Chapter 534 Yu Fei’s Team
With Yu Fei's connections, it is very easy to organize a team to play a few warm-up matches abroad.
The first thing Yu Fei contacted was Stephen Curry and Brandon Roy. If the trip takes place, it will be the Reebok team.
But Curry was injured during the playoffs and is now recovering. Moreover, rather than joining Yu Fei's travel team to play in China, he would rather stay with a training team called "Acceleration" for special training.
Yu Fei was not reluctant.
Since Curry won't come, call Roy.
The lockout is a disaster for most players, but it is definitely a good thing for Roy.
This is just like the NBA shutdown in 2020 due to the pandemic was a good thing for the Lakers.
Although the league can only choose to play in the park after the resumption, which also causes the team with a better record to lose the home court advantage, the several months of offseason have allowed Anthony Davis to get enough rest, allowing him to have enough The energy burst out in the park.
The same principle applies to the Sonics.
It was lucky that Roy took the risk of returning early in the Western Conference Finals and did not cause more injuries. Now, it is basically certain that the suspension will affect the new season.
Players will have a much longer offseason than they have in the past.
This gave Roy enough time to rest.
Yu Fei called Roy this time with the intention of keeping him away from the whirlpool of labor negotiations. As for whether he should appear in the warm-up match with the Chinese team, it depends on his own ideas.
In addition to Roy, joining Yu Fei's team are Paul George, who was just signed by Reebok, and Kwame Brown, who was originally signed by Reebok while holding Yu Fei's thigh.
Yu Fei also called on Alonzo Key, Danny Green and Lazar Hayward (SF) who was selected by the team in the draft.
Except for Key, Green and Hayward are not in a good situation.
Green signed a partially guaranteed contract with his old club, the Cavaliers, and Hayward was even worse. After the draft, the team stopped contacting him.
The whole family was waiting for him to make money, but now he is out of business.
Green and Hayward's dilemma is the reality for most bottom players.
They need the income from playing ball.
The longer the shutdown lasts, the more it will hurt them.
But Green and Hayward are also lucky. In addition to playing two warm-up games with the Chinese men's basketball team, Yu Fei's team also has some commercial exhibition games, which will generate millions of dollars in revenue.
Yu Fei will not take any of this money, he will distribute it to others.
As soon as the news came out, many bottom players volunteered to join.
Three players from the 2009 class were included in Yu Fei's name.
They are Sam Young, Wayne Ellington and Patrick Beverley.
Beverley is the only person on this team who has the name of an NBA player but does not have the reality of an NBA player.
He was drafted by the Lakers last year but didn't get any opportunities on that star-studded team.
The Lakers chose to release him overseas.
Beverley went to Europe to play for a year and was about to come back to represent the Lakers in the summer league to try for a chance in the NBA. As a result, the league was suspended.
This confuses Beverley. He knows that if a second-round pick like him who no one cares about stays overseas for a long time, he is likely to "integrate" into the local level and never have a chance in the NBA.
He was unwilling to give in, so he joined Yu Fei's team.
He wants to show his ability in front of the GOAT, because it is well known that the Sonics need a backup point guard.
Yu Fei’s team will conduct a two-day joint training session in Los Angeles.
This is mainly to restore their condition. They have no coach, no need to practice tactics, and no need for tactics at all. After all, this is just a team composed of NBA players. Even without tactics and tacit understanding, talent alone can crush most national teams. .
On this day, Yu Fei received an invitation from the players union.
They hope that Yu Fei will attend the collective bargaining agreement negotiations to be held in Las Vegas.
Yu Fei declined the invitation and expressed his feelings in a short sentence: "My position will always be consistent with the union. I am not opposed to the unfair CBA agreement, and I refuse to use our own money to compensate those bad bosses. If you I can understand the decision to do so, but I will not participate in it.”
"Are you really not going?" Roy heard about this and came to persuade Yu Fei, "It makes a big difference to those bosses whether you are here or not."
Yu Fei joked: "What can I do there? Argue with No. 23? I've seen enough of that guy's face."
