Chapter 374 NBA’s Space Battleship!

On May 7, in another semifinal match in the Western Conference, the Mavericks and Spurs played G5. The Mavericks actually swept away the anxiety of the previous two teams and unexpectedly defeated the Spurs with a score of 116:98.

What's even more exaggerated is that Duncan only scored 19 points, 11 rebounds and 3 assists in this game, setting his lowest scoring record in this series. He also had a whopping 4 turnovers, which became the reason for the Spurs' loss today. One of the main reasons.

Nowitzki, on the other hand, scored 25 points, 14 rebounds, 6 assists, 2 blocks and 2 steals, turning the league's super center who just won the regular season MVP into a background. , has also become the key to the outcome of this game.

The tactics used by the Mavericks were suddenly the same forward defensive tactics used by the Sonics against the Lakers!

Let the big brother Finley go forward and let Nowitzki attack from behind. This forward defensive tactic against Duncan caught the Spurs off guard. It was so powerful that even Popovich was stunned and failed to adjust on the spot. Such a strategy that all suspense was lost early in the fourth quarter.

At the same time, on the same day, it was also G5. The Eastern Wizards played against the Pistons. Yao Ming, who had scored 25+15 in the previous games, was completely guarded by Roaring Tianzun, who also learned this skill of forward defense. He lost all touch, making 6 of 19 shots and 6 of 6 free throws. He only scored 18 points and 9 rebounds, and allowed the Pistons to maintain the lead throughout the game.

If Jordan hadn't stepped up and taken over the game at the last minute, I'm afraid the Wizards wouldn't have been able to advance to the Eastern Conference Finals early.

The new defensive concept that was only pioneered on May 6th was adopted by others one after another on the 7th and flourished, and he was accurate every time he faced a traditional center.

Frankly speaking, at the beginning, everyone felt that O'Neal was limited only because he was too accustomed to using his body to score, and had forgotten his once delicate skills. However, Duncan and Yao Ming, who are known for their delicate skills, have both come here one after another. After recruiting and failing, everyone in the entire league suddenly realized something terrible.

——This tactic places too many restrictions on traditional centers!

——The SuperSonics head coach is so awesome. This is still his rookie season. With these two groundbreaking tactics, he has already become one of the top coaches!

But when this trend had just begun, McMillan's speech once again silenced the entire league.

"Actually, I didn't do anything." Facing the reporter's interview camera, McMillan spread his hands and said with a smile: "Lin Dong proposed the run-and-gun tactic, and he participated in the entire improvement process. As for the forward defense ...Before the start of G5, I never thought about defense. Sakuragi Hanamichi came up with it himself. We just adjusted the coordination method in time after seeing it. Let me reiterate, I have nothing. Yes, these two newcomers came up with it themselves."

Nothing was done, the two newcomers came up with it themselves...

The newcomer came up with it...

Newcomer... You are really a newbie from Fake!

What kind of magical newcomer is this? Not only are they invincible, but they also have advanced tactics?

How come they didn't catch one of these seedlings, but the Supersonics caught two in one year? !

With the current momentum of the SuperSonics, even if they can win the championship this year, it is by no means impossible.

And if the two rookies of the Sonics really win the championship this season...

The formation of an absolute core of rookies to win the championship is not unique in NBA history, but it is definitely enough to be called a miracle.

And before that, for example, Magic Johnson won the championship in his rookie season, which was also when the team's overall lineup was strong and the opponents were relatively weak.

But look at this year, the OK team that just won three consecutive championships, the Go Home team led by the God of Basketball, the Spurs' GDP team, the Mavericks' Three Musketeers team... any team can be called a top team. If the SuperSonics really win the championship despite being chased and intercepted by such a strong team in NBA history, it will really be enough to become the gods in a battle.

Hot discussion and attention across the country made the Seattle SuperSonics a phenomenon-level topic overnight.

And what followed were several more popular events.

First, Under Armour's sales have been skyrocketing since signing an endorsement deal with Lin Dong at the end of 2001. As of May 2003, annual sales have reached more than 90 million US dollars before the signing. Monthly sales exceed 100 million.

Considering that the contract between the two parties is about to expire, Under Armor obviously does not want to give up Lin Dong's cash cow. It will definitely pay high-priced endorsement fees, but that is only one aspect. After all, big brands such as Nike are now waiting. In order to grab Lin Dong's contract, the US media has predicted that this contract will definitely create a record high in the history of American sports, and is likely to be a lifetime contract with a total value of more than 1 billion US dollars.

In order to compete with companies like Nike, Under Armor is obviously not qualified and does not have that much money to compete, so this has promoted Under Armor's determination to go public in advance.

As long as it can go public and raise funds, it will not only accelerate Under Armor's expansion in the US market, but also have sufficient funds to satisfy the next big contract with Lin Dong.

