On May 18, the day after the season ended, Supersonics fans thank you day.

Zhang Hao came to the stadium very early and also made an appointment with the boss, management, and coaching staff. He had something to say to them at 8 a.m.

The season is over, everyone has relaxed for the time being, no one arrives on time, Zhang Hao arrives at the stadium at 7:50, and only sees the boss Howard Schultz at 8:30, and the coaching staff arrives at nearly 9:00.

At 9 o'clock, gathered in Howard Schultz's office, Zhang Hao couldn't help but complain: "The fans all arrived at the stadium earlier than you."

"I've been busy all season, so why don't we have a good sleep? Capitalists can't squeeze people like this!" Butch Baird strongly complained.

"It's not that I don't let you rest, it's him... Aix, you asked us to come so early, is there anything wrong? Anyway, we will come at 10 o'clock, why are we going to arrive so early at 8 o'clock?" Howard Schultz also asked continuously.

Zhang Hao ignored the counter-complaints from the management and coaching staff, and his tone was still plain: "Last night I received a call from Mr. Jordan, and he wanted to join us, so I'm going to tell you early."

"Oh, Jordan wants to join, that's necessary to arrive early... Ah! Who are you talking about? Jordan?" Howard Schultz responded and suddenly let out a strange scream.

"Which Jordan is the one named Michael?"

"Can it be Eddie Jordan? He is 45 years old and has retired and been a coach for many years."

Originally, the management and coaching staff who started to sleep until 8:30 or 9:00 were still yawning. The season was over. Although they were about to work for the new season soon, they could rest before the finals because they had only a second round pick in the 2000 draft pick, and there were indeed not many valuable players in the current lineup. If we look at public opinion, the players whose trading value of the SuperSonics team is positive are Cassel, two rookies, Zhang Hao and Ben Wallace.

Only these people can trade for returns of equivalent or higher value.

Others can only trade to players who are worse than them.

Therefore, compared with the draft trading window, the Supersonics are preparing to put the battlefield in the free market. At least during the period before the season is completely over, the management and coaching staff are relaxed and have been tense for about 10 months.

But Zhang Hao said the man's name, and the scattered atmosphere in the office was wiped out, and everyone was stuck!

After a group of people constantly questioned her, looking at Zhang Hao's calm expression, everyone knew that Zhang Hao was talking about Michael Jordan who wanted to join!

Howard Schultz, who was still doing big things, calmed down first and asked Zhang Hao: "Aix, can your expression reveal a little bit of excitement about Jordan's joining?"

“I’m very excited.”

“…”

When others heard Zhang Hao's words, they felt like they had hallucinations. The next to Zhang Hao's face seemed to say, "I'm very excited."

Seeing that everyone finally got serious, Zhang Hao said: "Mr. Jordan can accept a basic salary contract, but he has a condition for joining. If he plays for a full season in our team, he needs to give him the right to buy 3% of the team shares. If he plays for at least two seasons, he needs to give him the right to buy 5% of the team shares."

"He wants 5% of the shares. If he joins with the basic salary, you can help me agree to him and give him 5% of the team shares!"

The Hawks have not made the playoffs and have not been completely ruined. They are not up and down like the Rockets, Mavericks, Nuggets and other teams, but this season is a huge profit!

Unlike Jordan who originally joined the Wizards three years after retirement, the enthusiasm of fans has long shifted to the OK combination, and Jordan did not even make the All-Star in the second year of his comeback.

Now Jordan has just been on a shortened season for a year. Although he has no strength to surpass everyone before after his comeback, he still has a super performance and is still the player with the highest popularity and money-making ability in the league in the past 15 years.

According to Forbes Sports, the Hawks' ticket revenue and advertising revenue this season were more than 30 million yuan in net profit compared to the 1997-1998 season. Unlike Jordan did not bring much revenue increase to the Wizards in the original time and space, he also wasted a No. 1 pick.

"The team is not mine, it is yours, Mr. Schultz. How could I promise others such a thing casually... Mr. Jordan didn't ask me for the team shares, but just asked me to help tell you that the condition for joining is the right to buy the team shares after retirement."

