There are only 48 hours left until the ban officially takes effect on August 1.
In the president's office at Boston's New Garden, Lin Qi leaned back in his chair, quietly reviewing a 15-man roster that was about to be submitted to the New York league office for filing.
With the departures of key players such as Kirilenko, Wang Zhizhi, Stephen Jackson, and Grant Hill around draft night, owners David Stern and Dolan believed that Boston had been severely weakened.
But looking at the list on the paper, Lin Qi's eyes remained calm.
[ Boston Celtics 2002-2003 Season Roster]
(Note: Age is calculated based on the start of the regular season on October 30, 2002)
[Starting Lineup]
Point Guard (PG) | Chauncey Billups Billups, Height: 1.91m, Age: 26, Jersey Number: 4.
Shooting Chris Paul (SG/SF) | Paul Pierce, Height: 2.01 meters, Age: 25, Jersey Number: 34.
Small Forward (SF/SG) | Ron Artest, Height: 2.01 meters, Age: 22, Jersey Number: 37.
Power Forward (PF/C) | Kevin Garnett, Height: 2.11 meters, Age: 26, Jersey Number: 5.
Center (C/PF) | Ben Wallace, Height: 2.06 meters, Age: 28. Jersey Number: 13.
[Second lineup]
Point Guard (PG/SG) | Dwyane Wade, Height: 1.93m, Age: 20, Jersey Number: 9.
Shooting Guard (SG/SF) | Raja Bell, Height: 1.96 meters, Age: 26. Jersey Number: 26.
Small Forward (SF/PF) | Gerald Wallace, Height: 2.01 meters, Age: 20. Jersey Number: 45.
Power Forward (PF/C) | Rasheed Wallace, Height: 2.11 meters, Age: 28, Jersey Number: 30.
Center (C/PF) | Tyson Chandler Chandler, Height: 2.16 meters, Age: 20. Jersey: 11.
[Functional rotation]
Point Guard (PG/SG) | Rod Strickland, Height: 1.91 meters, Age: 36. Jersey Number: 8.
Point Guard (PG) | Mark Jackson, Height: 1.85 meters, Age: 37. Jersey Number: 53.
Small Forward (SF/PF) | Tayshaun Prince, Height: 2.06 meters, Age: 22 years old, Jersey number: 41.
Power Forward (PF/C) | Brian Scalabrine, Height: 2.06 meters, Age: 24, Jersey Number: 44.
Center (C) | Mehmet Okur, Height: 2.11 meters, Age: 23, Jersey Number: 12.
Lin Qi's fingertips traced across a row of rankings.
Despite undergoing a major overhaul under pressure from the league, this roster's depth remains breathtaking. The starting lineup boasts three Defensive Player of the Year caliber defensive stalwarts, plus two clutch players with big-game clutches. The second unit combines inside firepower with rim protection, and their wing defense is incredibly oppressive. The role rotation includes veterans mentoring rookies, high-quality wing players who can plug in and play immediately, and stretch bigs like Okur who can disrupt defensive formations.
Knock, knock, knock.
There was a knock on the office door, and Margaret walked in, wearing high heels and carrying a thick, freshly printed document.
"Boss, this is the financial coordination for the joint training camp in Europe early next month. The broadcasters in Europe just sent the final confirmation."
Benefiting from the EBA and NBA World Series, local broadcasting fees and sponsorship bids in Europe have increased several times over.
That year, for the exhibition games and joint training camps in Europe, Lin Qi planned to invite four NBA teams— the Boston Celtics, the New Jersey Nets, the Phoenix Suns, and the Seattle SuperSonics— to appear together. The broadcast fees and sponsorship bids in Europe increased several times over.
Even after deducting all costs for venue rental, security, and team travel, the available prize pool is still very large.
On average, each player participating in the exhibition games and joint training camps will earn $1 million, double what it was before.
Among the teams heading to Europe this time was Gary Payton, the " The Glove," who had just won four consecutive championships in Boston, defeated Jordan in the NBA Finals, and returned to his old team in Seattle with a satisfied heart.
One of the reasons Lin Qi invited the Seattle SuperSonics was because Gary Payton was actually one of the most suitable candidates in the entire league to be Wade's perimeter mentor.
Gary Payton possesses suffocating perimeter defensive pressure and a "big mouth" that can shatter an opponent's mental defense. Wade has excellent physical attributes and core strength. If he can learn Gary Payton's aggressive defensive positioning and pressure style, his defensive deterrent will undergo a qualitative transformation.
Lin Qi picked up the phone and dialed Gary Payton's number directly.
"Hey, Lin Qi! Heard you got suspended by that old man David Stern? Haha, don't worry, even if you're not here, I won't bully those kids in Europe." Gary Payton's signature booming voice came from the other end of the phone. After defeating Jordan in the NBA Finals to achieve a four-peat, the veteran was in high spirits this summer.
" Gary, let's save the reminiscing for the Milan party," Lin Qi said, getting straight to the point. "I need your help with something at this Europe joint training camp."
"Speak up, as long as it doesn't mean I have to return the championship ring, anything is negotiable."
" Boston drafted a rookie this year named Dwyane Wade." Lin Qi leaned back in his chair, his voice calm but his demands clear. "During your time in Europe, I expect you to mentor him well, without holding back your knowledge."
Gary Payton on the other end of the phone paused for a moment, then burst into a villainous laugh, " Lin Qi, are you serious? You want me to teach him? I'm afraid in less than three days, I'll have him hiding in his hotel room looking for his mother."
"That's up to you, Gary." Lin Qi remained unmoved. "Don't injure him, anything goes. Teach him how a real perimeter lock-up uses his body to apply pressure, teach him how to win on defense. And while you're at it, give him a good demonstration of your low-post back-to-the-ball skills."
Gary Payton immediately understood Lin Qi's intention. Boston not only helped him win the championship he had always dreamed of, but also made the most of the summer by allowing him to return to Seattle in style and earn a retirement contract. This was a real favor. Now, Lin Qi was just asking him to "torture" a rookie, and he was naturally happy to do so.
"Leave it to me, Lin Qi. Hopefully, he's tough enough not to be ruined by my training."
See you in Europe.
After hanging up the phone, Lin Qi neatly stacked the flight list and the fifteen-person headcount together and handed them to Margaret: "Fax the headcount to the New York Union office."
July 31st, midnight.
The lights in the president's office at Boston's New Garden went out on time.
David Stern's one-year ban has officially taken effect.