Build a Dream Dynasty

Chapter 4 The Helm

On the morning of May 26, 2010, the mood of the entire NBA was mobilized by a piece of news from the Nets.

Chinese businessman Jiang Shixiao bought a 55% stake in the Nets for US$430 million plus a 50% stake in the Nets' new arena in New York, Barclays Center. There is a clause in the contract: Jiang Shixiao can buy the remaining equity for 450 million US dollars before the 2012-13 season.

Shortly after the NBA officially announced the news, Yahoo Sports and ESPN also reported on the matter.

As two well-connected media groups, while breaking the news about the transfer of the Nets’ equity, they also broke the news about the reorganization of the Nets’ management, including the general manager of the Nets Vandeweghe, the head coach Ever Many staff members, including Lee Johnson, have basically come to an end with the Nets.

For Nets fans, it was the day after two decades that was voted the greatest day in franchise history, more than worth the franchise's first NBA title.

At nine o'clock in the morning, in the press conference hall of the Nets, Jiang Mingliang walked in wearing a Nets jersey with his name on it under the guidance of team press officers Tracy and Vandeweghe. , The flashlights of the entire press conference flashed in unison.

Vandeweghe was the first to speak. At this moment, the general manager of the team announced that the equity of the team had been transferred. Mr. Bruce Ratner transferred part of the shares of the Nets he held to Mr. Jiang Shixiao. Mr. Jiang Shixiao He will become the largest shareholder of the team, and at the same time, he will step down from the position of general manager of the team and be replaced by Mr. Jiang Mingliang.

"Next, please ask questions from the reporters!" Tracy said.

Except for the finals in full swing, the acquisition of the New Jersey Nets affected the hearts of most media practitioners. As soon as Tracy asked questions, all the reporters raised their hands.

Later, Tracy ordered the first reporter to ask questions. A white woman in her 30s stood up and said, "Hello, I am a reporter from the New Jersey Globe. Acquisition. What I want to ask is that the team has a bad record this season, which means that the management needs to do a lot of work to turn the team around. What plans do you have for the summer?"

"Before officially taking over the Nets, my team and I did a lot of research work. Of course we will make adjustments to the team. As for how to build the team, I think there is still a period of time for me to prepare, and there is one thing I can do. Assure the fans that in the new season, everyone will see a brand new Nets team, and this team will bring fans a different experience!"

After the local reporter gave face, Tracy ordered the second reporter to ask. A black male stood up and asked, "Hi, I'm a reporter from ESPN. We all got the news. After the acquisition case ended Afterwards, the team will have a reorganization of the management. Does it mean that you are dissatisfied with the operation of the previous management? How will the team's new management consist?"

This question was a bit sharp, and Jiang Mingliang looked at the other party, feeling a little dissatisfied.

"Mr. Vandeweghe, I am very grateful for his hard work for the Nets. This job is not as easy as the outside world thinks. Maybe his grades are not so good, but this is not the responsibility of anyone alone. We need Everyone on the team, including me, is going to turn this around. Hope he has a happy holiday and starts again."

"Coach Avery Johnson, I am very grateful that he took over when the team was in crisis. There is an old saying in China called being appointed by a defeated army, which describes his character. However, we have some differences about the future direction of the team. We broke up. It's not that any of us have a problem, it's just that we don't fit together. Hopefully he can find another job soon."

Jiang Mingliang expressed his "reluctance" to several employees who were fired by him, but as for the candidates for the new management, although he already had a goal in mind, he never mentioned it.

"The Nets currently have a lot of salary space. Do you have the intention to pursue LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, Amre Stoudemire and other superstars in the free market?"

The reporter of the "New York Times" can be said to have dug a hole for Jiang Mingliang. In the league, management or team owners are prohibited from publicly discussing player transfers.

"LeBron, Dwyane, and Amre are all very good players. I will like to use them in 2K." Jiang Mingliang jumped over this pit through the game.

Then the reporter asked a variety of questions, and Jiang Mingliang answered them one by one.

