What happened the day the best player in the world joined the Lakers?

What happened the day the best player in the world joined the Lakers?

/kloc-at 4 o'clock in the morning of July, 0/8, she was already awake. I can't sleep anymore, so I have to wait for the sun to rise. To tell the truth, at such a critical moment, Jenny Bass is lucky to be asleep. In a few hours, LeBron James will announce his decision. The Lakers are one of his most likely new owners.

Jenny has seen how many big-name free agents her father Buss has brought to the Lakers, changing the map of the league again and again. But since his death at 20 13, the Lakers have entered a dark age.

She said: "We are quite confident (signing LeBron), but we are not disappointed, so I won't take it for granted."

At that time, she had learned that the magician had met LeBron alone the night before, but she didn't know what they talked about or what the result was. She just watched ESPN's free market special program at home the night before, just like ordinary fans. Experts don't like the Lakers very much because Paul George stayed in Thunder. This year's Lakers may be no different from the past five years, and they can only be disappointed with the free market.

Jenny fired her brother Jim and team general manager Kupchak in February 20 17, and replaced them with Magic and Pelinka. Lakers fans have always felt that the team should compete for the championship every year to attract big names to join. If they can't, they will be distracted. After all, this is Hollywood, and there shouldn't be too much attractive entertainment.

In the past five years, Jenny has also felt the kind of anger as an individual. In the 34 years that Buss was in charge of the team, the Lakers never missed the playoffs for more than two years in a row, but after his death, the Lakers didn't.

Lakers fans have been spoiled by the glory of the past for too long, and the Buss know that there are not many opportunities left for them to turn over. She said: "It is a fact that we are at the bottom of the league."

As the CEO of the Lakers, the salvation she can do is to change the culture and image of the team, and let the magician and Kobe Bryant, the two superstars in the team's history, join hands to help them recruit LeBron, the first player in the league today.

However, the so-called "recruitment" is only a relative statement. LeBron's level of stars can't be obtained by recruitment. What team he chooses is to inform the other party what to do, and there is no bargaining process. The team must prove itself, strive to win trust and accept all the conditions he put forward.

LeBron is definitely one of the strongest athletes in sports history. Few people can completely control their choices and directions for the rest of their lives like him. Moving to Los Angeles is a very reasonable choice for him. But the goodness of Los Angeles is not the same as accepting his terms and waiting for his decision.

On the morning of July 1, all the people waiting were nervous, anxious and excited. They knew that their fate was about to be changed.

LeBron's decision this time is completely different from the previous two. There is no live TV broadcast, no interviews with team representatives, no farce, unlike before when he made a decision, the whole league had to stop and hold its breath.

This time, he doesn't want to do it again, and he doesn't need to do it again. At the age of 33, he has won three championships. No one knows this alliance better than him, and no one knows how to choose his own legend better than him. Therefore, before going to Anguilla for a holiday with his family at the end of June, he met with his agent, Ricky Paul, and several consultants, and made it clear.

This time, no one can benefit from his decision, don't make any documentaries, don't seek any commercial interests, and don't hold any celebration banquets and press conferences. LeBron is willing to make a decision as soon as possible so as not to make other teams hesitate. As for himself, he just wants to stay with his family and try to spend the whole summer in Italy.

He has played in the finals for eight years in a row. The short offseason is like an oasis in the desert for him, and he needs high-quality company time.

And more importantly, he has won the championship for the Cavaliers, and the situation is completely different from the previous two. In the past season, he really did his best for the team. Even team coach Tyrone Lu said, "He played at the highest level you can imagine. This may be his best season."

When James J.S.Wong's agent announced his decision to join the Lakers, Lu Shuai was in the high-end lounge of the Las Vegas Hotel, where the Cavaliers were preparing for the summer league. It was Sunday night, and everything was quiet, suitable for him to "hide". Lu always knew LeBron might go to the Lakers, but it really happened, and it took him some time to believe it.

"Of course it's hard to accept. He means too much to Cleveland, to our whole team and to me as a coach. But he is also the person who bears the most pressure and worries, more than anyone else. Even so, he didn't give in and compromise from the first day, but he became stronger and stronger, and made so many contributions to the whole league and the whole city. He can make any choice for his career and enjoy any choice. I am happy for him and his family. "

After the finals, Lu Shuai and LeBron kept in touch. This is not uncommon. They often contact each other by SMS during festivals. Of course, Lu Shuai needs to keep abreast of James J.S.Wong's ideas. After all, he played 104 games in the past season, averaging 38 minutes.

"Sometimes I talk five or six times a week, and sometimes I talk five or six times a day." He said.

He also wants to keep in touch during the offseason, but he doesn't want to be misunderstood by LeBron. He doesn't want to exert any influence on decision no.3.

"I didn't recruit him. Ricky has made it clear to the Cavaliers that none of us need to recruit. LeBron knows exactly what he wants and what our situation is, so let him make his own decision. I respect their opinions very much. " Lu Shuai said.

So is Wade 20 14. LeBron is faced with the choice of whether to stay or not. Wade, as a friend who surpassed his teammates, accompanied him on vacation in Las Vegas and flew back to Miami together before deciding. Not long after LeBron announced his return to the Cavaliers, Wade never "crossed the line" to persuade him to stay.

