This is a luxurious dining table, as long as a royal dining table in the European Middle Ages.

In the middle of the table, a variety of delicacies were placed.

Roast the phoenix and cook the dragon, eight delicacies and jade food;

Fragrant and delicious.

There were even a lot of Chinese food there, right in front of Lin Ying.

Kroenke, you have a heart.

Anthony was sitting opposite Lin Ying.

Obviously, the purpose of this meal was that Kroenke wanted the two of them to settle their differences.

After having a drink with Iverson before, although she felt a little disconnected after waking up, Lin Ying still knew some things.

For example, Iverson's expectations for the Nuggets to win the championship.

So he is actually not opposed to reconciling with Anthony.

Husband and wife still need to get along, let alone teammates in a business alliance.

If you have to hold on to some contradictions, then many champions in NBA history will have to be replaced.

And from a profit perspective, if he can win the championship, his personal influence will be greatly improved.

So the key still lies with Anthony.

Anthony's condition seemed to be better than before, and the feeling when meeting his eyes was gone.

It seems that what Warken Dean said before is true.

Several people quickly started eating.

Kroenke didn't mention anything about basketball, he just talked to them about food and some interesting experiences in Europe.

It felt like inviting them over for a meal.

But at the end of the conversation, he brought up the acquisition of Arsenal.

Originally this kind of thing was a secret, but it was done and he didn't seem to have any worries.

"They wanted me to become a shareholder. Their original intention was to restrict the Russians."

As Kroenke spoke, they also roughly understood how Kroenke did it.

Originally Arsenal's second largest shareholder was the wealthy Russian businessman Usmanov, who had always wanted to become Arsenal's largest shareholder and eventually took full control.

In order to fight against Usmanov, Kroenke began his acquisition journey after being recommended by a friend.

He bought a lot of shares, but cleverly just a little less than the Russians.

Then the Russians have always been the number one enemy of other shareholders, and he also took advantage of this and formed a "Kenke Alliance."

Once you get to know each other, you'll start eating other people's shares.

Soon, he successfully overtook Usmanov and became the largest shareholder, and quickly increased his shareholding to 60%.

It was too late for others to react.

Because they found that even if they added Usmanov's shares, they could not beat Kroenke.

According to the current development, it is only a matter of time before Kroenke becomes the sole shareholder.

Even if Arsenal fans are unwilling to accept that the Premier League team is completely controlled by foreigners, the movement of capital has made it irreversible.

"Mello has been in Denver for many years, but last season was the first time he reached the second round of the playoffs, and that was only Lin's rookie season. Normal people can see what a good combination you two are."

After talking about his European experience, Kroenke began to introduce the topic.

"So why did problems arise between you in just the second year? Haven't you ever thought that someone might be causing trouble and don't want to see the Nuggets rise so fast?"

And his next words also explained why he wanted to use Arsenal as an example.

This is an analogy to how he disrupted the other shareholders of Arsenal. Naturally, opponents may also disrupt the Nuggets in the same way.

Lin Ying was stunned for a moment.

Anthony was also thoughtful.

"Have you ever thought about what the problem is between you two?

Data question? The Nuggets can score at least 100 points in a game. Isn’t that enough for the two of you?

Status issue? Lin never said he wanted to be the boss of the Nuggets, right?

Question about playing style? I don’t know how there is any conflict between a person who likes to pass and a person who likes to score.

So, don’t you really think that someone deliberately said something in your ears and caused problems between you?”

Anthony was thinking, as if recalling whether there was such a person.

In the end, he actually...

Nod!

Um, that can’t really be the case, right?

Lin Ying felt a little incredible.

But soon, he came around the bend.

Kroenke's words selectively avoided the fact that Iverson was still there before.

If it was just him and Anthony, there shouldn't be any problems as he said.

And people have a subconscious mind.

Although I don’t know what Walken Dean did, he did convince Anthony.

Now that Kroenke says this again, Anthony will easily think this way subconsciously.

For example, people around you may say: Melo, I think it might be good for you to run without the ball.

Now what Anthony imagines becomes: Melo, you have to run without the ball now!

Memory is not a gramophone. Especially for people like Anthony who receive a lot of information every day, it is impossible to remember every detail.

"So there's actually someone behind it, right? I know Jerry Buss, that's the trick he would use."

Kroenke continued.

