David Stern shook his head and said: "You will never have this opportunity in the Pistons."
"Why?"
Zhou Quan asked puzzledly.
Stern said: "After the Bad Boys won two consecutive championships, you should know that the Pistons management did not strengthen it. Why?
Because the football market is not good, operations are difficult, and they are losing money every year. Even if they reach the finals and win the championship, they will not make any money, so the team does not want to invest. "
Zhou Quan was startled, is that so?
Stern added: "You will never get a billion-dollar contract with the Pistons. That's for sure. The Pistons will strictly control costs. That's for sure."
Zhou Quan leaned back in his chair, his thoughts a little divergent.
If Stern didn't lie to him, then not only him, but also Rodman would probably not be able to sign the big contract he wanted. Without Da Chong as a championship puzzle piece, without Da Chong's rebounding and defense, there is hope for his three consecutive championships. ?
Stern added: "Also, I can tell you with certainty that Mr. Bill Davidson is planning to sell the team."
"What?" Zhou Quan was shocked.
…
At twelve o'clock, the team took a bus to one of the best nightclubs in Detroit to celebrate all night long.
This is Rodman's favorite. He is usually controlled by Chuck Daly and cannot mess around. No one cares about him tonight. He entered into a wanton carnival.
Zhou Quan was drunk. He could only drink half a pound of liquor at most. Rodman drank a full belly of cocktails and then fell unconscious.
The next day, Christina had to film a movie and rushed back to Los Angeles in the morning. Zhou Quan was hungover and could not take her to the airport, so Phillip took her there on his behalf.
He didn't get up until almost noon. Phillip prepared lunch. He ate and turned on the system.
"Congratulations to the host for completing the season mission and gaining +3 injury resistance, +1 speed, +1 jumping, and +1 agility."
"Cool!"
He secretly said.
The injury resistance has been improved to level 93, the speed, jumping, and agility have been improved to level 94. The athletic quality has been improved again in all aspects, and the ceiling is even higher.
"Congratulations to the host, for winning the first NBA championship and FMVP in his career, prediction +5." When he opened the second prompt, he was so shocked that he didn't even bother to eat.
There was a third prompt below, so he quickly opened it.
"Prejudgment has been upgraded to level 90, and the primary prediction vision has been upgraded by two levels. It is now advanced prediction vision. The passing ability has been increased from level 93 to level 96, and the organizational ability has been increased from level 91 to level 95."
"Sent! Haha..."
Zhou Quan laughed uncontrollably in his heart.
The prediction has been improved by 5 levels, which not only makes his vision better, but also brings his passing and organizational skills to the top level. He will be even stronger next season.
This season, especially in the playoffs, he is under a lot of scoring pressure and his physical fitness is a bit unbearable. But next season, he can provide more shells for his teammates and allow them to attack more. His physical fitness can be used in key situations. It took time to explode.
…
Next, the Pistons celebrated for three consecutive days. After the celebration, Zhou Quan and all his teammates were exhausted.
In the past few days, the media and industry insiders have also conducted various analyzes on the Pistons' victory.
On the 27th, Pat Riley talked about the Pistons' championship in an interview with the media in New York, saying: "A team gathers three defensive teams. To be honest, it's impossible to play. They don't even need to establish a defensive system. Three top defenders can stop all our main offensive points, so I think it is natural for them to win the championship."
"Coach Riley, do you think the Pistons play a big-core style?" the reporter asked.
"certainly."
"Then do you think their victory was a single-core victory?" the reporter asked.
Pat Riley immediately shook his head and said: "No, no, no, you have misunderstood the concept. Big-core play is just a tactical play, while single-core winning is a matter of lineup strength.
The Pistons have Joe Dumars and Rodman. How can they win the championship with only one core? I don’t think Iron Fist would think so.
I think the Pistons' lineup is the same as the Bulls' iron triangle, but the Bulls use a triangle tactic, while the Pistons use a big-core style. "
"So do you think Tekken will apply for a trade in the offseason? If so, do you intend to trade him?" the reporter asked again.
Upon hearing this question, Pat Riley's expression suddenly became full of regrets, regrets, and expectations. At this moment, his expression management ability seemed to be lost.
After a few seconds, he regained his composure and said in a positive tone: "I think Iron Fist should leave Detroit."
"Why?" The reporter couldn't help but ask.
Pat Riley said: "This is a business league. Detroit's current market and the predictable future market make it difficult to support its pursuit of a championship. They can no longer invest heavily, and with the future of Iron Fist, the Pistons It would be difficult to re-sign him at a low price.
You know, he and Larry Johnson were drafted in the same year. Larry Johnson can get a 100 million yuan contract. He is more qualified. No one can deny this.
