On June 15, Min Congda woke up from his sleep after a long nap. He looked at the time and it was already past 11 o'clock Pacific time.
At this time, the sound of cooking could be heard in the kitchen at home. It was the housekeeping aunt from Chinatown whom Min Congda invited to come over and cook lunch for him.
When he had no money in the past, Min Congda would either go to the team to earn money, or cook for himself and get the funds to terminate his contract. Now that he has a comfortable income (comes from fines), he also enjoys it and finds a housekeeper to cook for him and clean his apartment.
By the time Min Congda finished washing and getting dressed, Aunt Liu had already prepared the food and brought it to the table.
Aunt Liu is from Fujian. She has been working in the United States for more than ten years. She has worked as a caterer and is good at cooking.
Min Congda has been in the United States for several years, and his stomach is still suitable for the Chinese diet. The American diet is too rough and too high in fat and sugar for him to tolerate.
"Hey, Aunt Liu, what kind of food is this covered with? It smells delicious."
Min Congda saw a dish covered with a cover on the dining table, and a strong fragrance wafted out, catching Min Congda's nose.
On weekdays, Aunt Liu comes over to cook, mainly making some home-cooked side dishes. Anyway, Min Congda eats alone and can't eat much.
This is a large plate with a cover. It looks like a big dish at first glance. It should not be on the daily menu.
Aunt Liu said with a smile: "Mr. Min, this is a special meal for you. It's called yellow croaker in soup."
With that said, Aunt Liu opened the lid, and a slightly fishy smell rushed out, directly piercing Min Congda's nose.
"Yellow croaker in soup?" Min Congda had heard of this dish and had seen it in a movie.
This is a famous dish with complicated craftsmanship. First of all, yellow croaker is difficult to buy. This is the United States, and it is not easy to get authentic yellow croaker.
This dish is extremely demanding in terms of ingredient processing. The knife skills, techniques, and cooking methods are not something ordinary chefs can handle.
Use chopsticks to open the belly of the fish. Inside there are sea cucumbers, abalone, scallops, fish balls and other dried seafood. The aroma is very strong and the taste is extremely rich.
"Aunt Liu, I didn't expect that your cooking skills are so good that you can make such a big dish. This dish costs a few hundred dollars at least, and I will transfer the money to you later."
"Oh, I told you that I made it specially for you, how can I charge you for it? Collecting money does not mean that I am buying and selling by force. Mr. Min, I made this dish specially for you for my son. My son You are Clippers fans, the die-hard kind. He said that the Clippers are going to play today, and if they win, they will win the championship. What is three consecutive championships? Anyway, since my son became a fan of your team. , I feel that he is much more confident. It was not easy for me to get this yellow croaker, please hurry up and eat it while it is hot."
Aunt Liu said this, and Min Congda was no longer polite. He was already hungry, but his appetite was aroused by the rich dishes on the table.
While eating, Min Congda asked Aunt Liu, "Aunt Liu, how old is your son? When did he start to like the Clippers? Which player does he like the most?"
Aunt Liu was cleaning the kitchen and said: "My son is already studying in college this year, the University of Southern California. He came here to study in high school. At that time, I made some money doing catering. I want my son to enjoy a good life in the United States. You know, when he first came here, Asians always get a little angry, so it’s inevitable that he didn’t go to a particularly good school. His father and I only know how to work. He was the kind of person who was wronged and didn't talk much to us. Later I found out that he was discriminated against and suffered a lot. But he talked about Huo. At that time, he liked basketball and knew how to watch the NBA. He He said that he originally liked the Lakers, but then he said that he liked the Clippers. He said that your team is very good to the fans and provides excellent service, but the tickets are a bit expensive. Then he kept winning and making progress. He said that he was encouraged, and Have you participated in any activities organized by you? His favorite thing seems to be some kind of pants. He said that this person gave him the courage to play in the NBA when he looks like that. There is nothing he can't do."
Min Congda was very popular. When Aunt Liu said "in his pants", he knew it must be Curry. He is indeed the idol of many young people in Los Angeles and even California. He has inspired many players with average physical fitness to shoot three-pointers on the field. It can be said that the number of people who have been divided has increased sharply in recent years, all thanks to Curry.