"I just think that if you are here, the union will be stronger." Roy was still too naive.
Yu Fei laughed and said: "Their strategy is to surrender to the bosses in order to get things back on track. What can I do there? Ever since we decided to give in, the bosses have won."
"How can you be so sure?"
"It's like playing ball." Yu Fei looked at the court.
Although Beverley is not an official NBA player, he has developed a wildness that is rare among today's NBA players in the rough competition environment in Europe.
As a 1.98cm forward, Sam Young averaged 7 points and 3 rebounds per game with the Grizzlies last season, but he looked weak in front of Beverley.
When he was about to grab the ball on the floor with Beverley, Beverley held the ball in his arms fiercely and roared at Yang: "Nico, don't fucking try to steal my ball!"
Yang flinched, it was just a ball, unnecessary.
Not only did he not compete with Beverley, he also wanted the other party to calm down.
"Sam is like us during negotiations." Yu Fei said, "We just want to maintain the status quo, and the bosses would rather give up a season to achieve the goal."
Yu Fei asked: "How many people are willing to give up a season like the bosses?"
"You." Roy said, "Aren't you willing?"
"I alone can't help 325 people make decisions." Yu Fei said, "Moreover, I don't want to get a bad result after I invest all my energy in this matter, and then everyone will be happy, but they can't get through it." How long will it take for these people to realize that they have really lost a lot of money, and then they will question whether we, the decision-makers, are colluding with the boss to harm them?"
This was something Roy had never imagined.
He participated in many labor negotiations, and he knew that Derek Fisher and Billy Hunter were very popular.
Because every decision Fisher makes is based on the overall situation. He not only serves the stars, but also serves the bottom players.
This is why everyone supports him.
Not to mention Hunter, he is an old man of the players union. He has witnessed the birth of the salary cap system since the Bob Lanier era. He also assisted Ewing in making a big fuss with the employer in 1998, and now he has passed Twelve years later, the person he assisted became Fisher.
No matter how the times develop, Hunter is still there. He is the most senior old man in the players union.
"How is this possible?" Roy didn't believe this would happen. "We have to make internal headlines before making a decision. It is not their decision alone, but the decision of the player camp. If there is a problem with this decision , that is, everyone made a mistake together, how can you blame them?”
This reminded Yu Fei of the plot in "Green Book", when the male protagonist was furious because the black pianist didn't listen to him and ran around, and thought that if the other person did this again, it might affect his future. The black pianist thinks that he is just worried that something will happen to him and he will not be paid.
That's how it is sometimes, even if you think of the other person wholeheartedly, you still get offended afterwards.
Yu Fei responded to Roy with a line from the movie: "Brandon, you have to know that this is a complicated world."
Roy certainly doesn't believe that the world is a blank slate.
But he didn't think things would go that extreme.
However, he did not express his thoughts.
He can see for himself what will happen.
Later, Yu Fei gathered the team and talked about some things to pay attention to in China.
"If people there like you, maybe you will get unexpected gains in China. The most important thing is to look like a good person. Whether you are a jerk or not, behave appropriately and don't do stupid things."
Beverley stated on the spot: "Fry, you can ask my agent. I didn't have any bad records in Europe last year."
"I know." Yu Fei said, "This is why I invited you to join the team."
Not only Beverly, but others, Yu Fei, have also inspected it. Since a team is to be organized to go gold mining, at least the members of this team must be pure, and there must be no records of any violations within at least one year.
Afterwards, everyone went to have barbecue together. While everyone was chatting, everyone received a text message from the players union.
The content of the text message was basically popping champagne.
The letter was written by Fisher.
He introduced the situation of today's meeting.
The union proposed reducing the player bonus from 54.5% to 53%, a concession recognized by the league.
However, Suns owners Robert Sarver and Dan Gilbert were vehemently opposed.
Fisher said it showed them there was no unity among the bosses.
However, these few hours of negotiation were beneficial and positive, and were the key to breaking the ice. Fisher believes that the prospect of the new season starting as scheduled is not pessimistic.
News of what Fisher called a "disagreement among the bosses" in the text message quickly spread to the outside world.