What's more important is that as long as it goes public, the 15% equity given to Lin Dong will turn from a blank check into a huge fortune. If Lin Dong switches to other brands by then, Under Armor will definitely have huge sales. will fall, and will Lin Dong sit back and watch his huge and sky-high wealth depreciate? This will be Under Armor's most important bargaining chip at the negotiating table.

At present, Under Armor has submitted a listing application to the NYSE. It is predicted that the entire process will be completed around August, and it has already begun publicity as early as May. First, it is taking advantage of the current topic of the SuperSonics to prepare for the initial public offering by then. To build some reputation, it also uses this to put some pressure on the NYSE to prevent it from being affected by companies such as Nike and sabotaging Under Armour's listing.

Second, the Sonics are for sale...

When this news first came out, the entire NBA couldn't believe their ears.

I have only heard of teams with poor performance being sold, but no one has ever heard of a precedent of an NBA team being sold when it is about to win the championship.

As soon as this news appeared, it immediately became popular among all circles in the United States that are paying attention to the NBA.

With the attention of these people, more and more details were exposed, and it was only then that the surprised people suddenly realized.

There are two reasons. One is that Schulz did encounter big business troubles in Longguo, and he urgently needed sufficient funds to tide over the difficulties.

As soon as the news came out, Starbucks' stock price plummeted 5% that day, causing Schultz to suffer an unnecessary disaster.

And another reason... is because the other party gave too much.

The buyer was an Oklahoma City businessman, Clay Bennett, a well-known Oklahoma City investor, who gave Schultz a price he could hardly refuse: $600 million!

You know, this is 2003, and before that, starting from 2000, the NBA had several team transactions.

The Celtics sold them for 360 million in 2002, the Nuggets in 2000 for 400 million, and the Mavericks, which were also sold in 2000, only bought 285 million...

These transactions mainly depend on two points. One is the size of the football market, and the other is a matter of time. Since the financial crisis in the United States in 2000, the overall economy is still on a downward path, and it has just hit the It's just a rebound from the bottom. Based on this calculation, the current value of an NBA team is about 350 million. If it floats upward, it will be a big city and a big ball market.

In fact, this value has not had any breakthrough in history until about 10 years ago. It has been capped at 400-500 million, and a team is only worth this much money.

It is true that people are attracted by the super value and unlimited room for improvement of the two newcomers Lin Dong and Sakuragi Hanamichi.

But 600 million US dollars has already set a transaction record for an NBA team, and has surpassed it by many. Even the Lakers, who have won three consecutive championships, now have an external valuation of only 500-600 million. Of course, they will not sell it.

When Schultz bought the Sonics in 2001, he only spent 200 million U.S. dollars. Now, in less than two years, it has been sold for 600 million U.S. dollars...

Even if the Sonics really win the championship this season, they will definitely not lose money if they sell 600 million. Considering the financial troubles that Schultz had previously exposed online, this deal was almost a waste in everyone's eyes from the time it first appeared. It has become a final decision, but it has made Seattle fans panic, worried that the new owner from Oklahoma City will move their championship team to Oklahoma City.

As a result, just the day after the news of the sky-high price acquisition emerged, new competitors appeared.

Microsoft Group CEO Steve Ballmer quoted the same price of $600 million, intending to keep control of the Seattle SuperSonics in the hands of Seattleites.

An epic price war that surprised Schulz immediately began.

The Oklahoma City people immediately offered a price of 610 million, but Ballmer followed closely with 610 million. The Oklahoma City people offered 630 million, and Ballmer changed the hands and shouted a sky-high price of 650 million...

The price has been rising again and again, and the SuperSonics' crazy performance this season has made this matter instantly become a super hot spot in the United States, attracting the attention of countless melon-eating people.

On the afternoon of the 10th, the Oklahoma City people once again made an astonishing offer: 700 million!

At this time, everyone can actually see that the Oklahoma City people are willing to spend such a price to compete with Ballmer. Their intention is not just to buy a team. They want to move the SuperSonics to Russia. The intention of going to the city is already obvious, but if it is to compare with funds... At this time, the attention of the United States is focused on Ballmer.

………

In the luxurious villa on the Mansha Peninsula, the door to Ballmer's private study was gently pushed open, and then the young girl appeared at the door aggrievedly.

Ballmer, who was working, looked up and saw it. He laughed, put down the pen he was reviewing documents in, and waved to the girl: "Who is bullying our Laura again?"

