Chapter 292: The PUA'd Billionaire

The official passing of this massive trade undoubtedly shocked the entire basketball world; the Clippers taking down the Lakers on Christmas Day itself signaled the rise of a powerhouse team.

The addition of MVP Nowitzki naturally pushed the fans' imagination to its peak.

Are the Clippers going to chase the Grand Champion this season?

This is only their first season of rebuilding.

Although Clippers fans felt some reluctance regarding the departure of Griffin—Griffin was the strongest rookie the Clippers had ever selected in the draft, his playing style was flashy, his stats this season were quite good, and he was a visibly budding superstar.

However, Dirk Nowitzki was just too tempting.

Although Nowitzki was already 33 years old, he could still contribute an average of 27.7 points and 8.2 rebounds per game in the playoffs last season, and his various advanced stats were among the top in last season's playoffs.

Nowitzki could bring the Clippers the offensive penetration ability they needed most; Fan Xi was still lacking a bit in this regard, even though he could always create miracles at critical moments. But in regular time, Fan Xi was not a steady, efficient scorer. The other two highly anticipated rookie forwards were not either.

"This is a win-win trade. I give the Dallas Mavericks' trade an A+ rating, and I give the Los Angeles Clippers' trade an A rating."

Stephen A. Smith is an ESPN basketball expert who frequently appears on television to analyze trades. "Although trading Nowitzki is a painful thing for Dallas, they have long had a family-like relationship. But it is precisely because they are family that this Dallas Mavericks trade is based more on respect for Nowitzki; they don't want to waste Nowitzki's final peak and are sending him to a team with more hope of winning the Grand Champion."

"Dallas received Griffin and Deng Liwei in this trade—a quasi-superstar power forward full of athletic ability and offensive talent, and a time-tested tall white shooter. Griffin's talent will definitely drive Dallas crazy; he will keep the attendance at the Meihangzhongxin qiuguan rising, and his passionate style of play will bring fans a completely different visual experience. I believe he can seamlessly integrate into the team and allow Dallas to continue maintaining playoff-level strength."

"Deng Liwei's strength cannot be underestimated. Although his stats of 10.1 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 1.3 assists per game this season have slipped slightly, his efficiency is constantly improving. He and Peja Stojaković will form a terrifying wing three-point combination, and with the blessing of Jason Kidd, they will make the whole league tremble."

"More importantly, I think the Clippers only have two and a half years of usage rights for Nowitzki. Nowitzki's contract will expire in 2014; in fact, he will enter a player option in 2013."

"The Clippers must make good use of these two years; this is their championship window, and the competition they face is unprecedentedly strong. I cannot, like those kids who don't understand basketball, claim that the Clippers have surpassed the Lakers on Christmas night. The Lakers are still the number one championship seed in my mind, followed by Miami. The Clippers, having acquired Nowitzki, can probably compete for the third championship seed with the Chicago Bulls, Oklahoma City Thunder, and Boston Celtics."

"Moreover, I am very worried about the chemistry between Jack and Nowitzki. Nowitzki is a superstar who brings his own system; he is a player who can rely on his own super offensive ability to allow teammates around him to get better and easier shooting opportunities. Jack also brings his own system, and he can also make his teammates better. Can two such players who bring their own systems merge their systems into one super system?"

"As far as I know, Jack is not very good at pick-and-rolls. Will they find another way to communicate?"

"..."

Fan Xi saw this television report while eating breakfast.

Ku Pu Qie Ke was sitting across from him.

In over a year, their status and position had undergone a earth-shaking change.

When they first met, Fan Xi hoped Ku Pu Qie Ke would discover his strengths and give him an NBA contract.

But now, Ku Pu Qie Ke appeared somewhat cautious in front of Fan Xi.

"Recover, I still like the way you were flying and confident," Fan Xi said to Ku Pu Qie Ke with a smile; he hoped Ku Pu Qie Ke wouldn't treat him as a boss.

Ku Pu Qie Ke nodded quickly, although his expression became relaxed, he still inevitably felt extra respect for Fan Xi in his heart.

This is probably the power of money.

"We only have 11 players on the team now, and according to the rules, we still have one official spot," Ku Pu Qie Ke said to Fan Xi. Then, he handed over another thing: "This is old Deng Liwei's resignation."

Old Deng Liwei had told Fan Xi on the phone last night; this old man had been struggling in the NBA for most of his life, from player to assistant coach, from assistant coach to coach, from coach to management, he might really be tired.

When his son was traded to Texas, he also wanted to return to his hometown to spend his later years.

"I know, let him go home. You can take on the job of General Manager yourself," Fan Xi said to Ku Pu Qie Ke with a smile: "I believe in you."

"As for signing players, you handle it. You don't need to communicate these things with me anymore; you are a professional manager, and I have already handed the team to you. I am now a player under your command," Fan Xi gave Ku Pu Qie Ke enough trust.

