Travel back to be a superstar

Chapter 177 Lakers Prospect
Jiang Dashan's retweeting at the end of the game was quickly known by the league, and the league immediately gave the result: a fine of 5 US dollars and a one-game suspension.

After the Lakers won the 76ers, Walton took Jiang Dashan to the press conference.

Walton first expressed his dissatisfaction with the media, "Listen, whenever someone is about to be punished, I always get the news a few days later, but this time I don't know why the result came out in just one hour, and the penalty is so severe. The Lakers' operations department, that is, Mr. Magic Johnson, will give us feedback to the league."

Jiang Dashan, on the other hand, gave full play to the Chinese spirit of being humble and admitting mistakes. He apologized in various ways, "I'm very sorry, I know the rules of the league, but I saw the photos of my wife and children at the time, so I couldn't hold back for a while! I think nothing can make me happier than being a father or winning an NBA championship. I hope everyone can forgive me. I have done bad things, and I will set an example in the future!"

Jiang Dashan's answer, on the one hand, established a positive image for himself by gaining sympathy; on the other hand, he also hoped that people would know his original intention, and then put pressure on the top management of the league by making people resent this punishment.

Sure enough, the next day, all the major media responded to the alliance's quick response. Most of the media moderately criticized Jiang Dashan himself, and then turned to attack the alliance's top management.

At this time, Jiang Dashan and Walton were both sitting in the office of the general manager of operations of the Lakers, and sitting opposite Magic Johnson.

"We have already applied to the top management of the league. However, your one-game suspension may not be revoked. The fine has now been notified, and the fine has been reduced from 5 US dollars to 5000 US dollars. I don't know the result, can you accept it?" Magic Johnson seemed a little helpless at this time.

"Actually, how much money, or an insignificant suspension, it doesn't matter much. The point is, why did the penalty come down so quickly this time, which is obviously unreasonable!" Wharton asked.

"Yes, I also told Coach Wharton what I mean. Money doesn't matter. If you are suspended, it doesn't matter for one or two games. After all, our opponents are not strong, and it is still the regular season. The main thing is that the usual punishment, at least in the daytime. This time it came out so soon. Is it because I am Chinese? Is it discrimination against me?" Jiang Dashan asked Johnson puzzledly. Of course, he controlled his emotions well.

"Don't worry. I think this is fine. Actually, this matter is the best for us now." Magic Johnson took a sip of coffee, "You know that at the beginning of the season, the Pacers have been slandering us for recruiting Paul George illegally. So the high-level executives deliberately targeted our Lakers. Now this matter has been brought to the forefront, so the next thing will benefit our Lakers."

"For example, continue to recruit James illegally next year?" Wharton asked.

"No, no, the Lakers have never violated the rules!" Johnson smiled, and then denied.

"Very good, Mr. Johnson, I respect you very much, but I don't want the operation side to continue to give the league executives an excuse to pay close attention to and sanction us! This is not good for anyone. I also hope that James can come, but I hope it is not in an illegal way!" Wharton looked at Johnson, neither humble nor overbearing.

Johnson waved his hands with a smile, "I appreciate you both! One has potential, but has already stood so high; the other is the embryo of a famous coach! Don't worry, I hope for the rise of the Lakers more than any of you."

After listening, Wharton and Jiang Dashan stood up and said goodbye. Johnson sent them out, and then left Wharton alone, "Listen, it's good that we make it to the playoffs this year. We don't care how many rounds we get to. The important thing is to make it to the playoffs. The matter of the championship, leave it to next year! J, you go out first, I still have something to do with Wharton."

Jiang Dashan left alone, leaving Johnson and Wharton in the office.

"Come out, Jim." Johnson yelled at the side door, and the president of the Lakers, Jim Buss, came out from behind the door.

"So what are we going to discuss?" Wharton was a little puzzled.

Jim Buss found a seat closer to Wharton at this time, and Johnson also came to the sofa.

"I think we need to discuss our next season! So I came to you today to discuss it." Jim Buss spoke first, "Do you think we can make the playoffs this year? Coach Walton!" Jim Buss looked at Walton.

"The current configuration, as long as there are no injuries, there is no problem. However, the competition in the West is too strong. The Warriors, Rockets, Thunder, Spurs, etc. will all become obstacles for the Lakers to advance to the playoffs."

"That's right." Johnson and Buss looked at each other and said, "The Lakers currently have only one competitive player. Lonzo, he needs to grow; Ingram, also needs to grow. The two of them have the opportunity to grow into superstar players. For J, it would be fine if he was a small forward. What I mean is that if he is about 1 meters tall, he can become the absolute core of the Lakers."

"Isn't his performance good enough?" Wharton asked.

"No, no, boy, he's good enough. But the Celtics in the Thomas era is an obvious example! His height will limit him a lot in the playoffs. We need a superstar with no flaws in the absolute sense." Johnson explained.

"James' contract expires next year. For the Thunder, three expire, whether it's Westbrook, Paul George, or Anthony. We need to get two of them." Jim Buss said bluntly.

"Forgive me for disagreeing, gentlemen. The current configuration of the team is very good. It can be said that there are some overlaps in the current positions, or the contract is too large. I personally think that only Luol Deng can be relaxed. For example, cost-effectiveness, then it can also be extended to Pope and Lopez. Our inside manpower is enough. In fact, Bogut, Randall and Zubac are enough. There is no need to trade J."

"I think you got it wrong." Jim Buss said twice, "It can be seen that you like J very much, and we like him too. He is the absolute topic of the Lakers now. What he brought to Los Angeles has far surpassed Lonzo. We can't bear him! With 82 points, he is already an iconic figure in basketball."

"Yes, J is a very good combo player! But his flaws are too obvious. I say this just to prepare you. Tomorrow, our first target is James. Tomorrow I will trade Luol Deng, Pope, and Lopez. Although Pope and James are the same agency, it is enough for us to keep J. This way we can save nearly 6000 million. However, considering the new force left by the Lakers and our needs, James alone is actually enough. After all, the small forward position We still have Ingram, we don't need so many small forwards."

"I just hope that our starting lineup next year will be Jiang Dashan, Lonzo, James or Paul George or Anthony, a well-known power forward plus Bogut. On the bench, there will be a group of good bench gangsters!" Jim Buss laughed, "How far do you think our current lineup can go?"

"Look at the last term! I think the current strength of our team is far inferior to the Warriors, Thunder, Rockets and Spurs. If we are lucky, we will be able to fight against the Rockets or Spurs. But if we meet the Warriors or the Thunder in the first round, it will be so long before the first round." Wharton replied.

"So we have to look forward. We tell you this so that you don't feel pressured. In addition, train this group of young people well! By this time next year, many of them will come in handy!"

Wharton nodded and left.Jim Buss and Johnson were left talking in the room.Wharton sighed. He had just realized that his back was completely soaked.

"J, no matter what they think, I won't let you go!" Wharton muttered to himself.

(End of this chapter)