Champion Creed
Chapter 321 - 321 135 The Last Dance

321: 135: The Last Dance?

(Requesting Monthly Tickets!)_2 321: 135: The Last Dance?

(Requesting Monthly Tickets!)_2 “Just say it, how much do you want?” Reinsdorf was also straightforward.

But David Falk didn’t answer the question directly, “As I said, it entirely depends on you.

This time, you make the offer first.”

Falk would definitely not give a clear price because the Bulls could offer Jordan an uncapped contract.

So, what if he said 30 million, but Reinsdorf was actually willing to give 40 million?

That would be bargaining in the wrong direction.

Thus, he wanted to force Reinsdorf to say the number himself.

Reinsdorf looked at the vampire in front of him, really wanting to drive a wooden stake through his heart.

Conditions, always conditions.

Now, Reinsdorf got burnt up whenever he heard this word.

One day, if David Falk were emptied of a magazine by gangsters in the street, Reinsdorf wouldn’t be surprised, this bastard had offended too many people.

In the summer of 1994, when Michael Jordan was preparing to return, Reinsdorf almost unhesitatingly agreed to all of David Falk’s conditions.

Including trading away Roger.

And the result?

Facts had proven it was the most foolish trade in NBA history.

Last season, Roger’s actions disgraced not only Jordan but the entire Chicago Bulls.

The Trail Blazers at most just failed to draft Jordan, but the Bulls were like drafting Jordan and then trading him away.

Every time someone brought up “top 10 boneheaded moves by NBA team management” on TV, the trade involving Roger would definitely make the list.

He agreed to all of Jordan’s conditions back then, and what was the result?

He didn’t get any benefits from it.

So now, Reinsdorf would not agree to whatever conditions Falk proposed like he did two years ago.

He told Falk firmly, “David, you mean to say, if I don’t meet the price you’re happy with, I could lose the greatest player of all time?

Hahaha, that might be the dumbest thing you’ve ever said to me.

With the Bird rights in hand, no team in the league can offer a higher salary than I can, you can’t bluff me, David!”

Yes, just this simple Bird rights rule, which risked being messed with in future negotiations, would later be deliberately misconstrued by some fans with ulterior motives as “Jordan is just a false GOAT lifted up by the league, why only he can be special, his salary doesn’t count against the salary cap.”

David Falk knew Reinsdorf wouldn’t give a price easily, but he had come prepared:

“Of course, I know only you can risk on re-signing Michael, and I can only say, if I really feel it’s necessary to seriously negotiate with other teams, then as someone who understands the NBA salary cap system better than anyone else in the world, I would explore all the possibilities of the system.

Maybe in another city, Michael could get an endorsement deal of ten million US dollars on top of the team contract?”

“That’s tampering, David.” Reinsdorf smirked with disdain.

“I said, I am only going to explore these possibilities.

And as for the issue of law and regulations, I understand them better than you do.

Let me give you an example, Shaq has a contract with the Magic, but he’s also a spokesperson for Amway Corp.

When you add it up, Rich DeVos spends more than just the contract amount on Shaq in a year.

But did the league ever say that’s tantamount to tampering?

Can they call it a dual contract?

No, they can’t.

I’ll study how they do it well, so I think such a contract combo is not impossible.”

Jerry Krause couldn’t get a word in edgewise; he just felt that Jordan and Falk were overstepping.

The team had done everything they’d asked for, and then what?

They had the nerve to push their luck!

Reinsdorf’s expression darkened; he knew if Falk dared to say these things in front of him, it meant he was confident of successfully maneuvering.

He was pinched by David Falk again.

He detested that bastard, and even more, he detested that feeling of humiliation caused by Falk’s manipulation.

That’s why David Falk was so reviled in the industry but still got along quite well.

Whether you like him or not doesn’t affect his ability to fight for good conditions for his players.

Of course, Reinsdorf didn’t want to lose Jordan; Jordan’s commercial value and influence had declined, but he was still the focus of the entire world.