Then, they went to the hotel conference room together to meet Nowitzki; they would hold a simple press conference here. Then, Nowitzki would go to the team to go through the process and have a physical examination, and they would go to San Francisco for an away game together in the evening.

The speed was very fast.

When Fan Xi saw Nowitzki, both of them felt as if they were in a different world, and they hugged each other warmly. Their first cooperation was at the All-Star Game, when Fan Xi was just a rookie, he received Nowitzki's selfless help, they worked together to take down the powerful Eastern Conference, and Nowitzki was even slightly injured because of it.

Their friendship was also established at that time.

In less than a year, they had actually become official teammates, and it was Nowitzki who joined the Clippers to be Fan Xi's assistant. Last year, it was Nowitzki who kept urging Fan Xi to go to Dallas to find him, but now... the world has changed.

"I am here to assist Captain Jack."

Nowitzki said with a full face of smiles at the press conference.

This 33-year-old historical power forward had long passed the age of fighting for power and profit. He would not be like those superstars in their prime who join other teams, open their mouths and say 'I will lead the team with so-and-so', and act as the sole leader.

Some things are especially good to be clear from the beginning.

"My goal is definitely to chase the Grand Champion. I have played in the league for so many years, and this is the only honor I haven't completed yet," Nowitzki said very honestly.

He didn't brag, and he didn't have 'verbal loans' about how many Grand Champions he would win.

Nowitzki is a straightforward person.

He even humbly said: "I will try my best to adapt to the Clippers' game mode, and I hope my learning ability can still keep up with Jack's pace."

Nowitzki has the rigor of a German, and he has always been an outlier in this league of flamboyant personalities. As an international player, he has also been labeled with many labels that shouldn't be there. When he succeeded, he didn't get the rewards he deserved. For example, in the 2005-2006 season, he should have been the regular season MVP. When he was down, the media gave him too much excessive ridicule.

His situation in some aspects is the same as Fan Xi's.

It's just that he is more introverted.

Fan Xi is as violent as fire; whoever offends him, he will hit back hard.

Liu Yifei did not go to Oakland with Fan Xi, although Fan Xi said he wanted to introduce her to his best friend from college, Liu Yifei said there would be plenty of time in the future, and her agent had long urged her to return to the country.

Because her relationship with Fan Xi was exposed, her career in the country received greater exposure.

People had high hopes for her, hoping that the Fairy Sister would pull Fan Xi back from the fairy garden in Hollywood.

Some media even interviewed Fan Xi's parents. Fan Xi's father was a non-stick pan; he said with a smiling face: I have watched Liu Yifei's TV, I like her very much, if she doesn't dislike my son, I as a father am certainly happy.

Fan Xi's mother was in the posture of a strong woman; she said: I will not respond to the private life of the major shareholder.

Official business, a once-and-for-all solution.

This also made the media mutter whether there would be mother-in-law and daughter-in-law conflicts after the Fairy Sister married into the Fan family; Fan's mother didn't look like someone to be trifled with.

But in fact, after Fan's mother finished saying these words, she quickly sent a message to her son, saying... will I make Yifei angry by saying this? You quickly send her phone number to me, I want to make an appointment with her for tea.

Uh...

Fan's mother is cute.

When Fan Xi arrived in Oakland, he received a private call from Ballmer.

This super billionaire appeared particularly shocked; he finally knew that Fan Xi had completed the acquisition, and to him, this was like a duck to his mouth flying away.

"Sell the shares to me. Jack, I can offer a valuation of 1.7 billion US dollars," Ballmer said very sincerely to Fan Xi.

He was a bit pestering.

Fan Xi didn't want to bargain with this super billionaire anymore. He said to Ballmer: "If you want shares, I can sell you 20%, and I can also write you a right of first refusal for subsequent shares. However, before June 2012, the valuation is 2.8 billion US dollars."

What?

Ballmer yelled on the other end of the phone; he thought Fan Xi was raising the price on the spot: "Jack. You could clearly just rob, why do you still want to give me 20% of the shares? Negotiations aren't done like this."

Fan Xi smiled and said: "Anyway, this is my bottom line. You should be able to see the value of the Clippers; this is the quote before June 2012. After June, it will be different. Because by then, we will already be a Grand Champion team."

Ballmer jumped with anger: "Madman, madman, you must be a madman."

Fan Xi hung up the phone with a smile.

Ballmer couldn't calm down for a long time; he had never seen such a crazy guy in his life. 2.8 billion US dollars, robbing a bank isn't done like this either.

Selling me 20% at a valuation of 2.8 billion, that's 560 million US dollars; it turns out he only spent 190 million US dollars to take down 80% of the shares.

Ballmer became more and more angry the more he thought about it.

The more he thought about it, the more he felt stifled.

However, he couldn't let go in his heart no matter what.

This super billionaire who had been through many battles was PUA'd.

... ===== CHAPTER 293 =====