That day, facing Bird's exorbitant demands, Mullin, knowing this was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, felt an urge to burn Bird alive at the stake until the meeting ended.
"If you want to burn me at the stake, there's no need."
"Why?"
"Because I'm Larry Bird, and my death is mine to decide."
"..."
"And we're clearly losing on this trade... You're getting an All-Star small forward from me for just two irrelevant role players, and he just scored 15 points and had 5 steals in a game."
"Larry, Michael and Adonal are not irrelevant role players! They are important players for us. What's more, you're demanding four of our draft picks."
"But I also have to include a player to balance the salaries in this trade, why can't you be more understanding of me?"
In November 2005, even after returning from his suspension after the "Malice at the Palace" incident, Ron Artest, who had been away from the court for nearly a year, showed good form. However, feeling a persistent lack of support from the team, the conflict between Artest and the Pacers management became inevitable.
Historically, after a period of escalating tension...
The Pacers would eventually trade Artest to the Kings for another All-Star small forward, Peja Stojaković.
Although, due to injury concerns and other issues, Peja didn't turn out to be as great as Pacers fans imagined.
At the beginning of the trade, this All-Star for All-Star deal was definitely fair and square.
And this...
Was why Larry Bird dared to make such extravagant demands in front of Chris Mullin.
After all, he was Bird, who never liked to lose.
Even when facing his old friend Mullin, Bird couldn't let him take Artest for free.
---
First, having witnessed the Messiah shatter the Cavaliers with a "The Dunk" in Cleveland...
Then, after an unpleasant night with the team in Miami, Mike Dunleavy Jr. had just returned to Oakland when he saw the news that the Warriors and Pacers were about to complete a trade.
In the original historical timeline, although Warriors General Manager Mullin would also trade Dunleavy Jr., Murphy, and others in a future trade involving Stephen Jackson and Al Harrington, and gladly accept the big gift package from Bird, for Mike Dunleavy, who didn't know what the future held at this moment, he suddenly felt melancholy upon seeing the news.
Because he had finally seen that damn light...
Ever since he entered the league wearing the hat of "only became a No. 3 pick because of old Dunleavy," Dunleavy Jr. had never felt like this before.
This moment was called:
He had finally met the true connoisseur who appreciated his off-ball movement and basketball IQ.
Under the Warriors' new system, alongside Zack, Dunleavy Jr. had undoubtedly spent a very happy month and a half.
Even if Zack had been more ruthless during the preseason training camp, he might have had to switch to playing in the WNBA.
But compared to the respect and appreciation he received on the court...
In Dunleavy Jr.'s eyes, what was that kick worth?
However, those good days were about to end.
And...
Such good days might never come again.
So, even though he had long been prepared for the possibility of being traded, Dunleavy Jr. still didn't want to open the news he saw on the day he returned to Oakland.
"You started packing and came to say goodbye to us without even reading the news? Mike, I suggest you take a good look at the content of that news."
"Huh?"
[Breaking news, the Golden State Warriors have reached a trade agreement with the Indiana Pacers.
In this trade, the Golden State Warriors will send out Michael Pietrus, Adonal Foyle, and their first-round picks in 2006 and 2008, and second-round picks in 2007 and 2009.
The Pacers, on the other hand, will package All-Star forward Ron Artest and Anthony Johnson (to balance salaries) to Oakland.]
Four draft picks.
Pietrus plus Foyle.
The Warriors got Artest and a bench warmer from the Pacers.
On the day the trade was completed, this hard-to-evaluate trade immediately sparked heated discussions.
Pacers fans felt like they had been robbed by the Warriors.
"They only got two role players for our All-Star small forward?"
And Warriors fans believed Mullin must have taken a kickback in this trade.
"Why does Ron Artest cost us four draft picks?"
It turns out this was a trade where both sides were very dissatisfied with each other.
But since it could be accomplished by Bird and Mullin, there must be a reason for it.
