Jim Bass Ambition

Chapter 95

"Jim, I don't think this is a good idea. The team just got on the right track and had a good chemistry, and Kobe needs a backup. We can't trade Stephen away like this." Kupchak listened to Jim After the proposal, he expressed his opposition.

"Then what should we do? After his contract expires, he will leave the team freely. We will get nothing. Let me explain in advance that it is impossible for us to give him a five-year contract of 3300 million US dollars. This will cause a lot of damage to our salary space. Pressure." Jim pulled out a salary sheet, which detailed the salary cap and salary situation for the next five years, and even filled the team's vacancies with virtual rookies, and handed it to Kupchak.

"What is this?" Kupchak was confused, and had never heard of many rules.

"It's not like 10 years ago, when you can sign anyone if you are willing to spend money. Moreover, in order to limit the emergence of super teams, Stern will play tricks on the salary cap. We have to be fully prepared. This is what the league expects. I have a unique news channel for the new salary cap rules, so remember, don’t disclose it.” Jim said mysteriously.

The so-called unique news channel is naturally a secret that cannot be leaked.

"In addition to Kobe, Kevin, and Chauncey, Ben and Ron also have to renew their contracts. Ron is easy to deal with. A five-year long contract can keep him first. Ben's problem is bigger. We can't get along with him. Renewing the contract in advance, there must be many teams rushing to quote high prices in the free market, just like Stephen is now." Jim explained.

"But Stephen has no trading value now. No team is willing to pay the price to trade with us if they can grab him at the end of the season. And it is very likely that they will only get the right to use for half a season." Kupchak said Jim's whimsy is somewhat distasteful, but he raises his concerns as a matter of professional ethics.

"It's okay, some teams will need immediate reinforcements. Remember our old friend John Gabriel?" Jim laughed.

After Grant Hill announced that he would be reimbursed for the season, the Magic's lineup was stretched. Apart from McGrady and Mike Miller, they couldn't even find a reliable third point. The playoff format is at stake.

Just when Gabriel was at a loss, he received a call from Lakers general manager Mitch Kupchak.

The deal between the two sides was quickly concluded. The Lakers sent Stephen Jackson and the 2003 second-round pick, and got season-reimbursed veteran Horace Grant and the Magic's 2003 first-round pick.

Jim, on the other hand, is facing the wrath of Stephen Jackson.He decided to tell Jackson the trade decision in person, rather than waiting for the players to see the news on TV before they knew they were traded.

"You signed me from New Jersey to the Lakers when I didn't have the ball to play. Here, I feel at home. I love this team. I love these teammates. We won the championship together. You said that you want me to be long-term. Playing for this team, but traded me to the East Coast because of this ridiculous salary?" Jackson, who was training, was called to the office by Jim, and after hearing this decision, he was very emotional.

Jim waited for Jackson to finish complaining, took a deep breath, adjusted his mood, and said: "Of course I don't think this is a ridiculous salary. In fact, you deserve a higher price, but if you always play as a substitute for the Lakers , not necessarily. I know that you are not willing to always be a substitute for Kobe and Ron, you are eager to prove yourself, now, the Magic lacks a suitable striker, this is a good opportunity for you to prove yourself."

"You'll regret it!" Jackson obviously didn't accept Jim's words, and almost yelled out these words.

"I'm sorry, Stephen, I wish you all the best in Orlando." Jim stood up and held out his hand to Jackson.

Jackson ignored Jim at all, turned around and left the office, slamming the door hard, knocking off the sign on the door.

Jim spread his hands helplessly.

Losing Stephen Jackson, the morale of the team became low for a while. Although his temper was hot, Jackson's loyal and emotional character allowed him to make many friends in the team, such as rookie Matt Barnes and substitute insider G. Reese Anderson was inseparable from Jackson almost every day.After Jackson was traded away, the two even missed a day of team training and got drunk at the bar.

Such behavior is undoubtedly unacceptable by Zen Master. The team imposed a team suspension on the two, and there was no salary during the suspension.

Chris Anderson received a basic salary, and Matt Barnes was a second-round rookie contract. Such a fine for changing direction put the two under a lot of pressure and complained constantly.

Seeing that the morale of the team was in an avalanche due to this transaction, Jim had a conversation with the two. The central idea was to appease the emotions of the two, praise the friendship between the two and Stephen Jackson, and help them pay the fine.

Fines within the team were confiscated, and Jim used the fine to treat the team to a big meal.

Under the mediation of the locker room leader Fisher, Matt Barnes and Chris Anderson also admitted to the team that they were drunk and absent from training and complained excessively.

After two uneasy rest days, the Lakers ushered in a challenge from the Utah Jazz at home.Garnett, who lost to Salt Lake City in the last game and was injured and left the game after only 5 minutes, announced his comeback.

Only 2 minutes into the game, both sides made a big move. Ostertag grabbed one of Ben Wallace's arms while grabbing a rebound, and put Ben Wallace on the ground. Judging from the slow motion, this split tendon was wrong. Bone hands are very dangerous. Fortunately, Daben is relatively strong, so the tragedy of dislocation was avoided.

Of course, the violent Big Ben couldn't bear it. When he got up, he punched Ostertag in the face with a straight punch, without any scruples about the size difference between himself and the opponent.

The two got entangled, and Artest and Garnett, who were close to each other, arrived at the first time, held Ostertag, and let Ben punch each other hard before being pulled away.

After reviewing the video, the referee sent Ostertag and Ben Wallace off the court, and the accomplices Garnett and Artest each received a technical foul.

The game continued, with Brad Miller coming off the bench at center, while the Jazz played a small lineup with Kirilenko.

Compared to Boozer's tofu defense, Garnett's defense can be called the wall of sighs.Holding his breath, KG tried his best to prevent the postman from being extremely uncomfortable.

Malone only made 16 of 3 shots in the game, and only relied on free throws to barely pull up the score to double digits.

Malone didn't feel good, but Matt Harpering and Andrei Kirilenko both exploded. The two made a total of 10 of 8 shots from beyond the three-point line and scored 57 points together. Bite the score.

As for the Lakers, Garnett scored 32 points, 13 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 blocks and 3 steals. He became the most outstanding player in the Lakers team. Highest 21 assists.

The Lakers avenged the Jazz 106 to 101.

But the bad news is that Big Ben will be suspended for 3 games for actively punching.

　Deng Yingqiao has signed with the Timberwolves. Thibodeau really wants to form the Minnesota Forest Bulls.

　　
　
(End of this chapter)