"Hmm... I think I know a little bit..."
"Know what bull****! You see how much money I've made playing ball all these years? But to independently bid for and operate a team is still very difficult..."
"Uh... I said a big shot, very rich! Someone who plays with private equity..."
"Don't worry about buying a team for now! Focus on playing ball and making money honestly! When you retire and save enough, maybe I can consider selling you some team shares, let you be a small boss... Well, I expect by then I'll already be the big boss of the Wizards..."
"Uh..." Coach Jordan's confidence was truly one of a kind.
While He Xi Meng was reminding him that Bolin might kick him out, Coach Jordan was still fantasizing about gradually becoming the big boss of the Wizards.
"Alright, you continue to dream about your Wizards, I'm definitely not going to the Wizards to go crazy with you..."
Coach Jordan rarely visited the West Coast, so He Xi Meng naturally had to play the host.
And what is Los Angeles most famous for, besides business? Naturally, Hollywood!
What does Hollywood have? Female stars!
Through Kayla and Scarlett, He Xi Meng invited a bunch of Hollywood actresses to accompany Coach Jordan on a tour of Hollywood. Coach Jordan was very satisfied... Even if he didn't join the Wizards, it wouldn't affect their friendship.
The Knicks offered a huge contract, Popovich was not worried.
The Lakers sent their OK combination plus Da Zhi to lobby, Popovich was not worried.
The Lakers had the OK combination plus Da Zhi, and the Spurs had Duncan plus Yao Ming. Popovich had already negotiated with the Nuggets and was preparing to bring Big Baby to San Antonio to fill the void left by Scola's inability to come.
But this damned Coach Jordan personally made a move, coupled with the news of him touring Hollywood with He Xi Meng, reaching San Antonio, Popovich couldn't sit still.
Because Popovich knew very well the influence Coach Jordan had on He Xi Meng's generation. Few people could resist the temptation of playing with Coach Jordan, especially someone like He Xi Meng who already had three championship rings at such a young age...
Popovich dragged Duncan out of the modification shop, asked Yao Ming to postpone his return flight, and ordered Ginobili, who was camping, to return to San Antonio immediately... He took a red-eye flight to Los Angeles overnight to prevent He Xi Meng from joining the Wizards!
But when He Xi Meng opened the door and saw Popovich, Duncan, Ginobili, and Yao Ming flying in from San Antonio, looking dusty and disheveled, he was dumbfounded: "What's going on? Are you guys here on vacation?"
"I wish I were here on vacation!" Duncan said in a low voice, head down, "Can I come in and use the restroom? I drank too much coffee on the plane..."
"Of course!" He Xi Meng quickly invited the four of them into his living room.
Kayla was not home, so everyone was very casual.
Duncan headed straight for the toilet, Ginobili went to the kitchen for food, and Yao Ming borrowed He Xi Meng's landline to call his parents in Shanghai: "I can't go back to China today! There's some unexpected work here..."
He Xi Meng watched these guys bustling around his house, wondering what Popovich was up to.
"That thing..." Popovich also had moments of embarrassment, "I just wanted to talk to you about contract renewal!"
"Didn't we agree to discuss the contract renewal with the management after I finish my week of vacation and return to San Antonio?"
"That was the original plan... By the way, has Michael been in Los Angeles these past two days?"
"Yes, he's been fooling around for a few days! I just saw him off on a plane about an hour ago! What, you're looking for Michael? Then you're too late..."
"No, no, no! I'm not looking for Michael, I'm just looking for you! What did Michael ask you for?"
"To invite me to join the Wizards!"
As soon as He Xi Meng said this, the room instantly fell silent.
Duncan, just coming out of the bathroom, stared intently at He Xi Meng.
Ginobili paused his sip of water and turned around.
Yao Ming also suddenly stopped talking, ignoring the "hello hello hello" from the phone, and turned to He Xi Meng.
At that moment, everyone's gaze was fixed on He Xi Meng.
Popovich swallowed and asked tremblingly, "Did you agree?"
"Of course not!"
Everyone breathed a sigh of relief.
"That's good!" Popovich asked eagerly, "So, have you decided who to sign with? As far as I know, besides the Wizards, the Knicks and the Lakers have both extended invitations to you, and the conditions offered are quite generous..."
"Indeed generous! Especially the Knicks and the Lakers, they are really willing to spend money!"
"You can't just look at money when you play ball! You also need to find like-minded people! You taught me that!" Duncan interjected unexpectedly, "Two years ago, the Magic offered me a contract, wasn't it outrageously large..."
"You're right! I never said I was going to join the Knicks and the Lakers!"
"What about the Wizards? Do you want to play with Michael?" Ginobili chimed in, "Honestly, if I had the chance to play with Michael, I definitely wouldn't let it go..."
"Cough cough..." Popovich quickly coughed, interrupting the young fan of Jordan. Ginobili's words... he's actually helping the wrong side! He's pushing He Xi Meng towards the Wizards!
Hearing Popovich's cough, Ginobili quickly shut up and changed the subject: "Of course! Playing with Michael is important, but you also have to consider the team Michael is on! With the Wizards' pathetic roster, even if you join, it will be difficult to carry them. You might not even get out of the East, let alone win a championship..."
Popovich was quite satisfied with Ginobili's backtracking.
Seeing that Duncan and Ginobili had already spoken, Yao Ming thought, as a lobbyist invited by Popovich, he had to say something, right?
"That thing... we need you!" Yao Ming, with simple words, expressed the most basic truth.
Duncan slapped his thigh: "That's the point!"
Facing these less-than-competent lobbyists, He Xi Meng finally understood what they meant. He turned to Popovich and suggested.
"Barring any accidents, I won't be leaving the Spurs! But I may need to discuss the specific contract terms with the management! However, it's best not to discuss it in front of these guys! I'm worried that if they hear too much, it won't be good for your future contract renewals with them..."
"Mm... makes sense... That thing, why don't you three go out for a walk?"