Sources confirmed to ESPN The Magazine's Chris Broussard that there was a disagreement between the owners.
However, David Stern firmly denied the authenticity of this matter: "I don't know what the basis for Derek's ideas is. But I can tell you that in the meeting that just ended, the vast majority of the owners did agree with the players. Despite the concessions made by the unions, they mandated that the committee be ready to negotiate on all issues, and the committee was ready."
While bosses applauded the union's concessions, they still called for a "hard salary cap", a major sticking point in negotiations for a new collective bargaining agreement.
This is actually a very bad signal.
The players' union has backed down, but things haven't gotten better.
However, Fisher and Billy Hunter returned to New York a day later and convened local players for an update on collective bargaining, which Fisher called a "productive and engaging meeting" at a hotel. ".
Yu Fei thought to himself at the time, if I were the boss and heard that the union was giving up so much dividends, he would also make the meeting interesting.
But the result? Has any consensus been reached?
Then, Fisher told the media: "Our team is not divided and separated as some reports have said. We want to continue to reiterate that."
Chris Paul, the front-runner to be the next union president, said: "I've never seen this union as united and strong as we are now."
Afterwards, Fisher invited Yu Fei to participate in the next negotiation.
But Yu Fei refused again.
And, he had valid reasons.
"I accepted the invitation from the Chinese Basketball Association to go to China to play games. I may not be able to help you much these days." Yu Fei smiled and said, "However, you are doing such a good job. I have nothing to worry about. Don't worry. , I stand with you, even if I am not here, my heart is with you.”
Fisher was moved.
"Thank you, Fry, your support is vital to us."
Then another thing happened that showed things weren't going anywhere.
League vice president Adam Silver came out to refute rumors of discord within the ownership group.
"From the beginning, we were not fooled by the hard salary cap label," Silver said. "We've said from day one that we need a system where all 30 teams can compete for championships and be profitable, and our owners are absolutely unanimous on that principle. So, even though we've done that in the past For hours, and even for the past few weeks, different concepts were discussed to achieve this result, but everyone was absolutely unanimous that the rumors of discord between the bosses were completely false! ”
August 20
At 9 a.m. on the day when the Yufei team boarded the plane to China, the NBA officially announced that it would postpone the preseason training camp indefinitely and cancel 43 preseason games.
Stern said: "If a new collective bargaining agreement cannot be reached as soon as possible, the regular season will also be affected."
The players union declined to comment.
According to reports, Fisher was furious. He believed that the players had sacrificed a lot for the overall situation, but the greed of the management had exceeded imagination.
Yu Fei received the news when he got off the plane.
All he could say was that he was glad he got away before things ended like this.
Countless historical lessons have proven that you cannot kill your opponent just by relying on benefits. Your compromises and concessions will be used by the other party as a basis for further advancement.
What is the correct attitude towards such disputes?
If the other party is determined to cut off your skin even if next season is canceled, you must be determined to protect your own interests rather than letting the NBA continue to run.
All the situations were expected, and Yu Fei decided not to interfere.
If you want to support him, he can give it verbally, but if you want him to charge into battle, that's not necessary.
NBA players basically know that Yu Fei is very popular in China, but if you don't experience it yourself, you don't know how high this is.
Yu Fei's team was surrounded by a huge crowd of people outside the airport.
They wore Yu Fei's jersey, pulled Yu Fei's posters, shouted Yu Fei's name, and used an unimaginable enthusiasm to make the players of Yu Fei's team have an idea of this matter.
"Is it because of the skin color?" Roy asked curiously.
Yu Fei laughed and said: "Is it possible that I have really done a lot of things to please Chinese fans?"
Security guards nervously maintained order at the scene.
Yu Fei signed his name step by step, and the smile on his face was like a trademark, giving people a sense of intimacy.
Roy found that he also had many fans.
However, in addition to being his fans, these people are also fans of Yu Fei. Therefore, it can basically be determined that it is just a group of Yu Fei fans who love Wujiwu.
Due to signings and interviews, Yu Fei and his party were delayed at the scene for more than half an hour.
