NBA: Goat is actually me

Chapter 123 Bangs God of War Jordan
The next day, all major sports media were reporting on Meng Jin's knockdown of David Robinson.

The NBA team vs. Olympic team still attracted a lot of media attention. There are few games in the offseason, and this game almost occupied the front page headlines of all sports media.

After the game, many media outlets were pessimistic about this American men's basketball team. You have to know that the 84 American men's basketball team defeated the NBA All-Star team. There is no harm without comparison.

CBS writer Sean Runklee was even more blunt, saying, "In yesterday's game, the Olympic team looked more like a sparring partner for the NBA team."

Dave Kindred, a columnist for Sports News, expressed his concerns: "David Robinson is a talented guy, but his character is too soft. I saw him several times during the game without any reaction after being bumped by Meng Jin. To put it nicely, this is polite, but to put it bluntly, this is cowardice. If such a player is allowed to become the leader of this US men's basketball team, then this US men's basketball team will be in danger."

Bob Green, a columnist for the Chicago Tribune, focused more on his own players: "The NBA team played more energetically in this game. Meng and Michael were in excellent form. You can tell at a glance that they did not fall behind in training during the offseason. Meng's performance amazed me. Although he did not play much, he always contributed impressive pictures whenever he had the ball. His combination of man and ball seemed to be better than last season, and his mid-range shots were more confident. The Olympic team played well in this game overall. They played in harmony, like a well-trained team, but this is far from enough. To win a championship at the level of the Olympics, the boys must play more aggressively on the court."

Mike Lupica, a reporter for the New York Daily News, wrote: "David Robinson was praised as a miracle. After yesterday's game, I believe many people were as surprised as I was. Meng knocked this guy down, shot jumpers and dunked over his head. He did whatever he wanted. I haven't done statistics, but I think at least 19 of Meng's 12 points yesterday were scored on David Robinson. Judging from the impression of this game alone, the two are not players of the same level."

Looking at the content of the report, Meng Jin was very satisfied. His goal was achieved.

He doesn't hate David Robinson. Teaching David Robinson a lesson is just a process. Meng Jin's goal is to prevent those media from talking nonsense. In this era of information scarcity, a piece of content in the newspaper may mislead the general public. He doesn't want some fans to really think that he won the Rookie of the Year award because David Robinson didn't play last season.

Two days later, the NBA released a breaking news: "Tom Chambers signed with the Phoenix Suns."

The reason why this news is called major news has nothing to do with the players, but has to do with the way of joining.

Tom Chambers joined the Suns as a free agent.

Before 1988, there were no free agents in the NBA. It may sound absurd, but in the league at that time, a player joined a team either through the draft or through a trade. Of course, there were some players who wanted to leave the team after their contracts expired, and the team was willing to let them go, but this was still different from what we call free agents today, because these players needed to compensate their original teams when they left.

Since the Sonics had drafted big rookies for two consecutive years, Chambers had a feeling that he would be gradually marginalized. He wanted to leave, but in this era the only way to leave was to be traded by the team. Just as he was about to sign a new contract extension, Larry Fleischer, the leader of the players' union, called him.

"Don't sign that contract yet, because I think we're getting close to finalizing the unrestricted free agency negotiations."

A day later, the league announced a system whereby players who had two contracts and had been in the league for seven years could sign with any team as free agents.

So, Chambers became the first free agent, and all the noise about free agents started with Chambers.

Considering the important role that free agents play in team formation and the road to championship, this system also indirectly changes the fate of many teams in the future.

Throughout August and September, Meng Jin was doing two things: practicing and training.

One ball is a basketball and the other is a golf ball.

Meng Jin is very competitive and he is tired of being beaten by Jordan every time on the golf course.

After completing daily training, Meng Jin would play golf with Donald. Donald was very busy with his business, but his love for golf surpassed everything else. He would take two hours every day to play golf. When Donald was not free, he would let his personal trainer or sparring partner play with Meng Jin.

At the end of September, when Donald and Meng Jin were playing golf, Donald couldn't help but sigh that his golf skills had improved so quickly. Two months ago, Meng Jin was a complete rookie who only knew how to swing the club and hit the ball all over the place. Two months later, he could hit 9-90 strokes, and when he was in good shape, he could even hit 100 strokes.

An international standard golf course has 18 holes and 72 strokes. For an amateur player, if he can hit 80 strokes, it is considered a good score, 90 strokes is considered a passing score, and over 100 strokes is a relatively poor score.

Meng Jinyun said calmly: "Playing golf is very simple for me. It is a game of putting the ball into the hole, just like basketball."

"You can now take your check and go to the golf course to find Michael Jordan," Donald laughed.

Jordan's golf level during this period was about 80 or 90 strokes. It is still a bit difficult for Meng Jin to beat him with his current level, but at least there is a chance and he won't lose every time.

Jordan has been in a good mood recently. The team owner Reinsdorf signed an 8-year, 2500 million US dollar contract with him. From a God's perspective, it was a huge loss, but the price is still good in the current market.

Jordan temporarily forgot the sorrow of losing his good friend Oakley and enjoyed the last time of the offseason.

