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Chapter 427 - Poaching and Respect

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***

Recently, besides reporting on Lee's harmonious interactions with Manchester United fans in England, ESPN also kept up with the Heat's news.

Just as O'Neal said, Pat Riley really pulled off something big!

On the 2nd, a record-breaking five-team trade occurred.

Antoine Walker, who returned to the Celtics after last season's All-Star Game, was sent to the Heat.

The Grizzlies also traded Jason Williams, James Posey, and Andre Emmett to Miami, and Greg Ostertag to the Utah Jazz.

The Heat sent Eddie Jones to the Grizzlies and traded two 'atmosphere' players and 2006 and 2008 second-round draft picks to the Celtics.

At the same time, the Heat also traded Rasual Butler, the New York Knicks' former champion bench player, to the New Orleans Hornets.

The Hornets and the Utah Jazz were just bit players, sending out bench players, and eventually, the five parties completed the trade.

After the trade information was confirmed in the afternoon, the Miami Herald interviewed O'Neal immediately.

Shaq, who had recently signed a 5-year, $100 million contract, was in a good mood and took the opportunity to praise:

"In my career, I truly need more excellent perimeter players."

"I achieved success with the Los Angeles Lakers, and now the Heat's roster makes me certain that we will be infinitely close to the championship next season."

"I am very grateful for the management's operations. Mr. Micky Arison did the right thing. The Heat is a great team!"

After a short rest, Wade returned to the Heat's training camp.

After the trade, facing media reporters, this Rookie did not hide his excitement:

"We lost an excellent teammate, but I am equally excited because these guys joining the team can help the Heat go where they want to go!"

"Jason Williams will get everyone the ball; he is a genius point guard, and Antoine Walker's three-pointers will help us spread the offensive space on the court."

"We will win the championship next season!"

The Heat traded 'atmosphere' players for excellent puzzle pieces.

For a time, basketball commentators praised Pat Riley's moves.

The Los Angeles Lakers also couldn't stay quiet and announced a trade: they signed Smush Parker, who played for the Phoenix Suns last season!

Regarding this trade, the Los Angeles Times naturally sang its praises.

Kobe also couldn't stay quiet and, when interviewed, praised the new recruit:

"He is very strong. Injuries affected his performance with the Phoenix Suns! I will unleash his potential."

"Next season, I believe Parker can be the team's starting point guard."

"..."

Although Kobe spoke highly of him, most basketball commentators had a lukewarm reaction.

Antoine Walker was a past All-Star, and Williams was also a very popular point guard.

In comparison, Parker was a fringe player, and no one believed he could help the team.

The equally closely watched Cavaliers also signed Van Gundy's desired steal king, Larry Hughes.

This trade also sent Cleveland sports media into a frenzy.

With the addition of a perimeter lockdown defender, the Cavaliers are aiming for the championship next season!

The trade market completely heated up, and basketball commentators returned, beginning to evaluate the rosters of popular championship contenders.

Across the ocean, while Chinese sports media reported on the related news, they were more concerned with Yao Ming's contract situation.

Next season will be his contract year.

After last season's collapse in the Game 7, many professionals hoped that Yao Ming could leave the team and go to a championship contender!

On the 3rd, Yao Ming, who was still training with his national team teammates in Beijing, publicly expressed his wishes for the first time:

"I hope to play for the Houston Rockets. I like Houston, and I want to bring a championship to the fans."

Wang Meng, who had been with Yao Ming for a long time, seemed not to like this decision, but he would not interfere.

He only subtly mentioned in his report:

"The Houston Rockets still have a lot of work to do if they want to contend for a championship."

"If this season's salary exceeds $61.7 million, to save expenses, the Houston Rockets will have more operations."

Unlike James Dolan, the Houston Rockets' owner expressed his views very cautiously when recently interviewed:

"Next season, the Houston Rockets plan to trigger the luxury tax, and we will offer Yao Ming a max contract."

Sina Sports and other media outlets had already reported such news, without mentioning too many roster issues, remaining as optimistic as ever:

"The Yao-Tracy McGrady duo is aiming for the championship!"

Chinese Houston Rockets fans were ecstatic.

In an 'IF' scenario, the Houston Rockets had already won the NBA championship.

Tracy McGrady, with his hazy sleepy eyes, enchanting calves, graceful pull-up jump shots, and the explosive '13 points in 35 seconds' award, had conquered delusional chinese fans!

After it was confirmed that the owner would pay the luxury tax and strengthen the team, Houston Rockets fans could also shout their slogan on the internet:

"Houston Rockets, champions!"

Baidu Tieba had been around for over a year, and many Houston Rockets fans loved to discuss:

"In terms of individual ability, who is stronger, Clay Lee or Tracy McGrady?"

Of course, a small number of Kobe and Iverson fans also liked to talk about 'sportsmanship' and, by the way, discuss whose posture was more beautiful.

Due to the limitations of information, Excel had not yet completely influenced Chinese fans.

With outdated versions, everyone was still immersed in 'beautiful basketball.'

