Bosh was meeting with someone in a top conference room in a building somewhere in Chicago.
Although he didn't know how the other party knew exactly when he came to Chicago and "hijacked" him here at the airport, because of the other party's identity, he decided to turn off his phone and sit down and have a chat with the other party.
Because the other party is "Magic Calculator" Pat Riley.
There are many "godfather" figures in the NBA, and Riley is definitely one of them. As soon as he debuted as a coach, he led the Lakers to the "" era and led the team to the top four times.
After that, he went to New York to create the "New York Gang" and fought bloody battles with Jordan every year. Four years later, he led the Knicks back to the Finals, but unfortunately lost to Olajuwon's Rockets 3-4 in the end.
Then he went to the Heat. Unfortunately, because of Jordan, he could only become a stepping stone again and again. It was not until 2006 that he won his fifth championship.
In Riley's own words: "I am not inferior to Phil Jackson, just because I did not have the opportunity to coach Jordan."
His confidence can be seen from this sentence, and just like Russell using a cane and saying that he can beat the top five centers, no one thinks that his words are pretentious.
Facing a person of this level, even if Bosh doesn't necessarily go to the Heat, he will still give him face.
It's just that Riley's opening maneuvers immediately stunned him.
This godfather-like figure first took out a little swan plush blanket from his bag and spread it flat on the conference table in front of him. Then he took out a championship ring from his pocket.
The silver-white ring and the Heat logo on the ring are the 2006 Heat championship ring.
Just when Bosh couldn't understand what the operation was, Riley smiled and said: "Take it, carry it with you, and then give it back to me when you win the next championship ring."
Only then did Bosh realize.
Although he could somewhat guess Riley's purpose in finding him, after all, the Heat's exit in the first round last season was not considered a successful season, but Riley's method was really something he did not expect.
To be honest, he was shocked.
Seeing that Bosh didn't move, Riley didn't worry, but let the ring sit there, and then said something that shocked Bosh again: "I'm going to form the Big Three, you, Dwayne, and the third person. , you are the second one I am looking for."
He plus Wade, plus the Heat's original players, and some additional players, are definitely enough to compete for the championship, and they are at the forefront.
In fact, in the history before Xu Yong was reborn, before James made the decision, the Heat, led by Wade and Bosh, were already the second-best team in the league after the Lakers in winning odds.
But now, Riley actually said that he wanted to form the Big Three!
He and Wade are both in their prime. This is not comparable to Boston's aging Big Three.
He could even vaguely guess who the third person was, although he felt that with that person's character, he would not join someone else's team and be willing to be a second-in-command.
Or is this just one of Riley's words?
In addition to playing basketball, Bosh is also a science guy and is not so easy to be coaxed.
"I will find LeBron tomorrow. Of course I am not unprepared. We have reached a certain agreement." A person like Riley, at best he is called a "divine fortune teller", at worst he is an old fox. He naturally knows The principle of speaking human words when meeting people, and speaking lies when seeing ghosts, highlights the right medicine for the situation.
Sure enough, after hearing Riley say such words, Bosh believed it.
Although he felt shocked, he couldn't help but look forward to it.
Although the three of them have different league statuses, like the three Celtics before them, they were all complete losers last season.
And they are still very young, and they can do a lot more things together than the Celtics.
"And when you go to the Bulls, you are going to serve as Rose and Xu Yong, and you may even be the team's fourth choice. But in Miami, your status will be the same as the other two people, and Miami will have three cores." Lee continued.
Bosh was obviously moved. Although he could hear the truth of Riley's words, one thing was right. Playing with Wade James, who was also in the 2003 class, it would definitely be easier for him to give the two young people a hand. .
Riley saw that Bosh was moved, smiled and reached out to gesture to the championship ring on the table.
Bosh just hesitated for a moment, then stood up and picked up the ring.
…
An hour later, Bosh met with Foreman at the United Center.
Forman showed full sincerity and outlined the team's plan. Bosh will be the core of the Bulls, and as the oldest player, he will also become the captain of the Bulls.
