Paul Allen stared at Feng Yu and Kirilenko. Although 20 million USD is a large amount, what made him angry is their facial expressions.
“Hmph! You are lucky to win this time. You! Your team, Brooklyn Nets, is the worst in the league. I will make sure your team will not win a single game next season!” Paul Allen vented his anger on Kirilenko. He will make sure his team will trash the Nets in the coming season.
“Do you want to bet? Let’s see who will win next year.” Kirilenko is furious. Microsoft share prices had plunged, and my net worth is much more than you. What’s there to be arrogant about?
“Sure. Let’s bet. This time we will not bet money. The loser will have to announce that his team is no match for the other party’s team on live TV. Do you dare to accept it?” Paul Allen does not mind winning or losing money. What he wants is ‘face.’
“I will accept it. The loser must also bow!” Kirilenko raised the bet.
Paul Allen tore the checks given to him by Feng Yu and Kirilenko in front of them before leaving. He is going to fire his team’s coach and manager today!
After Paul Allen left, Kirilenko’s overbearing aura disappeared. He turned to Feng Yu with a bitter expression. “Can my team win against the Blazers with the two draftees you mentioned?”
“It’s only two matches, and there are lots of variables, but it is not impossible. There are a Spanish inside player and an agile black player among this year’s rookies. If you can get them, your team can win even against Shaq.”
“But we don’t have a good shooting guard, and my small forward is not good enough.” Kirilenko said and looked at Carter, who is being interviewed by the media. The look in his eyes told Feng Yu what he wanted.
Feng Yu clicked his tongue. *Tsk
Feng Yu is feeling helpless. Without Carter, his team’s outside play will be weakened. But even with Carter, the Wind and Rain Team will win against the Lakers. He might as well let his buddy win.
“You want Carter?”
“Pierce is also fine.”
Feng Yu rolled his eyes at Kirilenko. You really know how to pick. These two players are about the same standards, and Pierce is better at maintaining his form. If one is to rebuild a team, Pierce will be more suitable. He can still get the MVP despite being injured.
Pierce is good at footwork, and his playing style prevents him from getting injuries easily.
“Ok. After this season ends, we will trade. If you can get those two inside players, let me have Martin.”
Kirilenko hugged Feng Yu. “Feng, you are my brother! Kidd mentioned that with Carter and a good inside player, he is confident we will emerge the winner for the East Coast!”
So, it’s Kidd’s idea. Feng Yu still thought it was because Kirilenko likes to watch Carter’s play.
“It will be best if you can win the Championships next year. In the future, we two will take turns to win the championships. Other teams can sit by the sidelines and watch us win.” Feng Yu replied.
Kirilenko’s plan is to dump a large amount of money to build an all-star team and win the championships next year.
To Kirilenko, basketball is only a game. He can afford to bring all the star players to his team and let those Americans know that a Russian can takeover their professional basketball league.
…….
The playoffs ended, and the Lakers won the championship. Shaq got the MVP and announced he will build a dynasty in this city.
It’s the day for the NBA draft. But despite the Nets’ poor results, they can only get second place in the lottery.
But the Wizards followed Jordan’s suggestion and picked the first overall pick, Kwame Brown. The Nets picked Pau Gasol, the player suggested by Feng Yu. Gasol is also one of the top four overall picks. Many people saw his potential in the Olympic Games recently.
When Kirilenko heard Pau Gasol’s name, he got excited. This player is also called Paul? Paul is playing for my team?! He can’t wait to see Paul Allen’s expression. It will be interesting.
Just Pau Gasol’s name alone is worth getting him!
The Nets got Zach Randolph on the 18th pick. He is a good offensive forward but is not good at defense. Nevertheless, he will be a good substitute.
On the 27th pick, the Nets picked Tony Parker, another non-American player. He will be Kidd’s substitute, and he is a fast player.
With Andrei Kirilenko joining the NBA this year after his contract ended in the Russian league, the Nets have a strong team. Furthermore, the Nets have a few potential players, and they had purposely performed badly last season.
The Wind and Rain Team only has a lottery ticket for the second round and got a player, Gilbert Arenas. After Carter left, Mobley will be promoted to a starting player. Arenas is a combo guard who can lead the second team. Coach Karl also likes him as he is good at shooting and breakthroughs.
Most importantly, this player was picked by the Boss. Coach Karl had wanted to pick a center forward, but there is no good center forwards around.
The Warriors are furious. All the players they wanted were taken away! Especially Arenas!
……
“Boss, what did you say? You want to trade Carter for Martin? How can you do this? Although we lack inside players, Carter is worth more than 2 Martins. Furthermore, Carter’s jersey sales are the highest in the league.” Coach Karl is shocked. Could it be that Boss dislike Carter?
But it’s impossible. Carter is still endorsing many of Boss’s products, including cars, mobile phones, DVD players, etc.
“Karl, I know I should not interfere with the team and should be discussed with you and Elgin first. Carter and Pierce are vying to be the team’s best player, and one of them must go. Pierce is better than Carter at scoring, and his playing style is not injury prone.”
“I also hope next year’s NBA champion is the Nets.”
Karl kept quiet as Boss had made it clear. This is decided, and everyone who watches the NBA knows he is close with the Nets’ Russian Boss. That Russian tycoon always had mock Paul Allen with Boss, and he is Eastern Europe’s top billionaire!
Boss had treated Karl well. Although the team could not defend their championship and lost in the second round, Boss did not blame him and even gave out a high bonus.
Karl is hoping that he can extend his contract for another five years after his current contract ends. So, he had to go along with what his Boss says. Maybe the team can try out more strategies after Martin and Arenas joined the team.
“Alright, Boss. I understand.”
The trade between Martin and Carter was completed, and it shocked everyone. Everyone said the Wind and Rain Team had made a bad decision. Carter, who learned about his trade earlier, was not dejected. He knows he will get to play more, and the Russian Boss of the Nets is also very generous.
But it’s a pity that Carter can no longer be the ‘big brother’ in his new team, as the Nets’ star player is Kidd! In the Wind and Rain Team, Pierce and Carter were only ‘big brothers’ for a short while before Olajuwon joined.
Kirilenko stood in front of the TV proudly and announced. “Our target next year is to be the overall champions!”
The second-last team of the league wants to be the overall champions?! Paul Allen was the first to mock them publicly.
But Kirilenko only retorted Paul Allen with one sentence. “I refuse to speak to the owners who paid high luxury tax but cannot even get past the first round of the playoffs.”
Feng Yu also made a statement. “If you paid as much luxury tax as the Lakers, your team should be the overall champions like them, and not become ‘Jail Blazers’! Is your team trying to win the championship through fights and cannabis? Your team’s off-court news is more exciting than their play!”
Paul Allen is furious. He had fired his head coach and team manager. If he is going to fire anyone else, he can only fire his players.
These two are too much!
Fine! You all say the Nets will be the overall champions this season?! I will make sure the Blazers will beat your team! I want you to bow and admit your defeat on live TV!
Translator’s notes:
Kwame Brown
