Check out my new fanfic. A cote x hikigaya crossover.
Please give it a go đ
***
On Wednesday, July 12, 2000, Clay Lee was invited to the Bellagio Hotel in Las Vegas.
This hotel, opened in 1998, received widespread acclaim, and the Bellagio Fountains in front of the hotel became a symbol of its luxury.
At night, 4,000 neon lights combined with high-pressure nozzles form graceful fountain dances, accompanied by appropriate music, creating a unique spectacle.
While beautiful scenery attracts tourists to stay, the machines and gambling tables inside are the hotel's true business.
Those who come here to play will spend at least a few thousand U.S. dollars.
The World Series of Poker is also held in Las Vegas every year.
Lee, of course, wouldn't participate in such a professional competition to seek abuse, but Michael Jordan, who is bad at playing but addicted to gambling, confidently entered this year.
As a result, Michael was eliminated on July 6, the first day the competition began.
Once his gambling addiction flared up, Michael settled at the high-stakes gambling tables of the Bellagio Hotel for several consecutive days, calling friends and inviting them to gamble!
Mark Bartelstein released a smoke bomb for Lee, and no media had discovered his whereabouts these past two days.
Upon arriving, Lee found that only a few old acquaintances remained at the gambling table.
Clearly, Michael had lost big again, and the others had made a fortune and left.
The high-stakes gambling tables, exclusively for the entertainment of the wealthy, don't need to worry about privacy.
Inside the private room, besides a beautiful Caucasian female dealer, there were very few service staff.
"Our big star is finally here. I heard you bought a 30 million U.S. dollar villa in Manhattan?"
"This is the difference between you and those other guys. They only know how to shout slogans, and after earning money, all they do is play with women, smoke weed, and buy luxury goods."
"They have no ability but demand high salaries. Motherf*cker, one day I'm going to send all those trash who can't even play basketball straight to hell!"
A somewhat drunk Michael, after spitting out his cigar, began to vent furiously.
Losing too much money made him think of the Washington Wizards, and last season's results broke his heart.
David Falk, standing nearby, instinctively covered his forehead upon hearing this.
If this were exposed by the media, the team would surely explode.
Looking at the continuously cursing Michael, Clay Lee just gave David Falk an understanding look.
Mark Parker from Nike was also there, and Richard McWilliams, co-founder and CEO of Upper Deck, smiled and nodded at Lee.
Steve Wynn's net worth soared after he sold Mirage Resorts for 6.6 billion U.S. dollars in mid-June to MGM.
As the owner of the Bellagio Hotel, Steve Wynn personally joining the game indicated that Michael had lost almost everything.
"Clay, you should bring your friends to Las Vegas more often. Believe me, you'll absolutely love it here. Look at Michael, he's been here for almost a week!"
"I won't charge him any fees. To ensure my super VIP client has a good time, I can provide any assistance."
Winning money wasn't important.
What mattered was enjoying the process of defeating his opponents.
Steve Wynn, who had also drunk quite a bit, laughed heartily at the still grumbling Michael, clearly having won big.
At the gambling table, there was no distinction of status or age.
After Lee took his seat, he found it was a 6 player Texas Hold'em game, and he also joked:
"Have you lost so much that you can only play 6-player games? You didn't lose all of Jordan Sports' dividends for this year, did you?"
"Sh*t! I have more money than I can spend! I'll win it back!"
Draining the hard liquor beside him in one gulp, the red-eyed Michael immediately called for the cards to be dealt, prompting another round of laughter from those present.
The long night began with Texas Hold'em.
On July 16, the World Series of Poker had ended, but Las Vegas was still lively.
The face-saving Michael stubbornly stayed until the competition concluded before officially stopping.
Although he was eliminated on the first day, Michael enjoyed a schedule similar to that of a champion player.
In the luxurious "Lake View Room" suite, as noon approached, Ivanka, feeling Lee get up beside her, clung to him from behind again.
"Wouldn't it be nice to sleep a little longer?"