This is the crux of the problem. There is a comparison there. Detroit must come up with a better-quality contract than Larry Johnson before it can have the confidence to renew Iron Fist. Otherwise, it is disrespect and disapproval of him. "
He had some things that were hard to say, such as the official factors of the league. According to his information, Stern had talked to Zhou Quan last night, and it was even arranged by the Pistons boss. What does this mean? He knew very well that not only the league wanted Zhou Quan Leaving Detroit, the attitude of the Pistons boss is basically clear.
"So do the Knicks hope to introduce Iron Fist?" the reporter asked.
Pat Riley sighed: "We have the best operational capabilities in the league, and of course we hope to trade Iron Fist. Once Patrick has the opportunity to join forces with Iron Fist, our lineup will be perfect and have the strongest ability to win the championship."
"Do you think there's a chance of completing the deal?" the reporter asked.
Pat Riley smiled bitterly and said: "It's difficult."
He understood Stern's thoughts very well. With the emergence of Iron Fist, the Eastern Conference was too strong. Even the Bulls, the defending team that had won two consecutive championships, were eliminated in the second round. The number one player in active service and the greatest basketball player in the world Michael Jordan didn't even make it to the Eastern Conference Finals, so Stern will definitely take action to solve the problem of balance between the East and the West.
There is no Jordan in the Eastern Conference Finals and the Finals this time. The ratings plummeted and the ticket revenue of the Bulls, a big market, was lost. The pitiful tickets of the Pistons were completely negligible. It should be said that the Pistons eliminated the Bulls and caused a huge loss to the league.
Not to mention Stern, even the 27 bosses in the league will not sit back and watch the Iron Fist and the Flyers continue to fight to the death in the Eastern Conference.
It should be said that one of Jordan or Iron Fist must go to the West. This is related to the interests of the entire league and no one can stop it.
The one who is most likely to go to the West and the most suitable for trading is, of course, Iron Fist, whose contract only has 1+1 left. It is difficult for Jordan to be traded at present. His commercial value is too great, and Iron Fist, a Chinese, currently has The commercial value is completely not on the same level as Jordan.
But this also makes him regretful, because out of balance, it is difficult for the Knicks to have a chance to get Iron Fist, but they will have a chance to get Jordan in the future.
On the afternoon of the 27th, Lakers general manager Jerry West accepted an interview. When asked about the Pistons’ championship, he first said with emotion: “Unfortunately, I must admit that the Lakers missed another magician. There was an opportunity to select him through operations.”
"Mr. West, what role do you think the Iron Fist played in the Pistons' championship?" the reporter asked.
West immediately said: "The decisive role is that he is the core. As long as he is on the court, he controls the vast majority of the ball. He is the starting point of most offenses and the end point of many offenses. Without him, , the Pistons are still the bad boy team that was eliminated by the Bulls in the Eastern Conference Finals and has begun to sink.
It can be said that it was Iron Fist that reborn the Pistons. He resurrected the Pistons instantly and completed the reconstruction. "
Speaking of this, he said with great emotion and envy: "The Pistons are really lucky. Not only did they immediately find a rebuilding core, but they also directly rebuilt one core without making major changes to the other lineups. Becoming a championship team should be unique in the history of the league. If so, it is our Lakers.
At that time, we couldn't find our direction. We traded Kareem Jabbar, but we couldn't win the championship. And Ervin's emergence immediately made us a championship. Iron Fist and Magic have similar functions. "
At this time, he regretted and slapped his thigh heavily.
The magician retired the year before last. He looked down on Zhou Quan because he wanted to find the next magician. Now whenever he thinks about it, he regrets it and gets a toothache.
"Mr. West, do you think Iron Fist will apply for a deal next?" the reporter asked.
West's spirit instantly brightened and he said: "This is what I'm looking forward to. Iron Fist should play in a big city. His style of play is entertaining, just like another Michael Jordan..."
"Do you think his playing style is as gorgeous as Michael's?" The reporter was obviously very surprised and even interrupted West.
Jerry West nodded and shook his head: "He is now a little worse than Jordan. His physical fitness is a little worse, his enjoyment is a little worse, his playing style is not so gorgeous, and his technical movements are not so elegant. But coupled with his passing, I think it is also Very good.”
"So do you think the Lakers have a chance to trade him?" the reporter asked.
West said excitedly: "This is what I'm excited and looking forward to. I think yes, Iron Fist should leave Detroit. There is no room for Iron Fist and Jordan in the East.
What people want to see is Iron Fist and Jordan meeting in the finals, not one person fishing and the other person abusing the food in the finals. "
…
"The East has no room for Iron Fist and Air Jordan." Los Angeles Daily News.
“Iron Fist deserves a billion-dollar contract.” New York Times.
Driven by these two media outlets, media across the United States advocated that Zhou Quan should leave Detroit, and a public opinion formed in just one day.
Detroiters are very angry, but this kind of public opinion is actually promoted jointly by the league and 27 owners, and is also secretly promoted by many big sponsors. A small ball market cannot resist it at all, and the voice is too weak.
