It had to be admitted that both the Knicks and the Magic had shown Duncan a great deal of respect, going to great lengths to persuade him to switch teams.
Popovich had initially believed that Duncan would not be swayed by outside temptations and would not leave the Spurs, with whom he had such a good rapport. However, seeing the approach of the Knicks and the Magic, he began to feel a bit uneasy and uncertain. This was because, aside from offering Duncan a fixed salary, the Spurs could not do much else. They couldn't possibly have Popovich rent a helicopter and take Duncan on a tour of San Antonio, could they?
Therefore, Popovich could only offer a third path, distinct from the Knicks and the Magic: appeal to emotions!
So, Popovich asked He Xi Meng not to rush his vacation and also recalled David Robinson, who had already gone to Central America for his break, asking both of them to act as Spurs management lobbyists to persuade Duncan not to leave and to continue fighting for the Holy City.
David Robinson went on at length, saying: "Brothers united, can break gold… After I retire, oh, no, I don't need to retire, starting next season, the Spurs will be yours! You will be the big brother, leading these Spurs brothers to continue challenging for the championship, and I'll be your second-in-command, helping you manage the locker room… The Spurs are a bit poor, but I guarantee you, you won't find another club in the league with such an excellent team atmosphere…"
He Xi Meng asked David Robinson and Popovich to leave the conference room first, and then spoke to Duncan alone: "How are New York and Orlando?"
Duncan replied, "New Yorkers are rich, and Orlandoans are enthusiastic."
He Xi Meng asked again, "Do you want to play with us, or with Hill and McGrady, or with Allan Houston?"
"I'm not familiar with anyone else, and I don't know if I'll mesh well with them."
"Since things are so-so out there, then stay! You belong here, in the Holy City, you will have everything you desire: money, honor, status… You will become a legend of the Spurs, and also a legend of the league…"
"Okay, I will!"
Seeing Duncan nod in agreement, He Xi Meng pushed open the conference room door and stood up, ready to leave.
"Tim has agreed to stay, I'm leaving!" He Xi Meng said to Popovich and David Robinson waiting outside the door.
Popovich looked stunned, and David Robinson was petrified.
"It's done just like that?" Popovich couldn't believe that He Xi Meng had successfully convinced Duncan in less than three minutes of private conversation.
"It's done! Tim never really wanted to leave… Going to New York and Orlando was just about wanting to see the world, to see what other teams could offer him. After looking around, he felt it was all the same. Where else would he play if not here? It's better the devil you know. He has a familiar coaching staff here, familiar teammates, a familiar living environment, and his beloved old cars and fellow car enthusiasts… Staying should be a natural outcome, shouldn't it?"
Popovich and David Robinson simultaneously turned their gaze to Duncan behind He Xi Meng. Duncan grinned widely, revealing his white teeth, and nodded, "Xi Meng is absolutely right! I'm sorry to have worried you. Perhaps you can think of it as a little prank of mine…"
David Robinson unhesitatingly punched Duncan in the chest and grumbled, "You brat, you scared me to death! I thought you really wanted to jump ship… If you left, how would I get my second and third championship rings…"
Popovich gave Duncan a thumbs-up and said, "A realistic prank! Fortunately, it was just a prank…"
As Duncan re-signed with the Spurs and continued to stay in the Holy City, the other two big fishes, Hill and McGrady, could not resist the Magic's lobbying and went to Orlando to team up!
To acquire Hill, the Magic sent away the newly proven Ben Wallace and Atkins. Hill then signed and was traded from the Pistons, receiving a 7-year, $93 million contract.
McGrady joined the Magic as a free agent, also receiving a 7-year, $93 million contract, the same as Hill. This showed that McGrady's value had reached parity with Hill's, essentially placing him among the league's top players.
The Knicks, despite having plenty of money, failed to land any big fish. In the end, the Knicks opted to rebuild. To move Ewing, they went to great lengths, orchestrating a massive trade involving 4 teams and 12 players.
The Knicks sent Ewing, Chris Dudley, and a 2001 first-round draft pick to the Lakers for Glen Rice, Nate, and the Lakers' 2001 first-round draft pick, to the Suns for Luke Longley, and to the SuperSonics for Maxwell, Stan Van Gundy, and Ray Allen.
The SuperSonics acquired Ewing, pairing him with Payton in an attempt to form an "old man duo."
The Lakers acquired Horace Grant, Greg Foster, Chuck Person, and Elden Campbell.
The Suns received Chris Dudley and the Knicks' 2001 first-round draft pick.
…
The Knicks had originally thought that with the league's wealthiest home court and most ample salary cap space, their resurgence would only take a season or two. Little did they know that for many years to come, the Knicks would never regain the glory of the Ewing era, let alone surpass it.
After finalizing Duncan's contract, He Xi Meng flew back to Los Angeles to accompany Kayla on vacation. Kayla had just finished filming "Pirates of the Caribbean 1" and was in a period of downtime. She had several offers from film crews but was unsure of what type of film to shoot next. Should she continue with a big commercial production like "Pirates of the Caribbean" to earn money and fame, or should she shoot a meaningful drama to aim for an Oscar?
Kayla came to ask He Xi Meng for his opinion, and he unhesitatingly advised her to choose the drama!
"For blockbusters, you already have the 'Pirates' series. I guarantee that even if you're incredibly famous, your salary will increase with each film…"
"Oh? Series? One after another?" Kayla caught the scent of a sequel to "Pirates" in He Xi Meng's words.
"Absolutely! 'Pirates of the Caribbean' will definitely be a huge hit, and after a huge hit, there will be sequels! And if the sequels are big hits, then there will be sequels to the sequels… How should I put it, at least three or four successful installments, right?"
"Really? Are you that confident?"
"Of course! Have you forgotten who wrote the original novel!"
"Hmm… Darling, I have to admit, your occasional boastful demeanor is quite charming…"
"I'm warning you, you'd better not look at me with those fangirl eyes!"
"What if I don't listen?"
"Then I might lose control and devour you!"
Kayla giggled enchantingly and struck a pose as if inviting him to "devour" her…
He Xi Meng lost control, and before they had finished discussing business, he was drawn into the bedroom by Kayla.
An hour later, He Xi Meng, now in a state of post-coital clarity, moved the few script drafts from the living room table to the bed and earnestly helped Kayla re-analyze which project to take on.
Kayla, wrapped in a white sheet, struck a pose like a drunken concubine, her golden hair cascading naturally, with a lingering blush on her cheeks.