Getting fixated on something is always a scary thing.
And Ron Artest, who should have been enjoying a wonderfully relaxing vacation, was currently fixated.
When he was eight years old, due to his overly irritable nature, Artest's father sent his energetic, constantly yelling child to an anger management therapy center.
At the time, on his doctor's advice, Artest ultimately chose basketball as an outlet for his inner anxiety and restlessness.
Without a doubt, basketball put Artest's life on the right track.
However, basketball couldn't change his personality.
Believing he had made significant contributions to the Warriors' two consecutive championships...
So, in July...
Through his agent, Marc Stevens, Artest once again communicated with the Warriors' front office, hoping they would offer him that verbal promise. "I need security; I've already made Oakland my home!"
However, to Artest's extreme disappointment...
Warriors president Robert Rowell responded to Stevens saying, "Your contract still has a long time left. It's far too early to talk about an extension."
Far too early to talk about an extension?
Nonsense!
Who the hell doesn't know that the Warriors are going to sign Zack to his first maximum contract in two years?
If I come to you then, what if you refuse me, claiming you can't free up salary cap space?
As a veteran who had been in the league for eight years, Artest always knew how ruthless and ungrateful these suit-wearing jerks could be.
So, the more he wanted to stay with the Warriors, the more he saw Oakland as the final stop of his career, the more Artest needed the team to give him that sense of security.
In Artest's view, all he wanted was a verbal promise.
If the Warriors weren't even willing to give him a verbal promise right now...
Then, looking at it from another angle, didn't that mean the Warriors had no intention of keeping him at all?
"They definitely just see me as a rag to be tossed aside after use!"
Artest was starting to get fixated.
Even though his agent, Stevens, advised him, "Ron, it's not as bad as you think. As long as the Messiah is on your side, I don't think you need to worry too much about your future with the Warriors."
But Artest said, "Who doesn't know the Messiah is on my side? But you saw the Warriors' management's attitude; they clearly don't want to keep me!"
In Artest's eyes, if the Warriors' management's attitude remained so cold even after Zack had clearly expressed his support...
Then it could only prove that the Warriors had long been prepared to use him and then discard him.
This was a fact Artest couldn't accept.
Because back in Indy...
Artest had a complete fallout with the Pacers' management because he couldn't get the security he wanted.
So...
Carrying this bad mood, Artest, getting angrier the more he thought about it, accidentally twisted his ankle in a streetball game he participated in a few days ago.
During the offseason, it's not uncommon for NBA stars to participate in various streetball games.
After all...
You can't expect these energetic superhumans to be cooped up at home or stuck in the training facility all vacation.
Moreover, Artest's mild sprain would only take about two weeks to recover from.
But...
Getting increasingly angry, Artest actually forced himself to play two more streetball games with the injury.
"Is he crazy? He's gambling with his career!"
Over the phone, when Zack heard about Artest's stubborn behavior, he was so furious that he really wanted to physically beat the guy up.
Fortunately, Artest didn't suffer a more severe injury because of it.
This was a blessing in disguise.
Furthermore, when he learned that...
Artest's ankle injury, caused by his stubbornness, could either be cured with surgery or managed with conservative treatment...
A slightly relieved Zack immediately said on the phone, "Tell him to get surgery right away, immediately! It's still the offseason; he only needs a month or two to recover!"
And after a pause, Zack added, "With me on his side, he doesn't need to worry about not getting a respectable retirement contract in the future!"
Zack hadn't expected Artest to be so foolish.
You know, this summer,
Baron Davis, whose contract was about to expire, should have been more anxious than him.
To prevent Artest from continuing to get fixated, after calming himself down slightly, Zack even personally called Artest and talked with him for several hours.
However...
On the phone, Artest, who had clearly calmed down...
started getting fixated again after hanging up.
"I'm not having surgery, and I'm not doing conservative treatment!"
"Huh?"
"I'll wait until the regular season starts, until the Warriors' management realizes my importance, then I'll have surgery!"
"But Ron, didn't the Messiah ask you to have surgery right away?"
