The Whip of the God of Basketball

Leon originally supported his knees with his arms and hunched his back to watch the second game that was about to start. Then he felt someone approaching and sat down next to him, crossing his legs.

From the corner of his eye, he caught a glimpse of the shoes on the man's feet, Versace's canvas shoes. They were simple in style but made of fine materials. They looked like ordinary canvas shoes, but in fact they felt completely different when worn on their feet. Leon remembered that Pagliuca had a pair, which Khomeinis bought for her father. The unit price was $3,500 without discount. Those successful people like these things that are plain on the outside but have great things inside.

The man took out a cigar from his pocket, which was Cleopatra that Leon was familiar with, and handed it to Leon. This is also Auerbach's favorite cigar now.

"Cleopatra, it seems that Mr. Riley knows my taste very well." Leon took the cigar, put it under his nose and smelled it. The wrapper on the outside was well wrapped, thick enough, and oily enough, but the tobacco inside was It is relatively fresh, so the flavor is rich but not too choking, so it is deeply loved by the old bishop.

And the person who handed the cigar was the Heat's general manager, Pat Riley, a magician with four rings in his hand.

Logically speaking, Riley doesn't need to be present in person for a child's game like the Summer League. But first, he has to observe the newly selected rookie Wade, who was Riley's proud choice in this year's draft; on the other hand, the Heat's lineup needs to be further supplemented. This year, the Heat let go of Mourning Riley and need to try their luck here to see if there are some small fish and shrimps that can fill the vacancy.

"Make a deal, Leon." Riley didn't waste much time discussing the cigar with Leon, although this cigar was carefully selected after he inquired about Leon's taste.

Leon didn't speak, he just wiped the cigar and then held it in his mouth unceremoniously. But he didn't bring any matches, so he could only bite it like this and look at Riley.

Riley smiled, took out a pack of long matches from his pocket, and lit one before Leon stepped forward and let the wrapper pass through the fire first, then slowly lit the end of the cigar.

Smoking is definitely not allowed in the training hall, but when the staff saw it was Fox Leon and Pat Riley, they stayed away. Fox Leone even dared to smoke a cigar at Staples, let alone the Magic's training facility.

"I need a defender." Leon said to Riley simply after taking a sip. Both of them are extremely smart guys. They don't need too much nonsense at all. They can immediately understand each other's intentions with just one sentence.

So Leon doesn't want to hide anything. They currently lack guards, whether they are point guards or shooting guards. The Heat may not necessarily have the players Leon wants, but since Riley said he wants to trade, he will definitely be able to get the chips Leon wants.

In this regard, Leon still believes in the divine fortune teller.

Of course, Riley came prepared. In fact, from the first day of the summer league, he had taken a fancy to Celtics power forward Haslem, who was short in height but had some extraordinary fighting spirit. player of.

Riley had investigated Haslem. He was an undrafted player. No one was interested in the 2002 draft, and then he went to France to play for a year. Riley also knew some details. For example, Haslem has a body that is prone to obesity. In order to lose weight while playing in Europe, he has been insisting on almost cruel training. This training style is very suitable for Riley.

And Haslem is a native of Miami, which will also be a favorable factor. Playing for his hometown is what every player desires.

But just when Riley wanted to contact Haslem, the Celtics beat him to it and recruited him directly.

Riley is not in a hurry, and the Celtics will not sign Haslem immediately. The summer league is just a good time to see Haslem's foundation. As a result, Haslem performed very well in the three games. Especially today, his defense against Wade was a textbook. This made Riley determined to get Haslem.

However, although Riley can choose to contact Haslem directly to sign a contract, the Celtics have the right to sign first after all, and Haslem has been training in the Celtics training camp, so he will definitely give priority to the Celtics. people.

To be on the safe side, Riley decided to make a small deal with the Celtics head coach, and everyone exchanged signing resources. Riley knows what the Celtics want, and he has exactly what they want.

Leon's words played right into Riley's hands. He gently pressed his temples with his thumb and middle finger and said: "I have some point guard resources. Of course, I know that Mr. Fox Leon has many contacts in the Development League. , we can definitely find better players.”

