The Way of Basketball: Never Talk Shit to Him!
Chapter 471 - 214: Su Wan, Will You Leave or Stay?_2

Chapter 471: Chapter 214: Su Wan, Will You Leave or Stay?_2

Certainly, it actually depends on the person. If Su Wan were to ask for a trade or contract extension now, they’d probably bring out a huge contract immediately... Well, currently, it’s the Pacers waiting for Su Wan to sign a new contract, it’s just that Su Wan hasn’t signed it yet.

They really can’t get to that point.

Artest was actually regretting. At that time, he couldn’t withstand the provocation of the reporter interviewing him. Blood rushed to his head, his mind went blank, and all he wanted to do was vent. As soon as the words left his mouth, he was shocked.

Did I say that?

That’s what "manic depression" is like!

But, what was said was said. To protect his own self-esteem, Artest could only stubbornly stick to what he said. It was just like a man who, after impulsively saying "let’s break up" when his girlfriend dredges up the past, stubbornly sticks to his words.

Sometimes there’s no other reason for drifting further apart, just two characters:

Face!

To put it plainly, the Pacers weren’t even willing to give Artest an "ordinary maximum salary," which saddened the "Beast."

It’s just that he felt a bit uneasy about facing Su Wan.

But Su Wan simply said with regret, "I didn’t expect it to come to this point!"

At this moment, he wished he was in New York, or in a team owned by a boss that wasn’t short on money. Then perhaps none of this would have happened.

Larry Bird informed Su Wan of the decision to trade Artest and asked, "Will this change your mind?"

Su Wan responded, "Larry, I don’t have any thoughts!"

"Su, you should know, the Pacers have been very chaotic lately. I think, only with you signing a contract extension can everything return to calm," Larry Bird sighed and brought up the idea of a contract renewal once more.

Su Wan said, "To sign a contract extension on the eve of Ron being traded? Do you think that’s appropriate, Larry?"

He had been avoiding one thing...

His maximum salary problem led to the team’s inability to renew Artest’s contract, which resulted in Artest’s departure.

He could have said, "If the team doesn’t resolve Ron’s contract issue first, then I won’t sign with this team."

But Artest’s pride drove him to a dead end. He was determined to secure for himself a satisfactory maximum salary contract based on his past achievements. All Su Wan could do was to express his attitude, not give absolute support.

But the "subprime crisis" had erupted; it was no longer about face or pride.

Without trading anyone else, only one of him or Artest could stay.

And to trade someone else...

Larry Bird was destined to be the fish on the chopping block for others.

Not to mention, it was still unknown what kind of shape the severely injured O’Neal would be in!

It was too risky to dismantle the team for the sake of keeping Artest.

"Big Bird" had never been in such a tough position.

To be honest, when he heard Artest requesting a trade, Larry Bird felt a lot more relieved. The drawn-out battle with Dan had finally come to an end.

And...

Artest had a market.

The night when the "Beast" announced his wish to be traded, several general managers had already called Larry Bird.

More than just one call.

"I will put together a trade list and send it to your email, Su... The Pacers need you now more than ever, even more than when you first arrived in this city!" These were Larry Bird’s last words before hanging up.

After the call, Su Wan sat on his own sofa, staring blankly for a long time.

He didn’t know if it was Larry Bird’s words that touched him or the news of Artest being traded that caused ripples in his heart.

Artest and the younger O’Neal were definitely his "right-hand man" for the past three years; now one was waiting to be traded, and the other could only sit on the bench. There had been too much happening over the last month and a half; Su Wan, who had been so stable for the past three years, needed to digest it all thoroughly.

At this moment, he understood what "iron league, flowing players" meant.

To maintain a roster for three years is a very difficult task...

Don’t forget, when the first of the three consecutive championships was secured, he stood by and listened to Reggie Miller announce his retirement.

February came, and the League announced the rosters for the Western and Eastern All-Stars for this season’s Star Weekend in Los Angeles.

Su Wan and the younger O’Neal were again voted into the final "Eastern All-Star starting lineup."

Since O’Neal was out for the season, David Stern designated Chris Bosh to replace him as the Eastern starter for the event.

Besides these two, Artest was also selected for the final Eastern All-Star roster.

Having three players selected from one team should be a matter of happiness.

But after the All-Star Game comes the day when the free agency doors close, and the last deadline for Artest to request his trade.

Three Pacers players, only two could play, one of which would be representing the Pacers for the last time, and another who hadn’t even signed his contract extension yet...

Indiana had every reason not to cheer!

It’s unknown whether this is why Conseco Arena, through Erin’s camera lens, always seemed to be shrouded in the feeling of a sunset.

Just like the team’s ranking, which had already dropped to fifth in the Eastern Conference, surpassed by none other than the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Cleveland media sent their "congratulations," sharply mocking the Pacers.