In mid-April when the playoffs were about to begin, the Los Angeles Times suddenly dropped a piece of bombshell news.
Several daily conversation recordings of Clippers owner Sterling have been exposed, all of which are related to racial discrimination and sexism.
This dropped a bomb to the NBA, which was fully preparing for the playoffs, and made public opinion focus on the Clippers again.
In the past two years, the Clippers have really been the king of all things in the NBA. From players to coaches, from managers to owners, even their jerseys and team logos have been trending in turn.
It's just that most of it isn't a good thing.
The content of Sterling's recording is that water poured into a hot oil pan, causing it to crackle.
Because most of the players in the NBA are black, and a team owner discriminates against black players, and his words are very explicit and unpleasant, who can tolerate it?
For a time, coaches, players, and managers of all NBA teams issued statements protesting the discriminatory behavior of the Clippers owner.
But what is surprising is that the only team that did not vocally protest was the Clippers.
The Clippers also have a lot of black players, including Curry, who looks quite fair and is also black according to the One Drop of Blood principle.
In fact, theoretically speaking, the one drop of blood principle is very unscientific. The so-called distinction between white people and people of color is a typical political distinction and naked discrimination.
Because from a scientific point of view, many so-called black people may have more white blood in their bodies than black blood.
Therefore, people like them should be collectively referred to as "mixed-race people", rather than simply black or white people.
However, due to historical factors and the One Drop of Blood principle, many mixed-race people have been kicked into the black and colored groups.
Nowadays, American society has suffered the backlash of this division, and various conflicts often occur because of racial discrimination.
While the external environment is criticizing Sterling, the Clippers are quiet internally, mainly for two reasons:
First, the Clippers players are really not familiar with Sterling!
Except for Randolph and Ricky Davis, other players have almost no contact with Sterling.
Even Randolph and Davis only saw a lot of Sterling in one season.
After Min Congda came to the Clippers, Sterling disappeared and rarely appeared.
Since he doesn't show up, he won't leave a bad impression on the players.
No one can understand Sterling's daily stinginess, bad mouth, bullying of subordinates, workplace discrimination and other issues.
So even though other teams are protesting continuously, the Clippers' own players think it's okay. They even wonder if other teams are deliberately doing this to harm the Clippers?
The playoffs are approaching, and this kind of thing is used to disrupt the morale of the Clippers team.
For example, the Los Angeles Lakers are next door. The two teams are very likely to be competitors in the Western Conference Finals.
As soon as this incident came out, the Lakers, from management to players, seemed very positive.
For example, Chris Paul spoke out, saying, "Sterling's words and actions are unforgivable. Players in the league must stand up and resist him. I think the Clippers players must take action."
Although what Paul said was righteous, everyone on the Clippers saw that he was speaking with certainty and secretly wanted to suppress the Clippers, so everyone was not angry at all.
Therefore, after Sterling's inappropriate remarks, the Clippers players remained silent, and no one came forward to express their opinions.
Second, it was because Min Congda quickly issued a hush-hush order to the entire team. No one was allowed to discuss the matter or express their opinions on the matter to the outside world.
Min Congda is well versed in the lack of freedom of speech. He knows that when the public opinion situation is in his favor, it is best not to say anything.
As long as you don't say anything, it will always be beneficial.
Once you talk and act randomly, it is easy for people with ulterior motives to take advantage of you.
Therefore, it is better to say nothing and wait for Adam Silva to take action.
Moreover, although Min Congda used this trick to trick Sterling, and Sterling's daily reputation is not very good, he and Sterling have no grudges.
On the contrary, during the three years that Min Congda became the Clippers general manager, Sterling gave Min Congda full trust and great power-even if it was forced.
It didn't help Min Congda, but it didn't cause Min Congda any trouble. At any rate, Min Congda did a lot of things.
If Min Congda hadn't seen that if he continued to operate like this, the market value of the Clippers would be getting higher and higher. He would have to find another way to take the path of "spectacles ruining the country" and must drive away Sterling. With the current situation, Min Congda is unwilling to move. Sterling's.
After all, there is the nominal "favor of knowing someone".
What is the difference between him backstabbing Sterling like this and James who wants to leave the Cavaliers and go to the Heat?