"Ron's heart is no longer with us. The Warriors are willing to trade four draft picks, so we can focus on the long term.
Michael Pietrus is a quality 3-and-D wing, and Adonal Foyle can also help Jermaine (O'Neal) contend with Shaq in future games."
In fact, compared to Peja, whom the Pacers acquired from the Kings historically...
If you only look at the outcome, Bird's acquisition in this trade could only be described as a sure win.
And the Warriors?
"Michael Pietrus can't guard superstars like Kobe Bryant and LeBron James. We need a true defensive stopper on the wing.
Even if we have to give up some draft picks for that, so what? Our future is the Messiah, not those draft picks full of unknown factors."
Undoubtedly, from the moment this trade was completed...
The Warriors, in the Western Conference, which was then full of powerhouses, officially obtained their ticket to the "strong team club."
Although how strong they truly were remained to be seen.
But this was definitely a good trade.
Because as Mullin said.
Pietrus, the "French Jordan"...
Had already proven in his career matchups against Kobe and James that he couldn't guard these players.
Moreover, if the Warriors continued to exhaust Zack on both offense and defense...
Then no matter how good Zack's stats would be, in two months, he would surely be worn out by the NBA's dense schedule.
So, they needed Artest's defense.
And Artest's offensive firepower, which hadn't yet been taken away by time.
Five days later, Artest, having finished a series of affairs in Indianapolis, officially arrived in Oakland.
Even though he hadn't practiced with the team even once beforehand, Artest was still placed in the starting lineup for the Warriors' game against the Bucks that night by head coach Montgomery.
Regarding this, Artest, who would wear No. 96 for the Warriors, said while introducing himself to his teammates, "I'm very grateful for the trust you've given me. I believe I won't disappoint you."
New environment, new team, new teammates, and the fresh air around him...
After leaving the utterly disappointing Indianapolis, Artest suddenly felt as if the whole world had become beautiful.
Under Davis's leadership, Artest quickly completed his team initiation.
And got a general understanding of the Warriors' current team situation.
During the initiation ceremony, the only thing that puzzled Artest was...
How all the veteran players on the Warriors team were eagerly carrying bags for Zack.
Perhaps this was a "treat the rookie well" culture unique to the Warriors?
"Let me warn you first, Ron... In the locker room and on the court, never try to provoke our Messiah."
"Baron, I'm not the kind of troublemaker you imagine."
"I know, that's why I'm warning you, not threatening you."
"What if I try to provoke him?"
"First, I don't think you can beat him. Second, you'll face the wrath of the entire Bay Area alone."
"Including your wrath?"
"I'll load my gun instantly."
At that moment, Artest noticed that the original "Big Beard" didn't seem to be joking.
So...
Although he didn't know why this city had become so enamored with Zack in such a short time, for Artest, who at this moment wanted to prove himself through his on-court performance, none of that mattered.
It was just rules, right?
In the NBA, which team didn't have its own rules?
And what's more...
In the game against the Bucks that night, during the Warriors' first offensive possession after tip-off, Artest felt that he had a chemical reaction with the so-called Messiah.
At that time, Artest, holding the ball on the right side of the court, successfully used Zack's screen.
"This guy's screen quality is really damn reliable!"
At that moment, looking at Bobby Simmons, who was completely screened off by Zack, Artest thought to himself.
Then, Artest shot an open three-pointer from beyond the arc.
Clang!
Having just joined the team, after missing this excellent scoring opportunity, Artest, who planned to turn over a new leaf in Oakland, immediately raised his right hand to his teammates, indicating that he had messed up this offensive possession himself.
However...
To Artest's embarrassment, no one on the court paid him any mind.
Because as Zack grabbed the offensive rebound to the cheers of the home crowd, the other teammates were already preparing for a second-chance opportunity.
But Artest's raised hand allowed Zack to spot him instantly.
So...
Another open three-point opportunity appeared before Artest.
