The Whip of the God of Basketball

　　 Leon ran under the stands and dialed Auerbach’s phone in Washington.

　　 "We got Dennis Rodman, I think Pitino is playing tricks, maybe you should be more careful." Leon is always straight to the point and speaks out his thoughts directly.

　　 Judging from Pitino's behavior in adjusting the draft position and trading directly with the Mavericks without management discussion, Leon believes that Pitino must have some personal purpose.

From the perspective of his trading options, the purpose is to disrupt the internal order of the Celtics team. Since Auerbach put Fox-Leon into the team as a scout, then I Pitino Bring the league's most disobedient, worst-spotted guy into Boston.

　　 Even if Pitino leaves the Celtics one day, he still leaves a time bomb for the team. As for when it will explode, he can't control it.

　　Especially Leon knows that Rodman had been cancelled by the Mavericks in March. If Pitino wants to get Rodman in the free market, it will be difficult, because the management is likely to veto this proposal.

　　 Now the subject of the transaction is Reid and Thomas, Rodman is just an addition to match Griffin's salary, and the Celtics will also get some cash.

As for why Rodman has the Mavericks contract for balance, I have to ask Pitino and Mavericks owner Mark Cuban. Judging from such an unreasonable trading operation, it will never be temporary. The intention must have been planned long ago.

Leon never regarded himself as a stake in Auerbach’s assignment to the Celtics, so he never reported to Auerbach about the internal work of the Celtics, and regarded Pitino as his boss and predecessor. Respect and learn.

　　 But, if Pitino wants to fight Auerbach, want to give Auerbach some color, then Leon will stand on Auerbach’s side without hesitation.

　　 There was more than five seconds of silence on the other end of the phone, and then Leon’s ears heard Auerbach’s slightly hoarse voice, which was the sound of the vocal cords that had been tortured as a coach for many years.

"Leon, my Fox-Leon, I know you are smart, smarter than most people. You may be right, but I want to tell you that the NBA will never lack conspiracy, but the NBA will always rely on power. Win. Pitino brings both poisonous alcohol and fine wines. As for what he is doing, everything depends on himself. Next week, after the rookie's job is over, you should go back to Boston. You should go to the team and the players Let’s get in touch, don’t always mix with those conspiracy masters in the coaching staff. Resourcefulness is just a part of basketball. Let’s feel the power of basketball." Auerbach is like an enlightenment, giving Leon a favor with an old tone. Enlightenment.

But it didn’t seem that Leon was shining by Auerbach’s flashing light. He went on to say: “Okay old man, don’t pretend to be any more, I’ll be back to Boston tomorrow. You need to think again about Rodman. I will call you again when I go back tomorrow. Okay, I'm going to hang up."

　　 Leon hung up after speaking, without considering Auerbach's blood pressure.

　　 This is the first time Auerbach was said "pretentious" (pretentious) to his face since he was 70 years old. At the same time, this is the third time Leon directly hung up on his phone.

　　 But Auerbach, who has become more accustomed to Leon’s style, still steadied himself. He gently put the telephone receiver back on the base and sat in his chair and started smoking cigars again.

　　 With the vaguely rising smoke, Auerbach couldn't help but think of him and Rick Pitino three years ago. All bad things often have a good start.

　　 At that time, Pitino was flourishing, and he went straight with Leon, without the slightest fear of Auerbach, like a friend of many years.

Auerbach also admired the NCAA coach with a promising career and valued him very much. For this reason, he did not hesitate to give up the idea of ​​letting Larry Bird become the new head of the Celtics, and used a piece of 10 A 15 million annual contract brought Pitino to Boston.

After arriving in Boston, Pitino wanted to form his own coaching team, Auerbach promised; Pitino wanted to pick his own rookie, Auerbach was of course allowed; Pitino wanted to build the team lineup according to his own ideas, Orr Bach nodded; in the end, Pitino wanted Auerbach's position as president, and Auerbach took the initiative to resign.

　　 This is Reid Auerbach, a arrogant, arrogant but pragmatic man. When he thinks that what he has done can reap benefits, all problems are no longer a problem.

