On the 24th, the owners of the remaining dozen teams and more than 20 stars also arrived in Los Angeles.
Ballmer provided a large special plane that can seat more than 300 people and will depart tomorrow.
On the 25th, before leaving, the NBA team held a press conference at the hotel where they stayed. Facing the media from all over the world, Stern said very sincerely:
"We have only one purpose for this trip, which is to invite the King of NBA and Iron Fist King Zhou Quan to return to the NBA league. We have the greatest sincerity in this regard."
Two hours later, a special plane carrying 29 NBA owners, more than 20 league headquarters presidents, executives and referees, and dozens of NBA stars took off from Los Angeles and flew to the Chinese capital.
On this trip, the alliance sent more than twenty of the fifty superstars alone.
In addition, NBC sent a television camera team to follow the interview, and used satellite channels to broadcast live to the United States.
At the same time, hundreds of American journalists flew to China on the special plane.
Under the vigorous publicity of NBC, the news that the NBA organized a delegation to visit Zhou Quan spread all over the world.
"The NBA has not been so popular for a long time. Sincerity moves God, I hope we can achieve our goal this time." The overwhelming news made Stern very emotional.
Such a big noise had shocked the country even before the plane took off. The embassy specifically contacted the competent authorities, who conducted a small-scale study and discussion on this matter.
"Shall we arrange a reception?"
"Isn't it appropriate? I'm here to visit Zhou Quan personally, so it would be unfair for the official to come forward."
"I think it's enough for the Chinese Vocational College Basketball Association and relevant authorities to come forward and participate in the reception."
"I think it will work, so the Basketball Management Center will come forward to receive it. Comrade Liu Yumin, the director of the Management Center, is also the chairman of the Basketball Association and the chairman of the CBA."
"I don't think an official identity is appropriate. The director of the Basketball Management Center is also at the department level. I think she should come forward as the chairman of the Basketball Association and the chairman of the CBA. Both identities are private and more suitable."
"agree."
…
Zhou Quan and Zeng Li had already arrived in the capital. He did not want to receive these people in Changsha. The conditions in the capital were still much better.
At 11 a.m. Beijing time on the 26th, the special plane arrived at the international airport, and Zhou Quan went to pick him up.
The airport has opened a VIP channel. In addition to Zhou Quan and Liu Yumin, there are dozens of airport security personnel and more than a hundred reporters outside, including domestic and foreign media reporters.
In addition, Stern's special assistant Chris Baikes and other pioneers arrived in Beijing the day before yesterday and came to pick up the plane today.
When Stern and his group of more than 200 people came out, Zhou Quan stepped forward to greet them, stretched out his right hand, and said with a smile: "Mr. Stern, everyone, welcome to China."
"Zhou, it's our honor to come to beautiful China again and see you here." Holding Zhou Quan's right hand tightly, David Stern said with a smile on his face.
"Mr. Stern, this is Liu Yumin, chairman of the CBA and chairman of the Basketball Association. She is also the person in charge of Chinese basketball affairs."
Zhou Quan then introduced Liu Yumin’s identity.
"Mr. Stern, welcome to China."
"Chairman Liu, it's nice to meet you. I hope to receive you in the United States one day."
David Stern knew Liu Yumin. When Liu Yumin went to Detroit to find Zhou Quan, he alerted him. He also invited Liu Yumin to visit the NBA headquarters, but he was rejected. Now that he can see Liu Yumin, he is right He was also a surprise.
Then Liu Yumin and Stern chatted, while Zhou Quan went to say hello to Ballmer and others.
"Crack, click, click..."
There were more than two hundred reporters occupying a large area, the shutters kept ringing, and the flashes kept coming and going.
"Hey, Erwin, welcome to China."
When he saw Magic Johnson, Zhou Quan was the first to extend his hand.
"Iron Fist King, I feel honored." Magic Johnson's face was filled with a smile and he held Zhou Quan's right hand with both hands.
No matter from any aspect, social status, influence, Zhou Quan is far higher than him now, and he has no idea or qualification to show off.
"Hey, Larry, we meet again. Reggie said you did a good job with the Pacers." Zhou Quan said to Larry Bird next to him.
"He's right, I did a good job." Larry Bird said with a smile on his face.
"Hey, Reggie. Hey, Isiah, welcome, oh, what are you doing?"
Zhou Quan hugged Reggie Miller, and was about to hug Isiah Thomas next to him. Unexpectedly, the assassin made a move that no one expected. He actually bent his right knee and hit Zhou Quan. Kneel down in front of me.
"Great Iron Fist King, come back quickly, save the NBA, we need you." The assassin hugged Zhou Quan's thigh with a smile and shouted with an extremely exaggerated expression.
"Crack, click, click..."
At this moment, the sound of shutters and flashlights from the media suddenly became more intensive.
