Chapter 888
, The Los Angeles Grand Stage .
On Tuesday, July 1, 2014, the NBA free agency market opened, and the attention of the general public was drawn to the many big-name free agents.
The 03 draft class, led by LeBron James, has embarked on a tour, and despite not having won a championship in recent years, the teams still warmly welcome them.
Whether the New York media are willing to admit it or not, a new champion will emerge when Li You officially retires!
The last team to seize this window of opportunity was the Mavericks, and now the opportunity has come again. If a team wants to pursue a championship, these star players are the cornerstone of its success, and they will dominate the league in the coming years.
That morning, contrary to the expectations of many sports commentators, Pat Riley suddenly convened a season-ending meeting. The invited media reporters were confused, but when they arrived at the scene, everyone noticed that the slick-haired man was in a bad mood.
With Pat Riley's consecutive attacks, everyone looked at each other in disbelief. They really didn't expect that LeBron James would pull off such a "bottom-up" move against the Lakers.
"Great players don't back down when faced with difficulties. The Heat just need to keep going, and they will eventually win the championship!"
"If someone questions their own ability, then they can leave. The Heat don't need guys like that. We only welcome real tough guys."
"."
Although he didn't name names, everyone present knew that Pat Riley was referring to LeBron James.
Pat Riley's team, in coordination with the Lakers, completely outmaneuvered the slick-haired player. Everyone could see that Pat Riley was genuinely furious; he hadn't expected the Chosen One to be so "ruthless."
When it came to the Q&A session with the media, the young people at ESPN didn't give Riley any face and continued to stir things up with questions:
"Mr. Riley, James has chosen Los Angeles as his first destination. Does this mean the Heat have lost their chance to sign him?"
"The other party is currently doing some basketball training in Las Vegas. It is said that James will fly to Brazil for the World Cup final. Do you have any plans to meet with him?"
When Los Angeles was mentioned, the media reporters present looked puzzled. Thanks to Kupchak's "miraculous move," the Lakers actually had the opportunity to sign LeBron James directly!
By waiving Amar'e Stoudemire and declining to re-sign Lou Williams, Nick Young, Jodie Meeks, and others, the Lakers entered the offseason with only the "F3" (Stoudemire, Nick Young, Jodie Meeks, and others) remaining.
Everyone can see that the Lakers have been planning this for a long time. They can offer James a contract with a starting salary of $2000 million, which would just cover the new salary cap.
Once James completes the signing, the Heat will get nothing. The Chosen One has thus retaliated against the "cookie incident"!
Seeing everyone's expressions, Pat Riley looked rather grim. He had originally planned to sign and trade, which kept the Heat's salary cap below the second luxury tax level. But now it seemed that his previous careful planning had backfired.
“I’ll go to Las Vegas to talk to LeBron. You know, the Heat have been very successful over the past few years, and we’ve built great chemistry.”
"LeBron is a competitor, and staying with the Heat is obviously the best option."
Pat Riley, in an attempt to save face, has started advocating again that James will re-sign, but industry insiders know that the chosen one will definitely come to Los Angeles, and a sign-and-trade would weaken the Lakers' strength, which is not in James's best interest.
Throughout the press conference, Pat Riley used reverse psychology. Interestingly, when some media reporters started updating their Twitter feeds, James was the first to retweet them.
The chosen one didn't express any opinion, only added an emoji:
"eyes.jpg"
Immediately, onlookers left numerous comments, and even Cleveland fans began to voice their opinions, expressing their disapproval of seeing James and Howard reunite in Los Angeles, where they were supposed to be the core of their team!
Lou Williams was informed by the team early on that he had performed well off the bench in recent years, and the main reason he was not able to renew his contract was that someone else had taken his place.
Even without a mid-level exception contract, Lou Williams didn't lash out at the Mamba, since with his current stats, he's not short of contracts in free agency.
Williams, who was watching the show, also updated his Twitter, bidding farewell to the fans while also jokingly adding:
"The Lakers' locker room will be a big problem. I love the fans in Los Angeles, but I'd rather play basketball peacefully."
"Dwight and that superstar will create some sparks, and I will keep an eye on the Lakers."
Dwight Howard, a heavy internet user, immediately retweeted his former teammate's post. He's been relentlessly criticizing Kobe for the past two weeks, and now he's followed up with another comment:
"Dude, you can beat that clown!"
"If he dares to boss my team around on my turf, I'll teach him a lesson!"
Jeanie Buss strongly advocated for Kobe's return, coupled with the dying wish of Jerry Buss for the Mamba's comeback, which Jim Buss was powerless to stop.
With this major team overhaul, the internal strife within the Buss family has resurfaced. Howard and new addition James both belong to Kupchak and Jim Buss, while Kobe is Jeanie Buss's favorite.
Kobe Bryant appeared to be at a disadvantage, but Los Angeles fans suddenly realized the error of their ways and many began to support Kobe again, hoping that the Lakers could return to the Finals.
Just as the battle was about to begin, Iguodala's agent released information that they wanted to leave Los Angeles.