At the same time, Wade was also invited by Riley to the office where Bosh had been, along with Wade's agent Thomas.
"We will form the Big Three next season." Riley said straight to the point.
Wade was confused. He originally planned to come to Chicago to meet with the Bulls and then buy a house. First, he received a call from James asking if he still remembered the meeting to play together in the All-Star Game. Now Riley told him that he wanted to play together. Form the Big Three.
He was a little confused.
Of course, what he could guess was that one of the Big Three mentioned by Riley was James.
If not, there was no need for James to make that call to him.
In other words, it is very possible that James and Riley have already hooked up. This may not be a good word, but they have communicated.
But no matter what words are used, the feeling that the president of his old club is the first to contact the core members of other teams about team formation is... very uncomfortable.
"So which three people are they?" Of course Wade pretended not to know and then asked.
"You, LeBron, and Chris Bosh."
"Chris has agreed to come to Miami." After finishing speaking, Riley then added.
Wade looked at Riley in surprise. He really didn't expect Riley to move so fast.
In other words, James and Bosh have already agreed to Riley and are waiting for him?
"I want to think about it." However, Wade was not deterred by this attitude.
He is different from James and Bosh in two ways.
First, he has played with the Heat for so many years and knows Riley well enough.
At that moment, he captured a detail. James had only talked to him on the phone about the possibility of playing together, and did not say that he must go to the Heat. This was different from what Riley said;
Second, he already has a championship, and he is not so eager for what he has.
Especially when the Big Three that Riley mentioned are really assembled, he feels that it will be the most difficult road.
Winning is certainly a good thing, but winning with this kind of lineup is natural.
It would be unimaginable to lose.
Riley wasn't in a hurry and just nodded in agreement.
He and Wade have differences, otherwise Wade would not have the idea of playing for the Bulls.
But there is still room for maneuver.
…
After leaving the building, Wade knew that Bosh was also in Chicago and called him. Bosh had also finished his meeting with the Bulls over there, and the two met in a coffee shop.
"LeBron didn't say he was going to the Heat." After sitting down, Wade got straight to the point.
Contrary to what others think, Wade and Bosh are connected privately, and their relationship is not bad.
Bosh nodded. Although he was calmed down by Riley, as a man of science and engineering, he thought about it later and realized that Riley said he would find James later, so Riley was empty-handed. .
"But I want to work with you." Wade continued.
No one is stupid. Although he has a good relationship with James, it is precisely because of their good relationship that he knows that his and James' playing styles are in conflict.
But unlike Bosh, Bosh can attack inside or off the ball, and the two of them cooperate very well.
And if it's just the two of them, it's a normal team. No one would think that they must win the championship if they form a team, and there won't be so much pressure whether they lose or win.
"Me too." Bosh nodded.
To be honest, it doesn't matter to him whether James is James or not. He and James have never contacted each other before. He will agree to Riley. The main reason is because Riley said Wade will stay with the Heat.
"So what's the plan?" Bosh asked.
"Chicago, let's go together." Wade said directly.
"Then they still need to make a deal." Bosh said, touching his chin.
After communicating with Forman before, he already had a clear understanding of the Bulls' lineup.
Although the Bulls can theoretically secure two maximum salaries, they are only the lowest starting salary of 25% of the salary cap, and you can't give others the full minimum salary, right?
So if both he and Wade go, the Bulls will have to vacate two positions. In addition to trading Hinrich, they also have to trade Luol Deng.
This is not an easy thing. To be honest, Deng's performance last season and his five-year contract of more than 60 million yuan are not so easy to handle.
"I'll have a second meeting with Chicago, and if they can do it, we'll go." Wade then said.
"What if they can't do it?"
"Then we'll go back to Miami." Wade was unambiguous.
Although he and Riley have differences, if he can't return to his hometown, he would rather go back to Miami. He has lived there for seven years and has made many friends and connections. There is no need to go elsewhere. Take all the effort.
Bosh nodded, the plan passed.
Two days later, Wade and Foreman had another meeting.
