i am legend

Chapter 8 Donald Sterling
In the middle of May in the NBA, the East and West are fighting for the playoffs. In the East, Michael Jordan's Chicago Bulls and Reggie Miller's Pacers are experiencing a "killer" duel.

In the West, under the leadership of the famous "Black and White Shuangsha" Karl Malone and John Stockton of the Jazz, Jerry Sloan's tough iron-blooded defense ravaged the "big shark" Shaquille. The Lakers led by O'Neal.

Bruce looked in amazement at the two teams that were crazily confronting each other on the field. He was able to sit in the Staples Arena and enjoy a hot game. For him in the game, it was really a hearty "feast".

At this time, O'Neal was not the fat guy known as the "big cactus" in later generations, and Kobe Bryant was still eyeing his main position.

"Bruce, do you know that the team still has a lot of things to deal with?" Chris leaned on the railing of the box on the second floor with a face of reluctance, pointed to the two teams struggling on the court, and asked in confusion: "Aren't you going to prove your ability as a manager to those management?"

"Kerry, have you noticed that the Lakers are advancing towards their dynasty?" Bruce ignored his complaints completely, watching O'Neal striding forward like a locomotive back to defense with fiery eyes. A strong desire arose, and he said, "Do you think we have a chance to get this big guy?"

"God! You're not dreaming, are you?" Chris looked at his friend in disbelief, and felt powerless for his words that sounded like a dream.

"Uh...haha! It is estimated that all the players of the Warriors can't exchange for this Mr. "Superman"!" Bruce smiled awkwardly. What he said just now was just thinking about it. Pass it to Jerry West, who probably won't even bother to look at it.

"Okay! Can you tell me why we are here today? Although this game is quite exciting!" Chris shrugged helplessly, thinking of his large pile of unfinished documents, he couldn't help but look at it angrily. with him.

"Kerry, you should let go of the team's affairs first. If your estimate is correct, you have at least half a year to complete your integration!" Bruce looked at his friend meaningfully. As an assistant to the manager of a domestic team, he is quite aware of how terrifying this year's labor negotiations are!

Because it was difficult for labor and management to reach an agreement, the entire 98-99 season shrank to 50 regular season games, and an agreement was not reached until January 99.

"Dude, why are you so sure?" Although he knew the current attitudes of the management and labor in the league, it was still difficult for Chris to understand his certainty.

"Do you think there is a big difference this time?" Bruce turned and walked to the sofa behind him, asking slowly as he walked.

"Uh... It's really troublesome!" Chris looked at the other party blankly, thought about the current attitudes of the two parties and their refusal to make concessions, and after some consideration, he still expressed his thoughts: "I'm afraid this time The players’ side will carry it to the end! And our boss’s side probably won’t make any concessions, and the whole negotiation may continue until the regular season is about to start in November. I think, no matter which side is willing to see the result of the lockout like the NFL!”

"How about a bet?" Bruce drank the red wine with a smile and looked at him confidently.

"Tell me, buddy. Why are you so confident? I don't think you want to see your own interests being damaged?" Chris looked at him suspiciously, and it was still a little hard to understand his self-confidence. Could it be that he Don't you like it?
"Okay! Dude, put this matter aside for now. After a while, I believe you will see the results you don't want to see!" Bruce interrupted this established fact. As a reborn person with integrity, he I still don't want my friends to see me as a monster.

"Tell me! Since I announced that I am the team manager, do those guys have any opinions?" Bruce is most concerned about the fact that he announced at the meeting that day that he will be in charge of the team.

"Uh...how should I say it!" Chris smiled suddenly, with a burst of amusement in his eyes, and said, "Dude, don't be kidding, that's your team, are they here to join forces to impeach you? Are you making a small report to get yourself fired?"

Bruce nodded with a smile. He had thought about this result beforehand, and he was talking to Chris. Would those guys say something if he didn't do well?

"Okay! What happened to what I told you to finish?"

Just a slightly ordinary sentence made Chris's face look ugly: "Dude, do you know how unbearable it is to call those guys one by one? Do you know how those vampires react? You know Don’t you know that there are already some gossips about our acquisition of the Warriors?”

