July 1, 2002.
New York, Olympic Tower, NBA headquarters league offices.
David Stern stood in front of the flashing lights at the press conference, his face very serious.
At this sensitive juncture, with the official opening of the free market, he personally read out a notice of punishment.
"After weeks of investigation and evidence gathering by the league's disciplinary committee, the league has made its final ruling on allegations that Boston Celtics owner and president of basketball operations, Lin Qi, has 'provided improper financial advice' and 'transferred benefits to players' over the past few years."
Stern paused, his sharp gaze sweeping over the swarm of reporters below the stage.
" The Boston Celtics will be stripped of their own first-round draft picks for the next five years and fined $10 million. Meanwhile," Stern took a deep breath, "To maintain a level playing field in the league, Lin Qi will be banned from all basketball-related matters with any NBA team for one year. This ban will officially take effect on August 1st."
The audience erupted in chaos, with reporters' flashbulbs going off like crazy.
This announcement, which Stern considered a "compromise and lenient punishment," was nothing short of a major earthquake for the outside world. The five-year first-round ban and the hefty fine were already alarming enough, but directly suspending a team president who had just led his team to four consecutive championships for a year was an extremely rare and severe punishment in NBA history.
Although Dolan, Jerry Buss, and other envious owners failed to oust Lin Qi, they certainly used this announcement to thoroughly annoy Boston.
Stern gave Lin Qi a full month (July 1st to July 31st) as a "handover and transition period."
Inside Lin Qi's private residence in Boston.
The television was playing Stern's punishment announcement on a loop. Lin Qi sat on the sofa, watching the screen calmly.
Lin Qi wasn't surprised. This result was much better than being forced to sell the team and being banned from basketball for life.
Stern needed to appease the other bosses, and Lin Qi also needed a way out to calm things down, something that was likely to be blown out of proportion.
"I can't interfere in team affairs for a year..." Lin Qi turned off the TV and rubbed his temples.
Throughout the year, Boston still needs someone to publicly lead the team; he would never hand the team over to an outsider.
Lin Qi dialed the number of " The Cardinal " Auerbach.
On the other end of the phone, Auerbach's signature cigar cough was still full of energy.
" Lin Qi, I saw Stern's announcement. Those damn bosses are just jealous!" the old bishop roared on the phone. "What are you going to do? Who's going to look after the house for you this year?"
" Arnold, that's exactly why I'm looking for you," Lin Qi said bluntly. "I need an agent. A smart, shrewd guy who understands Boston and isn't intimidated by Stern and the media. More importantly, he must completely trust my team-building logic."
Auerbach was silent for a moment on the other end of the phone.
"Clever, cunning, knows Boston well..." the old bishop mused, then suddenly laughed. " Lin Qi, I have an excellent candidate here. He happens to be free right now, and... I think his inherent scoundrel spirit is actually quite similar to yours."
"Who?"
" Danny Boy," the old bishop uttered a nickname, " Danny Ainge."
Upon hearing the name " Danny Ainge," Lin Qi's brows furrowed slightly.
One of the core members of the Boston Celtics dynasty in the 1980s, he was a tough and incredibly intelligent player. After retiring, he served as the head coach of the Phoenix Suns, but resigned in 1999 due to coaching performance and personal plans. Now, he is unemployed and occasionally works as a commentator.
In Lin Qi's memories of his past life, it was this Danny Ainge who later became the general manager of the Celtics, spearheading the formation of the " Boston Celtics Three." It was also he who, later known as "Cold-Blooded Ainge" for his ruthless trading tactics, would later be called " Cold-Blooded Ainge " by outsiders.
Deep down, Lin Qi harbored a natural wariness towards Ainge. This guy was inherently arrogant, with strong personal opinions and an extremely high desire for control.
If the Celtics were handed over to Ainge for a year, given his personality, he would absolutely not be content to be a mere "puppet" who blindly obeys orders.
It is highly likely that Ainge will make sweeping changes to the roster this year according to his own wishes, and may even disrupt Lin Qi's plans and completely dismantle the team because he is eager to prove himself.
An uncontrolled ambitious person—the risks are too great.
" Arnold, Danny is an excellent candidate, but the situation in Boston is too sensitive right now, and some of his style... might not be suitable for this special transition period." Lin Qi calmly interrupted the Cardinal's recommendation. "Now that you've reminded me, I've already thought of a suitable candidate."
Auerbach on the other end of the phone paused for a moment, then understood what Lin Qi meant. "Then... is there anything else I can help you with?"
"Just come visit the stadium more often throughout the year."
"Okay, that's settled then."
After hanging up Auerbach's call, Lin Qi leaned back on the sofa.
Someone like Ainge isn't suitable to be his agent. What he needs is a true "shadow executive," someone who will carry out his orders without questioning the reasons behind them.
Lin Qi pressed the intercom on the table.
Less than two minutes later, the office door was gently pushed open. Margaret walked in, wearing a well-tailored business suit, holding a newly printed copy of the league's disciplinary notice. Her expression was calm; she showed neither panic nor excessive emotional fluctuation due to her boss's suspension.
"Boss." Margaret walked to the desk and gently placed the file down.
" Margaret," Lin Qi said calmly, his hands clasped together, "For the next year, David Stern forbids me from interfering in any team affairs."
Margaret nodded slightly. "I saw the announcement the alliance just issued."
"Starting tomorrow, you will be in charge of all overt basketball affairs for the Boston Celtics."
"For the next year, I can't participate in any team or league decisions, I can't be at team facilities, games, or league events, and I can't speak publicly on behalf of the team... I'm counting on you."
Even Margaret, usually so composed and calm, showed a flicker of surprise in her eyes upon hearing these words. But just two seconds later, she quickly regained her composure and asked matter-of-factly, "The outside world and the media might question my qualifications, but I can handle that..."
"Let them question us, what can they do about it?" Lin Qi stood up, walked to the window, and looked at the media reporters gradually gathering outside the New Garden.
Lin Qi turned around, looking directly at her. "What I need you to do is very simple... do nothing. I will arrange everything for the next season within this month."
"Remember, you're not making the decision for me, you're 'reiterating' the decision for me." Lin Qi's voice wasn't loud, but it carried an undeniable force. "Can you do that?"
Margaret met his gaze without flinching, and promptly bowed her head, replying, "Understood, boss."