For example, Nike, Jordan did not even make it to the Eastern Conference Finals, and the damage caused to it is immeasurable. The stock price fell by 6%, and the sales of the MJ brand also declined.
Now Nike is being ridiculed because Nike was reluctant to give Zhou Quan an exclusive cash contract, but Skechers gave Zhou Quan a signed sneaker contract.
Therefore, Nike is the sponsor that most hopes Zhou Quan will leave the Eastern Conference. They have also contributed a lot and secretly contacted many media to encourage Zhou Quan to leave Detroit.
All of Jordan's sponsors have the same attitude as Nike. They desperately want to get Zhou Quan to the west to stop harming Jordan in the east.
Another sponsor who really wants Zhou Quan to leave Detroit and go west is Skechers, Zhou Quan's brand shoe sponsor.
Skechers also contacted many media to secretly promote this wave of public opinion.
Needless to say, the attitude towards the alliance is the biggest driving force.
Of course, the interests of the twenty-seven team owners and the league are consistent. Even Pistons owner Bill Davidson has the same attitude.
Bill Davidson knew very well that he could not give Zhou Quan a billion-dollar contract, and the Pistons had already won three championships, which was enough, and he no longer wanted to continue to invest heavily in the championship.
Through public opinion, if Zhou Quan can be forced to actively apply for a trade, it will be quite beneficial to him and the Pistons. In this way, the pressure will be on Zhou Quan, and Detroit fans will not scold him or the management.
…
Zhou Quan has been participating in the Pistons' celebrations for the past two days. He has no time during the day and cannot be free at night. However, this wave of public opinion is so big that it is difficult for him not to pay attention. In addition, coupled with reminders from people around him, his agent Philip has also been I am around you, so I am still very understanding of various situations.
In the past two days, the media has been trying to interview him. Many reporters were waiting outside the community where he lives, but he has not been interviewed.
On the 27th and 28th, the Pistons completed two days of championship celebrations, and then the team officially disbanded.
Zhou Quan got up from bed at 10 a.m. on the 29th. Roger Philippe had been at his home and prepared breakfast for him.
While he was having breakfast, Philip said: "Zhou, the situation is a bit passive now. The media are saying that you want to leave Detroit. We have to find a way to throw the pressure back to the Pistons. We can't bear this pressure for them."
Having said this, he looked at Zhou Quan and asked: "Zhou, tell me the truth. Do you want to leave the team or not? So I can operate."
On the night of the championship, Zhou Quan had a meeting with Stern. He did not participate in this matter and had no chance to ask in the past two days, so he really doesn't know what Zhou Quan thinks now.
Zhou Quan cut the steak, glanced at Philip, and said: "Except for the Detroit fans, everyone wants me to leave, even the owner of the Pistons. Skechers and Ford, all my sponsors, including Jordan's The same goes for those sponsors. Roger, do you think I can stay here? Then I will become a public enemy of the league."
"Very good!"
Phillip said excitedly.
Then he thought for a while and said: "Now all the media have not put the reason why they want you to leave the Eastern Conference out in the open, so we will just explain it directly, so that you will have no pressure, Zhou, what do you think? "
Zhou Quan nodded and said, "Okay."
"Then I'll arrange it right away." Philip said excitedly.
He immediately contacted Steka, Ford, and Zhou Quan's two first-tier brand sponsors, and handed the matter over to these companies, who would contact the media.
It's funny to say that even Ford, which is headquartered in Detroit, very much hopes that Zhou Quan will leave Detroit and go to a big city, the best being New York or Los Angeles.
Ford and Skechers have the same idea. Only by going to big cities can Zhou Quan continue to increase his popularity and influence, and make their sponsorship contracts more valuable.
Philip put down his mobile phone and said excitedly: "Zhou, in the past two days, I have received sponsorship contracts from some first-line brands. Do you know that there are truly big international brands? There are three big companies from Japan who want you to be their spokesperson. Your business Very undervalued.
It should be said that your commercial value in the United States is far inferior to Jordan's, but your commercial value internationally is no worse than his. "
"Japanese company?"
Zhou Quan sneered and said nothing.
Philip knew that Zhou Quan hated the Japanese, so he immediately nodded and said: "I know this, I will handle it well, we have many choices now.
In addition, Zhou, you have to be prepared. After signing with these brands, you will have to spend more time participating in business activities this offseason. "
"I know." Zhou Quan nodded.
Philip then returned to the matter of the transaction and said: "Zhou, which team in the Western Conference do you want to go to? Do you have any specific intentions?"
"Does this make sense? The management doesn't care about my opinion, right?" Zhou Quan said.
Philip shook his head and said: "On the contrary, the management, including the league, must pay attention to your opinions, because if you go to the West, they want you to go, not you. If you say you don't want to leave the Pistons now, they will be anxious. "
"I understand." Zhou Quan nodded thoughtfully.
…
(End of chapter)
