Chapter 199

When Old Bas was lucid, he first saw his eldest son, Johnny Bas.

Johnny Bas is the most capable among Old Bas's children. If he were willing to take over the Lakers, there would be almost nothing left for Jim and Jean.

However, this conversation was the same as always; Johnny refused his father. He preferred to do his own thing, including managing the Bas family's women's basketball business. His interests currently do not lie in the more high-profile NBA.

Frankly speaking, over the past period, Old Bas had already handed over most of his business to Jim Bas to manage. Although there is no concept of favoring sons over daughters in the United States, Old Bas still had some reservations about his ambitious daughter, Jean Bas.

Under the current arrangement, the second son, Jim Bas, is responsible for Lakers team operations; the second daughter, Jean, is responsible for family charity; the third son, Joey, is responsible for NBDL team operations; and the youngest son, Jesse, is responsible for the scouting department.

Jean did not have a specific task, but her presence was very strong.

She is the figure in the Bas family most favored by the media.

In fact, besides the fierce competition between Jim Bas and Jean Bas, the third and fourth sons are also participating in the succession struggle.

Joey is Old Bas's illegitimate son. The NBDL team he manages is performing very well, and he has a very good relationship with Kobe. This is very helpful for his sudden emergence as a successor. Although, generally speaking, his chances are very slim.

Jesse Bas is Old Bas's youngest son. His advantage is that he has always lived with his father, and they are very close. Usually, an old father will dote on his youngest child.

Therefore, after meeting with Johnny, Old Bas summoned Jesse.

Jesse walked out of Old Bas's hospital room crying, followed by Joey, who also looked very sad.

Then, it was finally Jim Bas's turn.

Jim Bas walked into his father's house full of confidence. He had always considered himself "the father's most outstanding son," even though his ability did not seem as impressive as his older brother's or older sister's.

But now, he was full of confidence.

The Lakers under his leadership won their third consecutive championship, and that was when the whole world didn't favor them. Most importantly... the guard who led the team to break through the siege and create a legend was unearthed by him personally.

This proves he has a keen eye and a long-term plan.

He believed he could completely impress his old father with these two points and let his father rest assured in handing the Lakers over to him.

"We won the championship, Father. The Lakers have become the second team in history to create two three-peats."

As soon as Jim Bas walked into the room, he held his old father's hand and said excitedly: "Jack is the Finals MVP. He performed very well in the final game. He hit the game-winner against LeBron James, using that continuous spin move to shake off LeBron. In fact, throughout the entire Finals, he completed three game-winners. He really is a super big-hearted player!"

Jim Bas kept talking incessantly as soon as he came in.

Old Bas was not excited about the Lakers winning another dynasty; he had already learned the news. Everything Jack said was information he already knew.

This old, shrewd father actually didn't want to hear these words at this time, and he also knew why Jim wanted to say them.

Although everything was very, very good, why... was there still a little bit of disappointment?

Old Bas took a slight breath and asked, "Jim, what is your plan for the future?"

"I want to continue to consolidate the current lineup. We must smoothly complete the transition from Kobe to Jack. In fact, this matter has already reached a consensus among the coaching staff, Kobe, and Jack. We will definitely continue the strong team gene, and all of us are ambitious. They will develop into the most powerful team in the world, and the most powerful team in NBA history. Believe me, Father. Kobe said we can completely break the 8-peat created by Boston back then, and I think there is a great chance."

Old Bas nodded.

Then he asked again: "What areas do you think we need to strengthen in the offseason, and what should we do?"

"We need to strengthen the wings. We can make some interesting trades, using Lamar Odom, Deng Liwei, and other very valuable players to trade for more draft picks. I even think Andrew can be traded. Having just finished the Finals, these guys' market value has doubled, and we can't renew everyone's contract. Our core has always been Jack, Kobe, and Gasol. We can completely build a sustainable team, using superstars to drive newcomers, and using newcomers to enhance the depth of the lineup. Going on like this is far more promising than forming a super team. The model like the Miami Heat won't last long..."