"I just helped the Messiah win two consecutive championships for the Warriors, and the Warriors' management treats me like this...
I have to make them realize my importance! Otherwise, even if the Messiah is willing to stand by me in the future, I'll definitely be swept out the door!"
Facing the logical Artest, Stevens pondered for a moment before saying, "But what if you anger the Messiah because of this..."
Artest chuckled, "I've bled and contributed for the Warriors. Besides, even if I wait until the regular season to have surgery, at most I'll only miss some games.
The Messiah won't be so heartless; I'm sure he'll continue to stand by me."
Stevens frowned, "Ron, I have to remind you... next season, you have a chance to achieve a three-peat."
Artest scoffed, "So what if it's a three-peat? Didn't the Chicago Bulls still have to wait for Scottie Pippen to return back then? Since the Warriors don't see my importance, what's wrong with me being a little stubborn?"
Stevens mused, "I think we should still discuss it with the Messiah before making a decision..."
Hearing this, Artest suddenly flared up, "You're my agent, not his agent!"
After calming down slightly, Artest said, "I can give the Warriors' management one last chance, but if their attitude towards me is still so cold...
Then no matter who tries to persuade me, I will wait until the regular season starts to undergo surgery!"
---
In late July, at Artest's request, Stevens contacted the Warriors' management again.
And then...
Artest and Stevens received this reply from President Rowell: "I've already said, your contract still has a long time left. It's far too early to talk about an extension."
President's office.
Looking at Rowell, who was unwilling to give Artest a verbal promise no matter what, Mullin repeatedly reminded him, "You should know that the Messiah has already said he'll stand with Ron."
Seeing this, Rowell spread his hands and said, "Chris, didn't we divide the work early on? You're responsible for building the team, and I'm responsible for re-signing players.
By the time Ron's contract expires, he'll be a veteran nearing thirty years old. I can't risk offering him a high-salary, long-term contract."
Then, Rowell added, "Chris, the Messiah Clause is about to be introduced. I think you should know...
If we plan to keep all of our championship players, then after re-signing the Messiah, our salary cap situation will worsen to an unbearable degree!"
Mullin sighed heavily.
This was a simple math problem.
If the Warriors tried to keep all their championship players while giving Zack a supermax contract, their future team salary...
would inevitably exceed 80 million dollars.
Although given the Warriors' recent revenue, they could afford the luxury tax penalty.
But in Rowell's eyes, with team owner Chris Cohan already determined to sell the team...
Any money that could be saved, should certainly be saved.
Currently, the Warriors' salary cap situation was still healthy.
The team's market value was also growing rapidly.
At the latest, by the end of the 08/09 season, the Warriors' market value would be second only to the New York Knicks.
That would be the highest point the Warriors' market value could reach in recent years.
Therefore...
If Cohan intended to sell the team at its market value peak, and considering Cohan would need at least one to two years to negotiate with the buyer...
In Rowell's view, the Warriors had no need to waste money on veterans like Artest and Davis, who would undoubtedly be past their prime by then.
"Have you considered that if our roster can't match the Messiah's ambition, it will affect our future re-signing with the Messiah?" Mullin reminded.
Rowell nodded, "Chris, aren't we discussing whether to sign Grant Hill right now?"
Hill, who would become a free agent this summer, had become a hot commodity in the free agent market.
Although Hill's injury history and his nearing 35 years of age made many doubt if he still had anything left in the tank.
But given that Hill currently only wanted to go to a championship contender and only wanted a veteran minimum contract...
In other words, in the face of Hill's extremely low asking price, his previous off-putting issues were no longer issues.
Just like Russell Westbrook making 40 million dollars is a "cancer," but "My Turtle" (a nickname for Westbrook) willing to take a minimum contract is the perfect championship puzzle piece.
In the NBA, the cost-effectiveness of championship role players is always greater than their ability.
And as the NBA champions of the past two years, among Hill's many potential suitors, the Warriors' appeal to him far surpassed other teams.
In Rowell's view, this would be an extremely cost-effective signing.
