God of NBA point guards

Chapter 604 New Contract

At this time, Roger Philippe came to Zhou Quan's home to discuss contract renewal with him.

Zhou Quan's three-year contract has ended, and Whitsitt has contacted Philip several times to discuss the next contract with him.

But it's just about negotiating the content of the contract first, not signing it. His contract must be very big, so it's best to leave it until the end.

Zhou Quan's last contract was only for three years. Now that he is 30 years old, a long-term contract of five to six years is the most reasonable.

"Whitshit was worried about problems this week, so he wanted to get it done in advance. He was mainly worried about other teams, and he was right to worry. The other 28 teams in the league have been contacting me." Philip said with a smile.

"Oh, a team offered me a sky-high contract?" Zhou Quan asked casually.

"There are a lot of sky-high contracts, and some team owners even made the same promise as Mr. Ballmer. He promised to sell you 30% of the team's shares when you retire. If he doesn't want it anymore, you can Have the right of first refusal,” Philip said.

"Who is it?" Zhou Quan was very surprised.

As far as he knew, what Jordan most wanted to own was the shares of the Bulls. Unfortunately, he had sold his life to the Bulls for so many years, and the Bulls boss was unwilling to sell him any shares. In the end, he had to buy the shares of the Wizards.

"Boss of the Trail Blazers. Mr. Allen is not easy to ask questions directly, so he only talked to me once." Philip said with a smile.

Zhou Quan nodded. Paul Allen is one of the three giants of Microsoft. He has a very good relationship with Ballmer. He has also had a good relationship with him over the years. It is really not easy to poach someone directly.

"Seattle's current football market is extremely hot. As long as there are SuperSonics games, NFL football games have to give way. Boss Ballmer has stated that as long as you ask, you can sign any contract." Philip said.

Zhou Quan shook his head and smiled: "I'm not short of the money. It's enough to live up to my reputation. You can discuss it with the management and pay less luxury tax."

"Jordan received an annual salary of close to 90 million in the 3000s. I think you must have an annual salary of more than 3000 million to be worthy of your status in the league." Philip said.

Zhou Quan nodded, face is important, of course not too little, not too high.

Philip said: "Zhou, Karl Malone and O'Neal all have contracts with an annual salary of 2000 million U.S. dollars. I mean an average of 4000 million U.S. dollars a year, and the term is six years. What do you think?"

Zhou Quan thought for a while and said: "Between three and forty million, you and Mr. Whitshit decide, don't let the team's operation have problems."

"Absolutely not." Philip said with a smile.

"That's okay." Zhou Quan nodded.

……

April 2002, 4, the day of the G20 game in the first round of the playoffs.

At 35:6 in the morning, Philip called and said that he had negotiated a contract with the management. The veteran contract was US$2.5 million over six years, with a starting salary of US$3200 million, US$6 in the sixth year, and an annual increase of 5270%.

Zhou Quan calculated that the SuperSonics will have to pay nearly 600 million U.S. dollars in luxury taxes for his contract in the next six years. Including his contract, the six-year expenditure exceeds [-] million U.S. dollars, an average of [-] U.S. dollars per year. More than $[-] million.

However, the benefits he brings to the SuperSonics must definitely exceed this number. Large-scale national live broadcasts, overseas TV broadcast revenue, regional TV broadcast revenue, advertising revenue, ticket revenue, jersey sales revenue, etc., the SuperSonics Operating income has long ranked first in the league, surpassing the Knicks and Lakers.

That night, the SuperSonics defeated the Jazz and won the first round of G1.

Zhou Quan feels that Kirilenko, who sent 4 blocks and 2 steals tonight, is pretty good and is relatively versatile, especially the defensive area can cover half of the court, from the basket to beyond the three-point line.

But Kirilenko is so infatuated with Jerry Sloane that he can't dig it out, he can only admire it.

In another game in the Western Conference, the Lakers defeated the Mavericks.

In the two games in the Eastern Conference, the Nets defeated the Pistons and the Raptors defeated the Digital Team on the road.

Iverson still had an efficiency problem against Vince Carter, with a shooting percentage of only 26.7%. It is difficult to win the series with such offensive efficiency.

Although Raptors veteran super center Olajuwon only played 21 minutes, he also sent 3 blocks and 1 steal, two of which were given to Iverson.

However, Zhou Quan feels that the digital team should still have a chance to win this series. The Raptors do not have any good defenders on the outside, and Iverson's state cannot always be as sluggish as tonight.

Next, the first-round series continues.

