The 1986 NBA Finals, a third game between the Boston Celtics and the Los Angeles Lakers.

Regardless of whether the fans are tired of watching it or not, Louis is tired of watching it anyway.

There is still a clear gap between the Lakers and Celtics this year, and Bird's competitive state has reached the peak of his career.

In six games, the Lakers, who were as strong as the Lakers, only lasted six games at the hands of the Celtics.

Game 6 of the finals was Bird's solo performance.

Although Magic had 26 points, 15 rebounds and 12 assists, averaging a triple-double throughout the playoffs, it was of no use.

In Game 6, Bird scored 42 points, 16 rebounds and 7 assists, shooting over 65% from the field.

At the end of the game, he won his third FMVP trophy.

In an interview with the media after the game, Bird said that he had just played the best game of his career.

And, he won't get any better than tonight.

"I should retire now." Bird is so complacent, which shows how high a competitive level he has played.

The depressed figure of the magician is a corner that no one pays attention to. Three years later, he still cannot break the curse.

The Lakers of the 1980s are experiencing the same thing as the Lakers of the 1960s. They could beat other teams, but they couldn't beat the Celtics.

Louis likes this result, he doesn't want Celtic to be defeated by anyone other than him.

He participated in the building process of this team, and now he has to find a way to knock this building down.

Ever since they drafted Ewing last year, their plan to overthrow the Celtics has officially been on the fast track.

This year they won the No. 1 pick again, and Louis is determined to use the past few years to build a team that can shake up the Celtics dynasty.

As soon as the finals ended, the trading market also opened.

The Philadelphia 76ers announced that due to financial problems, they will sell their second pick in the first round.

Some teams jumped into action.

Louis also wants to get the 76ers' second pick in the first round, but he doesn't want to be the first pick.

An aggressive quotation can easily become a stepping stone for the seller and be used as a tool to raise the price.

June 9

Just one day after the NBA Finals, the moves made by the 76ers made many teams unable to sit still.

Louis came to his office early in the morning, and Elgin Baylor was also there, as well as Tomjanovich and Zhao Yuanzheng.

Baylor and Tomjanovich have rich connections, and they can get some information for Louis.

Zhao Yuanzheng is mainly responsible for analyzing what the 76ers want and what price the teams that want to trade with the 76ers can offer.

On one issue, everyone reached an agreement.

What the 76ers want most is cash, so teams that can't afford cash can be eliminated.

After this article came out, the Celtics, who were aggressively trying to trade the second pick, had no chance.

As long as Auerbach can lower the annual salary of Bird and Sampson to US$1.6 million, we know that the team owner's so-called desire to become the Jerry Buss of the Eastern Conference is just lip service.

"As far as I know," Baylor said about the situation he has learned, "Portland, Cleveland, Los Angeles, and Detroit are all interested in this deal."

Louis asked rhetorically: "Who wouldn't be interested?"

"Clippers." Tomjanovich said a cold joke.

Louis smiled. If he were Donald Sterling, he would probably hire a hitman to kill the general manager who sent out the first round of 1986 for Joe Bryant.

"Yuanzheng, let's talk about the situation of the other teams."

Zhao Yuanzheng has been preparing for this meeting for a long time.

He specifically pointed out: "Only Portland and Cleveland have enough desire."

"How do you say that?" Belle asked.

"Portland just suffered a big loss in the Western Conference Finals. They have to strengthen their inside line at all costs. Therefore, if we don't select Brad Doherty, Portland, which gets the second pick, will definitely

Draft him." Zhao Yuanzheng said, "They don't want to get their butt kicked by Kareem Jabbar anymore."

Hearing this, Louis' expression was very strange.

He doesn't think that with Doherty, the Blazers' inside line will not be blown away by Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.

Over the years, the only one who has truly defeated Kareem Abdul-Jabbar in the playoffs is Sampson.

The other insiders could at best compete with him, but Sampson was the only one who outshone him based on his talent and his skills.

In front of Kareem Abdul-Jabbar in his twilight years, Sampson is like a technological product that is changing with each passing day. He belongs to the new era.

Just because Kareem doesn't like to guard people, Sampson can paralyze him just by shooting.

If Kareem Abdul-Jabbar is forced to defend, Sampson can attack with the ball.

When defending, Sampson's height of 2.24 meters, wingspan of 2.35 meters and bounce to the basket make him a monster that can interfere with Kareem Abdul-Jabbar's hook shot.

Therefore, it is definitely overthinking to expect Doherty, who is in mediocre physical condition, to stop Kareem Abdul-Jabbar's atrocities.

"What leverage can Portland bring to the table?" Louis asked.

