Time flies to 2010, and it has been half a year since Min Congda became the general manager of the Los Angeles Clippers.
On January 1st, Clippers executives held a year-end summary meeting to summarize the team's achievements in 2009.
As the team owner, Donald Sterling appeared at the team headquarters for the first time since the start of the new season.
There have been rumors from the outside that Sterling is dead, or was bewitched by Min Congda, an Easterner, and became a puppet.
His appearance at the Clippers internal meeting broke all rumors. He is still alive and still the owner of the Clippers.
The only thing that makes everyone feel strange is that Sterling, who has always been very controlling and hands-on in the past, is extremely low-key and silent this time.
At the meeting, Sterling deliberately asked Min Congda to sit very close to him to show intimacy. The meeting was also chaired by Min Congda.
Executives from various departments have reported on the results of the season so far. For the Clippers, the situation is still quite gratifying.
Rosser: "So far in the new season, our box office revenue has reached US$12 million, an increase of 20% over the same period last year. This is inseparable from Mr. Smart's correct box office sales strategy."
"The team's ratings are rising all the time. It is foreseeable that our national live broadcasts will increase next season. Peripheral jerseys are also selling well, and Stephen Curry's jersey sales have climbed to the first place among rookies."
Olshey: "The team's record has been greatly improved this season. As of today, we have achieved 19 wins and 13 losses, ranking seventh in the Western Conference. We have great hope of entering the playoffs this season. .”
"Mr. Smart's strategies in drafting, signing and selecting people are admirable. His operations make us very ashamed. Many of his decisions now seem to be correct."
"Although the recent trade of Kaman has been criticized by many people, we firmly believe that Mr. Smart's choice is reasonable and correct!"
Richele: "This season, the attention of our team has soared. I think it is directly related to Mr. Smart's series of actions. Regardless of whether there are many voices of criticism or many voices of approval, in short, our team is the core of the team. One of the favorites of the season.”
"The shooting of the documentary "Basketball and Gay" was a very successful project, and the short film received a large number of clicks and responses on the Internet. Fox TV was interested in purchasing the rights to the documentary, but Mr. Smart refused due to longer-term considerations. "
"But we believe this is a far-sighted decision..."
At the meeting, several main people in charge spoke at once. This was not a Clippers work summary meeting. This was simply a commendation meeting for Min Congda.
But for Min Congda, this was simply an execution meeting.
It's been half a year, half a year, all kinds of bad operations.
Why do you feel like none of them worked?
Everyone also feels the team is on the right track.
Is your track a serious track?
Listening to the praise of Min Congda from several major managers, Sterling just nodded silently.
He seemed uninterested in team affairs, and ended the meeting with a few simple instructions.
"I'm going to Australia for a vacation for a while, and I'll leave the team's affairs to you. Do your best, Smart."
When leaving, Sterling asked Min Congda to do a good job and leave all the team's affairs to him.
Min Congda knew that this stingy old man had been bewitched by the system and had begun to give up his team management career and focus on traveling and experiencing the summer sunshine in the warm southern hemisphere.
In fact, this is good, running a team is really hard.
At the beginning of the season, Min Congda felt particularly relaxed.
Playing 2K in the office every day, doing nothing, waiting for the team to suck.
Unexpectedly, the team's management is getting better and better, the record is getting better and better, and the revenue expectations are also good.
This has something to do with the current economic environment in the United States. By 2010, the impact of the financial crisis was gradually slowing down.
Many industries are slowly recovering, employment rates are picking up, and consumption is gradually recovering.
Last December, with a wave of holiday promotions during Christmas, the NBA Christmas Game ushered in a peak ratings.
Fortunately, the Clippers reversed the Phoenix Suns on the road, and Curry started a crazy three-point mode.
And assisted Randolph at the last moment to beat the opponent at the American Airlines Center.
A wonderful Christmas battle was presented to audiences across the United States.
NBA ratings climbed, the Clippers won, Staples attendance increased, and fans enjoyed the exciting game.
In a game that achieved many successes, the only one who was hurt was Min Congda.
He missed six consecutive away games and received a salary of US$12,000, but in the end he only received 2,000 yuan.
Min Congda finally couldn't bear it any longer and took action on Chris Kaman, who had the most stable performance on the team and topped the All-Star vote.
Package him and DeAndre Jordan and send him to Memphis in exchange for Marc Gasol, Jaric and a 10-year first-round draft pick.
The deal took shape quickly, and Wallace hit it off with the Grizzlies.
Get an All-Star center and give away a useless garbage contract.
Wallace felt he had taken advantage.
As for Marc Gasol?
Although the Grizzlies have thought about cultivating this Spanish center, in terms of talent, he is still far behind his great brother.
And they got Griffin, who is the one they want to focus on training.
The Grizzlies' record this year is too bad. They need a star player to lead the team. They will be paired with Griffin next season. One will focus on the low post, and the other will be all-around facing the basket. It is a perfect combination.
As for Jordan, he is a backup for Wallace. After all, Kaman is already 27 years old.
DeAndre Jordan is still very young. If Kaman declines in the future, DeAndre Jordan can still be a backup tire.
Grizzlies fans feel that what they lost with the Lakers has been regained with the Clippers!
Naturally, the Clippers fans were full of criticism. Why did they give away an All-Star center who averaged 20+ per game for nothing?
The Clippers were originally in good shape for the playoffs, but sending Kaman away was simply nonsense.
And it was a waste of time for Jordan, who has great potential.
In the face of these criticisms, Min Congda naturally remained unmoved. He even hoped that there would be more criticisms.
He wants to re-establish the image of the Clippers management's haphazard dealings.
Who would have known that just one day after the transaction, public opinion has not yet begun to discuss it on a large scale.
The Washington Wizards had a more serious incident involving Arenas holding a gun.
As soon as the incident broke out, it immediately attracted all public attention.
As for the Clippers trading a center? Let's trade it, anyway, in exchange for a pretty good young man.
The Clippers have had a lot of various shady operations and transactions in their history, are they still missing this one?
Therefore, this transaction did not cause much splash, and was submerged in the wave of public opinion caused by the gun scandal.
On the last game day of 2009, the Clippers lost to the visiting Philadelphia 76ers at home.
The Clippers, which lacked pillar Kaman inside, were lame on the offensive end.
Facing Holiday, Curry once again produced mediocre data, making only 7 of 22 shots.
22 shots were his most this season.
Facing Holiday's desperate defense, Curry still didn't find a good way to deal with it.
One Holiday and one Paul, Curry has faced the two toughest opponents this season.
2009 is over, and the No. 30 pick still has a long way to go.
(End of chapter)
