The Way of Basketball: Never Talk Shit to Him!
Chapter 517 - 223 Pacers, Is This What You Call Rebuilding a Team?! _3

Chapter 517: Chapter 223 Pacers, Is This What You Call Rebuilding a Team?! _3

Bird just gave a faint smile, "It’s simple, we will pick a super talent comparable to Su Wan at this year’s draft! So, wish us luck!"

With just one sentence, the atmosphere lightened considerably.

It also did not reveal any of the Pacers’ subsequent moves.

Like this, the press conference specially held for Su Wan’s contract renewal ended smoothly.

Those teams in the League itching to pursue Su Wan were like many a secret love, over before it even began.

The media were all shocked by Su Wan’s choice.

Including Barkley.

But then he suddenly remembered the drive of his own youth.

Young people...

Are just like that!

Yet it is these young people, full of vigor and never bowing their heads to adversity, who have given the League its vitality.

Recalling his own youth, Barkley, who used to constantly think about "beating Jordan," suddenly realized he had totally misjudged the real reason behind Su Wan’s choice:

Su Wan is a talent who stands out from the crowd.

Proud-hearted as he is, how could he leave simply because the team was a mess?

He would likely find the challenge appealing!

Meanwhile, at Madison Square Garden, Donnie Walsh, having heard that Su Wan had only signed a 2+1 contract, saw an opportunity. Now in charge of the disorganized New York Knicks, he could gather some assets and, once Su Wan’s contract expired, sit at the bargaining table to snatch him away!

He wasn’t the only one with this line of thought; other general managers harbored similar ideas.

Primarily because there were too many "giant" teams now.

In the East, there were the Boston Celtics, and in the West, the Los Angeles Lakers.

These two teams were likely the main theme in the League’s championship race for the foreseeable future.

Anyway, it’s all playing second fiddle, better to tank for higher picks, select youthful talent, and then go all in for Su Wan...

Hmm...

You’ve heard of tanking for a No.1 Pick, but tanking for a player who might become a free agent two years later?

Well, you’re seeing it now!

And why?

Since Su Wan was willing to stay with the Pacers for an additional 2-3 years, by that time there would be no worry that he would run due to poor performance—he would surely lead the team until they rose to the top!

They had reason to think this way because that’s precisely what Su Wan had done!

Anyway, after signing this contract, Su Wan had become the biggest "fish" of the summer of 2010.

And after the press conference, Larry Bird unexpectedly received a call from Shaquille O’Neal.

"You’re saying... you want to join the Pacers?"

Bird was aware that O’Neal had been amnestied. ƒгeeweɓn૦vel.com

But he could not fathom why O’Neal would aim for Su Wan and the Pacers.

That shouldn’t be right!

Su had reduced him to what?

But thinking again about the media’s rhetoric following Kobe’s championship...

Bird could somewhat understand.

You see!

There are many kinds of enemies. A "bane" like Su Wan only bested the "Middle-aged Shark," and the media would just assume Shaquille was old, but they wouldn’t decline his past achievements.

But Kobe’s championship was different.

Getting a championship before Shaquille O’Neal wasn’t the most deadly part.

The most deadly point was...

He won the championship, while Shaquille didn’t.

Then the saying "Shaquille is nothing without Kobe" seemed to hold true.

Even his Finals MVPs would be questioned!

That was what Shaquille O’Neal could not bear.

If in the future, the media claimed that Shaquille O’Neal truly did not deserve "three consecutive Finals MVPs," without a fourth championship, he would be without any defense.

Understanding this, one could grasp why Shaquille O’Neal was so eager for the championship.

"But buddy, as you know, due to your relationship with Su, I can’t just agree to this!" Bird pointed out the key issue of Shaquille joining the team, "It has to be with Su’s approval for it to happen, so... you get what I mean, right?"

Shaquille smiled slyly and then phoned Su Wan.

But Su didn’t pick up.

However, Shaquille was not discouraged and called Su Wan again.

This time, Su finally picked up, and before Shaquille O’Neal could speak, Su started, "Sorry, Shaquille, I thought you dialed by mistake. To avoid awkwardness for us both, I chose to hang up. You can understand that, right?"

Shaquille O’Neal, being in a begging position, was as sycophantic as could be, "How could it be, Su? Even if you hang up on me a hundred times, I wouldn’t mind. That’s the best punishment for me!"

"Since you said that..." Su immediately hung up again.

Shaquille O’Neal took a deep breath.

To be honest, he knew this would be difficult, but he hadn’t expected Su to brush him off like this.

But...

For the championship, for the championship!

Shaquille!

To prove you can win a championship without Kobe, put aside all your disagreements and pride!

He called Su Wan again, "Buddy, look, like I said, I’m not mad."

This time Su didn’t hang up, "Alright, Shaquille, then out with it. Tell me why you are calling. I don’t believe we have the sort of relationship where we just chat on the phone, right?"

"It’s like this... Su, you know Kobe has won the championship, and I want one too. I feel like, with you, I can definitely get my fourth career championship!"

This 𝓬ontent is taken from f(r)eeweb(n)ovel.𝒄𝒐𝙢