Legend of Tomorrow

In the evening, Lakers owner Jerry Buss booked a private club for a celebration party.

You can bring your family members or invite friends in your circle, so many singers, movie stars, and celebrities from all walks of life came. Guo Xu and Megan Fox attended together.

While Meghan and Vanessa were chatting, Guo Xu took the stage with O'Neal and Kobe to sing Queen's classic song We Are the Champions.

Guo Xu specially practiced this song during the time loop, and his singing was somewhat similar to the original version, which made him steal the show. The two of them were responsible for the harmony, and O'Neill almost led him out of tune. His expressions and body language were extremely rich.

Guo Xu's words No brothers, no basketball brought the atmosphere of unity within the Lakers team to a whole new level. O'Neal also admitted that without Kobe, he would not have been able to win the championship last season, and they started to be good friends again.

Kobe came off the stage to accompany his wife, and Guo Xu and O'Neal sang another classic song e and get your love by the Red Bones, which is especially suitable for dancing.

After a while of commotion, O'Neal gave up the microphone to his teammates, still not satisfied, and called Guo Xu aside and suggested: I think we should release an album together when we have time, or release a high-quality single to hit the U.S. Billboard's annual 100 Hot singles chart.”

Billboard is an American music magazine founded in 1894. It contains introductions and rankings of many types of music. The most important rankings are Billboard Hot 100 (single ranking) and Billboard 200 (album ranking). , among which the single ranking is currently recognized as the most authoritative list in the world.

Stop joking, can we two be on that list? Guo Xu said with a smile.

It's not a joke, this is my dream. O'Neal said seriously.

Isn't your dream to lead the team to win many championships?

Well... O'Neal narrowed his eyes, tilted his head slightly, and said slowly with an expression as if he was smelling fart: I just play basketball casually. My dream has always been to win a Grammy for singing and an Oscar for acting. , and being a police officer.”

Guo Xu thought about it, O'Neal is really a person who likes to do side jobs.

Many NBA players have other side jobs outside the court, such as gangsters, fishing masters, nightclub princes, gambling gods, gambling heroes, gambling saints, etc.

O'Neal is probably the player who loves record production the most. He released the rap album Diesel Shaq in his rookie season, and later released Kung Fu Shaq: Return, You Can't Stop the Dominion, Respect, Shaq's Greatest Hits, Fever Zone Chapter 5 and other albums.

Two of the albums have achieved platinum sales of 500,000 copies.

O'Neal's hoarse and dull ecstatic singing voice also fascinated many people, and the fat man who was born with smart blood not only sang singles, but also sang and danced in groups.

It would be more difficult for me, but it's entirely possible for you. Your voice is great, much better than mine.

Guo Xu has a good voice because he doesn't smoke or drink. It's not a deliberate practice. His voice is clear and magnetic, with a British accent. Many media praised his sexy voice.

Even if I could sing, I wouldn't have a good song. Guo Xu laughed.

“I’m looking for someone to write lyrics and music, and I know a bunch of talent.”

There's no rush, we'll talk about it later...

In the corner, Zen Master Phil Jackson was chatting alone with Lakers manager Mitch Kupchak. The two were discussing Guo Xu's contract extension.

Guo Xu will become a restricted free agent next year. It will be difficult for him to renew his contract and stay in the Lakers.

During the regular season, Kupchak was thinking about how to control the team's salary space below the salary cap in 2002 and offer Guo Xu a big contract. Now he finds that it is useless to go below the salary cap. The Lakers cannot accommodate two maximum salaries. players. Based on Guo Xu's performance in this year's finals, there must be many teams willing to offer him a maximum salary.

In the summer of 2000, O'Neal, who won two MVP awards, signed an extended contract with the Lakers, worth $88.5 million over three years. This was the maximum contract the Lakers could provide him.

In this way, O'Neal, who still has a three-year contract, will earn a whopping $152 million in six years. His annual salary from the 2003-2004 season to the 2005 season to the 2006 season is 32.5 million. He is truly a money printing machine.

In the summer of 1999, the Lakers also saw Kobe's potential. After his rookie contract expired, they renewed Kobe's six-year contract worth $70.9 million, which did not expire until 2005.

With the big contracts of these two people, the Lakers really can't pay Guo Xu a high salary. The league's salary cap in 2002 is expected to be around 40 million. If Guo Xu is left with only three players, the Lakers will have to pay luxury tax, and the remaining players will have to pay the luxury tax. Is it all a basic salary?

Jackson whispered: Actually, there is another way to keep Jason, and that is to trade Kobe this summer in exchange for draft picks. We can sign a short-term contract in the free market to find a replacement for the No. 2 position, so that we can get a high salary next year. Re-sign Jason.

Jackson was very optimistic about O'Neal and Guo Xu and wanted to trade Kobe out of the team more than once. He and Kobe had always had communication problems. There is an internal struggle within the Lakers management, with Jackson siding with his girlfriend Jeanie Buss and Jim Buss supporting Kobe. Both siblings want to succeed Bass and become the team's decision-maker.

Kupchak shook his head and sighed: Phil, this is impossible. The boss has already said that Kobe is not for sale. With his physical fitness and current popularity, how can we trade him for draft picks? He will He is only 23 years old and has not yet reached his peak. It is difficult to find another player with his balance of offense and defense in the league.

Jackson refused to give up and said seriously: Jason is only 19 years old. Players like him are harder to find. Not only does he have the ability to play well, he can also become a leader in the locker room in the future. Kobe has difficulty communicating with his teammates. Think about his rookie season. What is he like? You and I have been players, you should be able to see the potential in Jason.

Kupchak is a retired player who played for the Bullets and Lakers in his career and won the NBA championship three times. After retiring in 1986, he became Jerry West's assistant general manager. It was not until 2000 that he gained real power and became the general manager. He has worked for the Lakers for 15 years, and of course he knows Kobe Bryant as a rookie.

Kupchak was moved after thinking about it for a moment. A player's talent is not only determined by physical quality, but also football intelligence and emotional intelligence are important indicators.

It took Kobe three years to integrate into the team. In the first two seasons, he only fought randomly. Even though he was selected as an All-Star starter in 1998 and was highly praised by the league, Kobe was still outside the Lakers' tactical system.

Guo Xu's rise is unprecedented in the NBA. It only took half a season to go from the last rookie to the best rookie. In one season, he became a star, the best rookie, the best sixth man, and the Lakers. One of the Big Three, his commercial value has soared more like a rocket.

Everyone thinks that Guo Xu's rookie season is somewhat legendary, and many people think that he is better than Kobe now and is already the second in charge of the Lakers. Wouldn't the Lakers regret letting such a potential star go for nothing?

Kupchak thought for a while and whispered: Let's go to see Jerry (Bass) the day after tomorrow, list out the pros and cons of both of them, and then let him decide. You know in this matter , it’s impossible for me to make the decision.”

Jackson nodded: Well, I hope he doesn't just focus on immediate interests.

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