Popovich's so-called verification subject was a jab at the Timberwolves' freshly inked "strange" contract!
Joe Smith, who averaged 13.7 points and 8.2 rebounds last season, had surprisingly rejected a four-year, $36 million offer from the Warriors, opting instead for a meager one-year, $2.1 million deal with the Timberwolves.
It was obvious to everyone that this contract had some underlying issues. Yet, the Timberwolves acted as if they had pulled off a secret, pretending the rest of the league was unaware.
After leaving San Antonio, He Xi Meng directly declined all subsequent invitations from other teams and booked a flight to a Caribbean beach. The final step wasn't comparing offers from various teams, but convincing Kayla to move from Los Angeles to San Antonio.
"Did the Lakers not offer you a contract?"
"No."
"Was the Lakers' offer too small?"
"Not that either."
"Since the Lakers were willing to give you a contract that matched your value, why refuse them and choose the Spurs? Isn't that taking the long way around?"
When He Xi Meng announced his decision to play in San Antonio, Kayla was bewildered and struggled to accept it. After all, as a rising Hollywood star, Kayla's base had to be Los Angeles, not the desolate San Antonio…
"Darling, we don't need to move! We don't need to sell our house! We just need to buy another house in San Antonio as my place to rest while I play! On days I'm not playing, I'll return to Los Angeles. Los Angeles is our home, San Antonio is just where I work… You can continue filming, and when you have free time, you can visit me in San Antonio, just as I visit your film sets… There's an old Chinese saying, 'If love is everlasting, why should it matter if partners are near or far?'"
"Are you sure?"
"Of course! I never lie! Especially not to you! I didn't before, I don't now, and I never will…"
"What do you mean by that last sentence, 'If love is everlasting, why should it matter if partners are near or far?'"
"It means that true love doesn't falter because of distance or time…"
"Oh… Darling, ancient Chinese love sayings are truly abundant…"
"Naturally! China also has a saying, 'An hour of spring night is worth a thousand pieces of gold!'"
"What does that mean?"
"It means look, the night is falling, the stars are twinkling, and on this soft sandy beach, besides the whispers of the waves, there are only you and me, and the burning love within us… At a moment like this, even if someone offered me a million dollars in exchange, I wouldn't take it… Tell me, shouldn't we do something?"
"Then what are you waiting for? Get to it…"
Three days later, He Xi Meng rushed back to San Antonio, announcing that he would don the Spurs' jersey for the new season and fight for the team!
The Spurs, in turn, offered He Xi Meng a four-year, $32 million contract, with a player option in the final year. The contract didn't stipulate He Xi Meng's "privileged status," but with the triple affirmation from Pete, Popovich, and Duncan, He Xi Meng had no worries about the Spurs club reneging on their promise.
"Are you crazy? You're really jumping ship to the Spurs? Didn't you have a great contract and a championship ring waiting for you with the Lakers?"
As soon as the news of He Xi Meng joining the Spurs broke, Kobe's desperate calls flooded in. In fact, He Xi Meng had already spoken to Kobe after signing with the Spurs, but Kobe refused to believe it. Kobe couldn't fathom He Xi Meng giving up a lucrative Lakers contract and the chance to compete for another championship ring for some imaginary "privileged status."
But when the news finally arrived, Kobe was utterly stunned! They had known each other for over three years, ever since the Nike Hoop Summit in 1996. Kobe had always believed he understood He Xi Meng well. He thought He Xi Meng, like himself, loved basketball and was driven by victory!
However, this time, Kobe suddenly realized he might not know He Xi Meng as well as he thought! At the very least, he had never understood why the so-called privilege He Xi Meng insisted on from the Lakers' management was so important, even more so than a big contract and a championship ring?
Just like Kobe, Los Angeles Lakers General Manager Jerry West was also confused.
Since taking over the Lakers in 1979, the "logo man" had, for nearly twenty years, believed that no player could escape his management. But this time, he had truly lost his grip. He failed to grasp what He Xi Meng desired most. Even after offering a hefty contract and signing Wang Zhizhi, he still couldn't win He Xi Meng's heart.
It wasn't until their formal separation that Jerry West finally saw through He Xi Meng's persistence and resolve.
"An interesting young man!"
"A young man with limitless potential!"
Jerry West offered two very different but equally high praise for He Xi Meng.
Upon the Spurs signing He Xi Meng, "The Little General" David Robinson was the first to request a trade!
Popovich didn't want to hold back David Robinson, and in the spirit of amicable parting, he agreed to his trade request.
He Xi Meng then suggested to Popovich that they trade Robinson for Campbell from the Hornets!
Campbell, a former Lakers player and Shaquille O'Neal's backup last season.
"Why trade for a big man? We already have David, Tim, and Malik, so we're not short on bigs! On the contrary, judging by last season, we're missing an excellent point guard or a solid sixth man from our bench. While Kerr has excellent shooting, he's getting on in years…"
"An excellent guard? Haven't you already scouted the talented Argentine player, Ginobili? He'll be enough. I guarantee he'll perfectly fit your needs for a backup point guard and sixth man…"
It was better not to mention Ginobili, as Popovich's face immediately fell.
"That Italian club in Bologna, Virtus, isn't willing to let the Argentine kid go and is demanding an exorbitant buyout fee… The management's current plan is to sign him after his contract naturally expires…"
"How many years are left on his contract?"
"Three years!"
"How much is the buyout fee demanded by the Italian side?"
"$10 million!"
"If the buyout is halved, would the team be willing to bring him in?"
"Are you that confident about that Argentine kid?"
"Yes! We were teammates at the Nike Hoop Summit! Even back then, he dared to go head-to-head with Kobe!"
He Xi Meng smiled as he recounted his acquaintance with Manu to Popovich.