They were then picked up by a special car and headed to the hotel arranged for them by the Basketball Association.
In the evening, Yu Fei and Yao Huang had dinner together.
Yao Huang is in good shape now.
Not only physically, but mentally and spiritually as well.
This year is his first time representing the national team since the 2008 Olympics. The two-year window period has given him a chance to transform. He has enough time to lose weight and hone his outside shooting. Now, Yao Huang looks like a The rich version of Brook Lopez has an outside shooting percentage comparable to a sharpshooter, shooter-level production, the league's best rim protection efficiency and blocking efficiency, averaging 22 points, 8 rebounds and 2 blocks per game this season.
His current weight is only 5kg heavier than when he was a rookie. He looks a lot thinner, but he is still a giant on the court.
Yu Fei can completely imagine what a terrifying offensive weapon Yao Wei would be in this state playing FIBA games.
Mental and spiritual health stems from his reckoning with those who had made things difficult for him on his way to the NBA.
Today, Yao Huang also has another identity, that is, the owner of the Shanghai Sharks Club.
The ownership of the club was changed a few months ago. The first thing Yao Huang did after taking over was to purge all the old people including his mentor Li Qiuping.
This is why a gentleman takes revenge after ten years. Yao Wei now has no regrets. One of the benefits of the NBA suspension is that he can concentrate on preparing for the World Championships.
"Are you looking down on us by bringing a bunch of noobs to a warm-up match?" Yao Quan said with a stern look on his face, "You'd better play seriously then."
Yu Fei smiled and said: "Is it necessary? We are a bunch of NBA players, and we have no problem beating you."
"The NBA coalition that has not been in tune with each other is just a straggler. You don't know that, right?"
"Strangers?" Yu Fei teased, "They are the group of people who are presiding over the labor negotiations."
International players generally don't care much about labor disputes, unless they are star players like Yao Huang who can get the maximum salary.
If the league had not been suspended, Yao Wei should have been the protagonist of the free market.
His contract with the Rockets expired this summer. As a super insider with the ability to protect the basket, low-post attack, and outside three-pointers, he should have been recruited by various teams.
"Do you have any news?" Yao Huang asked, "When will this matter last?"
Although Yu Fei knows that the player camp will eventually compromise, but the management is too arrogant at present, and the labor side will definitely have to stand firm for a while.
"I guess we'll have to wait until next year." Yu Fei said.
"So long?" Yao Wei asked in surprise, "Doesn't that mean next season will be canceled?"
"Not necessarily." Yu Feidao, "But dozens of regular season games will definitely be cancelled."
After hearing what Yu Fei said, Yao Huang knew what was going on.
His Chinese-character face suddenly showed an extremely obscene smile, just like his smiling face that has become a comic expression on the Internet in both Chinese and English.
"What's your expression?"
"I suddenly realized that I have nothing to worry about. If it doesn't work out, I can go back and play in the CBA." Yao Wei imagined the scene, "The boss personally goes off to play. Think about it, how wonderful is this?"
Indeed, what is more explosive than "the head coach is warming up" is "the boss is warming up".
Yu Fei could imagine how funny that scene was.
Moreover, if Yao Wei, who has evolved into a complete player in the NBA, lands in the CBA, it will undoubtedly be cruel to other teams in the league.
Then, Yao Huang actually set his sights on Yu Fei: "If you are too free, you can also come to CBA to play. The Shanghai Sharks welcome you."
If Yu Fei is in the early stages of his career, it's not that he can't consider playing in the CBA. Anyway, the NBA is suspended, where is playing football not playing football? But not now.
His status in the world is there. Regardless of the nationality filter, the CBA is only a third-rate basketball league in the world. Except for the salary that can be compared with the mainstream leagues in Europe, the competitiveness is really much worse.
Even if Yu Fei doesn't play for a year, he can't lower his status to play in the CBA.
Therefore, he rejected Yao Huang in a way that made Yao Huang spit out sweetness: "No, you can't afford to sign me even if you sell the team."
"Book that,!￥#!￥"
(End of chapter)