Chapter 302: Do you still want to win?
When he got home, An Jie threw himself directly on the sand. He had to think too much in his mind now. All of his three years with the Thunder were flashing back in An Jie's mind.
Unwilling to enter the playoffs after failing to win the final victory, Morris stood up for himself after clashing with Stoudemire, and when Durant was injured, Anjie alone carried the Thunder core banner... These scenes all appeared clearly in Anjie's mind. But Anjie knew that people cannot just look back, but the road has to go forward.
Since Angel entered the house, Meslav kept calling. Now it is impossible to ask him to travel around the United States to discuss with the managers of each team. Meslav must determine the other party's intention to cooperate through the phone before he will have a detailed discussion with the appropriate team in person.
More than an hour after Anjie entered the house, Meslav finally hung up the phone. He looked at Anjie with a serious expression. The next conversation between the two men will directly affect their future.
"How about Mr. Meslav? Which teams are interested in me?" Angel and Meslav sat side by side on the sand. Outside the floor-to-ceiling window in front of him was the night view of the entire Oklahoma.
"Last season championship, the Dallas Mavericks were very sincere. You know that Cuban is not a stingy guy. He said on the phone that as long as you are willing to come, he will renew your contract with you in advance."
"Puchi!" As soon as Meslav finished speaking, Anjie sprayed out all the water he had just drunk. What is the concept of maximum salary? In other words, his next contract may have a salary of ten times that of now. This guy, Kuban, is indeed well-deserved.
"Although the Mavericks were the championship last season, this season is quite miserable." Anjie knew that the Mavericks' championship team has been almost completely broken up, and Nowitzki's career is beginning to decline. The Mavericks urgently need a new core now, and the Germans also expressed that they are willing to be the second. Think about it carefully, the Mavericks are willing to give money and status, and they are really sincere.
"Yes, they won the championship unexpectedly last season, but this season, I'm not optimistic that they can defend the title. However, Cuban's sincerity really touched me." Meslav actually liked the Mavericks the most, so he put the Mavericks in the first place.
"Well...what else?" Although the Mavericks' conditions are very attractive, Anjie still wants to hear what other teams say.
"And... by the way, there is the Houston Rockets. The iconic figure of your country, Yao Ming's old club. Since Yao Ming and McGrady both left, the Rockets have always been a civilian team. Now they also need a pillar, and you, who is also a Chinese, are their best candidates. To put it bluntly, even if you can't play, the Rockets can continue to monopolize the Chinese market. If you can play, Morey will win both fame and fortune." After Meslav said that, he looked at Anjie, but Anjie seemed not moved.
Afterwards, Meslav told Anjie in detail about the situation of several teams. The 76ers were too loose, and Anjie didn't like it. Cavaliers? Anjie didn't want to clean up the mess left by the little emperor. The Lakers are not good, but the conditions they can offer are first Meslav disagrees. Secondly, Anjie's tactical status in the Lakers may not be much higher than now. Look at Gasol now, you will know what Anjie will become after going to the Lakers.
After talking about several teams, An Jie didn't like it. Maybe in the end, he had to choose one among the Rockets and the Mavericks.
"Oh, by the way, there are also the Portland Trail Blazers." Just when Angel thought the conversation was over, Meslav suddenly remembered something.
"Trail Blazers?" Thinking of this name, Angel's first reaction was tragic. Brandon Roy and the Trail Blazers had unlimited potential, but this season, Roy officially announced the season's reimbursement, and Greg Oden faded out of people's vision. The Trail Blazers, which were originally the model of the youth guards like the Thunder, are now in a group of ways. Finding a guy who has also been reimbursed for the season may be their only way out.
"The invitation from the Trail Blazers is also quite sincere, but to be honest, I am not optimistic about the team's exhibition. In comparison, the Rockets and the Mavericks are closer to the playoffs, or the championship."
"Yeah." Anjie nodded. Although he had a little affection for the indomitable pioneers, Meslav was right. It is difficult for the pioneers to do anything now.
"Okay, let me think about it too? What about your suggestions?" Anjie knew that such things could not be decided casually. He needed to ask many people's opinions, including Meslav.
"Dallas." Meslav said his best goal without thinking about it. Money and opportunity. Angel can have sufficient favorable conditions in Dallas.
"Well, I will remember it. Okay, maybe I will give you another answer in a few days." An Jie stood up and sorted out his clothes. In the future, it was really time to have to choose.
Which team should I go to? Anjie has no idea. He has no feelings for those teams, because in recent years he has devoted all his feelings to Oklahoma. So in front of Anjie, the only difference between these reserve choices is that the team's name is not the same. Although Meslav said that the Rockets and Mavericks' exhibitions are better, who knows what happens in the future? Just like back then, almost everyone was optimistic about the Cavaliers where James was, but what in the end?
Angel knocked on Morris's door and decided to talk to his brother.
"I fucking hope you don't leave." Morris was actually eavesdropping on the conversation between Angel and Meslav, such as shitty calf and damn maximum salary. These are not as reliable as letting Angel stay.
"But I have to leave, Presti has made it clear."