These past few days in Las Vegas, Ivanka had let loose again, gambling to her heart's content and losing a large sum of U.S. dollars.
Fortunately, Lee won a lot from Michael, so he didn't feel bad about her losses.
Instead, he took the opportunity to unlock more knowledge and even practiced some rope techniques.
"We have to fly to Saint-Tropez early. We can't keep our friends waiting too long!"
The soft-bodied Ivanka, thinking about their itinerary, finally sobered up, then let out a low cry:
"I forgot to visit Uncle Phil. I completely forgot about it."
Last Saturday's party in New York was also attended by a New York real estate developer and his new model girlfriend.
Knowing that his daughter wanted to play in France for a few days, he didn't stop her but generously agreed.
Perhaps this old lecher had long wanted to try something new with his new girlfriend, and with the 'light bulb' at home, he might not have been able to relax.
Phil Ruffin also owns hotels and casinos in Las Vegas, but he's also an old lecher.
Clay Lee noticed local newspaper gossip about the billionaire planning a divorce because he had fallen in love with a younger Ukrainian lady.
Hearing Ivanka gossip about this person's relationship with her father, Lee secretly noted down some information, patted her smooth, golden-haired breasts, and carefully felt her waist, then said with satisfaction:
"There's still time this afternoon, and it's working. It seems you've lost some more weight these past few days!"
"âŠ"
In the afternoon, Michael Jordan, having gambled to his heart's content, had regained his composure when he met Clay Lee.
The two chatted casually over afternoon drinks:
"How much did Upper Deck pay for the exclusive contract? McWilliams isn't as easy to deal with as he seems."
Hearing Michael's question, Lee didn't hide anything.
He casually took a sip of wine and said with a smile:
"5 years, 20 million U.S. dollars, exclusive rights to signed cards and memorabilia production."
"I know McWilliams cleaned out the company's founders, but I don't care about that. It's about following the contract. The highest bidder wins, and their offer was the highest."
Michael Jordan still shook his head with a smile after hearing the offer:
"My biggest regret is signing a 10-year contract with them. Lee, you should have asked for more!"
"The cost of player cards is too low. In other words, they are using our fame to monetize. That's why I don't like McWilliams. He's greedier than I imagined."
Lee also understood their intentions.
His mixed race ancestry made him extremely popular in Asia.
Although he was censored in China, these player cards would definitely sell well in places like Japan, India, Pakistan and Korea, etc. where spending power is not bad.
"That's their skill. I like win-win situations, and player cards can also increase my popularity!"
Their various methods of 'harvesting leeks' were indeed worth learning.
Clay spoke truthfully, but Michael continued to tease:
"Nike is a bit unhappy with your demands. They think the contract is too big, but I didn't agree to be a lobbyist. Let your agent continue to negotiate, and there will be a result by the end of the month."
"Oakley is coming to my side next season. He plans to retire after playing one more year at most. You really are a heartless little scoundrel!"
After saying this, Michael laughed heartily as he drank.
Most sports media were criticizing Grunfeld, but he knew that a superstar must have agreed to these matters.
Lee didn't care.
Oakley couldn't get a big contract in New York, and his starting position wasn't guaranteed.
Leaving to make money was a good option:
"The feeling is mutual, old scoundrel. Next time you want to lose money, come find me again!"
On July 18th, Lee, along with his friends Ivan, Melinda, and the girls, flew directly to Saint-Tropez, where Bobby Axelrod and his team had been waiting for a long time.
For the two sides to begin deep cooperation, they naturally needed to understand each other further.
The New York Media finally discovered Clay Lee's whereabouts and quickly reported the news of the two of them spending money lavishly.
Although Ivan was a fallen scion, as long as dollars paved the way, relying on his family's accumulated network, he could still reach the upper echelons in Connecticut.
Axe Capital had been thoroughly investigated.
However, Lee was still not at ease.
He still had his own methods.
The two sides had a good vacation and exchange this time, and they could be considered partners going forward.