Swish!
This time, a more prepared Artest successfully made his first three-pointer in a Warriors uniform.
On the transition back, Artest wanted to thank Zack.
But before he could speak, he saw Zack, with astonishing speed, retreating to the defensive end with his other teammates.
"What a good team."
Artest thought to himself at that moment.
In the first quarter, orchestrated by Zack and Davis, all five of the Warriors' starters scored.
Among them, Artest was 2-for-6 from the field, and 1-for-3 from three-point range, becoming the player responsible for dragging down the Warriors' overall field goal percentage tonight.
During the break between quarters, Artest initiated a conversation with Davis, "Is your offense always this fluid every night?"
Hearing this, Davis shook his head and said, "It's just that tonight's opponent is relatively weak..."
The Bucks this season...
Were they very weak?
Although the Bucks were indeed appallingly bad last season.
But this season, with Michael Redd, Maurice Williams, T.J. Ford, Jamal Magloire, and Andrew Bogut, they were currently ranked seventh in the Eastern Conference.
Artest had the good fortune of playing against them once before while with the Pacers.
In that game, Artest, who had 24 points and 6 assists, and his teammates were defeated by a game-winning shot from Redd-led Bucks in the final moments.
So, instinctively, Artest felt that Davis was showing off to him.
However, soon, as the Warriors' bench unit, led by Dunleavy Jr. and Murphy, further extended the lead, Artest felt that in front of this Warriors team, the Bucks truly seemed like a pushover.
Moreover, what caught Artest's eye next was...
Dunleavy Jr., who usually left him with the impression of being "soft" in their past matchups, was clearly possessed by Larry Bird tonight.
Not only was he hitting everything from beyond the arc, but his off-ball movement constantly disrupted the Bucks' defensive schemes.
Even Troy Murphy...
Showed a tough-guy demeanor in front of Bogut, the rookie the Bucks drafted this year.
In the first half of this quarter, as Bogut prepared to score off the glass under the basket, Murphy directly took him down to the floor in a bear hug.
"Did he always play like this?" Artest asked Davis, pointing at Murphy on the court.
Seeing this, Davis shook his head and said, "Not like this... but Troy has indeed become much tougher on the court lately, especially when fouling."
Artest, who had originally fantasized about his All-Star small forward self bringing some shock to this Warriors team before arriving in Oakland, never expected that the one who would be greatly shocked tonight would be himself.
If everything continued like this...
Then Artest would undoubtedly have an incredibly beautiful night, and a...
Perfect Warriors debut.
But since he couldn't even stand tough against Murphy tonight...
On the Bucks' bench, no one apparently noticed a pair of malicious eyes already fixed on Jason Richardson.
You ask why the owner of these eyes would stare at Richardson?
Because compared to the other players on the Warriors roster, in the mind of the owner of these eyes, besides Richardson being relatively easy to bully...
His ceaseless laughter since the beginning of the game had become a thorn in the side of the owner of these eyes.
Why can you keep laughing?
It turns out that describing Mr. Andrew Bogut as a dog...
Is indeed a huge insult to the lovable species known as canines.
On the court, as the increasingly enraged Bogut had his vile and filthy genes awakened...
An accident soon caused this originally calm and uneventful game to be interrupted.
At that time, after re-entering the game...
Richardson, who received a pass from Zack, intended to perform a windmill dunk for the sleepy home crowd, who had already become drowsy due to the team's large lead.
But to Richardson's surprise, the moment he landed from his dunk...
A sinister, malicious foot had already been planted where he was about to land.
Then, as Richardson fell to the ground, clutching his face in pain, the entire arena instantly plunged into chaos.
On the court at that time...
Even though the perpetrator, Bogut, pretended to be wronged and tried to disguise the incident as an accident, the Warriors players surrounded him immediately.
"Damn it! That cursed bastard!" At that moment, even Artest, on his first day with the team, was furious.
However...
