The San Antonio Spurs' biggest offseason contract renewal was thus finalized.
That night, with a cheerful mood, Popovich, breaking his usual routine, had dinner with He Xi Meng, Duncan, Ginobili, and Yao Ming, and even had a little bit of China's Maotai liquor!
Popovich normally drank red wine and never overindulged, typically only one glass per meal.
But after tasting Maotai liquor today, it was as if a new world had opened up. He hadn't had enough with the first glass and had another, which resulted in him getting drunk.
"Hmm! Xi Meng, this liquor tastes quite good! Get me ten or eight cases! I want to collect them in my cellar..."
Duncan: "Xi Meng, get me ten cases too! I want to give them to the workers at my car factory!"
Ginobili: "Xi Meng, I want ten cases too! I want to give them to my friends in Argentina..."
Well now, do you all consider Maotai liquor to be beer, asking for cases by the dozen?
Yao Ming looked at the big shots making extravagant requests and then turned to He Xi Meng with a shocked expression: "Should I tell them the price of a case of Maotai?"
He Xi Meng waved his hand: "Forget it, let's just consider it promoting our Baijiu culture! As long as they like drinking it!"
The next day, Popovich woke up from his hangover, but his head didn't hurt, his vision was clear, and he had no other adverse effects of alcohol poisoning. His impression of the Maotai liquor he drank last night immediately improved.
However, compared to drinking, Popovich felt that bringing He Xi Meng back to San Antonio as soon as possible and finalizing the contract renewal should be more important.
Although He Xi Meng had verbally agreed to re-sign, Popovich was well aware of the league's operational rules, and anything could happen before the paper contract was formally signed!
Some teams would spare no expense to snatch up their desired players.
To sleep soundly, Popovich, taking advantage of the fact that many people were present, instructed Duncan, Ginobili, and Yao Ming to escort He Xi Meng directly back to San Antonio to sign and seal the deal before releasing him!
He Xi Meng re-signed with the Spurs for a 3-year, $42 million contract, with the first two years being team options and the third year being a player option!
The contract amount was $12 million for the first year, $14 million for the second year, and $16 million for the third year!
Popovich originally wanted to handle it discreetly, without a press conference, no reporting or promotion, just vaguely announcing that He Xi Meng and the Spurs had completed their contract renewal.
But many teams in the league were keeping an eye on He Xi Meng! How could Popovich get away with it?
When the contract between He Xi Meng and the Spurs was exposed, it immediately caused an uproar in public opinion!
Media outlets successively published articles questioning the contract's legality, suggesting the Spurs might have used illicit means to subsidize He Xi Meng to evade luxury taxes. After all, no one would turn down money!
Based on He Xi Meng's market value, he was earning at least $3 million less per year, totaling a loss of $10 million over three years. Who would give up such significant benefits for the team?
Behind these articles were funds with ulterior motives.
The league was forced to establish an investigation team to address these accusations.
Popovich eventually had to step forward to clarify personally: "He Xi Meng voluntarily took a pay cut to allow the team to maintain its championship contention. He has indeed sacrificed considerable benefits, and we should praise his noble spirit of sacrificing personal gain for the team's success, rather than questioning league violations! He is a great player and deserves our respect..."
This controversy raged for nearly a month until the league investigation team's conclusion was released, and public opinion gradually subsided.
Although, besides the fans in San Antonio, fans of other teams still couldn't believe that He Xi Meng could forgo millions of dollars for the team! Nearly $10 million! $10 million in 2002 was still very valuable!
Even with He Xi Meng's self-imposed pay cut for the contract renewal, the Spurs still faced significant salary pressure this season.
Duncan: $12 million, He Xi Meng: $12 million, David Robinson: $8 million, Ginobili: $4 million, Yao Ming: $4 million!
These five players alone accounted for $40 million of the Spurs' payroll!
In the new season, the salary cap was around $44 million, and the luxury tax line was around $49 million!
This meant that if the salaries of the remaining 10 players on the Spurs exceeded $9 million, the Spurs would have to pay luxury tax!
Fortunately, the Spurs had many rookies. Parker's salary for the new season was only $800,000, Stephen Jackson's was $700,000, and rookies like Prince, Boozer, and Barnes who joined this year all had first-year salaries under $1 million, giving the team some room to maneuver.
However, even so, the Spurs could only offer a mini mid-level exception contract to Bowen and Malik Rose, who were both nearing the end of their contracts.
In the end, Popovich matched the Lakers' offer of a 3-year, $11 million contract for Bowen, and declined to match the Nuggets' offer of a 4-year, $20 million mid-level exception contract for Malik Rose!
Firstly, the Lakers didn't lack guards and forwards, and pursuing Bowen was purely to annoy the Spurs.
Secondly, Bowen's contract was overall smaller than Malik Rose's, which would slightly lighten the team's burden.
Popovich successfully retained the starting lineup from the championship season.
David Robinson, Duncan, Bowen, Ginobili, and He Xi Meng all remained with the team!
On the bench, Yao Ming, Parker, and Stephen Jackson stayed, while Malik Rose and Arenas departed.
New teammates Prince, Boozer, Barnes, and Butler joined.
There were more Chinese players, and more talented players.
Even if Yao Ming wasn't moved into the starting lineup by Popovich this season, the inside rotation of Yao Ming and Boozer had He Xi Meng full of anticipation for the bench!
Young they may be, but their talent was limitless...
While Popovich was busy trying to avoid paying luxury taxes, He Xi Meng had already flown to Indianapolis with Da Yao, Da Zhi, Da Ba, and Lao Hu!
This summer, He Xi Meng had another important task: to lead the Chinese team to participate in the 14th FIBA World Championship held in Indianapolis!
The head coach of the Chinese team remained Zhang Bing, with Zhang Yide as the assistant coach.
"Xi Meng, I've made a solemn promise to my superiors for this World Championship, so you must help me out..."
Upon seeing He Xi Meng, Zhang Bing immediately grabbed his hands with great enthusiasm.
"Coach Zhang, let's talk properly, no need for physical contact..."
He Xi Meng was taken aback by Zhang Bing's sudden display of affection and struggled to pull his hands away, maintaining a safe distance from Zhang Bing in shock.
"Alright! As long as you can guarantee we get into the top three, I'll do anything you ask..."