A few years later, Wade also said, "I didn't recruit him once. When I knew that he had made a decision, I said, isn't it interesting? To do what he wants, I will support it no matter what. I know not many people can do this, but my life is not realized by LeBron. I cherish our friendship very much, and the rest is the bonus. "

Lu Shuai is probably the most optimistic person in the Cavaliers' management about James J.S.Wong's future. Every time I communicate with LeBron, he is calm, just like LeBron will appear in the Cavaliers Arena as soon as he arrives at training camp. But the whole Cleveland seems to be ready for his departure. After the fourth game of the finals, all the fans stood up and applauded him, just like a grand farewell.

The hatred of 20 10 has turned into nostalgia and sadness.

Mara Ledeno, a columnist of Akron Beacon, wrote in an article on July 2: "I thought I was ready for his departure, so my heart would not be hurt. But knowing that he joined the Lakers, I feel that some of the most magical and amazing moments I witnessed during my 4 1 year as a reporter have really passed. "

After the finals, Cavaliers general manager Attelmann has been trying to find a reinforcement deal to let LeBron stay. But during this time, he often communicated with Paul, but he didn't get any guarantee to stay in the team, not even advice.

This attitude is similar to the way LeBron treated the Heat management in 20 14 years: there was almost no communication, no guidance and suggestions, and the management could only contact Paul. Riley, the president of the Heat, was very dissatisfied at the time. He even broke into LeBron's trainer's wedding, hoping to know his attitude. As a result, LeBron didn't see him until he promised the Cavaliers to sign a contract.

Knights certainly understand what this means. LeBron will always do things in his own way, and those who know him should respect him. Both the Lakers and the Cavaliers understand.

Atman said, "This is completely different from the last time he left. He still cares about us. I believe. I also really believe that this decision made him very sad. Going to Los Angeles is for the happy life of him and his family in the future. "

Atman got a call from Paul at home and learned that LeBron had chosen the Lakers. At that time, it was already past 8 pm Eastern Time, and he knew how heavy the responsibility of future reconstruction was. Soon he called the management and all the returning players, but his mood was still very low.

What if they get more chips in Owen's deal? What if they can catch paul george? "When you look back at your work, you will really lose sleep." He said, "I don't want to judge whether the team is doing right or wrong. This choice was made by him. I must accept it for the sake of the individual and his family. "

Early the next morning, atman received a phone call, which was probably from the only person in the world who could empathize with him at that moment: Andy ellsberg, general manager of Heat Company.

Elisburg said, "As soon as he answered the phone, I said, Is it normal for the sun to come out this morning? He said, come out. I said, then I want to tell you that the sun will still rise as usual tomorrow. "

Four years ago, ellsberg and Heat were at a loss because of LeBron's departure. They knew he might leave the team, but they didn't expect him to leave after only playing for four years. You know, the heat entered the finals in these four years.

The same is true for knights. LeBron got what he needed from these two teams. In the Heat, he won the championship and knew how to control his own destiny. Leaving the heat, his direction is more clear. This time, he chose Los Angeles for his family.

"I was really angry that night, and I was so excited that my chest hurt." Recalling LeBron's decision on 20 14, ellsberg said, "I was lying in bed and thought I was going to have a heart attack."

He spent the whole day saving the team, persuading Bosh and Wade to stay and talking about any free agent who might fill LeBron's vacancy. After the panic has passed, all that remains is pain. He couldn't sleep, so he just got on the bus and drove north for two hours before slowly calming down. "About four or five o'clock in the morning, my consciousness became clear. This has nothing to do with us, but what he wants to do. " Elisburg said.

In July this year, ellsberg was able to exchange feelings with atman. "I went to the office early the next morning, wrote down the names of many players on the blackboard and began to rebuild. You know, it will all end, and whether it's the way you want it or not, you always have to start over. " He said, "But in any case, the past four years have been wonderful enough. You have won a championship, which is an achievement that nothing can erase. "

Atman listened to his story and knew that these words would help him to move on for a long time to come. "He said he would never deny the past four years. That's what I thought. It's really great to enter the finals for four consecutive years and cooperate with the first player in the league. "

As for the Lakers, they should be used to bringing in big-name superstars, but LeBron's arrival still brought a lot of excitement and panic.

LeBron and the Lakers are not a match made in heaven. The core players of the Lakers are teenagers in their early twenties. They haven't recruited George yet, and negotiations with Leonard of the Spurs haven't made much progress, but LeBron has come anyway. No one dares to ask why, but the Lakers know that they have to prove that they live up to LeBron's trust.

LeBron and the magician are often compared. They grew up with similar backgrounds. As basketball geniuses, they had numerous expectations when they first entered the league. Magic 1979 was chosen as the No.1 pick by the Lakers, which was the first year that Buss bought the team. He is 6 feet 9 inches tall. He can do anything on the court and always smile. He started the Showtime era and became a successful businessman and social activist after retirement.