On July 20th, the New York Post broke the news that Oakley had verbally agreed to join the Washington Wizards, and New York fans began to furiously blast General Manager Grunfeld again.
Being a general manager of a three-time champion team is not easy.
James Dolan didn't even mention buying out Ewing.
He only emphasized the New York Knicks' goal for next season:
"The championship!"
No one likes to trade with a defending champion.
The difficulties faced by the Chicago Bulls were just as numerous for the New York Knicks.
Back then, Krause wanted to trade Pippen to facilitate a generational transition.
Now, Grunfeld has traded the declining Larry Johnson for Grant Hill, who is in his prime.
On July 21st, the New York Post broke the news again: 3 years, $13 million, the New York Knicks re-signed Rashad Lewis!
After this news broke, the onlookers were also amused:
"Do they have too much money and nowhere to spend it? A second-round pick with no stats, no physique, and only a decent shot can get a contract like this?"
Also on this day, at the Tarrytown Training Center, General Manager Grunfeld gave his first interview to the New York Media since the offseason began:
"We saw Rashad's talent, and Head Coach Van Gundy also approved of this signing. Next season, he and Kurt will hold down the team's power forward position."
"The New York Knicks do not lack talent. Next season, we will still contend for the championship."
Many media outlets only then noticed that Kurt Thomas also re-signed for 3 years and $13 million.
This big man, who had a weak presence on the team, also got a contract.
In front of the media, Jeff Van Gundy, though smiling, was also somewhat displeased.
James Dolan didn't seem to like his basketball philosophy.
Two years and $10 million was a max contract, but it was far short of a five-year big contract.
"Defense wins championships. We will continue to make reasonable reinforcements to build the most suitable lineup for Lee!"
After Jeff Van Gundy expressed his views, some New York Media also realized that something was wrong.
The owner and the Head Coach seemed to have a disagreement.
Throughout late July, Lee did not appear in New York, and more people turned their attention to Tim Duncan.
David Robinson and Gregg Popovich were practically begging Duncan to come back, and the San Antonio media was constantly clamoring for Duncan to re-sign and Gregg Popovich to be fired.
Interestingly, after a brief visit to the Orlando Magic at the beginning of the month, Duncan made no statement.
At the end of the month, the San Antonio local media finally got the news:
"Tim Duncan will not leave. He will fulfill his promise!"
San Antonio Spurs fans were as excited as if it were Christmas, and upon seeing this news, they continued to call for Gregg Popovich's dismissal.
"Let's get ready to win big!"
Duncan, who had just joined the San Antonio Spurs, boasted in front of fans and the owner.
After touring around, Duncan chose to stay, which also brought a sigh of relief to all teams in the league:
"As long as he doesn't join the New York Knicks!"
On July 30th, Nike announced that it had re-signed Clay Lee for 5 years and $75 million!
It also announced again that the new sneakers would debut on the 1st, and the training camp would simultaneously open in New York.
Sports Illustrated also followed up by previewing Lee's latest exclusive interview, and major sports media outlets also broke the news that Lee would appear on their shows.
MSG announced that the New York Knicks' latest documentary would be released at the beginning of next month. "The Last Dance" will reveal the untold story of the team's three consecutive championships.
On the 31st, as soon as Lee appeared at New York International Airport, he was surrounded by sports media.
A Yahoo Sports reporter quickly asked first:
"Lee, how do you view the departure of all your old teammates?"
Lee took off his sunglasses, looked at the crowd, and said with a smile:
"I respect General Manager Grunfeld's work because he and our goals are consistent: both are for the championship."
Seeing that everyone still wanted to ask questions, the white-haired old man beside Lee said in a deep voice:
"Alright, guys! Once we're back in Manhattan, we'll have plenty of time for interviews. Now, you need to make way."
Lee put his arm around his good brother Nacho's shoulder and waved to the crowd with a smile:
"Don't be nervous, Nacho. The New York Media are all my friends. Everyone is welcome to visit my new home, just don't forget to make an appointment in advance!"
"âŠ"
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