In late November, New York received its first heavy snowfall in 2014. The heavy snow soon covered this huge city on the Atlantic coast with a blanket of white, heralding the end of autumn and the arrival of winter.
Generally speaking, New York, with its temperate climate, usually gets its first snow of the year in mid-December, just before Christmas. However, the snow in 2014 came earlier than usual, which indicates that this year will be a cold winter.
By noon, the snow was getting heavier and heavier, and traffic in the city was affected. Car accidents occurred on some arterial roads, and some vehicles skidded and broke down, leading to traffic paralysis in some areas of New York City.
David Stern was sitting in his Mercedes-Benz S600. The continuous heavy snow and bad traffic made it difficult for the vehicle to move. No matter how high-end the car was, it was worse than two human legs at this time.
Stern looked at his watch. He was originally scheduled to go to Fifth Avenue to attend a meeting with a technology company at 1:30 p.m., then meet with visiting dignitaries from Europe at three o'clock, and then attend a charity dinner in New York at five o'clock.
Although Stern officially retired as NBA president this year, he did not live a comfortable retirement life. On the contrary, he became busier.
He still has his own office in the Olympia Building. He goes to the office on time at 9:30 every day to start working on the day. His schedule is always very full, and there is almost no time for leisure and entertainment.
Of course, his job content is no longer limited to basketball, and he no longer has to worry about the trivial matters of the league every day. Adam Silva has adapted well to the position of president and has established good relationships with all parties.
His vision is more long-term, and he sees more possibilities for the development of the NBA, such as cooperation with new technology companies and in-depth integration with social media. In Stern's view, these two areas are the reasons why the NBA will continue to grow in the future. Or at least the key to staying relevant.
Just like when Stern came to power in the 1980s, he cooperated closely with television broadcasters and vigorously developed advertising endorsements. Accurately grasping the trends of the times is Stern's magic weapon to help the NBA grow.
He truly treats the NBA as a business and an industry, rather than simply treating it as a sport. This is where he is criticized, but it is also where he succeeds.
Looking at the snowflakes falling continuously outside the car window, Stern felt a little anxious. He has always been a punctual person and was rarely late. The technology job he had to meet at 1:30 in the afternoon focused on sports technology, such as various sensors. , video screen analysis, ultra-high-speed cameras, etc., these are of great help to improve player training levels and improve the effect of NBA live broadcast.
In Stern's view, entering the network era, it is an inevitable trend for the NBA to embrace the Internet and a new generation of fans. These technologies will undoubtedly bring a new look to the NBA.
But the sudden heavy snowfall and traffic jam disrupted his trip. As time passed, the assistant Linda Tosi sitting in the front row said: "Sir, the traffic jam may continue for a while. If we If you take the subway instead, you should be able to reach your destination around 1:20. Do you think you should take the subway instead?"
Tosi has been with Stern for 25 years and served as Stern's assistant almost as soon as Stern took control of the league.
Stern had three assistants when he was president. After leaving office, only Linda Tosi remained with Stern. Adam Silva has become president.
Tosi knew Stern well and knew that such a traffic jam made him very anxious. She used a mobile phone app to check the distance and time of the traffic jam and thought it was time to change the mode of transportation.
Stern was a little hesitant. He didn't like taking the subway because he always acted in a very low-key and secretive way. He didn't like to be recognized on the subway.
And for a person of his status and age, taking the subway is really not a suitable choice. He would not choose this underground transportation unless it was absolutely necessary.
After another two minutes, the congested road section became longer and longer, and the snowflakes in the sky became larger and denser. The snow was getting heavier. The already bad road traffic in New York City would definitely become a mess next.
Stern knew that he could no longer hesitate and wait. He had to change rail transportation to get to the meeting location in time, otherwise he would definitely be late.
"Linda, let's take the subway instead."
After speaking, Stern opened the car door and prepared to get out of the car.
Suddenly a man came over and pushed Stern into the car.
Then with a bang, the door was closed.
Stern glanced at the man in horror and realized he was someone he knew.
"Smart? Why are you here?"
The person who put Stern back into the car was none other than Min Congda.
"Of course I have something to tell you. I've been looking for you for a while. It seems I'm lucky. Do you want to get out of the car and run away?"
