in the United States for a long time and knew the significance of a championship to NBA players and coaches.
"Lao Zhang, have you told Dazhi to sign up for the draft?" Lin Yu asked with a smile.
"Of course, I can still be careless about such a big matter. Dazhi's written application has long been submitted to the league officials."
After chatting for a few personal words, Zhang Weiping started to interview Lin Yu in front of the camera. They all used the same routine, such as saying hello to viewers and friends across the country, how he felt after winning the championship, what his plans are for the coming year, and whether he is confident in defending his title. etc.
Lin Yu answered in an orderly manner. He could make nonsense when facing the old American media, but when facing China TV, Lin Yu still knew how to restrain himself.
By the time the reporters were done interviewing, the results of the FMVP selection backstage were also released.
Stern smiled and walked onto the makeshift championship podium, and the Wizards quickly followed Lin Yu on to the stage.
After taking the stage, the generals stepped back one after another, leaving the C position to Lin Yu.
This Wizards team does not have an absolute core in the true sense. Everyone is the core, but no one is the core. If we have to find an absolute core, it can only be coach Lin Yu.
Stern rambled on for a while before making the official announcement.
"I declare that the NBA championship of the 1997-1998 season is the Washington Wizards!"
As soon as he finished speaking, there was sparse applause at the scene, and Stern looked embarrassed. If tonight was the Wizards' home court, it would definitely not be such a deserted scene.
Stern handed the championship trophy to Lin Yu, and Lin Yu was not polite and raised the championship trophy with both hands, eliciting screams from the Wizards behind him.
After lifting the trophy, Lin Yu clearly saw the words 1997-1998 World Champion on the trophy, which made Lin Yu happy.
Regardless of whether the outside world admits it or not, the NBA calls the championship the world champion. At least at this point in time, there is no problem in calling it this way.
Just like the domestic table tennis champion of China, he is called the world champion and no one can question it.
However, in a few years, when foreign players become more and more numerous and powerful, and the American men's basketball team can no longer dominate the world basketball world, the title of world champion will become a bit ironic.
After the championship won the trophy, it was time for the FMVP awards, and the old mascot Bill Russell had already stepped onto the podium.
"I declare that the Most Valuable Player of the 1997-1998 Finals is Chris Webber!"
Bill Russell smiled and handed the trophy to Webb.
Webber felt like he was living a dream. In the first half of last season, he was a star, but an insignificant star. He didn't even have as many All-Star votes as the new Garnett.
However, this season he won both the most valuable MVP and FMVP, becoming the top star in NBA history.
To this day, the players who can win two MVPs at the same time in a single season can be counted with one slap, Willis Reid, Moses Malone, the Black and White duo, Jordan and Olajuwon, and then they are gone. , Weber has become a presence that can stand side by side with these top giants.
After four finals games, Webb averaged 33 points and 14.5 rebounds per game, ranking first in both scoring and rebounding. He truly deserves the FMVP.
The generals clapped and cheered. Although Kobe, McGrady and others were a little disappointed, they were still able to accept it. After all, they were much younger than Webb and thought they would have more opportunities in the future.
…
The championship was won, and Lin Yu led the generals back to the court.
The real celebration is definitely not in Salt Lake City, but in their home stadium of Washington.
After returning to Washington, the players all went to have a carnival. There was a championship bus parade three days later. Lin Yu had no time to go to the carnival with the players. He had a lot of work to do.
In the club's large conference room, Lin Yu convened a meeting with all the Wizards' management.
"What? How did you make so much? Net profit of 37 million? Are you sure you are getting the Wizards' financial statements?" Lin Yu asked in shock after hearing the financial director's annual earnings report.
It sounds like a profit of 37 million is not much, and it is not as good as Lin Yu's charm value reward. However, most teams in the league today are in a state of loss. Even the Knicks and Lakers have not made so much money this year.
Lin Yu frowned. It was certainly a good thing to make so much money, but the thought of giving half of the score to old Paulin made him feel sick.
"Is there any way to spend all this money?"
"By the way, player bonuses. It's normal to get bonuses after winning the championship, right?"
"And you guys have worked hard for a year, so it's unreasonable not to give you some bonuses."
"And as a head coach, I can't really not pay a dime of salary, right? Mr. Unseld, what do you think is the appropriate salary for me?"
There was some weirdness on the sidelines, with the team owner asking his employees how much they should be paid.
Unseld didn't understand Lin Yu's little thoughts, so he laughed and said, "It can't be less than 20 million US dollars, right?"
"Our Wizards went from being a bottom team to winning the championship in just one and a half years. I think it is very reasonable to give them an annual salary of 20 million."
When other executives saw Unseld's statement, they all tried to flatter Lin Yu.
Lin Yu waved his hand and said, "It's not that exaggerated. Twenty million is too exaggerated."
"Give me a salary of 18.5 million, which is exactly half of the net profit. The rest will be paid out as bonuses. The players will receive 14 million. Each of the 14 players will have a share, each of whom will receive one million US dollars."