"You are doing a good job. Since it's a business, of course you can save as much as you can. If he wants to buy 5% of the shares, it means we can add 20 million to 30 million in cash in the future... Let's go! Let's go to Miami!" Howard Schultz said as he called Seattle Airport to make an appointment.

Zhang Hao replied: "Mr. Schultz, we have fans thank you today, and there are charity activities tomorrow, and you have to participate in them. You will not be able to go at the earliest on the 20th."

Seeing that the boss turned on the "Game General Manager Mode" again, the management and the coaching team discussed leaving the boss's office and went to the general manager's office to talk about the changes brought about by Jordan's joining.

Of course, they have to win a player who averages 27+5+5 per game! Besides, they are too short of the second ball holding point and scoring point on the outside.

...

...

On May 21st, another wonderful day has arrived.

Miami is in a vacation villa. Michael Jordan, the former basketball player, is undergoing recuperation here.

Jordan was forced to retire after the suspension, and returned after a year of rest. He was in very good shape. He played 60 games in the regular season, averaging 27.3 points, 6.1 rebounds, 5.1 assists and 1.7 steals per game, shooting percentage was 47%, and three-point shooting percentage was 18%.

Including Grant Hill, who has only played 30 games, only 5 players have averaged 20+5+5 per game this season.

Zhang Hao, Garnett, Finley, Grant Hill... and Jordan.

It is exaggerating and incredible to perform like this at the age of 37.

However, Jordan is not alone. Malone of the Western Conference Jazz averaged 27.2 points per game this season, which is comparable to Jordan's personal performance.

Unlike Malone who has been with the Jazz for a long time, Jordan chose to return with the Hawks. What he likes is that the Hawks have the foundation left behind in their iron-blooded style of play in the past few years. After the trade left Murch Breckleloe and Steve Smith, the Hawks' role player lineup is not bad.

As media reports, Jordan chose the Hawks just to use the Hawks as a springboard for joining top teams.

After the Hawks' regular season, they authorized Jordan to contact the management of other teams, and everyone tacitly understood.

Yesterday, Jordan urged the servants to organize the house beautifully, and prepared snacks, fruits, coffee, and cigars...

Respect this matter is mutual.

But at 10 o'clock this morning, when the Supersonics and his group arrived at Jordan's vacation villa, Jordan jumped!

Supersonics boss Howard Schultz, general manager Larry Harris, general manager assistant Alwan Adams, famous scout Butch Baird, head coach Doug Collins and his younger brother are also assistant coach Scott Collins. He once led the Suns to the finals in the 1993 Finals and now assistant coach Paul Westfal... There are also Zhang Hao, Kassel, Ben Wallace, Jason Williams, Schramf, Dell Curry, Sam Perkins, and Much Brecklow.

More than a dozen people came! In addition to Silver Fox, almost all the management and coaching staff were here, and several core players and veterans of the team also came.

Jordan feels that if he doesn’t promise to join today, he will be kidnapped!

After a wave of greetings, Zhang Hao said: "Mr. Jordan, can you borrow your stadium? I have training today."

"Of course, Chris, take Aix to the indoor court, functional drinks, nutritious meals...all ready."

Zhang Hao needs to train when he comes, and Jordan doesn't think it's bad either. When he comes, he just gives face.

He is ready to join. The Supersonics players are just giving face. They want to talk about buying shares. In his opinion, this can only be discussed with Howard Schultz, and the role of the team after joining is discussed with the coaching staff and management.

...

Zhang Hao went to the "pressure defense" training. After other players exchanged greetings with Jordan, Dell Curry, Schramf, Sam Perkins stayed, Muchi Brecklow, Ben Wallace, Jason Williams and Cassel went to Jordan's chess and card room to play cards.

The talk went smoothly. Howard Schultz verbally promised that if Jordan played for at least two years, he would let Jordan buy 5% of the team's shares. Jordan made a verbal agreement to join the Supersonics in three years based on the basic salary of a veteran who has been over 11 years.

Jordan was very generous and booked several villas in a beach resort hotel in Miami. Except for Howard Schultz, who was busy with work, left Miami after discussing the matter, the coaching staff and other players were ready to stay for a few days.

