" David confided in me in New York. To quell this dispute, the league office will do everything in its power to get you a stake in the Charlotte Bobcats." Lin Qi stepped on the gas, and the basketball car moved smoothly along the grass. "Although the consortium led by Robert Johnson has secured the franchise, they lack professional influence in basketball. David will coordinate to get you officially involved as a minority shareholder and head of basketball operations."
Jordan's eyes flickered. Clearly, his management team had received some hints about this in the past few days.
" Charlotte is my hometown. Being an administrator there is much better than having to put up with Jerry Buss's attitude in Los Angeles." Jordan leaned back in his chair, his tone still carrying the characteristic toughness of the " God of Basketball." "But Boston doesn't need to get involved."
"You're seriously underestimating the difficulty of starting a newly expanded team, Michael." Lin Qi glanced at him. "Under the current expanded draft rules, teams will only throw their old, infirm, and high-salary burdens onto the draft list. You know basketball, but Charlotte will have very limited resources in its first year. If you're leading a cobbled-together team in the Eastern Conference, winning fifteen games in your first year would be considered a good result."
Lin Qi spoke calmly, but every word hit the nail on the head. "Can you really accept that the entire American sports media reports every day that the Charlotte Bobcats have become a bottom-tier team? Your management experience with the Wizards has already been scrutinized under a microscope. If you were to do it all over again in Charlotte, how would the media rate your team-building abilities?"
Jordan's fingers, which were holding the cigar, froze in mid-air.
This is indeed his biggest weakness. His position on the field is unshakeable, but if he continues to encounter setbacks as a manager, it will cause real damage to his personal reputation.
"What can you do?" Jordan finally faced the question head-on.
" Boston currently has the deepest roster in the entire league," Lin Qi said bluntly. "With next year's expanded draft, as long as we coordinate the assets within the rules, I can help you quickly build a team in Charlotte that can be competitive in the Eastern Conference, allowing you to become a strong team in your first year."
Jordan sized up Lin Qi. Having been in the world of fame and fortune for so many years, he knew very well that there were no free lunches in the world.
"You certainly won't do charity, Lin," Jordan asked directly. "What does Boston want?"
"Draft picks." Lin Qi gave a very clear price. " Boston will provide players, immediate contributors to help you quickly build up your team, Bobcats will give me their next few first-round picks. For a new team eager to achieve results, exchanging draft picks for ready-made players is the fastest shortcut."
In Jordan's view, as long as the team can quickly make the playoffs, the future first-round draft picks will not be too high. Trading a few uncertain future draft picks for Boston's solid young talent is not only a worthwhile deal, but it can also help him stabilize the reputation of the management team immediately.
Jordan nodded. "A reasonable request. Anything else?"
"Two other things," Lin Qi continued. "First, at the upcoming preseason board meeting, follow the lead David Stern gave us. Stop focusing on the Lakers ' problems and maintain a semblance of stability for the league. In return, the Charlotte Bobcats need to align with Boston on future board votes regarding rule changes, overseas expansion, and other proposals. We need to build a solid working relationship within management."
Jordan for a moment. After realizing that he couldn't get Lakers ownership from Jerry Buss, moving to Charlotte and acquiring Boston's team-building resources was the most realistic option at the moment.
"And the third thing?" Jordan pressed.
"The third thing concerns a movie." Lin Qi smiled. " David Fincher is filming ' The Kingmaker,' the second half of which is about the epic rivalry between the Boston and Los Angeles Lakers in the early 21st century. The core climax is our games against the Lakers over the past two years, including your partnership with O'Neal. The crew needs you to make a cameo appearance in a few scenes. Not too many, just a brief appearance will do."
"You want me to have a cameo in a movie about the Boston Celtics?" Jordan frowned slightly, instinctively showing some resistance.
"This film isn't just about Boston; Allen Sorkin wrote the script himself," Lin Qi explained calmly. "In the film, you are an insurmountable peak from beginning to end. The Boston Celtics were pushed to their limits in their attempt to defeat you. The entire film pays homage to your legendary career with the highest industrial standards."