James was persuaded to come back by him, but he himself embarked on Lu Fengxian's path of no return.
The last person to have such skill and power was named Auerbach.
In the Celtics, during the 10 years of turmoil from 1969 to 1979, the Celtics changed owners seven times.
Several owners bought the team but couldn't continue it for two years and then resold it because they didn't get along with Auerbach.
If the owners of other teams don't get along with the general manager, they will definitely let the general manager leave and replace them with a new manager.
But the Celtics are different. It is the owner who is leaving. You can sell the team and replace it with someone else. The manager will not move.
From this point of view, Auerbach can be called the NBA's number one villain.
Compared with Auerbach, Min Congda still wanted to be shameless and did not openly challenge Sterling or add insult to injury.
It's already too much to make a snitch behind the scenes, but to come out and pretend not to know anything, and to give someone another blow would be very inhumane.
Besides, Sterling has made a lot of money in the past three years. The market value of the team has increased significantly. With the replacement and resale, it is not a problem for his assets to double.
In this way, Min Congda has repaid Sterling's "favor of knowing him".
Sterling himself also remained silent on the matter, saying nothing, as if he had expected it.
He was not even in Los Angeles. After the incident, he went to Florida for vacation and declined all interviews.
Of course, this kind of evasion and shrinking behavior cannot avoid alliance sanctions.
Adam Silva has long been prepared to put on a big show to scare the bosses and shareholders.
Two days after the recording was exposed, Adam Silva personally held a press conference to announce the results of the investigation and punishment of Sterling.
Sterling was asked to sell all of the team's shares, withdraw from the NBA shareholders' meeting, and be fined $2.5 million.
Min Congda was so greedy when he saw the fine of 2.5 million US dollars. It would be great if Silva could get this fine on himself.
There is no such thing as a good thing in the world. Sterling had to return to Los Angeles and start dealing with his team's equity.
At this time, there are still two days left before the official start of the NBA playoffs.
The Clippers are actually changing their owners, which is definitely a big trouble for some teams.
At that time, people's hearts will be unstable, and a good season may be ruined.
However, the boat was very stable up and down, and there was no sign of any upheaval.
Because in the past three years, Sterling has been missing, and Min Congda has supported the team.
If the boss changes, as long as the general manager Min Congda remains in his position, the Clippers will not change much.
Min Congda is ready to welcome new boss Michael Jordan.
Jordan's money alone is not enough. He will form a syndicate with several small shareholders, including Min Congda.
Sterling's shares in the Clippers will be directly swapped with Jordan's shares in the Bobcats.
After getting the Bobcat shares, Sterling can then sell them to local wealthy people in Charlotte.
By then, the God of Basketball will become the owner of the Clippers and "assist" Min Congda in completing his bankruptcy!
In Min Congda's view, Jordan is a perfect candidate.
We don't have much money, so we have to piece together enough to win the Clippers.
It's bad enough at the management level and bad luck.
All the good luck in basketball in this life was spent as a player.
Although this operation will be more troublesome, as long as it can be completed, Min Congda will become the biggest winner.
Take the most solid step on the road to completing your bankruptcy mission!
April 29th is the first game day of the NBA playoffs.
In the morning, Min Congda got up early, turned on the TV and watched the morning news to learn about the latest developments in the incident.
Although the league just issued an order the day before yesterday, forcing Sterling to auction the team. In just two days, it is impossible to complete the transaction immediately. This is not a vegetable market where you pay one hand and deliver the goods, but Min Congda still wants to Get to know the situation.
According to the timetable, this equity swap may be completed in May or June.
The playoffs should be over by then.
Min Congda packed up and drove to Staples Center.
After arriving at the office, he received a call from the league president's office.
Take the encrypted route.
When Min Congda heard it was Adam Silva, he felt a little bad for some reason.
"Good morning, Mr. President, do you have any good news for me?"
"Good morning, Smart, you seem to be in a good mood, but it's not good news."
When Silva said this, Min Congda's heart sank.
"Let me ask you Smart, what did you say to Jordan last time you went to see him?"
"What did you say? I...of course I hope he can take over the Clippers."
"God, how can you say that? Smart, you have always been very smart. You are confused about this matter. You told Jordan that you wanted him to take over the Clippers, but if something happened to Sterling, then he must be suspicious. It was you who pulled the strings to frame Sterling. Under such circumstances, how could he trust you and want to take over the Clippers?"