Various explosive comments left Lee's ten-year loyal fans speechless.

The most common comment under related topics was:

"How many championships do they have?"

The New York Media didn't seem to care much about other teams' dynamics.

On the first weekend, as the New York Post revealed that Amar'e Stoudemire 'secretly' participated in Nash's charity basketball event held in Canadian, a large number of fans online cursed the Phoenix Suns:

"Shameless thieves!"

At the end of last month, Nash, back in his hometown, held a charity basketball game at the Air Canadian Centre in Toronto.

Marbury, Iverson, Tracy McGrady, Marion, and others were present.

Amar'e Stoudemire did not appear in the game but quietly showed up with his agent, Jeff Schwartz.

A reporter took photos of Nash and Amar'e Stoudemire talking intimately, covering their mouths.

After the news broke, fans of both sides greeted each other online.

Pau Gasol had already received a six-year max contract with a starting salary of $13 million.

Kurt Thomas also received a high-paying 4-year, $32 million contract.

Combining the news from the past two days, several mainstream sports media outlets predicted that Amar'e Stoudemire was about to request a trade and would leave New York next season.

The Phoenix Suns were considered an ideal destination, as Alvin Gentry replicated D'Antoni's tactical board, and the two teams played very similarly in the regular season.

In this situation, if Amar'e Stoudemire landed in Phoenix, he would most likely seamlessly integrate into the team!

Amar'e Stoudemire himself did not speak out to refute the rumors.

His agent, Jeff Schwartz, had an ambiguous attitude when interviewed by New York reporters:

"Amare needs a starting position. Only with more playing time can he fully realize his physical talent!"

"..."

On Monday, August 8th, the NBA announced the schedule for the new season's national television broadcasts.

What particularly interested the onlookers was this year's Christmas War.

ABC will be responsible for broadcasting the second game on Christmas, between the New York Knicks and the Heat.

There were no more grudge matches. The weak Los Angeles Lakers lost their Christmas War opportunity.

The other game was the San Antonio Spurs against the Phoenix Suns.

Under the influence of trade rumors, the Phoenix Suns received more attention.

Basketball commentators believed that Amar'e Stoudemire would leave the team in the latter half of the month.

Recently, the San Antonio Spurs have also been actively strengthening their roster, setting their sights on Michael Finley, who is about to become a free agent.

Popovich and the management, along with Tim Duncan, flew to Chicago, attempting to persuade the former All-Star.

When a Chicago Tribune reporter interviewed Tim Duncan on Tuesday, he generously admitted:

"Now I'm a salesman. The San Antonio Spurs need Michael Finley. He can make the team better!"

"..."

Popovich, with his strong 'chicken soup' speech, tried to get Finley to join the team, but unfortunately, the person involved seemed to have a preference and hinted early on:

"I don't care about salary. At this stage, I only want to pursue a championship."

"I can accept any role. My body has recovered well now, and my experience can help the team!"

Michael Finley himself had made his stance clear early on, and his agent had been shouting for a week, but his desired team showed no reaction.

The New York Knicks, of course, would not give Finley any answer.

Lee was still practicing in Manchester, and James Dolan just wanted to be a non-stick pan, not participating in specific trades at all.

Grunfeld was busy with lawsuits, and other management had already given up.

As long as the big boss didn't speak, just renew the contract!

The Phoenix Suns were also pursuing Finley, trying to use the relationship between Nash and Finley to attract him to Phoenix to play 'brotherhood basketball.'

Gary Payton, another well-known veteran who also wanted to join a strong team, was also suffering from the wait.

After settling his lawsuit with his 'money ability,' Payton returned to Boston and had been following news from next door, but the New York Media seemed to have completely forgotten him.

On Wednesday, Payton, who proactively accepted an interview with the Boston Globe, couldn't hold back anymore and directly criticized:

"Some players consistently lack respect for veterans!"

"In the NBA, championships don't represent everything. Sooner or later, he will pay the price for his arrogance!"

These words were clearly aimed at Lee in a sarcastic way.

Payton believed that the New York Knicks not signing him must have been because someone was deliberately making things difficult for him.

On Friday, the 12th, Lee, who was still in Manchester preparing to watch Manchester United's new season opener, didn't know he had already been made a scapegoat.

He returned to the hotel early in the evening to practice basketball.

After arriving in England, Ivanka became exceptionally enthusiastic and completely let herself go.

Just before midnight, Melinda emerged from the bathroom wrapped in a bath towel and, seeing Ivanka naked and nestled motionless in Lee's arms, immediately quipped:

"Tomorrow afternoon is our debut. You can't have weak legs now. British reporters are all watching us!"

With an ambiguous look, he leaned down and kissed Ivanka, who was only reacting instinctively.

Soon, Melinda also snuggled into Lee's arms.

Playing with the big ball in his hand, Lee recalled the Manchester United fans' reactions over the past few days and confidently said:

"No one can refuse Red Football Capital. We will make a lot of money in the future!"

"..."

...

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