NBA: Magic Johnson opens the season, crowned MOP

"Damn it!"

Outside the president's office on the 29th floor of the NBA headquarters building in New York, Vice President Adam Silver and then-Chairman of the League's Business Planning and Development Department Mark Tatum were standing outside the office, carefully listening to the"roar" coming from inside.

The two"human shrews" looked at each other and urged each other to go in first.

Finally, Mark Tatum, who couldn't bear it any longer, glared at the bald-headed Silver and knocked on the door politely.——

"Dongdong……"

After a long time, an old voice came from the office:

"Come in!"

The two men outside the door straightened their suits and were about to push the door open to go in. Tatum, who was walking behind them, suddenly pushed Xiao Hua - the latter staggered and almost fell.

"What's the matter?"

Stern, who was already furious because of his"scheme" against the Spurs... or Popovich's failure, was furious again when he saw Silver's unstable appearance.

His tone was a little stiff.

But... it's not a failure, right?

After all, the Spurs finally faced the first round.���Los Angeles Lakers.

Thinking of this, the old man's blood pressure, which had risen rapidly due to his excitement, finally calmed down a little.

"This is……"

Xiao Hua was frightened by the president's blunt tone and sweated profusely. He quickly handed over the business plan in his hand.——

"This is our preliminary plan for the commercial broadcasting contracts with major TV stations next year!"

The Jewish old man's face eased a little after hearing this. He still valued this future successor.

After taking the business plan, he turned his attention to Mark Tatum behind him.——

"I have sent the list of referees for the first round of this year's playoffs and the list of security personnel for each stadium to your private mailbox. Please review it later.……"

Stern was very pleased with Tatum's warm and polite smile and his efficient and reliable work style.

"Oh, Adam!"

Stern hadn't had time to look over the plan in his hand when he suddenly remembered something.——

"How is the preparation for the first round of league regular season awards selection that your department is responsible for this year?"

"We are ready. The media reporters from Mi Li's side who are shortlisted for voting have already arrived in New York, and it will take another day for the media from Canada to arrive!"

""Hmm"

Stern seemed a little dissatisfied with Xiao Hua's efficiency after listening to it, and nodded indifferently.

Xiao Hua hurriedly added"：

"Mr. President, there is a small problem with the first round of award selection list this year.……"

""Problem?"

Stern took off his glasses and leaned back on the large office chair, his face clearly uneasy.

Mark Tatum beside him also had an idea.

"What's the problem?"

Xiao Hua hesitated, raised his head to observe the president's expression, and said carefully:

"The same person appeared on the list of candidates for Rookie of the Year (ROY) and Sixth Man of the Year (SOY)……"

"The same person?!"

Stern was a little confused.

The names of last year's rookies flashed through his mind one by one, and then he quickly locked onto one person.——

"Joey?"

——————

On April 17, after the Spurs played their last regular season game of the season in Minnesota, the entire team boarded a plane back to San Antonio.

"Guess who is this year's Rookie of the Year?"

On the plane, with a bandage on his left hand and a Texas Hold'em card in his right hand, he deliberately"joked" while playing cards. Split, who was sitting with Joey,"understood" and elbowed Joey, who was already wearing an eye mask and sleeping:

"I bet $10 on a senior from Portland!"

"I also bet $15……"

"I bet $100 that the best rookie will be the long-armed monster from Charlotte!"

"……"

In the cabin, except for Popovich and Budenholzer who were smiling, almost all the Spurs players participated in this"bet".

These old guys looked at Joey who was sitting at the back expectantly, and they couldn't wait to see the"reaction" of this rookie.

But the result was beyond their expectations. Joey was wearing a blindfold and didn't move at all.

"cut~~~~"

There was a lot of tut-tutting in the cabin, and there was a lot of"dissatisfaction" in the eyes looking at Joey.

Every flight back and forth is a"torture" for these old guys who have been in the league for many years. They can't go online or spend money, so they can only play poker and international flying chess in the cabin...

Of course, there are usually only two or three people playing chess, and Duncan is one of them.

And teasing Joey, the rookie who caused a"sensation" many times in his rookie season, has become the third"entertainment activity" for these old guys on the road.

Popovich smiled and"appreciated" the"bad taste" of the old players in the team. In fact, he is often one of these guys who like"bad taste"

"Joey... stop being so boring!"

Popovich walked to Joey's row of seats and woke him up from pretending to sleep.

""Show us your acceptance speech in advance!" the old man with white hair joked with a"sly smile".

Joey couldn't pretend to sleep anymore. He opened his eyes like McGrady and"actively" unbuckled his seat belt with the help of Split and Fat McGrady. He was pushed to the aisle.

Everyone in the team was looking forward to watching this"rookie". Even Manu, Parker and others who were playing cards put down their cards.

"I……"

Joey was a little embarrassed - no, these old guys are too idle, are they? I haven't even started yet and I'm already giving a"speech"?

Just as the old guys below were grinning and watching him"make a fool of himself", Popovich suddenly received a message.

It was from his long-time friend Jim Harris who works at the NBA headquarters in New York - old friend, prepare to hold a party for your student, who won the Best Rookie and the Best Sixth Man of the Year honors in his rookie season.

He will be the"Tim Duncan" of the new era in San Antonio!