In July 2001, a heatwave swept across the entire North America continent.
For the Boston Celtics, their moves in the draft and free agency this summer have essentially come to an end.
Lin Qi filled the gaps in the roster of this team aiming to defend their title with pragmatic signings and draft pick moves.
Boston's local media are optimistic about the team's prospects for the new season. In their view, the Celtics, with their top starting lineup and deep rotation, remain the strongest contenders for the championship.
Until mid-July, news that was enough to change the entire landscape of the league came from Los Angeles.
That Tuesday morning, all the headlines in sports newspapers and on television news were dominated by the same short fax.
"I'm back. Again."
Michael Jordan, through his agent David Falk, officially announced to the American media that he would be making a comeback as a player. His chosen destination was not the Washington Wizards, where he currently serves as president of basketball operations, but the Los Angeles Lakers, led by Phil Jackson and featuring Shaquille O'Neal O'Neal and Jason Kidd.
The contract details are equally astonishing: two years, veteran's base salary.
In the Boston president's office, Lin Qi watched the news scrolling on the television screen, his face calm, but his eyes became somewhat profound.
The Jordan who hung up the phone without hesitation when Lin Qi offered him three lottery picks for the number one pick before the draft has finally given his real the Answer.
Jordan wasn't considering that trade as part of the Wizards ' management at the time. The reason he refused to send any immediate contributors to Boston was because he had already decided to return in Los Angeles and saw the defending champion Celtics as his direct rivals.
"Boss." Presti hurriedly pushed open the office door, holding several player signing documents that had just been faxed from the league office, his expression very serious.
" Jordan's comeback has triggered a chain reaction." Presti placed the notices on his desk. "These signings have completely disrupted the conventional logic of the free market."
Lin Qi picked up the notice and glanced at the long list of names. Even someone as experienced as him couldn't help but fall silent for a moment.
Within just a few hours of Jordan announcing his move to the Lakers on a minimum salary, several legendary stars and veteran players from the 1990s made surprising decisions.
Charles Barkley, the former regular season MVP who retired in disappointment due to injury, announced his comeback and signed a two-year veteran minimum contract with the Lakers.
Patrick Ewing, who just finished his season with the Seattle SuperSonics, rejected higher offers from other teams and signed a two-year veteran minimum contract with the Lakers.
Mitch Richmond, the former top scorer, was just bought out by the Washington Wizards and then reached an agreement with the Lakers to sign a two-year veteran minimum contract.
Charles Oakley, a defensive stalwart in the paint, turned down the opportunity to pursue one last mid-level contract and instead joined Los Angeles on a two-year veteran's minimum salary.
Tim Hardaway, the former core of the Heat's backcourt, also chose to take a pay cut in the free agent market, signing a two-year veteran minimum contract.
Danny Manning, a former number one draft pick and All-Star power forward, rejected an offer from the Utah Jazz after undergoing numerous knee surgeries, joining the Lakers on a two-year veteran minimum contract, all in an effort to touch the championship trophy before retiring.
Lin Qi flipped to the last announcement.
Ron Harper, the veteran who just days ago considered retirement in his Boston office citing "physical limitations," announced today that he has signed a two-year veteran minimum contract with the Lakers, joining his former Chicago Bulls dynasty teammates and coaches.
This kid...
"This is outrageous," Presti remarked. " Barkley, Patrick Ewing, Richmond... these guys completely gave up their salary demands in order to compete for a championship with Jordan. All of them are on minimum contracts; this is unprecedented in league history."
Lin Qi leaned back in his swivel chair and placed the filing notice back on the table.
He understood the logic behind this phenomenon. Jordan's return was a huge signal. These veterans who hadn't won a championship by the end of their careers, or players eager to fight on the biggest stage again, saw absolute hope of winning a championship in the combination of Jordan and O'Neal. For this goal, they were willing to sacrifice money and even be willing to play as substitutes.
At that moment, head coach Rick Carlisle also walked into the office. He watched the news on TV with a furrowed brow.
" O'Neal, Kidd, Marion, and now Jordan," Rick Carlisle analyzed the Lakers ' roster. "On the bench, there's Barkley, Patrick Ewing, Richmond, Charles Oakley, and Hardaway... Phil Jackson has amassed a whole roster of former All-Star caliber in Los Angeles. Even if these veterans are physically limited, their playoff experience and clutch performance will be incredibly formidable."
The office fell silent.
On the television screen, the Los Angeles Lakers ' press conference was underway. Michael Jordan, dressed in a suit, faced the dense array of cameras and flashing lights below the stage, his expression composed.
" Michael, why did you choose to make a comeback at this time and join Los Angeles?" a reporter in the audience asked loudly.
Jordan leaned slightly closer to the microphone, his competitive eyes focused intently through the lens.
"Because people are saying that the current Boston Celtics are building a dynasty that surpasses all previous ones." Jordan's tone was calm, yet carried an undeniable confidence. "I returned to the court, came to Los Angeles, and fought alongside my old buddies. I just wanted to see for myself on the court just how strong this Boston Celtics really is."
Lin Qi looked at Jordan on the screen, his expression gradually becoming serious.
They've actually issued a challenge...
"It seems the challenges of the new season are greater than we anticipated." Lin Qi picked up his black coffee from his desk, took a sip, and turned to Rick Carlisle and Presti, his tone calm and firm. "Since the legends of the 90s have decided to gather in Los Angeles, we'll greet them the way we did in Boston."
[ Lakers 2001-2002 Season Roster]
[Starting Lineup]
Point Guard (PG) | Jason Kidd, Height: 1.93 meters, Age: 28. Jersey Number: 5.
Shooting Guard (SG) | Michael Jordan, Height: 1.98 meters, Age: 38, Jersey Number: 23.
Small Forward (SF/PF) | Sean Marion, Height: 2.01 meters, Age: 23, Jersey Number: 31.
Power Forward (PF) | Charles Barkley, Height: 1.98 meters, Age: 38. Jersey: 4.
Center (C) | Shaquille O'Neal O'Neal, Height: 2.16 meters, Age: 29. Jersey: 34.
[Second lineup]
Point Guard (PG) | Derrick Fisher, Height: 1.85m, Age: 27, Jersey Number: 2.
Quentin Guard (SG) | Quentin Richardson, Height: 1.98m, Age: 21, Jersey Number: 55.
Small Forward (SF/PF) | Lamar Odom, Height: 2.08 meters, Age: 21. Jersey Number: 7.
Power Forward (PF/C) | Charles Oakley, Height: 2.03 meters, Age: 37, Jersey Number: 30.
Center (C) | Patrick Ewing, Height: 2.13 meters, Age: 39. Jersey Number: 35.
[Functional rotation]
Point Guard (PG) | Tim Hardaway, Height: 1.83m, Age: 35, Jersey Number: 10.
Shooting Guard (SG) | Mitch Richmond, Height: 1.96m, Age: 36, Jersey Number: 24.
Point Guard (PG/SG) | Brian Shaw, Height: 1.98 meters, Age: 35. Jersey Number: 20.
Shooting Guard (SG/PG) | Ron Harper, Height: 1.98m, Age: 37, Jersey Number: 9.
Power Forward (PF/C) | Danny Manning, Height: 2.08 meters, Age: 35. Jersey Number: 15.