On August 5, 1999, after the free market officially opened, a big deal that caused heated discussions finally appeared.
The Magic sent Anfernee Hardaway to the Suns in exchange for Pat Garrity, Danny Manning, the 2001 first-round draft pick, and the 2002 first-round draft pick.
Compared to the Hawks sending Steve Smith to the Trail Blazers two days ago, the Magic's deal almost announced that the team will completely lose next season and officially enter a rebuilding period.
Although the media and fans in Orlando often complain about Anfernee Hardaway's glass physique, when they saw the "Jordan successor" being traded, they couldn't help but curse the management for a while.
However, the Magic's management has always been tough.
After sending Anfernee Hardaway away, they didn't make any comments.
This can be regarded as sending a signal to the outside world:
"Hardaway is no longer good. We made a lot of money in this deal!"
While many ball critics were still discussing the deal in the past few days, Lee had already arrived in Chappaqua, New York.
This small town in Westchester County is about 40 miles from New York City.
It has a small population, but it has beautiful natural scenery and rich history and culture.
Looking back, the two former owners of the White House also lived here.
The place is not big, but it is quite famous.
August 19th is the birthday of that person, but the private party was officially held on the 7th.
The theme of the birthday party on that day was "The Favorites of the White House Owner", which included his favorite food, music, movies and sports stars, etc.
There were nearly 200 people invited, and most of them were celebrities and celebrities except for some big shots.
Good friend Harvey Weinstein provided a luxurious villa as a gathering place for the private birthday party.
After experiencing a major crisis in his life, the owner of the White House urgently needed a political show to stabilize the emotions of himself and others.
On the afternoon of the 7th, after a strict security check, Clay Lee, who was wearing a dark blue formal suit, saw theappearance of the top-floor party.
Everyone present was dressed in formal suits, and the service staff were all beautiful girls with good looks.
The morning was a gathering of big shots, and the afternoon was a happy time for everyone.
Lee has actually seen the owner of the white house quite often in recent years.
He was invited by the owner of the white house when Connecticut won the championship and the Knicks won the championship.
However, those were all formal occasions, and this was the first time for a private gathering.
Roger Enrico, the president of PepsiCo, immediately waved when he saw Lee.
After getting close to a few people, Enrico immediately teased Lee:
"It was the right choice for us to sign Lee last year. If it were this year, perhaps we would not be able to afford the advertising fee!"
Everyone laughed, and Disney's president Eisner took over the conversation at this time:
"Lee, we can also cooperate if there is a chance. Young people now like you very much!"
"."
Regardless of whether the other party was sincere or not, Lee could only smile and agree.
In addition to some bigwigs, Lee also saw celebrities in the entertainment industry.
Nicole Kidman, who was glowing white, was wearing a white dress and was accompanying Tom Cruise to greet everyone.
Lee was tactful and did not go up to say hello.
After all, Tom Cruise was much shorter than him. In such an occasion, he still needed to take care of the other party's emotions.
Nicole Kidman quietly raised her eyebrows to Lee, as a greeting.
They hadn't seen each other for more than half a year since the last party in New York.
Denzel Washington was talking to Spielberg, and when he saw Lee, he waved and said hello.
Many Hollywood stars came, and big singers Whitney Houston, Mariah Carey, Cherry and others were also greeting each other.
More business leaders gathered around today's protagonist.
For the spectators, scandals are a big deal, but more upper-class people don't care about them at all.
Not keeping your belt tight is not a big deal at all.
If the party doesn't report it, perhaps this matter will just be left unresolved.
After the host of the party came on stage, he simply expressed his gratitude, then waved and greeted everyone, and started a cordial greeting.
When she came to Lee, she even cared about his LSAT test:
"I know you are a genius and have a great memory, but the LSAT test is not easy. If you want to go to law school, you have to take it seriously!"
"Try your best in everything. This is my experience when I took the test!"
Seemingly unaffected by the scandal, the two still acted like a loving couple and took turns talking to Lee cordially.
The climax of the birthday party was an animated short film produced by Harvey Weinstein and dubbed by Robin Williams.
The content of this short film shows the life experience of the owner of the white house in a humorous and satirical way.
Not only does it have many jokes, it also recalls the highlight moments of this person.
The short film quickly aroused laughter and applause from everyone at the scene, which also made the protagonist of tonight a little embarrassed, but Lee felt that the other party must have been prepared.
Singer Cherry sang a favorite song for the host of tonight's banquet.
The surging Cherry wore a black tight dress that night and handed the microphone to this person during the singing.
The two hugged each other intimately, and after singing, they danced together, which soon aroused cheers and applause from the scene.
The party lasted a long time, and at the end of the night, the couple, who seemed to have recovered from the scandal, expressed their gratitude to all the participants:
"This is the best birthday party I have ever had. It is an honor to invite so many friends and family. I love you!"
The large-scale private birthday party show was a complete success.
Looking at the old actor, Lee was speechless for a moment:
"Apart from the fact that there are more ingredients and stars at the top-floor party, the rest is no different from an ordinary celebrity party."
By attending this private party, young Lee became familiar with celebrities and gained some private friendships, which was the biggest gain from this boring party.
