Chapter 16: Kobe actually thinks so highly of Fan

Kupchak and Jimbas finally couldn't withstand the dominant power of the Kardashian family, so they had to say to Fan Xi: "Jack, let's talk in detail when you have time."

At this time, Kim Kardashian was a bit unrelenting, she emphasized: "Jack, if you need an agent or a lawyer, call me anytime. We will do our best to help you get a contract that matches your strength."

She also said to Kupchak: "Jack is our little brother, we are like family, don't think about taking advantage of him and exploiting his labor."

Kupchak raised his hands helplessly, he really didn't know how to explain his sincerity to this group of women.

He had to say: "I will definitely make everyone satisfied."

Kupchak and Jimbas failed to reach an agreement with Fan Xi for the first time. After Fan Xi chatted with the Kardashian sisters for a while, he returned to the locker room.

In the locker room, Matt Barnes ran over excitedly to high-five him, as well as Pau Gasol and Lamar Odom.

Kobe also joined in later.

He is a person who doesn't like to show emotions in the locker room, but he still called Fan Xi a miracle. He said: "Jack, keep working hard, I hope you become the best point guard I have ever partnered with."

This sentence is undoubtedly a profound stimulation for Steve Blake and Shannon Brown.

They have to face a fact: Fan Xi has officially become the team's new favorite based on two games. Because of his undrafted status, his current performance seems more legendary, and people are willing to talk about this kind of counterattack.

Just like on the other side of the ocean, when people talk about Zhu Yuanzhang, they always say he 'started with a bowl...'.

Fan Xi's starting point in the NBA is also the lowest. There is no contract lower than a 10-day short contract.

But now, the Lakers management is very anxious. They don't know what kind of contract to use to sign Fan Xi.

Kobe Bryant showed his enthusiasm. Before Fan Xi went to the media press conference, he said to Fan Xi: "What kind of contract do you want to get?"

Fan Xi didn't hide his thoughts. He told Kobe: "I want a ten-million annual salary. I know this number is ridiculous, but my strength will definitely exceed this annual salary."

Kobe gasped.

This number is very amazing, because no team in history has ever offered a ten-million annual salary for an undrafted player's first contract. Although many undrafted players eventually got the maximum salary, such as Ben Wallace, who once led the Pistons to defeat the Lakers with the F4 lineup, he was an undrafted player, but his first contract's annual salary was only a few hundred thousand US dollars.

"Do you know that many players missed opportunities because of high asking prices? Bonzi Wells once rejected the Kings' 5-year 36-million-dollar contract and eventually only signed a 2-year 4-million-dollar contract, missing out on 32 million US dollars. And Sprewell, who faced the 3-year 21-million-dollar contract handed over by the Timberwolves, claimed it wasn't enough for him to support his family, and in the end, he ended up with nothing."

Kobe taught him earnestly as an older brother: "I think if there is a lottery-level contract in front of you now, you can sign it."

"After all, you have only played two good games. There are too many players in the NBA who are flashes in the pan. You have to stop while you are ahead."

Kobe was very sincere. He was giving Fan Xi advice from the bottom of his heart.

He didn't want this young man to go down the wrong path.

However, Fan Xi was very confident. He told Kobe: "I really have 100% certainty, I will make every dollar in this contract worth more than its value."

"I really can!"

Fan Xi looked directly into Kobe's eyes, he said in a sincere and confident tone.

At that moment, Kobe really believed it.

Although many people have said similar things in front of him, the confidence revealed in Fan Xi's eyes was unprecedented.

Although no one has ever given an undrafted player a ten-million annual salary, he suddenly felt... maybe he could give Fan Xi such a contract.

So, after the conversation, he walked to talk to Kupchak with crutches.

He hoped Kupchak would take action and keep Fan Xi.

Because he really thinks highly of Fan Xi. Fan Xi gives him a feeling of 'the same kind'. He realized that Fan Xi would become an elite player. And the Lakers are currently lacking a new force. If the two-time defending Lakers want to go higher, they must have a new driving force.

Fan Xi is.

Good point guards in the current league are rare, and those suitable for the Lakers... the Lakers can't dig any.

Therefore, to some extent, Fan Xi, who has exploded in two games, is already the Lakers' only hope.