"What are you talking about Smart, what am I running for? I have to go to a meeting and I'm almost late. The traffic jam is like this. I have to get off the train and take the subway... I'm fine Linda, don't worry, I'll be here right away. .”
Stern told Linda and the driver not to worry. Min Congda waved to Linda Tuosi outside. The two were old acquaintances.
"Smart, let's talk about it next time. Let me get out of the car. I don't have much time."
"Don't worry Mr. Stern, you don't have to talk to me, just talk to me."
"What are you talking about? I'm talking to you. Do you know what I'm going to talk about?"
"Of course I know. What you are going to meet this afternoon is a Middle Eastern technology company called WSC. It specializes in AI image recognition technology. The software algorithm they developed can automatically identify players' offensive actions in game videos and automatically count dunks, three-pointers, and mid-range shots. times, and automatically generate highlights of the entire game through various algorithms. This company's technology will greatly reduce the workload of game video editing. As soon as the regular season is played every day, video highlights and related data will be analyzed. . In the Internet age, the timeliness of this information is very important. Once the time has passed, fans will no longer be interested."
Stern did not expect that Min Congda knew everything about his itinerary, the objects of his negotiation, and the contents.
And he also knew his driving route. What was going on?
He looked at Min Congda suspiciously and said, "Smart, how do you know this, and what does this have to do with you?"
Min Congda said: "Of course it has something to do with me, because this company has been acquired, and I, Smart Min, am one of the shareholders of this company."
Stern looked at Min Congda in surprise and said, "Acquisition? When did it happen?"
"Just this morning, we just reached an agreement, so now I can discuss cooperation with you on behalf of WSC Company, and you don't have to catch the subway."
Stern was dubious, and then Linda Tosi opened the door and asked what was going on. Stern said: "Smart said the Clippers acquired WSC."
Linda Tosi quickly called to inquire about the situation. Half a minute later, she told Stern that WSC had indeed been acquired, and the acquirers were Shelly Sterling, Min Congda and some investors in Los Angeles.
Obviously, Min Congda is their leader, otherwise they would not buy a small company in the Middle East at such a high price.
Only people with vision will value this type of technology so much.
Since Min Congda is the major shareholder of WSC, Stern does not need to take the subway. He can just talk to Min Congda directly on the bus.
But today, Min Congda didn't want to talk about the technology company with Stern. He asked the driver to raise the partition of the car, and the two had a secret conversation.
"David, I want to find out who killed Christopher Andolini?"
Min Congda revealed the key reason for coming to New York to meet Stern this time, and it was also the issue he wanted to understand most during this period.
After the Clippers' opener at the end of October, Christopher was killed by a grenade thrown by a motorcycle killer on his way home.
This murder caused quite a stir in Los Angeles. The kitchen and catering supply of the Huawei Center fell into chaos for a while, causing some minor problems in the Clippers' second home game.
The police quickly intervened in the investigation, but despite road surveillance, they were unable to find the murderer on a motorcycle.
In the surveillance video, the motorcycle disappeared near a dead end. The vehicle did not have a license plate and could not be targeted.
After that, the investigation work reached a deadlock. Judging from the killer's murder methods, it was obvious that he was well prepared and quite professional.
This greatly increases the difficulty of solving the case. Coupled with Christopher's extremely complicated background, the investigation on the motive is also in trouble.
Min Congda quickly re-searched for catering talents and teams, stabilized the Red Head Boots Restaurant, and restored the catering supply of Huawei Center to normal conditions.
But headaches came one after another for Min Congda. In fact, ever since Paul George broke his leg in the summer, problems and troubles have come one after another.
In the team, insider Milicic retired, and Zach Randolph and Anthony Davis both missed some games at the beginning of the season due to injuries, causing the Clippers' inside line to collapse seriously.
The team only has three fat guys, Bonner, Gasol and Jokic, and the quality of interior defense has greatly declined. After the team easily defeated the Thunder, they lost to the Lakers and Kings in succession.
Especially after losing to the Kings at home in the third game of the regular season, the team's condition can be said to be quite bad. Obviously some factors off the court have affected the player's condition.
In the Super Bowl where the Clippers faced the Golden State Warriors away from home on November 5, the Warriors, with all members playing, defeated the Los Angeles Clippers 117:101 at the Oracle Arena.
