Jim Bass Ambition

Chapter 118 The Crown and the Diamond

Jerry West's home in Memphis, Tennessee.

"Seriously Jim, do you only think of me every time the Lakers come to Tennessee for an away game? Luckily I was prepared this time. Look what this is? New arrival Bucanero Vol Special pirate-themed Cuban beer, get rid of it, and after that, this sofa can let you spoil the night." Jerry West pointed to a wooden barrel on the table and smiled at Jim.

"That's a bit exaggerated. Aren't you afraid I'm going to get drunk and spit on it? And this rug, my God, it looks so good, I can't bear to let it get hurt." Jim didn't have any confidence that he could kill this A barrel of wine.

"You can try." West raised his eyebrows.

There was still some time before the game between the Grizzlies and the Lakers, the two sat down and began to eat.

"What else do you want to talk to me, a bad old man this time? Regarding Kobe Bryant's injury, I regret it, but fortunately his injury is not particularly serious, at least in time for the playoffs Don't you? I'm reminded of 15 years ago, Pat's Santa Barbara training camp, we were 11-0 in the playoffs, and we were on the verge of a three-peat. Pat thought we needed a perfect finish, Let Erwin completely surpass Larry, let Kareem put an end to his 20-year career."

West took a sip of his wine.

Jim remembers what happened, and no Lakers fan wants to dig up that memory.He also raised his beer mug and took a long gulp.

"That's right, both Irvin and Byron were injured. Irwin fought through the finals, but he couldn't hold on and helped the team win. We were swept by the Pistons and lost the championship." West sighed. "Look, we have all experienced a situation that is a hundred times worse than it is now, and it doesn't make sense for you to worry about it now."

"Us?" Jim laughed playfully.

"Did I say 'we' just now? Watch your words, Mr. Jim Bass, you may cause me to lose this job." West pretended to be serious.

"Don't be kidding, Heisley will not be willing to fire you, which means he has to prepare another salary for another new general manager, not to mention that you are doing a good job. By the way, before the Grizzlies traded to The Pistons pick, remember? It's finally going to be unprotected this year, why not try to recycle them? Is our 'Mr. Clutch' going to make another big one in the draft? Like the '96 pick Like Kobe? It is said that there are several powerful players in this rookie class." Jim turned away from the heavy topic of injuries and started to discuss rookies, which is relatively more energetic.

"Joe Dumars doesn't look down on the rookies of the Grizzlies. Of course, I don't have many chips. If I dismantle the current lineup, Hubie will immediately throw down the tactical board and leave." West Knowing the sorrow of the small ball market, stars are looked down upon, rookies cannot be retained, and the road to rise is quite long.

"Why not? Five one-carat diamonds are never worth one five-carat diamond. That's what the old man said, and I think it's true." Jim continued.

"I can get diamonds, but Memphis doesn't have rings, let alone people who wear rings. Jim, it's not the same as Los Angeles. Tell me honestly, what new ideas do you have that need me to help you make up your mind? You don't You need to go around in circles with me." Wester is old and smart, and he has long seen that Jim has other plans.

"I found that I made a mistake, using Stephen Jackson's example, I can proudly say that I can spot potential players at a glance and sign them into the team, but only 240 per game. Minutes of playing time, I want to divide these 240 minutes among 12 people, it is inevitable that some people will be unhappy. For example, Carlos Boozer, he is no worse than Zach, Paul and Amare on your team, but he You can only get ten minutes of playing time, and Brad Miller, he can start on 20 teams in the league." Jim began to pour bitterness on West, without any scruples that the opponent was another team. The general manager of the team.

Jim thought there was no one else who could help him except West.

"Are you feeling guilty for suppressing the growth of players? I heard you right." West frowned. Jim's words were messy, and it was not easy to extract the key points.

"A little bit, but more of a question, since there are only five diamonds in the booth, should I replace the first five diamonds in my hand with larger and more beautiful ones, which cannot be placed on the table for the time being, and are slightly smaller It’s okay? And those diamonds of two or three carats have no chance in Los Angeles, so they can occupy a good booth in a small showroom in Tennessee?” Jim asked.

"I'm so proud of your Chinese teacher, that you can come up with such an ingenious metaphor. Have you ever seen the crown of the Queen of England?" West suddenly asked a strange question.

"How is it possible! **** is not willing to wear it out, how could I have seen it...well, I have seen photos, it looks pretty, what's wrong?"

"The Queen's Tiara with the world's second largest diamond 'Cullinan 2'..."

As West said, he got up and took a piece of paper and drew something on it.

Jim watched West's movements quietly.

"...the Saint Edward sapphire, which was once set in Edward the Confessor's ring, but now he comes to the center of the cross at the top of the crown..."

West went on to write the next letter.

"...'Black Prince Ruby', although it is not a real ruby, but this does not affect its legend, it is even directly above Cullinan 2, the center of the entire crown..."

Add one more.

"...the Stewart Sapphire, which used to sit where the Cullinan 2 now stands, had to be moved behind the crown to make way..."

last letter.West put down his pen and handed the sketch to Jim.

"What is this?" Jim looked confused.

"There are 9 Cullinans in total. Why didn't the British royal family set them all on the crown? Instead, they set other gemstones in several important positions? When you already have the second largest diamond, you don't need to use it. The third and fourth largest diamonds will compete with it, and what you need more is the embellishment of gemstones of other colors, I thought you knew this." West picked up the wine glass and took a big sip.

"Jerry, I really don't know when you have studied jewelry so well, but I will keep this appreciation report and refer to it carefully." Jim carefully folded the note written by West and put it away. Into the shirt breast pocket.

"The game has started, who do you think will win today?"

"Of course it's us."

"us."

　Wow, 10 favorites were dropped in minutes, this wave of injuries is okay.Thank you to everyone who is still paying attention to this book, thank you for your support and encouragement!
　　
　
(End of this chapter)