Most importantly, Fan Xi is very suitable for Kobe.

If Kobe wants to play off the ball, Fan Xi has the ability to organize the offense well.

If Kobe wants to play positional, Fan Xi is an excellent off-ball shooter.

Most importantly, Fan Xi's defensive awareness is very good, and the Lakers no longer have to endure the terrible and clumsy No. 1 position defense.

Derek Rose said Fan Xi is the best partner tailored for him by God.

For Kobe, isn't Fan Xi also the best partner tailored by God?

When Kobe went to negotiate with Kupchak, Fan Xi was already sitting at the press conference site.

The Los Angeles media below were particularly excited to see Fan Xi coming. Of course, there are many Chinese reporters, and many Chinese basketball reporters are stationed in this big city of Los Angeles. Because in China, the number of Lakers fans is second only to the Rockets.

The reporter from the Los Angeles Times stood up and blew a rainbow fart at Fan Xi, saying that Fan Xi is a unique undrafted genius, saying that he broke the Lakers' record that had been sealed for many years, and saying that he performed even better than Derek Rose tonight.

Fan Xi of course said thank you with a smile.

However, the question the media is most concerned about now is Fan Xi's renewal issue.

With Thibodeau throwing out that they really want to sign Fan Xi half an hour ago, the Los Angeles media couldn't wait to have Fan Xi and the Lakers reach a more stable and long-term cooperation agreement.

"... Everyone loves Jack Fan, everyone wants you to stay in the City of Angels to continue creating miracles. So, Jack, when do you plan to sign a formal contract with the Lakers?" Time Warner reporter asked Fan Xi.

Fan Xi still replied unhurriedly in his gentle tone: "I also hope to continue to cooperate with the Lakers, because it is the only team that gave me a chance, and it is it that allowed me to prove my talent in front of the whole world. However..."

Fan Xi said, spreading his palms: "Many times, many things are often not decided by the players."

Fan Xi threw the ball back.

At this time, the ESPN reporter stood up. He said something that made the Los Angeles reporters very unhappy: "Just now, Bulls head coach Thibodeau said they hope you can join Chicago, and also said Derek Rose appreciates you very much. May I ask, what do you think of the olive branch they threw out?"

Fan Xi smiled: "My first choice is the Lakers. However... Chicago's enthusiasm also moved me. Rose is a very, very strong guard, I like him very much."

Fan Xi never says things to death.

At this time, a Chinese reporter stood up: "Why not choose Houston? There is Yao Ming there, you will become a very good internal and external partner..."

"New York Knicks are also very good, it is a big city, they have Stoudemire and Carmelo Anthony, but lack a powerful point guard..." Another Chinese reporter stood up, and he was speaking Chinese.

The press conference quickly turned into a consultation meeting for Fan Xi's next home.

And the more they talked, the more outrageous it became. The Los Angeles media below were stunned.

The Lakers' media public relations hurriedly came over to end the interview.

Fan Xi waved goodbye to the reporters. When he was leaving, a Chinese reporter below said to Fan Xi: "Can I make an exclusive interview with you?"

Fan Xi said to him: "In a few days."

Fan Xi's momentum has burned uncontrollably. If his buzzer-beater against the Warriors in the first game was a blockbuster, then this game, confronting Rose head-on, completing a buzzer-beater, and creating a 27+20 data that the Lakers haven't seen in twenty years, can be called a god descending to earth.

More and more Lakers fans believe that Fan Xi is the key to opening the Lakers' three-peat dynasty.

This is an arrangement from heaven.

Otherwise, how could such a great undrafted player be born?

And it just happened to explode in the championship team Lakers.

The matter of fate, the more you talk about it, the more coincidental it is, the more you talk about it, the more seamless it is.

Fan Xi didn't go to Lamar Odom's house tonight, because Odom still has an event... Since marrying Khloe Kardashian, Odom's business activities have become more and more frequent.

They joined forces to make money in Hollywood.

People in the team locker room often said sourly: Why don't we find a Hollywood female star to fall in love with? In this way, we can earn more popularity and money.

The vanity fair is bustling, who doesn't want to be surrounded by spotlights, who doesn't want to make a lot of money.