Jordan took a puff of his cigar, a shrewd businessman's glint in his eyes. Having spent years immersed in the world of Hollywood fame and fortune, he had keenly grasped the brand value within it.
"A cameo role is fine," Jordan, looking at Lin Qi, and offered his request, "But in all my close-ups and appearances in the film, I must be wearing Air Jordans. The Nike and Air Jordan logos cannot be obscured in any way, and the production team must ensure the brand is clearly visible on the front."
Lin Qi laughed heartily upon hearing this, "No problem. David Fincher always strives for realism. If Michael Jordan didn't wear Air Jordans, the entire American audience would find it jarring."
Jordan sat in the passenger seat, his gaze fixed on the distant surface of Lake Michigan.
A gentle breeze dispersed the wisp of smoke between his fingers. After a long while, Jordan stubbed out his burnt-out cigar in the ashtray on the golf cart.
"Have Fincher send the script to my agent tomorrow." Jordan put his sunglasses back on, his tone still somewhat stiff, but his attitude had completely softened. "If the dialogue is too amateurish, I won't read a single word."
"Deal." Lin Qi stepped on the brakes, and the golf cart came to a smooth stop next to the next tee box.
Just then, Barkley emerged from the woods to the side, sweating profusely and clutching two old balls he'd retrieved. He yelled, "Hey! Have you two finished discussing this? Are you still betting on the back nine? The loser buys a Chicago deep-dish pizza!"
Jordan stepped out of the car, picked up his driver, and walked towards the tee box without looking back, clearly intending to vent his remaining emotions on the golf ball.
Watching Jordan's retreating figure, Lin Qi was about to pick up his cue when Barkley leaned over and whispered gossipingly, "Hey, Lynch, what were you whispering about with Michael just now?"
Looking at Barkley's curious face, Lin Qi suddenly remembered the future paths of these two close friends in the original timeline.
In the original timeline, after retiring and transitioning to a commentator position at TNT, Barkley's overly direct and public criticism of Jordan's draft picks and management in Charlotte during a nationally televised broadcast completely enraged the proud and arrogant Air Jordan, ultimately leading to the breakdown of their decades-long friendship.
Thinking of this, Lin Qi patted Barkley on the shoulder, his tone unusually serious.
" Charles, I heard you've accepted TNT's commentary invitation?"
"Yeah, Turner Network Television offers pretty good salaries," Barkley chuckled. "They can sit on the sidelines, enjoying the air conditioning and chatting, and earn millions. Only a fool would refuse."
"Since you're going to be a commentator, take my advice." Lin Qi pointed to Jordan in the distance and lowered his voice, " Michael is different now. He'll soon be involved in Charlotte and become a real team owner."
"So what?" Barkley raised an eyebrow. "He's the boss now, does that mean I can't joke around with my old friend a bit?"
"Criticism during a player's career is communication on the court, but as an owner, public criticism is about business reputation and face." Lin Qi looked into Barkley's eyes and reminded him, "You know better than I how strong Michael's pride is. Once your show starts, no matter how badly Charlotte drafts rookies or how terrible their games are, don't say on live television, in front of the entire nation, that he's a bad manager."
Lin Qi paused, then emphasized, "You can criticize his players for playing softly, you can criticize their poor tactical execution, but you absolutely cannot directly criticize Michael as part of the management team, understand? Give him enough face, otherwise your twenty-year friendship will eventually be ruined by your foul mouth."
Barkley paused, scratched his bald head, clearly surprised that Lin Qi would remind him of this so seriously.
"Come on, Michael isn't that petty..." Barkley muttered, but seeing Lin Qi's serious expression, he nodded. "Alright, alright, I'll remember this for your sake. I really don't understand you bosses, why are you all so calculating?"
Lin Qi smiled, said nothing more, turned around, picked up his cue, and walked towards the tee box.
The afternoon sun gradually slanted westward along the Lake Michigan, casting long, slender shadows on the greens.