At nine o'clock, the NBA official press conference was held, and David Stern attended in person.
He said in front of dozens of media: "The NBA is opposed to violence on the field. We have always taken the safety of players' lives very seriously. We will never allow the NBA to become a sports league like the NFL and NHL.
Here, I solemnly promise that we will do our best to reduce violence on the court, and we will let the players understand that the safety of our opponents' lives will not be ignored. "
While expressing his stance, he also took advantage of the NFL and NHL.
He still did not praise Zhou Quan, because Zhou Quan injured three Bulls players in offense and defense last night, so it was not easy to praise him.
He also did not criticize Michael Jordan publicly, not wanting to destroy Jordan himself.
After the press conference, he returned to the office and immediately called Jordan.
Jordan was preparing his luggage at this time. The Bulls were going to the airport. When he received a call from Stern, it felt not good.
"Michael, you have always been sensible and wise, but you disappointed me last night." Stern said in a sad tone.
Jordan angrily defended: "Mr. Stern, I didn't do anything. I didn't hurt anyone last night. It was Iron Fist that injured several of my teammates. He was talking nonsense. He misinterpreted my words. He was slandering." Me, he wants to destroy me. But now the whole world is scolding me, what’s wrong with me?
If I was wrong, it would be that I was a little impulsive. In order to defend Grant, I did not admit to Iron Fist that Grant's block was wrong.
You know, Mr. Stern, I have always believed that the life of my opponent is absolutely higher than any outcome. Even in the finals, I will not be so defensive. This is the most basic morality as a human being. I have never denied it. , and keep doing that, I was just a little impulsive, but that bastard Iron Fist..."
"Okay, listen to me."
Interrupting Jordan, Stern said: "Michael, I have to say that Zhou Quan is smarter than you. He handles unexpected events more calmly than you on the court and seizes opportunities to profit from unexpected events.
He seized on the weakness in your words, and then seized on the righteousness, and condemned you from the moral high ground. You are too passive now. If you don't restore the influence immediately, I won't be able to protect you. "
"This insidious villain!" Jordan was extremely depressed.
Stern added: "You'd better stand up right away and admit your mistake. You can discuss the specific details with the team and your agent."
The phone hung up, and the frustrated Jordan was about to take a cold shower to calm down when his mobile phone rang again. It was his agent David Falk's call.
"Michael, things are very troublesome."
"I know, Stern forced me to publicly admit my mistakes. What mistakes did I make? It's all that bastard's fault. He was the one who was trying to trick me." Jordan roared.
"Calm down, Michael, if this matter is not handled well, you will be more trouble than the assassin. You will become a dragon, and Iron Fist and Piston will become dragon-slaying warriors." Falk advised loudly there.
"Tell me, what should I do?" Jordan gritted his teeth.
"Just do what Mr. Stern said and hold a press conference to publicly express your attitude. You can say it this way, just say that you just made a slip of the tongue and Zhou Quan misunderstood you. You have to admit that you also agree and support Zhou Quan's statement on the life of his opponent." Safe speech," Falk said.
"Shet! I can't spare this bastard!"
…
The Bulls postponed their departure from Detroit, and after discussing with management, Jordan held a press conference at 11 a.m.
Jordan told dozens of media outlets: “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean what Iron Fist understood, it was just a slip of the tongue.
As you know, during the game, I didn't have the opportunity to express my thoughts accurately, which made Tekken misunderstand me. I don't think it is right to ignore the life safety of our opponents. We must pay attention to the life safety of our opponents. Rules are not our bottom line, morality is our bottom line. I have never hurt any opponent, not before, you know this, I have never hurt any opponent, and I will not in the future, I promise..."
This is a signal that Jordan bows his head.
However, the media's public opinion did not change immediately and continued to criticize Jordan.
Zhou Quan's agent Roger Philippe did not miss this opportunity. He began to contact all the media and reporters he could contact, as well as some of Zhou Quan's small sponsors. Through these forces, he hoped to create a moral image for Zhou Quan. A noble image of a model.
Three people were injured by Zhou Quan in one game, and a postman's ribs were broken. Zhou Quan also had a lot of negative publicity, but the current public opinion is mainly focused on Jordan in order to create hype.
Once Jordan turns over, media public opinion may focus on Zhou Quan, so he must at least use this opportunity to reduce or even eliminate these negative impacts on Zhou Quan.
All-Star voting is in progress, and he also hopes to use this opportunity to help Zhou Quan enter the All-Star.
At this time, in a twenty-five-story building in Los Angeles, Skechers was holding a meeting, hosted by Mark Nathan, the company and brand founder.
This company has just been established, and the shoe styles created by Mark Nason are not diverse, and basketball shoes are one of them.
With the company's current strength and lack of capital to sign big-name stars, he can only look for opportunities among small stars.
Originally, he took a fancy to Zhou Quan, a well-known UCLA player in the NCAA. Although he is not an American, he has a certain reputation in Los Angeles. He planned to give him a cash contract for exclusive sneakers.
But last night's game made him feel Zhou Quan's strong and domineering style. He felt a strong personal style from Zhou Quan, which was not inferior to Jordan's personal charm at all, and personal style is the source of creation, a brand's Soul, that's the most important factor.
As long as Tekken's personal style and charm are given a certain amount of time, Tekken will have the opportunity to support a brand as he grows up.
Iron Fist vs. Jordan, Iron Fist wins.
From this game, he thought of the gambling contract between Nike and Jordan. He felt an opportunity, an opportunity that gave him a chance to gamble.
He wanted to take a gamble.
Today's meeting was held precisely because of this. He wanted to sign the company's first signature sneaker contract.
…
On the afternoon of the 20th, Zhou Quan suddenly received a call from someone and was very surprised.
"Mr. Stern, what do you want from me?" he asked cautiously.
David Stern said: "Zhou, I really want you to be a moral model like Joe Dumars. Can you make this wish come true for me?"
Zhou Quan said seriously: "Sir, this is actually my wish, who doesn't want to become a noble person?
So whatever I did that you didn't want to see happen, it wasn't my intention, I was forced into it. "
Stern on the other end of the phone was speechless. He thought for a while and said, "Okay, Zhou, I hope the Pistons and Bulls game can return to normal, and you will be rewarded."
"As long as the Bulls care about our lives, I think I can agree, and so will my teammates. They are all good people." Zhou Quan said with a smile.
"OK, you are indeed a young man with an overall view and enough wisdom. Zhou, I am optimistic that you will become the leader of the Pistons, and you will become an influential person in this league." Stern said with a smile.
"Thank you. I appreciate the compliment."
…
