June 20th, Boston, New Garden.
The epic Game 7 has just ended, and the frenzied championship parade in Boston has also come to a close.
But the New Garden was still bustling with activity.
Today, the inaugural "World Champion " series is being held here.
This was an international tournament that Lin Qi and David Stern finalized over a phone call last year, and which the league's business department had been preparing for a full year. The two teams facing off were the 2002 NBA champions, the Boston Celtics, and the 2002 EBA champions, the Greece powerhouse Panathinaikos.
The format is simple: best of three, with NBA rules applied throughout.
But in the penthouse suite at the New Garden, Lin Qi, the team owner and the mastermind behind all these events, had no interest in watching the game in the center of the court.
Just twenty minutes earlier, an uninvited guest had entered his private room.
NBA Commissioner David Stern.
The soundproof glass of the VIP box was very thick, completely blocking out the deafening cheers of the fans outside. Lin Qi sat on the sofa, watching Stern stuff a videotape into the machine in the corner of the box.
"Bang."
The television screen lit up, showing the scene after the Game 7 finale, with confetti raining down. Stephen Jackson, covered in champagne, excitedly put his arm around a reporter's shoulder.
"... Lin Qi is absolutely the best owner on this planet, in the entire league! Without a doubt! He not only led us to a championship, he also made us rich! Last year, when he told us about the stocks he bought when he was drunk, my account doubled in just a few months! He's practically sent by God to give away money..."
The scene was interrupted at this point by Brian Scalabrine's abrupt gesture of covering his mouth, after which the screen went black.
Stern turned around, his shrewd and imposing eyes fixed on Lin Qi.
" Lin Qi, I need a reasonable explanation." Stern's tone was icy, devoid of the amiable demeanor he displayed on the awards stage.
Seeing Stern's accusatory stance, Lin Qi sighed helplessly and picked up the bottled water on the table, turning it on.
" David, I was drunk that time." Lin Qi took a sip of water, meeting Stern's gaze frankly. "Last year, at the team dinner after the opening game. I blacked out; I can't even remember what I said to those guys. I only vaguely remember that I was acting like a nagging mother, warning them not to gamble in Las Vegas, not to let their financial advisors swindle them out of their money..."
"It's no use telling me this, Lin Qi," Stern interrupted Lin Qi.
The iron-fisted commissioner in charge of the NBA walked to the sofa, looked at Lin Qi, and gave him a warning look.
"Don't you understand your situation? Dolan of the New York Knicks, Jerry Buss. Buss of the Los Angeles Lakers, and those owners you ousted from the playoffs—they all hate you now!"
Stern lowered his voice, each word seemingly squeezed out between clenched teeth. "They've been trying to get you! Dolan intercepted that Stephen Jackson interview and submitted it directly to the league's disciplinary committee. The charges are 'alleged bribery' and 'illegally circumventing the salary cap!'"
Stern straightened up and looked coldly at Lin Qi: "To be honest, Lin Qi, if you don't handle this well, and those owners take these accusations too seriously, I can't protect you. It could even become a reason to force you to sell the team!"
Lin Qi fell silent. He knew, of course, what "forced sale of a team" meant in the NBA—it was the most severe punishment an owner could face in the league.
An extremely oppressive silence fell over the private room.
" David, we're all intelligent people." Lin Qi raised his head, his gaze gradually sharpening. "You've come to Boston to see me in person today... what do you want to say? Just say it."
Stern looked at Lin Qi and slowly nodded.
"Your team is too strong right now, Lin Qi. So strong that the NBA has lost its suspense." Stern's tone became very serious; this was the real core issue he wanted to discuss today.
" Gary Payton, Chris Paul Pierce, Grant Hill, Kevin Garnett, Ben Wallace... not to mention the bunch of talented players on your bench who could start for other teams at any time."
A deep sense of apprehension flashed in Stern's eyes. "You've already won three consecutive championships without Grant Hill. Do you really want to win ten?"
" Lin Qi, NBA broadcast contracts are tied to viewership ratings, and this year, apart from the NBA Finals, the ratings for the earlier games have already shown signs of decline." Stern stared at Lin Qi. "If you continue playing like this, next year's NBA will lose its suspense, and the playoff ratings will be completely ruined by your overwhelming dominance. The interests of all teams will be harmed because of your 'too much strength'!"
"When a team becomes so powerful that it affects the commercial interests of the entire league, all the team owners will unite to devour you whole."
Stern paused for a moment, then issued his ultimatum. "You must trade Grant Hill... and one or two other key players. You must dismantle the team."
Lin Qi's pupils contracted sharply.
"You must reduce your threat level and find enough allies among the owners," Stern said, looking at Lin Qi. "That's the only rule for you to survive in this league. If you can keep the NBA Finals from becoming a foregone conclusion and find enough owners on your side..."
Stern took a deep breath and offered his bargaining chip. "I can use my power as president to suppress the charges against Dolan and his team, and give you a 'lighter punishment'."
"A one-year ban from team affairs, a five-year ban from the Celtics ' own first-round draft picks, and a $10 million fine." Stern stared into Lin Qi's eyes. "Compared to being forced to sell the team and being banned from team affairs for life, this is already a huge concession I can negotiate for you."
Suddenly, a huge cheer erupted outside the private room.
Lin Qi turned his head and looked out the glass window.
On the court, a Europe center wearing a Panathinaikos jersey aggressively pulled Wang Zhizhi down from mid-air as he attempted a layup. The referee immediately blew the whistle for an unsportsmanlike foul.
The score displayed on the big screen was glaringly obvious: Celtics 98-71 Panathinaikos.
The fourth quarter had only just begun, and the first battle of the first " World War " had already been completely overturned.
Lin Qi turned around and looked at David Stern standing in front of him.
Banned from team affairs for a year? Banned from the first round for five years? Fined 10 million? And he's expected to personally dismantle this four-time champion dynasty?
Lin Qi closed his eyes and rubbed his throbbing temples.
" David..." Lin Qi reopened his eyes, "What if I don't want to break up the team, but I also want you to suppress Dolan's accusations?"
Stern frowned sharply, looking at Lin Qi as if he were a madman.
"Impossible." Stern refused decisively. "Those bosses won't let this go... Don't you really understand what I'm saying?"
" David... give me some time."
"I will announce the investigation results and penalties on July 1st."