In late March, the Boston Celtics had a record of 51 wins and 17 losses.
By this point in the regular season, all the teams have revealed their true strengths and weaknesses.
Bad teams tank, teams on the verge of the playoffs count their wins on their fingers, while championship contenders treat every game as a playoff practice.
Boston is currently firmly in second place in the Eastern Conference, and as long as they don't falter, they've already secured home-court advantage in the first round of the playoffs.
This year's Boston basketball market is more frenzied than ever. At the recently concluded New York All-Star Game, the Celtics handed over three NBA All-Star Game spots: Gary Payton secured the starting point guard position, Kevin Garnett grabbed the starting forward spot, and Dikembe Mutombo was selected as a reserve. Even starting shooting Eddie Jones almost missed out on the coaching vote by just a few dozen votes, nearly allowing Boston to achieve the feat of having four All-Stars on one team.
With the team performing well, commercial revenue followed suit. All the VIP boxes at the FleetCenter were sold out, season tickets were sold out, and the local TV station offered to renew its contract with an additional fee.
Outside the training facility, large posters of Gary Payton and Kevin Garnett still hang in the most prominent positions.
Boston fans love it; they adore Gary Payton's arrogance and Garnett's wildness.
However, within the locker room, the winning streak only temporarily masked the conflicts between management and the coaching staff.
Garnett's stats in his last ten games are 21 points, 10.4 rebounds, 5.6 assists, 1.8 steals, and 2.2 blocks. This all-around performance has directly supported the Celtics ' defensive network. Because he can cover from the free-throw line to the corner, Gary Payton and Eddie Jones on the perimeter can take risks to steal the ball, and Mutombo under the basket doesn't have to be frequently pulled out for defensive assignments.
On offense, Garnett could control the ball like a guard even when positioned high up the court. This top-tier talent made the entire league drool, and it also gave his agent the confidence to ask for exorbitant fees.
That afternoon, agent Rick Fleischer, carrying a briefcase, went straight into Lin Qi's office.
Lin Qi glanced at the documents on the table, not rushing to open them, and asked directly, "Aren't we going to talk about Kevin's performance first this time?"
Fleischer smiled professionally, "Your propaganda department praises it in the newspapers every day, I don't need to say anything more."
He pushed a clipping of Garnett dunking on and blocking Kevin's shot towards him, and continued, "Last month at Madison Square Garden in New York, during the NBA All-Star Game, Michael Jordan personally went over and chatted with Kevin for a long time. Now half the general managers in the league are watching me, wanting to know if Kevin is happy in Boston."
Lin Qi tapped the table. "Alright, let's talk about contract renewal."
"Here."
Fleischer opened the file. Lin Qi glanced at it and looked directly at the total: $126 million over 6 years.
One hundred and twenty-six million US dollars.
Fleischer looked at Lin Qi: "Let's get straight to the point, Mr. Lin Qi. Kevin wants to stay in Boston. Gary Payton trusts him, the fans support him, and most importantly, you understand his value. But he needs to get the position he deserves."
Lin Qi closed the file. "This number will drive Gaston crazy."
"If he doesn't go crazy now, he'll be even crazier next year when Kevin goes to another team," Fleischer said, stopping there. "There's another thing. Kevin is willing to play defense and do the dirty work, but he doesn't want to hear Pitino talking to the media every day about 'young people need to learn to listen first.'"
"I'll submit the contract to the boss," Lin Qi said.
"We need to see a clear stance from the team by April at the latest." Fleischer stood up and fastened his briefcase. " Kevin trusts you, Mr. Lin Qi. But liking you and believing the owner is willing to spend money are two different things. It's better for everyone to get things settled before the playoffs; otherwise, the contract price will change every time we play in the playoffs."
After Fleischer left, Lin Qi took the contract to his boss's office.
With a loud bang, Chris Paul Gaston glanced at the total and slammed his fist on the table. "126 million over 6 years? He's only 21! Are you crazy?!"
Lin Qi pulled out a chair and sat down. "No matter how loudly you shout, it won't save you money, Chris Paul. This price has been an open secret throughout the league since the All-Star break."
Gaston spun around on the spot. "This is a robbery!"
Lin Qi straightened the documents. "We've been frantically accumulating draft picks, making trades, and clearing cap space for the past few years, all in preparation for building a future core for Boston, right? Now he's right downstairs. If you don't invest, he might go to another team next year."
Gaston gritted his teeth and sat back down in his seat.
Lin Qi continued, "This money isn't just for Kevin; it's also for the locker room. If you can't even afford to spend money to keep an All-Star starter like Garnett, Gary Payton will turn around and tell the media that this team has no intention of contending for a championship. If you can't even keep Gary Payton then, Boston's nascent market will cool down completely."
Gaston's face turned ashen. "Can't you lower the price a bit?"
"Flasher won't budge an inch. If you even try to negotiate, he'll immediately tell Kevin, Kevin will think the team doesn't value him at all." Lin Qi stood up. "I advise you not to be stingy where you shouldn't be."
Gaston stared at the string of numbers, then waved his hand. "I need to think about it."
"Don't think about it for too long; Fleischer needs a verbal message before April."