At the end of September, Jordan called Meng Jin and asked him to play golf with him. He said that he had not won money from Meng Jin's pocket for a long time.

Meng Jin pretended to be embarrassed and said that he was training in New York and had no plans to return to Chicago for the time being.

Jordan said directly, I can go to New York!
Then, Jordan brought up the last time Meng Jin ran away from the Olympic team, and told Meng Jin that he could not refuse him this time.

After Meng Jin agreed, Jordan hung up the phone and winked at his fiancée Juanita. "Meng is very rich these days. I saw a news report recently that he has earned millions in sneaker profits this year. I must make him bleed tomorrow."

The next day, Shinnecock Hills Golf Club, New York.

When Meng Jin was practicing his swing, a deep voice came from behind him: "Good posture, but I hope you brought cash today."

Meng Jin looked back and saw that it was Jordan who came with a brown-haired girl.

Jordan was also a master at picking up girls, but his gossip was nothing compared to his gambling anecdotes, so fans in his previous life ignored this point.

In addition to Jordan and Meng Jin, Donald and Barkley also came to the golf course.

Jordan couldn't help but tease Barkley when he saw him: "Charles, you've gained weight and your butt has grown. Is this the result of your training since you left my training camp?"

"Michael, believe me, I left your training camp for your own good."

Whenever the two met, they would quarrel, but sometimes Jordan enjoyed quarreling with him because he would always be amused by him in the end.

"Michael, let's get started. Let's bet hard in the first round."

As soon as Jordan heard about the bet, he left Barkley and walked up to Meng Jin with shining eyes.

"How would you like to play?"

"If I lose, I'll give you $5000. If you lose, I'll give you $." Meng Jin looked at the brown-haired beauty behind Jordan and suddenly got an idea: "If you lose, wear a long wig and take the makeup photo for this season."

Meng Jin is not addicted to gambling. He is not interested in gambling at all and just wants to have some fun.

Jordan agreed without hesitation. At that time, Jordan had not yet started to gamble on golf, and $5000 per game was considered a big bet.

Jordan agreed so readily because he thought he knew Meng Jin's level very well and he never thought he would lose.

Jordan was very confident and looked relaxed, but he lost after the first game.

Jordan shot 97, which is not surprising, as it takes time to adapt to a new course.

What surprised Jordan was that Meng Jin actually shot 91 strokes. Based on Jordan's understanding of Meng Jin, he would have performed above his level if he shot 100 strokes.

At the end of the game, Barkley was cheering wildly on the sidelines. He said he must go to the Bulls training camp in person to see what Jordan looked like with long hair.

Jordan had a dark face and said, "One more round."

This was within Meng Jin's expectations. There was no way Jordan would just let Meng Jin go after losing. In the second game, Meng Jin shot 100 strokes, and halfway through he became a little absent-minded. An average round of golf takes four and a half hours. Playing one round was okay, but playing two rounds in a row was a torture for Meng Jin.

But Jordan was different. As long as he had time, he would play 36 holes every day, which was about 9 hours. Jordan became more and more courageous and scored a good score of 81 in the second game.

Meng Jin lost $5000, but Jordan had to wear a wig when taking the final photos.

On October 10, the Bulls' new season training camp officially opened.

Before attending the training camp, Meng Jin encountered an interesting incident.

Just the day before Meng Jin was about to return to Chicago, there was a sudden and urgent knock on the apartment door.

When Meng Jin opened the door, he saw Donald, who was sweating profusely.

Meng Jin looked at the time and it was one o'clock in the afternoon.

"You're really trying hard to run when the sun is at its brightest."

Donald was already out of breath at this time: "Let me in first."

After entering the door, Meng Jin handed Donald a glass of water.

Donald took a breath and said, "Mike Tyson was just chasing me."

"Which Mike Tyson?" Meng Jin asked.

Donald: "It's the Mike Tyson you know." Meng Jin: "Oh! Donald, I can't beat him."

Donald took another sip of water: "I just came here to hide."

Donald was very flustered. This was the first time Meng Jin saw his hair so messy. Based on his understanding of Donald, he paid the most attention to his hair style and he would spend half an hour taking care of it before going out.

Meng Jin: "Where is your bodyguard?"

Donald: “They tried their best.”

Meng Jin: "Why are you here?"

"I don't know. I was driving to get away from that guy, and I ended up here."

Donald couldn't explain it clearly. It was a subconscious behavior. Perhaps he felt that Meng Jin could provide him with a sense of security.

"Shit, what on earth happened?" Meng Jin asked.

Donald told Meng Jin the whole story. Tyson's ex-wife Robin Givens was photographed partying on Donald's yacht by an American entertainment magazine. Tyson was very angry after reading the report and rushed directly to Donald's office on Fifth Avenue.

Meng Jin: "So she gave it to me?"

Donald: “What are you talking about?”

Meng Jin: "So you touched her?"

Donald raised his voice: "Of course not, I'm not interested in that slut!"

Meng Jin: "Then why are you running?"

Donald was very helpless: "Have you ever seen a tiger?"

Meng Jin: “I saw it at the zoo when I was a kid.”

