Outside the car window, the streets of Belgrade were a mix of dilapidated Soviet-style buildings and newly renovated commercial billboards, all juxtaposed against the backdrop of snow.
" Miško, where do you think the difference lies between the current EBA and the NBA?" Lin Qi asked slowly, leaning back against the cushion.
Miško pondered for a moment before cautiously replying, "The facilities and broadcasting are already quite good. The stadiums in Milan and Rome are even better than those in New Jersey or Milwaukee. I watched World Series, the Panathinaikos vs. Celtics game. Although they seemed evenly matched on the field, once the score reached the fourth quarter and the intensity increased, the Europe team's stamina and star power were completely overwhelmed."
That's the problem.
" Europe basketball has no shortage of mature half-court systems or passing and cutting tactics, but Europe lacks superstars who can tear apart defenses. For the past few decades, whenever a talented player with even a bit of physical ability emerged in Europe, David Stern would wave his checkbook to lure them to North America, place them at the very end of the bench, and let old-school coaches grind down their flair, ultimately turning them into fringe role players."
"More importantly, Europe's current competitive level is still not high enough. If the margin of victory in every World Series is more than fifteen points, the event will have no appeal to global broadcasters."
On the original timeline, Darko Miličić was the second overall pick in the 2003 " Platinum Generation." He was selected by the Detroit Pistons, beating out Carmelo Anthony, Chris Bosh, and Dwyane Wade Wade. Then, he completely lost himself in Larry Bird Brown's suffocating old-school system.
Arrogance, language barriers, passive-aggressive behavior from coaches, and an addiction to luxury cars and nightclubs ultimately turned this once exceptionally talented Europe big man into one of the most infamous "busts" in NBA history.
For the past few years, Lin Qi has been using his time traveler's foresight to snatch up future superstars or underrated championship pieces. He's too used to reaping the rewards of victory directly.
But David Stern's suspension made him start to reflect on where the fun of being a "trader" really lay.
Simply copying historical the Answer would be too boring.
He wanted to challenge fate. He wanted to see if, before Darko Miličić went to Detroit despairing rookie graveyard in Detroit, if he intervened early and used the most scientific modern basketball thinking to reshape him, he could forcibly turn this historical "bust" into a veritable inside weapon.
In fact, it wasn't just Darko.
In the original timeline, Krstić was a hardworking starter, but quickly declined after a major injury; Zaza Pachulia became a notorious villain known for his dirty tricks and fouls; and Schortsanitis, due to his endless overeating and poor physical condition, couldn't even make the regular rotation in the NBA and could only return to Europe to be a "half-court warrior".
If that's the case, why not try a different way of playing?
Rather than sending Darko Miličić to Detroit to be Larry Bird Brown's Detroit and rot on the bench, it would be better to send him to Olympia Milan, patiently nurture him, and let him hone his fundamentals in physicality, shooting, and pick-and-roll. Rather than sending Krstić to New Jersey as a blue-collar defensive player, it would be better to let him become the core of Virtus Rome.
Put these physically gifted but potentially out-of-place players, who might struggle in the NBA, along with "monsters" like Zaza and Schortsanitis who are incredibly destructive in the Europe system, into strong EBA teams. Let them battle each other, creating a truly oppressive interior environment for Europe guards.
Lin Qi wanted to conduct an experiment to see if the rigorous half-court tactics of Europe could cultivate a group of " Europe superstars" whose competitiveness rivaled that of NBA players, but whose tactical awareness far surpassed that of United States players.
"To get them to willingly stay in Europe, empty promises won't work," Miško's eyes sharpened. "The only way is to overwhelm them with cash and privileges beyond their comprehension."
"Money is not a problem," Lin Qi replied indifferently. "These teams can offer them salaries comparable to top Europe foreign players, exceeding the actual take-home pay of an NBA first-round pick after taxes. In Milan, Rome, and Athens, we'll provide them with the best city-center apartments, personal nutritionists, and individual fitness trainers."
"Leave the rest of the psychological support to me." Miško took out a pen and quickly marked on the roster. " Krstić is a good boy. I'll tell him that New Jersey is just using him as cheap labor, but at Virtus Rome, he will be the absolute tactical pivot. As for Zaza and Schortsanitis, as long as Athens gives them enough playing time and top-notch food, they'll be more than happy to be local tyrants in Southern Europe."
Miško paused, then drew a heavy circle around Darko Miličić's name with his pen.
"The most troublesome one is Darko. That kid is arrogant and sensitive; just giving him money might make him even more unruly. He needs someone to really keep him in check in the locker room." Miško looked up and offered a Balkans- style solution, "Boss, there just happens to be a true god in Olympia Milan's locker room right now— Dino Radja."
Lin Qi raised an eyebrow slightly; it was another old acquaintance of his.
Dino Radja, a legendary center in Yugoslavia basketball. He put up dominant numbers with an average of 22 points and 10 rebounds per game for the Boston Celtics. He was technically gifted, but also had a fiery temper and a fierce playing style.
" Radja is thirty-five this year, nearing the end of his career, but his old-school Balkans ruthlessness hasn't changed at all." Miško's speech quickened. "I'll, as his agent, make a request to Milan to put Darko's locker right next to Radja's. Let Radja teach him a lesson with elbows and trash talk during daily intra-squad scrimmages. Darko's a jerk who idolizes the strong. If an United States coach yells at him, he'll rebel. But if Yugoslavia legend like Radja beats him up on the training field, he won't dare utter a sound, except to obediently practice his low-post footwork."
"Not only that," Miško continued, refining his plan, "I'll require the clubs of Rome, Milan, and Athens to have dedicated sports psychologists. They can't touch the media, and they're not allowed to shoot those stupid commercials. If Schortsanitis takes another sip of Coke, I'll have the club deduct half his salary. I'll require Milan's coach to promise that if Darko commits even one poorly executed screen or one impulsive defensive foul, he'll be substituted immediately."
Miško took a deep breath. "But boss, as your agent, if I were to propose these harsh terms of 'intervention tactics or even locker room rankings' to these three Europe giants, I'm afraid those arrogant Italy and Greece general managers would just kick me out of their offices."
Lin Qi almost couldn't hold back his laughter after hearing this.
Miško is indeed an impeccable executor. He understands human nature and the ecosystem of Europe basketball better than those coaches who only draw up tactics. Using Radja to fight fire with fire against Darko was simply a brilliant idea.
"Go ahead and make your demands, Miško." Lin Qi leaned against the car window, watching the Balkans snowfields rushing past. "All your requests will be approved by the general managers of these three clubs within twenty-four hours, word for word."
Miško paused for a moment, then his pupils contracted sharply, and a sense of awe rose in his heart once again.
"I understand. These four contracts will be finalized within three days." Miško solemnly put away the documents.