Just as Artest was about to charge onto the court, noticing Artest's expression had already changed, and seeing Zack charging towards Bogut...
In a flash, grabbing a stool from the bench, Mike Dunleavy Jr. rushed to Bogut with the fastest speed, then leaped up and slammed the stool heavily onto Bogut's head!
Bang!
In that instant, Dunleavy Jr.'s smash stunned everyone present!
So much so that people didn't even care how many unspeakable words Dunleavy Jr. then yelled at Bogut.
And after directly knocking Bogut unconscious...
Dunleavy Jr. also roared at the Bucks players who were preparing to approach, "You want to fight? Come on! Today, I'll fight you bastards to the end!"
Actually...
After Dunleavy Jr. knocked Bogut unconscious, the Bucks players, knowing they were in the wrong, just wanted to check on Bogut's injury.
But facing the completely deranged Dunleavy Jr. at that moment, who dared to step forward?
Ultimately, this farce ended with Bogut being stretchered off the court, Richardson returning to the locker room for treatment, and Dunleavy Jr. being ejected.
Afterward, Mike Dunleavy Jr. would definitely face penalties from the league.
"How many games will he be suspended for?" Artest, who had now developed a newfound respect for the Warriors team, asked Davis beside him.
"It doesn't matter. No matter how long, we'll wait for him to come back." Davis said decisively, turning his gaze to Artest.
Then, after a pause, the original "Big Beard" added, "Mike... is our hero tonight!"
In fact, the moment he grabbed the stool and charged at Bogut...
Dunleavy Jr., who didn't have a deep friendship with Richardson, had only one thought in his mind:
He absolutely could not allow the newly reformed Artest and the Warriors' Messiah to be suspended.
So, he selflessly picked up the stool.
And slammed it without hesitation onto Bogut's head, a head that wouldn't have been too much if it had been chopped off.
At the Oracle Arena, when Dunleavy Jr. was ejected, Zack, disregarding any potential penalties from the league, led the entire crowd in giving a standing ovation to this player who was usually seen as "soft."
Although in this life, Zack had indeed led the Warriors down a completely different path.
But at this very moment...
The "We Believe Warriors" were unintentionally formed!
"Welcome to the team, Ron."
Before the game restarted, Zack extended his large hand to Artest and said.
The next second, Artest, feeling that he had finally found the right organization, laughed heartily and said, "From now on, we can't let this game just end like this."
Hearing this, Zack nodded and said, "There are no court manners in this arena tonight! Gentlemen, there is no such thing as garbage time tonight!"
On the court, after the game restarted...
Zack, who charged from the paint to the perimeter, first swatted away Maurice Williams' shot with a slap, then controlled the second rebound, and with a solo tomahawk dunk, officially kicked off the slaughter.
This night, the Bucks players, who had no past grudges or recent conflicts with the Warriors, had never seen such a scene.
On the court, all the Warriors players, whenever they were on the floor, would press them like crazy.
Even to control the situation...
In the third and fourth quarters, Zack, Brown, and Artest successively fouled out with six fouls each (only playing 11 minutes).
But even the fringe players brought in by the Warriors would fight for every ball!
In the final quarter, until the last offensive possession, when Biedrins, who already had five fouls (only playing 11 minutes), completed an alley-oop dunk...
This nightmare night for all Bucks players finally came to an end.
Ultimately, although the Bucks scored 97 points thanks to 58 free throws...
The Warriors, however, ignited all of Oakland and exploded the entire Bay Area with the 140 points they racked up that night!
And at NBA headquarters...
When the footage of Dunleavy Jr.'s "shocking smash" in the game was delivered to David Stern...
"Couldn't our referees have stopped him before he swung?"
Hearing this, Vice President Mark wiped the sweat from his forehead and said, "David, you have to understand, if the referees hadn't prioritized holding Zack back...
Then right now, the protagonist of this footage would be the Warriors' Messiah."
