At the same time, in the Spurs locker room, Duncan and Robinson stood next to Popovich.

"Coach, the team doctor just said it was a severe concussion, and the situation is not optimistic." Duncan said in a low voice.

Popovich nodded, "These damn Grizzlies are really crazy. Why are they so crazy? Why would they do such a thing?"

Hearing that the young general suffered a severe concussion, Popovich, who had always been calm, lost his composure and began to curse.

Severe concussions may cause extremely serious consequences. For example, amnesia that often appears in TV dramas is a possible sequelae of severe concussions. There are also different sequelae such as anorexia and inattention.

Even if there were no such sequelae, the young general would have to take a break for at least two months to observe the situation. During this period, he would not be able to engage in mental or physical activities.

With the playoffs just around the corner and the team's point guard suddenly gone, it's a wonder that Popovich isn't in a hurry.

Fortunately, the little general's life is safe. Otherwise, Popovich would not be calling the Grizzlies crazy here.

"They must pay the price. The league cannot sit idly by and ignore such vicious incidents!" Robinson said angrily.

After the tragedy tonight, although Grizzlies head coach Jiang Dongbing took the initiative to admit his mistake and gave up the game to give the Spurs a victory, this obviously could not calm the anger of the Spurs players. They must make Artest pay a heavy price.

cost.

"Let's go, the press conference is about to start." Popovich took Duncan and Robinson to the press conference.

In the Grizzlies locker room, Jiang Dongbing and Artest sat in silence, saying nothing.

After a while, Artest said: "Coach, I'm sorry, what should I do now?"

Now Artest is completely panicked. He is just a young boy who has never seen much of the world. He suddenly caused such a big trouble and has already lost his sense of proportion.

"Don't worry, I will try my best to calm down the Spurs' anger. You will follow me later and apologize to the Spurs first. At least we must express our attitude first."

"Secondly, you must promise me that I will arrange for a psychiatrist and you must actively carry out treatment. You should know that there is something wrong with your mental health now."

"Also, be mentally prepared. Even if the Spurs forgive you, the league will not let you off lightly. You will definitely be severely suspended. However, you will take advantage of this period of suspension to participate in psychological treatment." Jiang Dongbing

He spoke slowly.

Artest looked stunned and asked himself to see a psychiatrist?!

For the first time, he felt conflicted. Not everyone is willing to admit that they have psychological problems, especially a player with a bright future like Artest. Once he is confirmed to have psychological problems, which team will

Are you willing to spend a lot of money to sign yourself?!

In fact, under normal circumstances, Artest suffers from this aspect. In his entire career, his salary has never reached tens of millions of dollars in any season. The highest annual salary was the US$7.4 million he received with the Kings.

With Artest's strength, this salary is obviously too low? The reason lies in his psychological problems. No player dares to give a time bomb a maximum salary.

But despite the resistance in his heart, seeing Jiang Dongbing's solemn expression, Artest also knew that he had to obey Jiang Dongbing's arrangement? Otherwise, his career might be over immediately!

The young general even fell into a coma for a time. Such a serious matter has not happened in the NBA for many years. Stern is promoting harmonious basketball, so he will definitely be used as a warning to others.

If Jiang Dongbing didn't help Artest, it's hard to say how severely Stern would punish Artest.

…

After taking Artest out of the locker room, the two walked straight towards the Spurs locker room, and happened to meet Popovich and three others at the door who were about to attend a press conference.

"Greg, I brought Ron here to apologize to you. I really feel sorry for you and Avery." Jiang Dongbing said sincerely.

Artest on the side also said: "I'm sorry, please forgive me."

"Forgive you? You murderer, you are murdering Avery, why should I forgive you!" Robinson roared at Artest.

He doesn't have any objection to Jiang Dongbing. In his opinion, tonight's incident has nothing to do with Jiang Dongbing. Jiang Dongbing can bring the players to apologize immediately, which already reflects his demeanor.

Popovich's face was very ugly, and he looked at Artest coldly, with no intention of forgiving Artest.

Jiang Dongbing waved his hand and asked Artest to leave first. He said to Popovich: "Greg, can we talk alone and give me two minutes."

Popovich was startled and wanted to talk alone? Did Jiang Dongbing have something shameful to say to him?

After the two of them walked to the corner of the aisle, Jiang Dongbing went straight to the point: "Greg, what happened this time is indeed our Ron's fault, but he is just a young man and has a bright future in the future. I don't think you want his career either."

My career was ruined."

"Ginger, what exactly do you want to say? Do you want to talk to me alone just to plead for Ron?" Popovich said dissatisfied.

Jiang Dongbing shook his head, "No, I want to make a deal with the Spurs and give Manu to you."

These words immediately stunned Popovich. He didn't realize for a moment what Jiang Dongbing meant. Make a deal with the Spurs and give Manu Ginobili to the Spurs?

Popovich has actually been paying attention to the player Ginobili.

How could he not know the problem that the Spurs are facing now? Of course the two towers inside are very strong, but the outside lineup is really too shabby. Even if the young general is placed as a point guard, he can't be considered effective.

A point guard who has no three-point ability at all. Fools all know that he is destined to be eliminated by the times. How could Popovich not know that?

If Ginobili can join the Spurs, Popovich is convinced that this will be an unparalleled reinforcement for the Spurs' perimeter lineup and will definitely increase the Spurs' perimeter offensive firepower by at least two levels.