As a successful senior, Riley was able to lower his status for an undrafted draft, negotiate terms with Fox Leon, and even praise Leon. If it were anyone else, he would have been frightened and wanted to complete the deal immediately to avoid owing too much. Favor.

Leon was unmoved. He had long heard Auerbach say that Pat Riley was the guy in the league who was most like himself in the past. He had to be extremely careful with such a person, even if he exchanged a coin with him. Be careful not to be robbed of a dime.

"I have worked for the Development League, but you know, most of them are mediocre people. In fact, I really want to know what kind of players I have here who are worthy of you personally negotiating a deal. Do you want me to Going to Miami instead?" Leon said half-jokingly.

Now, both of them basically know each other's needs. Leon can guess that Riley probably wants Haslem, because his performance in these games is indeed eye-catching. The statistics are not outstanding, but people who know football can tell at a glance that this guy can play in the NBA.

However, until the two men really reveal their cards, there is room for everything to work. Moreover, Haslem is a free agent. If a deal is to be made, it will only be a verbal deal. Although it is not legally binding, Riley still has basic credibility in the NBA.

This kind of private verbal agreement gives more room for manipulation. Leon has no intention of making a big fortune from the fortune teller, but he doesn't want to suffer a dumb loss either.

"I have a plan, you can consider it." Riley said while tapping his fingers on his knee, his eyes still focused on the game on the court.

"You know we selected Wade this year, a great guy, you should feel it. So, the original guard Eddie House is not that important. I am going to trade him. He signed a two-year contract with us. , the salary next year will be about 700,000. I can exchange House for one of your future second-round draft picks and add a little cash." Riley put forward his conditions, but Leon knew that was not all.

"Is that all?" Leon asked, this deal looks like a gift of warmth.

"There is one more small condition. I want to sign a player from your training camp, and I hope you can give it to me... It's the guy who came on as a substitute for Dalembert. I'm a little interested in him." Riley said at this time Revealing his true purpose, he wants Haslem.

Riley just recently contacted Haslem's agent, but his agent felt that the Celtics were also very optimistic about Haslem, so he wanted the Lions to open the door, but Riley just wanted to sign a contract first One year contract.

If Leon gives up its attempt to sign a contract with Haslem, then the undrafted player who has no choice will naturally accept his one-year contract.

As for Eddie House, the Heat were not prepared to exercise his team option. He will be a free agent in more than ten days. If he can get a second-round pick and a little cash, Riley would be very happy.

Riley's abacus is cracking. Everyone knows that Riley has always been good at making big deals. Either he doesn't make a move, or he makes a big deal. But where he can take advantage of every corner, Riley won't let it go easily.

And Riley also has a more important purpose, which is to meet in person the Celtics young coach who has become famous this summer. Knowing more about the inside story of the transaction, he knows that in the future, this person is likely to be a huge player in the Heat's rise in the Eastern Conference. obstacle. He wanted to see how much this guy who was said to have single-handedly promoted Garnett's trade weighed.

Faced with Leon's tentative quotation, Leon saw many unreasonablenesses in it at a glance, including chips, quotations, transaction methods, and private agreements. Even if Leon could agree, Anji would scold Leon. Obviously A player who can be solved with a special case has to go in such a big circle and get Haslem. Leon is not stupid, but he also knows that Riley is not stupid. He does not want to waste his time on this meaningless deal and be led by Riley.

"Mr. Riley, I think this deal is a bit too complicated. In fact, you want Haslem. He is a free agent now and you can sign him at any time. It's just because he is in my training camp and he has The desire to sign with us, because I have communicated with their agent. Now, I can explain to his agent that I will not sign Haslem, and then he will be yours. I think there will be no other ball. The team wants him, although he is indeed a great guy." Leon put down his cigar and said to Riley seriously. Leon was both vigilant and in awe of this basketball giant.

Riley put down his crossed legs, straightened his sleek hair, and said nothing. He was waiting for Leon to negotiate terms.

"My conditions are very simple. I also want to sign a player that Mr. Riley wants to win. You know, I have some obscure friends in the scouting and agent circles, and they often give me some information. Just in time, I got the news." Leon said, he wanted a fair exchange.

"Who do you want?"

"Alston."