"Ha ha……"
Zhou Quan reacted, laughed, and pulled the assassin up from the ground. He leaned over and patted the dust on his right knee and said, "You guy, you scared me."
Stern is too satisfied with the Smiling Assassin. The leader of the bad boy army is too sensible now. Should he be trained and trained in the future to bring him to the top of the league?
"King of Iron Fist, save the NBA!"
But as soon as Zhou Quan pulled up the assassin, people like Rodman and Reggie Miller also started to act weird and knelt down on one knee.
Zhou Quan was dumbfounded. He pulled one and then knelt down.
Magic Johnson felt a little nervous and sighed secretly. He did it all for the sake of the alliance. He also knelt down on one knee and shouted: "Iron Fist King, come back quickly. The alliance is going bankrupt. If you don't come back, we will all be killed." unemployed."
"damn it!"
Larry Bird smiled and cursed Magic in his heart, and had no choice but to kneel down and said, "Iron Fist, the NBA is where you started. I know you don't want to see it go bankrupt. Come back!"
"Crack, click, click..."
The magic birds knelt down, and the reporters on the scene clicked their shutters frantically.
"Damn it, are you putting me on the fire?"
Zhou Quan cursed secretly, came over quickly, stretched out his hands, pulled the two demon birds up, smiled and cursed: "Okay, guys, the joke is over, now come with me, I will take you around the capital."
A few minutes later, news spread around the world that NBA stars knelt down at the airport to pray for Zhou Quan's comeback.
The next day, photos of the kneeling made headlines around the world.
In the next two days, at the invitation of Zhou Quan, the NBA team paid a visit to the Chairman’s Memorial Hall, and visited places such as former officials, military museums, the Great Wall, and the Temple of Heaven, as well as the CBA headquarters.
David Stern promised Liu Yumin that he would increase exchanges between the NBA and the CBA, invite the men's basketball team to participate in NBA preseason games, and invite Liu Yumin to visit the NBA headquarters.
At one o'clock at noon on the 28th, Zhou Quan and the NBA held a press conference to announce his return to the NBA.
"The sincerity of the league makes it difficult for me to refuse. I am very touched. I will return to the NBA and contribute my strength to the NBA."
Through NBC's global live broadcast, Zhou Quan's words at the press conference quickly spread all over the world and even the United States. Countless media published his words on the front page.
"marvelous!"
New York, NBC Television Headquarters, Chairman's Office, John Green said very excitedly.
The news of Zhou Quan's comeback, apart from other aspects, immediately had a great impact on the NBA.
Because his contract with the SuperSonics happened to be over, general managers of all teams across the league contacted Roger Philippe.
But all they did was useless. How could Zhou Quan leave the SuperSonics?
After not playing for two seasons, Ballmer still paid him a salary of tens of millions of dollars. Based on this alone, it was impossible for him to leave.
Whitshit also came and had preliminary discussions with Zhou Quan on a new contract. The SuperSonics guaranteed to give them the best contract in the league.
The new TV broadcast contract will be implemented in the new season. The league's operating income has plummeted in the past two seasons. The new salary cap is only 24.5 million US dollars. It does not increase but decreases. Before Zhou Quan retired, the 96/97 season salary cap reached 2650 US dollars. Ten thousand.
In the new labor agreement, the league introduced maximum salary contracts. In order to restrict big teams and protect small teams, it even introduced a luxury tax.
If the Sonics offer a sky-high contract, the luxury tax they will bear will definitely be very high. This is unfair to the Sonics, because now it is the entire league who wants Zhou Quan to return to the league.
In order to allow Zhou Quan to return to the NBA, the league was desperate and allowed the Sonics to make up for the shortcomings of Zhou Quan's contract in other ways. The alliance will also make up for the price paid by the Sonics in some form.
This is a decision jointly made by all team owners, including Stern, and they had already discussed it before visiting Zhou Quan in China.
Zhou Quan chose to sign a three-year contract because the last contract had just ended and he still met the Larry Bird terms, with a maximum salary + an annual increase of 10.5% instead of 8%.
But the specific size of the contract will have to wait until the lineup is determined before signing. By then, his veteran contract will be more meaningful.
After Ballmer discussed with the SuperSonics management, he gave Zhou Quan a series of privileges in the SuperSonics.
For example, for each game, in addition to the special position fixed by Zhou Quan, three front rows and fifty other tickets are also given away, which adds up to 54 tickets.
At the Supersonics headquarters and the New Center Gymnasium, three dedicated parking spaces will be set up for Zhou Quan, as well as an office each.
At the same time, Zhou Quan was assigned two of the most professional security personnel, but this was rejected by Zhou Quan. He had his own security personnel.
Family members can fly on the team’s special plane, and the team is responsible for providing food and accommodation.
There are many privileges like this. The most important one is that Ballmer promised to sell at least 30% of the shares of the SuperSonics after Zhou Quan retires, making him a shareholder of the team. If Ballmer intends to transfer the team, Zhou Quan has the right of first refusal and the league cannot stop him.