Seeing this, Stern took a deep breath and said, "How is Andrew Bogut's injury?"
Mark replied, "Reportedly, it's a concussion."
Then, Stern asked about Richardson's injury.
"According to Warriors team sources, Jason should be out for about three weeks."
At that moment, Stern finally heard some good news.
As long as Richardson's injury wasn't serious, the Warriors wouldn't fall out of contention in the Western Conference this year due to a key player's injury.
"David, how do you want to punish Mike Dunleavy?"
"Did his father give any interviews to the media after the incident?"
"Old Mike said his son has always been an introverted, gentle, and kind person, and he believes there must be a misunderstanding."
"Gentle and kind?"
"Old Mike also said that his son is young and naive, still a child, and hopes the public can give him a chance to reform."
In the office, Stern, who suddenly felt overwhelmed, said, "Then, for his father's sake, give him a chance to reform."
The next day, the NBA's disciplinary decision regarding Dunleavy Jr. was swiftly announced.
For intentionally injuring a person with a chair during the game, Dunleavy Jr. would be suspended for the Warriors' next 12 games, fined $50,000, and during the suspension, the Warriors would not have to pay his salary.
Additionally, after the suspension, Dunleavy Jr. would attend a three-day league safety education course as a warning.
As for Andrew Bogut, who was knocked unconscious by Dunleavy Jr....
Besides being blacklisted by Stern for this malicious undercut...
Stern also suspended him for 3 games and fined him $50,000, citing his provocation of Warriors players on the court, which led to the escalation of the situation.
Although, on the surface, Bogut's punishment seemed less severe than Dunleavy Jr.'s...
In a sense, this player, known for his vile conduct in Zack's memory, was already socially ruined.
After the Bucks returned to Milwaukee, not a single Bucks player chose to visit Bogut in the hospital afterward.
Not even one Bucks player expressed concern for him over the phone.
Because Bogut's intentional undercut in the game caused the entire Bucks team to bear immense public pressure afterward.
Especially the next day, as the league's disciplinary results were announced, Bay Area media outlets successively condemned Bogut's undercutting action in the game.
"As a fair, open, and just league, we know that Mr. David Stern must strictly adhere to the bottom line of procedural justice.
But if undercutting actions like Andrew Bogut's are not prohibited, then in the future, more players will surely be injured and even fall."
In fact, in the NBA, a fair takedown in a game, or a slightly more aggressive defense, usually wouldn't cause any controversy afterward.
After all, basketball isn't a sport where physical contact is forbidden.
But actions like malicious undercutting on the court...
Can only be described as morally bankrupt.
Vince Carter, who had been undercut by Bowen three times in his career, said after learning the disciplinary results of the "Oracle Arena Incident": "Jason Richardson has a good teammate."
Kobe Bryant also said in an interview: "In a game, I'd rather an opponent just punch me directly than undercut me."
And within the Warriors team, the day after the "Oracle Arena Incident," Dunleavy Jr. received a hero's welcome.
That day, Zack, carrying bags for a veteran for the first time in his career, smiled at him and said, "Do you remember how brave you were back then?"
Hearing this, Dunleavy Jr. said with a look of shame and difficulty, "Actually... after I returned to the locker room, I was trembling, because I was afraid I would lose the chance to play basketball forever."
In this life, Dunleavy Jr.'s "shocking smash" not only completely changed his career trajectory to another path, but he also personally earned himself a contract extension.
Although historically, after the 2005-06 season, the Warriors would also offer Dunleavy a five-year contract extension worth approximately $45 million.
But compared to the contract in Zack's memory, which was widely considered to be an extremely bad deal...
At this moment, he not only deserved this treatment, but he also successfully gained the recognition of all his teammates, coaches, and fans.
However, moving forward, due to Dunleavy Jr.'s suspension and Richardson's three-week absence due to injury...
The Warriors had to adjust their game lineup and strategy in time.
Because in the Western Conference at this time...