Whether it was crisis public relations or a reality show, after the private party, the New York crowd fell in love with their white house owner again.
Although Lee was a small transparent person at this private party, the New York Times believed in the follow-up report that his inclination was not quite right, after all, the elephant party has the final say in New York.
However, these boring news were soon covered up by other news:
The Knicks successfully renewed Clay Lee's contract with a maximum salary of 70.9 million US dollars for 6 years.
As soon as this news was announced, the Lakers, Nets, and 76ers also.announced that they had signed their own rookie players with a maximum salary.
The only advantage of the rookies of the 96th class is that they don't have to play the full 4-year rookie contract.
After opting out of the contract in the third year, the parent team will mostly hand over a big contract.
But compared with Kevin Garnett's super maximum salary, the contract of the rookies of the 96th class is still a little bit worse.
On Monday, August 9, the Knicks held a press conference in Tarrytown.
General Manager Grunfeld and Clay Lee sat on the stage, and the media in the audience witnessed Lee signing his name on the contract.
Other rookies would not have received such treatment.
After all, the Knicks have a chance to win three consecutive championships.
The biggest task of this offseason is to renew Lee's contract.
Now that the goal has been successfully achieved, it is natural to promote it.
Having signed the first maximum salary contract in his career, Lee is in a good mood.
A big contract also means privileges.
Next season, his treatment will completely surpass Ewing.
Achieving three consecutive championships will also make the team a dynasty team.
Although the Los Angeles media has been shouting every day in the past month that the championship in the shortened season is too watery, most ball critics don't care about this:
"The external conditions of all teams are the same, and the champion is the champion!"
Yahoo Sports also specially sent reporters to the scene today to witness Lee's contract renewal.
After completing the signing ceremony, they followed the crowd to quack.
The cameras on the scene kept ringing, and there was no need to worry about the hot spots in sports news in the next week!
General Manager Grunfeld also showed a complacent smile.
After completing this work, he had secured a thigh.
"Lee, can you talk about your expectations for the new season? Are you satisfied with the team's operations during the offseason?"
Hearing the question from the Yahoo Sports reporter, Lee quickly answered confidently:
"The goal of the Knicks in the new season is only the championship. Three consecutive championships are the dream of all of us!"
"Grunfeld did an excellent job. He brought back Ron, a young man from Queens, for New York fans. Everyone likes him."
Many New York reporters cheered.
No matter how the outside world evaluated Artest, everyone was particularly tolerant of their own people.
The reporter from the New York Post knew Lee's schedule and became a mouthpiece at this time.
He asked with a smile:
"Lee, did you notice Shaq's concert?"
The depressed Shark sang randomly at his own concert to vent his dissatisfaction.
Sometimes chanting songs does not need to rhyme.
O'Neal took the opportunity to angrily criticize the Spurs and the Knicks, satirizing the game between the two teams as the most boring matchup in the NBA Finals.
"Believe me, if the Lakers make it to the finals, Shaq might be swept again, and the games without suspense are the most boring!"
"We all know that the Spurs swept the Lakers. As a loser, what he should do is shut up and accept the reality."
In the Western Conference Finals, the Lakers were swept out by the Spurs, and in the finals, the Knicks swept the Spurs again.
The relationship between the strong and the weak is obvious, and the reporters in the audience laughed.
Basketball games have always been about results.
Even if O'Neal recites scriptures every day, it can't change the fact that he is often swept in the playoffs.
The New York media will not be polite.
The other side has been clamoring for a month, and it's time to fight back.
By the way, let's take a look at O'Neal's playoff journey in his career.
The most frequently asked question for General Manager Grunfeld is whether the Knicks will add inside players.
Oakley and Ewing will be one year older next season.
Short inside players usually decline after getting older.
The gorilla's Achilles tendon injury will greatly reduce his athletic ability.
The aging inside combination has become the team's weak point, and finding the next Ewing has almost become the Knicks' top priority.
Grunfeld will certainly not reveal the internal situation of the Knicks.
James Dolan, who has just taken office, does not want to anger New York fans, so he will not send Ewing, who has played for the team for many years, away for no reason.
Although the gorilla's salary is high, the Knicks can still afford it.
Although Grunfeld wants to send Ewing away, he can only compromise for the sake of team culture.
"Basketball games are not just about the body. Pat and Charles have rich game experience. In the playoffs, the team also needs such veterans."
"We will not trade the meritorious members of the Knicks. At the end of their careers, it is difficult for players to avoid injuries, and the team is their guarantee at this time."
Grunfeld's answer was very decent, and the New York media in the audience were very satisfied.
Compared with the Bulls' team culture that likes to sell off meritorious players who are declining, the Knicks have shown their style as a wealthy team.
Salary is not a problem, New York has money!
Lee stroked his chin and roughly estimated the specific salary of the Knicks next season.
He couldn't help but secretly gasp.
Some memories suddenly emerged in his mind.
Lee looked at Grunfeld beside him and silently sent a blessing in his heart:
"After the luxury tax is officially introduced, the Knicks may not be able to hold on."
....
https://discord.gg/mjcCSyu7Yr
By the way, don't forget to throw power stones and leave a review to motivate me :)