After the Lunar New Year, Feng Yu returned to the US and went to Los Angeles. There was going to be a game between the Los Angeles Wind and Rain and the Portland Trail Blazers. Paul Allen called Feng Yu and told him that his team would win easily, just like the last time they played in Portland.
Feng Yu snorted. Although Portland was strong, stronger than the Wind and Rain team, they only won by eight points last time.
In a basketball game, less than 10 points is a level, and more than 15 points is a level. Less than 10 points means that the team played well, or one of the players had a good chance of winning.
Today, Paul Allen came to the arena to watch the game. He said that every time his team won easily, he would feel better.
Feng Yu hated Paul Allen. Elgin Baylor told Feng Yu that if the Blazers had not obstructed them, their rebuilding plan would have been more successful.
Although the Blazers had gotten the draft picks they wanted and picked the players they wanted according to Feng Yu and Coach George Karl's suggestions, they had to take two rubbish contracts. This will increase the pressure on their salaries, and they will not be able to sign any star players for the next three years!
The team's manager, Elgin, respects Feng Yu a lot. When Donald Sterling is in charge, Elgin's annual salary is only 300,000 USD, and it is the lowest among all the team managers. Elgin's salary is even lower than the managers in smaller cities like Milwaukee and Toronto.
The manager of the neighboring Los Angeles Lakers had an annual salary of 2 million USD. The average manager's salary had risen to 700,000 to 800,000 USD. Moreover, the Clippers were in a big city like Los Angeles!
But the attendance of the Clippers was too bad. This was because the owner was not willing to spend more money to bring in good players. He told the owner to rebuild the team, but the owner did not agree.
Now, Feng Yu came and increased his annual salary to an average of 800,000 USD. He also promised to give him a bonus if the attendance reached a certain level. This was almost three times his salary last year!
But he had done well. Although George Karl was a coach who focused on defense, he was also very good at offense. The core of the team was made up of rookies, such as Vince Carter. Many people said that the team would regret it.
But now, Carter's physical fitness is really good, and his style of play is very enjoyable. In just two months, with a number of explosive dunks, he has become a regular in the Top Ten Games, so that the attendance rate of the arena soars, although the team's record is still outside the playoffs.
There was also Paul Pierce. He had a variety of offensive skills and was more liked by Coach Karl than Carter. There was also Lewis, who fell to the end of the first round from the Green Room. He was so big, but he played from the perimeter, and his shots were very accurate. Although he had his shortcomings, he could create space for Carter and Pierce to break through more easily. He could also shoot three-pointers when he was in an empty spot.
But the coach did not like the point guard named Alston. If their starting point guard was not injured, they would not have put him in an important position.
The starting point guard was supposed to be the third-ranked player two years ago, but he was kicked out because of his injury. The Wind and Rain team traded for him. Coach Karl said that if this player named Billups was healthy, he would definitely become a very qualified point guard in two years. His template would be the All-Star Payton.
The sixth player was Mobley. He was good at stealing points. He was modeled after Cassel.
The rest were blue-collar veterans. A few of them had bad contracts. But they all had good game experience and playoff experience. They could help the team's rookies grow.
When these old ruffians came, Elgin warned them that the team was built around the perimeter and the core. The rookies were the core. If any of them dared to be a tumor in the locker room, they would be banned. There was no salary for a ban!
Feng Yu is very optimistic about this team's lineup. Initially, he wanted to woo a superstar player, Pippen. Jordan had retired again. Rumor had it that he had fallen out with the Bulls' boss. Jordan was not short of money.
After losing Jordan, the Bulls also lost some of their champions. Pippen wanted a big contract, but the Bulls' boss did not give it to him.
But the Wind and Rain team offered a big contract. 90 million USD for five years. This was the maximum salary they could offer. But Pippen was snatched by the Blazers. The Blazers offered him 80 million USD for five years. This was because the Blazers said that if he came to them, he could continue to win championships and surpass Jordan in the future!
Thus, he signed first and then traded with the Blazers. This was considered as him leaving a favor for the Bulls.
But the Wind and Rain team did not leave empty-handed. After the collapse of the Bulls dynasty, they successfully signed the rebounding king, Rodman, for 5 million USD for three years. It was very cheap. Previously, other teams were hesitant about Rodman's form and attitude. They were afraid that without Jordan, no one would be able to suppress him.
But Feng Yu said it was fine. If they could not handle him, he would handle him! Coach Karl also promised him that he could handle Rodman.
Rodman was indeed doing well. He could still guarantee 12 rebounds per game, and he brought good defense to the team. He also made those high-paid but low-skilled blue-collars not dare to make trouble.
Not only did the team get good draft picks this year, but they also got some draft picks for next year. The team's future was bright.
Feng Yu was also satisfied with Elgin's work. Although the team's results were still not in the playoffs, the atmosphere in the team is very good. Everyone believes that after they get two good players next year, they will enter the playoffs!
Carter and Pierce's statistics were very good. They had won the previous two Rookie of the Month awards. It was the first time in history that a team had two Rookie of the Month awards. As for Jamison, Bibby, Williams, etc., their statistics were not as good as them.
The team's attacking style reminded people of LA's Showtime. Although that was the history of the Los Angeles Lakers, the LA fans do not care as long as it is a LA team.
Today, LA's Wind and Rain Team's boss will be attending the match. Elgin hyped this up, and the arena's tickets are sold out.
Feng Yu wonders if those people were there to watch the match or to watch him bicker with Paul Allen. This was not the first time the two teams had gone against each other in the media.
Many people also found out that the two major shareholders of Microsoft are not on good terms!
Many fans will be excited when there is a fight on the basketball court. But it will be perfect if they can see the two owners fighting. Even if the tickets are 10 times more expensive, they will still buy the tickets!
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