Jim Bas explained his thoughts in detail.

His ideas were actually very clear: maintain the core team to ensure combat effectiveness, while vigorously digging for newcomers. In this way, it not only replenishes fresh blood but also saves salary space, which is very healthy and reasonable.

Old Bas nodded, and then they asked about some senior personnel issues.

Jim Bas stated that he would continue to use the current system and would not make major changes. He also emphasized that he would treat family members well and give everyone a chance to unleash their talents because we are a family.

Jim Bas spoke very well.

Old Bas kept nodding as well.

Finally, Old Bas asked Jim Bas: "How do you view Phil Jackson's request for shares?"

Jim Bas said: "I will stabilize him first; I cannot give him a definite answer. If he can lead our team to a five-peat or six-peat, perhaps I will consider this matter."

Old Bas remained silent.

The conversation between the two lasted about 40 minutes, the longest among all the brothers and sisters so far.

After Jim Bas came out, he had a relaxed smile on his face.

Old Bas rested inside for nearly an hour before letting Jean Bas in.

Jean Bas had not gained Old Bas's trust in the previous period. Old Bas was more willing to delegate his power to Jim Bas, although most people said Jim Bas was indecisive, not as clean and efficient as his older sister, and lacked Old Bas's boldness.

As soon as Jean entered the room, she asked about Old Bas's current physical condition with concern, telling him that the doctor said he was recovering very well, and the family was waiting for him to be discharged quickly to reunite. She even chatted about Thanksgiving turkeys and Christmas Eve apples.

Jean talked about trivial family matters. She chatted about how her father held her head up to pick apples when she was a child, how Johnny took them to play in the mud in the backyard, how Jim was too timid to make a sound, and how she raised her hand to say it was her idea... and then the old story of Old Bas rewarding her with a toy gun.

Every detail Jean said was filled with gentle warmth.

A comfortable smile appeared on the corner of Old Bas's mouth.

Obviously, this was what he wanted to hear most.

Jean then said with regret, "The saddest thing for me is that I didn't find an excellent man to marry when I was young, nor did I become a mother. What I hope most now is that my little brothers get married and have children quickly, the more the better. The prosperity of a family always requires more and more descendants."

This sentence moved Old Bas quite a bit.

Old Bas had always been concerned about his youngest son's life-long events. Jean indicated that she would talk to that female model. She hoped Jesse would go to Stanford or the University of Southern California for further studies to become a graduate student or a doctor, and that he should find a knowledgeable wife instead of relying on a Brazilian female model who attracted people with her beauty and even once had an affair with Leonardo.

"I'll leave this matter to you," Old Bas said solemnly, patting the back of Jean's hand.

He was a playboy in his early years, but in his later years, he paid extreme attention to family, just like a prodigal son returning in every story.

Old Bas was silent for a while, then he suddenly asked Jean: "If the Lakers keep winning championships, winning a five-peat or six-peat, and Phil Jackson asks us for shares, what would you do?"

"I would fire him," Jean said very firmly.

"Why?" Old Bas's expression was slightly surprised: "He is your boyfriend."

"But I am a member of the Bas family. We cannot distribute shares to any outsider. Phil Jackson won't do. Even if he wins ten championships in a row, it won't do. Moreover, when we achieve a five-peat or six-peat, our market value will be terrifying at that time. We can release a portion of the equity in exchange for abundant cash to invest in our family trust fund."

Jean Bas said very firmly; she had no room for ambiguity on this matter.

This made Old Bas look at her with new eyes.

He was silent for a while, then asked: "What problems do you think our management has now?"

"I think many of our executives should be replaced now. Our business promotion completely ignores the Internet; they are still using old-fashioned methods. Ku Pu Qie Ke is very unfavorable in business promotion; he even caused the California regional TV broadcast, which had been extended for two years, to reach a stalemate. Now that we have won the three-peat, it is the time to strike while the iron is hot, but he went on vacation."