Therefore, this is also why Lamar Odom quietly pulled Fan Xi aside tonight and said: "Jack, Jenner is interested in you, why don't you be like me and become a son-in-law of the Kardashian family?"

Fan Xi does not deny that he has a good impression of the young and beautiful Jenner. Honestly, young Jenner is the most beautiful girl in the Kardashian family who fits Fan Xi's aesthetics.

It's just... he always feels that something is missing, something that makes him rub and ignite.

Maybe it's because Jenner is too young.

Fan Xi stayed in a business hotel not far from Staples Center.

For him now, this counts as a luxury.

Because it costs 200 US dollars a night.

Probably because it is located in the center of Los Angeles, and many celebrities choose to stay here.

Kobe Bryant relayed Fan Xi's psychological expectations to Kupchak and Jimbas.

At that time, Kupchak and Jimbas were both shocked.

Jimbas even said bluntly: "This is too exaggerated, this is simply robbery. He has only played two games."

When he said this, the TV was broadcasting news, and Fan Xi has been appearing in tonight's sports broadcast. The latest news at the moment is that D'Antoni of the New York Knicks claimed that he watched the game and he was very interested in Fan Xi.

After he left Phoenix, he has been looking for a guard who can replace Nash. Fan Xi's appearance surprised him, because Fan Xi tonight used run-and-gun to defeat the Chicago Bulls.

This shows that Fan Xi can meet his tactical requirements.

He even said joyfully: "I finally found a guard who can perfectly embed into the run-and-gun system like Nash. I will take the initiative to contact him. This kid needs a godfather to help him grow faster. And, I don't think he will continue to stay in Los Angeles at all. The Lakers' boss can't bear to continue spending money."

This is a mockery.

Jimbas felt very uncomfortable listening to it.

Especially after he flatly rejected Fan Xi's ten-million annual salary.

"Want to hear my opinion?" Kobe Bryant said, and then he looked at Kupchak and Jimbas.

With the Chicago Bulls and New York Knicks entering the game one after another, the two managers urgently felt that the initiative was no longer in their hands.

Only then did they understand why Fan Xi chose the second 10-day contract instead of the stable fully guaranteed first-round contract they had previously provided.

"You say." Kupchak said to Kobe.

Kobe cleared his throat and said: "You have also seen tonight's game. Jack has the potential to become an elite player. And, he is only 19 years old now. He is actually 2 years younger than this year's top pick John Wall. You have to know, from an undrafted player to the current shock, his progress is extremely obvious. No one knows how amazing his space is."

"Most importantly, even the current him. He is already a very strong role player, he can fully adapt to my playing style. And, I will definitely reduce my personal ball-handling offense next, I will seek more efficient and concise shots. At this time, keeping him is the best choice."

"Jack is the most suitable guard for the Lakers in the current league."

"I don't want to miss him."

"As for the ten-million annual salary, although it has never appeared before. But why can't the Lakers break the rule once?"

Kobe asked the two back.

Kupchak frowned and said: "However, you have to know, we have already hoarded three at the point guard position, which is not a small expenditure."

"Can trade two." Kobe said cleanly.

If Shannon Brown or Steve Blake heard this, they would definitely tremble.

"If you give him a ten-million annual salary, it will definitely lead to criticism from the whole league, and even internal resistance in the team. You know, the first-place John Wall only has an annual salary of 5.14 million. Letting an undrafted player become twice his is to treat Fan as a target, to be shot at by rookies one after another."

Jimbas said so.

This sentence translated into Chinese is 'the wood that stands out in the forest will be destroyed by the wind'. Once Fan Xi gets this unprecedented contract, those unconvinced rookies will definitely chase him.

But at this time, Kobe Bryant smiled.

He said coldly: "I have heard a Chinese proverb, I like it very much."

"The sharp edge of a sword comes from sharpening, and the fragrance of plum blossoms comes from the bitter cold."

"If Fan can break out from these pursuits, then, the Lakers will have an absolute core for the next ten years."

Kobe has great hopes for Fan Xi.

Kupchak and Jimbas were both gasping for air, extremely shocked.

Kobe actually thinks so highly of Fan!

... ===== CHAPTER 17 =====