"With the exception of Michael Jordan, Drexler, and McDaniel, no one in Portland is untradeable. Everyone can be put into this deal and given a certain amount of cash."

Louis looked at the Trail Blazers' lineup and felt that the most attractive offer was Michael Thompson + cash.

However, the 76ers already have insiders such as Moses Malone and Bowie, and they will no longer want an insider who takes away $800,000 a year to increase their burden.

In other words, their goal is no longer to enhance the team's competitiveness through transactions, but to reduce the team's financial pressure.

To be more precise, the most attractive offer to the 76ers is high-quality and low-priced young players + a considerable amount of cash.

"What's the best offer Cleveland can make?" Louis asked.

The team with the greatest desire for reinforcements is definitely the Cavaliers.

They have given away the No. 1 pick to the Knicks for free, and the Knicks still have the right to exchange first-round picks with them next year. If they don't find a way to increase their combat power, they will be giving the other party a wedding dress in vain.

"In terms of the lineup, they have nothing that is not for sale. Whatever Philadelphia wants, they can give it to them."

Zhao Yuanzheng took the information he prepared and said: "However, they do have the player Philadelphia wants, Roy Hinson (SF), who averaged 20 points, 7.8 rebounds, 1.2 assists and 1.4 blocks per game last season, with a shooting percentage of 53.

%, is a very solid and aggressive forward and a two-way wing player that Philadelphia desperately needs right now."

"They really want to change their situation and may take desperate measures because Hinson's potential has reached its limit, and this year's top three favorites all have the ability to change a team."

Louis took a look at the Cavaliers' roster.

Hinson does seem to be a very good player, with statistics and efficiency to speak of, and his annual salary is only $200,000. Because he is still on a rookie contract, his original draft pick was only the 20th overall pick in the first round.

It seems that the Cavaliers' scouting level is very high.

It can be said that as long as they provide enough cash, the 76ers will definitely not be able to refuse the Cavaliers' chips. It will be difficult for other strong teams that want to strengthen themselves to provide such high-quality young players.

Cash is not the problem at all, the problem is young players.

It's not safe for a strong team to keep it to itself, so how can it be traded?

Only a team like the Cavaliers that is eager to lose would be so crazy.

But Louis has questions, why would the Cavaliers prefer to hand over their best player? It's not that they have no other options.

Because even if they get a core center like Doherty, without suitable helpers, the Cavaliers still can't lift their head.

"Did the Cavaliers really put Roy Hinson in the trade?" Louis asked.

Zhao Yuanzheng shook his head: "I don't know, but this is the best bargaining chip they can provide."

"Is Hinson injured?"

"As far as I know, he is very healthy. He played all 82 games last season. In the past three seasons, he has only rested 8 games in some games due to knee problems."

"Knee problem?"

"Yes, he suffered a little knee injury, but since he played full attendance last season, it means the problem has been solved."

Louis didn't believe that the riding staff had gone crazy, nor did he believe that they were obsessed with Doherty's strength.

What does he believe? He believes in clear judgment.

What would happen to this team even if it had Doherty? Send away the best young players on the team, and then bring in a young core center, and everything would be fine?

Hinson has no conflict with Doherty or other popular rookies this year. He can play two forward positions. Judging from the rebounding data, he is better at playing power forward.

Hinson will no longer be able to partner with Doherty after being traded, if the Cavaliers really put him on the trade list.

Based on Louis' experience, or first reaction, there must be something wrong here.

He couldn't tell what the problem was, but he just didn't believe that any team could do the same thing in the Cavaliers' current situation.

"Don't mention it, things are getting interesting." Louis said excitedly, "For the expedition, let's talk about Detroit and Boston. What leverage can they bring to the table?"

Zhao Yuanzheng said: "It is difficult for these two teams to get what they want."

"It's okay, let's talk and be prepared." Louis didn't plan to take action now, he wanted to wait.

Moreover, this transaction involves cash, so he has to apply for it.

These past few days must have been the busiest and most chaotic time for him.

In addition to applying for cash for transactions with the above, he also has to attend the NBA annual meeting, where he has to propose several new proposals on behalf of the Knicks.

During this period, I took the opportunity to inquire about information from various parties. Since the 76ers wanted to trade the second pick, no matter whether the Knicks could get it or not, Louis had to join the team. It would not work without doing something.

What's more, they don't have a chance. Don't the 76ers want young players of good quality and low price? Just so, the Knicks have a lot.

Therefore, it is difficult to say who will be the final winner in this multi-party bidding war caused by the 76ers.

With the idea of ​​harming others but not benefiting himself, Louis started his actions with the mentality of muddying the water even if he didn't get the draft pick.
Chapter completed!