"The remaining 4.5 million will be divided between the coaching staff and the senior management. You can decide how to divide it yourself."
The more Lin Yu talked, the happier he became. The feeling of spending other people's money to make a fortune was simply exhilarating.
Half of the 37 million went into Lin Yu's pocket. This was originally the dividend he should get, but he got it in the form of salary.
The other half was the team's championship bonus, and every penny was spent.
This is equivalent to saying that the Wizards' profit this year is zero, and Pauline will not get a penny.
Everyone present was pleasantly surprised. The money they got this time could at least buy them a good car.
"Boss, it's time to order a championship ring and a championship flag. We can finally raise the second championship flag over our arena."
Unseld reminded.
"I'm looking for the best jewelry master to order it. It must be studded with diamonds. As for the championship flag, the blue flag now is too low-grade. Let's change it to a bright red one with gold tassels. It must be pure gold. of."
"By the way, if we order one more ring, we have to give one to Snow. As for Charles, forget it."
Lin Yu said with a smile.
Childs was traded to the SuperSonics in the middle of this season. Although he didn't play a game, he was still eligible to get a ring.
However, he is a person who can give or not. If he doesn't give, no one can find fault.
Of course, Lin Yu couldn't give it to Charles, even if the money was wasted, he couldn't give it to him.
As for Snow, that must be given. He played for nearly two months with the Wizards, and even scored the second quadruple-double in Wizards history.
Players who were traded in the offseason such as Mashburn, Speedy, and Antonio Davis will have no rings.
In fact, whether there is a ring or not is completely up to the boss. If the boss says there is a ring, then it will be there. Even if the boss wants to give the ring to the stadium cleaner, that is not impossible.
Even if the boss said that he would not give out rings this year but give out mouse pads, as long as the boss insists on giving out mouse pads, it is not impossible. When the Mavericks won the championship in 2011, boss Cuban had such a terrible idea. He didn’t want to I wanted to give out rings, and I wanted to give out mouse pads, but unfortunately I failed in the end.
However, who you send it to must have a legitimate name. In situations like Mashburn and Speedy, there is really no reason to cut off the ring.
…
After the meeting, Lin Yu and Unseld came to the general manager's office.
"Lin, what should we do next? Ben and Rose's contracts have expired, should we keep them?"
After Unseld won the championship, he was worried about the contract issues between Ben and Rose.
Of course he wants to keep both of them, but he also knows that it is impossible. Ben has already achieved a prominent value, and although Jaylen Rose has been playing as a substitute for most of the season, his performance is also very good. If he shines, give him enough time, and he will immediately become a first-line forward and guard swingman averaging more than 20 points per game.
"I will handle the contract renewal matter."
"Recently, help me contact more teams. I want to trade some draft picks."
Lin Yu was also worried about contract renewal. He decided to talk to Jaylen Rose first to see what Rose thought.
After leaving the general manager's office, Lin Yu called Ross.
After waiting for less than half an hour, Lin Yu's office door opened, Ross walked in, and Weber came too.
"What's wrong, Chris?" Lin Yu asked curiously.
"Boss, we have something we want to talk to you about." Weber looked shy, as if he had done something sinister.
Lin Yu smiled and asked: "What? Are you going to leave Washington with Jay?"
When Weber and Ross heard this, they suddenly looked horrified. They didn't expect that Lin Yu had guessed it before they even spoke.
"Boss, Jermaine's current strength is no worse than mine. If I stay, it will only hinder his growth."
"and……"
Weber said in a low voice, even though he didn't believe these words.
Lin Yu couldn't help laughing, "There are no outsiders here, so there is no need to say such useless words."
"Do you think Jaylen has no room for development in the Wizards, so you want to go to other teams with him?"
Jaylen Rose looked embarrassed. On his way here, he asked Webber why he wanted to leave. Webber kept silent. When Lin Yu said this, Rose wanted to find a crack in the ground and crawl into it.
"Chris, I'm not an unweaned child. What do you mean?"
"I didn't even say I wanted to leave the Wizards, but you helped me make the decision."
Rose said with pain, he didn't blame Webber, he just didn't want Webber to leave the Washington Wizards for his own reasons.
Weber quickly shook his head and said: "No, this is just one reason. In fact, I want to return to the Warriors. Over the years, I often think of the Warriors. At that time, I was young and frivolous, and did things too selfishly. Now that I think about it, I am really nothing."
"Boss, do you understand the guilt I feel? If it weren't for me, the Warriors would have Penny Hardaway and three first-round picks."
"Then they will definitely not be so miserable right now, winning only a dozen games in a season."
"Boss, give me a chance to redeem myself."
Weber covered his head and said in pain, if the Warriors were not good to him, then that would be fine. The Warriors really treated him as an ancestor, but he failed the Warriors.
Since the start of this season, Weber has been troubled by this incident and has trouble sleeping and eating.
Lin Yu sighed, what is this? Just after winning the championship, the team boss is running away. Who can you find to reason with?