As for the Clippers' fan service, it has indeed always been the benchmark for the NBA. Ever since Richele invited Siakam to watch the game, the Clippers have formed this tradition, often inviting young fans, children with physical disabilities, and a few Teenagers from various ethnic groups, as well as some marginalized groups, come to the Clippers to watch the game.
In the past, the Clippers did not have these services because Sterling was too stingy.
Min Congda was happy to spend more money in this area, but he didn't know that he had won a good reputation for the Clippers.
In addition, the Clippers' performance has been rising steadily, from a fish belly to a dynasty step by step. It can be said that the first group of young people who liked the Clippers grew up with the Clippers.
The Clippers' weak and even ugly past history has freed the team from baggage and prevented young fans from immersing themselves in past glories. All the Clippers' glories were created with them.
In fact, for many young fans, especially American fans, they are often not too interested in the team's past history.
People have to live in the present and look forward to the future. Just like when Larry Bird was drafted by the Celtics, he also bluntly said that he didn’t know much about the Celtics’ glorious championship history and had no interest in it. Understand that what he wants to do is to get new victories and new championships.
Compared with other NBA teams, the Clippers have a natural advantage, that is, their general manager is Chinese, and this guy has a high exposure rate in the media and has great power within the team.
This makes the Clippers have a strong Chinese flavor. For example, the NBA will organize teams to pay New Year greetings during the New Year. The Clippers' videos are the best and most heartfelt. Everyone's Mandarin is also very good. After all, in the Clippers team, Learning Mandarin is a basic requirement.
The people in the Clippers media department all have good Chinese proficiency.
There are also many Chinese in California, and the number of Clippers fans is even more staggering.
Therefore, it is not surprising at all that Aunt Liu's son received spiritual strength from the Clippers and Curry.
Min Congda thought to himself: Do you know how many years of torture you had to squeeze out your spiritual power? The pain I have suffered over the years has become spiritual nourishment for others.
Thinking of this, Min Congda felt that his merits were immeasurable, and the meal tasted even more delicious.
After lunch, Aunt Liu tidied up the house. Before leaving, Aunt Liu asked: "Mr. Min, can you sign my son's jersey?"
Aunt Liu took out Curry's No. 30 jersey from the cloth bag. Min Congda said: "Okay, you can leave it here with me. I will go to the team and ask Curry to sign it for him."
Aunt Liu said: "No, he doesn't want Curry's signature. He wants your signature. He says you are the pride of the Chinese people."
Min Congda was stunned and said: "I...I didn't win this championship. How can I be proud of it?"
Aunt Liu said: "Of course, forget it. Everyone says that you have achieved so much success in the NBA, and people in your hometown feel that you have benefited from it."
"Really? Does everyone think so?"
"Of course, Mr. Min, you are really amazing. If you are interested in running for office, we all want to choose you."
"I can't do it, I can't do it. I'm not interested in politics, and I'm not an American citizen. No, no, no. I'll sign it for you."
Min Congda signed his name on Curry's jersey and handed it to Aunt Liu. He never thought that he would become the idol of many people.
In fact, the influence of the sports industry in the United States is very large. The total value of the sports industry reaches more than 480 billion US dollars, which is five times that of the American film industry.
So despite the fact that Hollywood movies have a global influence, in the United States, the sports industry is larger and the status of sports stars is often higher.
However, in the cultural and sports industries, Asians have always been at the bottom of the chain. Asians have always been supporting roles and foils in movies. Asians are even rarer in the sports industry.
In the NBA, the management and coaches are basically white, the players are basically black, and Asians have a sporadic presence.
Yao Ming is the most influential one, but Americans generally regard Yao Ming as a "guest", a visitor from the East.
After Yao Ming retired, he returned to China to engage in new basketball-related careers.
Min Congda is different. Although he is not a player, he works in a higher-level management and has achieved great achievements.
What's even more valuable is that Min Congda retains a strong traditional Chinese temperament. He even brought this temperament to the Clippers and the NBA, which is equivalent to cultural export.
For example, if you are not fluent in English, you often speak Chinese and Chinese proverbs, and you are very Chinese in doing things and building teams, and you are not slutty at all.