So is LeBron, who is 6' 8 ". He has been paid attention to since 15, but he has never been as close as a father and son to his boss as a magician. For many years, his small circle was limited to family, friends and business partners, including Paul, maverick Carter and Randy Mimms.

But if his Lakers career can bear fruit, he and the magician enjoy not only the similarity of ability, but also the similarity of story.

Judgment is very important. Only Jenny and Pelinka at the top of the Lakers knew about the magician meeting LeBron alone. Low-key is also the sincerity of the Lakers to LeBron and his inner circle. If this cannot be done, how can LeBron trust them?

Jenny also said, "We will never take any risk of omission."

She is willing to wait, and she is willing to believe that she single-handedly propped up the upper two people. "The magician and Rob have done a lot of preparatory work. They want to gamble and see the result first, but to be honest, (James J.S.Wong joining) is the best result, but if he doesn't come, we still have plans B, C, D and E. How the players make decisions is their own business, and we will try our best. "

Jenny has never attended a player recruitment meeting. "We didn't even decide on a coach after the free market opened. How can we persuade other players to join us? " We have received such feedback before, at least let us decide the coach. But I thought, what if they sign a coach they are not satisfied with? Anyway, I don't like this process very much. "

In the past year and a half, Jenny has been trying to reshape the culture of the Lakers. She wants the Lakers to have their own culture and not succumb to others. Even if she can't get the star, she won't regret it.

But she will still lose sleep because of LeBron's decision, because his choice can also disprove whether she chose the right direction. "I was with friends at the time, but I really couldn't help staring at my mobile phone." She said.

After 5 pm, she finally received a short message from Paul, which said, "Congratulations."

"I will never forget that moment. I believe my father will be very happy. This is definitely the ending he wants to see. " She said.

Lakers coach Luke Walton considered the possibility of coaching LeBron a few weeks ago. He thought there would be a job fair and was still preparing to meet LeBron.

In the past two years, he has devoted himself to training young Lakers players, which is not easy. Fortunately, he finally saw some achievements last season. If he wants to see James J.S.Wong, he wants to explain his ideas and get the approval of the other party. He has prepared several sets of tactics, and if LeBron asks for details, he can answer them. But he also thinks it is unlikely.

"X, who says LeBron wants to hear these things?" She said.

Tactics are not important, but vision and confidence are important. Wharton thinks he can see things from LeBron's point of view. Two years ago, he left the Warriors who were building a dynasty team and came to the Lakers who were rebuilding. He knows how stressful it will be to work here, and he also knows that the management is in a period of fluctuation. But he believes that the Lakers can make a comeback and play their part.

"I have always liked the family atmosphere in the sports team. From high school to college and then to the Lakers' eight-year career, the experience of winning the championship together was really special, which completely shaped my basketball view. "He said," I support the Lakers, even if they are warriors. "I am very willing to accept the challenge to get the opportunity to coach the Lakers and help them rebuild. After all, this is the team that made me grow up. "

Wharton still wanted to find a chance to tell these stories to LeBron, but in the end LeBron only met the magician alone. Wharton didn't know the news of their meeting until the morning of July 1, and he also knew that the result was good. He didn't ask any more questions, knowing that he needed to keep the team secret. (Later, he sent a message to James J.S.Wong, intending to meet him as soon as possible. )

"I just got back from the office. It was a beautiful day. My family just opened the pool cover and is ready to enjoy it. " He said. As a result, his phone rang and he realized that LeBron had chosen the Lakers.

"I may have called for a long time after that and completely missed the family barbecue party on Sunday." He smiled and said, "When I finally answered the phone, the children were asleep."

When everything calmed down, Wharton had a chance to reflect on what had happened, and his fate and that of the Lakers were changed. He has received hundreds of text messages and emails and is still waiting for a reply.

Kobe also contacted him and told him that to be a good coach in James J.S.Wong, he needed to listen and cooperate, just as he did with Jackson. "Know what is really important and stick to it."

Heat coach Spoelstra also gave him advice, telling him that LeBron needs to know the daily work of the team. As a coach, he should be transparent and open and willing to discuss.

"He said LeBron is different from the Heat. Eight years ago, he didn't have a championship, and he was quite desperate. Now that he knows more, the coach needs to be honest and work very hard. As long as you do your job well, you can get along well with him. "

His father, Bill Wharton, was attending a concert of Grateful Dead (a rock band founded in 1965) and called him to ask him how to celebrate. "Well, when he called me, the background was very noisy and he had to yell at me: this rhythm is the answer to all the problems in life." Walton said with a smile, "I'll be fine when I understand what this means."

Walton knew that everything would be different next. He made teammates with Malone, Payton, O 'Neill and Kobe Bryant in his rookie season, and he also saw how this team disintegrated. But he also won the championship with the Lakers, knowing that no amount of farce will end one day.

"I know it will be crazy, and I know it will be great. The whole city will support us, and our games will be on the program of "Sports Center" every day. If we lose, people will think that the world is coming to an end. If we win, it seems invincible. Anyway, next season will be interesting. "

With this in mind, Wharton came to the pool. His family fell asleep, leaving him to think quietly.

"Sitting under the stars, I said to myself, damn it, LeBron has come to our team. The best player in the world has become a Lakers player. "