There is indeed nothing wrong with what Silva said, but Min Congda is not really stupid, but because his starting point is wrong.
He asked Jordan to take over the Clippers. The ultimate goal was to bankrupt the Clippers, and he had no intention of working together to make the Clippers bigger and stronger.
Therefore, it is inevitable that there are omissions in the rhetoric and the consideration is not comprehensive enough.
"Then... Jordan doesn't want to take over the Clippers?"
"He has refused, and the method of stock exchange is too complicated. Since Sterling chose to auction, let's wait for someone to bid. Only by letting the Clippers get good results this season can we get a good price."
"Hey, hey, then... can you not sell it?"
Min Congda once heard that the one with the highest price would win. Isn’t that the end of the world?
If Ballmer takes over, the Clippers will never go bankrupt in this life!
Doesn't he steal the chicken but lose the rice? Those who stab in the back will always be stabbed in the back?
"You won't sell it if you say it won't be sold? Do you really think the Clippers belong to you? Okay, your position as the general manager of the Clippers is very stable. Don't think too much, just stabilize the team and prepare for the playoffs!"
After saying that, Silva hung up the phone. Min Congda was at a loss when he heard the busy tone on the receiver.
Sitting blankly on the chair, Min Congda thought about it for a while, then suddenly slapped the table and cursed: "Damn it, I must have been tricked by this guy Silva! What are you talking about asking me to find a syndicate to buy the Clippers myself? I can become a small boss myself. When Sterling really gets into trouble, how about removing the salary from under the cauldron and asking the one with the highest price to get it? I am Gan Liliang, what a liar! Now it’s okay, the one with the highest price will get it, and the boss I want to come can’t come. Even if I, a small boss, can’t do it, wouldn’t I be trying to draw water from a bamboo basket in vain?”
After thinking about this clearly, Min Congda knew that he had been tricked by Silva. He had become someone else's wedding dress and a borrowed knife to kill people.
This feeling makes Min Congda very unhappy. Everyone used to get what they need, but now that you have achieved the goal of eliminating dissidents, you don't take me seriously anymore?
Sitting in the office, Min Congda's thoughts changed rapidly. It seemed that the situation was irreversible, and it was Min Congda himself who caused it.
But there is no room for redress.
Min Congda sorted out his thoughts. First of all, the recording was indeed leaked, but after editing, the most serious part was not leaked.
If that part leaked out, there would be absolutely no place for death. Sure enough, he left a sliver of his life so that we could meet each other easily in the future. This also gave Min Congda room for maneuver.
Second, Min Congda also has a very important card in his hand: NBA-Batman.
Before the recording leaked, Min Congda sent a tweet: Something big will happen to the Clippers.
Immediately following the Sterling recording incident, he became a prophet again.
After that, Min Congda did not use NBA-Batman to make any comments.
This will be Min Congda's public opinion trump card to fight back.
Third, the final decision on the Clippers auction must be issued by the court. The Los Angeles court has not yet given the final result.
Therefore, although public opinion gives the impression that the overall situation has been decided, legally speaking it can still be saved.
Moreover, the source of this recording is doubtful. Min Congda knew that it was illegal eavesdropping and theoretically could not be used as evidence.
After sorting out his thoughts, Min Congda picked up the phone and told Ada, "Call me Mrs. Sterling's number and tell her I have something to talk to her about."
A minute later, the call came in. It was Sterling's wife, Shelly Sterling.
During the period when Sterling was fined, Shelly Sterling took over the responsibility and took care of the Clippers.
Of course, the specific matters must be left to Min Congda to handle.
"Mr. Smart, what's the matter?" Mrs. Sterling's voice was stiff on the phone.
She has always been very distrustful of Min Congda, a Chinese general manager who suddenly appeared and was deeply trusted by her husband.
"Mrs. Sterling, come to Staples Center to watch the game tonight. It's the first game of the playoffs. I have something to talk to you about."
"If there is anything to discuss between us, I will leave all the team matters to you."
"I can't handle this, and I need your help."
"Is there anything else you can't handle with the Clippers?"
"Of course, for example, returning ownership of the Clippers to the Sterling family."
(End of chapter)
