Basketball Legend: When Pride Still Matters-Chapter 1021 - 588 How to Start the Midsummer_2
Chapter 1021: Chapter 588: How to Start the Midsummer_2 Chapter 1021: Chapter 588: How to Start the Midsummer_2 “`
If someone told them, “Everything Trem did had the silent approval of the Greatest of All Time,” they would be even more outraged. In their view, this couldn’t be possible; they were convinced the person they support is at a disadvantage and, if involved at all, must have been deceived by the team into making a wrong judgment.
Bill Simmons’s mockery and sarcasm pushed the Clippers’ supporters’ fury to the breaking point. “This is a trade that even Donald Sterling would smile upon, proving that the suffering of the Clippers isn’t just about Sterling; this team truly has issues.”
Just before the offseason, the fan base of the Clippers initiated a recall march against Trem.
Yu Fei hadn’t expected things to get this big.
It looked like the real big cities knew how to play the game.
When he used to remotely manage teams from Seattle and Milwaukee, the outside world didn’t understand either and there were sounds similar to the current “Seattle/Milwaukee pill.”
But the fans were restrained.
...
They were nothing like the Clippers fans in this incident, who, like the NBA stars, believed they had a right to manage the team and would make a big fuss whenever things didn’t go their way.
Trem’s pressure was imaginable.
Even Steve Ballmer called to inquire, as the Clippers’ recent actions had not only lowered the team’s market value but had also impacted the team’s merchandise sales.
If things continued this way, perhaps Trem would be sitting in the GM seat, just like Sam Hinkie, destined to not see the process through to its outcome, before Klay Thompson could vindicate him.
Yu Fei knew he had to do something to soothe people’s emotions now.
So, Yu Fei started by posting on Twitter: “I’ve worked with Arne for many years and I know he is one of the most outstanding general managers in the League; he considers not just the present, but also the future in everything he does, please rest assured, our goal is to head to the promised land before next season, and nothing will stop the Clippers’ march.”
Seeing the Greatest of All Time’s profound understanding, fans were broken.
“F*cking Arne Trem!”
“Frye didn’t do anything wrong, why treat him like this! F*ck this world!”
“Arne Trem, step down!”
Yu Fei’s tweet seemingly had the opposite effect.
But this was the effect he wanted; by seeming to inspire with a tale of woe, he was actually fueling the fire, and then, he would bring Trem to Miami.
At this moment, Miami was having their championship celebration.
Despite the joyous event, Miami Heat’s owner expressed his intention to retain the lineup at all costs, but in reality, everyone knew that if they were willing to spend the money, keeping a back-to-back championship lineup wouldn’t require “all costs.”
Only in the case of an unwillingness to continue spending big would they need to explore all possible options.
Yao Ming displayed his usual sense of humor during the ceremony, provoking laughter from everyone several times.
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“This is the best team I’ve ever had in my life; if possible, I’m 100% willing to come back for the three-peat!”
If possible?
With the Miami Heat’s celebration over, Yao Ming became a free agent.
Yao’s team said that Yao’s priority was to renegotiate with the Miami Heat, thus, he would listen to offers from Miami first.
Yao Ming had made his stance clear; now it was up to Miami Heat’s sincerity.
The aim of Yao’s team was to fully activate the “Yu Fei Clause.”
After all, having made the First Team twice in a row and leading the team to a championship, Yao had the qualifications to activate the full version of the Yu Fei Clause.
Based on the new season’s salary cap, Yao could sign a contract close to 4 years for 90 million US dollars.
For 34-year-old Yao, this was a dignified retirement contract.
But while Yao only needed to think about his own retirement, the Miami Heat had much more to consider.
Firstly, renewing the contract meant continuing to shoulder four max contracts. They played under such conditions this year, and although they won the championship, the financial reports showed they had incurred a loss.
Thus, this was essentially a loss-making endeavor.
Secondly, Yao was already 34 years old.
No one could guarantee he would perform the same next year, and what about the year after? After he reached the superstar watershed age of 35? One thing was certain: this contract would be severely overpriced from the third year onwards.
Then there was an unavoidable point to consider.
Miami Heat’s rising star Jimmy Butler was going into his fourth year on his rookie contract; considering his performance in the past season, they would need a max contract to keep him then.
After renewing Yao’s contract, Miami Heat would also need to renew Butler’s, and by then, they would be dealing with five max contracts…
Considering the potential luxury tax, even Ballmer would frown upon burning such money.
After exploring all “options,” which was in fact contemplating the series of consequences of renewing with Yao, the Miami Heat decided to talk about feelings with Yao’s team.
Having feelings was good, but talking about feelings was costly.
Yao’s team said, “Just tell us straight up how much the contract will be.”
For Yao, an annual salary of around 15 million US dollars was appropriate; for both parties’ sake, he could take a pay cut.
But the Miami Heat misjudged the value of sentiment.
They offered a 4-year contract worth 50 million US dollars.
Compared to the maximum contract Yao could get, this offer had shrunk by almost half.
Yao was a man of dignity; he wouldn’t shout about being disrespected like some African American players who received outrageously inadequate offers. He smiled and said, “I’ll give you a second chance to make an offer.”