There are many East Asians among the American elite, but if they want to succeed, they must first become Americans and become part of American culture (white culture).
Skin color and appearance are just a layer of skin for them. From spirit, family to culture, they have become and have to become a part of the United States.
Only Min Congda, this amazing man, could tell from the style of his apartment, which was decorated in a pure Chinese style. People who entered his house would have thought they were in a house in a mid-range community in China.
Min Congda certainly knows that this is the credit of the system, allowing him to firmly sit in the position of general manager of the Clippers, and no one can shake it.
Since others can't push him, they can't let Min Congda adapt to the general environment, but he has no choice but to adapt to the general environment.
After four years, the Clippers' belly disease has really been cured, and now they are only one step away from becoming a dynasty.
After Aunt Liu left with satisfaction, Min Congda took a nap at noon. At about two o'clock, Ada drove over to pick up Min Congda and go to Staples Center.
We first went to the team headquarters. After seeing Min Congda, everyone greeted him cordially, as if they were meeting an old friend.
Not only did the Clippers have few changes in their players, they also had very few changes in their employees. Anyway, in four years, only a few people resigned and none were fired.
In the United States, especially in a highly developed business society like Los Angeles, it is very normal for employees of a company to come and go.
We all work to make money. We usually work in the company. After work, we are strangers. There is no need to build a deep relationship.
Because everyone is still working at the same desk today, but they may leave tomorrow. Make money while making money, and don’t waste time.
But Min Congda changed the working environment here. Many people have worked here for at least four years and witnessed the Clippers' step-by-step rise to glory.
Four years is not too long, but it is not too short either. Many young employees fall in love, get married, and some start families and have children, and they will receive the blessing of the team.
The team's performance continues to improve, and wages continue to rise, basically in line with the increase in the salary cap. Who wants to leave such a good job?
And there is no need to work overtime every day. Not working overtime has become the Clippers' corporate culture. Min Congda wants everyone to work overtime without knowing how to ask.
When he came to the office, Min Congda habitually turned on his computer and read today's sports news. Then he quietly logged on to Twitter and read the comments: There were too many to finish.
Because his previous predictions on NBA-batman were all wrong...
Ada called and said Fan Chen was coming to see him.
Fan Chen has grown at an alarming rate after becoming a scout this season.
When he came back from Europe, he kept saying that he had spotted a very good insider who he thought could succeed Gasol.
Min Congda has never had time to care about the draft, and he doesn't know what kind of player Fan Chen is talking about.
As soon as Fan Chen entered the door, Min Congda said: "Just do what you say. You can choose whoever you want. It's up to you."
Fan Chen was stunned for a moment and said: "Uh...not Mr. Min, I just want to discuss something with you."
"What's up?"
"I think after finishing the scouting work this season, I will be allowed to take on the role of assistant coach next season. I feel that there is nothing more to learn about the scouting work."
"Are you too proud? In one season, you can learn all you can about scouting? Is it so inflated!"
"I won't delay my scouting work, but I want to get in touch with more and learn more."
"Okay, I'll let you join the assistant coaching staff when the time comes. But don't follow Tyronn Lue. You won't learn anything from him. Follow Mike Malone."
"Okay, thank you, Mr. Min!"
Fan Chen left with satisfaction, Min Congda thought to himself, this is also a guy who loves basketball.
Look at the time, it's 3:30 in the afternoon, it's time to go to the stadium, the players are about to start warming up.
When there are games at home, Min Congda often goes to the stadium in the afternoon and watches the players warming up and training on the sidelines.
This is actually a kind of learning for him, and it is also an opportunity to observe the players. He still knows the group of young men under him very well, all thanks to the accumulated observation over time.
At 3:30, the stadium was sparsely populated. Players from the two teams took turns to warm up. There were some reporters filming and interviewing on the sidelines.
Min Congda sat in a familiar position, with his legs crossed and a calm expression, looking at everything on the court, as well as the two championship flags hanging on the ceiling.
It has been almost five years. To put it bluntly, what he has obtained are these two things. Things that others dream of, but do not seem to be that important to him.
Min Congda always felt that he had just tasted the taste of a championship. The previous two seemed to be Zhu Bajie eating ginseng fruit, without tasting it at all.