Anthony nodded vigorously, and he also remembered that there was someone around him who had connections with the Lakers.

The two chatted for a few more words. The more Anthony thought about it, the more he was right, and his mood was already rising.

"Mr. Kroenke, Lin and I have no problems before, we will win the championship!"

In the end, Anthony was full of pride.

"If that day comes, I will erect a statue for you!"

Kroenke looked at Anthony and looked very excited.

The Nuggets have yet to win a championship, and have not even made it to the Finals. This statement is well-founded and convincing.

Anthony was in high spirits.

It was the same as Durant's reaction back then.

Erecting a statue is a priceless honor for the players!

Lin Ying turned around and glanced at Kroenke at this time, with some fear in his eyes.

This wave of conflicts shifted, blaming Bass, and backhanding the statue, all in one go.

And don't tell me, he became a little convinced after hearing it.

In fact, the source of the so-called contradiction is Anthony.

Once Anthony is dealt with, the Nuggets can continue to play.

This meal was more like a reassurance for Anthony.

After dinner, Kroenke left Lin Ying alone, saying that he was going to China in a few days and wanted to consult with him.

Consultation is real consultation, but it is not the key to keeping Lin Ying.

Kroenke had something to say privately to Lin Ying alone.

"Lin, I regard you as important as Mello."

Kroenke looked sincere.

"I have seen your performance in the Olympics. You have talent that is not inferior to Melo, and you have every chance to grow into the core of the team.

This is why I would rather send AI away than keep you. I believe you and Melo can bring Denver the first championship in team history."

…

After leaving Kroenke's manor, Lin Ying was thoughtful.

He believed only half of what Kroenke said in private.

Judging from Kroenke's behavior during the meal, those words were meant to comfort each of them based on their personalities.

talent?

If the Chinese market behind him is also included, then it can indeed be said that.

Of course there is nothing inherently wrong with this.

The key to the problem is what exactly Anthony will do in the next game.

And he has already made a decision in his heart.

If Billups comes and everyone gets along well, then he can focus on competing for the championship.

But if Anthony is still the same Anthony, or Anthony still cannot win the championship this season.

Then, he will take the initiative to apply for a trade at the end of the season.

A rookie has three years to look at, and the third year is the most critical year of his career.

…

Shortly after the two major transactions were completed, the inside story and details of the transactions were exposed by the media.

Let’s talk about the deal between the Suns and Cavaliers first.

The Suns have long had the idea of ​​trading Bell and Diaw, and almost reached a deal with the Bobcats.

Just because there were rumors about Lin Ying's trade, they were interested in Lin Ying and kept holding off.

After the Nuggets gave a clear reply that they would not trade Lin Ying, the deal fell through and they finally sent O'Neal to Cleveland.

So in the end it was proved that history will not change direction without reason, it was Lin Ying who was pushing history in another direction.

Let’s talk about the Pistons and Nuggets.

The Pistons' record has declined sharply this season. The management has put Billups and Prince, the remaining members of the Fab Five, on the shelf, hoping to trade them for an All-Star player while they still have value.

Before this, the Rockets had been in the leading position.

Billups + Prince = Tracy McGrady, this is the main framework that has been discussed.

Unfortunately, a certain general manager named Darrell Mosaic, who claimed to be smart but was actually a cheat, refused.

It was only after the Rockets refused that the Pistons approached the Nuggets.

Two days later, Billups arrived in Denver.

When he appeared in the locker room, the Nuggets players looked a little excited.

A championship and MVP halo, this background is very tempting to the current Nuggets players.

Iverson's previous wardrobe was next to Lin Ying's, and Billups used it when he came.

Lin Ying looked at Billups, feeling like Yao Ming looked at Tracy McGrady.

Although I know that this transaction has nothing to do with Billups, as the bargaining chip for Iverson being traded away, I still feel that he is not so pleasing to the eye.

But soon, his feeling slowly disappeared.

Because Billups is so special.

How should I put it? There is a saying that some people are born leaders.

Billups is this kind of person.

Poised, good at communicating, full of wisdom and rich experience.

As long as you get along with him for a while, you will have the feeling that he can help you succeed.

This feeling is strange, but it should definitely exist.

Several waves of teammates Billups has played with in history.

