In just less than two minutes, the Rockets not only had the advantage of leading, but also had the Spurs overtaken the past three-pointer. Van Gundy frowned more and more, but he had no means to change this situation. Both Texas top three, the Spurs and the Rockets are quite similar in their operations, and they have one common feature, that is, the boss is stingy and reluctant to spend a lot of money to sign the stars.

Hobbit, the owner of the Spurs, is still very poor. When he bought the Spurs, although it was almost the same as spending all his money. With only $80 million in assets, he spent 75 million on the Spurs. The Spurs were his only major asset. In the same year, Alexander spent 85 million dollars to get the Rockets, but it was not a big deal for him, because he had other assets in the real estate and financial markets.[]

Compared with those bosses who have never won the championship, both of them are typical examples of success. The team won the championship for him in the second year after Alexander bought it, and it has been two consecutive years. Although the Spurs won the championship after a few years, they have won three championships so far.

The two teams have the same management style, but compared to the Spurs, the Rockets do not have a single **Vic, so they are reluctant to make big deals and have no good vision, so they have to recruit some veterans and rookies to work hard. No matter how capable Van Gundy has, it is difficult for a good cook to cook without rice, not to mention that Van Gundy is not a good cook.

When the Spurs' main lineup returned to the court, although Yao Ming also returned to the court after a while, he no longer had the chance to narrow the score. However, under the strong suppression of the Rockets' defense, the Spurs were not able to widen the score. The two sides had always had five points and three points. The gap between three points and five points reached the last moment of the game. The Rockets lost by only three points, which was a honor even though they were defeated. This was also the greatest recognition of their defensive ability.

Due to the Hurricanes in North Carolina, the Rockets were unable to go to the next away game, Charlotte, so they had to change their itinerary and stay in San Antonio. As the host's obligation, Stephen made an appointment with Yao Ming after the game and the two of them went for a midnight snack together.

Stephen really wanted to take Yao Ming to a nightclub, but thinking that the two of them were not familiar enough, and they would not let go after going to Yao Ming. Stephen gave up this idea and found a cafe and ordered some snacks and two cups of coffee. Unfortunately, his restaurant is still being prepared. I guess he can't catch up with the end of this season, and it will be possible to entertain friends next season.

After chatting, Stephen complained for Yao Ming. The Rockets didn't know how to find some capable helpers for Yao Ming, otherwise they would not lose to Yao Ming with 31 points, 12 rebounds, three assists and three blocks for Yao Ming.

"Then you might as well come here to help me next season. I remember your contract will be two years, right? Then our buddies are invincible in the world, both inside and outside." Yao Ming said half jokingly and half seriously.

"I think your boss can't afford this price, and your tactics are not suitable for me." Stephen shook his head. The first sentence was confidence in his own ability. The Rockets may not be willing to pay for money to sign himself. The second sentence was a question of whether the Rockets had their own position. As long as McGrady was there, Stephen would not have enough power to take action on the outside. Now Stephen is not just a blue-collar player who only knows defense. Stephen doesn't want to leave the team like Jim Jackson, but this kind of thing cannot be said explicitly. I believe that with Yao Ming's intelligence, he knows it without pointing out.

When Stephen talked about this, Yao Ming naturally understood it as soon as he heard it. Indeed, although he is the leader of the Rockets, he still can't make decisions for the team like this, let alone another big shot in the team. Although the two of them cooperated well, that's because Yao Ming is an inside player and cannot affect his position. If he changes to an outside player, McGrady is not so harmful to show that he is so human and lively.

"Then are you going to stay with the Spurs?" Yao Ming temporarily lets go of this mind. With the value Stephen has played now, it is not something that a team like the Rockets can remember, because the combined salary of the Rockets and McGrady will account for 80% of the salary cap. Friendship is friendship, so you can't let others cut their salary, but he also feels that Stephen may not be able to stay with the Spurs' financial and management style.

"I don't know yet. Take one step at a time. Let's see who has more sincerity." The most direct way to show sincerity is to see who pays a higher amount of money. Stephen is not afraid of people knowing it, and Stephen did not expect that a team would pay him a maximum salary, but at least the middle class is close to tens of millions. Just like a contract like Parker and Ginobili, the Spurs would give him such a contract. Stephen was very suspicious that unless they were willing to give up one of Parker or Ginobili, it would be inevitable that they would leave the Spurs themselves.