I initially thought it was a rumor, but to my surprise, Iguodala himself confirmed it that afternoon, making a brief statement on Twitter:
“I have no interest in being a substitute, let alone ‘taking sides.’ If someone wants to take my place, then I have no choice but to leave.”
"."
With LeBron James' arrival and Kobe Bryant's return, Andre Iguodala had no interest in playing in the corner, nor did he want to bring in the bench players, and he certainly didn't want to get involved in the management struggles.
Kupchak had hinted at this a long time ago, and Iguodala hesitated before, but after observing what had happened during this period, he decisively chose to run away.
Barring any unforeseen circumstances, the Lakers' locker room will explode at the beginning of the season!
Nick Young has been sharing his "palace intrigue" with Thaddeus Young on the 76ers this season. Everyone agrees that Kobe means trouble, and Andre Iguodala doesn't want to get involved.
The Los Angeles stage has officially opened, and the Lakers will "take off" again once the freeze ends!
-
On Thursday, July 3, Warriors' new head coach Steve Kerr and management hosted Andre Iguodala's agent team. Unlike their previous meeting with Carmelo Anthony, both sides appeared more sincere.
Carmelo Anthony made his usual trip to San Francisco, but the superstar looked down on everyone, barely interacting with Curry and showing utter disdain for Steve Kerr's tactical system.
He offered words of praise, but after hearing about sharing the ball, Anthony lost interest. Warriors general manager Bob Myers, after the meeting, jokingly complained to the Warriors team:
"Perhaps he prefers statistics to victories."
This meeting with Iguodala was completely different. When Steve Kerr brought up the new tactical system and the "tailor-made" role again, the two had a particularly pleasant conversation.
"Curry and Thompson have the potential to become a backcourt duo like the Knicks. Ray's performance in New York hasn't met expectations due to his age, while Thompson is much younger!"
"I mentioned this when I was commentating on the Warriors' games. We can't make Curry play like Lee, but we can help him make more three-pointers like Lee."
"Looking at the results, both teams got 3 points, which is good news for us!"
Steve Kerr chuckled and joked, instantly creating a cheerful atmosphere in the hotel conference room. Iguodala, pleased to hear the coach's candid explanation of the core tactics, chimed in with a boastful remark:
"Maybe we can replicate Li's championship! That means a lot to me."
After the Warriors got rid of Biedrins' contract, their salary cap space was further freed up, and they didn't make any rash trades last season, so they're reaping the rewards now.
After the meeting concluded, General Manager Bob Myers decided to trade Jarrett Jack, a move also requested by the Lakers. Nash wasn't physically imposing enough, and the team needed a ball-handling guard.
"Are we going to give up three first-round draft picks?"
Bob Myers, having taken off his suit jacket, believes the Lakers are asking for too much. While Iguodala is good, the Warriors also have an excellent small forward, the "North Carolina Black Hawk"—Harrison Barnes.
Having turned down a college coaching position, Steve Kerr is eager to make a big impact. Instead of directly addressing the young general manager's doubts, he smiled and said, "If our goal is to contend for the championship, then Andre Iguodala is the key piece of the puzzle!"
-
On Monday, July 7, 2014, while sports commentators were still discussing the Los Angeles drama, the Lakers had already finalized their roster, and the social media was abuzz with excitement after the signings were announced!
With a two-year, $42 million contract, LeBron James officially donned the purple and gold jersey, and Los Angeles welcomed its "King"!
In addition to signing new contracts, the Lakers also decisively finalized four trades:
They traded Andre Iguodala to the Warriors in exchange for Jarrett Jack and first-round draft picks in 2015, 2017, and 2019.
The Lakers used their full mid-level exception to sign Kobe Bryant, the team's former training camp leader.
Using a trade exception, they signed LeBron James' former teammate Channing Frye for $600 million;
They signed James Jones, the loyal follower of the chosen one, to a minimum salary of $140 million.
The "Los Angeles Cavaliers" were born, and Cleveland fans were completely devastated, with social media filled with accusations of betrayal against LeBron James and Dwight Howard.
Miami fans couldn't hold back anymore. James left the team with no assets, and the "Not Eight" era became a joke. Many fans on Twitter were cursing James as a softie.
LeBron James himself didn't update his Twitter, but the Lakers' official Instagram account immediately posted a close-up photo of Kupchak, Jim Buss, and the "Chosen One," with the caption:
"Showtime! #LakersFamily #ChasingGreatness #TheNewKingsOfLosAngeles"
The trade happened so fast that many commentators, after recovering from the shock, praised Kupchak and Jim Bass's actions. Renowned commentator Bill Simmons immediately joined the discussion on Twitter:
"I'm clearly the better option, and signing Kobe Bryant would be the X-factor for the new season."
"Perhaps the internal struggle within the Buss family is still ongoing, but I think they missed their best chance to compete for the championship."
Most basketball commentators have given high praise to these signings. With Kevin Durant potentially out for the season, the Thunder have dropped out of championship contention, and the Lakers, having strengthened their roster, have a great chance to return to the Finals!
Some columnists hold even more extreme views, believing that only the Clippers can compete with the Lakers.