Gaston still wanted to delay.
This person always harbors an unrealistic fantasy, believing that if things drag on, the situation will automatically change in his favor.
But he simply doesn't understand that this pointless delay will only dwindle his resources and eventually drive him into a dead end.
Evening, training hall.
The match had just ended, but the atmosphere on the field was extremely tense.
Pitino's face was as black as the bottom of a pot today.
In the internal confrontation just now, Gary Payton failed to play according to his plan twice in a row.
The first time, Gary Payton delivered a bounce pass to Garnett in the low post, who overpowered him.
The second time, he suddenly unleashed a three-pointer, passing to Horry who was open on the perimeter.
Both goals were scored, but this had absolutely nothing to do with the tactics Pitino emphasized.
Pitino stopped the play and yelled at the whole team, "Gary! How many times have I told you, just because the ball went in doesn't mean the play was right! Why aren't you running your tactics?"
Gary Payton tucked the ball under his belt, pursed his lips, and said, "Because their defense has already blocked your tactical route, waiting for me to pass. Coach, we're playing against living people, not running around in thin air."
"Then you should call a halt and retake the position!"
"Rules are rules, but the ball is dynamic."
Pitino stepped forward. "You're the team's point guard, not the team's rules!"
Gary Payton gave a cold laugh and remained silent.
Garnett stood at the free-throw line, pulling at his vest and panting heavily; he had been somewhat distracted all day.
This morning, Fleischer informed him that the contract had been submitted.
He found it extremely grating to hear Pitino constantly spouting the words "young," "well-behaved," and "disciplined."
Pitino turned and pointed at him. "And you, Kevin. Why were you standing at the free-throw line that last possession? According to the play, you should have cut to the corner to create space!"
Garnett looked up, his tone stiff. "I stayed there because Gary was double-teamed. If I didn't go to help, he wouldn't even have a passing lane, and that would have been a turnover."
"You should trust your teammates' rotations and support; Tony (Delker) was running that way!"
Garnett glanced at Delke, who was wiping sweat on the sidelines. "Tony was blocked three steps away. By the time he got there, the Hornets ' fast break had already finished with a dunk."
Gary Payton, standing nearby, couldn't help but let out a cold laugh.
Pitino completely lost his temper, slamming his clipboard down. "Enough! Kevin, don't think that just because you played one All-Star game in New York, you can come back and teach me how to be a coach. In this team, tactics are the rule!"
The training hall was so quiet you could hear a pin drop.
Garnett gently placed the basketball on the floor, looked at Pitino, and said, "Coach, every day I work hard to help out on defense and screen for my teammates on offense. In your eyes, is this kind of chemistry and trust that leads to victory on the court considered discipline?"
Pitino said coldly, "Unreplicable individualism will all be ruined in the playoffs."
Garnett stared at the coach for a few seconds, then shook his head. He didn't throw anything; he simply walked to the bench, sat down, and pulled a towel over his head.
Gary Payton glanced at Pitino, a sneer playing on his lips.
Pitino's face was extremely grim. He whistled loudly, "What are you looking at! Keep practicing!"
But none of the starting lineup moved. Mutombo rested his hands on his knees, looking at his toes; Horry slowly drank water from his bottle; and Eddie Jones simply turned his head away. It was clear to everyone that Pitino had lost control in the locker room.
Lin Qi stood in the shadows of the second-floor corridor, observing coldly.
Going down now and taking sides is considered taking sides, and it will offend the other side.
Since the flames of war have already been lit, let them burn thoroughly.
Evening, in the general manager's office.
On Lin Qi's desk were two documents side by side: one was Garnett's demand for a $126 million contract, and the other was a data analysis of the last twenty games.
The data speaks for itself: when Gary Payton and Garnett were both on the court in the fourth quarter, the Celtics ' net rating per 100 possessions ranked among the top three in the league. While Delk's bench unit had a 100% tactical execution rate, in crucial moments, the starters still had to carry the team.
A knock came at the door, and the assistant walked in, his face grim. "Boss, Gaston already knows about the commotion at the training facility this afternoon. Also, that old fox Fleischer is keeping watch outside."
My assistant handed me a layout sample for tomorrow morning's sports news; the headline was very eye-catching.
Contract renewal deadlock? Garnett's team offers $126 million, what's the Boston management hesitating about?
Lin Qi glanced at it and couldn't help but laugh out loud.
The night wind was strong in Boston outside the window, and the lights in the training facility downstairs were still on.
Lin Qi knew without a doubt that Garnett was still practicing downstairs.
This team currently has a record of 51 wins and 17 losses, and their playoff spot is practically guaranteed.
From the outside, this car looks incredibly fast, but inside, the parts are practically falling apart.
Ring ring.
The phone on the desk suddenly rang, and when it was answered, the boss Chris Paul Gaston, spoke in a low voice.
Come to my office at eight o'clock tomorrow morning.
Lin Qi leaned back in his chair. "Talking about Garnett's contract?"
There was a five-second silence on the other end of the phone, followed by a cold remark.
"No, let's talk about how to deal with Pitino first."
Beep, beep, beep...