Those notorious powerhouses wouldn't feel sorry for or pity you.
On November 30th, after defeating the Kings 99-90 on the road, the Warriors concluded their first month of the new NBA season with a 10-5 record.
Throughout November, Zack averaged 27.4 points, 13.8 rebounds, 6.8 assists, 2.8 blocks, and 1.4 steals for the Warriors.
How to describe Zack's performance in his rookie season's first month?
On December 1st, the NBA officially announced the November awards.
Zack undoubtedly won the Western Conference Rookie of the Month.
And shared the NBA's Western Conference Player of the Month for the first month of the new season with Kobe, who averaged 41.8 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 4.4 assists for the Lakers.
Additionally, on the NBA's newly released regular season MVP rankings...
Zack, a rookie who had just entered the league, temporarily ranked sixth in the league. (Note ①)
ESPN summarized Zack's rookie season's first month performance: "Under his leadership, the refreshed Golden State Warriors have shaken off last season's slump.
Now, let's see if he can continue his 'phenomenal' performance in the rest of this season."
In December, the Warriors were about to face an incredibly tough schedule.
Besides hosting the Spurs, Mavericks, Suns, and Grizzlies...
They would also challenge the Nuggets and Jazz, both of whom had high-altitude home courts, on the road.
And compared to Zack, who was thriving more and more in the NBA in November of this year...
On December 1st...
In the Rockets' road game against the Timberwolves, as the "T-Mac" once again suffered a recurrence of his back injury...
Coupled with the Rockets only making two minor trades recently, after the game, while chatting with Kevin Garnett, Yao Ming, for the first time in his life, poured out his grievances to the "Big Ticket."
Hearing this, Garnett, feeling that he and Yao Ming were in the same boat, immediately opened up.
"Listen to me, even though you're still young... but I have to tell you from my experience, your little brother is absolutely right, Yao, don't let that damn loyalty ruin you."
This new season, having only achieved 3 wins in November...
No matter how optimistic Garnett's nature was, he knew very well that the Timberwolves were already out of contention in the Western Conference this season.
In this era of "strong West, weak East," the competitive pressure in the entire Western Conference was just that immense.
"Actually, I also talked about this with Ray Allen in Seattle before..."
That day, looking at Garnett, and recalling Ray Allen from before, Yao Ming even had an urge to create an "NBA Patients' Group."
And seeing this, Garnett, while sighing with emotion, also reminded Yao Ming, "Yao, do you know that back in Michael Jordan's era, there was always an unwritten rule in the NBA?"
The next second, Yao Ming shook his head.
After a pause, Garnett said, "That is, the rise of every superstar inevitably portends the fall of another superstar.
In Michael Jordan's era, if a young player wanted to rise to power, he had to challenge those stubborn old guys who were unwilling to give up their authority.
I used to be one of those challengers.
But now... I'm no longer young."
That day, Garnett's words were clearly meant to remind Yao Ming.
Since you are also an NBA All-Star center, you should know that with the rise of new-generation players like Zack...
The NBA landscape will inevitably undergo earth-shattering changes in the next one or two seasons.
In fact, the rules of the Jordan era also applied in the post-Jordan era.
Because this cruel and ruthless rule was the key for David Stern to cultivate one superstar after another.
New stars rise.
Old stars must make way.
This was an ironclad rule established by Stern and the NBA stars of the 80s and 90s through tacit understanding.
The NBA only has twenty-four All-Stars each year.
But it includes hundreds of the world's top basketball players.
That day, after a casual chat with Garnett, Yao Ming once again felt the urgency of time.
Meanwhile...
In Seattle, Ray Allen, who couldn't stand the team's dismal situation, posed a century-old problem to the team management that day.
Although this century-old problem had no immediate solution...
It allowed Howard Schultz, the owner of the SuperSonics, who had completely despaired of the Washington state government, to see a glimmer of possibility in the darkness.