The super battleship led by Cole used extreme offense and defense to defeat the defending champion, announcing that the Warriors would launch the most severe challenge to the Clippers this year.
Subsequently, on November 9, the Clippers’ long-term design partner, VIP fan, and famous rap star Kanye West published a long speech on Twitter, voluntarily attacking and criticizing the American system and some celebrities in the fashion and sports circles. , and stated that he would participate in the 2016 US general election and transform the United States into a beautiful new country.
After these remarks, Kanye West was sent to UCLA Medical Center for psychiatric evaluation and treatment. The reason was that he had some abnormal behavior at a friend's house and was forced by law enforcement to send him to see a psychiatrist.
After this incident happened, and Min Congda was previously rated as "Level 2 Mental Illness", there began to be a lot of criticism and ridicule, calling the Los Angeles Clippers a "mental illness concentration camp."
As the Clippers won and lost, by the time the heavy snow fell in late November, the Clippers' record was 9 wins and 5 losses, a so-so record, but they could only be ranked eighth in the Western Conference in the powerful West.
The top Warriors, Grizzlies, Lakers, and even the Spurs and Suns all have better records than the Clippers.
The media who originally praised the Clippers last season are already eager to praise the Clippers.
After all, trying to win four consecutive championships after three consecutive championships is almost an impossible task in the modern NBA.
The Clippers' series of troubles at the beginning of this season seem to indicate that the Clippers' championship momentum this year has been exhausted and is destined to be a stepping stone.
Min Congda also encountered the most troubled year of his general manager career, and the first thing he had to do was find out how Christopher died.
In fact, he could have just ignored it, because Christopher's death had nothing to do with him, and besides, it was very normal for such a person with a blood debt to be killed one day.
It's like his brother Marcella Andolini was assassinated by another gang member and later quit the world. Now he is still worried at home every day, fearing that he will be shot in the dark one day.
Once you set foot on this road, you will have to pay it back one day, it's just a matter of time.
But Min Congda still decided to find out the truth. At the very least, he had to find a way to catch the motorcycle killer and give an explanation to Ada, the Red Head Boots Restaurant, and the Clippers.
Everyone on the Clippers knew Christopher, and his death undoubtedly cast a shadow over the team. Min Congda could feel it. Ever since George broke his leg, all kinds of bad news had enveloped the team, causing the team's morale to be abnormal. Very depressed.
Injuries, accidents, public criticism, various pressures, inner relaxation, and extremely powerful external opponents all made the Clippers suddenly face a very bad situation.
Is four consecutive championships really possible?
Regardless of the possibility, Min Congda was determined to find a way to solve Christopher's problem first.
So he found Stern, this little old Jewish man who had a deep connection with the FBI.
Min Congda knew from the last conversation between the two of them in the car that Stern probably knew more about Christopher than he did.
Stern looked at Min Congda seriously and said: "Don't get involved in things that have nothing to do with basketball. Do your job well. You shouldn't get involved in these."
Min Congda shook his head and said: "I must figure this out and give an explanation to the team and his relatives."
Stern said: "Smart, you are very unsmart. You know the background of this Christopher. Don't get involved in such a thing."
"Then why can you."
"I am me and you are you."
"What if I wanted to be you?"
When Stern heard this, his eyes trembled and he looked at Min Congda. After a while he said, "Have you changed your mind?"
Min Congda said: "As long as you find a way to find the murderer, I will cooperate with you."
Stern hesitated for a while and said: "Being emotional is not the emotion and attitude a president should have."
“But without feelings, nothing great can be accomplished.”
"Okay, I will give you an explanation on this matter. I will let my friends from the FBI investigate with all their strength. As for the matter between us...the Lakers, can you help solve it?"
"No problem. I've been very dissatisfied with the Lakers recently. They think our season is over."
"Hahaha, four consecutive championships is almost impossible Smart, maybe you should wait until next season."
"I'm not a smart person, but I understand the truth that people should live in the present."
"Smart, regardless of whether the Clippers can win four consecutive championships, you promise me that starting next season, you will resign as the general manager of the Clippers and come to work in the league."
Stern invited Min Congda again. Min Congda nodded and said, "We still want to win this championship."
(End of chapter)