Donald: "That was Tyson's look at the time. If I hadn't run, I would have been torn to pieces by him. That guy is crazy. He's crazy for a woman. Sooner or later, he will die at the hands of this woman."

Donald glanced at Meng Jin after he finished speaking: "Meng, you can't learn from him."

Meng Jin had a blank expression on his face: "Usually women die on me."

Donald laughed out loud; chatting with Meng Jin eased his nervousness a little.

The next day, after Tyson had calmed down a little, Donald came to him in person to explain. Tyson did not make things difficult for him. After asking for some details, the matter was put behind him.

On October 10, Meng Jin went to the Bulls training camp with a suitcase.

There are some unfamiliar faces in the new year team. Except for star center Cartwright and rookie Will Perdue, the rest are marginal figures that other teams don't want, such as Anthony Jones, a swingman who played for the Spurs last season and averaged 5 points and 1.1 assists per game, Ed Nery who averaged 3.7 points and 4 rebounds per game, and David Wood, an undrafted player with a height of 206cm.

In order to show off his vision, Krause always likes to dig out treasures from garbage dumps. If these players become successful, it is all his credit, and if they don't, no one will say anything about him.

Collins was introducing the new players to the team at the training camp. When Cartwright stepped out, Jordan said, "I'm going to teach this idiot a lesson later."

Jordan's voice was very loud, he said it on purpose for the people around him to hear. It was his way of demonstrating. His good brother + bodyguard were sent away just like that, and as the big brother himself, he didn't show any expression, so who would dare to follow you in the future?

The other players were also not happy with Cartwright, not just because of Jordan. Oakley made great contributions to the team. He worked hard on the court and did the dirty work of the team. From a basketball perspective alone, the players did not think Cartwright could replace him.

The coaching staff stands at a different angle from the players. The Bulls really need such a big man to stabilize the defense. Cartwright is calm, strong, and has back-to-the-basket skills. He can not only defend the penalty area well, but also help Meng Jin and Jordan create offensive space and enrich the team's tactics.

The biggest question now is whether Cartwright can play at the expected level. He is 31 years old and has a long-term injury to the bones in his left foot. Therefore, the Bulls management, including the coaching staff, are very nervous. If Cartwright fails to play well, they will face a lot of pressure.

Grant secretly made advances to Cartwright when no one was paying attention. Others didn't like this big guy, but he did. Without Cartwright, Oakley couldn't leave, and if Oakley couldn't leave, his playing time would be limited.

Moreover, Cartwright can help him attract Jordan's firepower. Judging from the situation in the morning, Cartwright should be Jordan's most targeted teammate this season.

When taking the final photos, Meng Jin opened the suitcase he brought with him.

"What the hell is this?"

Meng Jin took out a long brown hair and walked to Jordan: “Michael, put it on.”

"Get away, this is stupid, I won't wear it." Jordan said with disgust.

Meng Jin: "Be a man of integrity."

Jordan shook his head: "Kill me."

Meng Jin: "Who would dare to bet with you like this in the future?"

Jordan: “I can give you money.”

Meng Jin: "If you give me a year's salary, I can consider it."

Jordan: "Fuck! What about robbery?"

Meng Jin: "Then wear it obediently and accept defeat."

Jordan shook his head and wanted to deny the debt.

Meng Jin had considered this, so he brought a whole box full of wigs.

He decided to give in: "Michael, you can choose one yourself. Just take a photo. If you refuse to pay, no one in the team will bet with you in the future."

Jordan walked to the suitcase and picked up a short-hair style. He could accept this one, but the others were all long-hair and he couldn't fit them.

Jordan: "Shit, how do I wear this?"

Meng Jin: "I'll help you. I studied it last night."

Meng Jin put the wig on Jordan's head and almost burst out laughing.

Jordan chose a wig with side bangs, a bit like Iori Yagami.

Before the photographer pressed the shutter, the Bulls players had already fallen down laughing. Jordan felt very embarrassed and wanted to take off the wig immediately after the photo was taken. At this time, Barkley rushed in with several reporters.

"Hurry, hurry, hurry! It's inside!"

The NBA had not yet established a media day during this period, so Barkley held one specifically for Jordan to surprise him.

Barkley rushed into the studio with his team as if he was catching someone cheating.

He took a special leave today and didn't even report to the Philadelphia 76ers' training camp. He came here specifically to read gossip about Jordan.

He was not disappointed. As soon as he entered the door, he saw Jordan wearing a wig and taking makeup photos.

"Crack!"

Not only did they click the shutter for the final photos, but several reporters brought by Barkley also pressed the shutter.

Jordan pulled his hair out, but it was too late. Barkley had already fallen to the ground laughing and couldn't get up.

Several reporters began to take turns asking questions: "Michael, are you satisfied with your new hairstyle? Where did the idea for the new hairstyle come from?"

"Michael, will you wear this wig in the new season?"

"Does this hairstyle affect your vision? For example, when you cross half court, you think you are being defended one-on-one, but when you lift your hair up, you realize it's a double team."

Jordan was very angry. He didn't say anything. He pushed the reporter away and walked out.

(End of this chapter)