Unlike last time when he only talked about his hometown, this time Wade went straight to the point and expressed his thoughts.
Forman was a little surprised at first, but then became excited.
Originally, he only wanted one of Wade or Bosh, but he didn't expect that both of them were coming.
As for what Bosh is considering, he naturally knows it. Send Hinrich and Deng away, and the Bulls' starting lineup next season will be: Rose + Wade + Xu Yong + Bosh + Noah, and then find some cost-effective substitutes. , he has a chance to do what Klaus once did!
As for the issue of ball possession, let Thibodeau have a headache. Anyway, the guy doesn't have a lot of hair.
…
"Where are you now?"
Xu Yong, who was training in Tempe, received a call from Yao Ming.
After learning that he was in Tempe, Yao Ming said he would come over in two days.
Yao Ming didn't say much on the phone, and Xu Yong didn't think much about it, thinking it was related to the World Championships.
When Yao Ming arrived, he drove a rented car to pick him up.
"If you had told me earlier, I would have gone to find you." Xu Yong said with a smile after receiving Yao Ming.
"It's all the same. I just came out to take a breath and chat about the World Championships." Yao Ming put his hands behind his head and relaxed.
By the way?
Xu Yong heard the unexpected key point.
The World Championships were just an accident. Why did Yao Ming come to him specifically?
Two people went to Chinatown.
Xu Yong didn't come to Chinatown much because he was busy training and competing. He came once before when he was buying a copper coin bracelet for Harden.
If there is another one, it’s the Shanghainese chef who invited Yao Ming to have dinner here before.
This time they went to the store owned by the other party.
The owner of the shop is from Shanghai. When he saw Xu Yong and Yao Ming coming, he looked excited.
Although I am not a football fan, I know everyone from Shanghai who is famous in the United States.
The two went directly to the reserved private room and chatted while eating.
At first, they were just talking about the taste of the food. Yao Ming drank some wine, and then slowly, they got down to business.
"I'm a little confused now." Yao Ming's expression was rare for Xu Yong to see.
Xu Yong was just a listener.
"You know I have lived in Houston for eight years since I came to the United States in 2002, and the team has been very good to me in these eight years. But this year, they hope that I can renew my three-year short-term contract. Even if they ask me to cut my salary, I'm willing to do so." Yao Ming said and drank another drink.
Xu Yong also picked up the wine glass and took a drink.
He can understand what Yao Ming said, because Yao Ming is the kind of person who attaches great importance to emotions, and he should be prepared to be a Rockets for the rest of his life.
However, he is not surprised at all by what Yao Ming is encountering now.
One is because the Rockets have a stingy owner Alexander. Looking at the Rockets' results this year, if he had been willing to spend money before, the Rockets would not have been unable to enter the finals even once.
The second is Mo Gou, the general manager of the Rockets. He really lives up to his name. In history, he has been able to trick Harden into cutting his salary, but then turned around and refused to admit it. This kind of person is the most loyal dog of capitalists, and everything is based on interests. .
Realistic analysis shows that although Yao Ming's attendance rate last season was not bad, his injuries are irreversible. Even if Yao Ming stops playing, it is unknown whether he will still be able to play in three years.
Therefore, considering it at the team level, three years of maximum salary is the safest. Even if Yao Ming is in trouble early, the loss will not be too great. If it is more, one more year will mean that reconstruction will be one year late.
But there is really only interest in this, and there is no human touch at all.
Forget about McGrady, how much money did Yao Ming make for the Rockets?
"Brother Yao, I have a few words." Xu Yong raised his glass.
"I came here just to listen to what you said." Yao Ming said seriously after clinking glasses with Xu Yong.
At this time two years ago, if it weren't for Xu Yong's advice, he might have retired by now.
So although Xu Yong is young, I am willing to listen to his words.
Moreover, the authorities are confused and the only one who can give him advice now is Xu Yong, except those from Yao's team.
"I think it's time for you to leave the Rockets." Xu Yong said seriously after finishing his drink and putting down his glass.
(End of chapter)