"I hate it! You know it clearly!" Laura ran in aggrievedly, lay in Ballmer's arms and said coquettishly: "Buy it, buy it, isn't it 700 million? Dad, if you offer 800 million, let's see if he dares to do it." Dare to follow! I originally agreed to keep the Sonics in Seattle. I don’t want to study now. I just want to learn to manage the team. Didn’t your team also evaluate it? The SuperSonics have a good future. As a team It’s very profitable…”

"The prospects are good, but compared to 700 million, it is still too high." Ballmer said with a smile: "I am not saying that it will lose money, but it is not cost-effective in terms of return on investment. If you want to play Team, I'll buy you another one. How about the Charlotte Bobcats? You can get it for up to 250 million. You can do whatever you want. Wouldn't that be better? Or, the Cleveland Cavaliers? I know their owner, and I also have the intention to sell. , it can definitely be won within 400 million. They also have the best newcomers in the league today, and there is a lot of room for appreciation..."

"No! I don't want to go to Charlotte or Cleveland. I just want to stay in Seattle with you..."

Before Laura could finish her coquettish words, Ballmer had already pulled her up with a smile: "Okay, don't say any more, this matter has been decided, Cleveland Cavaliers or Charlotte Bobcats, you choose one. .”

How could he not understand his daughter's thoughts?

Laura wanted to buy the Supersonics just because of the Asian named Lin Dong.

The Asian had rejected Laura's public display of love in school, and as a precious daughter of mine, she had never gotten anything she wanted, so she had accumulated resentment over it. Unavoidable.

When I bought the Sonics, I just wanted to be that person's boss and to toss that person, not to learn management and make money at all.

After all, Ballmer is a businessman. Even if he fulfills the wishes of his most beloved daughter, he always has to consider the economic value. In fact, 600 million is the limit of the value of the Sonics in his opinion. He spent the next 50 million more for his daughter. But 700 million? This price is unacceptable to Ballmer. As for his daughter's knot and coquettishness...

"As for the Supersonics, you don't have to buy it to do something..." Ballmer pulled his daughter to sit on his lap, smiled and stroked her daughter's long, silky hair: "Don't you think you should buy it?" Wouldn't it be more challenging and fulfilling for a team to kill the Sonics, crush the dreams of that young man who once dismissed you, and make him suffer and regret?"

Laura was startled, and she immediately knew that her father had seen through her thoughts. She frowned and stopped pretending: "Is that possible? Nowadays, it is said that the supersonic god combination is the strongest..."

Ballmer laughed and said: "Payton is already very old. What can he do after this season? What's more, you have to understand that the core of the SuperSonics is always just two Asians, but the NBA is us Americans. In the NBA, their temporary advantage is just because the league has not realized this. If the SuperSonics win the championship this season, then soon, the real target of the entire league will come... Whoever wins the SuperSonics will be a winner. Hot potato, so why do we have to hold this hot potato in our hands?”

"Those two Asians can't go on smooth sailing forever. Without the support of Peak Payton, their so-called invincible God combination will no longer exist, but you, with the support of the alliance who have come back to their senses, can form A stronger team with more stars, by then..."

"Beat the Sonics? That's just a natural thing." Ballmer said with a smile: "Imagine you represent the team and win the championship trophy in front of that young man, but he can only watch in disappointment from the sidelines. The picture, it will be much more beautiful than the picture if you buy the Sonics."

Laura's eyes lit up, and she seemed to have seen the scene where she finally trampled that arrogant guy under her feet.

"Then you have to buy a very strong team, otherwise how long will it take?" Laura said to herself, then turned to look at her father: "...Then, Cleveland Cavaliers ?”

Frankly speaking, Ballmer's first preference is actually the Bobcats. The ball market in Charlottetown is similar to that of Cleveland, but the price of the team is very different. However... based on the potential currently shown by the Cavaliers, buying it There is still a lot of room for overall appreciation.

Moreover, you have to make your daughter happy. It would be too difficult to train a team like the Bobcats that was formed just this year to defeat the Sonics.

"As long as you are happy." Ballmer laughed and said: "And the Cavaliers' two super rookies are on rookie contracts, and they still have plenty of salary cap space. What's more, the OK combination is likely to be in these two They will be disbanded within the season. Their two leading stars are really not in sync with each other, and the strongest center in the league is the most likely to be traded..."

Due to Lin Dong's relationship, Laura is not completely ignorant of the NBA.

The Cavaliers have LeBron on the front line and Wade on the back line. All they need is a top center. If O'Neal can be brought to the Cavaliers...by then, what kind of SuperSonics super team will it be?

At that time, the Cleveland Cavaliers will be the real NBA space battleship, right?

What makes Laura even more satisfied is that not only does she have a grudge against the SuperSonics, but LeBron also has a grudge against Lin Dong, O'Neal also has a grudge against that Japanese redhead, and this team that her father said is simply for... Tailor-made by yourself!

"Dad still loves me the most!" Laura happily kissed Ballmer hard on the face: "I just listen to you!"