Rivers was actually in a worse situation than Angi!
While Angi was still gathering assistants and researching Rivers' trade matters, he didn't know that Chairman Jordan had already started thinking about replacing the general manager!
After Rivers left, Angi would very likely follow suit...
However, it must be admitted that Angi's efficiency was very high!
After confirming that Chairman Jordan was determined to get rid of Rivers, Angi immediately activated his network and made non-stop calls.
This season, there were quite a few teams with unstable coaching positions.
In the East, the Cavaliers, Magic, and Knicks; in the West, the Mavericks, Nuggets, Timberwolves, Lakers, and Trail Blazers all had coaches at risk of being fired!
Rivers of the Celtics was not originally among them, but unexpectedly, he took the lead and became the first head coach in the league to be fired this season.
After a series of communications, Angi finally set his sights on Minnesota!
The Timberwolves management had lost patience with Coach Saunders, who had coached the team for nearly 10 seasons. They hoped to proactively change things.
And replacing the head coach was their first step in seeking change.
After inquiring about the attitude and opinions of the team's core, the Wolf King Garnett, they found that Garnett was also open to Rivers joining the team.
Therefore, the Timberwolves made their final decision, agreeing to the trade with the Celtics, giving up a first-round draft pick in exchange for the right to re-sign Rivers.
Rivers' new contract with the Timberwolves was consistent with his four-year contract with the Celtics.
In fact, this was a trade!
However, the trade involved no active players, but rather the team's head coach and the rights to sign a future rookie...
This was also the first trade in the league involving a head coach, and Rivers had truly set a precedent!
After Rivers left, He Xi Meng originally wanted to recommend Old Curry to be the head coach of the Celtics!
But after seeing Chairman Jordan's recommended candidate, He Xi Meng decisively gave up!
Because Chairman Jordan's recommendation this time was truly reliable! In terms of future potential and compatibility with He Xi Meng, it was no less than Old Curry.
Chairman Jordan recommended his old teammate, Kerr!
Kerr was a loyal subordinate of Chairman Jordan during the Chicago Bulls dynasty!
When Chairman Jordan returned to the Wizards, he did not forget his little brother, bringing him over from the Spurs.
Chairman Jordan originally planned to recruit Kerr into the management team as his assistant after taking over the Wizards.
As a result, due to Chairman Jordan's failure to take over the Wizards, Kerr chose to join TNT and temporarily become a basketball commentator.
Now that Chairman Jordan had successfully taken over the Celtics, he was ready to recruit his old comrades.
Previously, he had held back out of respect for the great Bird, and uncertainty about Angi's capabilities, so he chose to wait and see.
A few months passed, and Chairman Jordan felt that Angi was just so-so, and Rivers was even less worthy of his attention. Coupled with He Xi Meng's support, Chairman Jordan decisively launched his grand plan!
Putting Kerr in the head coach position was only the first step for Chairman Jordan!
He Xi Meng and Kerr had a good private relationship.
Kerr had spent several seasons with the Spurs and knew He Xi Meng's role there, understanding that He Xi Meng was by no means just a simple point guard!
Therefore, on his first day reporting to the Celtics, Kerr announced in front of all the players: "Ximon has the same authority as me! His word is my word. If, I mean, if one day, there is a conflict between my tactics and his! I ask you to remember, your tactics, Ximon's tactics, will prevail..."
Kerr's statement was truly domineering!
With this one move, Kerr, who hadn't coached a single game, had secured his position as the Celtics head coach.
He Xi Meng was very satisfied with Kerr's statement and immediately stepped forward humbly, saying.
"Coach Kerr is joking! As a player, I will definitely follow the tactical arrangements of the coaching staff. At the same time, to thank Coach Kerr for his trust, I will offer some suggestions within my ability at the appropriate time to help the team win every game as much as possible... My goal, from the first day I joined the Celtics, has not changed, and that is to compete for the championship!"
Chairman Jordan was also very satisfied with his choice!
"Both Kerr and Ximon have said it well! You are both players and coaches I have carefully selected. You must believe in my judgment!"
"Although you are young, you are very capable! You have the strength to win championships, you just lack a little confidence!"
"I, Ximon, and Kerr all have rich championship experience, which is precious experience that many teams can only dream of!"
"Believe me, I am only interested in championships! You will all be candidates for championship winners..."
Chairman Jordan's motivational speech was rich and intoxicating, making the young players of the Celtics' blood boil. The applause and cheers continued for a long time.
Seeing that the team's outlook had undergone a drastic change with his first move, Chairman Jordan's confidence began to swell rapidly! He pressed on, seizing the momentum of the coaching change to replace Angi and the entire management team!
Collins, holding Chairman Jordan's "penetrating arrow," flew to take up his post in Boston!
He left his wife, children, and house in Washington unattended, prioritizing his appointment in Boston!
Chairman Jordan was very satisfied with Collins' "all-in for his career" attitude!
Meanwhile, Pierce was sitting at home, and disaster struck from the sky!
After finally enduring a month-long injury layoff, when Pierce returned to the team, the team had completely changed!
Rivers and Angi, who had always stood by Pierce and hoped to build the green army around him, were both packing their bags and leaving!
Faced with the choice between submitting and leaving, Pierce originally wanted to state his position after meeting the new head coach and general manager.
The newly appointed general manager, Collins, could not wait to unleash his first move after taking office!
If there were no trades, how could the workload and capability of a general manager be demonstrated?
After hearing that Chairman Jordan and He Xi Meng were both dissatisfied with Pierce, Collins gave Pierce no chance to bow his head and apologize. He secretly leaked the information that the Celtics were preparing to trade Pierce!
This put Pierce in a terrible situation!
This was no longer a simple matter of internal submission; it was equivalent to forcing Pierce to submit to the entire league and beg the Celtics to reconsider the trade and allow him to stay in Boston!
Who said Collins lacked ability?
This underhanded move directly pushed Pierce to the brink, forcing him to resist!
Pierce was, after all, a top small forward in the league at his peak. When had he ever endured such humiliation?
If this place doesn't keep me, I'll find another!
Could he not win a championship ring by leaving the Celtics?
Thus, under Collins' coercion, Pierce lost the opportunity to shake hands with He Xi Meng and fight side by side...