A four-year, 35 million contract is still too tempting.
After returning home, Milicic calmed down and thought about it. Since he has a wife and children to support, and someone is willing to give such a big contract, what about him?
Why carry such a heavy burden, why put so much pressure on yourself?
If you get scolded, just get scolded. If you can get an 8 million-year contract, sit on the sidelines and get scolded.
I guess there are many people willing to do this job.
For example, Min Congda was very willing, but unfortunately he didn't have the chance.
After getting a positive answer from Milicic, Min Congda was satisfied and ready to leave Memphis.
When leaving, Milicic asked in confusion: "Why do you insist on signing me? I told you, I can't meet your expectations."
Min Congda asked: "You said you can't meet my expectations, but do you know what I expect of you?"
Milicic originally wanted to say that he expected me to fulfill my talent back then and become a talented inside man, but that was impossible.
But looking at Min Congda's eyes and his performance just now, Milicic was also confused.
What does this guy want?
Milicic shook his head and said: "I don't know."
"Yes, you don't know. How can you say you can't achieve it if you don't know? My expectation for you is to wake up with your eyes open every day, welcome a new day, and enjoy your life. That's it."
"that's all?"
"That's it, what do you think? Believe me, this is the Clippers' team culture."
After saying that, Min Congda gave Milicic a smile and left.
Because other Clippers employees were on vacation, he came alone and walked alone.
The employees are on vacation and the general manager is talking about business everywhere. Where can you find such a leader?
Until the contract was negotiated, Costern failed to find Milicic.
At this time, Costern's call came, but Milicic had not answered it before.
This time he answered the call and said: "I'm Darko, I'm at home...yes, I'm going home...he's going back too...you..."
Costern thought that Min Congda left without signing the contract and kept talking to Milicic on the phone.
Tell him to seize this opportunity. If he doesn't want to sign with the Clippers and feels pressure, then stay with the Timberwolves.
The barrage of words, mixed with swear words, made Milicic breathless and gave him no chance to explain.
Milicic finally couldn't stand it anymore. He interrupted Costern and said: "Sorry Mark, you are fired!"
"What? Fired? Are you sure? Are you sure? Would you be able to survive today without me Darko! Are you sure?"
"I am sure!"
Milicic stopped talking nonsense to Costern and hung up the phone.
Zonara came over and said, "Do you want to terminate the contract with Costern?"
"That's right."
"Then you will run into some trouble. You have to pay him a liquidated damages, as well as this contract. Can you do it without him?"
"It doesn't matter. I'll just pay him the money. I don't want to partner with him anymore. I've had enough of him."
In the past days, Costern did give Milicic help and guidance.
When he first came to the United States, he had no friends and was unfamiliar and afraid of everything in the United States.
He listened to Costern and did whatever he asked him to do.
He was very obedient, so he was packaged well, became the second pick, and got a big contract.
But he was at a loss in the days that followed. He didn't get a chance to play in the Pistons.
Larry Brown only insulted him and sat on the bench endlessly, leaving the 20-year-old with no idea where he wanted to go in life.
Even when he won the championship in 2004, there was no expression of joy on his face because it had nothing to do with him.
He didn't know what his teammates on the team were happy about, and what they had to be happy about.
It’s just a championship, doesn’t it happen every year?
Later he transferred to the Magic, and the Magic team had great expectations for him.
I feel that if I can't perform well in the Pistons, I might be able to thrive in Huainan with the Magic?
As a result, after two seasons, Milicic performed poorly and did not meet expectations.
Magic general manager Smith called Costern a liar, "fraudulent, disrespectful, and disgraceful."
Although these words were used to describe Costern, they undoubtedly slapped Milicic in the face.
Costern didn't care, he thought it was enough to make money, no matter how shameless he was.
If you don't play well here, it's definitely because the team won't use Darko, so just find another one.
Then in Memphis, then Minnesota, and now Los Angeles.
The team had high expectations for him every time he signed, but he always ended up being disappointed.
By the end of the day, Milicic himself was tired of it, tired of the expectations the team had when they signed him.
He understood that those teams who signed him did not appreciate him personally, but wanted to win the lottery and dig out the talent that was not realized in 2003.
He was able to get one contract after another not because he played well, but just because he was the second overall pick in 2003.
If he hadn't been drafted second overall in 2003, but in 2000, 2001, or 2004, he wouldn't have such high expectations.
This expectation is not a manifestation of his potential, but a reflection of the brilliance of that talented player.
Everyone will wonder, what kind of genius is a player who was selected after James and could make the Pistons give up Anthony, Bosh, and Wade?
That's the logic of these teams.
Take a look at which teams will choose him later?
Magic, Grizzlies, Timberwolves, and now the Clippers.
A notoriously bad team, one of the teams with the highest draft blindness rate.
They just want to hit the jackpot, pick up the leaks, and pick up geniuses from the trash.
Milicic thought, because my garbage was once placed with gold, it was considered to be wrapped in gold.
In fact, no, if garbage and gold are put together, they can only be garbage.
That's why he cooperates with rubbish agents like Costern.
Defrauding one contract after another.
Now he realizes that regardless of whether he is trash or not, the first step is to stay away from real trash.
Costern did help him and gave him a lot, a financially prosperous life away from poverty and war, which really changed his destiny.
But he also lost a lot, his self-esteem, self-confidence, love for life and basketball.
Now Milicic has figured it out, he does not owe Kosten, and Kosten has received enough commissions through these contracts.
He has already made a lot of money, but now he wants to continue to use himself to drain himself, but there is no way.
Zolana supported Milicic's decision, hugged him, and asked: "Why, why did you suddenly decide like this? I think you are right to leave him."
Milicic also hugged his wife and said: "I...I don't know. I feel very...very relaxed, haha. Do you know? Smart said that he has no requirements or expectations for me. I believe him." . I feel like I don’t have to deceive anyone, don’t be afraid of finding out that I can’t meet their expectations at the beginning of the new season, and don’t have to face the kind of eyes that look full of hope from the beginning to full of disappointment in the end. I really can’t stand that. If you are going to go through such a transformation, it is better not to have expectations from the beginning.”
Milicic was a little excited, and Zolana hugged him tighter, comforting Milicic's ups and downs of emotions.
Milicic also touched his wife's head and said, "Well... it's time to move to Los Angeles. Before I go, I should find a decoration company to repair the walls."
"The potholes are so ugly."
(End of chapter)