Originally, the Spurs' outside line was the weakest in the league. With Ginobili, they can at least reach the mid-level level in the league.

Even though Ginobili's average per game statistics for the Grizzlies are not very impressive, in those games where the playing time reaches more than 25 minutes, Ginobili can also score quite outstanding scoring data. The key is Ginobili's offense.

There are no shortcomings at the end, and the outstanding three-point ability is exactly what the Spurs need.

Even though Popovich was extremely excited, he remained calm.

"Jiang, what kind of bargaining chip do you want when you give us Manu? You have to know that our Spurs don't have much bargaining chip."

Jiang Dongbing shook his head, "Free gift!"

"Free?!" Popovich exclaimed.

"That's right, it's just a free gift. We don't want anything. Of course, in order to make this transaction more normal, you can find a second-round pick for us, no matter what the pick is." Jiang Dongbing said.

Popovich's heart couldn't stand it any longer. Was it really a free gift? Ginobili, who had tremendous potential and immediate combat ability, was given to the Spurs for free? This was definitely a piece of pie in the sky.

"What do you need from us, the Spurs? Take the initiative to ask the league not to punish Ron Artest? You know this is impossible." Popovich sighed and said.

Artest did something like this. If Popovich asked the league not to punish Artest, it would be unjustifiable both emotionally and rationally. How could the Spurs players agree?

Now that the matter has been heard, Popovich knows that if he can get compensation from the Grizzlies, it will be the most cost-effective thing for the Spurs.

If he just vents his anger, even if Artest is expelled from the NBA, what good will it do to the Spurs? On the contrary, it will probably completely piss off Jiang Dongbing.

"No, I just want the Spurs to prevent the situation from getting worse," Jiang Dongbing said in a deep voice.

Popovich nodded and understood what Jiang Dongbing meant. Jiang Dongbing's request was that the Spurs should not add fuel to the fire on this matter. The specific punishment plan would be decided by the league.

Normally when such a big thing happens, the alliance will definitely consider the suffering owner's feelings first.

"Okay, but are you sure you can give us Manu for free? You can take charge of this matter?" Popovich asked uncertainly.

Popovich has absolute authority in the Spurs, but as far as he knows, although Jiang Dongbing has a high status in the Grizzlies, it may be a bit reluctant to give away a high-quality newcomer like Manu for free.

If the "deal" between the two parties is reached and the Grizzlies don't send Manu, then today's conversation will be meaningless.

Jiang Dongbing laughed directly, "Greg, I brought so many players to the Grizzlies and helped them win the championship. If such small things can't satisfy me, then there is no need for me to stay with this Grizzlies."

Already."

"Don't worry, even if I can't give you Manu Bai, I still owe you a favor to the Spurs. I will definitely return it to you whenever you need it in the future." Jiang Dongbing gave Popovich another guarantee.

.

Popovich was finally relieved. If he could get a favor from Jiang Dongbing, he wouldn't have to worry about getting players like Ginobili.

For a moment, Popovich's mood improved a little. Although it seemed a bit unkind to trade this matter with the Grizzlies, Popovich would definitely not want to miss this kind of deal that is obviously beneficial to the Spurs.

He actually has a strong sense of crisis now!

The Spurs seem to be quite competitive. With the existence of the Spurs' twin towers, they can still occupy a place in the league no matter what.

But think about Robinson's age, how many more years can he play? Two years? Three years? After two or three years, Robinson's competitive state may have dropped to a very low level. If the Spurs failed to do so in these two or three years,

If other reinforcements are obtained, it means that the entire team will be completely supported by Duncan alone.

For a team like the Spurs that has no money and no market, the key is that they are not willing to play badly. If they want to strengthen, it will not be that easy.

If Duncan is exhausted from playing and doesn't want to waste his youth by staying in the Spurs, then the Spurs will be completely doomed.

This is Popovich's sense of crisis, and he has even noticed that Duncan has some strange thoughts.

This is not Popovich's random imagination. Under normal circumstances, Duncan did almost leave the Spurs to join the Magic in the past year.

If the Spurs' lineup gives Duncan no hope at all, it would be extremely normal for him to want to leave.

Once Duncan leaves, Popovich's coaching career will probably come to an end. Even in the last shortened season, Popovich was almost removed from his position as head coach because the team didn't want Popovich to take on both roles.

Two positions: general manager and head coach.

Now that Jiang Dongbing is willing to send Ginobili over for free to strengthen the Spurs' outside lineup, Popovich is naturally unwilling to miss this opportunity. This is definitely an opportunity that can change the future of the Spurs!

…

After separating from Jiang Dongbing, Popovich went directly to the press conference alone. The reason why he did not bring Duncan and Robinson was because he did not want to make things worse. Since he had made a deal with Jiang Dongbing, he must fulfill his promise in the deal.

Otherwise, Ginobili wouldn't be so easy to get.

"Coach Popovich, an unbearable vicious incident occurred on the field tonight. What do you think?" A reporter asked this question directly.

Popovich said slowly: "Such a vicious incident really shouldn't happen. I think the league will make a fair judgment."

The reporters in the audience were stunned. Is this the end? The Spurs didn't pressure the league to severely punish Artest?
To be continued...