"If I have to leave, I hope you will go to the East. Because I don't want to meet you too early in the playoffs. Who is the fucking willing to be an opponent with you?" Although Anger has accepted the reality, Morris is still fantasizing that Anger can stay and fight side by side with him. Because of this, Morris's suggestion is not constructive, but at least it is a proposal.
Then, Anjie took out his cell phone and called Divac. Not long after the phone rang, it was connected.
"An! I was about to call you!? I heard that Meslav guy say, the Thunder are going to trade you!?" Anjie almost forgot that Meslav and Divac were family friends who have been playing since childhood. How could Meslav not vent Divac on such a thing?
"Yes, I called to discuss with you where I should go to show."
"Bitch!" Divac first cursed Yishe. This incident reminded him of the scene when he was abandoned by the Lakers.
"I tell you, you must find a place that respects you absolutely and takes you as the absolute core. Otherwise, this kind of thing will happen in the future! The Mavericks' first place is not good! Even if the German said he was willing to retreat to second place, the Mavericks are still his Nowitzki. There, you can never be the real master." Divac's analysis made Anjie feel that it was not unreasonable.
"To put it bluntly, the Mavericks are still building a lineup around Nowitzki. The team you need to find is a team that is willing to build a lineup around you. No matter how unbeatable that team is now, as long as they still want to rise and need you to be the pillar, then your exhibition in this team will definitely be very good!"
"So, the Rockets and the Trail Blazers, you can really consider it. The stars of these two teams have completely fallen due to injuries. Now, it is the moment when they need stars and pillars." Divac's analysis made Anjie's thinking clearer.
"Thank you, old man, I thought you would call me to the Lakers or the King." Angel knew that Divac was a nostalgic person, and the Lakers and the Kings had the highest position in Divac's heart.
"If I were to transfer, I would definitely give priority to these two teams. But this matter is about you, Anger's own future." Although Divac is not serious in his usual manner, he is meticulous when it comes to serious matters.
After hanging up the phone, An Jie dialed another number, which was also the last stop for him to ask for advice. This guy can always lead him out of the difficulties, and hope that this time, there will be no exception.
"Hey, boss." Anjie's last call was not to anyone else, but to his mentor, George Ricard.
"An, I've been waiting for your phone call for a long time." Before Anjie could say anything, Ricard seemed to have seen through it.
"Oh? You know I'm going to call you?" Anjie smiled. He thought Ricard was joking with him.
"Yes, I know you will definitely call me. Because you are now facing the confusion of transfer." Ricard said, Angel's hippie expression suddenly became serious. Now only he and several related people know about the transfer. Even the Yahoo master Adrian Wonarovsky didn't know anything about it. Angel didn't understand where Ricard heard the news.
"Tell me, do you have the answer?" Before Anjie, surprised, spoke, Ricard was the first to ask.
"Not yet." An Jie answered truthfully.
"An, tell me. After so many things, do you want to make money easily, or are you still eager for honor, victory, and championship! In other words, do you still want to win?" The questions from the Ricard yi series made Angel confused.
"Answer me." Seeing that Angel did not respond, Ricard asked again on the phone.
"I still want to win, I don't care about money, I don't care, I just want to try my best to play basketball and win with all my might, because I love basketball." Anjie didn't expect that Ricard would make the topic so heavy. So he followed his heart and answered Ricard's question heavily.
"Hmm..." Ricard thought for a few seconds. "Do you want to hear my advice?"
"Of course." Anjie didn't have time to consider why Ricard knew that he was about to transfer, and suddenly made the atmosphere so heavy. What he knew was that Ricard would do for his own good.
"An, go to Portland. If what you just said is true, if you still want to win, you still want to create your own glory. Instead of being confused and having an annual salary without any desires. Then, go to Portland." Ricard's tone was firm, making Anger feel that this proposal seemed unquestionable.
"But... why?" An Jie was puzzled. What is the excellence of the Trail Blazers? Now they are completely unable to compare with the Rockets and the Mavericks.
"Because, I want to win, An."
"Ah?" Anjie was even more confused when he heard Ricard say this.
"I have decided that I will coach at nBa. The day before yesterday, I signed with the Trail Blazers. If we can join forces again, I have confidence that we can win many games, we can win a lot of honors, and even that damn O'Brien Cup!" It turned out that Ricard knew that Angel was going to transfer was not accidental, but because he was already a participant in this deal.
"You? Coach Portland?" Anger couldn't believe his ears.
"I coach, you play. My team will tailor it for you, all staffing and all tactics will revolve around you. Then, we will win together." Ricard was full of confidence in Anjie, but he didn't know whether he could control Anjie's choice.
"Haha, why don't you say it earlier." An Jie was silent for a long time and suddenly laughed. "Let's go and win, boss, let's win those damn games!"
Anjie clenched his fists and looked at the view outside the window. The night view of Oklahoma is not what he needs. Only victory can make Anjie truly satisfied.
The invitation from Ricard, for Anjie, was an irresistible proposal.
"Mr. Meslav, pack up your things. Tomorrow, we will go to Portland!" Angel shouted excitedly at Meslav, his future seemed to have changed from hazy to clear.
Chapter completed!