In the beginning, they were the Pistons' Five Tigers, all of them ruthless, but they were as tough as the "Roaring Gods" and were willing to listen to Billups' words;

Then there are the Nuggets gangsters, Carmelo Anthony and Billups also obey;

Then came the Clippers. At that time, Billups was no longer at his peak, but Paul, who was born to be strong, also discussed everything with Billups.

If one team is like this by accident, then it means that this trait is real.

Even Lin Ying feels that he can learn a lot from Billups.

And his understanding will be deeper.

Because he knew that Billups was also considered a parallel draft pick before going to the Pistons.

In other words, Billups has slowly grown into this quality.

How to grow is where he can learn.

Along the way, especially after becoming teammates with Durant, he understood one thing: for a player to become a true leader, strength alone is not enough.

After finishing organizing the wardrobe, Billups went over to communicate with Anthony for a while.

I don’t know what they were talking about, but Anthony soon started laughing.

This is really, absolutely amazing.

Lin Ying started to really look forward to this year's playoffs.

The Nuggets reached the Western Conference Finals without him. Now with him, can they win the championship?

The answer to this question takes time.

But fortunately, they will soon have a bottom-up.

Because the Nuggets' opponent in the first game after the All-Star break was the Celtics.

If they can beat the defending champion, it means the Nuggets are in good hands.

After a while, Karl also came to the locker room.

He first asked Billups about his impression of the Nuggets.

Billups directly gave a standard answer:

"I feel the long-lost championship atmosphere here."

Carl burst out laughing on the spot.

If you can speak, you should speak more!

And what Billups said next showed that he was not talking nonsense.

He gave some conditions needed to win the championship:

One, a superstar who can take over the game at critical moments: Anthony;

Second, the team's overall defensive strength is excellent: the Nuggets now have Lin Ying and Nene inside, and now have Billups and Dante Jones/Tony Allen outside. This is not much worse than the original Pistons;

3. Unity within the team: The Nuggets have a gangster temperament, but they have always been very united last season, which is specifically reflected in... every time they fight, it's a group of people!

There was a conflict between Lin Ying and Anthony before, but now it is resolved and there will be no problem.

After saying this, everyone became more convinced of Billups.

Even Karl nodded frequently.

This is the legendary championship experience!

Lin Ying basically agreed, and his only doubt was the same as before, what exactly Anthony would do in the next game.

This question should be answered in the next game against the Celtics.

On February 21st, the trade deadline officially arrived.

The big deals are over, but there are still some smaller ones.

The Rockets sent Alston to the Magic in a three-way trade in exchange for Kyle Lowry from the Grizzlies;

The Bulls sent Nocioni, Gooden, and Cedric Simmons in exchange for Brad Miller and John Salmons from the Kings;

…

Of course, there are also dramas that occur in the NBA from time to time.

The Hornets finished second in the Western Conference last season and surprised everyone, but their performance in the new season is unsatisfactory.

In particular, the main center Chandler missed many games due to ankle injuries, and his condition was also up and down.

The management tried their best to reach a deal with the Thunder, sending Chandler in exchange for Wilcox.

The transaction was originally successful, but Chandler was returned due to an ankle injury!

But this is not too dramatic. The most dramatic thing is that everyone in the Hornets expressed their feelings about the failure of the transaction...

Excitement!

Last season, a group of people managed to reach second place in the Western Conference despite not being favored. The experience was very similar to Lin Ying's experience at the University of Texas.

They have long since established a deep relationship through this experience.

Therefore, the management was not happy to trade Chandler, but no one dared to speak out. As a result, he was returned, so naturally they were happy to hear it.

In the end, it was the Hornets management that was embarrassed.

Or more accurately General Manager Powell.

Back then, he had an above-average IQ and refused to choose Lin Ying. As a result, he was cut off after a wave of matryoshka dolls.

Now that the deal that was negotiated so hard has been returned, all we can do is watch Chandler walk away in vain when his contract expires.

It's a little bit worse every time.

Just a hundred million points.

Then, this wave became a topic of conversation among fans and players after dinner.

On the plane to Boston, Lin Ying was also talking to Abrams about this matter.

And when he talked about the Hornets, he thought of Paul, the little cannon he saw during the Beijing Olympics who helped the big guys carry their bags.

Then he thought of Xiaopao, and then he remembered that the Nuggets' first-round opponent was the Hornets this year in history, and then the famous 58 meme was born.
Chapter completed!