A few questions in a row froze Bruce's question. Although he knew that his decision was possible, it was still very likely to cause temporary turmoil for the Warriors, but now that Chris was obviously aggrieved and worried, he still let him Got a little bad feeling.

"Uh... is it really that bad?"

"Dude, what should I say about you?" Chris looked at him worriedly, and gave him instructions to put himself and his team members on the opposite side, which even a frank boss would tactfully hint at. , instead of him saying things in a flash.

"Hey! This step must be taken!" Sighing helplessly, Bruce frowned and began to think.

From the current point of view, he doesn't want the media and industry insiders to know about his acquisition of the Warriors right now. He just wants to announce it when the media press conference is held, but now an order has exposed his purpose.

And what he asked Chris to do is what every new owner does after taking over the team. Establish the cornerstone of his own team, and put all the players who he feels can't be used on the shelves.

As for the current staffing of the Warriors, there is no head star who can be used as the cornerstone of the team. Therefore, he chose to hand over this matter that might offend those vampire-like agents to Chris who just took office.

"I'm sorry, Kerry!" Bruce sincerely apologized to Chris. Maybe he was a bit too explicit. No one wants to be a good team manager. To redeem, but he still had to bite the bullet and continue walking.

Because he can't wait any longer, and the 98th NBA draft will be held in one month, so he must fully implement his plan in this short month, and this summer will be his next three years. The most important layout moment of the year!

"Dude, it's nothing, you don't have to do this!" Seeing the sincere apology on Bruce's face, Chris shook his head secretly, and said, "You are still new to this industry, and your previous performance has already made me and your The godfather was taken aback. So, it's really nothing!"

"Thank you, Kerry!"

Just after the two finished talking, there was a huge booing from the entire Staples Center.

"Let's go! We have to meet that stingy guy!" Although he already knew the result, Bruce looked at the Jazz players who proudly took away a victory on the court, and he still felt a little worried for Malone and Stoke. A look of regret.

The two packed up their things. When Bruce was about to walk out of the box, he suddenly turned his head and glanced at the disappointed players who entered the corridor of the Lakers locker room one after another, especially staring at O'Neal and Kobe for a while. Tighten your fist!

As a well-known real estate agent in Los Angeles, Donald Sterling owns many properties in the metropolis of Los Angeles, and the villa located in the suburbs is his favorite work.

"Young man, I deeply regret what happened to your parents!" Sterling prayed devoutly for a moment, a trace of doubt flashed in his eyes, and said with a smile: "Since you are in Los Angeles, why didn't you inform me? I am Very hospitable guy!"

"Thank you for your blessing!" Bruce nodded politely, picked up the coffee on the table, took a sip, fixed his eyes on Sterling, organized his words, and said, "Mr. I came here for the second time because I want to talk to you about something!"

"It's a great honor!" Sterling suddenly felt amused, and couldn't help but look at the two curiously.

"I think you may have guessed what I'm going to talk to you about!" Bruce looked at him calmly, took a sip of coffee with his head down, and rolled his eyes. When he saw the other party showing interest, he put down the coffee, Glancing at Chris, who was a little confused, he turned around and said, "I wonder if you're interested in a deal?"

"Aha! Look, I forgot to refill your coffee!" Sterling stood up without showing any trace, ignoring the servant who was about to pick up the coffee pot to refill the cups for the two, turned and walked towards the kitchen !

"Old fox!" Bruce watched Sterling walk in slowly, cursed inwardly, and glanced at Chris, both of them showed a helpless expression!

Coming to Sterling's residence can be regarded as a step in Bruce's future layout, and this time it is mainly to explore the other party's thoughts.

"Oh, God, I'm really old!" Sterling pretended to be surprised and pointed to the coffee pot in the servant's hand, patted his head, and looked at the two with a smile: "Young man, let's taste the coffee first." Let's have a cup of musk coffee that I managed to get!"

"You really have taste!" Bruce echoed, and then the few of them started chatting without nutrition.

(End of this chapter)