Facing the four men, all wearing expressions of confusion,
Chen Yilun straightened up and began explaining his plan. When he finished, the entire living room sank into a long, heavy silence.
"Why is it so cold? Did someone forget to close the window?"
Peja stood and walked over, only to see that the window was shut tight. Still, a chill rose from deep within him.
"Boss, your ambition is even more terrifying than I imagined!"
West tipped his head back and took a huge gulp of whiskey before speaking.
"So this is what you've been planning. That makes a lot of things make sense. Does that mean things on Blackstone's end…?"
"Exactly, David. You've hit the nail on the head."
Chen Yilun nodded.
"Mike Brown, Mike Blackstone, and Brett Brown—they're all my people."
"Hiss!"
The living room erupted again with the sound of sharp inhalations.
"So that means…"
Prince spoke, nearly unable to believe it.
"Philadelphia is already under your control?"
"Of course."
Chen Yilun let out a cold laugh. "Philadelphia is the first, but it definitely won't be the last. What I'm telling you today is just laying the foundation for what comes next."
"If you join my team, you'll have guaranteed positions in the management circles of other franchises. Trades, contracts, even draft order—we'll be the ones deciding."
He lifted his glass and downed the last of his drink.
"Can you imagine it? The league will be our league. We'll be the true uncrowned kings. That's what real men should strive for."
"Impossible!"
Peja suddenly turned from the window, objecting sharply.
"Adam Silver would never sit by and let us grow unchecked. What about the league board? The players' union? Even the referees' association won't allow it! This is outright sports monopoly!"
But seeing Peja's anxious expression, Chen Yilun felt no displeasure—only approval.
He hadn't misjudged him. Peja's ability was average, but he was steady. While the others were swept up by the grand vision, he alone saw the risks clearly.
"That's why we need to stay underwater."
Chen Yilun stood, poured himself a fresh shot, and continued.
"We can't be as blatant as Red Auerbach, or even as bold as Popovich. Every one of us has to stay beneath the surface. You know the saying—keep your head down and work in the shadows."
"Did I contact Blackstone after he went to Philadelphia? Of course not. Shouting everywhere 'this is my guy' would be the dumbest thing imaginable."
"What we need to do is expand slowly. All cooperation must happen in the dark. Only when we have the power to flip the table can we show ourselves."
As soon as Chen Yilun finished speaking, a voice rose.
"I think it's doable!"
Divac stood up first.
"Guys—this is an opportunity!"
He looked around at everyone's expression before continuing.
"We've all played in the league. We've all made money. Are you really satisfied drifting along like this, earning a few hundred thousand a year? We're not Kobe or James—we don't have the influence to build our own empires. If we don't find another path, we'll be workers for life."
"Chen's plan may be risky, but if it works, we flip our fate and become the ones in charge!"
"I think it's doable too!"
Prince rose right after him.
"We're all set financially anyway. Without these jobs we'd still live comfortably. So why not take a shot at something bigger?"
West nodded and stood as well.
"You guys…"
Seeing the three already on their feet, Peja opened his mouth, but the words caught in his throat.
Prince's argument hit too hard.
Every decision comes down to cost and benefit. They were already financially independent. Taking a calculated risk that wouldn't affect their future quality of life made too much sense.
"Screw it! I'm in!"
Peja threw his head back and finished his drink in one go, shouting loudly afterward.
Watching the four men now brimming with determination, a sly smile tugged at the corner of Chen Yilun's lips.
It's done.
Even the best plan needs people to execute it. After tonight, he finally had the team he needed.
Chen Yilun raised his glass and clinked it with theirs. "I won't let you down."
"After tonight, go back to work like normal. When the chance comes, I'll bring you in."
"Boss, where's your next move?"
Divac asked curiously.
"No rush. You'll know soon enough."
…
Though Chen Yilun was eager to bring the Utah Jazz under his control as well, their GM, Justin Zanik, held an unshakeably secure position—for now, there was no good opening.
The real targets in Chen Yilun's sights were the two teams in the Big Apple.
The Zen Master's career with the Knicks was reaching its end. Even Dolan, stubborn as he was, had run out of patience. Barring surprises, Phil Jackson would soon step down and fade entirely from the league's upper offices.
And Billy King of the Nets was about to lose the last sliver of trust from his owner. He would exit as the designated scapegoat.
The Zen Master's fall was practically inevitable.
Even Popovich had abandoned his mentor Larry Brown's system to study small-ball, but Phil remained stubbornly devoted to his triangle offense.
You could say the triangle made the Zen Master's career—and broke it.
Many fans know the name "triangle offense," but few truly understand how it works.
The triangle wasn't invented by the Zen Master; its true architect was the legendary college coach Winter.
The tactic was created to prevent star college players from being trapped by double-teams.
The core of the triangle is a steady point guard—your 1—who delivers the ball to a star at the 2 or 3 spot with elite isolation ability.
Ball movement clearly divides the strong and weak sides. The strong side belongs entirely to the star, while role players on the weak side space the floor.
This approach requires sacrifice from the rest of the team, but even more, it demands the star possess elite isolation skill, exceptional post play, and the stamina to sustain the offense's heavy workload. Since the ball is constantly in their hands, they must also have great court vision and passing ability.
Otherwise, it just becomes simplistic isolation.
And once you understand all that, the conclusion becomes obvious.
Only Michael Jordan—and Kobe Bryant at his absolute peak—fit the requirements.
No one else comes close.