Walking out of the press conference hall of the Prudential Center (the home court of the Nets), Jiang Mingliang looked up at the team flag flying in the sky and said with emotion: There is still a long way to go!

. . . . . . .

Butler University, located in Indiana, in the Midwest of the United States, has a beautiful environment and is very close to downtown Indianapolis. Before Jiang Mingliang came to board the plane, he had already contacted Stevens through some relationships. Stevens should be waiting for him in the hotel in front of him now.

When I entered the hotel's coffee shop, I saw Stevens waiting for me in the corner! Compared with Stevens, who will be called the young coach in the future, he is more "fresh" now. NBA teams have never had such a young head coach. Jiang Mingliang paid attention to Stevens in the distance, and walked straight over.

"Is that Coach Stevens? Hello, I'm Jiang Mingliang!" Jiang Mingliang introduced himself.

Stevens stood up, shook hands with Jiang Mingliang, and said, "There have been news about the acquisition of the Nets these days. I didn't expect the new general manager to be younger than I thought. It's a pleasure to meet you."

"That is, the acquisition was announced to be completed, so I had the opportunity to meet with Coach Stevens."

Nonsense, I'm not here to talk about coaching the Nets. Is it possible that I'm here to discuss sponsorship and money for Butler University? Then contact the school, why contact Stevens?

"Coach, do you know anything about the Nets?" Jiang Mingliang asked.

After receiving the call from the staff, Stevens studied the video carefully, and immediately replied: "How should I say it! Most of your games this season are not of analytical value, but as far as the composition of the players is concerned, Look, I have some ideas."

Stevens spoke very directly, but, at the end of this season, the Nets are basically doing badly, trying to increase the team's transaction value through a No. 1 pick. In this case, any analysis is false.

"If you mean last season, you shouldn't use 'you', because I'm not in it yet. If you mean next season, I hope you use 'we'." Jiang Mingliang said clearly.

"Hehe." Stevens smiled, "The Nets' lineup needs a large-scale change, and if they want to achieve good results, it will not be possible to achieve it in one or two years."

"Do you want to do it? We two young people, lead a brand new team to reach greater heights together?" Jiang Mingliang emphasized the word "young people", telling Stevens that he will follow He is in the same camp, and no one will disobey him because of his age.

Being able to coach an NBA team is the dream of every coach, especially a young coach, but Stevens was still a little worried and asked: "What I want to know is can I carry out my job smoothly? What rights can I get? "

"You will get all the rights that belong to you. No one will come to dictate your formation. You have a veto power in the introduction of players and transactions. The Nets may not be able to sign what you want. Every player you want, but I will definitely not stuff anyone you don’t want into the team.” Stevens’ level will be recognized by everyone in the future, and Jiang Mingliang puts his treasure on him, at least he is not bad. s Choice.

"Since you have said so, I am willing to go to the Nets to coach. When do you need me to take office! There is also a salary that needs to be discussed..."

"Once the acquisition plan is successful, you can take office immediately. In terms of the contract, 15 million in 5 years, what do you think?" Jiang Mingliang directly offered a 5-year contract, which really surprised the history. Stevens was speechless.

Unlike European football, NBA teams do not poach coaches from each other. As coaches, they usually don't jump to other teams when they cooperate with the team smoothly. So the general coaching contract is three to four years. If it is a rookie coach or a firefighting coach, he can only get a two-year contract.

"I am very satisfied with the annual salary of 3 million US dollars. Five years is enough for me to make achievements." Both the salary and the contract period are reassuring for Stevens. Stevens smiled with satisfaction He shook hands with Jiang Mingliang.

"OK, I'm here to tell you something, rest assured that I support you in your bold work!"

After parting with Stevens, Jiang Mingliang walked out of the coffee shop with a sense of accomplishment in his heart. It's been a while since I came to this world, and Jiang Mingliang has never been so excited.

Stevens, but a cornerstone he selected for the Nets!

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