On the evening of the 26th, the SuperSonics completed a sweep of the Jazz in Salt Lake City and took the lead in advancing to the second round.

On the 27th, the Kings completed a sweep of the Trail Blazers.

The SuperSonics and Kings are also the only teams to advance to the second round by sweeping the series.

On the 28th, the league officially announced the results of the MVP selection. Zhou Quan won the MVP for three consecutive years, and this was also his fifth MVP.

On May 5, Dayao and Da Zhi Daba arrived in Seattle one after another.

The three of them had agreed to come over on this day and return home after watching the series between the Sonics and the Lakers.

"Are you planning to bring your family over?" Zhou Quan asked while chatting.

"I'm going to bring my parents over. I've already made an agreement with them and rented the house here. I rented it to avoid having to deal with the property after being traded by the Bulls," Dayao said.

Daba said: "I'll forget it, the next one hasn't been settled yet."

Zhou Quan said: "Daba, you don't have an agent, why not sign Phillip first and let him find a team for you? After coming to the NBA, you can't play for one year and then go back."

"Brother, I won't say anything if you want to thank me."

Daba had nothing to think about. Zhou Quan was taking care of him and immediately nodded in agreement.

"Nothing to be polite about."

Zhou Quan asked Da Zhi again, and Da Zhi shook his head and said, "My wife is engaged in real estate business in China. There is no way she can come to live in the United States."

Zhou Quan nodded and didn't ask any more questions.

On May 5, the Lakers arrived in Seattle.

As a landowner, Zhou Quan called O'Neal and prepared to greet him. After thinking that he had no good topics to talk about, he asked: "Shaq, have you bought an apple?"

"NO, I never eat apples."

Upon hearing Apple, O'Neill, who was about to speak, immediately fell silent, and then hung up the phone after saying just one sentence.

Zhou Quan laughed loudly. O'Neal expected Apple to return to a price below three yuan, but that price may never go back. With the booming sales of IPOD, Apple is now full of vitality, and its stock price has risen to five yuan. Ten dollars.Tonight, the first round ended.

In the West, the Lakers defeated the Mavericks by a score of three to one and faced the SuperSonics in the second round.

The Spurs defeated the Timberwolves by a score of three to two and faced the Kings in the second round.

In the Eastern Conference, the Nets defeated the Pistons [-]-[-], the Raptors defeated the Digital Team [-]-[-], the Celtics defeated the Hornets [-]-[-], and the Magic defeated the Pacers [-]-[-]. In the end, the Nets and Raptors faced off in the second round. Kyle The Magic faced off in the second round.

On the 4th, the G1 game day of the second round series between the SuperSonics and the Lakers, and the other three groups of games will be held on the 5th.

These are the two most watched NBA teams, and they are also recognized by the media as the two strongest teams currently. Many media call this series an early finals.

The Lakers have been swept out of the series for four consecutive years. Since Zhou Quan's comeback, he has swept the Lakers out for two consecutive years, crushing the OK combination alone. This time, many gambling companies are betting on the second round match between the SuperSonics and the Lakers. The series opened with a handicap.

At that time, Zhou Quan led the SuperSonics to defeat Jordan's Bulls in the finals for three consecutive years, completing the three consecutive championship dynasty. This time, many gambling companies offered a handicap that the Iron Fist King would lead the SuperSonics to win the series for the third consecutive time. Sweep the Lakers.

Zhou Quan also took a look at the odds offered by these companies in the past few days. The odds on the SuperSonics are very low and the odds on the Lakers are very high. This means that major gambling companies are very optimistic about the Sonics sweeping the Lakers.

However, he had no intention of ending up, and he didn't even want to join in the fun, lest the media find out about it and cause some unexpected trouble.

……

In the evening, the stars were shining brightly at the Seattle New Center Arena. Countless people crowded into the square, forming a huge sea of ​​people.

The SuperSonics market is so popular that now not only people from the Seattle metropolitan area rush to the city center to watch SuperSonics games, but people from all over Washington drive to Seattle to watch the game, and there are even people nearby. People from Europe drove thousands of miles for two days and one night to watch the game.

At 06:30, the venue opened and people who bought tickets began to enter. More people could only continue to crowd the square.

At the scene, many celebrities and players were being interviewed by the media and some were chatting. It was like a big show.

Zhou Jianguo is a frequent visitor here and has become a die-hard SuperSonics fan. He sat with Dayao and the other three and had a lively chat.

