basketball player

Chapter 563 Chapter 561: The price problem

In downtown Indianapolis, between Deville Street and Spania Street, there is a building with a high status in Indianapolis - Bankers Life Arena.

It's a place where Indianapolisians are proud, other cities are intimidated, and Antetokounmpo is a place to vent his anger.

At this time, the outside of the Banker Life Arena has become empty.But just an hour and a half ago, there was still a lot of people here.Because the game between the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Indiana Pacers was just held here.

This game is considered to be a preview of the Eastern Conference finals this season.When the season just started, the Pacers had defeated the Cavaliers.But this time, the Cavaliers led by James completed their revenge.

They scored 132 points at Bankers Life Arena!There is no doubt that this is the game where the Pacers have dropped the most points in the past six years. The 15-point difference is also the Pacers' worst loss this season.

The reason why this game is played like this is not because the Cavaliers really crushed the Pacers, nor is it because the Pacers were too careless.

In fact, the Pacers players performed very well today.Paul, George and Antetokounmpo all scored 20 points.Oladipo's 16 points also caused a lot of trouble for the Cavaliers.

But all of this has changed because of the role player Kyle Korver.

This gentleman only played 26 points today, and scored a game-high 29 points efficiently.The whole game took 12 shots and only missed 2 goals.The most frightening thing is that Korver made 9 of 8 shots today from outside the three-point line!
Today's Korver is more deadly than James and Irving.So in fact, the Pacers' loss in this game is not normal at all.

But Antetokounmpo doesn't care about these. If you lose, you lose. No matter how you lose, Antetokounmpo is not happy.

On the empty training ground, he will replay every scene of the game just now, put every basketball that has just bounced off the frame back into the basket, and disassemble every defense that has just been uninterpreted.

Antetokounmpo explained in an interview that he likes to practice this kind of behavior after losing: "After a bad game, I will really burn with anger. I am afraid that if I go home directly, the anger will never dissipate. So stay and practice, this is my way to dispel the anger."

Antetokounmpo often completes this kind of post-game "self-punishment" directly on the court, which he once learned from Chris Paul after a loss.But now, he is doing more exaggeration than Paul.

He always thinks, if he had been quicker to defend Korver, maybe that guy wouldn't have made so many three-pointers.

This is Antetokounmpo, and this is why he was able to grow from a small transparent to a superstar.

So when Henson came out of his office at 11:30 and walked into the gym, he wasn't surprised to see Antetokounmpo still practicing.Antetokounmpo's highest record is to leave the training hall at three o'clock in the morning.If it weren't for Henson's explicit prohibition and strict supervision, this guy would probably do this kind of thing often.

"Almost, Yannis. I told you that as long as anything is excessive, it is not a good thing."

Hearing Henson's voice, Antetokounmpo immediately stopped what he was doing.From his expression, it is not difficult to see the look of surprise.

"Boss, I thought you were gone." Antetokounmpo scratched his head, his jersey completely soaked in sweat.

"I wanted to leave at first, but I was afraid that you would practice until the early morning, so I came to take a look."

"Hey, don't worry. I promised you that I would never leave so late again." Antetokounmpo, who was still full of anger just now, looked like a child in front of Henson.

To be exact, he was just a kid.Don't look at Antetokounmpo has played in the NBA for several years, but he is only 22 years old now.

"I don't blame you for today's game. It is a good thing that you are willing to take responsibility, but sometimes, it is not wise to take all the responsibility on yourself. I would rather see you put this energy on the court than against yourself. Do you understand what I mean?"

"Of course, boss. Come on, I'll leave with you. Next time we go to Cleveland, I won't let you down."

"Yes, Yannis, actually, I came to you tonight because I wanted to discuss something with you."

"Discussion? Hahahaha, what are you discussing? If you have something to say, just say it, and I will do it." Antetokounmpo said heartily.

"Pascal Siakam, the guy who just transferred from the Raptors last month. I hope you can give him more pointers. He is a great guy, but he is not confident in himself. During training, take care of him."

"That's it?" Antetokounmpo still had a smile on his face.

"That's it."

"Well, I'll keep an eye on him."

"I'm joking with you, Giannis. Actually, what I really want to say is," Henson took a deep breath, "Bird and I have decided to renew your contract in advance. Moreover, it is a maximum salary extension. Giannis, you are about to become a billionaire."

After Henson finished speaking, the expression on Antetokounmpo's face froze instead.

"You said. Renew the contract early?"

"That's right, renew the contract in advance. Don't worry, we will offer you a maximum salary contract. It is worth 1.06 million US dollars. Now, you are also a top star in the league."

Antetokounmpo swallowed, and suddenly remembered his past life in his mind.

He was deported again and again in Greece, and made a living by setting up stalls on the streets of Greece.In the United States, he could only sleep in the gymnasium. But it is precisely because of this life that Antetokounmpo learned to work hard.

And now, he has succeeded.He's big enough to buy a three-story mansion in Indianapolis and take care of his own family, as well as his future children, grandchildren, and even great-grandchildren.
Without warning, Antetokounmpo hugged Henson.

Antetokounmpo's reaction when he heard that he was about to renew his contract with a maximum salary was a bit different from Henson's imagination.
At noon the next day, Antetokounmpo's chief manager Jeff Austin came to Bird's office as scheduled to discuss the contract renewal with the Pacers.

It is said to be a discussion, but in Henson's view, this contract extension may actually not require a manager to come forward at all.After all, both parties very much want to continue to cooperate with each other.Antetokounmpo already has feelings for Indianapolis, and the price tag given by the Pacers is also very sincere.

But during the negotiation process, Jeff Austin said unexpectedly, "Yiannis and I both agree with the renewal of the contract. But regarding the price of the contract renewal, I think there is room for negotiation with Yannis."

Hearing this, Henson's eyes widened instantly.Could it be that this guy Austin still wants the lion to open his mouth?
"Haha, don't get me wrong," Austin obviously saw the change in Henson's expression, so he quickly explained, "The so-called price change is not a price increase, but a price reduction. Antetokounmpo told me this morning that he is willing to take the initiative to cut his salary by 600 million US dollars to make room for the Pacers. Therefore, the price of our contract extension is not 4 million for 1.06 years, but 4 million for 1 years."

Austin smiled. He knew very well that if the Pacers hadn't recommended Antetokounmpo to his manager, he would not have such a large client.So when Antetokounmpo proposed a salary cut, Austin also approved it.

Although Austin is a sinister and cunning manager in the impression of people, he has always believed in two words-reciprocity and gratitude.

After hearing Austin's explanation, Henson let out a sigh of relief.He had to admit that he had just been frightened.

Willing to take the initiative to cut salary by 600 million US dollars, this is not a small amount.When Henson first started as the head coach, his annual salary was less than $600 million, and the amount he actually got after deducting taxes was even rarer.

Therefore, Antetokounmpo is willing to take the initiative to cut his salary so much, which really makes Henson feel gratified and moved.

Unlike Leonard and Jimmy Butler, Antetokounmpo is already a Polis with corn-yellow blood.

At noon that day, under the filming of several invited reporters, Antetokounmpo signed his name on the contract.His talent will belong to Indianapolis for the next four years.

Just 10 minutes later, the news of Antetokounmpo's 4-year 1 million early contract renewal with the Pacers spread throughout the United States.

Undoubtedly, while some people are admiring, there will definitely be voices of doubt.

But Henson believes that Antetokounmpo will use actions to shut everyone up.

(End of this chapter)