Jordan's physical fitness is no longer the same. He is 37 years old. He was originally expected to recover from three months and he needs to recuperate for another two months. He will almost recover in more than two months. It will take about two months to recuperate and be able to resume training.

Zhang Hao followed the team to Miami on the 20th, met Jordan on the 21st, stayed at Jordan's house for two days, chatted about some things, and on the morning of the 23rd, he also left Miami for Los Angeles, and met Wang Zhizhi, Hu Weidong, and Yao Ming...

...

...

Zhang Hao is busy with Jordan joining and meeting with his national teammates, and the playoffs are still in full swing.

Carter led the team to the second round and met Iverson and Duncan, which was miserable.

Iverson got a hit when he met Carter. He played 40+ in 3 games in 4 games, averaging 40.25 points per game, and played the most powerful series in his career so far, making Carter worthy of it.

The Raptors are still too young. The 76ers have a decisive needle Duncan. George Lynch, Campbell, Eric Snow, who only knows the defense, and Iverson, who are rampant. The role player lineup, the 76ers are not inferior to the Raptors...

4-0, the 76ers swept to advance to the Eastern Conference Finals.

The Bulls played against the Pacers, which was also quite miserable, and they were eliminated 1-4.

The only game the Bulls won was when they were 0-3 behind in Game 4 of the series. At the last moment, Kobe completed two steals. McGrady scored 4 catches and shots in 1 minute and 33 seconds, and 11 points in a row. In the last minute, the Pacers beat the Pacers 11-5, and then narrowly won 92-88. The Pacers won steadily in the other 4 games.

The 76ers advanced at the earliest on the 14th, and the Pacers also advanced, and the two teams met again to the East Final.

The Trail Blazers advanced to the Western Conference Finals on the 17th, but the Lakers reached the 21st, and relied on O'Neal's 37 points, 17 rebounds and 6 blocks to lead the team to win the tiebreak battle, and advanced to the Western Conference Finals 4-3.

When Zhang Hao saw the Lakers and Suns' matchup, he obviously discovered something.

Compared with the original time and space, the Lakers probably replaced Kobe with Payton and Pierce, but Payton did not have the ability to raise the team's upper limit, but Pierce was too young.

Compared with Kobe, who made his debut in the playoffs this year, Payton and Pierce's performance was indeed far behind. O'Neal was struggling to C, averaging 38 points, 16.7 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 4.4 blocks in 7 games. The Lakers were so thrilling that they defeated the Suns 4-3.

However, Anfini Hardaway averaged 28.6 points, 6.4 rebounds, 4.7 assists and 2.4 steals per game, and his shooting percentage of 53.3% is indeed awesome. Kidd averaged 14.4 points, 9.6 rebounds, and 8.7 assists per game. The Suns team also played well in offense and defense.

It can be said that the four teams in the second round of the Western Conference, except for the Supersonics, are qualified to win the championship.

Zhang Hao chose to go to Los Angeles on the morning of the 23rd because the Suns season was over and Hu Weidong was free.

...

On the 24th, the Eastern Conference Finals had already started, and Zhang Hao, Yao Ming, Wang Zhizhi and Hu Weidong met in Los Angeles.

Another season has passed, and the four players have changed a little bit.

They all play in the United States and are more familiar with each other than before. It is very convenient to talk about things, so there is no need to greet or something like when I first met.

Hu Weidong, Wang Zhizhi, and Yao Ming made an appointment to return to China in early June. On June 25, the three of them went to report together.

Zhang Hao had already communicated with the Blue Association. He returned to the team after the other 11 national team members were finalized in late August. He will have to conduct personal training and two-week business activities during the next period.

“Hu Weidong:

Age: 30 years old (January 3, 1970).

Height: 198 cm, arm span: 206 cm, weight: 95 kg.

Team: Phoenix Suns.

1999-2000 season: played 70 games, 16 games, averaged 23 minutes of playing time, averaged 12.4 points, 2.6 rebounds, 2.2 assists, 1.1 steals, 0.6 blocks, 44.6% shooting percentage, 35.7% three-point shooting percentage, and the best sixth man won the third vote."

"Wang Zhizhi:
To be continued...