Historically, there were many conspiracy theories about Schultz finally selling the SuperSonics.
But one of these conspiracy theories was the most logically consistent with reality.
That is, because Schultz could not convince the Washington state government to fund the renovation of the KeyArena, which was then rented by the SuperSonics but already dilapidated...
Stern conspired with Schultz to introduce the Oklahoma City ownership group led by Clay Bennett.
And allowed Schultz to use the sale of the team as leverage, threatening to relocate the SuperSonics to Oklahoma City, putting extreme pressure on the Washington state government and Seattle citizens who disagreed with renovating the arena.
The evidence for this conspiracy theory comes from a legislative hearing on February 24, 2006.
At that hearing, Stern and Schultz would successively express their firm stance to the Washington state government:
The Washington state government must fund the renovation of KeyArena, otherwise the NBA would take action themselves.
"Baseball and football in Washington State already have a good foundation. I'm here in a private capacity this time to see if the NBA can also receive the same fair treatment.
If Washington State doesn't approve this plan, we can accept it, but then we will take action ourselves."
Historically, this extreme pressure would eventually lead to Seattle losing the SuperSonics NBA team.
Although Bennett, after acquiring the SuperSonics, had once promised local fans that the SuperSonics would not relocate...
From the moment they decided to bring in Bennett, this Oklahoma City businessman, the NBA had secretly prepared to move the SuperSonics.
This is the most famous conspiracy theory that led to the SuperSonics' relocation.
Since Washington State was unwilling to even fund the renovation of the arena that the SuperSonics had long rented...
Then why should the NBA keep a team there?
However...
This originally irreversible outcome, that day, because of the century-old problem posed by Ray Allen, allowed Schultz to find a solution.
In fact, for a long time, the main reason why Schultz left the impression of being "stingy" on SuperSonics fans was because the team incurred a loss of $60 million within five years after he took over.
Moreover, regarding the Washington state government's attitude, Schultz also developed the idea of why he should increase investment in this team.
"Yao once revealed to me in a chat that if the Rockets continue to do nothing, he might leave Houston in the future. If he leaves, do we have enough leverage to trade for him?"
"Also, Kevin (Garnett) is fed up in Minnesota, and he wants to play in a new environment with new teammates."
That day, Ray Allen, always outspoken and never hiding anything, originally just wanted to test the team's attitude and find out whether the team intended to tank or still had ambitions.
But unintentionally...
A magnificent picture suddenly appeared in Schultz's mind, who was planning to conspire with Stern.
Leverage to trade for Yao Ming?
If Yao Ming truly wanted to leave Houston, and the SuperSonics were determined, Schultz believed that Stern would secretly assist.
A first overall pick, plus a few good players, Schultz didn't believe this leverage couldn't bring back Yao Ming, who was determined to leave Houston.
After all, Yao Ming had already told Alexander through the "3+1" contract he signed with the Rockets that if the Rockets didn't want to let him go for free after playing 7 seasons...
Then the Rockets could only put him on the trade block earlier.
As for Garnett?
As long as the Timberwolves were willing, Schultz could immediately have the management use Rashard Lewis as the main trade piece, along with various draft picks and role players, to trade with the Timberwolves.
Schultz knew very well that Yao Ming's commercial value was the key to turning the SuperSonics' losses into profits.
And as long as the SuperSonics could turn a profit...
Then even the tough Washington state government would surely soften its stance.
"Why should Leslie, that old bastard, get all the benefits? Why can't a player like Yao come and play in Seattle for a few years?"
That day, Schultz had made up his mind.
He intended to discuss with Stern the possibility of the SuperSonics acquiring Yao Ming through trade before that extreme pressure.
Anyway, no matter whether it eventually works out...
In Schultz's eyes, it was always better than the current half-dead situation of the SuperSonics.
---
Note ①: Player of the Month awards are one thing; at this time in the NBA, when evaluating MVP, team record was still a fundamental principle.