"Rick, if you are still thinking about the Celtics and making it happen, you can consider letting you continue to achieve your goals here; if you want to play tricks, then your life here is completely over. . After all, there are already people who can completely surpass you.” Auerbach thought in his heart.

　　……………………

　　 It was ten o'clock in the evening after leaving the target center and returning to the hotel. Leon and Wallace went back to their rooms. On the way back, the two of them didn't communicate with each other.

　　 For this unexpected deal, Wallace felt that he had not received Pitino’s respect, and Leon repeatedly chewed on Auerbach’s words in his mind.

　　 Leon fell on the bed as soon as he returned to the room. The work of scouts was far harder than he thought. For more than half a month, he was either on a plane or on the way to a plane.

　　 He almost flew over half of the United States, just to watch a few young people play.

It must be admitted that such a job requires a passion for basketball. Fortunately, Leon feels that he is slowly falling in love with this sport. The more in-depth contact with it, the more he can discover the great charm of this sport and work for it. The challenge brought.

　　 Leon, lying on the bed, thought about this, and recalled the memory of this body of basketball when he was a child, and slowly fell asleep.

　　 But Leon only slept for less than an hour before he was awakened by a violent knock on the door. Leon woke up from a dazed state, wondering why he had to knock on the door when there was a doorbell.

　　 "Is there anything urgent for Wallace? Is the deal changed again?" Leon muttered, thinking it was Chris Wallace who was knocking on the door.

　　 So when he opened the door and saw a huge body in front of the door, he felt a little dazed, he couldn't see his head at all, and his whole body blocked the door.

"You are Fox-Leon!" The giant man at the door shouted, and then he wanted to reach out and push Leon. Leon easily avoided and took a step back. He didn't rush to close the door because He had already guessed who this was from his body shape.

　　 Sure enough, when this slender man bowed his head and entered the door, Leon knew he had guessed right. This man was the head of the Minnesota Timberwolves, Kevin Garnett.

"I know you, Kevin Garnett, but I don't think you know me. Is there anything I can help?" Leon stood one and a half meters away from Garnett and looked at this Minnesota basketball star. .

　　The dark face, but with angular features and big eyes, is tall and long, like a great ape, judging from the expression on his face, it doesn't seem to be very friendly to Leon.

　　 "There is only one thing that needs your help. You need to return me something, and that is your fist against Malik!" Garnett barked his teeth at Leon.

　　 Only then did Leon realize the purpose of Garnett's coming here. It turned out to be revenge for Malik-Ciri.

Malik Siri was the Timberwolves player who was accidentally injured by Leon in a Boston bar three months ago. At that time, the Timberwolves were playing in Boston. Leon’s fist made Siri miss several games, plus Later, he suffered a car accident and he missed the playoffs.

　　 And in private, Riganette and Ciri are very good friends. Of course, Garnett doesn’t know if Ciri is dead according to the actual history, and Leon is actually Ciri’s lifesaver. So Garnett, who has always talked about loyalty, learned that it was the Celtics' current scout who had wounded Cily at the time, so he took a lot of effort to find Leon's room to avenge him.

　　 Looking at Garnett's vicious look, Leon laughed. This smile made Garnett angry. He clenched his fist and was punched by a 7-footer. It was no joke.

　　 Leon still put away his smile, tilted his head and said to Garnett, "Pun me."

　　 "If you can hit it." Leon added after a pause, then stood still and stared at Garnett.

　　 Garnett originally only wanted to scare Leon, but he didn't think about it. How could a guy who can beat a two-meter professional player like Malik Siri be easily frightened?

There was a stalemate like this for five seconds. Garnett stared at Leon fiercely but did not dare to punch his fist. Finally Leon made a move. He stretched out his hand and said to Garnett: "Maybe we can have a drink, Sit down and talk."

Saying that he took the initiative to take Garnett’s arm and pulled him out of the room. At this time Leon had the idea of ​​making friends with this guy because he had watched Garnett’s game video, which was a minority It made him feel like a real basketball genius, a genius much higher than others.

　　 Then, a long-term plan is about to be born.