"Don't go to those small teams. I mean the team that is relatively small in the market and the boss of the team is also relatively stingy. Even if the boss spends money to sign you, he will not be willing to spend money to find help. I am not talking about our team, but the Kings and the Bucks." Yao Ming had just said a few words, and suddenly thought that this implied his own team, so he hurriedly added, but the taste of trying to cover up is even more obvious. Yao Ming had not been so happy to talk to others for a long time, and forgot about it.

"I know, I can't make the decision where I go anyway. Then it depends on the situation. If I really trade me to those teams, I won't report it." It's like the Rockets sent Jim Jackson to the Hornets. Jim Jackson thought the Hornets were bad and did not report it. In the end, the Rockets had to pull the Suns in and form a three-party transaction to complete the transaction.

"Haha, it's okay. I think with your ability, the team's choice will definitely sign you first. If you are not satisfied with their contract, then you have to be careful." As a veteran, Yao Ming has been in the league for at least three or four years and is considered an old bird, so he gave advice to Stephen.

"Also, I don't know how you chose that company. Although caa is the unquestionable boss in the entertainment industry, they really have no influence in the sports industry. So you must think more about the advice they provide to you. At the same time, if you have any problems in China, you can ask my agent team for help. As long as it is not a big problem, I believe there should be no problem." Yao Ming said to Stephen with a little heartfelt confidantly. This is really too novel for him. Although Yao Ming is easy to approach people on the surface, there are very few people who can enter his heart. He really treats Stephen as a friend and says such words.

"Don't worry, Brother Yao, I will ask you for help if you have any problems. Besides, I won't have anything to do in your country. At most, sign a few commercial endorsements, and any sponsors will be done." Stephen said very easily. He didn't plan to have much contact with him.

"Okay, I think it's getting late, so let's go back to rest." It's already said that. After the game just finished, Stephen was fine, but Yao Ming was so tired that he sent Yao Ming back. Stephen wanted Yao Ming to live in his home, but when he thought that he didn't even have a big bed that could lie down on Yao Ming, could he let him lie down from his home on the sofa?

After a day of rest, the Spurs faced the Hornets' challenge at home. Since the league has included the Hornets in the Southwest Division, the Spurs have to play two homes, two away games with the Hornets every season. For this game, the media's gimmick is still the best rookie urgent.

In fact, after the All-Star Game, the Hornets' record improved, which is naturally the result of Chris Paul's efforts. The dispute over the best rookie, which was no longer doubtful, has started again. After all, not everyone wants to break the routine of winning the best rookie in the second round.

Many experts or reporters advocate that Chris Paul should win the best rookie by saying that Chris Paul should win the best rookie. In addition to the above reason, some people do not want to see a yellow-skinned player win the best rookie. Yao Ming and Stedemeier had the same data, both of whom had more than 13:50 or more rebounds. As a result, the best rookie was won by Stedemeier, because the Suns had a better record.

The slightest remarks did not affect Stephen's condition at all, but at the beginning of the game, Stephen could only sit on the court and watch. This time **Vic will not send him to the starting lineup again, so Stephen could only watch Chris Paul galloping on the court and launch an attack on the Spurs' defense line.

Parker's speed is considered top in the league, but he still can't catch up with Chris Paul's footsteps. It's not just the speed, but the change of Chris Paul is too weird. Parker can't defend him at all, so he has to let him attack his team's inside line. However, the inside round conversion position that the Spurs have always been proud of is in front of Chris Paul, and it is like a very slow pace. People who always can't make up for defense come over, and Chris Paul has already killed in.

In a single quarter, Chris Paul scored 11 points, three rebounds, four assists and two steals, and at the same time led the Spurs by five points 31 to 26. The 12th-ranked team in the West was able to make the Spurs, the No. 1 Spurs in the West, like this. Chris Paul has enough reason to be proud. After the first quarter, Chris Paul deliberately walked over with his head held high in front of Stephen.

"Guys, the main force owes debts, now it's time for us to pay it back." Stephen stood up as soon as **Vic said the substitution, and then said to his teammates who were on the court. Duncan and the others laughed, not feeling that Stephen had offended their dignity.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I don’t know what happened today, it seemed like I had my throat hurt when I was eating, but I had no reaction when I was sore. I had been struggling for a long time but it didn’t get better. I updated a little late. Please forgive me.
Chapter completed!