With Steve Ballmer taking over the team, the Clippers boast a wealth of championship experience. The "Los Angeles Knicks" vs. the "Los Angeles Cavaliers" are about to clash in the Western Conference!
That afternoon, James and his family appeared at the Toyota Center training facility in El Segundo, where they were once again warmly received by Kupchak and Jim Buss.
They visited the Lakers' trophy together. Jim Buss smiled broadly and told James about the team's championship history. The Chosen One occasionally laughed and exclaimed in amazement. The two had a very pleasant conversation.
With the media present, the two parties completed the signing. James, dressed in a gray suit, was embraced by the two men, and the group began to applaud and cheer, creating a lively atmosphere.
Although it wasn't a formal press conference, the group, in high spirits, still agreed to be interviewed by a reporter from the Los Angeles Times.
When asked about "leadership," Jim Buss's smile faded, Kupchak frowned slightly, but James laughed heartily and responded calmly:
"You can check my data and pay more attention to reference.com, which is also a website founded by Li. He can answer many questions."
"A leader isn't defined by big talk; the data doesn't lie. Among active players, I'm the best player besides Lee. No matter where I am, I'm a leader on the court."
Without giving the other person a chance to ask further questions, James chuckled and started talking about his old partner, adding with a strange smile on his face:
"I have no problems with Dwight. In fact, we had a very good working relationship early in our careers!"
“At the time, we were the only team that could compete with Lee. Many people were saying that Tim Duncan was the ‘uncrowned king,’ but everyone forgot that the Spurs were in the Western Conference at the time.”
“I talked to Dwight before I came to Los Angeles. We’ve both grown, and he’s willing to be a locker room leader. I swear, this guy will bring everyone together!”
"Channing Frye, our good brother, I can't wait to start the new season!"
After James reminded him, the Los Angeles Times reporter realized that "Happy Beast" had reunited with his old partner, and with Channing Frye on the team, the Cavaliers' trio was destined to dominate the team.
The chosen one didn't mention Kobe at all. In James' view, the Mamba was just back to sell tickets, which can be seen as Jim Buss' compromise to his father's promise.
After finishing the brief interview, Kupchak patted his thigh, expressing his regret over Iguodala's departure. Then, changing the subject, he whispered a word of advice:
"LeBron, like we've talked about before, this is your team!"
"You and Dwight have worked together for many years, and I believe you can lead the Lakers to a championship."
"As for Kobe, don't pay attention to what he said. He's not in the Lakers' plans. I believe you understand what I mean."
James smiled and nodded. He had no intention of leaving Los Angeles after arriving there. Returning to the Finals was his primary goal. He planned to wait until Li You retired, then replace the backcourt and launch another attack on the championship.
Nobody cared about Kobe's return to Los Angeles. A pay cut meant the veteran was no longer a star player. Everyone knew that his return to the Lakers was more of a final request from Jerry Buss.
That evening, Jeanie Buss and Phil Jackson, along with the Lambis couple, hosted Kobe and Vanessa.
The familiar dining environment put Vanessa in a great mood. She had never been as happy as she was in China and Philadelphia. Los Angeles was their home.
After his unsuccessful stint coaching the Timberwolves, Rambis never returned to the basketball world. Now, with Kobe's return, he has rejoined the Lakers' coaching staff and is naturally eager to make a big impact.
As Rambis and Kobe discussed the Lakers' internal affairs, the old man from KFC remained silent until Kobe mentioned wanting to inject "championship experience" into the team. Only then did Phil Jackson interrupt, saying:
"Kobe, this isn't your job! Modern basketball has completely changed, you just have to accept it, don't try to change it."
As soon as he finished speaking, the ladies at the table stopped talking, and Kobe's smile vanished. He stared intently at the old man at KFC, who, unfazed, continued to offer his advice.
"Statistics and honors are what players pursue, and no one can change their minds. The NBA is just a 'show,' and we all know that there has never been pure basketball here."
"Li simply amplified the fans' desire for victory. He satisfied those greedy guys and gave them a sense of 'superiority' in basketball."
"You can't wake up the fans, and you can't stop the sports media's propaganda."
"Stay healthy, and we'll put on a retirement tour for you. You're a championship guard, and even after you're out of the NBA, you can still go to China, where you have fans who appreciate you."
"Don't try to beat Lee. You couldn't do it at 26, and you should understand the gap even more at 36. Life is more important than basketball."
"."
Although Phil Jackson wrote in his book that "Kobe is uncoachable," after experiencing so many failures together, the KFC manager completely recognized the Mamba's basketball attitude.
Speaking frankly, the KFC owner only hoped that Kobe could leave with dignity; no one wanted to see a superstar fall into poverty in his later years.
Even though he knew the other person meant well, Kobe's emotions surged again when he thought about the humiliation he had suffered in Philadelphia over the past two years, and he responded harshly:
"I would rather fall on the court in pursuit of a championship than compromise with the current state of basketball!"
"For 20 minutes, I'm still the best shooting guard in the league! I'm not Tim, I won't give up." (End of Chapter)