Today Zeng Li also came to the scene with his son, standing and chatting with a bunch of Hollywood stars, while some media were taking photos nearby.

Two-year-old Zhou Yuan was playing with a basketball. His dribbling movements were quite skillful and precise, attracting many reporters to take photos.

The little guy's appearance has followed that of Zhou Quan, but his eyes are like Zeng Li's. He is a handsome boy and is very popular with the media. His headshot has been on the covers of many magazines and he has received a lot of royalties.

At 07:30, the two sides announced the starting list.

Lakers: O'Neal, Samaqui Walker, Rick Fox, Kobe Bryant, Derek Fisher

SuperSonics: Ben Wallace, Rashard Lewis, Bowen, Corey Maggette, Zhou Quan

This series was the most popular series and was grabbed by TNT television. The commentators were Charles Barkley and Kenny Smith.

After getting the starting list, Kenny Smith said: "The Lakers used Samaki Walker at the fourth position. He was the No. 96 pick in the first round of 9. He was very high in the draft, but for so many years, he has only been a role player. Performance."

Barkley said: "He is a good rebounder, averaging 24 rebounds in 7 minutes per game during the regular season. The Lakers must strengthen their rebounding control.

The SuperSonics used Rashard Lewis at the fourth position, averaging only 36 rebounds in 7 minutes per game. Ben Wallace's rebounding is a little better than that of the Sharks. With Samaki Walker, the Lakers can match the rebounds. Supersonics maintain a balance. "

Kenny Smith nodded and said: "Although rebounding can maintain balance and the Sharks can also secure Ben Wallace on the offensive end, the key is the outside."

Barkley said: "Kobe is stronger than last year, and I'm looking forward to his performance."

Kenny Smith shrugged his shoulders and said: "No matter how much Kobe's strength has improved, he is still some distance away from Michael Jordan, and the Iron Fist King completed three consecutive championships on Jordan's head."

Having said this, he glanced at Barkley, who looked a little ugly, and added with a smile: "And this SuperSonics has become stronger and stronger as young people grow up, and 74 wins is not just a boast.

The key is Ben Wallace. He and the Iron Fist King swept five individual data kings. This is an incredible thing, something that has never happened in the decades-long history of the entire league.

Therefore, the SuperSonics are the team that concedes the fewest points per game this season. Their defense is very strong and they are also the team with the highest scoring average per game. Their offensive firepower is the strongest in the league, and they are first in the league in offense and defense. "

Barkley said arrogantly: "That's just against other teams. When the SuperSonics' inside line faces the Sharks, there is only one result, and that is to be crushed."

Kenny Smith smiled and said: "That's true, but the Supersonics have hoarded two human shields, plus Ben, there are three human shields. How much physical strength does the Shark spend on the three of them?

And now they can double-team people without the ball. Once the Sonics are determined not to let O'Neal score, how will the Lakers beat them?
The two insiders double-teamed O'Neal, the Iron Fist King locked up Kobe and cut off the connection between the OK combination, and Bowen restricted the performance of Rick Fox. Whether it is Fisher or Samaki Walker, can they detonate the Sonics from the outside? "

Barkley opened his mouth and argued forcefully: "Double-teaming the Sharks without the ball in advance will inevitably create openings, and the Lakers will not necessarily lose.

Moreover, the SuperSonics worked too hard in the regular season. 74 wins must have consumed too much physical reserves. They may lack physical strength in the playoffs. "

Smith laughed: "But the SuperSonics are the team with the strongest rotation in the league, and their rotation is very sufficient."

In the player tunnel at this time, the five starting players from the SuperSonics arrived early, and then the Lakers also arrived.

Seeing Zhou Quan chewing an apple, O'Neal was stunned, Iron Fist King, you stabbed me with a knife again and again, can we still be friends?

"I ate too much undercooked steak for dinner. Eat an apple to replenish your vitamins." Zhou Quan explained with a smile.

"I'll hold you to death." O'Neill said angrily.

Zhou Quan ignored the idiot O'Neal and said to Kobe: "Kobe, will you play with the ball or without the ball tonight?"

"Hold the ball." Kobe said firmly.

"Can coach Phil Jackson allow it?" Zhou Quan asked doubtfully.

"Humph!"

Kobe snorted back.

Zhou Quan looked at O'Neal. The fat man's expression was not very good, and he seemed to have some internal conflicts that could not be resolved.

He understood O'Neal. Once Kobe holds the ball, the outside offense must be frustrated. How can he win the game by himself?

The away team goes first, and the Lakers come on next.

(End of this chapter)