The Warriors only needed to offer a guaranteed veteran minimum contract to easily sign a player who played 65 games for the Magic last season, averaging nearly 15 points per game.
"So... you're prepared not to re-sign Ron and Baron?" Mullin, seeing Rowell's intention to go the cost-effective route, asked with curiosity.
Hearing this, Rowell nodded, "Chris, as long as we have the Messiah, we will never lack championship puzzle pieces who desire a championship."
At that moment, Mullin didn't deny Rowell's team-building philosophy.
But in Mullin's opinion...
Rowell clearly underestimated the importance of Artest and Davis to this Warriors team.
---
July 27th.
The Warriors officially completed the signing of veteran Grant Hill.
When he saw this news, Zack, who was trying to recruit Gary Payton as his personal trainer at the time, immediately felt the Warriors had made a good deal.
Although the Warriors' team doctors couldn't guarantee Hill's health problems like the "Phoenix Garage" (referring to the Suns' medical staff who were known for keeping older players healthy).
But considering Hill primarily played off-ball late in his career, as long as the Warriors could strictly control Hill's playing time...
Then, in Zack's opinion, Hill would definitely be a great asset on the court.
And...
Hill, as a gentleman on the court, could also slightly improve the Warriors' "gangster" image they had acquired over the past two seasons.
For Zack, who always prided himself on being a refined gentleman...
He really couldn't understand why people would label him a "bandit leader."
---
Meanwhile, on the same day Zack successfully "kidnapped" the retired Gary Payton to Oakland with promises of "high office and generous pay"...
Several Eastern Conference teams demonstrated their ambition to make a big splash in the new season.
Stan Van Gundy, who had completed his studies during his vacation, had officially arrived at his loyal Orlando, bringing his "one star, four shooters" tactic.
At Van Gundy's request, the Magic's front office quickly finalized two trades.
They first traded JJ Redick, Carlos Arroyo, Tony Battie, and two future draft picks from Indy for Stephen Jackson, who was determined to leave.
Then, through a sign-and-trade, they acquired Rashard Lewis from Minnesota in exchange for two future draft picks, Darko Milicic, and James Augustine.
"Saint of War" (Jackson's nickname), who didn't want to join the Pacers in a tanking rebuild, had already requested a trade last season.
However, the shrewd Bird (Larry Bird, Pacers GM) would only sell "Saint of War" when suitable assets appeared.
Putting aside his character, Redick was indeed the player who could impress Bird.
And the Timberwolves?
Because Lewis was extremely eager to prove himself after leaving the Sonics, and to prevent "Minnesota God of War" Lewis from disrupting the team's tanking plans, the Timberwolves had decided early on not to re-sign Lewis this summer.
Now, being able to acquire the 22-year-old Milicic, who still had potential, and two draft picks via sign-and-trade for Lewis, the Wolves' front office naturally jumped at the chance.
And unknowingly...
The Magic had already joined the Eastern Conference melee for the new season.
Under Van Gundy's "Magic Ball" system, with Howard, Jackson, Turkoglu, Lewis, and Nelson...
Even Zack, who had always had unwavering faith in LeBron James's abilities, couldn't help but gasp for his good friend.
Clearly, the good old days in the East where you could just throw together any lineup and make it to the finals were gone forever.
---
July 28th.
According to ESPN reports, the Chicago Bulls had officially reached a trade agreement with the Atlanta Hawks involving Marcus Camby and Tyson Chandler swapping teams.
This summer, after signing Maurice Peterson from the free-agent market, and successfully poaching Mike Budenholzer from San Antonio to coach the team, the Hawks had also quietly assembled a strong core.
When Tyson Chandler, Josh Smith, Maurice Peterson, Joe Johnson, and Deron Williams lined up...
Another new Eastern powerhouse had boldly challenged the Cleveland Cavaliers, last season's top dog in the East.
ESPN commented, "As the worst NBA Finals team in history, it seems the Cleveland Cavaliers' success in reaching the Finals has successfully provoked the jealousy of other Eastern Conference teams."