From 3:30 to 4:30, and then to 5:30, the number of people in the auditorium gradually increased. Min Congda went to Red Boots Restaurant for dinner. When he returned to his seat, the stadium was already mostly full.
The originally deserted venue became noisy. Every Clippers fan who met Min Congda greeted him, and many even took photos with him.
Some enthusiastic and unrestrained female fans hugged and pushed Min Congda, and even gave him a kiss, which made Min Congda feel embarrassed.
Team managers can be said to be the only scorpions to receive such treatment in the NBA. It is evident that Min Congda is close to the people and popular with fans.
Because he never wears a suit and looks elite and confident of winning. He will get angry and shout like the fans and have many irrational behaviors.
And he has done a lot of things that fans want to do but dare not do. In short, he is the spokesperson of the Clippers fans and the hero on the sidelines in everyone's heart. With him around, the game will be much fairer.
At 7:30 in the evening, the Staples Center was already full. If nothing else happened, this would not only be the last game of the NBA season, but also the last time the Clippers would play here.
Next season they will move to the brand new Huawei Center to start the new season and have their own independent arena.
Nets players wear black jerseys. Kobe, Pierce, and Garnett are all famous figures, super idols in the hearts of many fans in the past era.
But idols are also about to usher in the twilight. Only a few fans are wearing Kobe and Garnett jerseys tonight, and a large number of others are wearing Clippers jerseys. Tonight is a feast for the Clippers.
The hearts of the entire Clippers team are wrapped in a flame, a blazing flame. This is the moment when they create history and establish a dynasty. A brand new era needs to draw a perfect exclamation mark here.
As soon as the game started, the Clippers were on full fire, bombarding the Nets' basket with breakthroughs, three-pointers, and low posts. The Clippers players took advantage of the mistakes in the previous game and found them all in this one. Come back.
In the first quarter, the Clippers led the Nets by 12 points 39:27. They did not want to give the Nets a chance at all.
But of course the Nets veterans will not give up. They try their best to fight the Clippers for their own dignity.
In the second quarter, the Nets did not let the Clippers continue to widen the point difference. Kobe and Pierce tried their best to attack with all their tricks and bite the score.
In such a game, Kobe seems to have returned to his peak period. He no longer hides and uses all his best moves.
It's a pity that Kobe's efficiency is not very high when playing like this. The Clippers' extremely tough defense on the outside often makes him fail.
The fans thought in their hearts, this is the Kobe they are familiar with.
In the third quarter, the Nets were still struggling, but Kobe fell down during a breakthrough in the sixth minute of the third quarter, and then he covered his ankle in extreme pain.
Slow motion shows that Kobe's Achilles tendon ruptured when he broke through!
Kobe was quickly carried off the field by the team doctor, and the fans at the scene applauded him as they bid farewell to the former Los Angeles basketball hero.
The complete departure of the old king means that the new king is about to take the throne.
Without Kobe, the Nets completely lost their will to resist.
With 5 minutes left before the end of the game, the difference between the two sides reached 22 points.
Kidd replaced all the main players, indicating that the game had ended early.
The Clippers' main players were also substituted. Curry and Gasol pulled Min Congda from the seat behind the bench and dragged him to the front.
Curry hugged Min Congda tightly and said: "Three consecutive championships, we are going to win three consecutive championships!"
Min Congda was still not very excited. He felt as if his heart was blocked and he couldn't express any emotion.
His expression is a little numb and dull. At 175cm tall, he looks particularly short and inconspicuous among tall players.
He hid among the long men and felt anxious inside. Why wasn't the game over yet? When will it end?
Time passed by, and when the buzzer sounded to end the game, the entire Staples Center exploded instantly!
Gasol and Milicic lifted Min Congda up and rushed to the center of the field together!
Reporters, fans, and staff all rushed to the stadium. At this time, Min Congda was at the highest point of the stadium. He was carried by three or four big men, like an emperor.
Red and blue colored strips fell like rain, and everyone was venting their emotions and happiness.
At this time, Min Congda felt a stream of heat rushing straight to his forehead, and two lines of hot tears fell along the corners of his eyes.
He raised his arms high and shouted, "So this is what it feels like to be a champion."
A little sweet, a little salty.
(End of chapter)