"I suggest letting Jerry West come back. His resources in the league are too strong. And Magic, he is willing to give up many of his businesses in California; he hopes to do more for the Lakers. He is a loyal minority shareholder."

Jean Bas had many of her own views; she was a reformer.

She liked drastic changes.

Then, Old Bas asked her: "How do you think we should build the team's lineup next? Do we have a chance to win a five-peat or six-peat?"

"Of course we can win a five-peat," Jean said very firmly: "Kobe still has at least two years of peak state, Pau Gasol's feeling is getting better and better, and our lineup is perfectly integrated."

"You didn't mention this year's legendary rookie, Jack Fan. He is our Finals MVP. I have seen his crazy performance on TV more than once," Old Bas asked.

"I want to trade him," Jean looked at her father very firmly with her eyes: "Now is the time when his commercial value and court value are at their highest. I hope to trade him; I can exchange him for unprecedented chips."

"What chips?" Old Bas asked.

"Dwight Howard. The league's number one center," Jean Bas said calmly.

This name made Old Bas's breathing a bit uneven. Old Bas lying in the hospital bed had not seen Fan Xi's wonderful performance, but he knew how powerful Howard was. Howard is the well-deserved number one center in the league, and the Lakers have always had a tradition of possessing the league's number one center. From O'Neal, Jabbar, Chamberlain... to George Mikan.

"But, Jack is our hero. If we trade him, we will lose our credibility," Old Bas said.

"Therefore, this decision should be executed by a woman like me. I am not afraid of bearing the infamy."

Jean was very decisive, just like when she raised her hands in the mud in the backyard when she was a child, saying it was her idea.

Old Bas's gaze became soft. All along, the child most like him was Jean, daring to fight, daring to charge, and daring to take responsibility. In contrast, Jim was very mediocre and timid.

"Father, Jack is by no means a perfect core. He is an Asian. He has a vast market background, but it is also destined that his physical fitness cannot reach a truly top level. Most importantly, he is a player with obvious flaws. Beside Kobe, beside a group of teammates who fit him, he can become a perfect catalyst. But what if he is left to stand alone? We need a real superstar."

Jean Bas said so.

She still didn't truly understand Fan Xi; these words of hers were all obtained from Magic Johnson and Jerry West previously. But now, Jerry West and Magic Johnson have both changed their minds.

Old Bas remained calm, but he agreed with his daughter's statement. He also hadn't watched the most important fourth and fifth games of the Finals; in his impression, Fan Xi was just a top-tier assistant.

"The point is, Jack is injured. He played for the Lakers with an injury. His right ankle has several torn ligaments. I'm not sure if he can return to full strength. Although doing this is very unrighteous, for the sake of the Lakers, I am willing to bear all the infamy."

Jean continued, with an expression of being ready to die for a cause.

Finally, she gave Old Bas the most "fatal" blow: "We have already made contact with Stephen Nash. He has verbally promised to join the Lakers this summer. His agent team stated that Nash hopes to wear the number 10 jersey."

Whoosh!

Old Bas let out a heavy breath.

If the Lakers can get the league's number one center Dwight Howard and two-time regular season MVP winner Stephen Nash, then... what reason does the Lakers have not to be powerful?

Previously, Jim Bas told him about using the old to lead the new and sustainable development, and Old Bas kept shaking his head in his heart. Now that Jean Bas proposed this giant alliance, it fits his consistent approach.

Los Angeles is a big city, and big cities should do big things.

Jean Bas fits his ideas very well.

The two chatted for another 10 minutes or so.

When Jean Bas went out, Old Bas asked her to call the lawyer in.

"Jim, five years from now, I will hand the club over to you," Jean said to Jim Bas, who was still smiling uncontrollably, after she came out.

Jim Bas seemed not to understand. He raised his eyebrows: "My dear sister, you should go out for a walk and travel. Perhaps you can take Jesse and do a good job in the scouting department. Next, we are going to vigorously scour the NCAA for potential superstars."