And if they won the championship this year, Jordan’s influence and commercial value could even become higher than before!

So in the end, he still tried to make an offer: “Alright David, the price you need, does the first number start with a 2?

Roger signed a 20 million a year contract with the Magic last summer, I know what you want.

Now tell me, does the first number start with a 2?”

David Falk flashed a smug smile, now knowing that 20 million was not Reinsdorf’s bottom line, but merely a starting point.

Indeed, there was still room to squeeze.

With a rough idea of Reinsdorf’s offer in his mind, he grew bolder, “No, Jerry, the first digit is not a 2.”

“What!?” Reinsdorf found it hard to believe.

If Jordan simply wanted to pursue the highest annual salary in history, then 22 or 25 million a year would be acceptable to Reinsdorf.

After all, it was enough just to crown Jordan with the title of the highest salary in history, that’s probably all he wanted.

But Falk actually said the first digit wasn’t a 2!?

What did that imply?

Did these bastards want an annual salary of over 30 million?

How dare they!?

David Falk didn’t continue to pressure Reinsdorf; the pressure he had applied to the Bulls today was already sufficient.

He stood up and gathered his belongings, “You see, Jerry, I have many clients who need to sign contracts this summer, so I am very busy.

Let’s do this: We’ll give each other some time to think.

Of course, let’s try to keep any renewal matters out of the media.

Hey, you don’t want Michael to hear any rumors during the most critical round of the series and affect his game, do you?”

With that, Falk walked out of Reinsdorf’s office with big strides, wearing a smile.

He relished Reinsdorf’s reaction; he loved the thrill of manipulating a team owner.

Jerry Krause was furious after Falk left: “If we don’t win the championship this year, we must rebuild the team!

Scottie, Michael, Phil, Dennis…

they are all ungrateful; they all just want to empty your wallet!

A bunch of assholes, vampires, parasites!”

Reinsdorf leaned back in his executive chair and sighed.

Indeed, if they didn’t win the championship this year, it would be very difficult to keep the team together.

Victory can cover up a lot of things, but failure exposes many things.

If they can’t win the championship, then what was the point of giving so many people big contracts?

He would regret giving Jordan a 30 million salary one day.

If he agreed to all terms as easily as he agreed to trade Roger in 1994, this team would eventually be ruined.

A tragedy like the trade of Roger must never happen again.

Reinsdorf glanced at the three championship trophies in his office and the various group photos on the wall, clenching his teeth.

There’s no feast that doesn’t come to an end, no dynasty that doesn’t wither.

Although the Bulls set a historic record this year with 72 wins, and Jordan won another MVP, if they couldn’t win the championship this year, it would be the last dance for this Chicago Bulls team.

He had made up his mind!

—————–

Lose?

The likelihood is less than 1%.

Listen, even if the Bulls Dynasty really ends, it will be ended by a man in a suit.

— Michael Jordan joked about the possibility of losing the Eastern Conference Finals, taking a sneaky dig at Jerry Krause.

Of course, I won’t leave Indianapolis.

I do want to win a championship, and I understand the normal transfers.

But did you say New York?

You mean join my enemy?

Laughable!

— Reggie Miller answered during an interview with reporters.

Years later, when Durant joined the enemy, Reggie Miller had written an article entitled “When Sacred Legacy Becomes Cheap Jewelry.” His thinking had been as stubborn since then.

I’m only thinking about the championship now, don’t bother me with other stuff!

Soon, you’ll all see how powerless Michael and Roger are in front of the Defensive Player of the Year!

— Gary Payton, who had just swept Olajuwon 4-0, spoke about his plans for the summer.

We’re going to take down the Bulls, then win back-to-back championships, and then a three-peat.

That’s the promise me and Shaq made.

Soon, you’ll find out if I’m just blowing hot air or not.

— Roger talked about the huge challenge of crushing the 72-win Bulls.

All the fans were watching intently, all the players were ready for battle.

The series that could change the course of history had begun!