No.1 in basketball scoring
Chapter 537 - 233.G6 Previous Part_2

Chapter 537: 233.G6 Previous Part_2

In the summer of 2005, Gerald Wallace received the highest offer from other teams of an average of 6 million US dollars a year. At that time, the Bobcats did not have Bird rights but had cap space, so they matched the contract. However, since they did not have Bird rights, the contract offered by the Bobcats was similar to other teams, with annual salary increases several percentages points lower than what a Bird rights renewal would have been.

After some deliberations, Gerald Wallace took a pay cut with a starting salary of 5 million US dollars to sign a two-year contract worth 10.53 million US dollars, aiming to accumulate Bird rights.

Actually, this matter had been discussed by the media during All-Star Weekend, and the conclusion reached at the time was that Gerald Wallace could probably secure a long-term contract averaging 10 million a year.

Now, all these news articles and posts are saying that Gerald Wallace deserves a maximum salary...

Zhang Yang believes someone is maliciously inflating the price, unwilling to see them prosper.

He was not bothered by this, as it was Joe, Bickerstaff, Carlisle who should be worried, not him who was paying the salaries, and he was not involved in contemplating salary structures.

As for whether these remarks would affect the Crown Prince’s mentality? Zhang San was even less worried about that...

...

G5 was over, and after alternating home and away games, both teams got two days rest.

On the 21st, the Bobcats rested for a day, and on the morning of the 22nd, they conducted morning drills in preparation for battle; by the afternoon, they left Charlotte for San Antonio.

Upon arriving in San Antonio that night, Gerald Wallace was interviewed and made it clear: "I won’t consider contract issues at this time. What I think about every day is how to play better in the games and help the team win the championship.

Not every NBA player gets the chance to stand on the finals stage, some superstars never touch this stage in their entire lives. I’m experiencing an incredible season, and I won’t allow off-court factors to impact our chance to win the championship.

If you have to ask me about this, my answer is I will stand with my teammates."

When Zhang Yang saw this interview segment, he wasn’t surprised at all; in terms of work ethic, there was nothing to fault about Gerald Wallace.

Not just in words, but also in actions. During the preparations for battle the previous afternoon and this morning, Gerald Wallace was more active and engaged than usual, fearing his teammates might be influenced by the news and rumors about him.

The power of words is enormous, and on the next day, the sixth day of the finals arrived. During the morning’s pre-game preparations, Zhang Yang noticeably felt his teammates were more passionate, clearly influenced by Gerald Wallace’s interview.

During the midday break, Zhang Yang was in the rest room surfing the internet to pass the time, browsing forums and noticing that the public sentiment about Gerald Wallace’s contract year had shifted, now praising his competitiveness and professionalism...

Previously, netizens, under the influence of certain media and fans, were saying things that were not favorable to the Bobcats.

Felton, nearby, commented, "At such an important time, Gerald wasn’t affected by the outside world, instead he stood up to shatter the rumors and unify the team. He truly is my toughest competitor."

Zhang Yang agreed, indeed, the team’s ambitions and his aura as a leader, apart from Felton, belonged to Gerald Wallace.

Rondo had ambition but it’s fair to say he lacked leadership abilities.

Okafor had a leader’s aura, but mimicking Duncan, he only adopted the form.

As for him, Zhang San... he was just an ordinary scorer.

If he had met Gerald Wallace earlier, Zhang Yang would definitely have chosen to promote Gerald Wallace to the forefront. Initially, communicating with Gerald Wallace was much less strenuous.

But now, Zhang San naturally finds it easier to look up to ’Little Fat,’ the leader.

Felton was very keen on learning new things, from his playing style to his way of leading the team, continuously improving, impressing Zhang Yang in many ways.

Like him, Zhang San, ’Little Fat,’ the leader, also wouldn’t demean competitors, whether within his team or from other teams.

Respecting your competitors is respecting yourself...

Scrolling through forums and website portals, he spotted a new column article—The Bobcats’ Five Leaders.

The article content, to put it simply, praised the likes of Zhang Yang, Felton, Rondo, Gerald Wallace, and Okafor.

Rondo has the potential to be a leader like Kidd.

Felton, the current top leader of the Bobcats, Joe’s junior, pure and rooted.

Gerald Wallace, the second leader of the Bobcats, has been competing with Felton for the top spot.

Okafor, the understated leader, known as ’Little Duncan’.

Zhang Yang, a future leader who can’t drink, whose nickname has changed from ’Little Dumars’ to ’Little Laimbeer’.

At first, when Zhang Yang and Felton saw the part about them in the press, they thought they were barely one step away from the championship with a 3-2 lead, as the media had started building momentum for them, and it was pretty exciting.

By the end, well, the truth was revealed.

At the end of the article, with a tone of concern, it stated — the Bobcats have five young talents capable of leading the team. For now, they are young and can give way to each other, but as they grow into superstars, it will be difficult for one team to accommodate them all. What will become of the Bobcats’ future?

Felton burst out, "Those XXX can’t stand to see us succeed! They tried to single out Gerald and failed, now they’re trying to divide our whole team!"

Zhang Yang was speechless for a moment, then responded, "After Gerald stood up and responded, it’s hard for them to influence us now. Even if they bring up this issue, it can’t affect us now. Their goal is probably to impact our future."

Felton, "Jack, how should we fight back?"

Zhang Yang thought about it and shook his head, "It’s an overt plot; there’s no way to counter it. We can’t just come out and deny it, right? That would be like Popovich saying he prefers Ginobili over Parker. Moreover, what they’re saying is the truth, and it’s a problem we will have to face in the future."

Hearing this, Felton understood Zhang Yang’s point and felt somewhat disheartened.

Seeing this, Zhang Yang smiled and said, "People will come and go; as a professional player, you’ll see teammates come and go, and we will inevitably have our pauses. But championship is the only truth."

With that, Zhang Yang stretched out his fist toward Felton.

Championship is the only truth! Hearing this, Felton pulled himself out of his slump, ignited, he extended his fist and bumped it against Zhang Yang’s!

...

June 23, 2007, 8:40 PM, AT&T Center, San Antonio, the visiting Bobcats players entered the arena first.

Throughout three final series entrance ceremonies, Zhang Yang had seen different scenes each time.

G1, the atmosphere created by the fans was as if they had stumbled upon a great bargain.

G2, the fans seemed sure they had found a great deal and appeared to be prematurely celebrating the championship.

Having walked around Charlotte for a week, the Spurs returned tonight. Now, the fans were like cats with stepped tails, with booing and swearing piercingly, as if screaming at the top of their lungs.

Clearly, the fans of the Spurs couldn’t accept the big score of 2-3.

When the Spurs players entered, the fans cheered wildly to boost their team. Parker’s entrance was met with a mixed atmosphere; most cheered loudly, but many booed and some even hurled insults...

Zhang Yang didn’t know the internal situation of the Spurs, as they had closed their doors to interviews after Game 5, and no interviews about the Spurs had been seen in the last few days, just various speculations.

But Zhang Yang could feel the attitude of the Spurs fans.

Poor little Speedster!

Big Fatty, go on! Go comfort the little Speedster!

Without needing any prompting, Felton, seeing Parker isolated by the technical desk away from his teammates after entering, approached him promptly: "Tony, why don’t your team’s fans like you?"