In the history of the league, so far, only Magic owns 5% of the Lakers shares. It is very difficult for players to transform into team owners. This promise is also supported by Stern and all owners.
Zhou Quan was also very happy, not because of the money, as he was not short of money, but because of his attitude.
…
Houston, already a veteran, heard the news of Zhou Quan's comeback and immediately despaired of the championship.
In Salt Lake City, postman Karl Malone, who was cutting horse grass, felt numb when he heard the news.
The two seasons without the Iron Fist King were his best chance to win the championship. Unfortunately, he lost to Jordan in the Finals last season and lost to the Spurs in the Western Conference Finals last season. Now that the Iron Fist King is back, his chances are even better. Feeling hopeless, he thought of leaving Jazz again.
"How about I go to the Sonics?"
His contract has ended and he is now a free agent. The Jazz have been holding off on renewing his contract, so there is no obstacle to leaving.
Within half an hour, the Jazz called him and gave him a contract extension, worth 66.5 million in four years, and asked him whether he should sign or not.
"I'll sign."
What else is there to consider? How can a championship worth more than 60 million US dollars be worth it? As you get older, of course money is more important. For money, don’t be shabby.
His total salary in the previous 13 seasons was only US$37.95 million, and his highest annual salary was only US$6.14 million. Should he give up the opportunity to get a big contract?
…
On the 29th, Zhou Quan saw him off at the airport, and Stern and others left China.
Stern has to rush back to New York to host the draft on the 30th US time.
On July 1st, Liu Yumin took Zhou Quan to the training ground of the national team to meet the members of this year's national team men's basketball team.
"The year before last, Zhang Bing was appointed as the head coach of the men's basketball team, but failed at the Asian Championships. I had no choice but to ask Jiang to coach me again," Liu Yumin said.
"Hello, Coach Jiang, I think you shouldn't have resigned after the Atlanta Olympics, otherwise you would have fallen into the hands of a group of stickmen." Zhou Quan said.
His words were a bit unkind, making everyone present feel their faces getting hot, including Liu Yumin.
But no one can say anything. Atlanta's silver medalist was only one week short of winning, and ended up losing to the South Korean team in the Asian Championships. What else can be said?
Jiang Xinquan shook hands with Zhou Quan with a smile on his face and said: "It's my fault, it's my fault. When Ningliao Province came to me, I really couldn't push it away. Zhou Quan, I will point my finger at you next year, and we will cooperate again." once!"
"Iron Fist, you are so powerful now."
"Brother Zhou."
"Zhou Quan, we lost to the South Korean team because we did not play well."
"Lao Hu, Da Zhi, Daba, Lao Liu, Lao Zhang..."
Hu Weidong and others rushed forward, and Zhou Quan hurriedly greeted them.
"Dayao, come here."
Liu Yumin called in a tall and very thin guy standing outside and introduced: "Zhou Quan, this young man has just joined the national team. His name is Yao Ming, from the Sharks. He will be 19 years old in September. Now he's 218 centimeters tall. His skills are pretty good, with 20.9 points and 12.9 rebounds last season."
"Hello, Brother Zhou." Dayao said shyly.
Zhou Quan looked up, what a good guy, he is definitely a bit bolder than O'Neal, but he is too thin.
"How is the quality and technique?" he asked.
What the men's basketball team lacks is high-quality insiders, especially centers. He hopes that a very good center will emerge in the country.
The current main center is the 22-year-old Da Zhi. He is full of aura and has very comprehensive skills. He is the leading center in the country. His performance in international competitions is not bad, but he lacks the ability to fight against the guys in the NBA and even against the centers in Europe. , are somewhat powerless.
Jiang Xinquan introduced: "The flexibility and coordination are pretty good, but the strength is a bit worse. The speed is average, but the stride is very long. The overall speed is not slow, but the start is slower. The lateral speed is average, and the bounce is average, but the speed under the basket is average." The pace is good and the shooting touch is very good, including three-pointers and mid-range shots.”
"The wingspan is a little short, and the hands are not big enough." Zhou Quan said after looking at it.
He started to squeeze the muscles on Dayao's body again, shook his head and said: "I haven't kept up with the strength training, and I lack the ability to fight."
"We lag far behind the United States in terms of strength training. Not just our basketball, but other sports as well." Liu Yumin said with a wry smile.
Dayao scratched the back of his head from time to time, looking a little nervous.
After thinking about it, Zhou Quan said, "Let's arrange some strength trainers and basketball training from the United States."
"real?"
"That would be great!"
Liu Yumin and others were surprised.
Zhou Quan said: "When the trainers come, they must arrange for people to follow them and learn their training methods. After all, they cannot stay forever."
"Of course." Liu Yumin nodded quickly.
…
(End of chapter)