What does "the worst NBA Finals team in history" even mean for the Cavaliers?
Zack felt that ESPN's comments were...
completely trying to devalue the significance of his single-game assist and scoring records set in last season's Finals.
"You don't seriously think those records you set in last season's Finals were that impressive, do you?" On the training court, Gary Payton, as Zack's personal defensive coach, couldn't help but retort.
Hearing this, Zack immediately glared at Payton.
But Payton said nonchalantly, "I'm not afraid of trash-talking you now. My messed-up career is already set in stone anyway.
And I have to remind you, even if you want to fire me for telling the truth, you'll still have to pay me a breach of contract fee."
"..."
"Those were records set in the Finals!" After a long silence, Zack defended himself.
Payton shrugged, "Yeah, records set against the worst NBA Finals team in history. Wow, that's really impressive!"
"..."
"I'm suddenly regretting hiring you to coach me on defense."
"Breach of contract fee."
"..."
That day, with just a few sentences, Zack deeply felt the weight of an experienced veteran.
And Payton, the incorrigible one, broke Zack's defense multiple times in the subsequent training sessions.
"Your defensive footwork, if it weren't for your talent making up for it, I'd say my son, who's about to enter high school, does better than you."
"But I do have talent, and talent is part of my strength!"
"Yeah, a Defensive Player of the Year who only relies on talent for defense, very impressive indeed."
"..."
Under Payton's trash-talking guidance...
Although the content he taught Zack was truly eye-opening, Zack still felt that this old scoundrel was definitely holding a grudge.
"I'm not as devious as you think. Actually, I'm very grateful to you. Because you've provided a very interesting job for an old guy like me who has nothing to do after retirement." Payton, seeing through Zack's thoughts, chuckled.
Seeing this, Zack curiously asked, "What do most NBA players do after they retire?"
Payton replied, "They either transition into commentary or become coaches. But most have nothing to do and just waste away until the end of their lives."
After pondering for a while, Zack suddenly had a wild idea: "Why not organize a league that only allows retired players to participate?"
Payton was surprised, "A league that only allows retired players?"
Zack nodded, "Only retired players can participate, and the game intensity would be lowered through stricter officiating. Players who participate can receive a portion of the prize money as a pension, and they'll have something to do after retirement."
At that moment, Payton generally understood Zack's idea.
Although in American basketball, retired players also participate in some pickup games, under Zack's description, Payton clearly knew that what the other party wanted to organize...
was definitely not just ordinary pickup games.
But a large-scale, structured league...
that could allow these retired NBA veterans to once again experience the atmosphere of the court.
Zack came from the future; he had seen the "BIG3" league co-founded by Allen Iverson and Ice Cube in the future.
That league was played in a half-court three-on-three format, with the first team to score 60 points winning each game.
And after it became organized...
The league even had its own draft mechanism, allowing retired veterans who signed up each year to join various teams through a draft.
"You're a goddamn genius. If this league gets off the ground, I'm definitely signing up," Payton said excitedly after hearing Zack's description.
Hearing this, Zack said, "I plan to try and get this league started this summer. Funding for the league isn't an issue, and I can also secure some sponsorship money for it."
Zack's sudden idea to organize the "BIG3" league wasn't for the purpose of making money.
Because Payton had already told Zack with his extremely eager expression to participate in this event...
Successfully organizing the "BIG3" league...
would undoubtedly earn him the goodwill of countless retired NBA players without him even realizing it.
And in the long run, even if Zack continued to play his own way on the court, he wouldn't have to worry about facing "unfortunate later years" after retirement.
Zack knew very well that to become a true GOAT...
On the court, he certainly had to find a way to dominate everyone.
But off the court, he also had to let these retired players feel his blessings.
"Do you think Michael Jordan would be interested in signing up for this competition?"
"If he dares to participate, I'm confident I'll crush him! I, at 28, couldn't beat him at 33, but I, at 39, am not afraid of him at 44!"
Looking up at Zack, Payton said with a confident expression.
---